Test DRIVING Ram 5500 CLASS C RV and COMPARISON to Sprinter Van

Рет қаралды 4,273

9 ай бұрын

In this video, I go over a quick tour of the Ram 5500 CAB Chassis portion of my Dynamax Class C Motorhome. I also show how the RV drives/handles on the road.
Sorry for the poor audio quality.
If you would rather watch camping/traveling type of videos:
My wife and kid's channel show the types of trips we do: / @rvlifefamily .

Пікірлер: 42

@SoloHiker1 Ай бұрын

I'm currently in Grand Teton, outside the laundry. I've been talking to three Mercedes RV Van owners telling me they can not get their Mercedes worked on for over 4 hours away...my Ford E450 has a repair shop in Yellowstone and Jackson...LOL.

@rvlifediy Ай бұрын

Yeah E450 definitely has more service locations. The challenge is if the facility has a lift big enough to fit an RV if lifting is required.

@recordingmastering 4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much for the ride along.

@rvlifediy 4 ай бұрын

👍

@richardkunkle1035 8 ай бұрын

Thank you…I enjoy your videos. We had a 2019 isada 3 that we traded in 3 weeks ago for the same unit as yours, an isada 5 FW30 xplorer 2023 in the dark paint scheme.

@rvlifediy 8 ай бұрын

Nice. Enjoy your I5. It has some quirks that needs to be worked out but has a solid foundation to work with.

@SoloHiker1 Ай бұрын

My 2007 Dynamax Isata 250 is going strong. Workmanship is far above what's being sold today. Looking at upgrading to the 32KD now.

@CanadasOceanPlayground 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for the driving review, seems excellent compared when going up and down the mountains again, compared to the Mercedes Sprinter 177 24.5 ( not cut away chassis) ride and power, to bad your microphone’s messed up. I have bad wind buffeting ( Side to side wobble) when behind the big rigs and its so bad I have to pass them or back off , yes in high winds its bad so I take to the back roads when possible. I have the Factory VB air ride that helps somewhat and does help to keep the van level with reduced rocking when exiting uneven parking lots and driveways. Thanks again !

@rvlifediy 9 ай бұрын

For the buffeting, the Sprinter benefits most with front sumo springs, and front adjustable koni struts (set to max or little under max if you need more comfort). That is what I did with my cutaway, but I"m sure your regular van would benefit the same. Yes sucks on the audio, but I didn't want to film it again. Some of the video footage was pretty old, and I needed to get it off my computer.

@edwardzvonik7157 4 ай бұрын

Love your videos. We just picked up a 2023 and so far very happy with it. Been working with a couple of different dealers and can't get the dish tv system to work. Have you had any problems with it? If so how did you fix it? The ESC system has been a problem but Ram says its now fixed. Hoping to get on the road soon.

@rvlifediy 4 ай бұрын

I don't use the dish at all. I stream with starlink, so I don't use the dish. Are you dish or direct TV? You need to turn on the switch in the cabinet above the door to turn the satellite on. It takes a while and you will hear all the motors turning. You need to have the correct receiver as well. Inside the dish on the roof, there is dip switches that you need to set if you have Dish. It comes standard with Direct TV settings on the dip switches.

@rvlifediy 4 ай бұрын

I haven't had any issues with ESC so not familiar with the problem. I did have some type of ESC go out at the beginning of ownership and my cruise quite working. I discovered the wiring was loose on the right front passenger wheel. The esc wiring snaps into a u shaped retainer, and the wire fell out of the retainer. I snapped it back in. That was about 10,000 miles ago, so no issues since.

@user-er6pt5mr2d 2 ай бұрын

Great video just like all of them. Like you had I have a 21 View now but seriously looking at the IS 28SS or the Europa. I am a bit intimidated by the size of each especially the Europa so from a size perspective I believe the IS would be a better match for me though I am very impressed with the frieghtliner M2 chassis and how you sit driving it vs the IS. I have also researched the liquid springs as an add on to the Ram chassis. I wondered if you had looked at the LS and feel it would be a nice add on or like I hear a much needed add on for the IS due to it being a heavy duty truck riding vehicle. Any thoughts you have on adding the LS as well as any comparison thoughts on the IS vs the Europa would be appreciated. I look forward to future videos. Thanks.

@rvlifediy 2 ай бұрын

The Europa is much bigger either though on paper they seem only a little larger. I like the newer freightliner plus chassis that the some 2024 models and future models will have. I didn't pick the Europa specifically due to the old M2 dash configuration. The plus chassis took care of many of the issues. The I5 seems much larger than the View but manageable. Freightliner will have better storage than the I5 as well. I didn't want to tow a car and needed the 4x4 so I5 was the choice for me and my wife wanted the larger up front bunk. I5 is tough to find a service location and freightliner will be easier. Either one will be a big step up from the View. I'd double check the quality on both before you make a deal. Dig deep in your inspection.

