Sprinter

[Dobewish]

Hi
I am considering selling my shop and going mobile. Does anyone have a sprinter and is there anything you don't like about it? I have been looking at them for years trying to make a decision and I think it is finally time! I really want to stay away from the generators, past experience with them has not been good. Any help you can give me would be enormously appreciated!

[furryfriends]

I have a Sprinter by Hanvey and I love it. I got the bigger unit and its efficient, low maint and easy to clean. I also went mobile for the first time in May after almost 30 years of shop grooming and love that too! I wish I had done it years ago

[diamienono]

I have a gene and no problems. It can be noisy though. Go mobile and you will not regret it. I love being mobile. Sometimes I work in my friends shop with her and I get stir crazy.

[Dobewish]

Wow Furryfriends 30 yrs in a shop. I have been in for 7 yrs and with this crazy warm weather I dont want to go to work. Plus, the employee thing is getting to me. Did you get all the Hanvey equip? I have a super dryer at work- Romani Grandaddy and I am not sure if the van would be able to run it, I am pretty sure it is 30 amps- not sure if I could live without it!! Did you consider the shorter sprinter? Also, did you put your own storage it the van? It seems to be a little low on where everything can go.
Thanks!

[bow_wow_wheels]

Curtis makes one heck of a nice unit, doesn't he? They are very easy to care for and built to last. You'll love mobile! Good luck!!!!!!!!!

[ferret]

I have a 2002 3500 Freightliner/Sprinter. They are nice vehicles, easy to drive, ride smooth and get great mileage. But, I've had my share of problems with this van and so have many others according to message boards about these vehicles in general. The general concensus on those (Sprinter) message boards is that "they don't have all the bugs worked out of them yet." I would have to agree with those Sprinter Message Boards on the net, they don't have all the bugs worked out yet. I expect to get slammed on this subject, but I'm still the one that gets "lucky" with mechanical problems...

[barknpurr]

I have a 2006 3500 Sprinter converted by Custom Vehicles. I had an '03 WNTs prior to this one. I loved the finish of the WNTs and the awesome customer service. I did not like all of the maintenance and the winter was awful in that rig...

I love the ease of driving of this vehicle. It is like a plow through the snow. Entering and exiting with dogs is terrific due to the wide open door and nice running boards. I also love the fact that I can enter the side door and walk through to the back door. Wintering is very easy in this vehicle. All of my fill lines are inside. The van has beed designed to have easy access should something go wrong. The inverter has had a couple of bugs in the very high temperatures. But, for the most part, it has been pretty easy to live with.

What makes mine a bit different than Curtis' version is that Terry is known for his storage. He was the first designer for WNTs so he has all of the bells and whistles that I am used to with my old WNTs.

As far as the actual van is concerned, I have only had one problem with it. The side door decided one day not to latch tight. It was a quick fix and <knocking on wood> I have not had any issues since.

[ferret]

I have a 2006 3500 Sprinter converted by Custom Vehicles. I had an '03 WNTs prior to this one. I loved the finish of the WNTs and the awesome customer service. I did not like all of the maintenance and the winter was awful in that rig...

I love the ease of driving of this vehicle. It is like a plow through the snow. Entering and exiting with dogs is terrific due to the wide open door and nice running boards. I also love the fact that I can enter the side door and walk through to the back door. Wintering is very easy in this vehicle. All of my fill lines are inside. The van has beed designed to have easy access should something go wrong. The inverter has had a couple of bugs in the very high temperatures. But, for the most part, it has been pretty easy to live with.

What makes mine a bit different than Curtis' version is that Terry is known for his storage. He was the first designer for WNTs so he has all of the bells and whistles that I am used to with my old WNTs.

As far as the actual van is concerned, I have only had one problem with it. The side door decided one day not to latch tight. It was a quick fix and <knocking on wood> I have not had any issues since.

I've had problems with my slider door too...when it gets cold, it doesn't close. Cold as in 40 degrees or colder

[diamienono]

Sounds like you need some good lube on your doors that will withstand the cold. I have that problem witht he latch on the door on my trailer. It will close, I just have to hold the latch open and pull it closed. I keep forgetting to lube it up.

[Sassy Shih Tzu]

Barknpurr,

Do you have a picture of your Sprinter?

That is the one I am leaning towards. I like what people have said about Custom Vehicles.

Is there anything you would change about your Van?

[Dobewish]

Sassy,
Have you seen a sprinter by Custom Vehicles? I was wondering because I looked on their site but I only see the Ford models?

Never mind- dont know where I was but not the right site!!!

[TankGirl]

I have the 2006 Hanvey 140 Wheelbase (the shorter noth the shortest but not the longest). I am really glad that I got the shorter due to parking and short driveways etc. It fits perfect in a parking spot, no need to go to the end of the parking lot to park! BUT there is a lack of storage. I do wish I had storage, I was told there was some storage but when I got the van there was none. That was a little irritating and still is. I an still trying to figure out the best way to store stuff. Mechanically with the van, I have had everything in the book go wrong. I have a love hate relationship with my van!

[bow_wow_wheels]

I think the Romani Granddaddy pulls either 15 or 18 amps-the Junior pulls 10 and the Hanvey Hi-V Gold pulls 10.5. I have both the Junior and the Hi-V Gold and love them both. I've used the Granddaddy and like it, too, but I can do the same job with either one of the others and not worry about my power draw. I also have a Bathing Beauty and a Hydrosurge LOL!!

I've been in both of the vans, Curtis' and Terry's. I like them both equally. Since Hanvey is literally right around the corner from me I think of them first. Terry will customize your van any way that you want. When I went to visit him he had one in there that he was just finishing up for a mobile who also showed dogs on the weekend. She had room for a bed and could even use a porta-potty and shower in there! I would say that either van would fit your needs

Can you get to a trade show and look at vans in the near future? Next big one coming up is Atlanta Pet Fair (dot com) and they usually have all sorts of vans and trailers there-both vendors and competitors-so you could see a lot of different vans and get a real feel for what's in them and what isn't.

Wow Furryfriends 30 yrs in a shop. I have been in for 7 yrs and with this crazy warm weather I dont want to go to work. Plus, the employee thing is getting to me. Did you get all the Hanvey equip? I have a super dryer at work- Romani Grandaddy and I am not sure if the van would be able to run it, I am pretty sure it is 30 amps- not sure if I could live without it!! Did you consider the shorter sprinter? Also, did you put your own storage it the van? It seems to be a little low on where everything can go.
Thanks!

[Gracy Rose]

Sprinter

I have a new sprinter (it is the +4) and I love it:-) Went Mobile the first of September and we are packed (averaging 6-8 per day). Hanvey is wonderful to deal with only have 1 yucky and that is my drain pump went bad (but is being fixed).

[barknpurr]

I do not right now, but I will work on it for you.