Sprinter to Promaster (or vice versa)?

[kmessinger]

I bought a Sportsmobile Sprinter in 2008, pre Blu-Tek, diesel. In those early days there was not a lot of Sprinter knowledge out there. When Mercedes took the Sprinter back from Dodge the main thing that happened was prices going way up for maintenance. We put 130,000 miles on our Sprinter and it nearly drove us to the poor farm.

Sold it in 2018 and bought a Winnebago Travato (Promaster). 36,000 miles so far and the Promaster has been great to drive and easy on maintenance dollars.

I'll never go back to Mercedes. They have to pay for those marble floors in the showroom somehow and I don't want to help with that anymore.

[sati8d]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

Speaking as one with both- trailer and Class B- I'd say the biggest advantages of a trailer include:
(1) A mid-size crossover is a nicer ride than any van.
(2) You can upgrade your drivetrain and keep your camper.
(3) You can unhitch and tour locally without breaking camp.
(4) You don't have to listen to the inevitable noises of a coach in motion.
(5) Lower cost of entry and ownership, though it can rise quickly if you have to buy a dedicated tow vehicle.
(6) For occasional use, a trailer doesn't mind sitting as much as a motorized RV.

Downsides include:
(1) May require a larger vehicle than desired as a daily driver.
(2) Harder to maneuver and park (need a double space).
(3) Slower driving speed and somewhat greater driving risk- more things can go wrong with an articulated rig.
(4) Requires a bit larger camping site.
(5) Higher tolls for the third axle- often double.

A Class B is nice for touring long distances with 1-2 night stops. A trailer is better for a more leisurely style of travel with longer stops in one place.

It's all good!

Wow! Talk about off topic and unhelpful. Although your info is good to know....

[Storysrvwego]

Ground clearance seems to be a concern for those looking at the PM based RVs. Unless your really going off road in places that taking an RV will bounce your dishes around a lot , the PM wil work fine. Its FWD is pretty great. Also good in snow versus a conventional 2WD rear axle pusher. The really great thing, having driven high top Sprinters in cross winds is that the PM as a pulling drivetrain and a bit lower CG, does indeed handle better in tough winds. They all work good and each has pros and cons but for on pavement and light to moderate non-pavement roads, the PM is fine. Great mileage and a very good uphill climber too. IN town mileage is low when stop starting with 8,000-ish pounds but you will get 14.8 and better (up to 18 is possible) on the road. Just figure 15 mpg on a typical long trip for gas expense unless your doing an awful lot of in-town stop and starts. Towing? Mercedes and Ford are best at that with higher tow capacity. And as noted above, if you want to take an RV off road in some really rough stuff, then I'd entertain the other two. Watch our for expenses of repair and even basic maintenance on the Mercedes Sprinters though, if you want or need to go that way.

[svIntuition]

We had a Sprinter based 2014 Pleasure-Way Plateau TS. Loved the Pleasure-Way part, but gave up on the reliability and cost of the Sprinter. Now have a ProMaster based Pleasure-Way Lexor TS and have been very happy with the change. We gave up almost two feet of length, but haven't been stuck anywhere waiting for service. I realize it is only a sample size of 1, but here's our service history on the two vans so far...

RV Chassis Service History

Chassis Date Miles Cost Service
Sprinter 11/29/14 3,665 Purchased 2014 Pleasure-Way Plateau TS on 2013 Sprinter 3500
Sprinter 1/7/15 4,868 $305.79 10K Service
Sprinter 4/27/15 5,806 $- *Faulty Speed Sensor Left Rear (Warranty)
Sprinter 1/10/16 15,069 $669.75 20K service
Sprinter 3/15/16 15,159 $240.13 Vibration Problem:*Rotate, Balance & 4 Wheel Alignment, Aligned Drive Shaft
Sprinter 5/2/16 16,547 $47.52 Front Wiper Blades
Sprinter 5/8/16 17,789 $- Faulty Speed Sensor*Right Rear* (Warranty)
Sprinter 7/29/16 25,200 $157.13 Oil & Filter Change
Sprinter 10/12/16 26,327 $- Replace*EGR Cooler Solenoid Valve (Warranty)
Sprinter 10/20/16 26,725 $- Replace Blower & Blower Regulator* (Warranty)
Sprinter 1/17/17 30,016 $798.16 “A” Service &*Vibration Problem: Front Wheel Alignment
Sprinter 5/4/17 30,765 $- Replaced Drive Shaft*& Road Force Balanced front tires (Warranty)
Sprinter 6/9/17 30,795 $- NOX Sensor*Replaced (Warranty)
Sprinter 9/5/17 37,848 $- Faulty Speed Sensor*Left Front (Warranty)
Sprinter 9/5/17 37,848 $59.63 Front Wiper Blades
Sprinter 9/28/17 39,885 $1,635.10 "B" Service
Sprinter 11/13/17 41,150 $- Replace left and right rear speed sensors, left and right rear brake pad sensors, rear diff vent tube, rear parking brake cable (MB Corp. covered costs)
Sprinter 2/2/18 41,230 $- Faulty Speed Sensor*Right Front (Emissions Warranty)

