Life is full of compromise...

davelinde wrote:
I've been reading a bit here and also made a post in the general area to see who I might chat up in the forums to get ideas. But as I ponder and google and skim I think my curiosity comes down to wondering what kind of compromises come with a class C solution vs my prior rigs. As I noted in the other post, our RV history has mapped our lives, next plan is to use an RV for an extended time travelling the US as empty-nesters.

So here are the compromises I see...

Range... our first rig had a 300 mile range and that is frankly annoying - so I over-compensated and the next rig (HDT getting 9 with 200 gallons of diesel) could do 1800 -- what can I expect in a C with a small 4 down tow behind?

A lot depends on how long a C you want. If a shorter 27' long diesel powered unit would work for you, then Winnebago View/Navion would work. I have one and like it. Most Ford based Cs have a V10 and a 55 gallon gas tank. The Winnebago on the Sprinter has a 26 gallon diesel fuel tank. There's a reason for that, and it's basic fuel economy. They'll both cover roughly the same distance with those fuel specs. I can get 15mpg without towing, or I can tow my 4500lb Wrangler behind my Navion and lose about 2mpg at just under 13mpg.

davelinde wrote:
Storage space - our first rig quickly put on (literally) a ton of stuff and approached over weight ratings quickly. Our second rig had storage to spare for tools and toys. I can live with less of both but would like to have compressed air, basic repair tools, a pair of bicycles, golf clubs, maybe a smoker... at least a nice grill - will I make GVWR?

The Ford based units win this one, in almost every case. The Ford E350/E450 chassis is just more robust than the Sprinter 3500 cab chassis.

davelinde wrote:
Living space - we've always been able to sleep 6 to 8 comfortably but without the kids (friends... cousins etc) along now we only need to do 2 - but can we do 4 (or 6) in a pinch?

Again, comes down to how long a unit you want. The Sprinter based units are big enough for 2 (to maybe 4) people, although 2 is the ideal population, imo. The longer Ford chassis units win this one, too.

davelinde wrote:
Amenities - our first rig was basic and for our second we added the genset, big tanks, 3 TV's, sound system, ice maker, second fridge, screen porch... For a smaller rig I can give all of that up I think actually - but in the last decade I think RV have new amenities I may covet? What is the must have bling?

This will vary with how much you want to spend. We thought our Navion came pretty well equipped for 2 people, 2 TVs, factory solar panels, factory inverter. Have a look at all the makes/models and see what's standard and what's optional. Probably some surprises for you, as some of these units are very comfortably equipped.

davelinde wrote:
Setup - both our rigs were labor intensive to site and setup. We are done with leveling manually... I'm thinking all class C will anchor and level with a push button? Plug in electric and decide about water/sewer later? We are assuming a 4 down tow behind for ease of local transport and ease to connect/disconnect the vehicle. I think if we can do that we don't miss the towable setup?

Our Sprinter based Navion has stabilizer landing gears at the rear, but due in part to the GVWR, it didn't come with hydraulic levelers. Some do, Tiffin and Isata I believe come with or have auto-levelers as an option. Many more Ford based units come with electric/hydraulic stabilizers standard or as options.

davelinde wrote:
Comfort/ease of travel. With the 5er and 3/4 ton it was work to drive and nothing in the cab. When we had the HDT our cab had space to stand up, a coffee maker, fridge and was as easy to drive as set the cruise, engage the jake brake and let her go. While my wife refused to drive it, I found the HDT a joy. With a C I guess we have fridge and coffee close. DW says she will drive it. But do the new rigs have cruise with following distance and lane assist? Will a C get pushed around the rode like my pickup? I'm guessing I'll never get the ride and handling I had in the HDT?

The new Winnebago View/Navion has cranked up the MSRP, by utilizing all the gadgets the Mercedes-Benz chassis has to offer. Our 2018 Navion is built on an entry level equipped cab chassis, with only a couple of the Sprinter's available electronic options to improve the driveability. The new 2020 models will have it all, including the ones you mentioned. In spite of that difference, our Navion is a pleasure to drive, park, and maneuver. I can't speak to the Ford chassis based units, but I had a 27' class A Sunstar on the F53 chassis that was less pleasurable to manage than our Sprinter based unit. You'll have to drive them both to decide, because it's a subjective personal preference, for the most part.

davelinde wrote:
... I see the Chevy/Ford chassis discussions here and I guess there is some religion behind that? I've had bad luck with Fords, I've never paid the premium to get a Chevy, I still have my first Dodge/Cummins and I've loved both my diesels (the Cummins and the VED12). What are the drivetrain choices we all love here?

The 2 main chassis options are the market share leading Ford E350/E450, or the up and coming Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500, with a few Ford Transit options here and there, but it's not really mainstream yet.

davelinde wrote:
and finally... cost. My 04 Dodge cost me 35K and I still have it - it was a bargain. I don't remember what our Jayco 5er cost (it was in the teens) but I do remember we were able to sell it at 3 years old for only a few grand less than we paid. The Volvo HDT was a splurge at another 35K and we did not sell it for anything near that later. Same with the toy hauler - it was closer to 40K and did NOT hold value. We have flexibility to spend what makes sense so I wonder what price points I should expect for an RV I'll enjoy for 3 to 5 years and what I can expect in maintenance and retained value when we sell it.

This one's largely up to you. The Sprinter is a diesel, and like most diesels, will cost more for basic maintenance, and a lot more for major stuff, unless you're a DIY diesel guy. The Ford V10 w/6 speed transmission is a solid engine and drive train. Overall maintenance will be cheaper than the MB choice, but there are so many variables that, that is arguable. If you'e a DIY person on your current diesel, maybe you can save money if you went with a MB chassis. There are probably non-DIY Ford owners out there that are paying more for their maintenance, I don't know, but I'd have to say probably. The MB Sprinter based units will cost you more up front, than most of the Ford based units. Ford wins the MSRP battle.

Hope this helps.
Disclaimer (as if it isn't obvious) - I'm now a bonified MB Sprinter person, after owning both a Chevy based Roadtrek for 10 years, and a Ford based Sunstar for less than a year. The Roadtrek was a workhorse and we drove it everywhere for fun and travel, and it rarely let us down. The Sunstar was disappointing for several reasons, the main ones being the fuel economy, the handling was dodgy, the engine noise was excessive whenever you applied the power, and the doghouse was a pita. We really like our Navion, as it does everything we want and more.