Driving the Leisure Travel Van Unity - What's it really like?
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- Опубліковано 24 лип 2024
- Curious what it's like to drive a #LeisureTravelVan ? Unfortunately with a year or more waitlist, it's doubtful a dealer is going to have the stock to even walk through, much less drive. @Leisurevans
So I take off in my 2020 Unity FX in the newly redesigned Mercedes Sprinter chassis and talk about drivability, comfort, safety and more. Hopefully this will help you make a decision regarding a Leisure Travel Van Unity or Wonder.
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Just the type of video I was looking for! Thanks for a good job describing the driving experience!
Glad it was helpful!
Fantastic video. Thank you so much for the test drive. Can’t wait to one day get one of these one day.
Thanks for watching!
Another awesome, informative video!!!!
Glad you liked it!
I really liked this video. You hit a home run thank you.
Thanks!
Great Video. I put a hellway sway bar and sumos springs and improved the ride tremendously. High recommend it. Thx for sharing!!
I am prob gonna get the Sumo soon.
I'm seriously thinking about the Unity RL in the next couple of years thanks for the video.
you won't regret it!
Just took delivery a month ago of our FX and so far I’ve been pretty impressed with the drive of the rig which included mountain roads of UT and CO on the way back to NC.
Yeah, love ours.
I had a 2020 chassis and immediately ungraded springs and sway bar after my first trip down the I-5 with heavily grooved pavement, heavy truck traffic, cross wind etc and taking it along winding coastal roads. While the Unity was a pleasure to drive at lower speeds, not so on freeways and mountain passes. Probably any 25 ft motorhome on a sprinter would be the same. Now towing a small fibreglass trailer…so stress free.
I definitely want sumo springs!
Finally, a good review of the driving dynamics for the new Sprinter Chassis! I will probably add Sumo Springs and forgo a stiffer sway bar. Thanks for posting!!
Glad you enjoyed it
Nice honest review! I have to disagree with you on the TPS (tire pressure sensors). That’s a huge PLUS for me that Sprinter DOESN’T have it. These sensors have a life span of about 7-10 years, after which you have to replace them all (including the spare tire) - that would be 7 total at a cost of about $100 per sensor. Also, the sensors don’t even come on unless your tire is 20-30 psi down at which point you should be able to tell without the sensor if your tire is low. I cary a Milwaukee tire inflator and I have no worries. I agree with you 100% on the rear view mirror issue. Again, great review! Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed the video. Good points about the TPMS for sure
I upgraded the suspension. It made a huge difference. Rocking cut in half etc...! Sumo springs, koni shocks and heilwig sway bar. Forgive me, this is from memory so i might have a name wrong. Worth the money!
I may do it someday for sure!
I've read about the suspension upgrade package you installed and it sounds like a good idea, but will MB void the chassis warranty? I doubt that MB would take issue with Sumo Springs, but what about the Heliwig sway bar and Koni shocks?
@@dna4569 I can't imagine that would affect your warranty, but would be best to check first.
@@Pagosa MB service rep states should not be a problem unless a failure is attributed to non-OE parts. I agree, I cannot see how a stiffer swaybar, thicker bump spring or non-OE shock could induce a failure.
Seriously considering the Unity so your videos have been VERY helpful and informative!!! Thank you!!! Two questions for you: 1. Why do you have your door strapped to the handle? 2. Do you usually store your Keurig - saw it wobble when you hit a pot hole :)
Glad it was helpful. We do keep the Kuerig there and it’s bungied to the faucet. Just a habit with the door. We usually travel with dogs and I’ve heard horror stories of RV doors opening while driving (not LTV; Tiffins mostly), so it’s just habit. So a precaution if it were to open, my dogs wouldn’t go flying out
I want to get an LTV to travel with my dogs so that is a great word and f caution which I will heed!! Thanks for replying!!!
Thanks as always for your excellent vids. Question for you about the A/C while driving say when it's hot outside. Does the cabin AC keep the entire coach fairly cool, or do you run your main (RV) AC while driving? Thanks again, and subbed to the podcast!
If it's 100 degrees and the coach has been sitting all day in the sun, baking, then we will kick the AC on. I'm fortunate that mine runs off battery, but most would start their generator and run the AC in the house while driving down the road. Once it's cooled down a bit, the front cab AC is perfectly adequate. On non 100 degree days, the Cab AC is all you need.
@@Pagosa Thanks a lot for the reply, and for all you do!! Your vids are helping me make the second biggest purchase of my life a lot easier.
Hope to meet you out there on the road one day good sir!
