I am looking really hard at getting a Class B as I am a 70 year old solo traveler who's also an engineer and can do most of my own maintenance. I'm also frugal so don't want to put the $ into a new unit. I am considering a Sprinter-based B with 80k miles or less on a 2007 to 2009 chassis to avoid DEF but get the 6 cyl that's reputed to be much more reliable than the previous 5 cyl. My expectation is to keep it for 10 years and put maybe 100k miles on it. Do you current owners of this rig have any experiences or cautions you can pass on to me? Do you owners of gas rigs have experiences that suggest going to a sprinter chassis is not necessary? I have had an older Class A in the past that seemed to something break down every time I took it on the road and I certainly want to avoid that eventuality. BTW I'll be hanging a scooter on the back that can run me around at destinations and serve as a second means of transportation if necessary.

I have a 2006 Pleasure-way Lexor Td on a 2005 Chev chassis.I love itthe 6.0L is well sized for the weight, gearing is good for mtn driving- not just pulling uphill, but for slowing on grades. that keeps the brakes freshmpg is at 15 on the hwy...a bit better when without ethanol....it's pulling close to 9000 pounds and punching a big hole in the air.Speeds above 75 are squirrely...70 is niceIf used, the hitch will hold 500 tongue weight, 5000 pulling.a scooter can be tricky on the back as some have all the weight at the rear. make sure you can get a good balance- I've seen lightweight carriers break under a scooter with all the weight at the rearI use a 77 honda trail 90, the weight is balanced. both vehicles and the genny use the same fuel ( gas). I don't think diesel is as much an advantage as it was years ago.a prime mover for me with choosing Chev is that I have other GM's and am familiar with the chassis.kick some tires, look at youtube videos from dealers showing features and see what lay out appeals to you.a word of warning- I was all hot on an 09 Era. the chassis was fantastic and it drove great...the quality of the coach build was shockingly bad.Mike

I had a standard 2010 Express that I put a sofa/bed in. I made two trips in it and was disappointed with the mpg. I thought a modern 6.0L should do better (didn't do as good as my suburban with an 8.1L). I also found the engine cover a pain to get past. It did have good power though.

Diesel can be a little harder to find than gas is my understanding. The same with Merc mechanics vs Chevy/Dodge/Ford.

I have the Roadtrek 190 based on the Chevy 3500 Express Van. It's a bit wider than the Sprinter, both overall and in the aisle, and not being that tall, the greater headroom of the Sprinter wasn't a factor. The other thing I like about the Chevy was that it came with a gas generator rather than propane, since using propane for both heat & electricity might deplete the supply faster than I wanted. Can't say that I've done that much camping where that would factor in yet, but I wanted to have options.Lots of folks like their Sprinters, and buying used may offset some of the price advantage of the gas-based models, so it may be just a matter of personal preference, or what you find is the best deal.

I have a '95 Roadtrek and always use a scooter that rode in my Saturn Vue. I could handle it OK with the batteries, power unit, seat and main chassis. Everyth9ong but the seat was at least 40#. It wouldn't fit my RT and I didn't want to have it on a hitch on the rear. I bought a Travel Scoot that folds up and goes under my bed in the RT. I just finished putting it in the RT and it took about 3 minutes to fold. The whole thing weighs 29#. It can go 15 miles per charge. Check out the video on line. LI-Ion battery is lightweight and lasts forever. One disadvantage is the price. Another disadvantage is if you are in loose saqnd or gravel. It only has 1 wheel drive on LR.

Diesel vs. Gas Class B? | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

AsheGuy
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
We bought our LTV Sprinter (2005 conversion, 2004 chassis) ten years ago and now have 130K miles on it. Would make the same choice again since we are completely happy with it. With driving in all kinds of terrain (including two Alaska trips), overall mileage has been 20.2 MPG and I am not a "conservative" driver. No engine problems (except the notorious turbo resonator that now has the metal replacement) and would not hesitate to take it on a trip anywhere today. Never an issue with finding diesel fuel.
applegater
Explorer
Oct 16, 2015
Don't avoid the newer sprinter because of the DEF, cost of DEF is very little and same engine is rated higher.
valhalla360
Navigator
Oct 16, 2015
If you can get a diesel for the same price and condition, it's a nice upgrade.

