Forum Discussion

mark_p1's avatar
mark_p1
Explorer
Nov 05, 2020

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, I am looking for something for myself. We didn't have the Winnie long enough to get an idea of maintenance. Has anyone here had one for a while? Five or ten years, maybe? How does the reliability compare to Ford/Chevy-based campers? Cost?

13 Replies

  • Sprinter may void the warranty on the chassis if you happen to pump some bad fuel. That would be enough to scare me off.

    Ideal size is a 26 foot on a 175" wheel base.

    This is what I would buy:

    http://www.lazydaze.com/
  • 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?
  • mines a 2007 5cyc diesel 45k no problems coach is a liesure travel van still in good shape.