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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Dec 11, 2018 - 10:20am PT
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the tradesman that I have talked to say that once the vans are full of tools the transit does better than the promaster for getting up hills. Promaster has the obvious advantage of body style for a camper build but 4x4 is the trump card and price point is the economic reality that most folks have to deal with....
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Dec 11, 2018 - 10:48am PT
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not that simple. first of all this forum is the Only place where I have heard the promaster called a POS. heck someone told me the other day not to buy a promaster because the gas engine is a ford. all kinds of crap you can read on the interweb. pleanty of folks think fords are POS. Isa has certainly had loads of problems with her ford focus. My F150 broke in half and the tranny went on my Aerostart that also rusted out... It really comes down to what you can afford that comes closest to your needs. Promasters are certainly the most reasonably priced option for a luxury camper van.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Dec 11, 2018 - 11:16am PT
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Search "Promaster reliability", or Ducato/Jumper/Relay/Boxer...
A common denominator the world over is that they're cheaply made - which becomes butt obvious when you see one in person and test drive it - compared to peers.
Pay more at the front end or at the back end - that's the game to try to win. Saying you'd choose one because it's the most affordable up front is pretty short sighted.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Dec 11, 2018 - 11:40am PT
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so our options are promaster which you call a POS, transit = Found On Road Dead or sprinter which is completely out of our league... The transit is considerably more up front than the promaster and no gaurentee to be any better. heck all you have to do is look at a ford and they rust out.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Dec 11, 2018 - 01:58pm PT
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3 - F150’s over 28 years and a combined total of maybe 5 days in the shop.
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norm larson
climber
wilson, wyoming
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Dec 11, 2018 - 03:27pm PT
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Real world experience with a neighbors Promaster was that he had to park it all last winter because he couldn’t keep it on the icy road we live on here in Wyoming. Definitely if you don’t deal with icy roads it might be a better option. But what about that funky rear axle on dirt roads?
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Dec 11, 2018 - 04:15pm PT
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Sample of 1 reasoning is about as dumb as it gets.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Dec 11, 2018 - 05:03pm PT
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JLP is always so positive.
I will end up with whatever van has the best deal at the time that I can swing.. I just keep my feelers out but seriously not inspired to get an older sprinter simply because by the time I can afford one it has super high miles and diesel is 50cents a gallon more than gas these days.
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Juan Maderita
Trad climber
"OBcean" San Diego, CA
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Dec 11, 2018 - 05:48pm PT
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Curious if there are aftermarket locking differentials available for any of these RWD (rear wheel drive) vans?
A locking rear diff would make a huge improvement in traction. A selectable locker would be ideal. A flip of the switch and there is 100% of the available traction to both rear wheels.
That would be "end of discussion" about any perceived benefit to FWD (front wheel drive).
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Dec 11, 2018 - 08:20pm PT
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Quote from Imajus10 linked article:
The Sprinter van comes in a great assortment of options for the everyday vandwelling dirtbag
Sorry, kids. If you're living in a van, you are, be effin' definition NOT a dirt bag. You have to get DIRT ON YOUR BAG--DUH! You are living on the edge financially. You do so because that's the only way you can figure out how to climb/ski/bike/surf more that just weekends. You do it for a while and it's fun, but then it starts to suck. And if you are still truly a dirt bag in your forties, well, you're kind of sad. Livin' the lux life in a rig that costs tens of thousands of bux don't cut no dirtbag "cred," whatever that is. I've dirtbagged a little. It was fun AND it sucked. Totally would have killed for a good van, and got a pop-top '78 Westy as soon as I could. Lots and lots of good memories. After ten years and two engines, I sold it. Sniff! Sounds like the Transit may be the way to go, but I dig 'em all.
BAd
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Dec 11, 2018 - 08:31pm PT
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About 1971 I met a retired cowboy up Icicle Creek in Leavenworth. He was livin’ outta a ‘60 Pontiac Bonneville. He had his guittar, his pooch, and his dignity; he was at peace and happy as a clam. A bona fide dirtbag and a real joy to share a camp fire with for a couple of nights.
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steve s
Trad climber
eldo
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Dec 12, 2018 - 06:26am PT
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Which is the most reliable? By reliable I mean coming from someone who has owned 3 Toyota Tacoma’s. Does that make sense?
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skitch
Gym climber
Bend Or
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Dec 12, 2018 - 08:44am PT
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Just 1 more data point on the promaster: My friends bought a brand new diesel a couple years ago (I believe it was the first year a diesel was available) and after multiple breakdowns in the middle of nowhere and have the catalytic converter replaced twice they are now getting there van purchased back by dodge. . . after getting a lawyer who gets a chunk of that buy back money. . .
