Sprinter, ahem.. Dodge ram van info

[DKarvwnaris]

Anybody heard more on the Sprinter vans converting to a Chrysler name plate? I am hoping the 4x4 versions in a crew cab chassis cab are to join the lineup. Haven't seen much so far, but I am hoping to find a similar chassis type to t Emergency vehicle platform bodies like Ambulance rated trucks.

One benefit to the Sprinter rebadge to the Dodge lineup is insurance issues. I called on a sprinter van for rates with our underwriter and they said they don't insure them since they are considered a commercial van, same call I asked about a Dodge sprinter and they quoted us a reasonable rate. I guess "Freightliner" is just too hard of a stereotypical image for even an underwriter to look past?..... Weird.

If anyone has info on a 4x4 Chassis cab version for the US Market, I'd appreciate an update.

Any others here who would buy one? I have heard good and bad from our UPS delivery drivers regarding the Sprinter Van models, mainly complaints from gravel road route drivers and creaks and squeaks, the paved routes seem to be the van's preferred operating type.

 

[JHerr]

We just received our Sprinter on Friday. We converted it to Mercedes badging, which wasn't easy to do. It looks so much better, however.



I really like the van, it has superb visability and handles very well. I have no idea on fuel mileage and range due to it only having 250 miles on it.



My understanding that a new version of the Sprinter will be arriving in about a year. I understand that engine options will be a 4-cylinder diesel, V-6 diesel, as well as a V-6 gas. That is about all I know and I can't guarrantee how accurate the info is.

 

[SKargo]

Freightliner is no longer selling them after this model year. Only place you can get them in the states will be Dodge. We had to upgrade a few of our bays here to fit them.

 

[JasonCzerak]

Freightliner is no longer selling them after this model year. Only place you can get them in the states will be Dodge. We had to upgrade a few of our bays here to fit them.

I parked my long box quad cab next to one once. Full size, SRW version with the extneded back (longest frame for the sprinter). it made my truck look small. CRAZY huge.

 

[JHerr]

Our 140" Sprinter is virtually the same length as my Ram Club Cab short box, but it makes my Ram look small. Sprinters are CRAZY huge.

 

[mazdarotary]

I have a friend whos company bought a long wheel base,high roof Sprinter a few months back. It is a cargo van that has been optioned out to almost be a passenger van,so it has all the windows. It is Bright yellow,and as long as a school bus. I call it "The Bus",and I love the van. It seems to do everything well,but the only reason I wouldn't get one is it doesn't tow enough weight,and they are still very expensive. I hope Dodge is selling these well,because I would really like seeing more of these on the road.



Chris

 

[BarryG]

I bought a couple for work 3 years ago. One is an 02 model the other is an early 03 model. They have been pretty good for delivery vans. Our drivers dont treat them nearly as well as one would like and they have held up well. Only real problem we have had is one of them has had a couple of injectors replaced but they were covered under 5 year 60k engine warranty at different times. One of them got hit and parts took a very long time to get. However I suspect that once more get on the road that will become less of an issue. The only other thing is the number of mechanics who can work on them is still pretty small. When we bought them they were strictly a freightliner item but since dodge started selling them dodge can now work on them. Dodge had to send people to sprinter school and it seems our local dodge dealer had only sent one(dodge dealer 1/2 mile away, freightliner dealer 30 miles away). Several times when we have taken it in for some small service item or something we broke more than once it has taken way longer than it should have and their excuse has been the mechanic was sick, vacation or something else. Just a month or so ago I had a run in with the service manager about it taking a week just to get it looked at for the last injector replacement. He did say that in May they were sending 3 more mechanics to sprinter school to alleviate the problem. We will see. The drivers love the vans and will fight over who gets to drive them for the day. By they way mileage for us seems to be in the low 20's. Which sure beats the crap out of the gmc savanaha 3/4 ton vans they repalced and also beats the ford gas vans we use. Overall maintneance has been significantly less with them as well.

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Great to hear mostly positive remarks on them. I've had experience with the Sprinter already although limited, but overall, they were good solid vehicles for the purposes they were being tasked with.

My main reasoning for one is a refusal to buckle into midlife mini van status, at least I am compromising with a diesel and the hopes that I can still get more than a bag of soccer balls, a 1/2 dozen screaming kids and a few dripping ice cream cones before overloading one.

The sprinter chassis cab is my primary interest, but without a crew cab model like they have in Germany, I will most likely settle for a standard roof height dually van body with windows and a removable second row seat for intermittent passenger use. At least my equipment/tools will be locked up this way.

 

[JHerr]

Here is our new van. An '06 Sprinter window van, 140" wheelbase with full Mercedes livery.

 

[therabbittree]

I don't think you can get a 4x4 even in germany. . if tehy offered a 4x4 it would be great . . or a standard trans too. . If I remember correct when they first came out they were cheaper $ wise. . no with the dodge only they seem more expensive. same or more then a cummins ram. I wanted one but couldn't afford it, so I got a VW eurovan . . a mini sprinter but no diesel in the us for me argh... . in europe they have em . . I've debated shipping a wrecked diesel here to convert but $$$... As for the sprinters my wifes friend has one as afamily car and it is sweet. They did the merceds badges, and had a upolshery shop do leather seats, it looks really sharp. The local oil repair companies use them and say they pay for themselves, and they are peppy.

