Too many vans!
- Thread starter stupiddog0-3
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Water under the bridge now, but my first piece of advice would have been the same as OVM's, do not enter expediting with a Sprinter as your first time vehicle. It's just to expensive of a vehicle to learn the business and the maintenance requirement quirks of a Sprinter by trial and error. You can afford a lot of mistakes with a $5000 Ford, but not so much with a Sprinter, especially one with a monthly payment.
My second bit of advice would be, if you have school-age or younger children at home, don't become an expediter. Your wife is now a single mother in all practical respects, and she will make decisions accordingly, as they need to be made. When you come home every three or four weeks and suddenly want to take on the role of "man of the house", it's a family and marriage disaster in the making. So be very cognizant of that fact.
So, at this point my advice would be, first, whether you are leased to a company, or run on your own, or run for several smaller carriers, it's a small business, not a job. The only difference is how you obtain your loads and how you get paid. Second, you drive a Mercedes, so you have to think with a European mentality when it comes to maintenance. Everything you think you know about maintaining a vehicle is probably wrong, because "tried and true" with an American slop bucket doesn't work at all with a Sprinter.
Other than windshield washer fluid, under no circumstances should you add any fluid to your Sprinter that's not on the Mercedes Benz List of Approved Fluids. Always stick to The List.
Do as much of at least the routine maintenance as you can yourself. At the very least get a Fumoto Drain Valve and do your own oil changes. By doing it yourself using approved oil, you'll save yourself $100-$150 per oil change versus having it done at a dealer. When it comes time to have the transmission fluid changed (which is about every 30,000 miles, seriously), provide the fluid to the dealer, rather than spending dealer list for it. Change your own cabin and engine and fuel filters. You can change your own fuel filter for $40, versus $150 at the dealer.
Whenever possible, obtain parts online instead of buying them from the dealer. Most dealers will install user-supplied parts. Some parts are fine to get aftermarket items from places like Autozone and Rock Auto, but the more critical parts you're better off getting OEM parts from Europarts.
Educate yourself about your Sprinter. Spend a lot of time reading the Truck Talk forum here, as well as the Sprinter Talk and N3CV forums at the Sprinter-Source forums.
I wish you luck.
paullud
Veteran Expediter
I agree same MO, but anyway if you are trying to support a family, pay for a house and want to drive then TT or ST is the route I would highly recommend.
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stupiddog0-3
Active Expediter
Thanks Turtle. Thats for sure on the Sprinter, it takes 12 quarts or 11 and a half and they have to be the Mobil1 540 synthetic at like $7.50 ea plus the $15.00 filter every 10,000 miles and a $65 fuel filter every 20,000 The cheapest oil change I found was at Fraightliner in Kansas City Mo. for $150 without the fuel filter. You dont just go in and get it done ether,it can be an all day thing with no appointment. I would never buy another one. As far as the wife and kids go, I am married to a mean little Red Head that thinks she is in charge anyway so I just relax when I get home. It is hard being gone but starving and homeless is not an option for me. We have been married 10 years and she only likes me every once in a while any way. I dont plan on doing this forever and the plan was for a year to get us going again but I think it may be longer now. I talk to the kids a lot on the road when possible. I do buy food at Walmart and cook in the van when possible. I do fear a 7 to 10 thousand dollar break down that would turn that Sprinter into a shed. If I make it I will turn into an owner sooner or later and not a driver, if I make it!
cannedmeat27
Expert Expediter
It takes 13.2 quarts on my 08 sprinter. You can also use oil other than Mobil if you choose. I was using Mercedes approved pennzoil for awhile. You can also get fuel filters cheaper than 65 dollars as well.
The good news: you'll have plenty of free time to absorb the critical info provided by Turtle, OVM, Xiggi [all successful Sprinter guys] and others, as Jan/Feb is a slow time for expedite.
The bad news: You'll probably spend a lot of the time away from home, which is tough on your family [esp when you're just sitting for a couple days], and I'm guessing it will be hard for you, too. Because first time drivers generally don't hit the road equipped with the comforts of home, and the temptation to deadhead home can be very hard to resist, and expensive to succumb.
