2014 Solera R chassis

[kidagn11]

Wife and I just signed contract for 2014 Solera R at Hershey Show. Told delivery in 10 to 12 weeks. Should I assume it is being built on MB 2014 chassis?

[2012WhiteSolera]

It probably depends on how many chassis are in stock, and what model year they are when your build comes up on schedule. There are a couple ways to tell. Stop by a MB Sprinter dealer and see what changed in the '14. The other way is to decipher the Vin#. One of the number positions in the Vin, specifies the model year. The MB Sprinter data card printout discloses all the features in your chassis. Its just a bit of work to have someone on the inside @MB pull that for you, since your seller is FR, and they wouldn't have access directly.

[embrquilts]

Congratulations and we had to wait 9 weeks for ours. We took delivery of our 2014 Solera R on 9/14 and their is a 4 in the vin #, so guess that yours will be on the 2014 also, if that 4 means a 2014. We are finally getting to do our first trip next week.

[2012WhiteSolera]

The position of the number in the Vin# is what tells you what year your chassis is. For example the eleventh position in my Vin is a nine, that relates to a table that determines the year MB designates as the model year. In my case a 2012.

[rdjjef]

we took delivery of our 2014 Solera in late August 2013 and were told it is on a 2013 chassis. I plan on checking that with MB.

[kidagn11]

My wife and I want to thank each of you for responding to my post. I will be contacting FR with an attempt to ascertain the chassis year and the vin. Here is a link to Car and Driver which provides some info on the 2014. You may already have seen it. 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Photos and Info – News – Car and Driver. Again, thanks for responding.

[Mikegjax]

My 2014 24R was delivered Sep. 13. According to the 10th letter in the vin, it is on a 2013 chassis. D for 2013, E for 2014.

[2012WhiteSolera]

Correction! Mikejax is correct. Position ten, not eleven tells the chassis year. Mine is a C for 2012. So, that makes sense. My error was a fat pencil arrow mark note when I was looking back at my notes.

[rdjjef]

Quick question for those of you who received your 2014 Solera 24 RS in past month or two. Is your electrical cord accessed through left rear storage compartment and permanently attached to coach (which is what we have), or was it unattached at both ends and requires you to affix it to both coach and power source on left side?

Reason I am asking is that we just dropped our 2014 (which we received on August 23, 2013)off to dealer for some warranty work and notice a 2014 Solera RS on lot that had different configuration for land electrical hook-up. Just curious how 2014 model year changed so quickly.....and why?

thanks

[embrquilts]

Ours is a 2014 24 R and has an unattached cord which needs to be attached to the coach on the left side. Strange that yours is different.!!!

Also, ours is on a 2013 chassis delivered on 9/14 with a D in the vin#.

[bclemens]

As I've posted a few times, we are known to do some running changes (i.e., not wait until model year to make changes if they provide a benefit).

This one may be personal preference, but with a "detachable" cord you can store it wherever want and even on top of things. The attached cord if its coiled up where it is, you may need to take some stuff out to get to the end. Also if you want to keep the storage door closed you have to run it through a hole. By going detached we can also eliminate the cord hole.

When we lowered the unit and widened the unit we had a chance to design this in as well. So we did. No other reason than we thought it was a good idea.

[Sandiegodoug]

Very good change
It would be much easier to just plug in vs running cord thru hose hole

[2012WhiteSolera]

I believe you might encounter a shorting issue in a heavy downpour. JMO.

[Mikegjax]

I like the external connection on our 2014 24R. The treaded retaining ring and outlet cover alleviate water entry. Done the downpour thing and no issues. Not so sure I like the black water hose storage. The diameter of the storage tube is not large enough to take hoses with fittings on both ends.

[2012WhiteSolera]

Good to know. If it's designed right, that works.

[bclemens]

It's a molded piece on both ends, widely used in the RV industry. I'm hoping its installed right...all we did was install it.

[slow]

Originally Posted by bclemens

.........When we lowered the unit and widened the unit ...............

Can you provide details on any other 2014 verses 2013 design changes, or is it premature at this point?

[bclemens]

The major change is being wider (3") and lower (5"). The detachable cord was just a preference change that we made at the same time. We made the SE package standard so you will not see that as an option anymore.

We state in our brochure that the spec's can change at anytime and we really do mean that. We're always looking at new materials, we're looking at new dash radio's, etc, etc. We're always trying to improve the product.

[DebbieMH]

Originally Posted by bclemens

The major change is being wider (3") and lower (5"). The detachable cord was just a preference change that we made at the same time. We made the SE package standard so you will not see that as an option anymore.

We state in our brochure that the spec's can change at anytime and we really do mean that. We're always looking at new materials, we're looking at new dash radio's, etc, etc. We're always trying to improve the product.

New dash radios - good choice!

[slow]

Thanks for the insights into what is new.

Some pictures I have seen also suggest a stove cover. Will the Solera also see the new sofa bed in all floor plans or only the B plan?