Later

Deo

 

[EKlem]

At Dartmouth where I go to school, we have completely switched over from the ford vans to the sprinters and it has worked out quite well. The sprinters are more comfortable and drive better. They also seem to be holding up quite well considering how good college kids are at destroying things. As for 4wd, we don't have a real problem with them here in the winter. They have traction control that is pretty good for the snow but the minute you get in mud, you have to turn it off or you will be stuck. The combination of good tires(studded on some of them) and a whole bunch of weight in the back and they do pretty well. I have seen 2 mildly stuck in snow and 1 pretty stuck in the mud but they all were easy to get out. They definitely do better than the ford vans which were constantly stuck. Overall, I think that they work quite well here.

 

[DKarvwnaris]

This is what I have been looking for in the states. I have seen 4wd sprinters in municipal areas in Germany, most were similar to the link I've attached below. I am not looking for 4wd for winter time use, I need it to be able to see occasional construction areas and light off road access to job sites.





http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/con...roducts/new_vans/sprinter/flat-bed_truck.html

 

[EKlem]

That is a nice looking setup in that link. I was thinking that people wanted 4wd for winter use but I see the need now for construction sites. Keep in mind that their ground clearance is not great. The one van that I saw stuck in the mud had all of the body panels in the mud.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Barry curious as to what you are delivering?



I don't know if this is new, because I don't really keep up with Chevy stuff, but I just read they are offering the Duramax in the Express /Savanna (what is the difference??) ... just something to keep in mind.

 

[Mopar_Tim]

i drive an 03 sprinter everyday for work ... good truck i like it alot great fuel mileage, about 19 mine is a long wheel base high roof drw ... . the biggest one they make. it is the best truck i have had to work out of great interior room.



the only things i dont really like are the doors they plain suck ***, the rear doors are fine but the side sliders are junk the stupid things dont want to close... . o and the door locks, i dont like how the power doors work you can never tell weather the doors are locked or unlocked when you press the button, its like they have a mind of there own.



at first i did not like the steering wheel but you get used to it and grow to like it.

 

[BarryG]

I had heard about the duramax in a van a little while back. I filed that away in my memory for next time I need to look at vans at work. Should be next year when some leases are up.



As far as what we delivery I cant say it is anything exotic or cool. It is food and catering stuff. One of the divisions at the company I work for is a catering company. They do events from a dozen or so to a thousand. So it is food, tables, chairs, flatware, everything you can think of that goes with puting on a catered event. Usuallly they are not running around grossed out weight wise but usually full. The drivers run the heck out of them and so far they have been much better maintenance wise. Not that they havent broke but it is has been significantly less than the gmc's they replaced. And the fuel mileage has been approx double what the gmcs were getting. They consistently got 10-12mpg and these are getting 20+ week in week out.

 

[jloenholdt]

Sprinter Van

We purchased a Pleasure Way class B van conversion on the 2005, 2500 Dodge Sprinter Van with the 5 cylinder Mercedes Turbo Diesel engine. With now 16,650 miles we have had no problems at all so far

The average fuel mileage has been 22. 4 MPG for this 7,750 lb vehicle.

The handling is good, only gusty cross winds demand attention on the steering wheel.

The seating is comfortable and can be adjusted to suit most drivers and passengersAll overall, I am very satisfied with this vehicle so far. Oo

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

This is what I have been looking for in the states. I have seen 4wd sprinters in municipal areas in Germany, most were similar to the link I've attached below. I am not looking for 4wd for winter time use, I need it to be able to see occasional construction areas and light off road access to job sites.





http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/con...roducts/new_vans/sprinter/flat-bed_truck.html

What is the advantage of this over a cab and chasis Ram? Isn't the engine only 150 hp, and not a lot of torque?

 

[PatrickCampbell]

I walked into one of these Winnebago conversions using a Sprinter chassis at an RV show:

http://www.winnebagoind.com/html/products/recVehicles/winnebago/view.html



I thought the chassis was a little small for something this big... but either way, wow these things are so neat inside. It is nice to see they are finally going to use some diesels instead of gassers for these Class B and C motorhomes.



Now maybe things will change in the future with the introduction of the Dodge Chassis cab as well as the Duramax diesel in the Savannah cut away.



A class C motorhome on a Dodge chassis cab with a 6 spd. . hmmm!!!!

 

[gilliland]

After travelling to Germany and seeing them all over the place and in need of replacing my 96 Ford E350 Powerstroke van, I really wanted to buy a Sprinter. Some issues that bothered me were limited servicing dealers, my nearest 5 star dealer that serviced them was 50 miles away, the relatively industrial looking interior, and the small motor. I currently don't tow very heavy, only about a 3500lb. enclosed trailer, but was concered about its capabilities. I ended up with my 2005 quad cab long bed 4X4 and have been happy, but do wish I had the passenger accomodations of the Sprinter. I got spoiled with my E350, even with the rear seat out, I had seating for 11 people, or 8 and all of their junk. I also had read some service issues about brakes and rotors wearing out and part supply problems. I hope they are getting these taken care of. The 2007 should have a 200+ horsepower motor, possible 6speed auto and should be more in line with what I am looking for.