Sprinter Total $3,913.21


ProMaster 6/1/18 - Purchased 2018 Pleasure-Way Lexor TS on 2018 ProMaster 3500
ProMaster 10/26/18 8,138 $35.20 Oil and Filter Change
ProMaster 4/16/19 10,994 $39.07 Tire Rotation and State Inspection
ProMaster 5/30/19 14,973 $60.00 Oil and Filter Change
ProMaster 5/30/19 14,973 $53.12 Replace Windshield Wipers
ProMaster 6/24/19 21,066 $106.24 Oil and Filter Change, Tire Rotation
ProMaster 10/26/19 26,833 $66.12 Oil and Filter Change, Tire Rotation
ProMaster 10/26/19 26,833 $- Replaced Rear Door Latch (Warranty)
ProMaster 2/2/20 29,123 $10.58 Cabin Air Filter
ProMaster 6/8/20 29,949 $13.60 State Safety Inspection
ProMaster 6/8/20 29,949 $182.84 Brake System Flush (2 years)
ProMaster 6/8/20 29,949 $58.50 Engine Air Filter
ProMaster 6/8/20 29,949 $- Recall W00: Replace Cable Gearshift Control
ProMaster 7/15/20 29,984 $- Recall VB2: Replace Engine Cooling Fans

ProMaster Total $625.27

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by sati8d

Wow! Talk about off topic and unhelpful. Although your info is good to know....

My apologies. I was responding to a question and fell down a rabbit hole. Dusting myself off...

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by svIntuition

We had a Sprinter based 2014 Pleasure-Way Plateau TS. Loved the Pleasure-Way part, but gave up on the reliability and cost of the Sprinter. Now have a ProMaster based Pleasure-Way Lexor TS and have been very happy with the change. We gave up almost two feet of length, but haven't been stuck anywhere waiting for service. I realize it is only a sample size of 1, but here's our service history on the two vans so far...

RV Chassis Service History

Chassis Date Miles Cost Service
Sprinter 11/29/14 3,665 Purchased 2014 Pleasure-Way Plateau TS on 2013 Sprinter 3500
Sprinter 1/7/15 4,868 $305.79 10K Service
Sprinter 4/27/15 5,806 $- *Faulty Speed Sensor Left Rear (Warranty)
Sprinter 1/10/16 15,069 $669.75 20K service
Sprinter 3/15/16 15,159 $240.13 Vibration Problem:*Rotate, Balance & 4 Wheel Alignment, Aligned Drive Shaft
Sprinter 5/2/16 16,547 $47.52 Front Wiper Blades
Sprinter 5/8/16 17,789 $- Faulty Speed Sensor*Right Rear* (Warranty)
Sprinter 7/29/16 25,200 $157.13 Oil & Filter Change
Sprinter 10/12/16 26,327 $- Replace*EGR Cooler Solenoid Valve (Warranty)
Sprinter 10/20/16 26,725 $- Replace Blower & Blower Regulator* (Warranty)
Sprinter 1/17/17 30,016 $798.16 “A” Service &*Vibration Problem: Front Wheel Alignment
Sprinter 5/4/17 30,765 $- Replaced Drive Shaft*& Road Force Balanced front tires (Warranty)
Sprinter 6/9/17 30,795 $- NOX Sensor*Replaced (Warranty)
Sprinter 9/5/17 37,848 $- Faulty Speed Sensor*Left Front (Warranty)
Sprinter 9/5/17 37,848 $59.63 Front Wiper Blades
Sprinter 9/28/17 39,885 $1,635.10 "B" Service
Sprinter 11/13/17 41,150 $- Replace left and right rear speed sensors, left and right rear brake pad sensors, rear diff vent tube, rear parking brake cable (MB Corp. covered costs)
Sprinter 2/2/18 41,230 $- Faulty Speed Sensor*Right Front (Emissions Warranty)

