PhilR_
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Re: Looking at Winnebago View
When we leave town in our View, we don't worry about how long the trip is. We know that as we are not full-timers, we will eventually come back home. We have no problem with the overall size of the View, but we also know that we would not FT in it......728Views0likes0CommentsRe: Automatic leveling system on Mercedes Sprinter 3500 chassis
We take along a set of tri-level blocks. It only takes an extra 1 to 2 minutes to take them out of the storage compartment, lay them down on the ground, and then drive up on them. These do not cost very much at all, but more importantly, will never break down. One cannot say that about a leveling system. Also, one does not need to get wet to deploy them when it is raining. If it is raining, you can wear a raincoat, or just wait until the rain stops. Just like when you do the hookups when it is raining. That being said, I will also say that we only use them in about 25% of the campsites we visit (always state parks). If we did commercial campsite, we would probably need them even less.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Opinions on the Winnebago View/Itasca Navion?
We have an '08 View, and can therefore tell you *accurate* information gleaned from actual use. First -- you can indeed tow a toad. IIRC, 3.5k lbs. capacity for earlier models, and 5k lbs. for later models. But why would you want to? A View/Navion is small enough to get anywhere there is a road and adequate height clearance. We go everywhere in ours, so we have no problems to "see the sights". On long trips we sightsee during the bulk of the day, and go to a state park for the evening and next morning. Then, it's off to the next destination. On weekend trips we go to a state park and just stay for the entire weekend. No need for a toad there either. Our View has had no problems of any type. Only normal maintenance has been performed by one of several auto mechanic shops nearby (I change the oil myself). As parts are readily available, maintenance costs are not any more than what we would spend on a Ford or Chevy. Many auto mechanic shops can perform normal maintenance on these things. If you are worried about not being nearby an MB dealer in the event of a major breakdown, you can get towing insurance that is obligated to take you to a place that can handle your needs. We have not had any problems with any of the house systems either. Not a surprise to us, as there are two other Winnebago motorhomes in our family, and none of them have ever had any major problems. Winnebago knows how to build a motorhome, and they do a very good job of it. I really like driving our MH. It handles* and rides better than the Fords and Chevys that we tried. Also quicker too. You will most likely be surprised at how quick they are. We get anywhere between 13.5 and 15.5 mpg, depending of course on how fast we are going. I could probably get more if I drove with a lighter foot, but mileage is not something I give any thought to. After all, we did not buy it because of it's fuel efficiency. Any passengers you might carry will really like the space on the front passenger side. Not only can a front passenger put both feet side-by-side flat on the floor, there is a great expanse of floor space in the cab. And a great amount of headroom too, just in case you wear an extra-tall hat. *one thing we did change was the rear swaybar. The View does sway side-to-side easily when making a low-speed turn onto a roadbed of a different height such as entering or leaving a parking lot. A thicker swaybar makes a noticeable difference, and is worth your time to investigate should you get a View. No, one does not *need* to get one, but it was worth our time to do so. Changing them out requires the removal/replacement of ten bolts (two brackets with four bolts ea., and a bolt at each end). Takes about 15 minutes.....265Views0likes0CommentsRe: is nexus extreme quality class c?
