Hi all - very glad to be on this forum. Seems like a bunch of nice, knowledgeable people.
Been reading a lot.
My wife, tween-ish daughter and I are strongly considering buying a new MB Sprinter 2500 (3500?) high roof- 4 x 4 -170 - with the esbar D/B for a Sportsmaster. Would wait for the 2019 models coming soon….. likely. Hoping for gas 4 x 4 to avoid any bio diesel issues, Plus refill anywhere.
We prefer to boondock. We think 4 x 4 (with low range) would be best, as we like places off the beaten path.
We know RVs but not vans, specifically.
I will soon go tour Sportsmobile… I’m sure that will answer / raise lots of questions.
We’d likely go for:
extra thermal and extra sound insulation in walls.
one swivel captains chair for our daughter, so 3 seats up front.
fixed bed in the back, storage below.
.. likely with a flip up single bunk bed for above it. (other options are possible. TBD.)
a Espar D/B5 for hot water and air heating.
dual roof solar panels.
Permanent cassette toilet & small inside shower that both are (probably) hidden inside a small fold down cabinet.
no propane. No need for us. We’d continue to mostly cook outside with small propane bottles. Small butane stove for inside cooking (with doors open) in bad weather.
no added roof AC. (adds too much height, plus is very rarely used by us)
For people using this cargo van:
one) I know it is subjective, but did you opt for the $2,000 MB “Driving Assistance Package”?
two) what MB options are you glad you got? (or unhappy with)
three) did anyone have Sportsmobile put a fold up bunk bed in the back (for our almost tween daughter) above the usual bigger bed?
four) for double glazed awning style windows - do people prefer Hehr or CR Lawrence?
five) on the MB are the light alloy wheels worth the $1,000? Does the van handle or drive significantly better with light alloy wheels vs steel?
six) what fabric breathes better - Tunja or Leatherette?
seven) I’m confident we’d like the 170 for the added interior space + storage….. am willing to be longer than the 144.
Almost never need to parallel park on our travels. Can park further from Target for supply runs, and walk extra, to stay away from other cars.
Anyone have strong feelings as to why the 144 is better than the 170? for 3 people.
eight) should we go for the MB hitch factory install, so we could maybe occasionally put a bike rack there? (we are hikers far more than bikers)
nine) any general layout thoughts for us 3?
thanks!
John in Los Angeles