New Sprinter Chassis

thumper · 05-11-2019, 02:23 PM

Excuse me if this has been discussed before. I did a search and couldn't find anything here.

All my kids have moved out now and we sold our old motorhome and am now looking at something smaller. Really like the Forester 2401W. We currently have a Mercedes GLK Blutec and while I was in the dealership they were showing me the new van chassis(now cheaper, 7spd vs 5spd, LED headlights, more safety stuff...). Why can't I find this chassis when looking for a motorhome? When are they coming down the Forest River line?

Thanks for the help.

Doug

SeaDog · 05-11-2019, 02:36 PM

Not sure how someone can answer your question. A van chassis is exactly that a van chassis however when you say motorhome that is a very broad spectrum if you narrow things a little someone may be able to answer your question.

thumper · 05-11-2019, 07:00 PM

https://www.mercedes-benz-vans.ca/en...er/cab-chassis is what I am talking about(reason I posted in the "Mercedes Benz Sprinter Chassis" forum.
Mercedes new sprinter chassis looks pretty nice compared to the older one. The sales person kept talking about the van, even though we were looking at sprinter chassis on the lot as well.

DaveJordan · 05-12-2019, 01:58 PM

It appears that the new chassis cab does have some interesting changes. Most significant (to us, anyway) is a 4500 model with an increased GVWR from 11,030 to 12,125 with a GCWR of 15,250. The 12,125 may not be so useful if the GCWR really stays at 15,250 as that would reduce towing capacity, which is already pretty low. As near as I can tell the 3500 model remains pretty much as it is, at 11,030 and 15,250.

There are a wide variety of updates to the electronic and infotainment systems with stuff like blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control, but it's not immediately obvious how much of that is standard equipment and how much is (extra cost) options.

Dve

thumper · 05-12-2019, 05:35 PM

What the salesman said that caught my attention was the new chassis was about $2,000(CDN) cheaper than the previous year. He was saying this was because of the assemble in the US vs Germany(not sure if it because of tariffs or just cheaper to make/ship). I would also like the additional 2 gears in the transmission, I always think more gears are better with a diesel.

chroniekon · 05-12-2019, 10:23 PM

I'm wondering if the 4500 leaf springs would fit my 3500 chassis?

DaveJordan · 05-13-2019, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumper

What the salesman said that caught my attention was the new chassis was about $2,000(CDN) cheaper than the previous year. He was saying this was because of the assemble in the US vs Germany(not sure if it because of tariffs or just cheaper to make/ship). I would also like the additional 2 gears in the transmission, I always think more gears are better with a diesel.

I dunno about pricing changes - I presume that major upfitters (like Forest River) have some sort of deal going to begin with, but maybe the new model will be a little less expensive.

As far as the transmission goes...the existing engine and transmission are about the most solid parts of the previous models - I can't remember seeing any transmission complaints at all on this web site. That being said, I suppose the new transmission might be a little smoother...and still as bomb-proof.

Dave

JLeising · 05-13-2019, 03:13 PM

Dave - Guess you missed my posts wrt transmission issue:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post2026496

Replaced transmission at about 93K miles.

FYI, Jim

DaveJordan · 05-13-2019, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLeising

Dave - Guess you missed my posts wrt transmission issue:

Well...ok...so I'm getting a little forgetful. Wait...What?

Dave

hpdrver · 05-14-2019, 10:57 AM

Tiffin is building the Wayfarer on the new chassis. Google 2020 Wayfarer and you can see some new models.

DaveJordan · 05-14-2019, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hpdrver

Tiffin is building the Wayfarer on the new chassis. Google 2020 Wayfarer and you can see some new models.

All of these models seem to be built on the 3500XD chassis - with the current 11,030 GVWR. They do appear to have a variety of infotainment and driving assist electronic upgrades.

Dave

thumper · 09-09-2019, 07:39 PM

I saw a 2010 Forester 2401Q today that was based on the new 2020 Sprinter Chasis. I am not sure why it is so hard to find out if the 2401w is based on the 2010 Sprinter chassis?

Who can I ask? The sales guys are hopeless. Is there a Forest River rep that I can ask. I have sold my old motorhome and am ready to buy.

TowPro · 09-09-2019, 10:20 PM

I pick up one on the 2018 chassie tomorrow. MB shows an offer on there website with a 5/100000 warrante on 2018s but nobody seems to be able to verify my new motorhome qualifies. All MB says is call dealer, but dealer is motorhome dealer not MB dealer

papagyo · 09-10-2019, 06:50 AM

Thumper

I ordered a 2020 2401w Aug 8 and will pick up sometime first week of sept. I was told I was still getting 2018 chassis... very disappointed that FR is essentially 3 model years behind. I am pretty sure these 2018 chassis’s are sitting on a back lot somewhere and the new 2020 will not be used until these are all gone. If I could back out of my deal I would...and wait until they started using the 2019 chassis.

BH

**RedLdr1** · 09-10-2019, 07:29 AM

The only Forester / Sunseeker MBS currently on the new chassis is the 2400Q. The "W" and "R" need some design tweaks before they are offered on the new 2019+ Sprinter. I've heard the "W" is going to have a redesign in the process that will move the closet from the slide out to the rear wall.

Between the redesign work, and FR running out of their stockpile of the old 2018 chassis

, it may be a little awhile before anything but the "Q" is offered on the new chassis. Fortunately the "Q" is what SWMBO wanted anyway!

backdoctor · 09-15-2019, 08:35 PM

Just back from the Hershey show. Saw the new 2019 chassis with 2020 forester versions. Lovely interior. All the bells and whistles. There was a rep there from MB van Care. They were positive that the new rig was bulletproof. When I asked about all the issues with 2014 and 2015 chassis, they cringed and said "yeah, we had some issues!" I'll say!

DaveJordan · 09-15-2019, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backdoctor

When I asked about all the issues with 2014 and 2015 chassis, they cringed and said "yeah, we had some issues!" I'll say!

Which issues were those? As far as I know (from these forums) the only common issues were a general need for suspension upgrades - anti-roll bars, Sumo springs, sometimes shocks. Have they fixed the suspension to do a better job with units which are almost always right at (or a bit above) the GVWR? That would be really cool.

Dave

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