Coachman Galleria - FitRV Video Review

[markopolo]

Filling wet cells in inaccessible locations is easy: http://www.classbforum.com/forums/f8....html#post1368

[gregmchugh]

Originally Posted by markopolo

Filling wet cells in inaccessible locations is easy: http://www.classbforum.com/forums/f8....html#post1368

True, If they installed one as standard equipment in an accessible location then the battery access would not be an issue...

[booster]

Those systems are great, I wish we could have used them when we had wet cells, but you need some room above the batteries for them to fit and we didn't have enough space.

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by markopolo

Dahai reported two AGM batteries here: http://www.classbforum.com/forums/f5...html#post35066

It looks like the reviews from both Dahai and the Fit RV are from the 2015 show in Pomona. Dahai reported the batteries as AGM but didn't indicate any visual confirmation while James (Fit RV) actually crawled under a Galleria and noted that the batteries apparently were not AGM but flooded cell.

Perhaps the current Galleria production makes this moot but it's seems strange to spend extra time and money on providing superior cabinetry and then try to save a few bucks on batteries.

BTW, I get why these batteries now are being located under chassis but there seems little acknowledgement of the trade off for this. There used to be a battery compartment or at least a location that allowed for reasonably convenient battery replacement. But with their current location under chassis, removing and replacing them has got to be a real PITA and unless you're prepared to crawl under the coach and do this yourself, unless they are lithiums, the labor cost for removing and replacing one or more of them could easily exceed the cost of the battery itself.



.

[wincrasher]

They are MSRPing at $135k, but selling at $99,999 without any dickering.

Yes, the batteries are wet cell. Yes, the TV's and stereo/dvd are all 12volt. No inverter. 12v refer. Big bathroom. Nice wood cabinetry. Nice leathers.

They think their direct competition is Roadtrek. LOL. But it looks like a solid offering besides the batteries. But since they are using the same PD converter everyone else uses, then it's an easy changeout. Batteries mounted behind the rear wheels just like on Era.

FWIW, I told them they compete with Era and not Roadtrek and they were insulted!

[markopolo]

Good info.

I'd strongly suggest including installed AGM's when negotiating. That would be the cheapest time to get it done. If it looks like that's all that would prevent a deal then the dealer might even do it for $0. It'd be worth paying up to $200 or so IMO.

If you already have the wet cells then check to see if a watering system will fit. That will make life easier.

[f8hasit]

Hello All,
New to the forum here. Just purchased a Coachman Galleria and we love it. Quality is topnotch.

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by f8hasit

Hello All,
New to the forum here. Just purchased a Coachman Galleria and we love it. Quality is topnotch.

Congratulations! What year model and layout do you have?

[f8hasit]

2016.We went with the 24ST. 3 seats in the front, sofa in the rear. I got to say the Sprinter 3500 chassis ride was extremely rough in the rear of the rig. We found a place in Redlands, CA called Redlands Truck and RV Performance Center that installed what they call their "dreamride" suspension package which included Glide-Rite airbag system for the rear and it made a world of difference! My wife can actually ride on the sofa now.

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by f8hasit

2016.We went with the 24ST. 3 seats in the front, sofa in the rear. I got to say the Sprinter 3500 chassis ride was extremely rough in the rear of the rig. We found a place in Redlands, CA called Redlands Truck and RV Performance Center that installed what they call their "dreamride" suspension package which included Glide-Rite airbag system for the rear and it made a world of difference! My wife can actually ride on the sofa now.

Advanced RV provides an air ride rear suspension on their Sprinter custom coaches that is actually approved by Mercedes. I wonder if it's the same or similar system you now have on your coach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F43gRg_8TV8

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by cruising7388

Advanced RV provides an air ride rear suspension on their Sprinter custom coaches that is actually approved by Mercedes. I wonder if it's the same or similar system you now have on your coach.

They are not the same. Advanced RV and Airstream install the VB Air Suspension. It uses two air bags.
http://www.vbairsuspension.com/en/

That shop in Readlands, CA installs the Glide-Rite air suspension. It uses four air bags.
http://www.glide-rite.com

They have some similarities and are both reported to be approved by Mercedes for the Sprinter.


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[f8hasit]

I did verify it does not affect my factory warranty. Not sure beyond that.

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

They are not the same. Advanced RV and Airstream install the VB Air Suspension. It uses two air bags.
Your suspension specialist » VB-Airsuspension

That shop in Readlands, CA installs the Glide-Rite air suspension. It uses four air bags.
Glide-Rite

They have some similarities and are both reported to be approved by Mercedes for the Sprinter.


