Hi Bruce and Pointyears!
I somehow missed these last 2 posts. Thank you for all of that VERY useful information!!!
I have put a down payment on the 2021 View 24V and have an inspector going out there on Friday to do the 500 point inspection on it. I assume that they won't find anything that prevents me from wanting to purchase it (hopefully!), but Rec Van said they'll fix anything important.
We keep the RV in our backyard and there's no room to expand the slide-out back there. We use it as a "Guest room" for the kids when they visit, so I decided I better stick with the 24V so the big bed is available when the slide is in.
A division of RecVan contacted me and offered to do some modifications that they feel I'll want:
1 - switch the 24 gallon gas tank out for a 40 gallon tank - $2650
2 - upgrade the suspension - includes leaf springs, sway bar, shocks and struts - $6300
When I started researching the 2 upgrades above, I ended up on a site that had a billion more suggested mods - one that sounds really important is the addition of a differential skid plate to protect the diff fluid tank underneath. I don't plan to do a bunch of crazy off-roading in my RV, but we do go to lakes and places where there may be some obstacles... But most importantly, I read that the tank can easily be damaged if someone lifts the vehicle that isn't familiar with the Sprinter van's diff tank.
Curious if you guys have heard anything about those?
It sounds like you already handled #2 on yours, Bruce. How much did it cost you and was it worth the improvement (if you don't mind me asking)?
Regarding the 12 volt fridge - do you boondock? How long will the fridge work with just the solar? What are the ramifications of not having the LP option on that?
I am definitely replacing the rear valve stems - that one's on the list - thanks!!!!
I know that storage will be a shocker for me. I am used to having tons of outer storage for chairs, tables, etc. How have you dealt with that?
I am also concerned about the 1200 pound CCC limit. I plan to weigh in on our first trip to see where we're at with minimal people and stuff to get an idea of how much more we can carry.
Where did you put the 2 gallon holding tank?
I was concerned about the awning... I read that it auto-retracts in high winds and wondered if that really worked.
Does yours have an LP generator, or Diesel?
Have you looked into replacing the sink? I was going to look into replacing it with a single basin one.
Thanks so much for all the info!!! Let me know if you think of more! I SO APPRECIATE IT!!!
You guys are amazing!
Randy
1 - switch the 24 gallon gas tank out for a 40 gallon tank - $2650
2 - upgrade the suspension - includes leaf springs, sway bar, shocks and struts - $6300
I agree with Pointyears. Drive it. Nothing you have to do before delivery to use it and doesnt sound like the dealer is offering “can’t pass up” deals. The front suspension works just fine, not sure what needs improvement. Drive it on a windy crosswind day. Pass a couple of semis. Then you will have an idea of what you want to improve.
Some of the upgrades were already done by the previous owner. Front Sumo Springs, Helwig Sway Bar. We did the Fox 2.5 shocks (currently $500 at agileoffroad.com). I think it rides a little hard in the rear. But, the sway like in the wind and when you transition from street to gas station settles down pretty quickly. Here is a write-up by a guy who has done a combination of upgrades.
www.viewnavion.com
It is an interesting read.
As for the gas tank, I found one on line for $1550. It might be a complicated install, I don’t know. But what I do know is that we average 14.64 MPG overall. We routinely go 300 miles between fill ups. That is far enough for us. Stop and take a break, feed the cat, walk around. $2650 seems like a lot for another 225 miles. With that money you are halfway to auto levelers if you don’t have them already. Does it come with them?
We have an LP generator. As already said, the diesel version uses the fuel in the tank so that would determine your MPG. I don’t know what else to say about the larger tank except i would rather have levelers.
When I started researching the 2 upgrades above, I ended up on a site that had a billion more suggested mods - one that sounds really important is the addition of a differential skid plate to protect the diff fluid tank underneath. I don't plan to do a bunch of crazy off-roading in my RV, but we do go to lakes and places where there may be some obstacles... But most importantly, I read that the tank can easily be damaged if someone lifts the vehicle that isn't familiar with the Sprinter van's diff tank.
Curious if you guys have heard anything about those?
I have not heard anything about additional under carriage protection. My servicing dealer has never mentioned anything about any damage. I have nothing to offer.
Regarding the 12 volt fridge - do you boondock? How long will the fridge work with just the solar? What are the ramifications of not having the LP option on that?
We have never had an LP refridgerator so we don’t know what iwe are missing. But, I think the 12v version is awesome. Actually, when you consider that the camper before this one had a cooler, We are living the high life.
I bring medications that need refridgeration. It has to work. On cloudy days or several days camping in the trees, we will run the generator for an hour and we are good to go for another 1 1/2 days. We have 2 LiFePO batteries. They can be drained further than flooded and seem to charge faster. The refrigerator has a night mode that we use when dry camping. It does not cycle as often assuming you are not opening the door. It keeps ice really well. No complaints.
I know that storage will be a shocker for me. I am used to having tons of outer storage for chairs, tables, etc. How have you dealt with that?
I had to do some trips before i settled on my packing strategy. Ever played Tetris? I build boxes that store very specific things in the rear upper storage. I think i'm on version 3. The last one was redesigned to hold a smaller rug and a real toolbox. Our chairs a Kajaro which fold long and narrow. We have a small camp table which is big enough for the coffee pot, 2 cups and a bag of donuts. It folds flat.
About that storage area, the brackets that hold u-clamp for the latch have sharp corners and have removed a fair amount of skin. I took a mototool to them to round the corners and put plastic covers on the bolts. I bought a piece of carpet runner and cut it to fit that floor area so things slide in and out easily. Our sewer equipment goes in the basement storage behind the passenger side door. That also where the leveling blocks go. Did i mention that we would like levelers?
You will figure out storage, but you will be bringing less.
I am also concerned about the 1200 pound CCC limit. I plan to weigh in on our first trip to see where we're at with minimal people and stuff to get an idea of how much more we can carry.
We have weighed fully loaded and were still under CCC. You are correct to weigh. Cat Scales are $12.50. We had thought that we would pull our 2 door Wrangler but we were right at the limit so we have abandoned that idea. We bring bicycles.
I was concerned about the awning... I read that it auto-retracts in high winds and wondered if that really worked.
Yes, it has a wind sensor. The awnig is like a Sunsetter house awning in that it just has arms that extend with no support poles. I moves in any wind.
Does yours have an LP generator, or Diesel?
LP
And the tank is in an awful position for filling.
Have you looked into replacing the sink? I was going to look into replacing it with a single basin one.
No
Where did you put the 2 gallon holding tank?
In the cabinet under the driver’s side bunk. I attached a picture.
That’s it
Bruce
