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Mercedes chassis motorhomes are well-known in RV circles. However, for newcomers, the phrase Mercedes is usually related to luxurious and refinement effectively past the affordability of some.
With inflation, provide chain points (particularly within the microchip market), automobile producers prioritizing extra premium fashions, decreased stock, and the Federal Reserve elevating rates of interest, producers are charging sky-high costs for even lower-tier automobiles.
Mercedes motorhomes stay on RVer’s radars, however present value traits pressure shoppers to take a stance of tepid uncertainty. Is a Mercedes-Benz value the associated fee, particularly with increased auto mortgage charges? Nicely, we’re very happy to supply the information, whereas taking the leap is solely as much as you.
Does Mercedes Make Motorhomes?
Mercedes-Benz doesn’t make motorhomes of their entirety. What they supply is the chassis and powertrain. The remaining is as much as the producer, build up on the inspiration of the supplied chassis.
It’s like laying concrete earlier than you construct a deck or a house. Mercedes-Benz chassis are extraordinarily widespread, particularly within the camper van class. However Mercedes additionally manufactures chassis for Class Cs, such because the Winnebago View 24D and the Tiffin Wayfarer 25LW.
Whereas some producers construct from the chassis up, others, particularly within the camper van class, take accomplished Mercedes Sprinters and convert them into RVs. That is a part of the explanation most of the Mercedes motorhomes available on the market are so pricey. You’re paying the RV enterprise for the price of the Sprinter van on prime of the conversion price.
It’s laborious to argue with Mercedes powertrains as effectively. They rating extremely when it comes to efficiency and longevity, one other high quality that drives up the general reputation of those RVs.
Class Cs and Class B campervans are the place it’s at for Mercedes and regardless of the rising prices, they continue to be widespread amongst RVers and newbies to the RV way of life.
Talking of total prices, that leads us on to our subsequent matter.
How A lot is a Motorhome with a Mercedes Chassis?
Mercedes motorhomes are expensive, though there’s a large disparity between sure RVs carrying the Mercedes identify. Normally, you’re taking a look at wherever between $150k and 1 / 4 million, model new.
Clearly, there’s a reasonably broad used marketplace for these as effectively, particularly contemplating the reliability of Mercedes powertrains and the general builds. There are exceptions, corresponding to the brand new Nelson Camper Van, constructed on the Mercedes chassis and powertrain, with an intro value of $400k!
The Nelson Camper Van is an Superior RV product with an unimaginable inside and cedar aesthetic.
Should you’re dying for a Class A model constructed on a Mercedes chassis, maintain on to your seat. VARIO Mobil manufactures luxurious Class As on a Mercedes Actros 2453 chassis and a ten.7-liter, turbo-diesel, six-cylinder engine.
A bottom-of-the-shelf VARIO Mobil will run you a cool million. Their newest version of the VARIO Mobil Excellent retails for $1.7 million. If solely the percentages of profitable the lottery have been just a little higher. Nonetheless, the Nelson Camper Van and your complete line of VARIO Mobil Class As are positively exceptions to the rule.
We may provide you with a extra detailed breakdown, however there are such a lot of camper vans and Class Cs constructed on the Mercedes chassis that it might shortly flip right into a small novel.
Suffice it to say, $150k is low-end and laborious to seek out, with $180k the extra correct, beginning value level for camper van choices. Class Cs add one other $50 to $100k.
Is Mercedes a Good Model?
Normally, Mercedes is a superb model, though everybody has their very own opinions. Actually, the Chevy vs. Ford argument won’t ever go away and there are some who will swear off Mercedes, no matter longevity and reliability specs.
Nonetheless, it’s higher to depend on shopper sentiment and reliability specs throughout the board. As with each auto producer, there are unhealthy years and good years. Any time you’re looking out for a brand new motorhome, it’s best to look based mostly on years.
In line with the 2023 Kelly Blue E book, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter scores an above-average ranking for passenger high quality, above-average total high quality, and above-average reliability. The ultimate common scores are wherever between 4.1 and 4.3 out of 5.0.
Mercedes motorhomes will not be resistant to recollects, nonetheless. In 2022, there have been 4 recollects, and 14 the yr earlier than. The latest recall included 9,000 Mercedes Sprinter vans, due to issues with the electrical parking breaks in 2019 and 2020 on Mercedes Sprinters and Freightliner Sprinters.
Mercedes automobiles are merchandise of German engineering, which incorporates the favored Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, and BMW strains. In line with college rankings internationally, america and Germany are extremely ranked when it comes to engineering.
Germany has a International Innovation Index Score of 10. So, you don’t have to fret about drop-off when shopping for Mercedes motorhomes. Plus, there’s at all times the truth that the Sprinter chassis is manufactured in South Carolina.
