"JohnH" wrote in message
news
On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 13:56:44 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

Do plenty of research. The VW based RV is not getting rave reviews here
in
the US.

Eisboch


The VW based RV sold here, until last year, was put together by Winnebago
and had a gas engine. The five cylinder diesel in the European van is much
like your engine in the Sprinter. We drove that thing at 130kph for hours
on end. He had a higher top installed and did the interior work himself.
He's talented!


The comments I've heard were on a couple of RV forums that I occasionally
read.
Complaints were centered around lack of power and poor handling. (RV
conversions are typically heavier) The diesel variety may be much better.

Eisboch

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 16:34:20 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"JohnH" wrote in message
news
On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 13:56:44 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

Do plenty of research. The VW based RV is not getting rave reviews here
in
the US.

Eisboch


The VW based RV sold here, until last year, was put together by Winnebago
and had a gas engine. The five cylinder diesel in the European van is much
like your engine in the Sprinter. We drove that thing at 130kph for hours
on end. He had a higher top installed and did the interior work himself.
He's talented!


The comments I've heard were on a couple of RV forums that I occasionally
read.
Complaints were centered around lack of power and poor handling. (RV
conversions are typically heavier) The diesel variety may be much better.

Eisboch


There is a chance, so I hear, that VW may start importing the diesel van.
In the meantime, the Sprinter based RV's are commanding my attention. The
damn things aren't cheap, though. They seem to run within 5k of $80k no
matter who does the conversion.
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

"JohnH" wrote in message
...

There is a chance, so I hear, that VW may start importing the diesel van.
In the meantime, the Sprinter based RV's are commanding my attention. The
damn things aren't cheap, though. They seem to run within 5k of $80k no
matter who does the conversion.

I may be mistaken, but it seems to me that I remember one RV company
(RoadTrek?) that had some models in the 50-60's. We looked at one after we
got ours and it wasn't bad, although the Pleasure-Way's fit and finish is
superior.

It would also be fun --- but a bit of work --- to buy a shell and do the
conversion yourself. It could be done over time, starting with basics so
you can use it right away. I think the shell, depending on size, is very
reasonably priced.

Eisboch

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 17:05:53 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"JohnH" wrote in message
.. .

There is a chance, so I hear, that VW may start importing the diesel van.
In the meantime, the Sprinter based RV's are commanding my attention. The
damn things aren't cheap, though. They seem to run within 5k of $80k no
matter who does the conversion.

I may be mistaken, but it seems to me that I remember one RV company
(RoadTrek?) that had some models in the 50-60's. We looked at one after we
got ours and it wasn't bad, although the Pleasure-Way's fit and finish is
superior.

It would also be fun --- but a bit of work --- to buy a shell and do the
conversion yourself. It could be done over time, starting with basics so
you can use it right away. I think the shell, depending on size, is very
reasonably priced.

Eisboch


Funny you should mention it. My friend in Holland wants me to buy the basic
Sprinter (about $35K), ship it to Holland, get the high roof put on, and
then do the inside. He figures I'd save a bundle. All the amenities for the
conversion are available over there, including showers, stoves, heaters,
etc, etc.

He figures it would take us about three months to do a nice job. His major
expense, in doing his, was *glue*. The entire interior is carpeted, and it
all had to be glued in place. He also mentioned that the materials he used,
plywood, etc, are a higher grade than what would be used by a commercial
conversion.

Interesting, but I'll have to give it some thought.
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

"JohnH" wrote in message
...

Funny you should mention it. My friend in Holland wants me to buy the
basic
Sprinter (about $35K), ship it to Holland, get the high roof put on, and
then do the inside.

Why ship one from the US to Holland? Why not just get the Mercedes badged
version in Europe? I understand they are a dime a dozen over there.

Eisboch

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 17:38:19 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"JohnH" wrote in message
.. .

Funny you should mention it. My friend in Holland wants me to buy the
basic
Sprinter (about $35K), ship it to Holland, get the high roof put on, and
then do the inside.

Why ship one from the US to Holland? Why not just get the Mercedes badged
version in Europe? I understand they are a dime a dozen over there.

Eisboch


They cost more in Holland than they do here. Don't ask me why, maybe the
same reason the Nikon lenses cost almost twice what they do here.

DOT, the EPA, and Customs are very strict with regard to vehicles meeting
US specs before being imported into the country. There are such things as
'gray market' autos imported, but the owners go through a hassle to get
them brought up to spec. (At least, this was the case several years ago.)
Now that Dodge has the right to sell the vehicle here, I'd expect it to be
even more difficult to import a gray market version. Shipment round trip
would probably be less than $2K.

When I was in Germany, it was not possible to buy a Mercedes direct from
the company made to US specs. Mercedes of America (or whatever the name
was) had a deal with Mercedes that prohibited it. I haven't checked with
Mercedes or Dodge, but I'd doubt that things have become any easier.

This wasn't true for all auto makers. I was able to buy a Saab made to US
specs while stationed in Germany.
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

"JohnH" wrote in message
...

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 17:38:19 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:



Why ship one from the US to Holland? Why not just get the Mercedes
badged
version in Europe? I understand they are a dime a dozen over there.


They cost more in Holland than they do here. Don't ask me why, maybe the
same reason the Nikon lenses cost almost twice what they do here.

DOT, the EPA, and Customs are very strict with regard to vehicles meeting
US specs before being imported into the country. There are such things as
'gray market' autos imported, but the owners go through a hassle to get
them brought up to spec. (At least, this was the case several years ago.)
Now that Dodge has the right to sell the vehicle here, I'd expect it to be
even more difficult to import a gray market version. Shipment round trip
would probably be less than $2K.

When I was in Germany, it was not possible to buy a Mercedes direct from
the company made to US specs. Mercedes of America (or whatever the name
was) had a deal with Mercedes that prohibited it. I haven't checked with
Mercedes or Dodge, but I'd doubt that things have become any easier.

This wasn't true for all auto makers. I was able to buy a Saab made to US
specs while stationed in Germany.


I didn't realize that. I know that several people have taken delivery of
US spec'd M5s in Germany and then shipped them here.

Eisboch