Mercedes 3.0 BluTecSCR information, Forest River 24ft

[cherokeejim]

Seeking information on experience with and driveability of a 24 ft Forest River Class C. It looks pretty good, but curious about the engine/transmission. tks

[momdoc]

We have a 24 foot Isata 3 (made by forest river) and have had really no problems with the engine,transmission or chassis. In fact we are currently ending a 3+ month trip in it and have enjoyed the trip. Even pulling a small Toad we are getting 14+ mpg.


momdoc

[luvlabs]

I think you would have to work real hard to mess up the chassis on the Sprinter chassis motorhomes. Use the correct oil, service it on schedule, and enjoy driving it. Do not overload it (real easy to do since the CCC is pretty low - even lower if you pick the "G" or "M" floorplan).

I've driven mine a grand total of 250 miles since we picked it up on Friday of last week and it really nice to have a motorhome that the wife enjoys driving.

[ltcboyd73]

I have been reading many blogs lately on the new Class C diesels verses the V10 Ford and the only thing that seems to be a concern lately is the Biofuel requirements in many States.

Do any of you that are driving diesels and/or gas V10s having any issues with Biodiesel performance?

Thankis

[luvlabs]

Mercedes recommends B5 (which is sold by most stations other than the high volume truck stops). The real issue is with higher percentages of biodiesel in older engines since B20 is a great solvent and will disolve old engine deposits. Even Cummins tells owners who are beginning to use biodiesel to change fuel filters more often when they first start. B20 in newer Mercedes engines is OK as long as you don't use it constantly.

I used whatever percentage Flying J/Pilot offered in my Cummins ISL and it ran great. So no, biodiesel is not a problem. Use common sense when using with an older engine and bring extra fuel filters at first.

[Coffie Drink]

As an owner of a heavy 15 Winnebago View G with two slides and a overhead bunk. The OCCC is low 960. Keeping it below the Sprinter Max is hard to impossible. WGO builds their coaches about a light as possible. I am concerned that others use heavier cabinets. My point is check the OCCC. Weigh it before you buy. Ask your self what you will load in it. Keep in mined that most small cars will have over 1100 OCCC.
As far as the Sprinter, it's great. The Warrenty is long and good. The service is about 18 months for first and yearly after that. Unless you drive 20k then you will need to service it. I base the 18 not two years because it the time when your coach builder started it first. Mine got the service due in 18 months.
KH 2015 View G

[HighDesert]

We just purchased a 2017 Forest River Sunseeker MBS2400R ourselves. I am very happy with the diesel and the performance it provides. The unit drives well and handles well. You just have to remember that, as comfortable as it is, it is still a box on wheels, but a nice box. The 5 speed transmission is nice and very smooth shifting. It uses the "paddle" effect downshift and upshift and again is very smooth with no jolting effect. Very happy with ours so far.

[HighDesert]

One thing I forgot to mention that you need to consider on the Mercedes diesel 3 liter engine, and that is service. If you are up to doing your own oil changes, you can save money. Going rate for an oil change seems to be around $250. that's an oil filter and about 13 quarts of oil meeting Mercedes current spec. You can do it yourself for half that, or less. Good news though is that Mercedes recommends a very long time between oil changes but I would not go longer than 10K miles, myself. The fly in the ointment is when out comes to required or needed service that is factory required. It can only be done at an approved Mercedes or Freightliner dealer. In my case, I have to go from the Bend, Or are to Eugene, Or which is 130 miles away. We have a local Mercedes dealer, but they are not approved. You can use this link to see the closest factory authorized service center to you: Sprinter - Interactive Owner's Manual