Sprinter with Side Slideout

Another thing to be aware about is that Mercedes only allows a limited modification for "B"s. The slide is going to be the size of the sliding door, and that's it.

If one needs more room or width than a "B" can provide, I'd say go for a "C" like a Libero.

Boy Fastpaddler, if you end up with that ridiculous front murphy bed model you'll be hatin' life. The rest of the plans would be fine. Great product but with that front Murphy bed when it's bedtime, it's bedtime. Much the same as the slideout Sprinter.

Yes. I agree with Stan. You can get a used unit way cheaper and they usually haven't much mileage--academic anyway with a diesel model. I do like all the big windows around our PW Plateau TS and versatile uses of electric folddown couch/bed. Wife wants LTV UNITY and I am strongly ambivalent. We shall see. Currently suffering from big storms coming from Stateside with rain the last few days but we are comfy enough. Maybe a Travato 59g would work for Doug eh?
AL

You should understand that if choose the slideout van you will not be able to overnight at rest areas, Wal-Mart's, truck stops etc... Have you actually sat inside one of the new B vans? My wife was shocked at how open the Travato 59k felt without slides and how cave like the ERA with a slide felt. It is a matter of perception. With enough windows a regular van can and does feel more open than the slideout ERA and LTV. You should also consider building a bed every single night and putting it away every day. I predict that these slideout vans will be discontinued before long. Slideouts are new and seductive but people will come to understand the limitations of a slideout rig and the market will speak. I suggest waiting a couple of years and picking up someone's used one at considerable discount.

I'm a solo traveler so bed width is not an issue. Right now I'm using a 10' V-nose cargo trailer with a fold up sofa/bed, an A/C on the roof and a small generator. Cooking, bathroom, etc. are more like tent camping at the present. I'm trying to keep the exterior of the package as minimal as possible while being totally self contained but with one slide out to be a little less claustrophobic. It looks like the Winnie units are $20-25k less than the Free Spirits are but the 2013 Free Spirit units are still being priced the same as a new Winnie.

Only a Class B Sprinter with a small slide is this one by Paradise Motorhomes in this part of the World

Latest Model 4x4 Sprinter with a more forward slide

LTV has suspended production of all of their Sprinter B units, so one is limited to the Winnie for the foreseeable...

The Sprinter based LTV Spirit SS is really nice. But, remember that with the slideout your mid section bed isn't as big as the rear electric fold down units in Sprinters such as ours. But you get a better bathroom and more storage. Even with the extra weight of the slideout you should be able to tow a toad of reasonable size--if rated at 5000 lbs one has to add the vehicle load and the weight of the vehicle. The dealer can help you. I am not that familiar with the Winnebago ERA 70C but it looks quite nice too. Probably cheaper but one has to compare the interior fit and finish.
cheers
Al

Slideouts add weight. If you plan to tow a vehicle that adds more. If you plan to carry something heavy on the receiver like a scooter or motorcycle that will cause the front end to get lighter and more difficult to steer. A bike is fine. Unless you enjoy buying transmissions no matter what the receiver weight is (likely 500 lbs tongue weight) do not tow a car. You will be close to gross vehicle weight. Yes, the specs say it is ok, but that spec is based upon the expectation that most of the time the vehicle will not be used at that weight. With an RV towing you will be at or near max vehicle weight all the time. Same as driving at max speed the vehicle is capable of. Just because it can do 100MPH does not mean it will last long at that speed.

Winnebago Era 70c.