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Thanks for the clarification. I'm somewhat familiar with earlier Dodge and current Chevy platforms but I know next to nothing about the 3500 Sprinter which prompts a question regarding the harsh ride observed by f8hasit. When just moving cargo, I understand a lack of concern about the ride since nobody is back there during a transit, but an RV is a different application. Assuming the ride observed by f8hasit is more likely the rule than the exception for these Sprinters, why are these air ride systems only available as a third party afterthought rather than offered as a standard item or at least an option by Mercedes? It's got to be considerably less expensive to incorporate this during production than as a retrofit.

[gregmchugh]

Originally Posted by cruising7388

Thanks for the clarification. I'm somewhat familiar with earlier Dodge and current Chevy platforms but I know next to nothing about the 3500 Sprinter which prompts a question regarding the harsh ride observed by f8hasit. When just moving cargo, I understand a lack of concern about the ride since nobody is back there during a transit, but an RV is a different application. Assuming the ride observed by f8hasit is more likely the rule than the exception for these Sprinters, why are these air ride systems only available as a third party afterthought rather than offered as a standard item or at least an option by Mercedes? It's got to be considerably less expensive to incorporate this during production than as a retrofit.

I would guess that the vast majority of Sprinters cargo vans worldwide are actually used as cargo vans so providing a factory option for airbags to cover a small percentage of vans is not a good financial decision when approved aftermarket installations can be used to handle it.

[avanti]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

They have some similarities and are both reported to be approved by Mercedes for the Sprinter.

What, exactly, are the implications of being "approved by Mercedes"?

Aftermarket parts or modifications don't affect the warranty in any event (by law).

Does it mean that you can order one with your van? Or, that your Mercedes dealer will service it? Or, is it just a marketing thing? Or what?

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by gregmchugh

I would guess that the vast majority of Sprinters cargo vans worldwide are actually used as cargo vans so providing a factory option for airbags to cover a small percentage of vans is not a good financial decision when approved aftermarket installations can be used to handle it.

I understand the VB Air Suspension is actually a factory option in Europe, just not offered as option in USA at this time.


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[Davydd]

Originally Posted by avanti

What, exactly, are the implications of being "approved by Mercedes"?

Aftermarket parts or modifications don't affect the warranty in any event (by law).

Does it mean that you can order one with your van? Or, that your Mercedes dealer will service it? Or, is it just a marketing thing? Or what?

I don't know if it is a standard in Europe for Sprinters. There is no factory order in America. However, approved by Mercedes Benz I think is more a thing with upfitters getting approved by Mercedes Benz, maybe no different than agreeing where you can make cuts in a body. I suspect somewhere along the line of approval it has been tested and accepted by MB. Installers have to be approved by VB Air Suspension. If not, I would guess they wouldn't sell to you.

As for service by Mercedes Benz, I can attest they will service VB Air Suspension. The MB dealer while on the road in Shreveport, LA replaced a leaking air bladder for me. Advanced RV overnighted it and paid for it. I was in and out in under 3 hours. It was the first repair that shop had ever done on the VB Air Suspension.

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

I understand the VB Air Suspension is actually a factory option in Europe, just not offered as option in USA at this time.


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I don't think so. Mercedes apparently worked with VB in the design of the system but the actual installation in Europe is still done by VB installers, not Mercedes. When Mike Neundorfer did the u-tube he indicated that 11,000 units
had already been installed by VB in Europe.

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by avanti

What, exactly, are the implications of being "approved by Mercedes"?

Aftermarket parts or modifications don't affect the warranty in any event (by law).

Does it mean that you can order one with your van? Or, that your Mercedes dealer will service it? Or, is it just a marketing thing? Or what?

Seems like all three. You can order a VB suspension but the order is placed with the coach builder, not the factory.The factory authorizes their dealers to maintain and repair the system but it's not clear if you can go to a dealer, as opposed to the coach builder, and have one installed. Among other things, it is a marketing device. Here are some details on the Mercedes upfitter program.

https://www.upfitterportal.com/en-us...ogram-overview

What's interesting is the language in fine print at the bottom which says in effect that Mercedes doesn't approve of the products or the work done by the upfitters they certify. Say what?

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by avanti

Aftermarket parts or modifications don't affect the warranty in any event (by law).

I'd like to learn more about this. Can you tell me where I can find the legal constraints on warranty disclaimers? Thanks.