Thinking of downsizing from DP to View

[bobfinch]

Looking for advice, considering downsizing from our HR Ambassador 40dst to a View style class C. There seems to be a broad price range even on the same chassis. Any feedback on MFGs to stay away from and or what you like about your units is greatly appreciated.

[bobndot]

I use an inexpensive H. Frt ground system . Although its only 100w, it does what I need it to do. IM always in the shade at state CG's and this setup works for me.

[ron_dittmer]

Dakzuki wrote:

ron.dittmer wrote:

Dakzuki wrote:

gemsworld wrote:
Winnebagos with compressor refrigerators are equipped with 200 watts of of solar panels.

...which are tits on a boar when camped under trees.

That is why I dropped my pursuit for solar. We seek shade all the time, and it does'nt take much shade to render solar useless.

There is an alternative which can help. I have a ground deploy setup on 40' of cord. If the RV is in the shade (which it usually is at some point) I can deploy solar into the sun (so far).

I have seen those ground deploys. The one that folds into quarters, the size of a large briefcase looked interesting. I just don't think it's for us, at least not yet. But it is surely more viable to me than screwed-on panels on top of a shaded roof.

[Dakzuki]

ron.dittmer wrote:

Dakzuki wrote:

gemsworld wrote:
Winnebagos with compressor refrigerators are equipped with 200 watts of of solar panels.

...which are tits on a boar when camped under trees.

That is why I dropped my pursuit for solar. We seek shade all the time, and it does'nt take much shade to render solar useless.

There is an alternative which can help. I have a ground deploy setup on 40' of cord. If the RV is in the shade (which it usually is at some point) I can deploy solar into the sun (so far).

[ron_dittmer]

Dakzuki wrote:

gemsworld wrote:
Winnebagos with compressor refrigerators are equipped with 200 watts of of solar panels.

...which are tits on a boar when camped under trees.

That is why I dropped my pursuit for solar. We seek shade all the time, and it does'nt take much shade to render solar useless.

[Dakzuki]

gemsworld wrote:
Winnebagos with compressor refrigerators are equipped with 200 watts of of solar panels.

...which are teats on a boar when camped under trees.

[Community Alumni]

Winnebagos with compressor refrigerators are equipped with 200 watts of of solar panels.

[Dakzuki]

bobfinch wrote:
Looking for advice, considering downsizing from our HR Ambassador 40dst to a View style class C. There seems to be a broad price range even on the same chassis. Any feedback on MFGs to stay away from and or what you like about your units is greatly appreciated.

Shop carefully as to features and construction techniques.

Do you like rubber roofs? I don’t.

Life’s the seats and access panels in the coach section looks for how things are built. Loose piece of plywood under the dinette seat as a cover? What does the wiring look like when you look under access panels? Does the roof sealant look like somebody blew their nose on it?

There are a few variations in fridges these days. Winnebago has been using compressor fridges. Compressor fridges draw more power off the 12V system which is a consideration when dry camping.

[Dakzuki]

ron.dittmer wrote:
Bobfinch,

You didn't mention how many people & pets your new rig is supposed to accommodate, nor long long your trips would average and your travel style (national parks or RV parks). That would help us provide a smarter response.

One WARNING about the new 2019 Sprinter. It has a major price increase compared to 2018. Mercedes added piles of technology and a decent amount of extra weight-handling capability (GVWR is 12,125 pounds now) but it comes at roughly a $22,000 price increase. So be prepared for "Sticker Shock".

From what I understand, Winnebago is not going to be using the 12k gross weight (4500) cutaway chassis and will be sticking with the 3500. The new Sprinter does have some nice cab improvements.

[ron_dittmer]

Hi Phil,

The OP mentioned that he wanted sleeping accommodations for 4 adults. Though a Phoenix Cruiser 2350 can sleep 4 adults with the optional sofa bed in a slide-out, I think a View with cab-over bunk would be much more accommodating and comfortable.

Our Phoenix Cruiser 2350 as-is without the optional slide-out, is ideal for us 2 adults. We rarely have a 3rd guest sleeping on the dinette conversion. When we do, it is quite disruptive. Having the extra person in an upper bunk of a class C would be quite the opposite.

Phoenix Cruisers come in 21 to 31 foot lengths, 9 different models with slide-outs galore if you want them. But without a cab-over bunk of a class C like the View has, I feel they are all designed around the comfort of two adults. It's all about "permanent beds". As soon as a couch or dinette requires "converting", it's a different experience for the worse. If a guest or two is exceptionally rare as in our case, then a B+ is the better choice. That is my thought about it for what it is worth.

[pnichols]

gemsworld wrote:
If you are talking about a View, as in a Winnebago View, I would recommend it over any other Sprinter-based manufacturers. Having owned a Class C on a Ford chassis, I like the driving experience and comfort much better in the Sprinter. You can also use the cab in the Sprinter as part of the living area. We purchased the 24V model since it fits our style the best. Good luck on your search!

FWIW, notice from ron.dittmer's photos of the interior of his non-slide 2350 Class C based on a Ford E350 chassis (click on one of his links in this thread to see them) ... that the passenger cab seat can be swiveled so as to make at least the passenger seat part of the living area when parked.

A non-slide 2350 based on a Sprinter would have the same issue of only the passenger cab seat swiveling to face the coach - because just like with the E350 chassis - the back of the forward dinette seat blocks swiveling of the cab driver's seat.

IMHO a new non-slide PC 2350 based on the more rugged Ford E450 chassis, as it now is instead of an E350 chassis, would make for an outstanding small RV for camping just about anytime anywhere with or without hookups in all kinds and sizes of camping places.

Versatility can be very important for some camping styles.

[ron_dittmer]

I don't know this guy but on another RV forum, someone is in the market for a used DP. CLICK HERE to read his opening post. If you want, I could give him your contact info. Just PM it to me. If you have something put together like specs and pictures, I could pass to him too.

[bobfinch]

Thanks for all the replies, not doing it. Can't take what the trade offers are for our DP.

[ron_dittmer]

jcapps wrote:

ron.dittmer wrote:
Bobfinch,

You didn't mention how many people & pets your new rig is supposed to accommodate, nor long long your trips would average and your travel style (national parks or RV parks). That would help us provide a smarter response.

One WARNING about the new 2019 Sprinter. It has a major price increase compared to 2018. Mercedes added piles of technology and a decent amount of extra weight-handling capability (GVWR is 12,125 pounds now) but it comes at roughly a $22,000 price increase. So be prepared for "Sticker Shock".

They are still building on the 2018, I know I just ordered a 2020. Oh and btw, it will be a 10 to 13k increase.

Oops, you are correct in stating the 2019 Sprinter price increase is ~$13k more than a 2018 Sprinter. The $22k I stated is the price hike of a Sprinter "option" for a rig normally built on the E350/E450.

One real good thing about the new 2019 Sprinter 4500 with a GVWR of 12,125, is the significant increase over the still available 3500XD with 11,030 pounds. If buying a 2019 Sprinter version, that would be my very first question to the RV sales people. Is your motor home built on the 2019 3500XD Sprinter chassis, or the 2019 4500 Sprinter chassis?

[bobndot]

Would it be possible to rent one to try it ? Or at least rent one with a floorplan that you would like. Try it for size and comfort.


I would research the Sprinter owners forums to see if service is available in remote places or in the usual places you go. From what I have read only specific repair shops have the needed software to clear diesel codes etc. I don't know if that's an issue or not but I would look into it.
If the nearest authorized shop is 200-300 miles away, how will you get there and confirm that your roadside service will tow you that far .
Where I live I have 6 repair centers within 100 mi. Where I normally camp...zero .