Forum Discussion

iwski's avatar
iwski
Explorer
Mar 03, 2017

Sprinter fifth wheels - Looking for more user experiences

I have been looking seriously into Sprinter fifth wheels, however there just isn't much information or real-world opinions and experiences to be found. Of course the price point is great and they are in Keystone's large middle-of-the-road category, but I don't want to buy something that's going to fall apart. After being a inside a couple of models, I notice things like the cabinet doors being very lightweight (although real wood) and not having a toilet paper holder in the toilet room (you mean they don't put backer in the walls?). But overall, they have some very good features and we are most interested in these due to their capacities for dry camping. Even the Sprinter 274FWBHS (31'-6' overall length) has a carrying capacity of 2500 lbs and massive tanks for dry camping.

A sales person as well as another Sprinter owner described them as similar construction as a Montana and being the "same basic box", although the Montana will have nicer furnishings. I'm not sure how true this is, probably not made in the same factory as a Montana and does not have a drop-frame like the Montana, so they may be saying this only because they are both 100" wide.

What's not to like about these features of an entry-to-mid level Sprinter compared to other similar priced and marketed brands?
*100-inch wide body (4 inches more than the popular mid-profiles)
*42-inch living room slides (6 inches more than most)
*48-inch dinette (4-8 inches more than most)
*Massive tanks: 87 water/88 gray/44 black (nearly double most fifth wheels in this price range and weight)
*8 cubic foot fridge
* No step near the bed like most mid-profiles have (this is a benefit, although makes them taller than a fifth wheel with a step - more height negotiating forest roads is a disadvantage)

I would love to hear experiences and opinions on Sprinter 2015+ wide body's quality and longevity.
  • Glen_Y's avatar
    Glen_Y
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2017
    We have a Sprinter and have not had any problems with it had a Laredo for 10 years before this no problems with that trailer either
  • iwski's avatar
    iwski
    Explorer
    Mar 06, 2017
    sarhvac1 wrote:
    I know you ask for 2015 sprinters but I have to say I have a 2012 copper canyon 292 fwbhs bought it new and the only problem i had was the utility hookup the box was broke and when they replaced it they didn't tighten a water line. after a few years of suffering in the bedroom with the AC I finally took apart the unit inside and found the ducts were never cut out properly or sealed the air was blowing into the ceiling,,, go figure I work in the HVAC field my entire life never checked it. like they say the plumbers sink always leaks .. the only complaint I have and have seen with the new sprinters are the utility hookup centers they are so small and tight they need to make them bigger other than that I would probably buy again


    Thanks everyone for the replies. I really appreciate the specific comments on things like the AC ducts and the under-sized docking station. I've seen a lot of similar comments on the ducts not being sealed or having dead-end ducts. I'm glad Sprinter at least includes the valve in the docking station that allows you to fill the fresh water tank without hooking up a separate hose.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Mar 04, 2017
    I will add to my previous post that I saw our 2005 Copper Canyon as a three season rig, we did spend the month of January on the Oregon Coast. During our stay temps got down into the very low 20's.
    I had installed the cheap heat system from RV Comfort Systems, and we never needed to switch back to propane during our stay.
    The reason I state that is the Cheap Heat only puts out 17,060 BTU at a 5,000 Watt setting, our propane furnace is rated at 30,000 BTU input, but 23,400 BTU output so we had 6,000 less BTU of heating power. We set t-stat at 68 degree day, and 65 night, it always kept at the set temp, and didn't run continuously.

    PS: the underside of the 5er isn't sealed yet, but does have Ultraheat pads on all tanks.
  • sarhvac1's avatar
    sarhvac1
    Explorer
    Mar 04, 2017
    I know you ask for 2015 sprinters but I have to say I have a 2012 copper canyon 292 fwbhs bought it new and the only problem i had was the utility hookup the box was broke and when they replaced it they didn't tighten a water line. after a few years of suffering in the bedroom with the AC I finally took apart the unit inside and found the ducts were never cut out properly or sealed the air was blowing into the ceiling,,, go figure I work in the HVAC field my entire life never checked it. like they say the plumbers sink always leaks .. the only complaint I have and have seen with the new sprinters are the utility hookup centers they are so small and tight they need to make them bigger other than that I would probably buy again
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Mar 03, 2017
    Me Again wrote:
    Just remember that a Sprinter is close to an entry level trailer. Chris


    Well I believe that has more to do with finish than quality. Our Copper Canyon 5er didn't have the best couch, the swivel rockers were Ok, but we found some very nice rocker recliners, and the couch a with a futon. That said the basic box is just the same as the Montana of the same year and model.
  • csamayfield55x's avatar
    csamayfield55x
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2017
    our last TT was a Sprinter. After the initial breakin woes it was a fantastic unit. We had it 10 years and many many thousands of miles before selling it to my Aunt and Uncle who still love it. We had to have the water heater replaced once from a broken seam and the fridge just popped the cooling coil after 11 years. Both of those are not Sprinter issues

    Chris
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Mar 03, 2017
    Just remember that a Sprinter is close to an entry level trailer. Chris
  • Merrykalia's avatar
    Merrykalia
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2017
    I've been looking at a Sprinter fifth wheel, also. I've been unable to find a lot of discussion about them, so I am going to assume that is a GOOD thing! Usually, people with problems are the only ones that get on forums to "dis" the units, or at least that's my take on it.
  • mtofell1's avatar
    mtofell1
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2017
    I went through the exact same thoughts before buying my Keystone Hideout. The Hideout line is even cheaper than the Sprinter so I was scared to say the least. Of the 5 RVs I've owned over the last 20 years this one has been by the far the best as far as things going wrong. In over a year I have literally had no problems. I realize I'm in the minority as I read all the same horror stories you likely have.

    In the end every manufacturer has good units and ones full of problems. RVs at any price point are a roll of the dice.

    As for the finishes, RVs seem to be kind of like cars. Modern day even the lowest level car comes with A/C, power steering and windows, backup camera, etc. Items that years ago were totally just luxury models.

    My Hideout has porcelain toilets, decent fixtures, enough furniture and things like that. I mainly ended up with the Hideout because of the floor plan. I gladly would have paid more for higher quality but so far it's worked out great. The thing well may fall apart within 5 years but at least for now it's great.

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