I hope your wife is as dedicated to your success as you are, and can handle being a single parent most of the time, and understands why you can't get home for the occasions that most husbands & fathers would attend - if so, you're fortunate, indeed. Also, you didn't mention how old the kids are, but if they're under about 14, they will miss you a lot - it's important to stay in contact as much as you can.
It's also important to save money, so find the freebies wherever you can. If you use a cooler, get ice free at truckstops [use your own large cup - it may take a couple trips to get enough, but the exercise doesn't hurt, lol]. Water is free [again: truckstops. Coffee stations have a sink.] Showers are free on the Ohio Turnpike [bring your own towel & soap], and at truckstops with a driver reward card points. Buying frozen [or canned] meals at the big store and microwaving them [truckstop, if you don't have one] is a LOT cheaper than 'fast' food, etc
The bad news: You'll probably spend a lot of the time away from home, which is tough on your family [esp when you're just sitting for a couple days], and I'm guessing it will be hard for you, too. Because first time drivers generally don't hit the road equipped with the comforts of home, and the temptation to deadhead home can be very hard to resist, and expensive to succumb.
I hope your wife is as dedicated to your success as you are, and can handle being a single parent most of the time, and understands why you can't get home for the occasions that most husbands & fathers would attend - if so, you're fortunate, indeed. Also, you didn't mention how old the kids are, but if they're under about 14, they will miss you a lot - it's important to stay in contact as much as you can.
It's also important to save money, so find the freebies wherever you can. If you use a cooler, get ice free at truckstops [use your own large cup - it may take a couple trips to get enough, but the exercise doesn't hurt, lol]. Water is free [again: truckstops. Coffee stations have a sink.] Showers are free on the Ohio Turnpike [bring your own towel & soap], and at truckstops with a driver reward card points. Buying frozen [or canned] meals at the big store and microwaving them [truckstop, if you don't have one] is a LOT cheaper than 'fast' food, etc
Kelsy Grammar!
No comment on this thread!
I plead the fifth of tequila!
You're changing your oil and fuel filters too soon IMHO (unless it's under warranty and that's what it calls for).
stupiddog0-3
Active Expediter
Thanks for the info. What problems have you had with your Sprinter and how many miles on it so far? Also what is the difference in price on the oil. and where do you get the filters? Again thanks.
stupiddog0-3
Active Expediter
Yea its under warranty now but how often do you change yours?
Falligator
Expert Expediter
I can use some of that this evening. This cold is the pits
stupiddog0-3
Active Expediter
Thanks for the info. I have it pretty set up now with a twin bed a pee tube, propane heat- I crack the window so not to die, a generator and DirecTv till they turn it off. I also have the good old Colman stove and am a pretty good van cook. My wife and kids do miss me but they are really happy to see me when I do get home. I was out a month last due to the company change and that was too long.
Pee tube... Yeah... Maybe he could explain that one, cuz it sounds like something that would allow him to pee on the pavement under his van and I think we'd all like to give him the benefit of the doubt that he's not that type of disgusting lowlife.
cannedmeat27
Expert Expediter
Some napa dealers have the filters. Fuel filters are around 45 dollars. I also go to sprinter filters.com fuelfilters online are around 45. Oil filters if you buy 10 at a time were a little under 10 dollars apiece. Cab filter and engine air filter were aprox. 25 dollars each. Pennzoil and Mobil 1 both cost between 7-9 a quart. Pennzoil you can get at some dodge dealers that still work on sprinters. Mobil 1 I get that at freightliner and Mercedes dealers.
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cannedmeat27
Expert Expediter
Problems I've had in 2012 were a turbo,dpf filter,wheel sensor, alternator,all pulleys,water pump,power steering pump,belts. Everything changed was original so I hope I'm good for awhile. I have 236451 miles. Pm me if you need more info. Ps I also drive a br unit with FedEx so that's why I have to idle so much. I tend to wear parts out quickly.
Oil between 15-18 and fuel filter 40k (on an 06)
stupiddog0-3
Active Expediter
I don't park at TA. Maybe yall could post your home address so I can park in your drive while in town. Now if you see a leaking Sprinter you know. Yall use bathrooms up north?
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