Topic: First Drive: 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris

[tortoise]

Thing is, an RV won't be ideal for carrying ski, surf or bike gear.

[rrocket]

Thing is, an RV won't be ideal for carrying ski, surf or bike gear.

If it fits in a Sprinter-turned-into-RV...it will fit into an RV IMO.  And if I could fit all the bike gear I needed for a weekend of racing in a 4 door sedan, I think an RV could do the trick also. 

[tortoise]

Not saying it won't fit, just saying it wouldn't fit as well as something purpose built to carry whatever gear you're bringing.  Sure the it won't have the same fit and finish but I wager it would be more functional.

And cheaper.

[OliverD]

http://sprinterlife.com/our-home

I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a good used Sprinter cargo van for cheap that I can build out.

That's a good idea.  But I wouldn't want to live in a dump like that when there are so many awesome RVs based on the Sprinter platform.

A guy I worked with bought an older Sprinter for cheap - the longest, highest roof variant available - and converted it into an RV like that. Probably cost him a third of what a decent aftermarket converted Sprinter would go for.

[johngenx]

People building out a Sprinter aren't interested in fancy finishes. Many of those fancy looking ones are also built like crap underneath. Just good enough to look good and earn the maker a huge margin. Climbers, skiers, surfers that use them want cheap first and foremost. They want to conserve funds to buy time, not a granite countertop. They usually want to build it themselves to save money and customize it to their individual needs.

There's also a lot of people that build them that want to use reclaimed and recycled materials and minimize their impact on the environment. Those materials might not look fancy but they work and reduce the need for new materials to be manufactured.

Not everyone cares about how shiny things look or how impressed the other RVers will be.

[OliverD]

I wonder what the quality of the Airstream Sprinters is like. They are very pricey, starting at $135k USD.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

With few exceptions, RVs are built like crap, and with the cheapest materials possible. Only some of the surface finishes/materials are half decent.
A person with some skill could easily make a better interior, and do it for much less.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I wonder what the quality of the Airstream Sprinters is like. They are very pricey, starting at $135k USD.

Dunno. Airstream used to be a pretty good quality product. I have no idea if the new stuff is as well built.

[Fobroader]

With few exceptions, RVs are built like crap, and with the cheapest materials possible. Only some of the surface finishes/materials are half decent.
A person with some skill could easily make a better interior, and do it for much less.

This x1000!!! I have been in $10k ultra lightweight trailers and $500K+ Class A and B motor homes and the finishes and materials can at best be described as cut rate.

[bridgecity]

With few exceptions, RVs are built like crap, and with the cheapest materials possible. Only some of the surface finishes/materials are half decent.
A person with some skill could easily make a better interior, and do it for much less.

This x1000!!! I have been in $10k ultra lightweight trailers and $500K+ Class A and B motor homes and the finishes and materials can at best be described as cut rate.

Agreed 100%.  Like Sir O says, there are some exceptions. 

[Fobroader]

With few exceptions, RVs are built like crap, and with the cheapest materials possible. Only some of the surface finishes/materials are half decent.
A person with some skill could easily make a better interior, and do it for much less.

This x1000!!! I have been in $10k ultra lightweight trailers and $500K+ Class A and B motor homes and the finishes and materials can at best be described as cut rate.

Agreed 100%.  Like Sir O says, there are some exceptions.

Very few....some Prevost motorcoaches are ok as are some Airstream trailers....besides those, I have yet to be impressed.

[makuribu]

I'll take the Lewis Hamilton AMG version with silver paint and some go faster stripes...

[dkaz]

A lot of RV and trailer interiors are meant to appease seniors or something.

I like the Airstream Sprinter though. I saw a better one with a nice lighter interior, not senior citizen light but a nice modern light.

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Airstream/INTERSTATE+INTERSTATE/Langley/British+Columbia/5_25178577_20130109121300928/?ms=rv&showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=3_15_29

[bensonc]

Thing is, an RV won't be ideal for carrying ski, surf or bike gear.

you got to see how my friend did with his Toyota HiAce

[Solstice2006]

Can't get a bike rack?