Besides the Nexus, you might also look at the Winnebago/Itasca line. They also have fiberglass roofs and endcaps. They have been around for quite a while now, and know a lot about how to make a motorhome. One thing to remember when it comes to leaks -- no matter what brand, and no matter how the outer walls/roof/shell is made, all MH's are going to have very large holes in the walls/roof/outer shell. It is at these large holes where a MH is most likely to leak. These holes are known as windows and doors. All MH's have them. It is not just the way a MH was designed that determines whether or not it will leak, but also the *quality* of construction that will determine whether or not a MH will leak.114Views0likes0CommentsRe: Looking for first RV
brnzbk wrote: We are both retited What does that mean? At any rate....we have a Class C and a TT, and my brother has a Class A. Therefore, we have experience with several different aspects of RV'ing. I would say that if your style of camping is to go to a place and stay there a while, then you will probably like the travel trailer w/tow vehicle. Setting up the trailer takes longer than a MH, but this won't matter if you will in one place for a while. Also nice to not have to manage an additional drivetrain too. If however you are the types to roam around a lot, then you will probably come to prefer the MH. A smaller Class A such as the one you desire will probably be easier to manage overall than a long truck/trailer combination. Even though you might be setting up and taking down the MH every day or two, it won't be a big deal as this takes up so little time. Our style of camping is to roam around and see the sights during the daytime, and then go to a state park and camp for the evening. Sometimes we stay an extra day at the park if we like it a lot, but many times we leave the next (late) morning, and are off to our next destination. Our Class C is only 25' long, so it is extremely easy to manage in any parking lot or driving situation. It is also extremely easy to set up and take down. It can take as little as three minutes to go from parking brake setting to pulling the evening meal out of the fridge. We have no use for a toad, as our MH will get us anywhere we desire. Our TT is still used, but it is now permanently parked at some land we own, and serves as our cabin getaway. I do not ever see using it again out on the road. hth, Phil84Views0likes0CommentsRe: Sprinter chassie questions
pnichols wrote: Well ... that seems to me to not really be "getting around this (problem)". After all, the idea of idling quietly means just that ... idling in the mid-hundreds of RPM for maximum quietness... not rev'ing somewhere above 1000 RPM. The high-idle approach raises the noise back up above the quietness of a truly idling Sprinter's small diesel engine. As many know, the Ford V10 RV engine can of course "idle" for hours at a low 550-650 RPM, which makes outside engine noise ultra-low (lower then small portable Honda inverter generators at their idle speed). Inside an idling V10 motorhome, the (our) engine cannot be heard or felt. Very nice and un-obtrusive. The problem is only a problem to those delivery companies. The drivers could not care less that their vans idle a bit higher. Especially since they aren't even in the van when the motor is at high idle in the first place. To everyone else, it is a non-issue. Well, except to those whose lives are enriched by attempting to make it a problem....345Views0likes0CommentsRe: Sprinter chassie questions
The issue with idling is that many Sprinters were being used as delivery vehicles, and the drivers would drive them a block or two, then idle, then drive a block or two, then idle, repeat-repeat-repeat -- you get the idea. These vehicles were not designed to spend a great amount of time idling, with another large portion of their lives running at low speeds for short periods of time. Damage was incurred, until the American companies figured out ways to get around this. Keep in mind that in the land where these were designed, letting a vehicle idle for anything more than sitting at a traffic light is illegal. Or to put it another way - these were not designed to spend a great portion of their lives at low idle. A high-idle mechanism solved this problem. Because of this issue, people now think that a Sprinter can't be idled. Even here, there are people who continue to perpetuate that misbegotten notion. A Sprinter can be idled if you get caught in a traffic jam. You can idle it for hours if needed. You just can't drive it all the time at low speeds for short periods of time (engine never has a chance to warm to normal operating temps), and then leave it idling over and over and over. As for maintenance centers - yes, there are not as many as Ford or Chevy. However, they are out there, and if you are worried about a breakdown, get a breakdown service that will tow you to an authorized service center. If this is an issue for you, then you should look elsewhere. Oil and filter changes are extremely easy. You can order OEM filters online for about $12, and oil for about $8 a quart. Be warned that these use about 13 quarts. We have had our Sprinter for about three years. Not counting oil changes, we have spent about $400 on service. Our service costs have not been any more than what we would have spent on any other make of chassis.346Views0likes0CommentsRe: is there a class C that is small enough to not need a toad ?
We have a Winnie View that is 24.5' long. We take it anywhere. Fuel economy is so good that we often take it on day trips, and sometimes we just take it when we go out to dinner. Since we can take it anywhere, we do not tow an extra automobile (do on occasion tow a motorcycle, for the fun of it). We drive it to wherever it is that we want to be, and at some point in the day, we drive to a state park and camp. the next day, we are on to our next destination. If we plan on being at a park for a few extra days, we just stock up on whatever it is that we will need, and therefore have no need for a toad to take us somewhere else. We have not ever found it difficult to find a parking spot. With the exception of overall height, we just don't ever concern ourselves about potential difficulty in finding a place to park. I don't ever worry about parking lots that are too small to maneuver in.235Views0likes0Comments
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