Returning to RV Travel in a 2014 Pleasure-Way Ascent

[Rosey Van Man]

HI Dave here and as the Post title says...... Just Like Starting over.. We came to RVing in 2011 when we bought a 1985 Toyota Dolphin ( which I currently still own - though going soon) We took that on an extended trip from Astoria, Oregon area to San Jose in Baja then across the Sea of Cortez to Mazatlan then south all the way to Punta Gorda in Belize. Back through Mexico to Astoria via Arizona, Utah and Idaho all in all about 13,000 miles, so much fun and wonderful experiences. Fast forward to 2026 and we're about to retire and do some more travelling. This time our transport is a recently acquired 2014 Mercedes Pleasure Way Ascent. As we get ourselves familiar with it I will post and share my thoughts etc. Not really into Blogging per se as it requires too much input and time staging photos. So the road is calling and we're listening...

 

[youngnretired]

Welcome to the forum and hope your new ride suites you well and your travels are fun, exciting, uneventful and safe. I see it as not really starting over, but more of a continuation with a slight change. Enjoy!

 

[Steve Biegler]

Welcome, we started out with a Toyota Dolphin as well! We had lots of fun with that little rig.
We just picked up our custom Ford Transit build "Ghost" in November and are looking forward to many new adventures.

 

[Hatteras Jim]

Congrats and welcome. In regards to your Mercedes - do you know if all of the recalls have been performed in regards to your SCR system over the years? Are you aware that portions of the SCR system may still be under warranty and that warranty is transferable to the next owner? I still have some items under warranty on my 2013. I have had nothing but problems with mine. Hope yours is better. One other thing that I found out last month during my state inspection, is that the original bracket that holds the dpf (diesel particulate filter) is subject to cracking and breaking, resulting in major damage to other components nearby (google "sprinter dpf bracket"). You may want to check if your bracket has been upgraded or have it inspected at your next service. Perhaps yours is not the original bracket since it is a factory conversion? Mine is not cracked (yet); but, I am planning on having it replaced (~$500). Even tho' it is a design flaw (imo), it is not a recall item. We did manage to tour all 48 states, as well as 10 sprinter service centers in 8 different states. (google "Sprinter 10 starts left"). Good travels.

 

[beauregaard]

We've had 2 Sprinter RVs, a RoadTrek and an Airstream. Super reliable and nice to drive, but they do have their idiosyncrasies.
By all means, make sure all recalls have been done. If you can't verify the services, take it in and get everything done.
Do *not* let the DEF fluid get below a half tank. The half way mark is about a 2.5 gallon box of DEF so it's a good point to fill it up. DEF goes bad so try not to keep it. All DEF is essentially the same, the most important thing is the freshness. I usually get the malWart cheap stuff.
Do *not* let them idle for more than a few minutes if you can help it, it really gums up the EGR valve system. Some people clean their valve often, but if you drive it on the hiway often so it gets up to operational temp for a bit they don't need it so much. I like to blow ours out with WOT on the entrance ramps or up long hills. Our roadTrek was sold with 230k miles, and we *never* cleaned the EGR, probably because I drove it like I stole it. lol The new owner just got back from a trip from Ohio to Alaska and back, and it still runs great.
Watch out for the BioDiesel, MB does want you to use more than a 5 % blend. You can use it if necessary, but only put in enough to get to the good stuff and then fill it up to dilute what's left. If you have to use it often it will dilute your engine oil and you will need to change it or it causes excessive engine wear.

 

[Rosey Van Man]

Congrats and welcome. In regards to your Mercedes - do you know if all of the recalls have been performed in regards to your SCR system over the years? Are you aware that portions of the SCR system may still be under warranty and that warranty is transferable to the next owner? I still have some items under warranty on my 2013. I have had nothing but problems with mine. Hope yours is better. One other thing that I found out last month during my state inspection, is that the original bracket that holds the dpf (diesel particulate filter) is subject to cracking and breaking, resulting in major damage to other components nearby (google "sprinter dpf bracket"). You may want to check if your bracket has been upgraded or have it inspected at your next service. Perhaps yours is not the original bracket since it is a factory conversion? Mine is not cracked (yet); but, I am planning on having it replaced (~$500). Even tho' it is a design flaw (imo), it is not a recall item. We did manage to tour all 48 states, as well as 10 sprinter service centers in 8 different states. (google "Sprinter 10 starts left"). Good travels.

Just in the process of ascertaining what has and hasn't been replaced, I know about the DPF bracket issue, is it the same issue on the 4 cyl 2.1ltr as the V6
I was told by the salesman that it is a V6 but after checking the VIN it turns out to be a 4 banger ! (already bought the replacement bracket from Europarts ! )
No matter, I will get under it this w/e and double check its condition. though I believe there are two brackets on the 4 Cyl I'm not sure if both parts are a weakness/design fault.
Any comments / advice would be appreciated

 

[Rosey Van Man]

Has anyone got a photo of the the Original DPF bracket on a 2014 4 CYL Sprinter ( you know the one that cracks !!) I think I have the revised design on mine but have nothing to compare it to