@rvlifediy 2 ай бұрын

I did and still do think about the liquid springs. I have a quote to do it but haven't decided if it's worth putting that much money into the I5 especially if I only hold onto the RV for a few years. It rides fine as is for me, either though I'd like it to be better. Still much better ride than the sprinter.

@jeffreym7669 8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for the comparison between the ride and handling of your Spinter based VIEW and the Isata 5 30FW. I'm actually surprised that you say its that much better to dirve at highway speeds. Is it just the weight of the chasis/ Center of gravity? Shape of the coach? I'm curious why you think it is that much better. I have a 2023 Tiffin Wayfarer. I've added the Fox 2.5 shocks, Helwig 777 sway bar and it came from Tiffin with the Summo springs. Afer the upgrades I feel comfortable on the highway at speeds around 65. The other day I ran the cruise up to 68 and a wind gust came along and the Sprinter kicked in the wind mitigation thing. Spooky! I'm curious how fast you used to cruise in your View. I saw you cruising at 80 in your video. I would never even "try" to go 80 in my Tiffin Wayfarer. Anything else you can add on this would be approiciated. I thought I was going to have to go up to an M2 based Super C to get the stability you seem to have at highway speeds. I was also interested in your comment that the Europa felt underpowered compared to the Isata 5. Makes sense I guess. Thanks again for taking the time to do that video. It exectly what I needed as I consider moving to an Isata 5 34DS. I want some of the features of the layout of that floorplan. DO you think it will ride the same as the 30FW? Maybe better do to the longer wheelbase?

@rvlifediy 8 ай бұрын

I use to run about 74-77 in my View. I had the extra helper spring in the rear along with the sumos, fox, and track bar. Had the koni adjustables with sumos in the front as well. They all helped a lot, but couldn't defeat the laws of physics with the narrow front and rear track. The Isata 5 has an impressive track width on the front and rear, and yes the longer wheelbase also adds to the factor of a very stable ride. The 34 floorplan has a slightly better wheelbase length than the 30fw so it won't be any worse for sure. The only thing to watch out for on the 34 is the occc. Thse smaller truck based super cs still have occc challenges. Hope that helps. For the fit and finish, your wayfarer might be a little better and definitely not worse. I think dynamax needs improvement on the fit and finish.

@fredfromboston812 9 ай бұрын

Hey thanks for taking us along for the ride,,I felt like I was in the passenger seat. Quick question did you look at or consider the Dynamax Europa?? I would love to hear your thoughts on that one. Thanks

@rvlifediy 9 ай бұрын

Hi Fred, yes I did look at the Europa 31SS and that was originally my first choice, but I felt the engine was underpowered. It's the exact same engine as the I5 I have but it weighs 5-6 thousand pounds more. So the things I didn't like about the Europa was the smaller engine, terrible cab, ancient dash, no adaptive cruise, lane assist, etc. It has great occc though. So with the Ram having 4x4 and modern cab features, it won over from the Europa because the floorplan and all interior finishes with the exception of the ceiling is identical. Freightliner is supposed to have a more modern interior in 2024 chasissis so it may be better. It would probably be best if you test drive them both on the freeway.

@fredfromboston812 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for the quick reply. I agree with the antiquated dash and features with the freight liner dash and features I made this same comment on a Freightliner overview site about being stuck in the seventies sort of,,,, however I am becoming a fan of Dynamax these days. Thanks again

@TravelingKory 8 ай бұрын

@@rvlifediythx for the great breakdown, especially mentioning adaptive cruise. Been considering semi-based Super C's as well but really like the Isata 5 for potentially traveling down light trail, packed beach sand and forest/fire roads. Appreciate you and your videos! 😊👍

@milosusa 7 ай бұрын

Nice RV, we are looking to switch from our 5th to super C. Was looking on Nexus Rebel and Thor Omni , but never saw in person Dynamax Isata 5. But we will need to tow trailer with SxS in it . Just curious, what is the cargo caring capacity of this rig ? THX

@rvlifediy 7 ай бұрын

My OCCC is about 1800 with the options I have. I've seen them range from 1600-1800. The 5500 or F550 chassis super C's all have a pretty low OCCC overall. The longer floorplans with the F600 chassis will have better OCCC. Not sure of your tongue weight with SS will be, but OCCC can definitely be an issue. I think the Nexus on the new Chev chassis also has the larger 6500 chassis option on their bigger floor plans.

