Roadtrek RS Adventurous - Can it go Uphill ?

[Chuck711]

Looking at a 2006 Roadtrek RS Adventurous with FreightLiner ( Mercedes ) 2500 SHC engine

I have encountered many steep grades in my Travels and normally lose 25 mph
in my current 1996 Rialta if I'm doing 60 mph in my Rialta which has a 170 HP

I see the specs on the Roadtrek has 154 HP ( 243 Ft LB torque ) Turbo Charged and can tow 5000 lbs with a GVW of 8,550 LBS

Does it take the steep grades ok ?

Please comment on your experiences

Thanks !

[booster]

Others may think otherwise, but based on what we have seen with that era of Sprinters would be that it will be considerably better than the Rialta, but other class B's will likely faster up mountains, at least until you get to around 10K feet elevation where thin air hurts the non turbo ones.


The 2003+ Chevies will be faster, older Dodges maybe a bit faster, Promasters maybe a bit faster, and the Ford ECOboost powered vans will be much faster all the time.

[avanti]

When we owned our 2005 Airstream Interstate, I never felt that the T1N lacked for power. Obviously, the little I5 engine isn't going to feel like a big old gas-guzzling V8 hauling an RV up a steep mountain, but IMO it was plenty adequate, and more than worth the tradeoff of power vs fuel economy. Plus, as Booster suggests, the turbo engine holds up well at elevation.

[SeabeckStan]

We have a 2006 RT with 74,000 miles on it. This RT, by the way, is built on a 2005 chassis with the 5 cylinder diesel engine. We have some 15% grades here (locally) and it does lose some speed there as it downshifts, but on the open highways in US and Canada I've never considered it much of a problem. I certainly lost more speed on the Interstate when I towed a 27 foot fiver with my Ford 250 with turbo-charged diesel.

My experience is that this engine is an excellent match for that sizes vehicle. However, I will throw out a couple of caveats. First of all, I have never had the need to tow anything; my feeling is that a 5000 pound trailer would significantly affect performance. So a roof pod for storage.

[Gfichman]

My 2008 RS with 6 cylinder turbo diesel has been over Beartooth pass a a couple of times and all over the country! Great power, but my favorite speed is 65, because I love 21MPG!

[famh@optonline.net]

[QUOTE=Chuck711;142233]Looking at a 2006 Roadtrek RS Adventurous with FreightLiner ( Mercedes ) 2500 SHC engine

I have encountered many steep grades in my Travels and normally lose 25 mph
in my current 1996 Rialta if I'm doing 60 mph in my Rialta which has a 170 HP

I see the specs on the Roadtrek has 154 HP ( 243 Ft LB torque ) Turbo Charged and can tow 5000 lbs with a GVW of 8,550 LBS

Does it take the steep grades ok ?

Please comment on your experiences

Thanks


I owned a 2006 Adventurous and it handled steep grades (Canadian Rockies, Colorado, etc) with ease. Have no fear about being underpowered.

[bonnecavesman]

Originally Posted by Chuck711

Looking at a 2006 Roadtrek RS Adventurous with FreightLiner ( Mercedes ) 2500 SHC engine

I have encountered many steep grades in my Travels and normally lose 25 mph
in my current 1996 Rialta if I'm doing 60 mph in my Rialta which has a 170 HP

I see the specs on the Roadtrek has 154 HP ( 243 Ft LB torque ) Turbo Charged and can tow 5000 lbs with a GVW of 8,550 LBS

Does it take the steep grades ok ?

Please comment on your experiences

Thanks !

We have 2010 Mercedes Sprinter 3500 (RoadTrek 2011 RS Adventurous) 3.0 litre V-6 188 horsepower with Turbo & 296 000 kms/185 000 miles (some of these towing closed double axle trailer with recreational gear & cruiser Harley Davidson motorcycle). Hill climbing no problem altho acceleration for passing, if passing lanes available, somewhat sluggish. Have driven multiple trips Pacific to Atlantic via Rockies high passes. We use transmission as manual for climbing & particularly for engine braking on downhill steeps. Travel safely if heading thru mountainous areas and verify/protect brakes.

[Davydd]

In my previous home I had a 20% grade 200 foot long driveway and I could get up it with my I5 2005 Sprinter Pleasure-way from a standing start.