Winnebago View 5 cylinder versus 6 cylinder

[leeutterback]

Hello to all,

I hope I am doing this right. I know nothing about posting.
I just joined and am learning a lot already reading the posts. It's a great site. I am looking at used Winnebago Views with diesel engine model years 2006 to 2008. I have ask different people about the engines and have gotten many diverse opinions.

A fellow that converts Views to 4 wheel drive units said that he couldn't tell when driving a view wether it is a 5 or 6 cylinders. He also told me that the change from 5 to 6 cylinder diesel was made to deal with a smog problem.

A new Sprinter dealer said that there is no question the 6 cylinder is a more powerful engine and he said that they problem with the 5 cylinder because of the counter weight had issues with vibrations. He denied any issues with smog for the 5 cylinder models.

I am hoping I will hear from members with both engine models. Regarding power mileage and vibrations. I am planning to have whatever I buy converted to 4 wheel drive and hope someone will have some other opinions about engine preferences or experiences.



Lee Utterback

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeutterback A new Sprinter dealer said that there is no question the 6 cylinder is a more powerful engine and he said that they problem with the 5 cylinder because of the counter weight had issues with vibrations. He denied any issues with smog for the 5 cylinder models.

Lee, Well there's the first thing that you didn't need - a salesman!

The reason why the engine was changed was due to meeting 2010 and beyond emission control requirements. The reason why there weren't any emission control problems with the 5 cylinder engines is that they preceded the 2010 requirements that were less restrictive. I doubt that Mercedes Benz would produce and engine that had vibration problems but I would apologize for my comment to those owners if that were the case.

I would not hesitate to buy a Winnebago View if it met your needs. Take the vehicle out for a ride and if it works for you, it works for me!

[bluepill]

If this is the same platform as the Dodge Sprinter, be careful with 4WD conversions. A friend who has been RVing for 40 years and is quite good with research had wanted to do that on a Sprinter based RV. He found problems with (as I recall) the two companies that do them.

Sorry I don't have more info, but do your homework well.

[leeutterback]

Well, it's great to get feedback.I would love to here from someone who loves their 5 cylinder and someone who loves their 6 cylinder Diesel and why they are glad they have what they have.

I will research the conversion folks great idea to look for feedback.

Lee

[rough road]

lee, we liked our 5 cyl MB very much, probably the best diesel we have ever owned-put about 40k on it-, no oil consumption and the fuel mileage was incredible, not towing we had no trouble at all getting mid to upper twenties but this was driving slower, 60 or so mph and yes I always checked the mileage by filling to a visual level AND this was also in a single rear wheel van not duals.

Discount any mpg report over 18 mpg from anyone with the I5-duals.

When we pulled an enclosed mc trailer-all aluminum, under a ton, under 200lbs tongue weight- the fuel mileage would be roughly cut in half, this also was amazing.........

Power was a bit light, you got used to it quite quickly; a great engine, very smooth-and very very quiet, really a work of art.

Many owners complained about a very slight transmission grumble at certain speeds, only for a few seconds. Ours never did this and we know one fellow who had the noise for over 250k miles.

Would get another one is a second, would not get a six.

If being weight legal is important to you, caveat emptor-it can be real ugly with this chasis, dual wheels-early ones were outlaws with about 500lbs total.........

[jrcwen]

I have a 2006 Winnebago View on a 2005 Sprinter chassis with the 5 cylinder. Engine does not vibrate and I have averaged over 16.5 mpg over the 35,000 miles that I have owned it (Got it with 15,000 miles on it). Power is adequate in my opinion for a 5 cylinder pulling around a 10,000 pound house on its back...Have been over many passes in the Rockies without a problem. Don't know anything about 4 wheel drive conversion...
Jim in AZ 06View H

[rough road]

jr, anyone with the I5 in particular has an irreplaceable jewel and anyone else with any 2007 or earlier pre exhaust treatment emissisons is a very very lucky guy or gal.
I am convinced that if there was a diesel engine hall of fame six would be tied for first place; the origninal Cummins that Dodge brought to market, the International 7.3, the VW TDI 1.9L, the MB I5 2.7L (?) the DMax and believe it or not the 6.0 BUT only '06 / '07: perhaps the Chev 6.5.............

I have to think that the select few with a Dynaquest 260 powered by the MB 250 hp, ? are the most fortunate of all.

[leeutterback]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrcwen I have a 2006 Winnebago View on a 2005 Sprinter chassis with the 5 cylinder. Engine does not vibrate and I have averaged over 16.5 mpg over the 35,000 miles that I have owned it (Got it with 15,000 miles on it). Power is adequate in my opinion for a 5 cylinder pulling around a 10,000 pound house on its back...Have been over many passes in the Rockies without a problem. Don't know anything about 4 wheel drive conversion... Jim in AZ 06View H

jcwren,

Thanks for your post. Another question if you don't mind; If your View is loaded with full tanks of sweet water, fuel, propane; what is the available weight-wise for personal gear, and black or grey waste water?

Thanks,

Lee

[Shuffster]

I have the 6 cylinder (2008).Just purchased before Christmas and now I am on my first trip. I have put on about 1000 miles since leaving Idaho, now in Az.

Accumulative mpg is 17 mpg. Typical speed 60 mph. Not towing on this trip.

Tons of power. I chose the newer body style and V6 engine to get the latest refinements and potentially better resale. The price difference between 06/07 and the redesigned chassis of the 08 is very narrow. I have heard alot of praise for the 5 cylinder model, and I think it is a good choice. Many of the 08 models were not sold until 09 due to the rescession, and today have low mileage. Most of the 06/07 models I looked at were fairly high mileage.

[Coached]

We've had three '07 / '08 Jeep Cherokees with Diesels. Our current tow'd has 65,000 miles on the motor and another 20,000 being dragged around by our coach. I just replaced the fuel filter / water separator and serpentine belts last week. Only maintenance done on our engine so far and, trust me, this is the best engine I have ever owned, and I've owned a few. Stop and chat with some of the delivery and courier guys you see driving the Sprinter vans with the v-6; I'm pretty sure you'll get rave reviews from all of them. Good luck.

[SeeTheUSA]

We've had our Winnebago View since August 2005 - it's one of the very first ones built (a 2006 Winnebago box on a 2005 Sprinter chassis). We love it! No vibrations, great power and phenomenal mpg.

We towed a 2,500 lb. Scion for several years, now a 2,800 lb. Mini Cooper - good power, many many miles throughout the western mountains.