I've been thinking about getting a sportsmobile for years, initially as a weekend warrior for ski and desert trips then to be used later as a full time rig. When the time came to actually buy one I was actually unprepared, not knowing exactly what I wanted. You can’t really do too much homework on these things.
The initial biggest decision was 2wd vs 4x4. I really struggled with this. I wanted the freedom to go off the beaten path and perhaps equally - the freedom from snow chains. I did a lot of research and found that 2wd Sprinters (Mercedes cargo van) handle really well in the snow and started to alleviate my concern of sliding off the road or smashing into something on an icy road. The other factor, 4x4ing was more of an unknown. I actually don't have any experience in 'serious' off roading and I started to debate weather we would actually be comfortable taking an RV off road.
Dogs don’t like 4x4ing. Especially ours – yet another reason to stick to roads.
Gas mileage also really pushed me towards 2wd since the Mercedes sprinter van gets an incredible 20+ mpg. Its nearly 25' tall and 10' high and gets amazing mileage, albeit on diesel. So for this RV; this trip, we are going to stick to the roads.
One day I would like to do an equivalent 4x4 trip and this trip is good preparation. To do a long distance 4x4 trip the vehicle would have a few differences:
- Popup top instead of fixed top. I really prefer the fixed ‘high’ top over popups because they are warmer in the winter, quicker to setup (aka instant), easier to walk around in and help with boon docking (aka camping where you are not supposed to camp). For a 4x4 trip I would go with a popup top to lower the center of gravity (less roly poly) and make it easier to get under branches etc..
- Shorter vehicle for better manuverability
- Much more hardened than this vehicle. This one is fine for the road, but off roading really puts a beating on an RV and everything needs to be bullet proof or you are going to worry about things breaking (and they will break)
If you are interested in a good blog about a couple that bought a sportsmobile for a long distance 4x4 trip, visit the Badgertrek blog here: http://s94153639.onlinehome.us/index.html
It turns out the Sprinter does handle great in snow. Modern chains aren't that bad to deal with and in an RV its easy to change into some snow clothes, take care of business and be on your way in no time. For those with similar concerns you can beef up to snow tires. Internet research seems to conclude these two options:
1. Bridgestone Bizzak's
2. Nokian Hakkapelitta CQ
Our van has Michelin LT A/S and they work great in snow and as an all around tire. If we were to have started our trip at the beginning of winter I would have gotten one of those two brands for the rear tires (Mercedes says rear tires only). I thought about getting a rear tire carrier and having 2 spare tires and making those snow tires, but our trip started late enough in spring that having snow tires was unnecessary.
I wanted an older model sprinter (2006) because in 2007+ they switched to a V6 ultra low sulfer diesel that would not work S. of the border. While we don't have immediate plans to go south it was nice to have the option. The older model can run biodiesel as well and gets 2-3 mpg better economy with the same horsepower. Our 2006 has the I5 turbodiesel that has plenty of power and a very smooth transmission. The newer V6s are quieter, but the advantages of the older model outweigh the new. Ironically I think the new V6s are worse for the environment because of their lower MPG even though they meet the more modern environmental rules.
In the 2wd van market, ford and chevy weren't even considerations because of their relatively poor economy. The sprinter is also just a lot more modern vehicle. When you drive ford and chevy's its a bit like going back in time.
