Sprinters Help

[cliff]

Retired H/W OTR team bored at home. Not interested in getting back into another 53'er but thinking of down sizing and slowing the pace. Have a few ???'s, if you have a moment:
1. What I've found out on internet and talking to drivers is that the truck break downs seem to be worse on Sprinters then big rigs and harder to get repaired. True/False?
2. Sprinters don't normally come with a sleeper compartment but is something you have to add on yourself or at a specialty shop, after purchase. Is this a fact?
3. Most running is done within a 500 +/- mile range? Are there longer runs out there?
We're aware of the cyclic times in the transportation industry and running the corridors, but are really in the dark when it comes to Sprinters or Straight Trucks.
Thanks, we appreciate you taking your time to respond.

 

[Turtle]

1. What I've found out on internet and talking to drivers is that the truck break downs seem to be worse on Sprinters then big rigs and harder to get repaired. True/False?

True. There are a bazillion diesel repair facilities with only a few Sprinter repair facilities. However, many mechanical problems with Sprinters do not necessarily require a Sprinter technician to repair. A water pump is a water pump. So is an alternator. Turbos, radiators, belts, hoses, pulleys and tensioners, any competent mechanic can repair those kinds of things. Most of these types of parts can be ordered online, or picked up up from NAPA. Something electrical, especially anything to do with sensors, will require a Sprinter technician with the correct diagnostic tool.

2. Sprinters don't normally come with a sleeper compartment but is something you have to add on yourself or at a specialty shop, after purchase. Is this a fact?

Yes, it's a fact. Just like all other cargo vans, Sprinters come in two basic models from the manufacturer: passenger van and cargo van. The cargo van is an empty shell, and you can build it (or have it built) however you like. Some dealers have agreements with aftermarket upfitters to do the work, or you can do it yourself.

3. Most running is done within a 500 +/- mile range? Are there longer runs out there?

I think currently the average length of line haul in expediting is about 350 miles, give or take. The vast majority of expedited loads will keep you in a 500 mile radius centered on Louisville, KY, actually. The map below shows approximately an 8 hour driving time centered on Louisville, and that's just about the bullseye region where most of expediting takes place. But additional frequent locations in Texas (especially frequent are the Laredo, Del Rio, Brownsville and El Paso border towns of Texas), Oklahoma, Minnesota and a little farther east in New York and Pennsylvania are also part of the map. Locations much further west, like into and west of the Rockies are less frequent, but they do happen. I've been west of the Rockies many times, but "many times" means 2-4 times a year for anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks at a time. The rest of the time I'm mostly in that "freight lanes" bullseye. I have picked up and delivered in all lower 48 states and the six southernmost mainland Canadian provinces.

 

[paullud]

Retired H/W OTR team bored at home. Not interested in getting back into another 53'er but thinking of down sizing and slowing the pace. Have a few ???'s, if you have a moment:

You said you don't want to run a van but have you considered a different segment of the trucking industry? I drive TT but it is a completely different world than van or reefer freight. The expedite industry isn't necessarily a slower pace, you go from dead to nonstop for hours at a time.

1. What I've found out on internet and talking to drivers is that the truck break downs seem to be worse on Sprinters then big rigs and harder to get repaired. True/False?

Never drove a Sprinter but the Top Secret tip seems to be proper maintenance.

2. Sprinters don't normally come with a sleeper compartment but is something you have to add on yourself or at a specialty shop, after purchase. Is this a fact?

True, but there are upfitters that can take care of it for you or you can save money and do it yourself.

3. Most running is done within a 500 +/- mile range? Are there longer runs out there?
We're aware of the cyclic times in the transportation industry and running the corridors, but are really in the dark when it comes to Sprinters or Straight Trucks.
Thanks, we appreciate you taking your time to respond.

If you take loads to Texas you will have a long trip going in and a long one coming out. There is quite a bit of freight going to Laredo and a lot of drivers won't go because you may sit for awhile waiting to get out.

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[cliff]

Sorry Paulled a little short on acronyms; what do you mean by TT??

You said you don't want to run a van but have you considered a different segment of the trucking industry? I drive TT but it is a completely different world than van or reefer freight. The expedite industry isn't necessarily a slower pace, you go from dead to nonstop for hours at a time.



Never drove a Sprinter but the Top Secret tip seems to be proper maintenance.



True, but there are upfitters that can take care of it for you or you can save money and do it yourself.




If you take loads to Texas you will have a long trip going in and a long one coming out. There is quite a bit of freight going to Laredo and a lot of drivers won't go because you may sit for awhile waiting to get out.

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[Doggie Daddy]

Sorry Paulled, a little short on acronyms, what do you mean by "TT"??

Tractor Trailer.

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[cliff]

Thanks, been there done that

 

[paullud]

Thanks, been there done that

The trucking industry has different opportunities within it that give you the ability to do something different. I got sick of the van work because you would get to a shipper or receiver and wait for hours or get stuck driving all night. I just wasn't sure what part of the trucking industry you wanted to get away from. If the regulations are the big issue then a Sprinter or HCV(High Capacity Van) are the way to go.

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