Are Mercedes Motorhomes Costly to Keep?
Just one model outranks Mercedes when it comes to costly upkeep, and that’s BMW. In line with Restore Pal, the 5-year upkeep price of a Mercedes automobile is $7,078, and that’s only a sedan. The prices go up for a Sprinter and, once you embrace diesel, the worth goes up much more.
You’re coping with quite a few components right here. First, components for a Mercedes are premium and costlier than third-party counterparts or different automobile manufacturers.
Second, as a German-engineered product, oftentimes, solely components manufactured in Germany will do. Meaning delivery prices are included in there as effectively.
Third, model recognition is a robust factor on the subject of pricing.
Fourth, not all mechanics will work on overseas automobiles, narrowing your upkeep and restore choices to those that are prepared to cost a better value, understanding your restore choices are extra restricted.
Lastly, many Mercedes motorhomes are rocking diesel engines.
Diesel components are sometimes costlier than their gasoline counterparts. If you buy a Mercedes motorhome, it’s important to be prepared to take the danger. Happily, you’ll be able to decrease that threat via preventative upkeep.
- Go over your proprietor’s handbook totally for preventative upkeep procedures
- Schedule routine inspections, with a specific give attention to the roof, electrical, and plumbing
- Examine your fluids (oil, coolant, transmission, brake, and so forth.) and prime them off when wanted
- Routinely examine the tires for cracks, lack of tread depth, and UV harm
- Check electrical and plumbing techniques anytime you’ll be out of the RV for longer than two weeks
- Examine and take a look at generator operation
- Correctly winterize your RV within the low season
- Routinely examine all home equipment
Establishing a preventative upkeep guidelines will switch the labor to you and the prices again into your pockets.
Are Mercedes-Powered Motorhomes Price It?
Whether or not Mercedes motorhomes are value it’s solely subjective to most individuals. Which is totally comprehensible. We’ve all had our experiences with sure fashions and developed an intrinsic like or dislike for them.
Objectively, they’re value it. They’re much more gasoline environment friendly than Class A and bigger Class C or Tremendous C motorhomes. They’ve fewer faults proper out of the store, due to the simplicity mandatory in smaller motorhomes.
Mercedes motorhomes additionally maintain their worth very effectively, largely due to their reliability scores and identify recognition. The utility, customization, and performance of a Mercedes motorhome (not less than within the Sprinter van class), are almost countless. They perform very effectively when off the grid and are simply as appropriate for campground life.
After all, for those who don’t spend a lot time in your RV, it’s troublesome to justify the expense. You solely reap the benefits of the worth of Mercedes motorhomes for those who actively use them. As an occasional three-day or so trip automobile, not a lot. Should you select one with a diesel engine, the worth is even higher.
Diesel engines eclipse gasoline when it comes to longevity, reliability, and total gasoline mileage. The place 200,000 + miles is pushing the higher limits of a gasoline engine, you’re simply midway via the life cycle of a diesel.
3 Nice Mercedes-Powered Motorhomes
1. Thor Delano 24RW
Our Execs and Cons
✅ Consists of Winegard ConnecT 2.0
⛔ Inside colours are pretty sedentary
- Engine: 3.0L V6
- Size: 25′ 8”
- Chassis: Mercedes
- GVWR: 11,030 lbs
- Sleeps: 4
- Tow Capability: 5,000 lbs
From the get-go, it’s clear that Thor’s focus (with the Delano) is on boondocking. Every thing in regards to the Delano screams off-grid.
Among the best options is the Winegard ConnecT 2.0, which features a companion app. It serves as a Wi-Fi extender, accesses 4G, and acts as an FM antenna, all whereas tying into your good units on the RV.
It has a full wall slide-out and comes with exterior LP connectors and 100 Watts of expandable photo voltaic on the roof. The three.6kw generator will maintain you going when unable to connect with 30-amp shore energy.
The inside includes a high-tech, washed grey aesthetic, which could attraction extra to tech followers than others. You even have three ground plans to select from, giving the RV a customizable really feel.
2. Airstream Atlas
Our Execs and Cons
✅ Murphy mattress Froli system works with slide-in or out
⛔ Solely geared up with a small, two-burner cooktop
- Engine: 2.0L 4-Cylinder Excessive Output Diesel
- Size: 24′
- Chassis: Mercedes-Sprinter 4500
- GVWR: 12,125 lbs
- Sleeps: 2
- Tow Capability: 4,000 lbs
Whereas Airstream is understood for its rounded corners and aluminum, they’re fairly good at constructing Mercedes motorhomes as effectively. The Atlas consists of the standard aluminum roof, and the inside sticks with that vibe, together with magnetic catches and high-quality aesthetics.
