Increasing tongue weight capacity on a Sprinter

[bigb]

Mercedes says maximum tongue weight when using weight distribution on a NCV 3500 XD is 750 lbs. There are receiver hitches sold for the Sprinter that have a 1,000 lb tongue weight rating. Does this mean if I install one of those 1,000 lb tongue rated hitches I can now carry 1,000 lbs of tongue weight on the Sprinter (using weight distribution) as long as I don't exceed total payload? Would I void any warranty? Incur liability in case of accident caused by failure?

Towing experts? