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It'll be just me & the wife. Looking to be up & down the east coast for anywhere from a week to a month at a time putting around. Im looking for known issues particularly the Navion 24D Looks to be an easy driving rig since she'll be doing most of the driving and being based on a Mercedes sprinter chassis I'm not anticipating major mechanical issues but I'm leery of turbochargers (reliability issues). anybody have experience or an interesting story in a Winne ?
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Don't worry about the turbo, worry about the health of the fuel system, That is the most troublesome with Sprinters that I have helped fix. I have several friends with them, from Cargo to passenger to Navion. My insurance agent found me a totaled Navion with 150 miles for $16,000, but I let a friend take that deal. He fixed it for < $30k (the new first owner swiped off the passenger side on a rock wall). My spouse did the same thing on our RV, so I had to fix that.
Fuel system health...
Buy Clean, DRY fuel, I only buy Diesel from high volume truck stops or fleet card-locks.
Always fill after driving several hours and before letting it sit overnight (condensation, as Diesel runs excess fuel back into tank and the entire tank is warm. If that sits 1/2 full or near empty during the dew point changes you make LOTS of water. $5000 diesel injection pumps do not like pumping water at diesel CR pressures. (no lubricity in water)
Add a water filter / trap, consider a heated one if driving or storing in cold or damp climates (Sprinter has a fuel cooling device IIRC), really messes with Bio-Diesel (crystallization). = starved pump = $5000 repair
My Racor pre-filters are $5 for a filter element instead of $50 for a Sprinter filter. + the Racor is clear, so you can spot water very easily, and there is a bleed valve to get rid of the water sitting in sediment bowl.
The Sprinters are quite nice and stable and smooth to drive, and plenty of power (especially at high altitude (turbo + diesel torque). Be very careful when passing or going downhill. You are driving a truck, not a car. Use 8 sec following distance rather than 4 sec, especially if towing.
That's the kind of Intel I've been looking for. I've been told by salesmen most of these Sprinter based motorhomes are based on the equivalent of a 4500 series chassis so that should mean bigger brakes. The water seperator is a really good tip. Much appreciated !
My wife used to drive one of those short school buses so hopefully she'll be ok with a wide camper.
As a CDL driver I have seen a lot of RV carnage. (especially in WY (wind, Ice, falling asleep) and MT / Colorado (descending Mtn passes with faded brakes)).
A buddy of mine had one for a class C with a Sprinter Chassis. It was in the shop more than they used it. Most of the issues he had was with the electrical system.
A buddy of mine had one for a class C with a Sprinter Chassis. It was in the shop more than they used it. Most of the issues he had was with the electrical system.
As with all premium brands / speciality vehicles. There's plenty of opinions. I'm looking for first person opinions from owners, not "My cousin's neighbor knows someone who saw one once in a shop."
I might be looking in the wrong place. (Not a snark at anybody, Just talking)
As with all premium brands / speciality vehicles. There's plenty of opinions. I'm looking for first person opinions from owners, not "My cousin's neighbor knows someone who saw one once in a shop."
I might be looking in the wrong place. (Not a snark at anybody, Just talking)
Why not go to sprinter forums? Mechanically it doesn't make that much difference if it is a camper or not. Personally I will stick with my good ol gmc rv with 350 gas motor.
Apparently there's a discussion forum for everything. Go figure.
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Go figure. 
