mercedes or gas?pros and cons

rjstractor wrote:

map40 wrote:
Forget about the Mercedes Diesel. Buy the new Dodge (Fiat) chassis and you will get 17MPG AND Gas. Most RVs in Europe are based on it.

You can't really compare the Promaster and the Mercedes Sprinter because they are not the same configuration or GVWR class. The Promaster shows promise as a small motorhome chassis but it's GVWR is only 9350 lbs. and the Sprinter is 11030. In the same sense you can't really accurately compare a Sprinter and an E450 because the E450 has much higher capacities.

It's a good point, but I beg to differ. It is a different class, but if what you want is efficiency, you have to go to a different class. If you need the GCWR the E450 is the only option. If you don't, the MB or the Dodge will do.

rjstractor wrote:

map40 wrote:
Forget about the Mercedes Diesel. Buy the new Dodge (Fiat) chassis and you will get 17MPG AND Gas. Most RVs in Europe are based on it.

You can't really compare the Promaster and the Mercedes Sprinter because they are not the same configuration or GVWR class. The Promaster shows promise as a small motorhome chassis but it's GVWR is only 9350 lbs. and the Sprinter is 11030. In the same sense you can't really accurately compare a Sprinter and an E450 because the E450 has much higher capacities.

The closest direct comparison will be the Transit cab chassis and the Transit comes up 500 lbs less on payload.

map40 wrote:
Forget about the Mercedes Diesel. Buy the new Dodge (Fiat) chassis and you will get 17MPG AND Gas. Most RVs in Europe are based on it.

You can't really compare the Promaster and the Mercedes Sprinter because they are not the same configuration or GVWR class. The Promaster shows promise as a small motorhome chassis but it's GVWR is only 9350 lbs. and the Sprinter is 11030. In the same sense you can't really accurately compare a Sprinter and an E450 because the E450 has much higher capacities.

midnightsadie wrote:
...... after all if the MB engine is good enough for FED X trucks , it,ll last me forever, my fed fed x guy says his truck has over 300k on it, same engine I have.....

Except FedEx are bailing on Sprinters because long before their "useful life" is up the bodies have rusted to the point they have to come off the road. In the end their cost of operating was just too high.

We've got several Sprinters in the fleet, ALL have exactly the same rust issues and in the same places.

ram promaster.i like the look but have only seen on the Winnebago 2 models( something like 23 b and 23 l?) and they are not good layout at all.if others will use this promaster and build a similar unit to navion iq v would be nice.

Maybe we're just lucky, but we always get 16/17 mpg on our '09 MB (Fleetwood Pulse). We've never gotten as low as 13, but did get 15 once driving in high winds.

That said, there are trade-offs, and the distance between service centers for the MB bothers me. We've not had an issue yet, though, and I see more and more MB Sprinter units on the road. This is what I'm curious about: The Ram Promaster looks intriguing. What about service for it? Can any Dodge mechanic do it?

Bordercollie wrote:
Never having owned or driven a diesel powered RV, I shouldn't comment but I think that "prestige" plays a part in choice of RV power plants for many. The "clackety" sound and the smell of diesel powered vehicles, especially front-mounted ones, and owners leaving them running, has been a turnoff for me.

You clearly haven't spent time around a V6 Sprinter. I test drove a Ford V10 back to back with a Sprinter and the Ford sounded like a jet turbine between us in the cab....it was about the size of one too between us. I put my face directly in front of the engine exhaust when leveling the RV. It's just hot air coming out. There is no smoke, even on startup. I am not one of those idiots that seems to think idling for protracted periods of time makes me cool, BUT the Benz idles quite quietly.

Fuel economy was pretty much last on the list when I bought mine. The biggest selling point for the Benz was driving it and what it was like to be in the cab. Coming up on 30K with no regrets. For a 25 foot RV we have bags of room inside with the slide out and the cab seats spun around. We have spent an entire weekend inside during storms and have been quite comfortable and not felt cramped. In nice weather we spend almost all our time outside. I don't know where you're getting your 17 MPG number but 15 is more reasonable for a V6 Sprinter class C at 60-65.

Gas vs. diesel had almost no bearing on our decision. There were 2 main factors:

1) Cab comfort. I can't stand the cramped footwells of the Ford chassis and the Chevy isn't a whole lot better. And, the Sprinter chassis is the only one where I can put the driver seat as far back as I want when the slideout is in.

2) The Sprinter rigs a a bit narrower, which I prefer for driving narrow roads.

I sat in the new Dodge (Fiat) chassis. Can't put the driver seat back far enough.

As for mileage, I consistently average 16 when towing the car, 17 when not towing. This includes 6 trips over the rockies towing, 2 trips over not towing. Over the short term it varies wildly based on up/downhill and wind. I never drive over 60. Going faster has a big impact on the mileage. The biggest Sprinter fear I have is the risk of very expensive repairs.

Forget about the Mercedes Diesel. Buy the new Dodge (Fiat) chassis and you will get 17MPG AND Gas. Most RVs in Europe are based on it.