Sprinter Total $3,913.21


ProMaster 6/1/18 - Purchased 2018 Pleasure-Way Lexor TS on 2018 ProMaster 3500
ProMaster 10/26/18 8,138 $35.20 Oil and Filter Change
ProMaster 4/16/19 10,994 $39.07 Tire Rotation and State Inspection
ProMaster 5/30/19 14,973 $60.00 Oil and Filter Change
ProMaster 5/30/19 14,973 $53.12 Replace Windshield Wipers
ProMaster 6/24/19 21,066 $106.24 Oil and Filter Change, Tire Rotation
ProMaster 10/26/19 26,833 $66.12 Oil and Filter Change, Tire Rotation
ProMaster 10/26/19 26,833 $- Replaced Rear Door Latch (Warranty)
ProMaster 2/2/20 29,123 $10.58 Cabin Air Filter
ProMaster 6/8/20 29,949 $13.60 State Safety Inspection
ProMaster 6/8/20 29,949 $182.84 Brake System Flush (2 years)
ProMaster 6/8/20 29,949 $58.50 Engine Air Filter
ProMaster 6/8/20 29,949 $- Recall W00: Replace Cable Gearshift Control
ProMaster 7/15/20 29,984 $- Recall VB2: Replace Engine Cooling Fans

ProMaster Total $625.27

Very detailed and helpful breakdown.

[avanti]

I completely agree with the substance of @svIntuition's post, and the repair data and costs are completely consistent with my experience with Sprinters, as is his or her bottom line conclusion.

To be completely fair to Mercedes, though, the listed costs show 10,000 mile service intervals, which is twice what Mercedes recommends for MY2015. I have no intention of criticizing anyone who chooses accelerated service intervals, and I don't want to start an oil change debate. But, in comparing maintenance costs (as opposed to repair costs), I think it is fair to start with the OEM recommended service intervals. Any extra oil changes are at the discretion of the owner, not a strict cost of ownership. This difference would shave quite a few out-of-pocket dollars from the bottom line.

[svIntuition]

“To be completely fair to Mercedes, though, the listed costs show 10,000 mile service intervals, which is twice what Mercedes recommends for MY2015.”

Fair point, for newer chassis. Ours was a 2013 and the recommended service interval was 10,000 miles in the manual.

Mark
www.svIntuition.com

[avanti]

Originally Posted by svIntuition

“To be completely fair to Mercedes, though, the listed costs show 10,000 mile service intervals, which is twice what Mercedes recommends for MY2015.”

Fair point, for newer chassis. Ours was a 2013 and the recommended service interval was 10,000 miles in the manual.

Mark
www.svIntuition.com

Apologies. I somehow got into my head that your rig was a MY2015 Sprinter.
Sorry.

[MotoVan]

I was shopping for cargo Sprinters and ProMasters. ProMasters were half of the price of the Sprinters with more body width and a wider track. This is roominess and stability. So I bought a ProMaster.

I am 5'10" and I can sleep comfortably across.

They come with the best engine that Fiat-Chrysler makes -- the 3.6L Pentastar. That engine goes into everything from large sedans, to minivans, to Jeeps, to trucks. The engine is basically bulletrpoof. The transmission is from the minivan, also made and sold in millions. This powertrain is not going to quit on me or throw a service code that would prevent me from driving. Any mechanic can work on it, if necessary.

If after a half a million miles my powertrain quits, I will drive by a junk yard, and they will likely have a whole replacement engine and transmission there for me for less than it would cost to so a preventative maintenance at a Mercedes Sprinter dealer.

[Cokkie]

I have a 2016 p.m. and I’ve had no problems I 55,000 miles he gets about 15 miles per gallon I also look at the environmental cost and the difference between the gas in the diesel is substantial. I originally thought I would get a sprinter but the maintenance problems from everyone that I’ve spoken to I have three friends that have them I just didn’t wanna deal with it with a more and more money. I also read about a post from a man that has both in his fleet PMs and sprinters and he far far likes the p.m. because of reliability the kind of pushed me over the top

Originally Posted by Storysrvwego

Amen to that Avanti,
The track record or issues and associated costs of repair when not under warranty on a Sprinter has at least by commentary, been a bit ghastly. Even for oil changes. Hopefuly the claims have subsided. I haven't followed Sprinters since we chose a PM based Class B. Other than respecting the factory for asking us to take our PM into a dealer for two recalls (neither of which were presenting issues to our PM), We have had zero issues whatsoever on our nearly 3 year old PM now. I hear hints of improvement in the number of MERCEDES dealers that will even work on Sprinter's versus some dealers for the other brands. I should think all MERCEDES dealers will have lifts strong enough for commercial Sprinter van work regardless of their often nicer showrooms and waiting lounges, thus a Class B Sprinter should be no issue to handle in their bays.

