2016 Interstate Lounge EXT from 2014 model

[MO_Moderate]

We have the black 2014 EXT (Airstream calls it a 2015 but its not) and it makes us feel like rock stars! (Till we get out people see us, that is). Love it.

[Mjgman]

The Mercedes chassis is 2014 and airstream did the RV build in 2015.. So it's a 2015 airstream but it's probably registered as a 2014..

[Amg]

Originally Posted by MILATV

It

My #1 reason for upgrade was adaptive cruise and lane departure. Have it on my wife's Explorer and daughter's Cherokee and LOVE it.

Both my 2015 and 2016 have lane departure. Neither have or were offered with adaptive cruise control (where the vehicle stays a certain distance from the vehicle in front and speeds up and slows down by itself.) I know it is a Mercedes option but not on the Sprinter. Are we talking about the same thing?

[73shark]

Originally Posted by MILATV

Can you provide link to the Resonator? won't use genny on this trip but will be nice to have in garage to install when I get back.

Here's the one I used.

Here's the install thread.

Even tho the muffler was a press fit on the exhaust pipe, I still used clamps on each end. Reused the original clamps for the heat shield.

[MILATV]

Originally Posted by Mjgman

The Mercedes chassis is 2014 and airstream did the RV build in 2015.. So it's a 2015 airstream but it's probably registered as a 2014..

Depends on where you are - my 2014 AS on 2013 MB was registered and taxed in NC as a 2014.

We'll see what they do with the 2016 on a 2015 chassis.

[MILATV]

Originally Posted by Amg

Both my 2015 and 2016 have lane departure. Neither have or were offered with adaptive cruise control (where the vehicle stays a certain distance from the vehicle in front and speeds up and slows down by itself.) I know it is a Mercedes option but not on the Sprinter. Are we talking about the same thing?

hmmm - I played with it a little last night, but haven't been out on the highway. I know the lane departure works, and it as collision avoidance. I sure hope it has the adaptive cruise like my ford & jeep. If not it isn't a deal breaker but I will be disappointed.

Here is a 2014 for sale listed with Adaptive Cruise

Going to have to whip out the MB owner's manual now so I can check and see. . . .

[Amg]

Originally Posted by MILATV

hmmm - I played with it a little last night, but haven't been out on the highway. I know the lane departure works, and it as collision avoidance. I sure hope it has the adaptive cruise like my ford & jeep. If not it isn't a deal breaker but I will be disappointed.

Here is a 2014 for sale listed with Adaptive Cruise

Going to have to whip out the MB owner's manual now so I can check and see. . . .

Mercedes was the first to offer adaptive cruise in 2000 on their S class. I had one and insisted that any car I bought had it. At first only the top end models had it now it is on more cars, but most don't offer it.

I wanted it on the Interstate but it appears Mercedes does not offer it on the Sprinter. I guess the reason is most sprinters are used for commercial purposes and it is quite a bit more expensive (a few grand more) and perhaps they don't want commercial drivers to rely on it.

I wish it had it, A great option.

[MILATV]

Originally Posted by Amg

Mercedes was the first to offer adaptive cruise in 2000 on their S class. I had one and insisted that any car I bought had it. At first only the top end models had it now it is on more cars, but most don't offer it.

Based on this MB announcement of safety features in the 2015 Chassis & a review of my owner's manual I have to say I probably don't have adaptive cruise control. . . (Nice Press Announcement here describing all the features)

My 2010 Ford Taurus has Adaptive Cruise, and I had a few cadi's before that with it. I Agree 100% the adaptive Cruise is a 'MUST HAVE' on every vehicle I own; much like XM-Radio was before I had unlimited data & Amazon Prime Music & Bluetooth (not so much now) .

I guess the good news is that the "Collision Prevention Assist" should kick in if I'm running 75 MPH on cruise behind a Semi Tractor Trailer running 55 MPH. . . . .

(speaking of collision avoidance: has everyone seen the volvo dealer doing the demo https://youtu.be/IBCr-XBWZaQ

*there is a nice warning note in MB owners manual that Collision Prevention Assist CANNOT detect people! LOL

[73shark]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Because it's located over an entrance door where people have to walk under it to climb in or out?

Originally Posted by MILATV

Here is the curb side cabinet.

Attachment 253766


Mike

Doesn'tappear to be over the entry way in this pic.

[MILATV]

Originally Posted by 73shark

Doesn'tappear to be over the entry way in this pic.

It's not really in the way for me, and it's padded really nice, but if coming from rear and heading out the door I see how you might have an issue with it IF you don't have a screen door.


