Experience with Sprinter Class C's
I am in the market for a small Class C or B+. We used to have a Winnebago on the Sprinter chassis, but we traded for a large trailer a few years back. Now, with my wife no longer interested in travel,...
Forum Discussion
Generally speaking, the Ford E350/E450 cut-away chassis has a very low cost of maintenance as long as it gets driven enough so the brake rotors don't rust-up, and brake calipers don't seize-up on you. But that is the same with any chassis.
Cost of operation, specifically fuel consumption, is where the Sprinter takes the lead. But given the cost of gas is less than that of diesel (in most places), the lead is not as much as some people think.....especially when comparing similar-size rigs with the shorter lighter E350 motor homes. Our E350 gets over 10mpg when not towing.
Keep in-mind that you have to drive an E350 like a Sprinter to get a fair comparison with regards to fuel economy. The problem is that people are more comfortable driving faster in an E350 so the comparison in fuel consumption is skewed. Drive the same rig, the same way, Sprinter versus E350, both not towing, and the gap is not so great anymore.
An over-all comparison of fuel consumption, chassis maintenance and repairs would likely conclude that the cost of ownership will be less with an E350/E450.
But there are other factors to consider. People love the comfort of, and the view out of the Sprinter. And if the house on it's back is just what you were looking for, then why not consider it?
Cost of operation, specifically fuel consumption, is where the Sprinter takes the lead. But given the cost of gas is less than that of diesel (in most places), the lead is not as much as some people think.....especially when comparing similar-size rigs with the shorter lighter E350 motor homes. Our E350 gets over 10mpg when not towing.
Keep in-mind that you have to drive an E350 like a Sprinter to get a fair comparison with regards to fuel economy. The problem is that people are more comfortable driving faster in an E350 so the comparison in fuel consumption is skewed. Drive the same rig, the same way, Sprinter versus E350, both not towing, and the gap is not so great anymore.
An over-all comparison of fuel consumption, chassis maintenance and repairs would likely conclude that the cost of ownership will be less with an E350/E450.
But there are other factors to consider. People love the comfort of, and the view out of the Sprinter. And if the house on it's back is just what you were looking for, then why not consider it?
