Is the difference noticable?
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โJul-11-2014 01:49 AM
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Class C
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โJul-11-2014 12:36 PM
I wend with Ford because of the poor reliability with the Sprinter and lack of available service facilities across the USA.
I'd rather spend more on fuel and less on service, so for me it comes out the same in the long run between the two and saving money.
I just drove a HARD, HARD 5000 miles last moth and not one bit of trouble with the Ford. Power was exceptional, carry weight is unbelievable, room inside was great, no complaints.
New proud Owner of a 2014 Phoenix Cruiser 2400
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โJul-11-2014 08:24 AM
If your main concern is getting around, see how a van conversion (Type B motorhome in the RV industry) fits your space needs. You can have those built on vans ranging from 17 to 25 feet long, and all are under the 80-inch maximum width for a "standard" motor vehicle in North America.
A van conversion on 17 foot van gets around better than one on a 19 foot or a 23-25 foot van. Maneuverability, and parkability not the slight difference in price, is why many commercial and passenger van users chose the shorter model, if it will carry what they need to carry.
On the other hand, some people decide 34 feet, or 40 feet, or 45 feet, is the smallest thing they can live in, and compromise on getting around. Many will tow a second vehicle to get around in the tighter places, after they park the bigger one where there is space for it.
Which gets to the final point on motorhome maneuverability. If you are going to tow another vehicle, it doesn't matter so much whether the motorhome 22 or 25 feet, 28 or 32 feet, 40 or 45 feet. Attaching 18 to 24 feet of a tow that cannot be backed up without unhooking so compromises getting around that a few feet more or less on the motorhome does not make that much difference.
I find 30 feet is not too big for getting around in the rural middle U.S. and in the smaller cities where roads and parking are designed to accommodate the reality that most people are driving 18 to 24 foot trucks most of the time. But in areas more urban, that space goes away, so I don't take my motorhome into Chicago, St Louis, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, expecting to get around easily and find places to park.
But also, now alone for most of my travel, I don't need a 30 foot house on wheels, so I'm downsizing to a van that is no larger than a full-size SUV, and even that does not get around as well as my sub-compact hatchback, which can carry everything I need to set up camp, if what I want to do is just camp.
Itasca Spirit 29B
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โJul-11-2014 07:52 AM
Disclaimer: When I was in Uncle Sam's Canoe Club based at White Sands Missile Range in NM, I was licensed to drive every vehicle in the motor pool, including a bus, except I never had the opportunity to get checked out in the very large wrecker in the pool.
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โJul-11-2014 07:35 AM
Most adults, with arthritis etc., do not enjoy sleeping in the overhead, climbing over partner in the middle of the night and climbing down the ladder to go to the restroom and then climbing back up and getting into bed without waking the partner. Think this over carefully and try the overhead bed with partner before you decide.
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โJul-11-2014 07:31 AM
Wishin' and Hopin' wrote:
I think we're ready to make the buy decision. The floor plans we love are on the Sprinter chassis. The sprinter comes in around 25' long, 94-95" wide, 170" wheelbase. It appears 'nimble' - few lmitations due to size. The small size is very appealing and one of our objectives. But, the CCC capacity and service location limitations are going to keep us out of Sprinters. So, the next best unit with a size we like is 27' long and 99" wide, 176" wheelbase. The question - will that longer and wider unit 'feel' appreciably different in access and maneuverability? Thank you !
Based on your comments about the Sprinter, have you then ruled out the Winnebago Trend-Viva? We are enjoying our Viva.
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โJul-11-2014 07:30 AM
The question - will that longer and wider unit 'feel' appreciably different in access and maneuverability? Thank you !
Yes I would think so. I made a similar compromise. I looked at the 24' Winnebago/Sprinters. They're trimmer and I thought they steered better. I went with the E450/Lazy Daze due to the local So. CA. brand having good quality factory service (and more) vs. a somewhat shady local Winnebago dealer. Plus the E450, with all its handling flaws, is a sturdy workhorse that has an extensive service newtwork.
If there is some way you can drive an example of each, you may find a decision easier.
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โJul-11-2014 06:44 AM
Hope you find the perfect one for you!!
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โJul-11-2014 05:10 AM
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โJul-11-2014 04:50 AM
Our rig in my signature has a Ford E350 with 158" wheel base, 93" wide, and 23'-8" long. We get around fine. I would assume the dimensions you gave would impact our maneuverability. That size you provided would be a lot bigger for me to drive.
Are you sure you can't find an E-series version of the Sprinter you considered? Maybe from another RV company?