Mike

[MILATV]

Ok so here are some underside pics. Not sure I really like the battery "box" (more a shelf) note - I didn't remove anything. This is the way it's delivered!

Here are a couple more showing the spare.






Mike

[lewster]

Originally Posted by MILATV

Ok so here are some underside pics. Not sure I really like the battery "box" (more a shelf) note - I didn't remove anything. This is the way it's delivered! Attachment 253798

Here are a couple more showing the spare.

Attachment 253799




Mike

Shelf indeed! Looks just like the last Grand Tour that I upgraded last month.

I find it amazing that Airstream allows those battery cables to just hang there with NO PROTECTIVE SHEATHING on them like simple wire loom. I also find it incredulous that there is no over current protection (read fusing) on the red (positive) cable at the upper left of your photo that goes to the generator positive for starting.

NEC REQUIRES OVERCURRENT PROTECTION ON ANY POSITIVE LINE WITHIN 18" OF THE POWER SOURCE. That power feed cable is definitely longer than 18"………….. WHAT"S WRONG WITH YOU……...AIRSTREAM?????????

And considering they already use an MRBF (Ice Cube) fuse on the positive lead going into the coach, why not add a second MRBF fuse for the generator lead (which, BTW, should be on the same battery terminal feeding the coach).

I correct these 'oversights' during my solar/electrical upgrades. Come on Airstream…..DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!!!!!!!!!

[73shark]

Originally Posted by MILATV

It's not really in the way for me, and it's padded really nice, but if coming from rear and heading out the door I see how you might have an issue with it IF you don't have a screen door.


Mike

Another reason to add the intermediate stop for the door.

[MILATV]

Originally Posted by 73shark

Another reason to add the intermediate stop for the door.

One problem with a stop at the edge of the screen door is that you may not have enough momentum to close the door (an electric door sure would be nice).

I can't count the number of times I've gotten everyone loaded and pulled out; only to pull over and shut the slider again.

[MILATV]

Originally Posted by lewster

NEC REQUIRES OVERCURRENT PROTECTION ON ANY POSITIVE LINE WITHIN 18" OF THE POWER SOURCE. That power feed cable is definitely longer than 18

Great - another recall that will come out in a year, that AS owners won't bother having fixed because we all live 2+ hours from a dealer. . . .

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by lewster

Shelf indeed! Looks just like the last Grand Tour that I upgraded last month.



I find it amazing that Airstream allows those battery cables to just hang there with NO PROTECTIVE SHEATHING on them like simple wire loom. I also find it incredulous that there is no over current protection (read fusing) on the red (positive) cable at the upper left of your photo that goes to the generator positive for starting.



NEC REQUIRES OVERCURRENT PROTECTION ON ANY POSITIVE LINE WITHIN 18" OF THE POWER SOURCE. That power feed cable is definitely longer than 18"………….. WHAT"S WRONG WITH YOU……...AIRSTREAM?????????



And considering they already use an MRBF (Ice Cube) fuse on the positive lead going into the coach, why not add a second MRBF fuse for the generator lead (which, BTW, should be on the same battery terminal feeding the coach).



I correct these 'oversights' during my solar/electrical upgrades. Come on Airstream…..DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!!!!!!!!!

It would have been so simple to use a double MRBF fuse holder on the forward terminal and connect the generator lead there. That's what I did for my battery upgrade. Also I covered all the exposed cables with split loom tubing. Here are photos of my batteries (four GPL-4CTs) mounted on right and left side. I also laid mine on their long side so they are tucked up higher with bottom edges above the body metal.


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[MILATV]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

It would have been so simple to use a double MRBF fuse holder on the forward terminal and connect the generator lead there. I also laid mine on their long side so they are tucked up higher with bottom edges above the body metal.
- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

Mike You and Lew should run over to Jackson and give the designers & installers a class. Sometimes I wonder where they come up with this stuff. 15 minutes on this forum and they'd find a dozen improvements that would cost nearly nothing to install, and save thousands in warranty/recall work.

[73shark]

Wonder how long it'll be before the druggies start pilfering the batteries for some more stash?

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by 73shark

Wonder how long it'll be before the druggies start pilfering the batteries for some more stash?

It's not exactly common knowledge where the batteries are mounted, unless they're reading forums like this one…

[TheCabin]

You all seem to expect too much from Airstream. Other than cutting, punching and bending metal, what more can they offer? I am surprised they are making a B and not a B+ so they could add an Al box to the Sprinter frame.