In the thread about adjusting to the high cost of energy, I mentioned that I'm considering a more economical RV. We just received a confirmation that our mountain cabin will be sold, and the funds for a new RV will be available shortly.
Currently, we have 4 vehicles for 2 drivers. One is sensible and economical and will be kept -- a 2000 Focus ZX3 hatchback with 5 speed and manual windows, gets over 32 mpg and is highly dependable plus zippy.
We also have a '99 Windstar, a '95 V6 5 speed Dakota, and an '88 28' Pace Arrow. Both van and truck are in reasonable condition for their age and are trouble-free, but the Pace Arrow is almost used up. There are some electrical faults, the body is delaminating and it's generally shabby after 17 years of use and weathering. I'm currently using it as a construction trailer/motel room at my Okeechobee property, staying there a few nights a week rather than making a 90 mile round-trip home and back. But, under our local ordinances, it has to be registered to park it, and it has to be insured to register it, so it has a fairly significant cost just to park it.
Betsy has been complaining about paying for 4 registrations and 4 insurance policies for the 2 of us (have I mentioned that she's thrifty?) What I have been wanting to do is trade my Dakota and Windstar for a bigger truck, and get a new RV for our retirement traveling. But, that still means 3 insurance policies, plus having an expensive RV sitting around, deteriorating when it's not in use. And, with the increased costs of operating the vehicles, it doesn't make much sense to add a diesel truck at less mileage than the vehicles it will replace, and a diesel pusher RV at, say, 8 mpg.
With all that background, I come to my point. I have recently discovered that several manufacturers are constructing Class B RVs on the newish Dodge/Freightliner/Mercedes Sprinter van. The Sprinter has a M-B 2.7 liter Trubo Diesel and 5 speed automatic that gets up to 30 mpg in normal van mode (Car & Driver tested one and reported an observed 30 mpg). In RV mode, it is reported up to 26 mpg highway. Even pulling a small utility trailer, it should get at least 20 mpg. This is almost 3 times the mileage of typical RVs, making $3 per gallon of fuel look like $1 per gallon when traveling.
The size and amenities are similar to my first RV, a '72, 22' Winnebago. The Sprinter is 22' long, narrower than most RVs, but with over 6' headroom without lowering the floor or adding a custom roof. Here are a couple I have been looking at: RoadTrek and Great Western. Other makers are Liesure Vans, PleasureWay, Forest River and Gulfstream.
The best part is, with 22-26 mpg without a trailer, I could replace both the Windstar and the Dakota, and make the RV my daily driver -- it would get better mileage than either of them! The RoadTrek version has 4 captains chairs for normal passenger use, and the rear doors still open up to place bulky cargo -- even 2 x 4's -- on the rear bed. For the savings in insurance and registration alone, I could afford to pay to have plywood and other "truck" stuff delivered.
There isn't much storage in a Class B, so part of my plan would be to add a 7' x 12' utility trailer with a side door and a rear ramp door. I have measured everything out, and I could take my golf cart, patio furniture, grill, outdoor fireplace, other accessories, an additional armoire for clothes, a tool cabinet and small bench, and still have room for a 150cc Motor Scooter which I would purchase for "shore excursions" and sightseeing. The total of the trailer and contents should be less than 3,000 pounds; the Sprinter is rated for 5,000.
We can live with the tight quarters; RVing is mostly about outdoor living, anyway, at least while you're awake, and it really boils down to a choice of adapting to the smaller space or not having an RV at all, something that would really disappoint us, as we've had one or another for more than 15 years, and we were really looking forward to travel now that we will have the time.
The Sprinter-based RVs are not cheap; about $85,000 list with options such as crank-out awning and 2.5 kw generator, inverter, coffemaker, toaster oven, etc. Add the trailer and $3,000 motor scooter, new accessories and gadgets, etc., and we're real close to $100.000. But, we were planning to buy a used diesel pusher for about the same money; there are few or none used Sprinters available, yet.
OK. What's wrong with this plan? Please poke holes in it or bring up things I have failed to consider. Summary: I start with 4 vehicles including an RV; I end up with 2 insured vehicles with better mileage and a scooter, and I get to go traveling for 1/3 the cost of a larger RV.
