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Slk727 · 08-21-2015, 07:27 PM

We have a 2012 AI. Not the EXT. we use a stowaway2 hitch pod that is perfect for hauling any kind of gear. We have the swing away frame. Great for tailgating. The EXT space in back is not that much room and you can't clean it as easy as the pod. Pod has a drain and can be washed out. The small amount of storage in the view is not worth the trade off of a Class C v. B. See www.stowaway2.com.
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LucasS · 08-21-2015, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Strictly speaking the Free Spirit SS by Leisure Vans was the first Sprinter-based Class B with a slide-out, and the ERA-C "copied" them.
Leisure Travel Vans - Free Spirit SS - Floorplans

Though one could say that the Roadtrek SS-Ideal, which featured a rear slide-out on the 144" wheelbase, was first, and that's an idea that also could have been adopted by the long wheelbase competitors to provide a larger floor plan but never was.

I had thought about that...but I'm gonna have to start googling now..I didn't mention it at first because I could have sworn the Leisure Travel Van w/ slide out wa a B+ built on a Mercedes cutaway....But right you are the Free Spirit is a standard Class B...one hell of a floorpan and I've heard the build quality is amazing....buuuuttttt....it's Canadian, so, eh.....lol

LucasS · 08-21-2015, 11:06 PM

Too sad they Roadtrek didn't follow through with the SS Ideal...I thought that was a pretty cool idea...at least when parked. It's like my parent's moho...it's wonderful when you're parked and the slides are out, but as someone who makes the journey just as much a part of the trip as the destination...as much as I love a quad slide, or a full wall slide triple...some of those just get tiiiiigggghhhttttt when the slides are in. I swear some of today's moho manufactures have two departments, "driving" and "camping" and neither of the two talk to each other at all during the design process. Oh, also, to the OP if you're looking for a totally customizable Class B I might as well go ahead and plus Sportsmobile (my friend owns the Fresno, CA dealership)...they can literally just make you anything.

xrvr · 08-22-2015, 05:55 AM

Sportsmobile has some great stuff, I agree check them out.

Rosie39j · 08-22-2015, 07:33 AM

Looked at a neat sports mobile sprinter here locally, but it's an 07 gas engine with 94,000 mile and I have no idea how to value it... Love the layout though. Guy wants $48k for it and I just have a hard time justifying that, wondering what engine life would be.

The leisure travel guys also took some of the slide out chassis and did a two sliding door version - looks pretty neat, really opens up the interior.

Thanks for all of yalls wisdom!

Semmons · 08-23-2015, 09:38 AM

Rosie, if you decide on the AI, we may have to sell our 2014.5 ext. We love it! Caring for elderly family member so can't use it. 206-793-2484.

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dayner · 08-23-2015, 10:42 AM

Another option to not overlook Advanced RV located in Willoughby, OH (advanced-rv.com). They make Sprinter Class B vans which are true 4-Season vehicles with a lot of features that put AS to shame including quality, technology, and creature comfort for about the same price as AS, but you may have to get in line...each is custom made to your specs. The vans are almost completely "stealth" with no indication that they are not just a clean nice looking Sprinter, yet inside is everything and more except a slide.

avanti · 08-23-2015, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dayner

Another option to not overlook Advanced RV located in Willoughby, OH (advanced-rv.com). They make Sprinter Class B vans which are true 4-Season vehicles with a lot of features that put AS to shame including quality, technology, and creature comfort for about the same price as AS

Everything you say about the features and quality of ARV is correct. Certainly the build quality makes AS look laughable. HOWEVER, saying that they are "about the same price" is a pretty extreme example of wishful thinking. Even if you compare it to MSRP, the price of entry to the ARV world is pretty significantly higher. Moreover, Interstates do not sell at list price. At ARV, they will quote you a price for what you specify, and from then on the price is the price. You will get what you pay for, but it won't be an Interstate-class price.

Rosie39j · 08-23-2015, 06:51 PM

Anybody want to talk me out of a gas-powered '07 Sportsmobile with 94,000 miles? Please, somebody? ��

dayner · 08-23-2015, 07:15 PM

Avanti, guess I agree. What I considered is about 10k over Al list price, so my take away from your post is that Airstream asks top quality prices for not top quality units and can't get it, and Advanced asks top quality prices for truly top quality units and can get it. The "take away"?..Quality costs. 😃

73shark · 08-23-2015, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dayner

Avanti, guess I agree. What I considered is about 10k over Al list price, so my take away from your post is that Airstream asks top quality prices for not top quality units and can't get it, and Advanced asks top quality prices for truly top quality units and can get it. The "take away"?..Quality costs. 😃

I thought the take-away is you get what you pay for.