Winnebago Sprinter Van with pull out

Picked up my new van and took it for test run.Generally pleased with the layout.I was very pleased with the pop out bed.I was worried about class B's because of the sleeping arrangement appeared uncomfortable to me.But this unit was very satisfactory.Still learning how to use the various elements but all seemed to work fine.I was very surprised when the vehicle spoke to me.Can't go above speed limits without getting a constant warning.All and all pleased with purchase.
Now my misadventure.Pulled into parking space in Tubac Arizona to have breakfast before travel for the day.When I returned to vehicle couldn't get parking brake to release.Called AAA and someone arrived 2 hours later.In the meantime located local mechanic both told me they couldn't fix my problem and to call Mercedes.Did that and was told they would send flat bed.Didn't happen.Called dealer and the young ladies referred me to mobile mechanics.All my messages went to voice mails and calls never returned.Repeated calls to dealer finally got us through the young screeners and the dealer was going arrange to have us driven home if we couldn't get the tow truck to transport us.But no tow truck.Dealer said he would also call Mercedes about a tow.From 8 in the morning to 2 in afternoon and many calls no action.Finally a flat bed truck arrived with an SUV sitting on top.Tow driver was planing to pull us.No one told him the brakes were locked nor the size of the vehicle.He said he got the tow because he was in the area.He was a young Mexican-American and wanted to help.Went under unit and told us cable was kinked.Tried to straighten the cable without success.He said if he disabled the cable we could drive.So finally after 6 hours we were on our way.Roadside assistance is a myth.Called AAA,Winnabago who says they have roadside assistance,Mercedes,the dealer but only got help from a tow truck driver.Tomorrow it is to the local Mercedes dealer for a fix.

Class B

19 Replies

Arizona_Kid
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
If you don't have a transmission cooler add one.
drsolo
Nomad
Feb 19, 2015
I must have good karma. Been driving manual and now automatics for 50 years or so and never used the "emergency" brake for parking or otherwise. I drive old cars and never had to have a transmission replaced even tho I have parked on the street subject to being bumped all the time.

But one other questions: how hard is it on my transmission to pull a little trailer? The one I pulled down from Wisconsin to Florida was a Shasta Compact, about 1600-1800 lbs. And I dont jack rabbit from stops.
My_Roadtrek
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
I know your suppose to, even on flat ground. I do set it on an incline, or hill, but on flat ground I just don't bother. I figure it gets set often enough to keep things from rusting up, and in over 50 years I have never been bumped hard enough to break a paw, and I've never had a transmission problem. Gone through a few clutches, but no auto trans problems, (knock on wood) so on flat ground I'm just not going to worry about it. I'm not recommending people do what I do, just stating what I do.
I have no neighbors, so rolling into them is not a problem. ;)
ernie1
Explorer II
Feb 19, 2015
I'm with mlts22 all the way. There are reasons to use the parking brake other than the obvious one of holding the vehicle in place. One evening my wife was backing up one of our cars down the driveway when she(claims) she didn't notice one of our other cars also in the driveway behind her and smacked it really hard. The car that was hit lurched down the driveway because the transmission popped out of "Park" and rolled about another 5 feet because the parking brake was set and set tight. If the parking brake wasn't engaged, my car would've rolled across the street and onto my neighbor's lawn.

My neighbor next door had a 1980 Buick Riviera that had front and rear disc brakes and the parking brake at the rear wheels was part of the brake system. He NEVER used the parking brake because he didn't believe in it and was too lazy to set it. About every two to three years he had to have the rear calipers replaced because the brake pedal kept going down lower and lower. Cost? $800 in the 1980's. Turns out the problem was the the parking brake mechanism, when used, would ratchet each time and when necessary, adjust the brakes. Well the neighbor's parking brake were corroded in place due to nonuse and would not adjust. My neighbor was stubborn and went through this repeatedly until the car was sold.

Think you're safe because the car's transmission is in park? The parking pawl or whatever it's called on my Turbohydromatic 350 was about 1/4-3/8" in diameter and that's what holds the entire car in place. Think about it!

In regards to mits22 statement about unloading the transmission before placing it in park,I remember the fisherman stuck on the boat ramp because he couldn't get it out of Park. He just let the pickup slide right onto the parking pawl.
My_Roadtrek
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015
drsolo wrote:
I periodically try the parking brake just to make sure it works IN the parking lot of my mechanic, but I cannot remember the last time I actually used the parking (AKA emergency) brake. My last encounter was 40+ years ago when the parking brake froze due to disuse/rust. Never used them again.
As for AAA, got it, use it. Last winter lost serpentine while on freeway in Florida. They loaded the 1992 RVAn up, hauled it to mechanic who fixed it that day. This summer locked my keys inside (complicated) Sauk Centre, MN and they were there in 1/2 hour.

When it comes to gas, a lock out, AAA is fine, but they will not tow an RV unless you have AAA Plus RV, and even then not all states participate in RV Plus towing. You may be able to get reimbursed later, but in many situations you will have to pay upfront, then go through the hassle of getting reimbursed.
My suggestion to the op is go with a company that specilizes in RV Roadside Asst. and Towing.
I never set the parking brake unless on a hill, it just stretches out the cable.
mlts22
Explorer II
Feb 18, 2015
Call me crazy, but I always use the parking brake. I pop the rig into neutral, drop the brake, then shove it into park. Especially on a hill. This way, the weight of the vehicle is on the brake, and not on a parking pawl in the transmission.

Maybe this is something that doesn't need to be done anymore, but old habits die hard.
drsolo
Nomad
Feb 18, 2015
I periodically try the parking brake just to make sure it works IN the parking lot of my mechanic, but I cannot remember the last time I actually used the parking (AKA emergency) brake. My last encounter was 40+ years ago when the parking brake froze due to disuse/rust. Never used them again.
As for AAA, got it, use it. Last winter lost serpentine while on freeway in Florida. They loaded the 1992 RVAn up, hauled it to mechanic who fixed it that day. This summer locked my keys inside (complicated) Sauk Centre, MN and they were there in 1/2 hour.
My_Roadtrek
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015
AAA are a franchise, and their services can vary from state to state, even if you have RV Plus, not all states participate. Best to go with Good Sam, which pays for this forum, or Coachnet.
If you have questions about Good San Roadside Assistance, there is a forum here, just click on "Jump to forum" upper right of your screen, and select Good Sam Roadside Asst.
Both will cover all your cars, so you can dump AAA Roadside Asst.
There are worse places to breakdown than Tubac. Did you eat at Wisdoms Cafe?
bobojay5
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015
You bought an ERA 70C with the slide out. You'll have to keep us updated on your likes & dislikes about it. Also any issues that come up.
Winnebago pays for the first year of Coachnet, unless things have changed in the last year, which is the premier road service for RV's in most cases.
Sounds like you need to pour over the manuals, both WGO and Mercedes. Is this your first RV?

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Winnebago Sprinter Van with pull out

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