When they told me the motor was made by FIAT I felt bad for them, but I know a touch more about cars then they do. . . I think they know a lot more now.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Dec 12, 2018 - 09:35am PT
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I'm skeptical when someone says they are going through multiple catalytic converters. It means something else is wrong - did they fix that? In a post 2007 diesel, it might mean something as simple as using the wrong oil. Diesels burn oil, it's normal, and post 2007 you have to use a special oil that doesn't clog the emissions systems. That said, it could also mean the entire engine is a raging POS and the catalytic is a diaper collecting crap from a motor that will never work right.
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Kimbo
Trad climber
seattle
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Dec 12, 2018 - 09:42am PT
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JLP says:
Thing is - they are in fact very inexpensive to maintain by yourself. The EGR valve can be cleaned in about an hour, gasket is like $3. No special tools. Maybe every other oil change. The cooler is more of a pain, maybe $25 in gaskets, another $30 in special tools, and 4-6 hours every 30-50k depending on how you drive.
Thanks a million! I was kinda sweating this issue with my Sprinter. Started coughing occasionally around 20k, EGR warranty repair. Started coughing occasionally again around 32k, still warranty. Warranty will run out, so super rad to know of the diy fix. Thanks a million (literally!) again!
Having said that, I do love my Sprinter. I got the 4x4 after the silly bad performance of the standard drive. I don't think the standard drive even has limited slip? I literally got stuck in a flat field once, with a single rear tire spinning. With the 4x4, I've done really fun crawling and climbing in steep areas. I got the 3500 dually for the extra tow capacity. Very fun machine.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Dec 12, 2018 - 10:12am PT
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Have fun figuring that one out and fixing it for good - maybe you can get a job in Fiat R&D.
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Kimbo
Trad climber
seattle
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Dec 12, 2018 - 10:19am PT
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@Juan Maderita: Looked into a locker with my previous sprinter, no luck. Might have changed by now.
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mikeyschaefer
climber
Sport-o-land
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Dec 12, 2018 - 10:31am PT
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I've had an '05 Sprinter with the 5 cyl 2.7 L for a bit over 10 years now and have put about 150K on it. I was an early sprinter adopter. Went from an AWD Astro that was great until about 225K miles and the tranny started getting wonky. It was totally bomber besides that. I lived in the Astro for about 4 years, and then the Sprinter for 5. I still spend more nights in the Sprinter each year than any other location but can't say I still live in it. With all the money I saved not paying rent during my 20's I was able to save up enough for a solid down payment on a house. When I bought the Sprinter I told myself I had to live in it for 5 years to make it worth the price and savings on rent. If I hadn't actually lived in it I think it would of been a waste of money to spend so much on a vehicle, especially given my age and financial situation.
Reliability wise I'd say the Sprinter has been solid over all. The biggest problems I've had so far are all pretty small but they did cause big headaches. The '03 to 07' are notorious for having issues with the turbo system. This has definitely been the biggest problem. Though what maybe the real biggest problem is finding a solid mechanic for these. I first learnt this after taking it in to a dealer for a weird braking issue. They had it on and off for week. Everytime i'd pick it up they'd say they fixed it, but the problem would come right back once I drove it. Eventually I believed them and left on a road trip and brakes started freaking out again in middle of no where WY. I said f'it I'm gonna figure this out myself. Took about 30 min on google to figure out I might just have a faulty brake light bulb. Replaced it and problem never came back.
Most recently I was having an issue with the turbo system. Took it to two different mechanics, both of which came highly recommended. First place said it was my EGR valve and injectors needed cleaning. Spent way too much money and the problem wasn't fixed at all (problem being erratic boost pressure) . Took it to a different shop. After testing everything and saying they couldn't figure out the exact problem they said I should replace the turbo, which cost $3k. Again I said f that and didn't think that was the problem. I'd mentioned to both places that I thought it was the intercooler given the symptoms and they assured me it wasn't after smoke testing it. Even placed a few phones calls to super well known sprinter mechanics explaining my symptoms. People told me to replace my hoses and then the turbo. Nope, instead I went to home depot and spent 200 bucks on tools and took the grill apart, took the intercooler out and found a bee's nest and crack underneath the nest. Took me all of an hour to figure out the problem (most of which was spent figuring out how to take the bumper off). Ordered a new intercooler for $250 and replaced it. Turbo boost pressure is back to normal and van runs great. I didn't even take auto shop class in high school. WTF?
Last story was a minor one but still. Got my oil changed at Dodge dealer. Jumped in the van and noticed the maintenance light hadn't been reset. Went back in to have it reset. Starts out with one mechanic trying to figure it out then he asks his buddy to help. 15 minutes later I am sitting there fairly concerned that their sprinter mechanic can't reset a simple light. Wonder if he even managed to put the right oil in? I give up and just google "reset sprinter maintenance light." Watch some crappy youtube video showing the sequence of key turns, door locks and door opening. Ask the mechanics if I could try. Works first time. Maybe they didn't play Nintendo growing up like me and never heard of cheat codes?? Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, A, B, select, start. And people say playing video games aren't good for you!
Those are just a couple of my experiences getting it "worked on". Seriously, biggest problem has been the mechanics not the van.
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