75,000 miles and 446 Blog Posts

Renting a Sprinter Van RV - October 2013

I was recently asked about this blog.  It began as a diary in 2013.

I had decided that I wanted to document our travels, the experience of owning the Roadtrek and also the modifications I made.  I added some of the research I did, too. 

The blog has served its purpose, and has garnered 286,442 views.  

I’ll continue to post from time to time.  Our next trek will only be a few hundred miles, and it may not be posted.  We’re going to visit friends a bit north in Arizona.  

(c) 2026 N. Retzke

75,000 miles with the 210P

 

First Winter Trek, 2013

[1] Updated Jan 16, 2026. 

It has been 12 years and 75,000 miles.  The Roadtrek has been wonderful.  When we purchased it, G said “This will transform our lives” and it has.

We have lived in it while travelling for up to 90 continuous days.  Our treks are usually 2,000-7,000 miles.  Annual miles are about 6,000. We use private campgrounds and always make reservations.  There are more RVs in the US than there are campgrounds to accommodate them.

The vehicle is showing some wear.  I added seat covers because the vinyl was flaking.  It is tempting to have the seats re-upholstered.  Perhaps in the fall when our 2026 explorations are over. 

So, what worked?  I’ve published 394 blog posts about our travels, modifications and repairs. The first was December 2013. There is also a You-Tube channel. 

First, everything in our 2013 model 210P is functional with the exception of the Onan generator which needs some maintenance.  In the “old days”  I’d drop it and do it myself.  That’s no longer an option.  Decisions, decisions!

My most recent modification/improvement was a 200W solar panel.  I used a low-profile method to mount using adhesives. It is easily removeable.  There is no noticeable road/wind noise generated by the panel. The bonds seem good, and I’ve been at speeds up to 75 MPH.

Here are a few maintenance highlights.

Looking at our experience with the Chevrolet Express 3500 chassis with 6.8 L engine, it has been a dream.  The chassis is a 2012.  I’ve used Chevy dealers and independent mechanics for maintenance.  I currently use an independent with quite a lot of experience with this engine and transmission.   Mileage on the highway is generally 15-16 MPG at up to 70 MPH.  That was what I expected and I’m fine with it.  Power is more than adequate and I have towed a trailer for 2,000 miles.   Repairs have not been excessive, IMHO.  Normal wear and tear (oil changes, starting battery, etc. I do replace the engine oil at 5,000 miles or less and I always used full synthetic.).  Most costly repair was the front wheel bearing on the passenger side, which began having issues. We were on a trek, but an independent mechanic in Michigan was able to do a replacement at a fair price.  It did not delay our travel.

The hood latch spring broke. Road salt is an issue.  I purchased and installed a new latch.

While stored in Michigan, thieves broke in and vandalized multiple RVs.  Our catalytic converters were stolen and the O2 sensors damaged.  Insurance replaced these.

I purchased a 2012 Chevrolet 3500 Express Maintenance manual.  This details how to remove the grill, door panels and so on, as well as running gear. 

The Roadtrek coach has been good.  As I stated, everything works.  Most items in the Roadtrek are readily available and so any repairs were done at a minimum cost. I have done a few repairs and upgrades:

1.  Initially I added a small solar panel and converter to charge the coach battery. AC was not available where stored.
2. I replaced the AGM batteries with LiFPO4.
3. I updated the charging system to accommodate the lithium battery.
4.  I replaced the solar with a 200W panel and a much better solar converter.
5.   I added 12VDC and 120VAC heaters for the LiFePO4 battery.  The vehicle has always been stored outside, and we’ve camped as low at -5F. The batteries cannot be charged at temperatures blow 32F.  I included temperature controllers for the heaters.
6. The propane regulator for the outside grill failed twice.  This required closing the main propane valve and prevented propane use while travelling.  I had this regulator removed. Problem permanently solved.
7.  A small relay in the Dometic 3-way refrigerator failed.  This is a readily available automotive relay.  I replaced.
8.  I added a secondary backup camera.
9.  I modified the factory backup camera so I can use it while in drive.  This allows me to monitor the area directly behind the Roadtrek.
10.  I added a 120VAC heated runner and carpet to the coach area.  This heats the floor and is wonderful in cold weather.
11. I've added 120VAC supplemental heat. This conserves propane.  The heat pump works to 32F and it is appreciated in cooler weather.
12. I've added Reflectix to windows.  Glass is not an insulator and because we camp from -5F to 105F interior temperature control is a necessity.  I also have several 12VDC fans to circulate air.  The Air Conditioning cannot keep up if parked in the sun with temperatures of 90F or more.  Summer shade is our friend!
13. I added circulating fans for the Dometic refrigerator. These are installed in the compartment behind the refrigerator.  The Dometic has issues when ambient exceeds 90F or the vehicle is parked in full summer sun.   I have considered a future 12VDC replacement. 
14. All tank indicators work, including the black and the gray.  I’ve posted how I did this.
15.  I replaced Roadtrek’s stiff, green macerator hose with a Thetford slinky.  Really improved tank dumping.
16. I disabled the Isolator, that connects the chassis 12V system to the Coach 12V system.  This became unnecessary when solar was added and could be a draw on the battery. I use a trickle charger to maintain the chassis. battery.  I added a manual switch to connect the chassis and coach 12V DC systems should that ever be necessary. [1] Added this item January 16. 

We have travelled for longer periods, in differing weather so I carry RV anti-freeze, tools and certain spare parts.  These range from fuses and include a spare Thetford slinky and a macerator.  I’d read of macerator failures and these might not be in stock.  So I carry one.  We have never had an issue, but nothing goes into the tanks except water, Dawn for dishes, and human waste.  Vacuum the floors and keep the floor drains closed and covered. I flush the various P-traps and drains frequently.   The slinky is insurance.  A hole in the macerator hose would be a real issue. 

We really like the storage.  The outside tray has been most helpful.  In a class “B” space is always at a premium.  We knew that when we purchased and decided the ability to drive and park nearly everywhere was a reasonable trade-off.  A trip to Santa Fe, NM was a recent example.  We drove downtown and parked in a metered space on the street.

Any additional modifications will take a holistic approach.  For example to replace the Dometic with a 12V refrigerator I'd consider also replacing the Onan generator with Lithium batteries.  Not to run the HVAC and convection oven, but to run the other coach amenities.  I'd need 12 hours of DC power.  Alternately, I could simply replace the generator. I'm skeptical of investing in the existing generator. 

We are currently planning several treks for 2026.

(c) 2026 N. Retzke