Forum Discussion

monkey44's avatar
monkey44
Nomad II
Jun 21, 2018

Class B engines

I'm considering a Class B van - been camping in a 4x4 with Truck Camper for over twenty years, but am looking for something small size, but without the 'climbing in the back' all the time.

Two Q's - what I'm seeing is a V6, which seems under-powered for the mountains?

And, would not consider RWD, but might FWD because I can find only one 4x4 (Revel) and it's pretty up $$$

So, how does FWD handle on these "B" vehicles -- looking at any model at this point, but the Winnebago Travato looks similar to what we'd like far as size and floorplan

Thx Bill & Genie
Class B
  • magicbus's avatar
    magicbus
    Explorer II
    Jun 21, 2018
    The Winnebago line on the MB chassis has plenty of power and it has has the tap and shift transmission that gives nice control. I sent you a PM with my (positive) experience on pricing from your local dealer.

    Dave
  • monkey44's avatar
    monkey44
    Nomad II
    Jun 21, 2018
    Yeah I saw it ... we're just doing homework at the moment, but nice to know these can get a 30% knockdown ...

    Just for a laugh - I just shake my head at the list of vehicles today. I priced out a new Sierra, a pickup, no less, for the price of a small house in some areas of USA --
  • Pawz4me's avatar
    Pawz4me
    Explorer
    Jun 21, 2018
    We have a Travato on the Dodge chassis. Have been all over the mountains of North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia w/o a problem. It has plenty of power for our needs.
  • monkey44's avatar
    monkey44
    Nomad II
    Jun 22, 2018
    Not that it matters too much - but what kind of mileage does it get??

    Do you have gas or diesel? Or is that even an option?
  • RobertRyan's avatar
    RobertRyan
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2018
    monkey44 wrote:
    Yeah I saw it ... we're just doing homework at the moment, but nice to know these can get a 30% knockdown ...

    Just for a laugh - I just shake my head at the list of vehicles today. I priced out a new Sierra, a pickup, no less, for the price of a small house in some areas of USA --

    Those prices could very much go up with all the Tariff shenanigans going on
  • magicbus's avatar
    magicbus
    Explorer II
    Jun 22, 2018
    monkey44 wrote:
    Not that it matters too much - but what kind of mileage does it get??

    Do you have gas or diesel? Or is that even an option?
    A pretty solid 18 mpg @ 65-70 mph on our MB diesel Sprinter.

    Dave
  • steveh27's avatar
    steveh27
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2018
    My older B has the Dodge 360 engine rear wheel drive & has taken me up & down some steep 2 tracks that I look back on now and wonder why I did that. I get 14-15 mpg. I also tow my boat with it. Each have their own preferences; mine - I do not want a diesel. Isn't diesel 75 cents a gallon more than gas?
  • monkey44's avatar
    monkey44
    Nomad II
    Jun 22, 2018
    Myself, I prefer gas engines -- but was wondering about the power for a large, heavy van and a V-6. I'm generally a GM guy, and had a Safari with the V-6 3.6 AWD, and it was bulletproof for 190,000 miles, then gave it to my teen son who drove it for a few years. But was curious about up-hill power because we drive the Rockies a lot. Altho we did two a dirt bike trailer with it for a lot of miles too, with no issues.

    I don't see any AWD options except the REVEL 4x4 ... although that looks like a great Van, except the price tag.
  • Shearwater's avatar
    Shearwater
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2018
    Mercedes does make a 4wd van but it has a diesel motor and very few are imported.

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