The New Travel Machine – Report #1
It was a hard decision to make but we sold the 2007 F-150 Crew Cab last month and drove away from the Mercedes-Benz dealer in Lexington (James Motor Company) with a brand new 2015 – 170 wheelbase, high-roof, 4×4 Sprinter Crew Van. There is a ton of room in the thing, it drives great at highway speeds, and will allow us to carry more “stuff” on our trips than ever before. No more trailers like last year. Done with that nonsense. Below are a couple photos.
Front View
Side View
Kim and I had seen lots of these out West over the past couple years, many of which had been customized for some specific tasks. Some were simply setup as a dedicated camper, others were deluxe mountain bike haulers, and a couple were actually dirt bike haulers that could hold 3-5 bikes. Tim and Becky, the owners of the Sawtooth Hotel where we stay in Stanley, had picked up a 2014 – 170WB, 2-wheel drive, Cargo/Crew Van that had no real interior improvements . . . a blank slate to work with! We got to check it out a couple times and realized how spacious and adaptable the Sprinter platform could be. It certainly got us both thinking.
Realizing that it was about time to get a new truck within a year or so, I started out by looking at 3/4-Ton Crew Cab Pickups. Pulling the trailer last summer with the F150 cost us bunch more in gas and I just hate dealing with a trailer. I figured a 3/4-ton truck would pull a trailer with ease and if we got a diesel it would last a lot longer. The next thing that happened was sticker shock! Have you priced a brand new 3/4-ton truck lately? I was appalled at the pricing. The Chevy/GMC 2500 option was right at $66K outfitted with options similar to our current F150 and the F250s were about $4k less. Sure, you could get a Dodge in the mid to upper $50K range, but most everyone I spoke with steered me away from those.
So just for kicks and giggles . . . I got on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter website and started the “Build Your Own” process to see what one would cost. Now that 4×4 (new for 2015) was an option it would be something I could truly consider. I was amazed to learn that I could actually get a 4×4 in the size and with the options we’d want for less than the F250 options I’d been studying. For about six weeks I revisited that site dozens of times just checking out all the options. Below is an image of one option we’d built and really liked.
Sprinter Config Option
When proposed this to Philip his initial comment was, “Dad, no one will take you two seriously in that thing. No Way!” Jesse and Bo really liked the idea but as Jesse noted, “You need to drive one to make sure it is really what you think it is.” He was right . . . I’d never driven any type of “van” and moving forward in the decision making process hinged on knowing how it handled, especially at interstate speeds. Next step . . . schedule a test drive.
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On our initial visit we took a tape measure so I could get some measurements. I wanted to make sure at least two bikes, gear, tools, sewing machines, sewing tables, and all of our luggage would fit. Getting all that junk in the truck was like a puzzle and typically things were stacked from the floor to roof in the rear seat. It was always a chore to get to what you needed.
It was more than obvious that wasn’t going to be a problem with the Sprinter. You could stand up fully in the back and it was even possible to get right up from the passenger seat and walk to the rear row of seats or the back with ease. Very nice. Kim and I both asked lots of questions but one questions changed everything. I asked Dan how long it would take to get one if I ordered it that day. He said you might have by July of 2016. Really? He indicated that the build process wouldn’t even begin until April or May of 2016. Geez!!!
What we learned is that only 12,000 4×4 models were built for 2015 and a single oil company immediately ordered 10,000. That left only 2,000 units for all of the US market. We left shortly thereafter without even driving it. Needed to think this through a bit more.
Early the next week we called Dan and setup a time for a test drive. We made a little loop out the Interstate and then took an exit so we could return on some rural roads. About 20 miles or so round trip. It was comfortable and drove like it was on rails at highway speeds. Kim immediately noted how high it sits and how far and wide the view is from the front seats. Great for seeing the countryside!
The unit was not the color we wanted but it did have the roof-mount AC unit which is a $3,300 option. Also, it had the premium paint job, the 4×4 low range option, and the towing package already intact. We discussed the pricing a bit and surprisingly it was much cheaper than the “Build Your Own” options online. I sold my F150 that weekend, transferred it to the new owner on the following Wednesday and picked up the Sprinter that Friday. It was a done deal. We had the perfect travel machine! One magazine noted it was the “ultimate post-apocalyptic zombie avoidance vehicle” but honestly I hope we never have to use it for that sorta thing.
Stay tuned for more on my build process. It is going to take some work to get it setup just like we need it for bike hauling and so forth.
See you on the trail!
