Looking for any user reviews/info on this line...or comparison to the Fleetwood Pulse. The floor plan suits us and we want a diesel, but I'm having trouble finding comments from anyone who has/had one. Also any feedback from any Coachmen owners regarding service/repair/warranty support.Thanks

I'm beginning to think this is a phantom unit :(

I saw one at a dealership in CT. Very retro!

I've not yet seen one, but our Coachmen dealer stopped carrying motorhomes in that brand a few years ago (still carries the towables).Prism looks a little taller, wider, less aerodynamic than other C's on the Sprinter chassis. Have you looked at any of those from Winnebago, Forest River, or Fleetwood?Another small motorhome on Sprinter chassis to look at would be Winnebago's Via,similar in size and performance to View, Prism or a Sprinter Jamboree/Tioga, but with the front seats incorporated into the living area, rather than being lost space except while driving. That can make a big difference in a small motorhome.RV Trader shows Prisms in stock at RV World, Lakeland and Nokomis stores. RV World also has Views in stock, new and used, for a same-day comparison.I've liked working with Dreamland, in Bradenton, who carries Thor lines, but they don't show any Sprinter C's in their current stock.I see that the Prism (and F-R Solera) run somewhat lower in price than most of the Sprinter C's introduced into the market earlier. It also has more basic, lower cost construction with less use of molded fiberglass bodywork for streamlining. I would expect a more basic trim on the interior, this model does not seemed to be aimed toward customers down-sizing from expensive class A diesels, as the first Sprinter C's were targeted.You can likely make up most of the price difference by looking for 2-4 year old used C's from early adopters like Winnebago, Gulfstream and Fleetwood. Low mileage 2009's are selling for 30 to 50 thousand less than MSRP of new 2011's (which should be be clearing out as dealers take delivery of 2012 models in the next few months).

tatest wrote:Another small motorhome on Sprinter chassis to look at would be Winnebago's Via,similar in size and performance to View, Prism or a Sprinter Jamboree/Tioga, but with the front seats incorporated into the living area, rather than being lost space except while driving. That can make a big difference in a small motorhome.Front seats in Sprinter Cs do not have to be lost. Mine has swiveling front seats so they become part of the living area. There are kits to convert those that do not come that way.

Thanks, tatest, for your detailed comments.Prism looks a little taller, wider, less aerodynamic than other C's on the Sprinter chassis. Have you looked at any of those from Winnebago, Forest River, or Fleetwood? We have looked at many of these others. It is the floor plan of the CM Prism and the Fleetwood Pulse that are attractive to us. They both do appear taller & wider…hence they actually have some basement storage space…the other models have minimal storage. Another small motorhome on Sprinter chassis to look at would be Winnebago's Via,similar in size and performance to View, Prism or a Sprinter Jamboree/Tioga, but with the front seats incorporated into the living area, rather than being lost space except while driving. That can make a big difference in a small motorhome.The Prism front seats also swivel. RV Trader shows Prisms in stock at RV World, Lakeland and Nokomis stores. RV World also has Views in stock, new and used, for a same-day comparison. We have been to the Nokomis store many times…live just a few miles from there. I've liked working with Dreamland, in Bradenton, who carries Thor lines, but they don't show any Sprinter C's in their current stock. Thor does make Freedom Elite…available only at Camping World…and they also make Four Winds Siesta…same as the Elite. We have several variables that are key for us…a fixed bed…an over cab entertainment system rather than a bunk, a sofa & table rather than a booth dinette…and usable storage underneath. It may take some time before we find a resale with all these :)

Coachmen Prism anyone? | Good Sam Community

PhilR_
Explorer
Jan 21, 2012
We have a Sprinter MH, but as it is a Winnebago, I cannot say anything about the Coachman coach. However, I did want to mention one thing about the Coachman, and that it has a TPO roof (often referred to as a "rubber" roof). The Winnebago/Itasca versions have fiberglass roofs. It might not matter to you what type of roof you get, but I know that if I were to be spending that much money on an RV, it better have a fiberglass roof.

Also, I would 2nd tatest's suggestion about buying used. In 2010 we purchased a 2008 View with less than 8k miles on it, and saved a bunch....
Bruce_Gunn
Explorer
Jan 21, 2012
I just bought a 2012 Prism from Motor Home Specialist in Alvarado, TX. My wife and I have only driven it about 150 miles but are very pleased with the Prism and how it handles. My wife can drive it very easily. One reason that we chose the Prism over the Solera was that the Prism had a longer bed and the bed is wider than most of the corner bed RVs. The Mercedes-Benze chassis and motor are both excellent and it has plenty of power. The front cabin area is your basic Sprinter in terms of seat type, lack of a carpeted area, etc but we like it that way. We bought the Prism for $70,000, about $27,000 below the list price. It had only 1,300 miles on it. When we drove it from the dealer to our home near Austin, we averaged 13.5 mpg. The wind was hitting us from the side at 40 to 60 mph and we were driving about 65 mph. I'm told that the diesel mpg will improve in time but we are still pleased with this mpg. We slept in the RV for two nights at the dealership (full hookups) and the 40-60 mph winds made a little noise in the cabin but rocking of the RV was minimal. So far, we love the prism (and yes, it does have a flatter front profile than does the View and other RVs but it didn't seem to affect its handling on the road.
Bruce_Gunn
Explorer
Jan 21, 2012
deborahsheik wrote:
Thanks, tatest, for your detailed comments.