@master tron you have to have a 3000W minimum inverter and some lithium (more the better) and you are good to go
On a six week trip in my 2022 RL. Agree the adaptive cruise control is awesome and makes driving a lot easier. My question is do you use your cruise control when ascending and descending mountain passes? I’d manual shift in my previous RV but I tried using the cruise on my LTV and I seemed to be able to control my speed using the toggle switch on the steering wheel better than I could by using the paddles to upshift and downshift. Like anything else dealing with RVs there are those who say never use your cruise in the mountains and those who say it’s not a problem. Curious as to what you think or have heard. Thanks!
I personally have full control of the LTV while going up and down steep passes.
Picked up the Unity in March and have put 9300 miles on it so far. That Crosswind Assist can be quite startling when you don't expect it. Also, the tires seem to maintain their pressure perfectly. Had to add a quart of oil and have put a total of 4.5 gal of DEF in it so far. Drove some dicey highways (UT-9, US-550, UT-12) and it handled great. The powerful diesel engine really makes those 8% grade climbs a piece of cake. Your video will be really helpful for others!
That’s great you’ve really got to drive it quite a bit so far
What a great video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Informative video thank you! Hubby and I are researching RV's. My question is : Does Janet ever drive the LTV and does she feel comfortable doing so?
She hasn't driven it yet. She's very timid about driving anything, so she's not a great barometer. I know a ton of folks who's wives drive these. They are really easy to drive once you know the details of how it's different from your car.
In my new Unity I am struggling with what to do when you make soft left turns, because you have NO visibility unless you have a passenger to tell you when to go. Did you add any extra mirrors? Or am I doing something very wrong?
Hmmm, I haven’t had a problem with that. The small mirror on the right should be able to help with that
I live in down in Austin were people like to hang out in your blind spot. Are the side mirrors adequate for blind spot monitoring? Thanks, great video.
Very adequate. As long as you are aware, should have no problem
Wish there was a video of interior with the slide in.
I think I have a few if you search my channel
I saw on Andrew Steele's UA-cam channel where he had a vibration at 70 mph on the steering wheel on his Sprinter chassis. He contacted a MB rep that he know and was advised that Michelin tires will make a Mercedes Benz ride smoother. So he replaced his Continental Tires with Michelin Tires. He said that it was a 1500 dollar upgrade and it solved the ride quality issue that he had. You may want to look at this if you have Continental Tires on your Sprinter Chassis?
He has the older chassis, so that may also have something to do with it as well. I've never experienced this, but will prob go with Michelins when the time comes to replace.
I also switched to Michelins and it made a huge difference!
True
Can you fit a folding bike in the Unity? The Dahon Mariner for instance.
I'm sure you could. Lot's of room just inside the door
Great video. What’s your MPH when you are getting 17 miles to a gallon? Would you feel comfortable doing 70-72 on a smooth interstate, no wind and not much traffic? Thanks
I like to go 65 just for safety, but 70 is super comfortable. That 17.6 in the video was 65-70 plus a bit of off highway driving. It’s MPG is amazing.
Would upgrading to the sumo springs and fox shocks reduce your OCCC? Increase it or stay about the same? Thanks.
The Sumo would be added weight, but the Fox would just cancel out the ones you are replacing (plus or minus any weight difference in them). They wouldn't add capacity, as that is a factory set limit, but only take away OCCC. Hope that helps.
@@Pagosa Thanks for the info. That was helpful!
You speak about nav system.. how much is the cost to update the maps? Our van's nav system cost right at $300.00 for the update. So I just bought a Garmin with lifetime map updates.
I don’t use the maps on the system. I use Google or Apple Maps on CarPlay.
How is the fit and finish wrt rattle and noises while driving? Thanks!
It's great. LTV truly has one of the best fit and finish in the biz. In my floorplan, the only squeak culprit is the front TV as it's on an extendable arm. I use a piece of pool noodle to snug it up and it's great. You will hear more than in a car for sure, but actually very little compared to most RV's.
As a soon to be newbie, we are looking hard at the LTV Rear Lounge but the wait time and investment has us thinking about getting a cheaper option to test the waters of whether we are ready for the lifestyle. (Not full time, maybe just winters in a warmer climate). Did you start out cheaper and work your way up? We are concerned going cheap will turn us off and we won’t continue. Thanks for your insight. I watch all of your Videos. Keep up the good work!
I actually was going to go with a half million dollar class A initially, so the LTV was a much nicer thought for my wallet. I 100% agree that going cheaper may turn you off of RVing. There are so many models that spend months in service right after they are bought because of quality. So imagine spending just a bit less than an LTV and not getting to use it. You won’t be disappointed with an LTV and I say “if you are gonna be a bear, be a Grizzly bear!”
@@Pagosa Thanks! Curious, are you retired or do you have a remote job that allows you to be on the road? (Or maybe being an influencer is your job!)
