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Topic: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel (Read 1520 times) previous topic - next topic

Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

We spotted this 2016 MB Sprinter 3500 170 at Foretravel yesterday. Four vehicles, when completed, will ship to MB dealer(s). Bath is curbside, midship, just aft side entry door. Galley has dorm-sized fridge and drawer type microwave scheduled. Pretty interesting project!
Paul & Kathleen
1995 U320c SE 40'
Build 4681 --Cummins M11 /17511
"That Irish Girl"
Red MINI " 40"

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #1 –
That is interesting but they are entering a very crowded market I fear.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #2 –
I'm in agreement with John S on this one.
Winnebago & Airstream have the name recognition. Foretravel? What's that? will be the over riding question from customers wandering into an MB dealer and seeing the name on the door.
Foretravel will have to hit a grand slam with a very unique & well done B class Mercedes just to not sink to the bottom of the apple barrel. 
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #3 –
Better late than never?!?
1998 U270 34'

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #4 –
Love seeing this and wish them all the best with their Sprinter projects!
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #5 –
Maybe Foretravel just entered into an agreement with a dealer to do some conversions on spec only.  This is not unsusal.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #6 –
This program has been ongoing since 2016 and has ben discussed at the Motorcade Grandvention. I believe it is planned to be a production unit - not sure how they plan to go to market with it.

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start

TCER Direct generator-gas-prod 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #7 –
Born Free is still not up and running.  Maybe Foreteavel ought to try and buy them out and pick up their class C business.

John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Old Knucklehead –
We spotted this 2016 MB Sprinter 3500 170 at Foretravel yesterday. Four vehicles, when completed, will ship to MB dealer(s). Bath is curbside, midship, just aft side entry door. Galley has dorm-sized fridge and drawer type microwave scheduled. Pretty interesting project!

That's been a standard layout for a MB Sprinter based B for many years regardless of the name on the outside.

Chris

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #9 –
Hmm 1 inefficient business x 2 may not work but good fit
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #10 –
That would be great but I fear FT does not have the funds bit it might be cheap enough.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #11 –
Quote from: John S –
That is interesting but they are entering a very crowded market I fear.

Agree on very crowded, and in a true B very challenging to differentiate yourself.  There just aren't many ways to do the floorplan.

Airstream certainly has the name recognition/marketing out there, and a number of MB dealers are already selling them.

While picking up our LTV yesterday we overheard a customer conversation about the different B offerings with our dealer - in this case they were definitely comparing price and not "seeing" enough difference between low and high end to justify the higher cost.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #13 –
I saw this project when they were just starting the substructure for the interior. There was one overhead cabinet installed. My first impression was that it was a typical Foretravel  built like a tank, but that it was going to be really heavy. I will be curious to see how it turns out.
2002 U320 40Ft  MC # 15759
Coach # 5995
Previous coaches
2002 U320 coach  #5941
1996 U270 coach #4808

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #14 –
Designing for small spaces is fascinating. If you Google the Düsseldorf RV show, every inch goes "Transformers" quickly and smoothly on many Euro models. Is anyone importing some of these gizmos to the States?

I'd buy the optional rear-slide screen room, with the folding deck and the little rear awning. Some of you will remember the VW Westphalia free-standing tents, I'll bet! It "felt big."

As an old MB fan, I liked what I saw. P

P.S. Kathleen won't let me spy on the Prevost job just around the corner. Humph.
Paul & Kathleen
1995 U320c SE 40'
Build 4681 --Cummins M11 /17511
"That Irish Girl"
Red MINI " 40"

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #15 –
Just around which corner???
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #16 –
Foretravel in NAC, third building down. On yer left. You can't miss it.  >:D  (My first emoji.)
Paul & Kathleen
1995 U320c SE 40'
Build 4681 --Cummins M11 /17511
"That Irish Girl"
Red MINI " 40"

Re: Sprinter Projects at Foretravel

Reply #17 –
Fitting out a small space like the Sprinter has takes a huge amount of experience. Not only does it have to be super space efficient but lightweight and durable on top of that. I'm amazed how sliding panels, floors that open to hot tubs, etc., have been engineered to fit into a small living space in places like Hong Kong. It's no wonder designers from that background have been able to shift gears into building a very livable but compact recreational vehicle. Where fuel costs almost twice as much and it's pedal to the metal on the highway, people don't want to carry around any more weight than necessary.

On top of all this, when you open the door, it's got to have good feng shui or it won't sell.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)