Moving from 5th Wheel to Sprinter based Class C

[tbr2015]

We are looking into "downsizing" from our 31 foot 5th wheel / 2500HD diesel set up to a Sprinter based class "C" with a flat towed vehicle. Are there any out there that have made this transition? Wondering about your experience. It is a lot to think about (licensing, insurance, swapping truck for a towed vehicle, towbar/braking solutions, etc.). It sounds like weight will be a bigger factor that current set up because of the limited cargo carrying capacity of these motorhomes?

[theoldwizard1]

MDKMDK wrote:
Max torque between 1400 and 2200 RPM, and max HP in the 3800RPM range. With a Ford V10, it's 4000RPMs plus, to get the maximum performance, with minimum fuel economy, Quieter, cool running, and efficient.

The V10 has been out of production for several years now. Yes, there are a lot still on the road which proves their durability.

MDKMDK wrote:
Even Ford has tried to emulate the Sprinter with their Transit cab chassis and vans.

The Transit has been in production in EU since 1965, long before the Sprinter which did not go into production until 1995.

[MDKMDK]

Don't fear the Sprinter vans, or an upfitted Sprinter based class C motorhome. Most are decent motorhomes overall, with their idiosyncracies and options and problems, and there are now so many more upfitters selecting Sprinter cab chassis first as their base platform of choice, because they are robust for a light truck/van chassis and power train. Max torque between 1400 and 2200 RPM, and max HP in the 3800RPM range. With a Ford V10, it's 4000RPMs plus, to get the maximum performance, with minimum fuel economy, which is one of the reasons we traded in our 2016 Sunstar 26HE V10 after one trip, for the 2018 Navion 3.0L turbo-diesel. Quieter, cool running, and efficient.
Even Ford has tried to emulate the Sprinter with their Transit cab chassis and vans. They did a good job at first with the look of the Transit, but it was underpowered and designed for lighter use, and it took a while for most upfitters to choose it over the Sprinter, after Ford beefed it up a little.
The myth about the scarcity of service for Sprinters is just as applicable to Ford based class C motorhomes. Do a search on "can't find Ford shops that will work on my motorhome" and you might be surprised, as there are just as many stories about that.
I have a MB dealer 60 miles away from me, they sell them, and have serviced mine, without so much as a whimper, for 4 years. Their customer service is excellent, as you might imagine. They know how to cater to top end buyers and customers having done so for decades.
Finding service out in the real world can be just as challenging for any make/model of motorhome, Sprinter based, or not. Plenty of anecdotal stories on the various forums to support that.
It's usually just the luck of the draw, just like with fivers and HD trucks, when it breaks, you deal with it as best you can. What else can you or anyone else do?
Good luck with your search. 🙂

[jdc1]

Why not rent one for a weekend Get a feel for it before buying.

[jdc1]

Wives vs wet baths.... Yea. They hate them.

[bobndot]

midnightsadie wrote:
some one said only a mb dealer can do repairs? I live in ohio have a great service shop just down the road, not a mb shop.

Yes, there are shops that can change parts and fluids. I was told that non-network shops do not have the needed software for certain repairs. Like code related repairs. Maybe things are different now than they 12 mos ago , Not 100% sure but anyone considering a Sprinter should do some research before plopping down down that kind of money.
Expect to pay for parts if out of factory warranty !! Be wary of extended service contracts !
Specialty rv shops are in the $175/ hr labor range in many areas. Having a shop near home is a different ballgame than away from home. Especially when in more remote areas.

[BFL13]

Went from a 28 ft 5er and truck to the sig C. Don't need a toad to go into town or wherever except for going from campground to the swimming hole we like where the C is too big to park. Mostly just take the whole C to wherever.

Do need to "mark" our campground site with a sacrificial folding chair and a plastic bucket while we are gone in the C, because the campground guys are a bit slack in setting their "occupied" signs. So far so good on that. Nobody swiped the chair and bucket (yet).

Lots of space in the bigger C so don't miss the 5er for room for "stuff"

We did have a smaller 5er that was too small for two of us (got the bigger 5er) and dogs, so that might be a problem with a Sprinter, don't know. The TC we have is too small for the two of us and the dogs for sure. It is just for DW and the dogs to go to dog events. For actual RVing it the C for that job.

You need to sit in one for a while or rent one and try it out before buying (that is a lot of money!). I suspect a bigger C would do you better, toad or not.

[midnightsadie]

some one said only a mb dealer can do repairs? I live in ohio have a great service shop just down the road, not a mb shop.

[2112]

We went from a TT to a 2006 LTV but didn't tow anything. After a few trips we decided it was too small, lacked storage and the DW couldn't warm up to the wet bath.

We sold it to a friend in 2013 and she still uses it mostly solo. She tows a small enclosed trailer.

We moved from the Sprinter to a 30' FW and are happy with this setup.

[bobndot]

I went Ford. My MB car dealers and my two rv dealers told me they would not touch a Sprinter. It has to be a network Sprinter dealership or repair center. I got scared off. I really wanted to try a Sprinter but im very happy with my Fords 4000 lb payload and 7500 tow capacity. Its extremely difficult to overload a 24’ E450.

Your toad will be your cargo trailer as well. Don't worry about lack of storage as long as you are towing a car.

Have you driven a C ? My C is rv number 11 . We get so much more use from our small C than any of our trailers . We use it year round for family visiting, shopping, events etc. Hospital security gave us a special spot while caring for family in rehab. The beauty of a 24’ C.

Have you driven one ? Its not the same as driving a fiver with a rock solid, smooth , quiet pickup. Its a different ride. You can hear the rattles of the coach and everything inside it. Something you DON’T hear when towing a trailer. It will take time to use foam waffle sheets to quiet things down. The trim around my microwave drove me nuts until i discovered that rattle.

[cptqueeg]

Have you considered a smaller 5th wheel or bumper pull and keeping your truck?

[RetiredRealtorR]

Also ask yourself, with a Sprinter based RV, do I really need to tow a vehicle? They're pretty nimble and fit into a lot of places. Although based on an E450 Ford chassis, when we had our Pleasure Way Excel we never took a car with us -- no need to. Sure it takes a little planning ahead so you don't end up all hooked up and then decide to go somewhere, but it's a pretty easy learning curve.

[theoldwizard1]

Spend some time researching various Class C chassis.

Personally, I would shop for a small Class C on a Ford E350 chassis, especially it you plan on towing a vehicle.

[midnightsadie]

did this long time ago. we have a 2007 LTV on a sprinter frame. made a small trip last week ,only logged 19mpg . you,ll get used to down sizing. we pull a 12ft box trailer with golf cart and dog equipt. no problems. mpg drops 16mpg.its not a fifth wheel but does a great job and parking is great.

[MDKMDK]

Weight is part of the transition.
You have a cab chassis that has a GVWR of 11,030lbs including the upfitting and OCCC, with a 5,000lb towing capacity, and the combined weight rating for Sprinter based motorhome plus towed, all loaded for travel, should be kept under the GCWR of 15,250lbs. - It can be done.
I went from a 2016 Sunstar 26HE to a 2018 Navion, and we pull a 2016 JKU Sahara Wrangler 4 down with no problems. All Blue Ox equipment used to setup for towing, and has performed well.
Our average GCW loaded for travel is usually about 150lbs below the 15,250lb max GCWR.
EDIT: We average around 15mpg solo at freeway speeds. Slowing down does increase that number. We average around 13mpg towing the 4500lb Wrangler. Same speed scenario.