diesel class c

I do my own oil changes with oil and filter from Amazon, so its not too expensive. M-B has a whole page of specifications, including engine oil.

DrewE wrote:

davelinde wrote:
a rig that grossed at 15 ton and got 9 mpg it annoys me to contemplate something that will weigh so much less and not even manage 8...

8 mpg is not at all unrealistic most of the gas is used to overcome air resistance, which is determined by the shape of the vehicle, not its weight.

So... yes, my Volvo got pretty much 9 mpg running bobtail (at 8 ton) or hitched up (at 15 ton) and it was 12' 3" high. What I'd like in a more compact RV is the ability to carry the weight and get reasonable mpg. From what I'm reading the V10 based rigs might get 8 and if I go to the diesel options the chassis are not set up to carry much weight. I makes me wonder how the my huge profile, really heavy 2001 Volvo did so well and a recent smaller vehicle is so much worse.

davelinde wrote:
Still - having owned two diesel RV tow vehicles I am a big fan. I guess I could run the numbers and convince myself that operating cost (eg fuel economy) is largely offset by total cost (factoring in acquisition and maintenance). But one thing I really loved about both my trucks was the effective cruising range. My Dodge could go almost 400 miles and the Volvo was as ridiculous 1800.

I do know it's all in the numbers but somehow having owned a rig that grossed at 15 ton and got 9 mpg it annoys me to contemplate something that will weigh so much less and not even manage 8...

8 mpg is not at all unrealistic for many current Ford E350/E450 class C's; I generally average 7.5 mpg or a little better on mine, which is 20 years old and has the four-speed transmission. Of course, how fast one drives has a significant impact on the fuel mileage. (Weight, by comparison, has relatively little impact on highway mileage in itself; most of the gas is used to overcome air resistance, which is determined by the shape of the vehicle, not its weight. A motorhome is almost as aerodynamic as a barn.)

As the E series have 55 gallon fuel tanks (always for the E450, and pretty nearly always for the E350 when it's used in a motorhome), a 400 mile cruising range is about right.

I'm in the "wondering" phase on buying a Class-C and saw this thread. From what (little) I know about C's I was disappointed there were not more diesel options and been hoping I'd just missed them. When we got our first RV I really agonized over the gas/diesel question and ended up buying the diesel. Ironically that was when diesel fuel cost LESS than gas and since I bought that truck (to tow a FW) the costs flipped and never went back...

Still - having owned two diesel RV tow vehicles I am a big fan. I guess I could run the numbers and convince myself that operating cost (eg fuel economy) is largely offset by total cost (factoring in acquisition and maintenance). But one thing I really loved about both my trucks was the effective cruising range. My Dodge could go almost 400 miles and the Volvo was as ridiculous 1800.

I do know it's all in the numbers but somehow having owned a rig that grossed at 15 ton and got 9 mpg it annoys me to contemplate something that will weigh so much less and not even manage 8...

Ed_Gee wrote:
We love our Winnabago Fuse on Ford Transit Diesel chassis. It rides and drives like a dream.....and its little 5 cyl Ford diesel engine is certainly more quiet than the noisy Ford 10 cyl gasser it replaced!

That subdued noise is what you would experience with many 3,litre Disel Pickups outside NA

^^^^ you got that right, but it's a dream to drive and never lacks in the power demands I put it through.

js218 wrote:
What am I missing, my super c cost $300 for an oil change , 44 quarts of oil and filter change including fuel filters.

big horses eat a lot of hay:B

What am I missing, my super c cost $300 for an oil change , 44 quarts of oil and filter change including fuel filters.

Cider wrote:
Having owned a Sprinter for two years, I can make the folding comments:

We did have an LPG generator in ours. A few have diesel, but the bi=lk are propane

They drive nice, ride reasonably well, and you can go anywhere in town that a 1 ton pickup can.

They are expensive to maintain. For shop related shrives you can expect to pay $250 to $450 for an oil change (depending where and who does it), $1000 minimum for the first Schedule A servic=ve and $1500 or more for the Schedule B service. All parts for the MBS are expensive.

MB states not to idle in excess of 5 minutes due to complications with EGR setup

MB states not to use any biodiesel above 5% (although yo re now seeing some relief, I believe) If you run greater than 5%, you really have to watch your oil levels.

We really dislike the split bed design in our unit (rear bed slide) plus the chores of having make and unmake the bed every time you move.

Not a lot of room in the units if you hit bad e=weather and are confined to inside for several days. Also, storage, lack of, is a real issue as there is a limited cargo weight.

After two years, we went to a class A, and are very satisfied the upgrades space, and comfort.

but you save a lot on fuel, pay 30% more for 15% increase in mileage.
bumpy

Having owned a Sprinter for two years, I can make the folding comments:

We did have an LPG generator in ours. A few have diesel, but the bi=lk are propane

They drive nice, ride reasonably well, and you can go anywhere in town that a 1 ton pickup can.

They are expensive to maintain. For shop related shrives you can expect to pay $250 to $450 for an oil change (depending where and who does it), $1000 minimum for the first Schedule A servic=ve and $1500 or more for the Schedule B service. All parts for the MBS are expensive.

MB states not to idle in excess of 5 minutes due to complications with EGR setup

MB states not to use any biodiesel above 5% (although yo re now seeing some relief, I believe) If you run greater than 5%, you really have to watch your oil levels.

We really dislike the split bed design in our unit (rear bed slide) plus the chores of having make and unmake the bed every time you move.

Not a lot of room in the units if you hit bad e=weather and are confined to inside for several days. Also, storage, lack of, is a real issue as there is a limited cargo weight.

After two years, we went to a class A, and are very satisfied the upgrades space, and comfort.