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Topic: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability? (Read 378 times) previous topic - next topic
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Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Anyone here ever have or even recently test drive a Winnebago View or Navion?  The View/Navion is on our shortlist if the wait for a Lazy Daze becomes too much to handle. We are already on the waiting list, but it’s anyone’s guess when we would actually see a new one in our garage. Since we can’t go test drive the Lazy Daze, I’d like to know, from someone who has experience with both, how they compare in drivability and comfort on the road. I’m already assuming cargo carrying capacity, fit, finish and workmanship will be superior with the Lazy Daze but how about the drive?  With our previous RV (small diesel pusher on a Freightliner chassis) we often did 500 mile driving days (not retired yet!), and I’d be curious if others have experience they can share from long drives in your Lazy Daze.
Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #1 –
Hi Andy.  I can't compare the LD to the Sprinter.

In terms of driving the LD long distances, I can speak to that.  Our longest driving day was 12 hours.  On a long trip, we may drive 9-10 hours the first day or so.  As i age, I prefer to limit driving days to 6-8 hours per day, and always plan to arrive at our overnight location before dark.  We live in SW PA, and have made at least 3 trips out west in the LD, and one trip to Alaska and return.  We travel to FL at least once per year, often twice, 2K miles round trip.  That history provided, I get tired at the end of a long day, but not physically beat.  We stop at least every two hours for a short break, even if it is only to pace back and forth in the rig for a few minutes.  We feel the LD rides well for a truck, and we have not felt like we had to fight the steering wheel to keep the straight and narrow on the highway.  It feels the bumps, but tire pressure and load also factors in that.  Overall, I think it rides better than some of the small cars I used to own.  Hope this helps.

Bob
2011 MB
Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #2 –
My bet is that the new Ford Chassis will be a big upgrade from the current version when it comes to driving long distances.  The driver assist features in my Honda make a real difference on long days, and I expect the Ford version will do the same.

Because you're looking at the new chassis, I doubt anyone will be able to answer your question from personal experience.  AFAIK, LazyDaze hasn't delivered many (any?) of those yet. 

I will say that the carrying capacity should be an important consideration.  Like solar, no one is ever disappointed by having too much.  I would predict that service will be easier to find and less expensive on the Ford chassis as well.

Rich
'03 MB in NC

2003 MB
Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #3 –
In my never humble opinion, there is no comparison between ANY Sprinter for the simple fact, that Sprinters just do not have space for adequate storage tanks or baths or cooking or seating areas. It's a swell van suitable for short trips.

As to comparing the ride, the Sprinter does handle quite well. There are loads of people here that are not fans of how an LD drives. Some waste money on aftermarket steering assistance. Me? I have no problems with the way an LD goes down the road. Of course, if makes no difference to me if I am driving a Lexus or an LD after 3 hours I want to park. I am in no hurry to get anywhere.

If you really want an LD, you will wait. And my money says they will not be made for many more years as sooner or later Steve will exit and whoever buys the factory will not be building them way they are done now.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Andy S  - 
... I’m already assuming cargo carrying capacity ...
In my case, Sprinter was very significant compromise on how much water I can carry and how many battery I can put in. When I see class C based on Sprinter I wounder how they are able to design it, I had issue with how Sports Mobile class B with full bath weight. I looked at this couple of years ago and at that time I looked at 4500 series Sprinter. I know last year they introduced another trim which had more weigh carrying capacity.

As for price, when I saw a price tag of $1400 for Ford safety feature it put a very wide smile on my face. A comparable features on Sprinter was coming out to be 6-7K.  As for driving, I have seen Sprinters doing extremely doing good in small European roads. Not sure if American trucks are able to work on those roads. I would have still gone with 4x4 Sprinter but at that time wait was even longer for LD :-)

Cheers
Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #5 –
"In terms of driving the LD long distances,..."

My outside distance is and ever has been 300 miles! You do not have to rush the morning, you have time to dally during the day and you arrive fresh at the next overnight ready for happy hour and to watch the road warriors roll in after posting their 6-800 mile day.  ;D  ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #6 –
Don and others make some good points. I’ve wrestled a bit with the drivability issue but mostly regarding length (24’ vs 27’ for instance). But in the end it comes down to how much time is spent camping and living in the RV vs. driving and parking it.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #7 –
Our only Ford chassis experience comes from a 2010 Jayco Greyhawk 31’ rental a few years back.  It wasn’t an ideal drive, but I’m hoping it was just that particular one as it had seen some abuse. It sounds like Lazy Daze does all they can to achieve balance and a better driving experience. The upcoming chassis improvements made me really think this is the time to pull the trigger. Knowing we are 18-24 months out is ok, but there is still that impetuous, impatient part of me that says I need it now!  Heavy demand in the RV industry also makes me feel like we are missing out. I really appreciate the feedback from everyone!
Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Andy S  - 
Our only Ford chassis experience comes from a 2010 Jayco Greyhawk 31’ rental a few years back. 


I have driven my 27' Lazy Daze (duh...) as well as something similar to the 31' Greyhawk.  They are NOTHING alike.  You will be very pleasantly surprised if that is your basis for comparison. 

Rich
'03 MB in NC
2003 MB
Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #9 –
Quote from: rich  - 
They are NOTHING alike.

Good to hear.  I liked the way our previous diesel pusher drove, but the size was limiting - Looking for something smaller and more nimble.  We drove from the L.A. area to the D.C. area twice in the class A and it was a great ride for both drivers and passengers. Hoping to find something we can do that in, as well as other destinations around the country, without a ton of driver fatigue. I also love that the LD factory is very close to home!
Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #10 –
If you are truly interested in the smaller platform class C's try a Ford Transit HD350 based RV.  Blows away the Sprinter in overall handling, and performance. Ive driven and camped in both. Many more dealers at up to 30% less cost to service.  The 2020 has option ($$) for AWD.

