Mercedes Class C motorhome?

[timberghost72]

We sold our E450 class C motor home last year and now looking to get another one. I love the E450 and the Triton V10 but are also looking at the Mercedes diesel powered type motor homes with their smaller size.

Looking for feedback on these in terms of mostly, the engine and transmission, power and reliability. Even better, if you've had experience with both of these, how do they compare? I plan on towing a UTV and trailer behind it, around 4,200#. Also, possibly flat towing a vehicle, like a Jeep, at times. It looks like in my research most of these are rated at 5K for towing. But how are they in reality?

[Boss .300 winmag]

You referring to the Sprinter Vans?

[jackelope]

Be prepared for the cost of maintenance.

Also be prepared for not all Mercedes dealers will work on Sprinters. They have to be a Sprinter dealer/service shop to work on them and not all are.

[HntnFsh]

Yes. They have proprietary software. Not just any shop can or will work on them.
It's been a few years but the municipality where I worked had several of them and had so much trouble they quit buying them.

[jackelope]

Yes. They have proprietary software. Not just any shop can or will work on them.
It's been a few years but the municipality where I worked had several of them and had so much trouble they quit buying them.

Proprietary software is pretty much status quo for all manufacturers at this point. 

[timberghost72]

I believe these motorhomes are built on the Sprinter 3500 chassis. I'm not worried about maintenance/repair as I do all my own. What do you mean by proprietary? Are you refering to OBD 2 or other systems? I'm fine with OBD systems but if I can't get into others with scan tools/laptop software like Auto Enginuity, that might be a problem. I will check that out.

[jackelope]

I believe these motorhomes are built on the Sprinter 3500 chassis. I'm not worried about maintenance/repair as I do all my own. What do you mean by proprietary? Are you refering to OBD 2 or other systems? I'm fine with OBD systems but if I can't get into others with scan tools/laptop software like Auto Enginuity, that might be a problem. I will check that out.

I’m guessing your only limitations would be programming modules etc. Oh and you might need to figure out a way to reset maintenance lights. I hear that’s a little tricky.

Regardless of whether you do your own maintenance or not, it will be significantly more expensive. Safe to assume you’d go diesel? The oil and filter for the 3.0 MB diesel is way more expensive than your v10. Fuel filters, DEF, etc.

[EnglishSetter]

JMHO, but that 3L has to work pretty hard, especially if towing.  Also not a fan of all the emission$ on “modern” diesels. The new Ford Godzilla motor is pretty stout.

[Woodchuck]

I believe these motorhomes are built on the Sprinter 3500 chassis. I'm not worried about maintenance/repair as I do all my own. What do you mean by proprietary? Are you refering to OBD 2 or other systems? I'm fine with OBD systems but if I can't get into others with scan tools/laptop software like Auto Enginuity, that might be a problem. I will check that out.

I’m guessing your only limitations would be programming modules etc. Oh and you might need to figure out a way to reset maintenance lights. I hear that’s a little tricky.

Regardless of whether you do your own maintenance or not, it will be significantly more expensive. Safe to assume you’d go diesel? The oil and filter for the 3.0 MB diesel is way more expensive than your v10. Fuel filters, DEF, etc.

[2MANY]

Simple advice.

Don't do it.

[farmin4u_98948]

We love our ford E450 with the triton v 10. Over the lifetime of this motorhome we have had a great experience.  My wife and I are now heading in a different direction in our retirement so here is our very rare Jayco Melbourne 29 D. It just what you need for your next adventure.  https://www.coachviewer.com/my-listings/

[timberghost72]

We love our ford E450 with the triton v 10. Over the lifetime of this motorhome we have had a great experience.  My wife and I are now heading in a different direction in our retirement so here is our very rare Jayco Melbourne 29 D. It just what you need for your next adventure.  https://www.coachviewer.com/my-listings/

The Jayco Melborne is a great layout and is one of the few E450 platform models we are looking at. 4x4 model is cool.  I love it. Our ideal MH model will not have the OH bunk, have side slide with recliners and rear slide out back for the bed (or to the side). This keeps the vehicle shorter but also having a walkaround bed. We don't need the table as we never used it much in our last MH so that is optional. I think the Jayco Redhawk fits this also or close to it.

That is the only reason why i'm looking at the Mercedes platform is because you can find these configurations much easier. Of course, I need to tow stuff so that is my main concerns. Maintenance and repair and the costs are not a concern, as I do that myself.

I did tell my wife though that if I found a Revcon for a reasonable price, it will be bought. These things are cool. Though, I would be working on that one a lot. 

[farmin4u_98948]

The 2015 Melbourne is kind of a class B and class C hybrid.  No overhead bunk and slightly tapered sides are two of the class B features   

[Happy Gilmore]

My in laws went from 20 years in a few different class a buses to a class c 350 van to a sprinter/Benz. They put less than 8,000 miles on it and sold it. Just doing air bnbs now. It was too small to be practical. They both got the flu on the road. That was the last trip.

[timberghost72]

Glad I stuck with Ford. Picked up this 2020 and is near perfect for our needs. 3 slides, 26', has auto leveling, winter package and 7,500# tow capacity.

[Threewolves]

Very nice. In Oklahoma gas was 2.11 and diesel was 2.18 a couple of weeks ago. I would drive the wheels off that.

[scotsman]

We have a 2017 Winnebago view class C that has worked out very well for us. We’ve had it for about five years and have done numerous small trips locally, loops around the southwest, and even a cross country trip to South Carolina and back. We have had no mechanical problems with the rig and just the usual little glitches with the house that you get with any RV. The best part about it is getting over 15 MPG when we’re not towing a toad and about 13 to 13.5 towing. We tow a Chevy tracker that weighs about 3200 pounds and hardly know it’s there but in the real world they seem to like 4000 pounds or less even though rated at 5000. Many of the owners in the Mercedes View association tow jeeps and say they have no problem. The Mercedes dealerships are crazy expensive but there’s no reason that a common mechanic like me can’t do the usual oil changes etc.. The 6 cylinder turbo diesel requires 20 quarts of oil but a counter point only require oil changes every 20,000 miles or two years. There are some independent sprinter shops that do excellent work at reasonable prices Shoot me a PM if you’d like more detailed info

[Special T]

My parents purchased an 03 mini whiney. They owned it for 10 years and loved it. From Mt Vernon to AZ they got 18mpg and 14mpg towing their PT Cruizer. My mom has allergies food and animals so they used it a lot more than just trips south. They often took to friends realities homes that lived just far enough away that didn't inconvenience anyone. If your a short trip, always on the move traveler I think they are great. If your going sout for 3 months probably not big enough. My parents was pre emission controlled. Also it had some weird quirks like not being able to check certain fluids. DYI main ancestors didn't seem  very accessible. Perhaps  a forum specific site on them would help.

Additionally I'd rove about like my 1 ton crew cab dually as far as how much space it took up.