@edwardzvonik7157 4 ай бұрын

80 mph, what are the tires rated at. Dynamax suggested not to run over 70 due to the weight. I have the tires set at the level stated on the tire 95psi. Have you had any problems?

@rvlifediy 4 ай бұрын

Tires are rated at 87mph. Not sure how Dynamax comes up with 70mph. I haven't seen it in any literature. Speed limit in the area I drove was 80mph. Typically I travel about 74 mph. I have my tires at 95psi front and back as stated on the door sticker. That rating is for max GVWR, which the Isata 5 pretty much runs max. No issues.

@MSMaifield 9 ай бұрын

I'm interested in possibly trading up from our Isata 3 24FW and have sat in the Isata 5 30FW at our dealer. I didn't like the view, but the seat was definitely more comfortable (the Sprinter seat is really bad for me at 6'4" / 270). Neither compare to our last Winnebago DP, so the other option was a look at the Winnebago 29NP. Good seats and great view, but the power bed above will put new dents in my head! Looking forward to your mods! Did you see the 'offroad' Xtream package displayed at the recent dealer show? Liquid Springs 4 point suspension could be a winner, but not to sure about the other features. Cheers Mike

@rvlifediy 9 ай бұрын

I looked at the 29NP but didn't like the smaller ford chassis. I never took it for a test drive but could imagine that it wouldn't handle the best. I saw the lift package from liquid springs before the RVs were released. I actually had a quote from liquid springs when I first got the I5 but didn't want to commit to the cost and more importantly the time and commute to get the work done. I may still get the liquid springs with the lift but I do not want the extreme package wheels package. Those tires handle terrible on the highway at high speed and limited to reduced speed. If I go through with it, I would get the lift and some smaller AT tires (but larger than current)and keep the dually set up as well. That way I would get better ground clearance and heavier duty tires without having to look so extreme.

@MSMaifield 9 ай бұрын

@@rvlifediy The 29NP had a good layout with some strange equipment choices: nice 320 Amp lithium but only 1K inverter; 6 gal tank WH; small microwave & LP cooktop w/oven. The F-53 is supposed to be improved and Liquid Springs friendly and only 30ft. I suspect Ford truck service options might be better. We didn't test drive either.

@rvlifediy 9 ай бұрын

@MSMaifield yes I liked the floorplan better on the 29NP and noticed the bigger lithium but small inverter. When I checked the chassis, liquid springs was not available for that particular one. I believe it had the lowest rated F53 and that turned me off. .

@guentherwilke2055 9 ай бұрын

I didn't catch where talked about the chassis extension issue.

@rvlifediy 9 ай бұрын

Check at the 10:19 mark. Has more to do with the servicing.

@guentherwilke2055 9 ай бұрын

@@rvlifediy Thanks. So it is an issue that impacts serviceability, not something that impacts frame integrity. When I worked at the (Chevy) dealer 30 years ago, RVs were a nightmare to get in.

@rvlifediy 9 ай бұрын

Yes the 5 Ram dealers in my area don't have service bays long enough to get this 33'3" RV into their bay. They can't make the turn, and also even if they could, the rv would stick out in the lane and block access. They had to work on it outside but refused any service that requires a lift. Some newer RAM dealers have proper shops with a large service bay but none in my area.

@John-hq6em 6 ай бұрын

Wow, 80 mph in a fairly big RV….I’d hate to have to do a sudden stop or have a tire blowout.

@rvlifediy 6 ай бұрын

Yes 80 is a little fast but not out of the ordinary on "some" interstates out west. I typically cruise at 76-78 which works for me but may not for others. Some rigs handle better than others as well. I know many that aren't too stable at 65.

@jasoncruz3506 6 ай бұрын

2021 didn’t offer heated seats or assist. My wife would be jealous.

@rvlifediy 6 ай бұрын

Surprised it doesn't have it. It should have been a feature started in the 2019 Ram. Is you chassis older? Dynamax has many I3 and I5 models with 2 year old chassis compared to model year RV. Maybe covid made it even worse?

@jasoncruz3506 6 ай бұрын

Chassis is a 2020 campers are 21 supposedly the lane Was taken out because of shortage of some kind of part due to Covid heated seats and hand don’t know and No heated steering wheel

@jasoncruz3506 6 ай бұрын

So chassis is a 2020 camper is a 21

@rvlifediy 6 ай бұрын

@@jasoncruz3506 you can get the Ram build sheet and see what the factory was supposed to have. May be a simple mod to add them if the wiring for the option was all done, but build sheet should tell you.

@jasoncruz3506 6 ай бұрын

I’ll see where would I get the build sheet