Still a lot more creature comforts, quality and storage, etc in a LD.

2003 MB
Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #11 –
"...try a Ford Transit HD350 based RV.  Blows away the Sprinter in overall handling, and performance."
---
If I were considering a smaller rig, the Transit chassis would be appealing. However, the gvwr of the HD350 Transit is still a maximum of 10360 pounds; while not necessarily an issue or a limitation in itself, the weight of the box built on the chassis may well be. Before I committed to any rig built on the Transit chassis, I would want an accurate "wet weight" starting number, i.e., with fuel, propane, at least a half tank of water, and any options. From that figure, the real capacity for the down the road weights of passengers, equipment, supplies, etc., could be calculated. I would sure not depend on a manufacturer's or salesperson's "unicorn" numbers, if any numbers in addition to the posted gvwr can be found at all.

I believe that many RV buyers are unaware of and/or unconcerned about overweight vehicles, and manufacturers and dealers certainly know this. Manufacturers too often pork up a chassis with a "bells and whistles and assorted bling" coach build; shiny stuff sells a lot better than "boring" weight and capacity data.

I believe that the Transit can provide a solid platform for a "B" type rig if diligent attention is paid to overall high quality design, engineering, and materials choices that allow realistic passenger and cargo capacities.

There are quite a few "van conversion" enterprises, some long established, some new; a search will bring up many choices, locations, and conversion specialties. If one has the time, interest, and cash, and wants a Transit or a Sprinter, or a Dodge Pro-Ram, or a Chevy) as a platform, having the van designed and converted to one's personal specs may be an option.

As ever, YMMV.

 
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Joan  - 
"
If I were considering a smaller rig, the Transit chassis would be appealing. However, the gvwr of the HD350 Transit is still a maximum of 10360 pounds; while not necessarily an issue or a limitation in itself, the weight of the box built on the chassis may well be. Before I committed to any rig built on the Transit chassis, I would want an accurate "wet weight" starting number, i.e., with fuel, propane, at least a half tank of water, and any options. From that figure, the real capacity for the down the road weights of passengers, equipment, supplies, etc., could be calculated. I would sure not depend on a manufacturer's or salesperson's "unicorn" numbers, if any numbers in addition to the posted gvwr can be found at all.

Joan....the 2020 Transit HD 350 now has 11,000 GVWR...about equal to a Sprinter.  The OCC labels in the early Winnebag Fuse models (10,360 GVWR) averaged around 1200 LBS...so not much as compared to E450 C's.  The LTV Wonder has less then 900 Lbs OCC.  The new Coach House Plat III came out at around 700 LBS.  Not a lot for cargo.   On the other hand the new wave of B's have even less.  But its the new tiny house folks that strive for less is best??

I am on three different Ford Transit forums.  The one thing that has rung true over the last three years is that the lady of the house is no longer reluctant to be the designated driver, which I did not realize was such a big issue out on the road.

2003 MB
Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #14 –
Maybe I'll just get a Transit cargo van, throw in a foam mat, sleeping bag, porta-potti, butane one-burner stove, ice chest, a couple crates of equipment and supplies, and the dog and wander off. I did that for a lot of years before I got soft and went to the LD. Of course, that ws then, this is now, and it also may be that my head is the thing that's gone soft after being locked down for so long!  ;)

2003 TK has a new home
Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #15 –
"Thanks for the update; the GVWR has been increased to 11000 on the Transit Cutaway/Cab Chassis. The HD van is 10360. "

One thing I am noticing about the newer Class B units . . . there is NO outside storage!  Well, yes . . . that would certainly cut down on the amount of "stuff" that can be hauled around.  Unfortunately this leads to hanging huge bins on the back bumper of the unit, which is anything but safe!

With two changes of clothing, a cooler, minimal kitchen prep items, my iPhone, and some propane - I could live out of my purse for at least a week!  Eating only foods that don't need to be cooked would cut down on items needed for that activity.

That said, we had 4800# of payload on our live-aboard 40-foot rig, and were within a hundred pounds of capacity.  In fairness, this was before books were available so easily on electronic devices!  But still - it just points up that one can survive on very little, or pig out.  It just seems to depend on what is available.


Virtual hugs,

Judie  <-- Sierra Vista, Arizona
Adventures of Dorrie Anne | Photographing the West

Today:  Pets Can't Be Too Careful
****************************

Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #16 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
My outside distance is and ever has been 300 miles! You do not have to rush the morning, you have time to dally during the day and you arrive fresh at the next overnight ready for happy hour and to watch the road warriors roll in after posting their 6-800 mile day.  ;D  ;)

My first four week rental trip, back in 2004, was planned as if it was taking a car trip, with 600 mile days.  Rented a 24C Minnie Winnie, and by the end of those days, I was beat, exhausted from fighting with the RV.  And the kids didn’t have much campsite time at destinations nor much spare time for impromptu sight seeing.

Learned valuable lessons on that trip:

  • No more than 300 miles in a day tops, leave time for enjoy the drive and destination.
  • No faster than 65mph, too much effort to go faster than that.
  • No interstate driving, more things to see, small towns

The next two long trips were far more enjoyable.  Looking forward to five month trips staring in 2023, retired, with even more time to linger.
Dave

2017 TK
 
Re: Sprinter chassis comparison? Long distance drivability?
Reply #17 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
Don and others make some good points. I’ve wrestled a bit with the drivability issue but mostly regarding length (24’ vs 27’ for instance). But in the end it comes down to how much time is spent camping and living in the RV vs. driving and parking it.
Which Lazy Daze has a better handling and ride 24 or 27foot? Thanks
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