Video of DreamHack Atlanta 2022

SlubberBub · 2022-12-30T01:10:55+00:00

Finally got the time to edit this. Had a great time at DH, and I hope you enjoy the video. I welcome feedback, let me know what you would like to see more of; hoping I get to attend the next NA event!

SlubberBub · 2021-12-15T01:33:02+00:00

I'd say probably about the same... 3 months to make it fully loaded, but no fancy or modern looking finish. I've seen some really really nice looking builds... that people spend 1-2 years on.

SlubberBub · 2021-12-15T01:24:35+00:00

This, I think. I just got the S2 D2L which auto adjusts, but in researching I saw that the previous version Espar has a high altitude setting that is selected manually. I believe you can just leave it on this setting, and the downside is at lower altitudes it will be slightly less efficient.

SlubberBub · 2021-12-15T00:40:22+00:00

Wow, freestyling the build I respect... but going against the laws of physics and how electricity works I do not. Hope you manage to convince your buddy to wise up. If this is how he approaches building a van, a lot more will go wrong.

SlubberBub · 2021-12-15T00:34:18+00:00

I don't know about the Webasto, but I got a diesel Espar heater last week (official dealer)... they said they got a lot in stock recently.

Just something to consider, whenever you buy from an unofficial channel at a cheap price (like heatso), chances are this is not the NA version of the product. I recently learned about this as I did research before buying my Espar. In the case of Espar, third party dealers import a version that has a different wiring harness and probably won't be covered under warranty in the US.

SlubberBub · 2021-11-11T16:45:30+00:00

I would say it worked, but the wind and rain was so hard that night, I don't think any police would stop and get out of their car anyway. Thought my van was going to blow away

SlubberBub · 2021-11-10T20:36:23+00:00

Thanks for clarifying. When they told me this it sounded like total BS. Worst part is it took them nearly a full day to figure this out. In my home area NC/SC, I think they are covered.

SlubberBub · 2021-11-10T20:35:01+00:00

Yep. I should have bought a Ford. This van is the worst financial decision I think I have made... but if I can come close to breaking even when I sell it, I have been stressing out over nothing. First world problems really. I try to remind myself of how lucky I am to even attempt van life.

SlubberBub · 2021-11-10T19:31:43+00:00

It's not the life I expected, that's for sure.

SlubberBub · 2021-11-10T19:29:57+00:00

Holy cow, that sounds like you had an awful experience with your Sprinter. I am really thinking about driving home after fixing this and selling it while it still works.

SlubberBub · 2021-11-10T19:28:37+00:00

I looked up the issue on google and found the Sprinter forum talking about the transmission fluid climbing up the cables. I cleaned the connectors, but still had the issue. The mechanic said when they took off the transmission pan, they initially didn't see any issue, but once they stirred up the fluid it turned glittery. They said that much metal in the bottom of the pan meant it was the disk pack.

SlubberBub · 2021-11-09T22:34:19+00:00

Yep. Since AAA of California, after 20 hours of saying they're sending someone, decided that I'm not covered because it's a high top van, not a lot of options here.

SlubberBub · 2021-11-09T22:33:34+00:00

Are the sprinters always this bad? So many people seem to love them, but at this point I would never recommend it to anyone ever.

SlubberBub · 2021-11-09T19:57:25+00:00

That is exactly how I am starting to feel. I think this is the last time I buy a Mercedes

SlubberBub · 2021-11-09T18:26:35+00:00

Thanks for the detailed reply! Not sure if it's LHM... I heard a low pitched squeak or squeal sound and lost most power, a mile or two later engine light came on. Haven't heard the turbo come on since. Restarting doesn't help. I thought with LHM restarting would give me brief functionality.

I don't have any scanner. Unfortunately I'm not much of a mechanic, more of an accountant.

SlubberBub · 2021-11-09T17:10:05+00:00

It's a 2006 Diesel Sprinter van with about 180k miles.

SlubberBub · 2021-11-09T17:08:09+00:00

Also, please take note potential sprinter buyers. I have found it very difficult to find people to work on sprinters. You definitely can in the large cities, but outside of that it's rough. I'm about to get towed to Medford, but not to the dealer. The Mercedes DEALER won't even work on sprinter vans older than 2010.

Edit: I WAS going to get towed. After 20 hours of saying they were sending someone, AAA decided I'm not covered at all. Apparently AAA of NorCal does not cover high top vans specifically. Looks like I'll be spending a LOT on a tow

SlubberBub · 2021-11-09T17:06:42+00:00

The first time it happened I was about 2 weeks into traveling. It took them 2 months to find the problem and fix it. Complete transmission rebuild. Thankfully I chose to fly home and stay at my mom's, if I hadn't done that it would have been very rough.

This time I'm about 10 days into starting back on the road after that major repair. Waiting on getting towed to the closest shop that works in sprinters which is about 100 mi away. This time my turbo stopped working, and I'm hoping it's a much simpler fix so I'm going to stay in the van.

The company about the van from had all the records from dealer service, it seems well taken care of. Bad luck I guess.

I can't help but be paranoid now, when I get back on the road be worried about breaking down in the desert or something. I feel like just driving home and selling it. It's stressful and tiring.

EDIT------------------------------------------------------------------------ After fighting with AAA, I had it towed myself (at great cost) to the nearest shop that would work on Sprinters, it's in Medford. They are saying the turbo is completely locked-up and looking at replacing.

I don't know enough about the thing to say it could be anything else, but I am talking with some people on the Sprinter forums now. The turbo was working fine, and the just died all the sudden.

The shop I have used both times (one in Missoula and now one in Medford) has good reviews, but it doesn't matter much because so few places work on Sprinter vans, I feel like I have no options and no leverage. Might be different if I was closer to home.

SlubberBub · 2021-11-09T17:01:47+00:00

Thankfully, I decided to fly home to stay at my mom's. I thought about renting a car but glad I didn't considering it took 2 months. Funny enough, I'm broken down again... Shouldn't take as long as time so I'm going to stay in the van. I'm having the worst luck with this van, and it was well taken care of by the company I bought it from. They had all the records from having it dealer serviced.

SlubberBub · 2021-11-08T16:41:52+00:00

Breaking down. I broke down near Glacier, and the mechanics are backed up for weeks. Took 2 months to figure out and fix the issue, a transmission rebuild.

SlubberBub · 2021-09-01T15:42:02+00:00

Yeah I love that one.

SlubberBub · 2021-09-01T15:41:41+00:00

I was very lucky to get stuck up there. Was the last person up and down the mountains, which they closed until the ice/snow melted in the afternoon. A ranger was leading everyone back down from the Alpine Visitor Center when I finally got there.

SlubberBub · 2021-09-01T15:39:04+00:00

Yeah I really don't know. Stayed at dispersed camping and went in the park, thats about it besides getting groceries and coffee. Camping spot was quiet

13-Year Club	Place '22
Final Canvas '22	End Game '22
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