sprinter vans
- Thread starter OReilly
- Start date
The Sprinter is growing in popularity among the expedite Owner/Operators. More personal space, more cargo space, great mileage reported at approx 22 mpg. A little pricey compared to the Ford/GM/Chevy cargo vans but said to be worth the extra money by those that own them that reported here and elsewhere.
Do a search for Sprinter in our archives and recent posts and you'll find a gret many comments about them.
Terry
Do a search for Sprinter in our archives and recent posts and you'll find a gret many comments about them.
Terry
The Gibster
Expert Expediter
A ways back someone had posted that they had to replace the alternator, that the Sprinter alternator didn't like the amount of prolonged idling that many incur. And I think it was around $500 or so . . .but the archives will bear this out.
We've looked at one for a personal vehicle because of the milage. If you do any remodeling around the homestead it's hard to argue with the cargo capacity and 22 MPG. And 99% of those we talk to love 'em.
Good luck with your choice!
We've looked at one for a personal vehicle because of the milage. If you do any remodeling around the homestead it's hard to argue with the cargo capacity and 22 MPG. And 99% of those we talk to love 'em.
Good luck with your choice!
They have a definite advantage over a conventional van in stand up height and some advantage in cargo length. The Aerocell gives advantages in height and width and length. There's a model that could have a dedicated 4'8" sleeper along with 12' of cargo space or a huge 7'8" sleeper and 2 skids plus. Check www.unicell.com if you want to see them.
Leo
truck 4958
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo
truck 4958
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Not yet. The sprinter has only come in a cab and cassie configuration in the past year. But I'll bet they will..
Some problems reported with the sprinter could pose a big problem for a expediter. Cloged EGR valves from idling (over night I would guess) that are very expensive to fix, front end parts that seem to wear to fast and seats that are stiff as a board (I hear the new models have better seats)..
Still a great looking truck. However my next will probably be another ford diesel. Either with a hightop or the unicell. I get close to 22 MPG from my ford. GM is also coming out with a diesel van that has a diesel fired heater for the cabin. A GREAT idea with all the no idle laws our elected idiots are coming up with (hey, if I can't run the van in -15 temps, where can I plug my heater in?!?!?!?!?)
Another choice would be a single wheel 1 ton box van. Like the small ones Penski and Uhaul have. You could section off the box, have a nice large sleeper area and room for 2 pallets.
Some problems reported with the sprinter could pose a big problem for a expediter. Cloged EGR valves from idling (over night I would guess) that are very expensive to fix, front end parts that seem to wear to fast and seats that are stiff as a board (I hear the new models have better seats)..
Still a great looking truck. However my next will probably be another ford diesel. Either with a hightop or the unicell. I get close to 22 MPG from my ford. GM is also coming out with a diesel van that has a diesel fired heater for the cabin. A GREAT idea with all the no idle laws our elected idiots are coming up with (hey, if I can't run the van in -15 temps, where can I plug my heater in?!?!?!?!?)
Another choice would be a single wheel 1 ton box van. Like the small ones Penski and Uhaul have. You could section off the box, have a nice large sleeper area and room for 2 pallets.
I did some homework on these vans. The only thing that scares me is that the motor is a throw away motor. And to get a new one will cost you between $10-12K. There is no known company out there that is remanufacturing those motors as of yet. Plus, the EGR valves have had some problems and costing inexcess of $1000 a pop. For storage and various other reasons, they are great. But be aware that the life span of these things have not been proven since they have been only out on the market for the past 4-5years. Its an unproven long term vehicle. I would wait and see from some past Sprinter drivers what they think?
VWdriver
VWdriver
I have a 2005 Sprinter and have had no problems. The EGR Value had a recall and in 2005 the problem is fixed. Throwaway motor??? Not sure about that. I sold Sprinters before coming into this biz. I spoke with Drivers and owners of Sprinters and everyone I spoke with at the dealership loved them. EGL, Express1, Tri-State, Panther-II and some other drivers would come in for oil changes and other PM service. I would always pull them aside and ask many questions about how they liked the Sprinter. Number 1 was fuel mileage, 2 was space.
I would also talk with the techs about the repairs and cost and any known problems with the Sprinter. Number 1 here was the faulty EGR Value. I have a fast idle function on mine that helps in winter. Space … I have a TV/VCR, Pantry, Microwave, Port-a-potty and refrigerator, still has room for 3 skids (12 feet) and rear door opening of 69 ½ “.
For now I have two power inverters. One 2000 watt that runs the TV/VCR, Refrigerator and Microwave, and is stand-alone from the Sprinter charging system. Number two inverter runs from the Sprinter and is 500 watts that runs my laptop, speakers for my DVD’s and a Battery charger that chargers two batteries under the passenger seat. I my install a Battery Isolator later on, but this set up is working fine.
I insulated mine, I would highly recommend that. I found a site were I can by Oil Filters for around $7.00, they also have other parts cheaper. Fuel Filter at Freightliner or Dodge is around $75.00. I get mine for $25.00. By 2006 all Dodge dealerships will be able to service the Sprinter. The techs will have to be trained and certified.
I checked on replacement windshield as I heard on here that it was very costly. I can get one installed for around 250 to 300, not as bad as I thought. By the way, I checked on the windshield when I had to get a wonderful salt chip repaired. I just turned over to 20,000 miles, since Feb, had Dodge look at the computer to see if there were any error codes. There was one EGR error code that I never noticed and they said was non-reoccurring.
You are doing the right thing by asking questions. Good Luck!
Steady
You're not dead, you're electroencephalographically challenged.
I would also talk with the techs about the repairs and cost and any known problems with the Sprinter. Number 1 here was the faulty EGR Value. I have a fast idle function on mine that helps in winter. Space … I have a TV/VCR, Pantry, Microwave, Port-a-potty and refrigerator, still has room for 3 skids (12 feet) and rear door opening of 69 ½ “.
For now I have two power inverters. One 2000 watt that runs the TV/VCR, Refrigerator and Microwave, and is stand-alone from the Sprinter charging system. Number two inverter runs from the Sprinter and is 500 watts that runs my laptop, speakers for my DVD’s and a Battery charger that chargers two batteries under the passenger seat. I my install a Battery Isolator later on, but this set up is working fine.
I insulated mine, I would highly recommend that. I found a site were I can by Oil Filters for around $7.00, they also have other parts cheaper. Fuel Filter at Freightliner or Dodge is around $75.00. I get mine for $25.00. By 2006 all Dodge dealerships will be able to service the Sprinter. The techs will have to be trained and certified.
I checked on replacement windshield as I heard on here that it was very costly. I can get one installed for around 250 to 300, not as bad as I thought. By the way, I checked on the windshield when I had to get a wonderful salt chip repaired. I just turned over to 20,000 miles, since Feb, had Dodge look at the computer to see if there were any error codes. There was one EGR error code that I never noticed and they said was non-reoccurring.
You are doing the right thing by asking questions. Good Luck!
Steady
You're not dead, you're electroencephalographically challenged.