Deciding Between PW Plateau 2005-7 & Roadtrek 210 2004-7

[Edj-ClassB]

We are ready to hit the road come May for Four months! We will travel from Colorado and go coast to coast visiting parks and family. We will be driving a lot so we are looking for a B that is easy to drive and have been able to test drive:

• 2007 PW Excel on a Ford chassis and it felt a bit clunky - truck like.
  2007 PW Lexor TS on Chevy Express felt similar to the Excel, which was a surprise, but my wife didn't like the layout anyway.
  2011 RT Adventurous - We loved the way this Sprinter drove. It handled like a larger Honda Odyssey. Smooth.
  2007 Roadtrek 210 on Chevy Express - This also handled well, but not up to the standard of the Adventurous.

We liked the way, the,Adventurous drove but prefer the layout of the PW Plateau TS sprinter so this is our number one choice right now with the RT 210 in second.

I would appreciate opinions on two questions:
1. The Sprinter we actually drove is the Mercedes 3500 with the 6 cylinder engine and dual rears, but the Plateaus we are considering are 2005-7 vintage and built on the 2500 chassis with 5 cylinder and single rears. We will not have an opportunity to test drive a Sprinter of that vintage.

So my question is whether handling of the 2500 is comparable to the 3500? Assuming of course that whatever we buy is in good repair. Also please note that our budget doesn't allow us to buy a newer Sprinter and we prefer getting the 5 cylinder for its better fuel efficiency.

2. I understand that starting in 2007 some vans used the new Sprinter body style but were built on the 2500 and that this is not a good configuration. How do I figure this out? For example here is an ad for a 2007 Unit we like. http://www.affinityrv.com/inventory.php ... =Class%20B

Thanks so much. Any other comments on units we are considering are appreciated.

 

[markopolo-ClassB]

I think I can help with question #2. A 2007 3500 would have dual rear wheels. 2500 would have single rear wheels.

The van in your link looks like a 2006 chassis to me. RV's can be built like that; 2006 van with 2007 upfit.

T1N body style (up to 2006) (Dodge front)


NCV3 body style (from 2007) (Dodge front)


Others on the forum here know a lot more about Sprinters than me though. I think the two examples photos have Dodge badging.

 

[markopolo-ClassB]

The number of coach (house) batteries in the RV would be a factor in my decision making. I like to have at least 2 batteries so I'd want an RV that has or can have two house batteries. That may or may not factor into your decision making. It depends on how you plan to use the RV.

 

[Davydd]

It is common for a converter model year to be about a year newer than a chassis model year. So that 2007 Pleasure-way Plateau you linked was built on a 2005 chassis.

To answer your question, the newer model Sprinter NCV3 they call it built on a 3500 chassis is superior to the T1N 2500 chassis in handling and feel. I've had both.

 

[Edj-ClassB]

Could you elaborate on the difference? Also, if you have experience, how the 2500 compares to a Roadtrek built on a Chevy express? Thx.

 

[Edj-ClassB]

Postby markopolo » Fri Jan 30, 2015 8:45 pm

I think I can help with question #2. A 2007 3500 would have dual rear wheels. 2500 would have single rear wheels.

The van in your link looks like a 2006 chassis to me. RV's can be built like that; 2006 van with 2007 upfit.

Thanks. That's very helpful.