Life on the road in a motorhome or RV

[Country Club Hero]

Any of you knuckleheads live in a motorhome the majority of the year or even full time? I’m looking at the Mercedes Sprinter van and those similar. Gonna pull a utility trailer occasionally so I think I need a diesel or something other than the Ram ProMaster since it’s just got the little 280hp V6.

Just curious if anyone is doing van life in 2025 and what kind of rig you may have.

 

[QuadFather]

Sounds fun, just don’t come out the mountain with a broken back

 

[QuadFather]

Promaster is FWD and has an amazing turning radius reason why I like them,

Most 3/4 and 1-ton vans with V8s can tow fine. I believe shorter ones are better for converting since they're lighter like a Chevy 2500 over a 3500.

For Euro vans, Sprinters can tow but check reliability. I like the Promaster, but for regular towing, I'd pick a Transit with a turbo and dual rear wheels.

 

[TurboJet]

Skip the sprinters IMO. Most dealerships won't touch them for any maintenance because they've been modified by upfitters and RV places don't like dealing with them. Know a couple older couples that have tried them. First few years 40-60k miles no major issues just minor things that are easy then when you're 700 miles from home and your "go to guy" ain't just down the road you're getting it towed a few hours to a place that will at least look at it you're stuck in a hotel for 1-3 weeks or flying to "home".

One couple sold theirs at a hefty loss because it's just too small for a retired couple and dog to live in. Runs a 3500 and 5th wheel now.

The other couple similar deal too small and hard to get it worked on. Traded it in for a diesel pusher and love it. Either has a Jeep on back or their double motorcycle trailer that holds the bikes and lots of extra storage. RV places will handle RV fixes and maintenance can be done at basically any fleet service place or diesel shop.

ETA: Sprinters are stupid expensive. For what you pay for a new one you can get a clean used pusher and something to drag behind it.

 

[Country Club Hero]

Promaster is FWD and has an amazing turning radius reason why I like them,

Most 3/4 and 1-ton vans with V8s can tow fine. I believe shorter ones are better for converting since they're lighter like a Chevy 2500 over a 3500.

For Euro vans, Sprinters can tow but check reliability. I like the Promaster, but for regular towing, I'd pick a Transit with a turbo and dual rear wheels.

I didn’t even look at Fords. Didn’t know that so ty

 

[Country Club Hero]

Skip the sprinters IMO. Most dealerships won't touch them for any maintenance because they've been modified by upfitters and RV places don't like dealing with them. Know a couple older couples that have tried them. First few years 40-60k miles no major issues just minor things that are easy then when you're 700 miles from home and your "go to guy" ain't just down the road you're getting it towed a few hours to a place that will at least look at it you're stuck in a hotel for 1-3 weeks or flying to "home".

One couple sold theirs at a hefty loss because it's just too small for a retired couple and dog to live in. Runs a 3500 and 5th wheel now.

The other couple similar deal too small and hard to get it worked on. Traded it in for a diesel pusher and love it. Either has a Jeep on back or their double motorcycle trailer that holds the bikes and lots of extra storage. RV places will handle RV fixes and maintenance can be done at basically any fleet service place or diesel shop.

ETA: Sprinters are stupid expensive. For what you pay for a new one you can get a clean used pusher and something to drag behind it.

Good info. Ty.