2019 in review poll - how much time in your Interstate?

[KateinRP]

52 days traveling and living in the van.

Often traveling to visit relatives where I may stay in their house.
Spending the winter in Arkansas where I have an apartment but use the van for general transportation and day trips sightseeing.

[iaqstuff]

We spent almost 6 consecutive weeks in the Northwest, a 10-day day outing in Colorado and several 2 or 3 day outings in Arizona during 2019.
We expect a three week outing to Washington, anther 10-day stay in Colorado and multiple 2 or 3 outings in Arizona in 2020.
We use it more than we originally thought we would :-)

[bspa]

Dreamer here. I see lots of 2006 Interstates listed under members' names. I think I would fee safer in a van at night than a trailer (can get into the seat and drive away), but the flip side is loss of use/value if the engine goes out. So -
how do they hold up?
about how much should I expect to pay for one in reliable and clean (not pristine) condition? Approximate mileage.
Other than general vehicle mechanical/chassis things to watch for, what specific things should I be careful about when looking at used travel vans?
Thank you. I replied here because one commenter said he would be selling his in the near future - there may be another place I should look?

[bspa]

Part of my question is why were the 2006 so popular?

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by bspa

Part of my question is why were the 2006 so popular?

Short van with no emissions equipment.

[azflycaster]

2019 was another good year on the road for us. Started with a New Years Rally in Picacho AZ and then a long summer trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway, NC Outerbanks, up the East Coast to Maine, Newfoundland and Labrador. Then back home to AZ stopping in Jackson Center for some repairs and then on to Mount Rushmore and ending at the Balloon Fiesta. We hosted a Thanksgiving Rally in Phoenix and ended the trip here in the Florida Keys. We had a total of almost 7 months in the Airstream. I also calibrated my 70th Birthday this year, check out the photo!

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by bspa

Part of my question is why were the 2006 so popular?

Some of us have a 2007, but they aren’t an option to click on here.

What I like about the older rigs is that they don’t have all the electronic gizmos, bells and whistles of the newer models...less expensive, but mostly less to break or go wrong.

Might spend some time browsing the Sprinter and BVan forum here, under Motorhomes, as there is lots of information there.

Those of us who love ours, loooove ours, and would have nothing else, but they are not for everyone.

Good luck,

Maggie

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by bspa

Part of my question is why were the 2006 so popular?

Expounding, the "2006" often refers to the age of the Sprinter upon which they were built, not the model year of the Airstream upfit. Mine is listed here as a 2006, but it's actually a 2007.

The 2006 was the last model year for the T1N Mercedes Sprinter, before the evolution to what is called the NCV3 Sprinter. That later model includes diesel emission control equipment that tends to break and repairs can get very expensive. So the 2006 Sprinter-based RVs are still very popular and hold their values well as a result. They have a reputation for being robustly built.

[Tincampers]

Originally Posted by bspa

Part of my question is why were the 2006 so popular?

PM sent.