Prism looks a little taller, wider, less aerodynamic than other C's on the Sprinter chassis. Have you looked at any of those from Winnebago, Forest River, or Fleetwood? We have looked at many of these others. It is the floor plan of the CM Prism and the Fleetwood Pulse that are attractive to us. They both do appear taller & wider…hence they actually have some basement storage space…the other models have minimal storage.
Another small motorhome on Sprinter chassis to look at would be Winnebago's Via,
similar in size and performance to View, Prism or a Sprinter Jamboree/Tioga, but with the front seats incorporated into the living area, rather than being lost space except while driving. That can make a big difference in a small motorhome.The Prism front seats also swivel.
RV Trader shows Prisms in stock at RV World, Lakeland and Nokomis stores. RV World also has Views in stock, new and used, for a same-day comparison. We have been to the Nokomis store many times…live just a few miles from there.
I've liked working with Dreamland, in Bradenton, who carries Thor lines, but they don't show any Sprinter C's in their current stock. Thor does make Freedom Elite…available only at Camping World…and they also make Four Winds Siesta…same as the Elite.
We have several variables that are key for us…a fixed bed…an over cab entertainment system rather than a bunk, a sofa & table rather than a booth dinette…and usable storage underneath. It may take some time before we find a resale with all these :)
deborahsheik
Explorer
Mar 13, 2011
Dakzuki wrote:
Front seats in Sprinter Cs do not have to be lost. Mine has swiveling front seats so they become part of the living area. There are kits to convert those that do not come that way.

Which unit do you have? Can you share your thoughts on it...comfort...maintenance...etc?
deborahsheik
Explorer
Mar 13, 2011
Thanks, tatest, for your detailed comments.

Prism looks a little taller, wider, less aerodynamic than other C's on the Sprinter chassis. Have you looked at any of those from Winnebago, Forest River, or Fleetwood? We have looked at many of these others. It is the floor plan of the CM Prism and the Fleetwood Pulse that are attractive to us. They both do appear taller & wider…hence they actually have some basement storage space…the other models have minimal storage.
Another small motorhome on Sprinter chassis to look at would be Winnebago's Via,
similar in size and performance to View, Prism or a Sprinter Jamboree/Tioga, but with the front seats incorporated into the living area, rather than being lost space except while driving. That can make a big difference in a small motorhome.The Prism front seats also swivel.
RV Trader shows Prisms in stock at RV World, Lakeland and Nokomis stores. RV World also has Views in stock, new and used, for a same-day comparison. We have been to the Nokomis store many times…live just a few miles from there.
I've liked working with Dreamland, in Bradenton, who carries Thor lines, but they don't show any Sprinter C's in their current stock. Thor does make Freedom Elite…available only at Camping World…and they also make Four Winds Siesta…same as the Elite.
We have several variables that are key for us…a fixed bed…an over cab entertainment system rather than a bunk, a sofa & table rather than a booth dinette…and usable storage underneath. It may take some time before we find a resale with all these :)
Dakzuki
Explorer
Mar 13, 2011
tatest wrote:

Another small motorhome on Sprinter chassis to look at would be Winnebago's Via,
similar in size and performance to View, Prism or a Sprinter Jamboree/Tioga, but with the front seats incorporated into the living area, rather than being lost space except while driving. That can make a big difference in a small motorhome.

Front seats in Sprinter Cs do not have to be lost. Mine has swiveling front seats so they become part of the living area. There are kits to convert those that do not come that way.
tatest
Explorer II
Mar 12, 2011
I've not yet seen one, but our Coachmen dealer stopped carrying motorhomes in that brand a few years ago (still carries the towables).

Prism looks a little taller, wider, less aerodynamic than other C's on the Sprinter chassis. Have you looked at any of those from Winnebago, Forest River, or Fleetwood?

Another small motorhome on Sprinter chassis to look at would be Winnebago's Via,
similar in size and performance to View, Prism or a Sprinter Jamboree/Tioga, but with the front seats incorporated into the living area, rather than being lost space except while driving. That can make a big difference in a small motorhome.

RV Trader shows Prisms in stock at RV World, Lakeland and Nokomis stores. RV World also has Views in stock, new and used, for a same-day comparison.

I've liked working with Dreamland, in Bradenton, who carries Thor lines, but they don't show any Sprinter C's in their current stock.

I see that the Prism (and F-R Solera) run somewhat lower in price than most of the Sprinter C's introduced into the market earlier. It also has more basic, lower cost construction with less use of molded fiberglass bodywork for streamlining. I would expect a more basic trim on the interior, this model does not seemed to be aimed toward customers down-sizing from expensive class A diesels, as the first Sprinter C's were targeted.

You can likely make up most of the price difference by looking for 2-4 year old used C's from early adopters like Winnebago, Gulfstream and Fleetwood. Low mileage 2009's are selling for 30 to 50 thousand less than MSRP of new 2011's (which should be be clearing out as dealers take delivery of 2012 models in the next few months).
Mike__Rose
Explorer
Mar 11, 2011
I saw one at a dealership in CT. Very retro!
deborahsheik
Explorer
Mar 11, 2011
I'm beginning to think this is a phantom unit :(

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