B Camping Blog

Leisure Travel has announced two new class-B models based on a Chevy van platform, the Freedom II Libero and the Free Flight. I'm not sure whether the names are meant to invoke images of escaping the "war on terror", but you can find out more about the new models here: http://www.leisurevans.com/newunits.html.

The AutoChannel has a 2007 Sprinter review posted, including a few test drive comments and discussion of use as an RV.

Sportsmobile has 2007 Sprinter model information available on their website and have several 2007 vans listed in stock. One interesting note is that the mega-roof model (83" interior height) cannot have additional items such as air conditioners or interior cabinets fastened to the roof of the vehicle -- this will certainly limit this models use as an RV.

Roadtrek has announced that it will begin producing the SS-Agile based on the shorter (140") Sprinter model. From the photos and floor plan it looks like they have done a nice job with the available space. Comparing it to the Adventurous, they've eliminated the two rear seats and shortened the bathroom space.

http://www.roadtrek.com/news_detail.asp?ID=47

Changing the Sprinter's Air Intake Temp. Sensor is very easy. Follow the instructions below.

Roadtrek has been making several improvements and additions to the RS-Adventurous model over the past few months including:

• Optional rear power sofa, bring seating up to 7 (photo here)
• Optional armoire to replace right-rear passenger seat, unfortunately for lounge seats only
• Additional storage above cab area (photos here)

Just a couple of weeks ago we had a second air intake sensor go bad. The Sprinter symptoms are poor acceleration (a feeling of being abnormally underpowered) followed by the engine check light coming on. While it's a fairly quick fix at the dealer, it's concerning that this is the second one to go and annoying to waste 2-3 hours going back and forth to the dealer.

I've been corresponding with another Sprinter owner, Jack Karamanos, who is on his fourth air intake sensor. His working theory is that it may be a combination of short trips, wet weather, and leaving the van parked for multiple days. He believes that water/oil condensate is forming on the sensor and doesn't have enough time to evaporate with the short drive times.

When we took our shakedown trip a few weeks ago, we discovered just a few minor things wrong with the RV and this is an update on how they were resolved:

* The sliding Sprinter door is difficult to close, often taking 2-3 tries. We'll be taking it into a Dodge dealer this week for adjustments.

We made our first reservation via the web with Hartzheim Dodge in Hayward, CA. When we arrived at the dealer we were told that the Sprinter mechanic was out for training and we'd have to reschedule. Annoying but OK, we rescheduled for the next week, this time via phone and asking carefully whether the Sprinter mechanic would be there that day. I was planning on calling ahead the day before to confirm, but things got busy, and guess what? We arrived the second time to be told again that the Sprinter mechanic was out for training (apparently it's an 8 week Sprinter course). This time they took pity on us and told us they'd look at it. When we picked it up, the door was nicely realigned and shutting properly, and it was covered under warranty. Yeah!

It appears that a number of Dodge Sprinters, including my Roadtrek RS RV, are packaged with the Becker Sound 30 radio.  This article will describe how you can add an Apple iPod connection to the Sound 30 radio for about $23.

If you live in Northern California and you'd like to rent a Class B camper van, good luck!

We've been searching for about a year for B rentals and the closest we could find was in L.A. with a $500 delivery charge to San Francisco.

Then in July we found a small family owned rental business east of Sacramento renting out a Sprinter-based MB Cruiser. For more information, visit:

http://www.affordablerentalsandsales.com

We rented their MB Crusier for around $1250/wk. Pricey, but we really wanted to try a sprinter camper before buying. They're good people to deal with. They also have a Rialta for rent.