Some recent history

[kenpavol]

Haven't posted recently. The wife and I took a western tour, mostly in Wyoming, for the month of August. Had a great time and the G24 averaged about 22.5 mpg. Went down to the Fl Keys in January and got an amazing 24.5 on one flatlands tank through Ga and Fl.
Put a new set of tires on the van. I checked on the Michelins and found that Michelin had purchased Uniroyal and so I ended up with a set of those. I have 10,000 miles on them and they appear to be wearing like iron. We purchased this RV with 52 K and have nearly 64K. I contacted Dr A to get in line for his services. He said an RV sprinter should have the tranmission serviced by now so I'll get that. He also suggested a brake fluid change out if we are running steep mountains like in the Rockies. I have an engine light that comes and goes. Andy said that is probably a glow plug issue. He will run full diagnostics on the van. Can't believe he is only about an hour and a half north of here near Pittsburgh. What a great resource! If you're not aware of who Andy is, check out posts about Dr A on the forum.
I want to tow my flats skiff down to the Gulf with the van so I installed a trailer hitch. Then I found the OEM trailer wiring is more expensive than the hitch! Haven't installed it yet. Too much snow on the ground and I can't get this tall rig in my garage.
I talked my wife into buying a sprinter RV, and the G24 in particular. She thought it would work out OK. Turns out she loves this rig and the freedom of traveling from place to place in it. It's great fun.
Side note: the knob on my Fantastic fan just kind of broke off in my hand. The real problem is the vent cap gets stuck where it seals. I called Fantastic Fan and they offered to send a new knob, plus a couple packs of silicon lube for the seal, and 303 Protectant to shield the top from UV damage...for free! This on a 2005 RV with the fan way out of warranty. That's what I call great customer service. Going to head back to Florida and the Gulf coast soon. More later.

[Chelsea]

Ken,

I tried to message you privately but I am new to this forum and could not figure out how to do so. I am an artist actively pursuing a Sprinter to travel to art festivals. I need to haul 1600 lbs of display set up with me. I am looking at a 2005 G24 Vista Cruiser but the unit on its own weighs 6800 lbs and its payload is 8500. My husband is concerned that fully loading the vehicle is going to cause undue stress. I am wondering if you have loaded yours to the max and if so how it performs. I like all the amenities offered by the Cruiser but he worries there is too much in the RV conversion that can "go wrong" and maintaining will be too challenging. Have you found the RV parts tend to break/need fixing? (He wants us to buy a new Sprinter and do some modifications, bed, sink etc. We go back and forth between the finished 2005 unit and buying new.)

The one I am looking at is $44,000 which seems a little steep.

Any feedback from a seasoned 2005 owner would be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Chelsea

[Bikeboy57]

Ok, I also think 44k is a little steep for an 05. Gulfstream is not at the top of the pecking order for conversions. Sorry, don't flame me, I bought one.

I haven't had any unusual or difficult problems with mine. The hot water heater is a joke, but the rest of the rig is solid.

Think twice about doing your own conversion, unless you are extremely talented and have LOTS of free time.

[kenpavol]

Just noticed your post and questions. Not sure where you got those weight numbers. The G24 weighs very close to the GVW limit just as it sits. In fact some newer models than my 05, like a friends 07 G24 don't have the spare tire to stay under the weight limit. It's a 3/4 ton van and is pretty much at the limit in the stock G24 configuration.
Aside from that it's been a solid RV for my wife and I. We've put 30K miles with very few issues. The fan belt broke on the last run, the only thing that has disabled it. But we were right next door to a Dodge dealer and got it up and running quickly, pure luck there. Like the other post noted, the water heater only increases temp less than 20 degrees, so unless the water in the water tank is pretty warm already, you don't get much effect. On the positive side, you can park it almost anywhere. We pull right into restaurant parking lots no problem. Try that w a Class A or C. Also, it averages about 22.5 mpg. Maintenance is important. I'm fortunate to only be an hour away from the esteemed Dr A, and he services the van. Seach him on the forum to learn more. A G24 is cozy inside, read tight quarters. The bed is best suited for smaller people, men up to about 5' 11" or so and not good for large people. We changed out the stock mattress, which is light and sort of thin.

[apoverton]

We have a g30 2007. On the 2nd trip the faucet nozzle broke off. Too 2 hours on the web to find a replacement. Even the sink maker could not show where to buy. 83 bucks.

Shower door and tracks replaced for 1300, yikes
Cabinets scratch easy of course it is easy to bump into these

I have receipts of 3000 spent over 3 years.

Unfortunately all RVs have lower quality stuff. Replacing stuff is just part of the game.
Hopefully you are a good handyman or know one who works cheap.

Good luck

[apoverton]

Price wise I paid 32000 for a 2007 one with 14000 miles. Good deal I think