Aside from the roof, the outside is a fiberglass shell, according to the Scamp and Casita. It is a seamless construct as effectively, which is fascinating for a motorhome.
Should you like Murphy beds, this one is constructed on a Froli system, and you’ll function it even when the slide is in. A pleasant contact that makes further area a matter of straightforward, folding logistics.
3. Tiffin Wayfarer 25TW
Our Execs and Cons
✅ The toilet is big for a motorhome this measurement
⛔ The one information on the cargo carrying capability is that it’s 700 lbs, which isn’t a lot
- Engine: Mercedes V6
- Size: 25′ 6”
- Chassis: Mercedes Sprinter 3500
- GVWR: 11,030 lbs
- Sleeps: 6
- Tow Capability: 5,000 lbs
Tiffin, like Airstream, has its personal, automated associations, often with large, luxurious Class A motorhomes. Nonetheless, Tiffin takes it down a notch with the Wayfarer 25RW.
As an entry-level Class C, it’s an outstanding rig that has lots to supply aside from the Mercedes chassis.
The inside feels immense, and also you may assume you’re in a Harry Potter film, with an urge to step outdoors and attempt to visually affiliate the outside with the inside. It stands to motive you’ll be able to sleep 6 on this factor.
The powered Murphy mattress provides much more area as effectively. In case you have a medium-sized household or perhaps a couple who appreciates area, this is a superb alternative.
Are Mercedes Motorhomes Higher Than Ford?
Firstly, let’s not go after the author on this one. With that out of the best way, the trustworthy reply is that it relies upon. Not all RVs constructed on a Mercedes chassis are the identical.
Not all RVs constructed on a Ford chassis are the identical. Keep in mind, we’re coping with chassis and powertrains right here, so our focus has to stay there, not on the remainder of the motorhome.
For example, the truth that the propane fridge determined to name it quits one week after buy has zero to do with what chassis the fridge was sitting on. There’s little doubt {that a} Ford chassis, no matter which one, set towards a comparable Mercedes chassis, would be the cheaper of the 2.
Not as a result of it’s a Ford chassis however due to financial components and model associations. Ford is related to robust, off-roading capabilities, whereas Mercedes is related to luxurious and bougie wine coolers. “Luxurious” is at all times costlier than “robust”.
Should you like affordability, Ford is your alternative. Nonetheless, Mercedes traditionally has higher resale worth, so the 2 steadiness themselves out. The largest separating issue between the 2 is the restore and upkeep prices.
Mercedes is undoubtedly costlier in that area. In the case of Mercedes motorhomes, it’s usually troublesome to get the components mandatory for repairs as effectively.
What it actually boils all the way down to, and what everybody needs to argue about, is reliability. In the case of camper vans, Transits are often gasoline and Sprinters are often diesel.
So, whereas the diesel wins the reliability class there, that’s much less a matter of name identify and extra a matter of contemporary engineering. We’ll depart it proper there whereas it’s nonetheless secure to take action.
Last Ideas About Mercedes Motorhomes
On the finish of all this, we hope you might have a extra knowledgeable perspective on Mercedes motorhomes and whether or not it’s funding for you. Whereas Mercedes Class Cs and Class Bs have had issues prior to now, you’ll be able to say that about each motorhome model below the solar.
We do know that, usually, Mercedes is a dependable model and at all times value a re-assessment. Should you’re nervous about repairs and upkeep, the extra productive you might be, when it comes to preventative upkeep, the much less of a fear repairs grow to be.
All in all, there are quite a lot of wonderful RVs constructed on the Mercedes chassis, and there’s a motive they’re so widespread.
Should you see one that you just like, and you propose on driving it on a ton of journeys, taking full benefit of the worth it affords, will probably be a dependable and helpful residence on wheels for you.
Associated Studying:
– 5 Finest Class B RV Producers
– Your Information To The 5 Finest Class B Plus Motorhomes
– 8 Finest Class C Diesel Motorhomes
– Fuel vs. Diesel RVs: Which Motorhome Is Finest?
Thomas Godwin – Creator and Half-Time RVer
Thomas Godwin is a full-time freelance author with a BFA in Inventive Writing, a U.S. Marine, and an avid outdoorsman.
Thomas’s love for RVing started at an early age spending time tenting within the household classic Airstream.
His background and training in writing, mixed along with his ardour for the outside, will be seen in publications corresponding to Camper Smarts and Vanlifers, in addition to a number of animal and outside leisure publications.
When he’s not writing, he’s elevating chickens and Appleyard geese. Thomas additionally constructs teardrop campers (trying to anyway) and kayaks the Blackwater River along with his spouse, two daughters, and his Dobermans.
