Have been looking at the Dodge Sprinter diesel.
The new one's have a 3 liter V6.
I like the older 5 cylinder and would probably go for a used model.
There are window models with high roofs.
Has anyone any opinions? What are the problems with this model?
R
__________________
Robert
"Talk is cheap, Airstreams are expensive," Wally Byam.
Buy in haste, repent at leisure; been there, done that.
"You cannot rush quality," fastRob.
Have been looking at the Dodge Sprinter diesel.
The new one's have a 3 liter V6.
I like the older 5 cylinder and would probably go for a used model.
There are window models with high roofs.
Has anyone any opinions? What are the problems with this model?
R
Hi Rob,
I've had my '04 for 3 years now. 82,000 miles with only minor problems. The engine is a work horse. Had a cracked turbo housing replaced under warranty a couple of years ago. Other than that.....just LOF at the computer's indication (between 10-13,000 miles) and any other scheduled maintenance.
It does a great job towing the 19CCD with about 3000 lb (a full load of tools and a motorcycle) inside the van. Let me know if you have any other questions.
I'm considering a new '07 3500 series dually, but current lack of funds is preventing the purchase. The new models are longer, wider and have bigger weight capacities (up to 18,5000 CGVW) and have an options book that is a half inch thick.
I really need a larger van for work, but it might not happen until next year.
__________________ Lew Farber -Certified Master RV Tech (currently on Forums sabbatical) WBCCI #1456/VAC (assoc) #1456 AIR # 10325 CHARTER MEMBER: FOUR CORNERS UNIT
Sad to hear about the big D.
My departed Dad said, "Can't live with them, can't live without them."
I dream about climbing into a little diesel with the Airstream in tow for a joy ride around the country. Your setup or something like a diesel step van is the closest to perfection imaginable to me. While I am leaning toward low tech in the pre-electronic control diesels, we must keep our eyes open to the new diesel stuff coming out from Honda, Cummings and Toyota.
As the world runs low on fuel we are going to face some tough choices, I see a need to be mobile in comfort.
R
__________________
Robert
"Talk is cheap, Airstreams are expensive," Wally Byam.
Buy in haste, repent at leisure; been there, done that.
"You cannot rush quality," fastRob.
i'm using a 2005 sprinter 5 cylinder diesel converted to run on vegetable oil to tow a 2005 22 ft international (4100 lb dry weight). so far no problems, i have to switch back to diesel for any significant inclines but the van tows great. i love the sprinter and have about 90K miles on it w/o any significant mechanical problems. the turning radius is fantastic for towing.
Wow, I never thought those little diesel units could pull that kind of weight.
What fuel mileage are you guys getting while towing your Airstreams?
i get about 20 mpg w/o the AS and 14 with it on flat ground. about 2 mpg less w/ vegetable oil. i can't say enough good things about the sprinter. i had mine converted to a camper several years ago by a company called sportsmobile and it's a great extra bedroom when we're out with the airstream
We have an '06 Airstream Interstate, Mercedes Benz diesel, turbo charged 5 cylinder. Are about to turn over 50,000 miles, have had not a whit of difficulty. "Lube, oil, filter" is our motto, too, get those done religiously, check and rotate tires, good look-see at everything. We do not tow, but have been all over mountains east and west, to 11,000 foot elevations, windy-curvy roads, and love it, love it. We get a good 25 mpg, sometimes a little more or less. Wouldn't have anything else at this point. We have talked with Sprinter owners who don't have the AS part, have 376,000 miles on theirs with only routine maintenance. Sounds good enough for us, may be the only one we ever own.
I used to own an S-body Benz with 3.5 liter inline 6 turbodiesel in it. Fantastic engine in my estimation. Sold it with about 180,000 miles on it; biggest mistake I ever made. Ran it up to 120 mph the day I sold it, just to make sure all was sound. It was. Diesels are all about torque and longevity - they tend to run at lower rpms than gassers and make a lot of low-end torque. Great for pulling. Keep clean oil and fuel in 'em and they run and run and run.
Don't know about the V6 diesel, however, but if the engine is still of Benz design and build, you can be pretty sure it's like an anvil.
Yep, it sounds like the ultimate solution: a base camp, along with a tow vehicle that allows you to tour around town and country at leasure and rest anywhere along the way, including even overnight stays away from the base camp.
And with fuel economy that is in the top tier for RVs.
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