Currently, we have 4 vehicles for 2 drivers. One is sensible and economical and will be kept -- a 2000 Focus ZX3 hatchback with 5 speed and manual windows, gets over 32 mpg and is highly dependable plus zippy.
We also have a '99 Windstar, a '95 V6 5 speed Dakota, and an '88 28' Pace Arrow. Both van and truck are in reasonable condition for their age and are trouble-free, but the Pace Arrow is almost used up. There are some electrical faults, the body is delaminating and it's generally shabby after 17 years of use and weathering. I'm currently using it as a construction trailer/motel room at my Okeechobee property, staying there a few nights a week rather than making a 90 mile round-trip home and back. But, under our local ordinances, it has to be registered to park it, and it has to be insured to register it, so it has a fairly significant cost just to park it.
Betsy has been complaining about paying for 4 registrations and 4 insurance policies for the 2 of us (have I mentioned that she's thrifty?) What I have been wanting to do is trade my Dakota and Windstar for a bigger truck, and get a new RV for our retirement traveling. But, that still means 3 insurance policies, plus having an expensive RV sitting around, deteriorating when it's not in use. And, with the increased costs of operating the vehicles, it doesn't make much sense to add a diesel truck at less mileage than the vehicles it will replace, and a diesel pusher RV at, say, 8 mpg.
With all that background, I come to my point. I have recently discovered that several manufacturers are constructing Class B RVs on the newish Dodge/Freightliner/Mercedes Sprinter van. The Sprinter has a M-B 2.7 liter Trubo Diesel and 5 speed automatic that gets up to 30 mpg in normal van mode (Car & Driver tested one and reported an observed 30 mpg). In RV mode, it is reported up to 26 mpg highway. Even pulling a small utility trailer, it should get at least 20 mpg. This is almost 3 times the mileage of typical RVs, making $3 per gallon of fuel look like $1 per gallon when traveling.
The size and amenities are similar to my first RV, a '72, 22' Winnebago. The Sprinter is 22' long, narrower than most RVs, but with over 6' headroom without lowering the floor or adding a custom roof. Here are a couple I have been looking at: RoadTrek and Great Western. Other makers are Liesure Vans, PleasureWay, Forest River and Gulfstream.
The best part is, with 22-26 mpg without a trailer, I could replace both the Windstar and the Dakota, and make the RV my daily driver -- it would get better mileage than either of them! The RoadTrek version has 4 captains chairs for normal passenger use, and the rear doors still open up to place bulky cargo -- even 2 x 4's -- on the rear bed. For the savings in insurance and registration alone, I could afford to pay to have plywood and other "truck" stuff delivered.
There isn't much storage in a Class B, so part of my plan would be to add a 7' x 12' utility trailer with a side door and a rear ramp door. I have measured everything out, and I could take my golf cart, patio furniture, grill, outdoor fireplace, other accessories, an additional armoire for clothes, a tool cabinet and small bench, and still have room for a 150cc Motor Scooter which I would purchase for "shore excursions" and sightseeing. The total of the trailer and contents should be less than 3,000 pounds; the Sprinter is rated for 5,000.
We can live with the tight quarters; RVing is mostly about outdoor living, anyway, at least while you're awake, and it really boils down to a choice of adapting to the smaller space or not having an RV at all, something that would really disappoint us, as we've had one or another for more than 15 years, and we were really looking forward to travel now that we will have the time.
The Sprinter-based RVs are not cheap; about $85,000 list with options such as crank-out awning and 2.5 kw generator, inverter, coffemaker, toaster oven, etc. Add the trailer and $3,000 motor scooter, new accessories and gadgets, etc., and we're real close to $100.000. But, we were planning to buy a used diesel pusher for about the same money; there are few or none used Sprinters available, yet.
OK. What's wrong with this plan? Please poke holes in it or bring up things I have failed to consider. Summary: I start with 4 vehicles including an RV; I end up with 2 insured vehicles with better mileage and a scooter, and I get to go traveling for 1/3 the cost of a larger RV.