If you pay substantially more for the diesel, you will likely never get your money back in fuel savings. Assuming they are both in good condition, maintenance shouldn't be a big difference.
DougE
Explorer
Oct 15, 2015
I did a long trip up to Idaho and back, mainly interstates (other than Yellowstone) and was my best trip with an overall 17.7 mpg. Worst was Big Bend Nat'l Park, an overall of 10.31 mpg.
bob_nestor
Explorer III
Oct 15, 2015
DougE wrote:
I had a standard 2010 Express that I put a sofa/bed in. I made two trips in it and was disappointed with the mpg. I thought a modern 6.0L should do better (didn't do as good as my suburban with an 8.1L). I also found the engine cover a pain to get past. It did have good power though.

What kind of MPG were you seeing? I have a 2010 Roadtrek 210P that is built on the 2010 Chevy Express 3500 with the 6.0L and 4.10 rear end. On my round trip to Alaska last year I averaged 16.9 MPG overall. When I tow my Jeep Wrangler I've gotten about 11.5 MPG round trip on two long trips to Colorado and Utah which included climbing into the Rockies.

You're right about the power. The Roadtrek didn't even notice the Jeep it was dragging up the mountains.

BTW, my previous RV was based on a Ford E-350 with the V-10 and it was also a Class B. But it got a steady 11.5 MPG no matter what. Could have been falling off a cliff with a tailwind and in neutral and it'd still get the same MPG. The V-10 and the Chevy 6.0L seem to have about the same power when used in Class B's though as far as I could tell.
Traveling_Pa
Explorer
Oct 15, 2015
I am a 77 year old man, traveling with my wife, in our 2004 Sportsmobile/Sprinter 2500. We have replaced turbo resonators, intercooler hoses and even (atypically) the head gasket but never needed a tow until the transmission quit at 240,000 miles. Now with a rebuilt transmission and some body work we hope to get another 100,000 in the next 5 years. I'm not sure you will find the 6 cylinder Sprinter to be more reliable but it will be a little larger and less efficient than a 5.
bsinmich
Explorer
Oct 15, 2015
I have a '95 Roadtrek and always use a scooter that rode in my Saturn Vue. I could handle it OK with the batteries, power unit, seat and main chassis. Everyth9ong but the seat was at least 40#. It wouldn't fit my RT and I didn't want to have it on a hitch on the rear. I bought a Travel Scoot that folds up and goes under my bed in the RT. I just finished putting it in the RT and it took about 3 minutes to fold. The whole thing weighs 29#. It can go 15 miles per charge. Check out the video on line. LI-Ion battery is lightweight and lasts forever. One disadvantage is the price. Another disadvantage is if you are in loose saqnd or gravel. It only has 1 wheel drive on LR.
NoVa_RT
Explorer
Oct 15, 2015
I have the Roadtrek 190 based on the Chevy 3500 Express Van. It's a bit wider than the Sprinter, both overall and in the aisle, and not being that tall, the greater headroom of the Sprinter wasn't a factor. The other thing I like about the Chevy was that it came with a gas generator rather than propane, since using propane for both heat & electricity might deplete the supply faster than I wanted. Can't say that I've done that much camping where that would factor in yet, but I wanted to have options.

Lots of folks like their Sprinters, and buying used may offset some of the price advantage of the gas-based models, so it may be just a matter of personal preference, or what you find is the best deal.
bkroczak
Explorer
Oct 15, 2015
Diesel can be a little harder to find than gas is my understanding. The same with Merc mechanics vs Chevy/Dodge/Ford.
DougE
Explorer
Oct 15, 2015
I had a standard 2010 Express that I put a sofa/bed in. I made two trips in it and was disappointed with the mpg. I thought a modern 6.0L should do better (didn't do as good as my suburban with an 8.1L). I also found the engine cover a pain to get past. It did have good power though.