New Member With First RV - 2014 Navion 24V

[MrHarryBay-WO]

Greetings from frosty Connecticut.

After 9 years of towing a couple of rPods, my wife and I have made the jump to a 2014 Navion IQ 24V. Only 2,200 miles on it, new tires, fuel system, and batteries, “house” portion appears like new. We’ve been using it as an everyday vehicle to put some miles on it and get it used to being driven again.

Spending the time before our first official camping trip on Memorial Day getting acquainted with the systems onboard and figuring out what’s needed to get on the road (e.g. roadside service, tire and wheel hazard insurance, etc.)

Driving a dually is an all new experience after taking nearly a decade to “master” backing up single axle trailers (backing it into the dealer’s lot for the trade-in was flawless). While it’s been surprisingly agile to drive, it’s a beast compared to the trailers. I’m wondering if it’s worthwhile to get a driving lesson from the local RV School instructor I see linked on RV Life. If anyone has any experience with this I’d love to know your thoughts.

Thanks!

 

[Eagle5]

Greetings Mr. Harry Bay,
With only 2,200 miles after a decade, you have the classic "Barn Find."
I think the video below is useful.
Welcome to the forum.
Eagle5
RV Masters How to Drive an RV - New Driver - First things to do!

 

[MrHarryBay-WO]

Thanks very much. This is awesome—marking the mirrors and adjusting the rear camera were unknown to me. Looking forward to doing this.

 

[bigb56]

Check to see that it has had the AEM (authorized emissions modification) performed. At this late date you may not get the cash settlement but by having the free AEM performed you get an extended warranty on the affected emissions components of approximately 4 years/48,000 miles. (some of the parts get more than that but on average it's 48/4

 

[MrHarryBay-WO]

Thanks very much for this information. According to the VIN search at the Bluetec update site, it appears that the previous owner did the modification in May 2024 (this may be confirmed in a sheaf of documents I’ve been collecting from Carfax, the dealer, and the MB dealer who services the vehicle). The previous owner appears to have stayed atop maintenance and registered the vehicle every two years, he just didn’t drive it anywhere.

 

[MrHarryBay-WO]

Thanks very much for this information. According to the VIN search at the Bluetec update site, it appears that the previous owner did the modification in May 2024.

I called the Bluetec 800 number and confirmed that the extended warranty does carry over to us as the new owners thru 74k or 2030 (whichever comes first). Not sure how those totals were arrived at, but I'll take them.

 

[bigb56]

I called the Bluetec 800 number and confirmed that the extended warranty does carry over to us as the new owners thru 74k or 2030 (whichever comes first). Not sure how those totals were arrived at, but I'll take them.

Just so you know the extended warranty coverage is not always interpreted the same by every dealership and there are dealerships that will try and get you to pay for some of it. Some people have gotten around this by complaining to MB USA who can step in and resolve differences between customers and dealers.

An example is the DEF tank heater which is covered, but the DEF tank is not covered, but the heater is neither available or serviceable separately, a bad heater means the entire tank has to be replaced. So the dealer will say you have to pay for that.

Others have said that while the timing chain is covered, the labor to replace it is not. Warranty claims on all of the items can vary from dealer to dealer.
I will say that Sprinter of Tucson is the best Sprinter facility that I know of and I would trust them over anyone. They service all the Amazon and DHL vans and those guys can fix anything on a Sprinter in their sleep. You definitely want to choose a facility that works on Sprinter vans as their main focus, not a MB car dealer whe sees a Sprinter here and there.

 

[bigb56]

Hi new member to this site, some what computer challenge, I need some info on portable air conditioners. Purchase a new 20 foot winnabago van [Ram] which has a roof vent verse an air conditioner. Looking for a good portable small battery operated or 110 volt (both) unit any suggestions would be helpful.

Welcome, you should start your own thread, otherwise your post will get lost in this one and the thread will get confusing, and you won't get the help you need. Perhaps a moderator will see this and move it to a new thread of your own.

 

[Eagle5]

Welcome, you should start your own thread, otherwise your post will get lost in this one and the thread will get confusing, and you won't get the help you need. Perhaps a moderator will see this and move it to a new thread of your own.

Hi Brian,
I just moved it per your recommendation:
New Member with Air Conditioner Question
Thanks, Eagle5

 

[MrHarryBay-WO]

Just so you know the extended warranty coverage is not always interpreted the same by every dealership and there are dealerships that will try and get you to pay for some of it...An example is the DEF tank heater which is covered, but the DEF tank is not covered, but the heater is neither available or serviceable separately, a bad heater means the entire tank has to be replaced. So the dealer will say you have to pay for that.

To paraphrase Captain Renault from Casablanca, I'm shocked, shocked to find that dealers interpret warranty claims differently! Interestingly, the DEF tank sensor (tho not the tank) was replaced in December under warranty. Hopefully my local MB service dept. is as good as yours in AZ--and the previous owner's!

 

[bigb56]

To paraphrase Captain Renault from Casablanca, I'm shocked, shocked to find that dealers interpret warranty claims differently! Interestingly, the DEF tank sensor (tho not the tank) was replaced in December under warranty. Hopefully my local MB service dept. is as good as yours in AZ--and the previous owner's!

Yes hopefully. I just wanted you to be aware so that if you ever have to exercise the warranty you'll be prepared and not give in easily to the first "offer".