I imagine factory training, online or otherwise and certain vehicle specific tools are likely required to be on hand before MERCEDES will allow them to be a selling AND servicing dealer. If so, that might have been an issue in the early days of Sprinters for dealers but these vans must represent enough revenue value for all dealers across the USA to participate these days.

I hardly ever hear about the emission system issues that apparently plagued a fair number of Sprinter owner/operators by the number of comments in recent years so MERCEDES must have gotten that behind them now.

[JohnnyFry]

Bud. That is the key and any mechanic in Jackass Flats, Nowhere can fix my Chevy with parts from the nearest NAPA.

[AdamG]

My wife and I just bought a new class B. I did a TON of reaserch and was open to all brands. After said research I narrowed down to Fords or Promaster's with the lean going towards Promaster's. Key reasons for us:

1) Ease and cost of maintenance. We are in a rural area with no Sprinter service nearby.

2) We don't need any serious towing capacity, so a diesel was not a necessity.

3) Front wheel drive gives the Promaster's an advantage in wind, snow and turning radius....all things we will deal with regularly.

So far the Promaster has been great. We just visited our daughter at college yesterday in it and I drove 75 miles an hour both ways on the freeway (2 and half hour drive one way) and we averaged 15.5mpg for the trip. About 3,000 miles total on it so far and we have had to deal with strong winds, tight parking and U-turns...which the Promaster has handled with ease.

[Davydd]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFry

Bud. That is the key and any mechanic in Jackass Flats, Nowhere can fix my Chevy with parts from the nearest NAPA.

That argument is like settling for a McDonald's Big Mac because seeking out a delicious gourmet burger is too difficult.

[avanti]

Originally Posted by Davydd

That argument is like settling for a McDonald's Big Mac because seeking out a delicious gourmet burger is too difficult.

In Jackass Flats, that might not be such bad advice.

[coss370]

My back and body would cry if I have to drive a Pro Master, sitting in a public city bus might be more comfortable.

[MsNomer]

Originally Posted by coss370

My back and body would cry if I have to drive a Pro Master, sitting in a public city bus might be more comfortable.

Have you tried it? For a long trip after adjusting the seat appropriately?

There’s good reason why long-distance drivers tend to sit straighter. I have owned 3 Mercedes, 3 BMWs, 2 Toyotas and a Ford. The PM is the first vehicle I have ever driven, or ridden in, where after a long drive I can just get out and walk normally. Every other vehicle had me hobbling until I could “find" my legs. The two Toyotas are in the driveway, but the PM has so spoiled me, I’ll choose it even to go to the grocery store.

[AdamG]

Originally Posted by coss370

My back and body would cry if I have to drive a Pro Master, sitting in a public city bus might be more comfortable.

A public city bus should be very comfortable to drive. They are designed for all day, everyday driving.

I drove over 1000 miles bringing our new Promaster based RV home after picking it up...it was great and I love driving it. I'm 5'9" and 190 lbs.

[coss370]

Rented one last year and sat in many the past few weeks shopping, all have pretty much the same problem. The fancier RAM have more padding on their seats. In general, they all have tiny foot wells. They have seats that are hard to adjust and barely have any bolster. The steering wheel is at a 40 degree angle to you. If this is how you like to drive, more power to you. It's just not my cup of tea. I would rather drive an old E350. I want to like the RAM because it is just much cheaper, but I would hate myself the moment I drive it.

It's similar to driving a bus from one of the back seat over the rear wheels, not the drivers seat....

[AdamG]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8KpuXa1ecRbhFNGg7

This is what the seats in our Promaster RV look like. They are really comfortable. They go up and down; tilt forward and backward, and of course slide forward and backward. The wheel does not tilt but it does telescope.

Once I have the right height and distance and lumbar dialed in, I feel like I could drive non-stop all day.