Pulled the trigger

EdJodi · 06-16-2018, 03:10 AM

We pulled the trigger today on the LTV unity MB. We are so excited !!! It will take about a year. Great experience at Howard RV in Wilmington,NC. It will be hard to wait! Now its time to start planning trips and things to put in the coach. Our sales rep was Tom McNiff . No pressure . Very helpful with ordering options etc.

cruising7388 · 06-16-2018, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdJodi

We pulled the trigger today on the LTV unity MB. We are so excited !!! It will take about a year. Great experience at Howard RV in Wilmington,NC. It will be hard to wait! Now its time to start planning trips and things to put in the coach. Our sales rep was Tom McNiff . No pressure . Very helpful with ordering options etc.

Have you determined if your coach will be built on the next generation Sprinter platform?

EdJodi · 06-16-2018, 12:22 PM

It doesn’t seem so. We did order the leveling system

Gosman · 06-20-2018, 10:38 PM

No they will not get the new gen Mercedes. Reward comes to those that are patient!

cruising7388 · 06-20-2018, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdJodi

It doesn’t seem so. We did order the leveling system

Your order shouldn't prevent you from scheduling a delivery date that would have the coach built on the latest generation Sprinter build which might even give you the option of a diesel or a gasoline engine.

Unless the design has been changed, what you describe as levelers do not actually level the coach. They are stabilizer jacks that keeps the coach from wobbling when at rest. True levelers historically have not been authorized by Mercedes on a Sprinter but they recently have authorized the installation of E&P remotely operated levelers. ARV now routinely installs them on their builds and will retrofit them on most any Sprinter.

cruising7388 · 06-20-2018, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gosman

No they will not get the new gen Mercedes. Reward comes to those that are patient!

Perhaps I'm missing something, but I don't understand purchasing a coach with the current Sprinter platform considering how soon the platform will be changed.

EdJodi · 06-21-2018, 01:42 AM

Does anyone actually know when the new chassis will be available? I see all sorts of predictions but no actual date

Davydd · 06-21-2018, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdJodi

Does anyone actually know when the new chassis will be available? I see all sorts of predictions but no actual date

There is no order sheet yet. That was suppose to be this month. Projected date for the new plant is September the last I heard. If all goes well I don't expect a van getting to converters until March 2019. I would expect they will satisfy their major customers first and Class B converters are not major customers. That's my guess and only a guess.

cruising7388 · 06-21-2018, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davydd

There is no order sheet yet. That was suppose to be this month. Projected date for the new plant is September the last I heard. If all goes well I don't expect a van getting to converters until March 2019. I would expect they will satisfy their major customers first and Class B converters are not major customers. That's my guess and only a guess.

Thanks for this information. It may well be a vexed question whether or not the new platform is better suited for a class B than the present one. The new bells and whistles may not be of great value for an RV application. But since EdJodi has a one year waiting time, his delivery date may well be close to the platform changeover date for the Sprinter and he might have an opportunity to schedule his delivery date from LTV for the platform he prefers. IMO, since his order is still in a plastic state, it would be worthwhile investigating and evaluating the changed platform.

Has ARV offered any opinion on the new Sprinter platform? One of the reviews I perused mentioned the increased comfort in the rear of the new generation van. Perhaps it could make the VB suspension modification less or even unnecessary.

cruising7388 · 06-21-2018, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gosman

No they will not get the new gen Mercedes. Reward comes to those that are patient!

Well, I learned today that while the new Sprinter may be available with a gas engine, it will be a four banger and considering the typical GVW of a ladened class B, Mercedes recommends against employing it for this application and sticking with the diesel. There must have been some interesting conversations between their marketing and engineering divisions regarding the gas engine choice. Considering the level of complaints regarding the emission system of the current diesel engine, I think for a some percentage of prospective class B buyers, it will shift their direction to Transits and Promasters. But I guess this sub-market is so relatively small that it doesn't get their attention.

Davydd · 06-21-2018, 02:23 PM

Advanced RV when I last spoke to them are guessing just like us. They had no inside information other than they were told the body of the van itself would be no different which means their interior designs could remain the same. As for VB Air Suspension there has been no significant changes to suspension mentioned in the European and Canadian information and if there were I doubt it would make VB Air Suspension unnecessary (or I should say still desired) because it is a Significant game changer in the suspension.

Unlike previous NC3V models that only had front end sheetmetal modifications, you'll note the the 2019 will have front end sheetmetal, headlight modifications and side and rear sheetmetal modifications. That side V shaped indent down the sides and wrapping around the back is gone. The MB symbol in the back no longer intrudes into the window area. The wheel well trim is different. Those are all just cosmetic changes from what I can tell just at a glance. There may be more that I've missed.

rockymtnb · 06-22-2018, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdJodi

Have you determined if your coach will be built on the next generation Sprinter platform?

It doesn’t seem so. We did order the leveling system

One of the biggest functional advantages of the 2019 chassis Sprinter is the V6 diesel engine finally gets the 7G-Tronic seven speed automatic transmission.

Previously the V6 had been paired with older NAG 5 speed automatic. There are extensive discussions of the 7G-Tronic vs NAG over on the Sprinter Source forums. Suffice to say everyone if looking forward to finally getting the 7G-Tronic and its better electronically programmed shift points.

Given the timing of your delivery perhaps a minor delay could get you the new chassis (and probably much better resale down the road).

avanti · 06-22-2018, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockymtnb

One of the biggest functional advantages of the 2019 chassis Sprinter is the V6 diesel engine finally gets the 7G-Tronic seven speed automatic transmission.

Yeah, I have that transmission on my I4. It is sweet.

But, as has been discussed, I would give up a LOT to avoid the nightmarish emissions system on modern diesel Sprinters. THAT is why I am rooting for petrol.

rockymtnb · 06-23-2018, 12:59 AM

The 2019 Sprinter chassis configuration guide is now available and indicates the M274 gas engine will NOT be available on any extended length, 3500/4500 series, or cab/cutaway chassis.

So diesel engines only for the Unity's cutaway chassis. Although you will get the 7G-Tronic transmission for 2019 with every diesel engine.

cruising7388 · 06-23-2018, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruising7388

Your order shouldn't prevent you from scheduling a delivery date that would have the coach built on the latest generation Sprinter build which might even give you the option of a diesel or a gasoline engine.

Unless the design has been changed, what you describe as levelers do not actually level the coach. They are stabilizer jacks that keeps the coach from wobbling when at rest. True levelers historically have not been authorized by Mercedes on a Sprinter but they recently have authorized the installation of E&P remotely operated levelers. ARV now routinely installs them on their builds and will retrofit them on most any Sprinter.

Correction:The design has changed. Four point levelers on the Unity are now an option for 2019.

Gosman · 06-23-2018, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockymtnb

The 2019 Sprinter chassis configuration guide is now available and indicates the M274 gas engine will NOT be available on any extended length, 3500/4500 series, or cab/cutaway chassis.

So diesel engines only for the Unity's cutaway chassis. Although you will get the 7G-Tronic transmission for 2019 with every diesel engine.

Let's see the guide please!