I own a few business’ in Dallas that I have a great team that manages, so allows me to have a bit more time for this hobby. I still spend a lot of time in Dallas and go to the office while I’m there. But I plan to do that less soon, Thanks for watching!
@@Pagosa Thanks!
Great job! How is the road noise?
I realized I didn't touch on it while I was editing. It's actually not terrible. I make sure to secure everything and the TV behind the passenger seat is the worst culprate, but a piece of pool noodle takes care of helping secure it. As far as road noise, there is a bit more than a typical automobile, but nothing you would be annoyed by.
Hi Brandon, good video. Regarding noise, any problems with the slide? Noise, draft, rattles, whatever while driving? Thanks
How do they do in the snow or winter driving?
Probably not well. I don’t take mine out in weather like that, but I’m sure there are a few who do. Just slow and steady if you do.
I heard years ago that a diesel is meant to run parked for hours, unlike a gasoline engine.
Not these diesels, due to emissions components and such. Mercedes advises no longer idling than about 5 minutes.
Thanks for being "honest with" me...I wouldn't want you to be dishonest.
Well, it is the best policy 😉
Does the unit bottom out much in the rear?
It would have to be very steep. Never bottomed out mine
Love your videos but it would be nice if you turned the camera away from you and showed more of the LTV. I really hoped this video you would have walked around and showed the vehicle and it’s features more.
That’s coming soon, Plus Dean does a much better job than me, lol. This was driving vid and had to be stationary camera.
I ordered a Wonder do to arrive in September that I no longer want because of unforseen circumstances. Can you recommend a good place to sell it. If I don't take delivery I will loose my $10,000 deposit! It's loaded.
Don't worry you'll sell it in a minute. With wait times now almost 24 months, everyone wants them! We sold our old one on RVTrader in a week. Take delivery! You'll probably make a profit!
I agree with this
You had to give a 10K non refundable deposit?
@@barbaracallahan4095 Yes I did but after much persuation they finally refunded the money.
Pressure Pro makes a nice TPMS that screws onto the existing valve stems and connects to your phone. You dont need a Professional to set it up. DIY.
The issue with these sprinters is they need a metal valve stem installed to support the weight of the sensors, That's why I've never added one, as those leak as well in some cases.
I see you have a strap from the inside mounted handle over to your door. Is this just a precaution?
Yes, it’s a bungie cord and I usually only have it when the dogs are in the coach. I’ve heard stories of Class A coaches door flying open and assume it could happen to any coach
Is that a speaker behind your neck? If so, how did you connect it?
@@2000ReRyRo No, it's a pillow of sort. It has a strap that attaches and is a nice neck rest.
Great work, sir Could! Could I cash app you to if you can find me a 2021 Rear Lounge?! By 5he way your video information is far superior!
Haha, if I could find them, I would be rolling in the dough, lol
@@Pagosa Understandable
@@Pagosa how long was your wait
I want to buy.
You should!
@@Pagosa yes
I really think these are underpowered. My 2012 VW Touareg 6 cylinder TDI makes 250 hp and 405 pf torque, and that vehicle weighs 5000 pounds. I can’t imagine driving an 11,000 pound vehicle with that small an engine.
You’d be surprised. Don’t know the engineering involved, but it can take off very confidently. I’m actually in the mountains right now and I pass people pulling travel trailers all day heading up a pass
Interesting comparison. I think it is more a matter of the transmission and gearing rather than HP and torque. I imagine the new 7-speed transmission gives better performance and MPG as well. Yes, I'd like to see more of both in the diesel engine but the MB engineers likely found the sweet spot before locking down the specs on the engine/transmission.
It's easy, never going to have a ford of any kind...So it's UNITY
Great choice
you never did a walk thru WTF , all you did was run your mouth, lol
Hi Ray, are you wanting a walkthrough on a video called "driving the Leisure Travel Van"? Cause that might be more dangerous than me running my mouth 😂. Also, do you speak this way to humans in person, or just online? Cause that's hilarious if you do.
Some of the most comprehensive coverage have come form Pagosa Adventures and this is your response?!?! Please go troll somewhere else!!!
Clown. Go away Ray.
I have a 2020 Unity with Mercedes 3500 chassis: nightmare on first trip where control/computer module malfunctioned & nearly got us killed, several times. The GPS mapping took us 640kms off course, into a Cole mine in the middle of western Canada - malfunction that resulted in a 9-1-1 call to police in order to get 'pinged' & talked out of the mine(thank u RCMP). Stranded3 times at gas pump when control module disabled the transmission & wouldn't put veh in Drive: no one at Mercedes would tell me how to reset the cpu when this accurred. Zero customer service from Triple E- don't try to make a warranty claim! Mercedes is also a useless manufacture & of no service when things go wrong on the road. Worst purchase ever!! Triple E socks- don't waste your money
triple e sucks
Is this a true story?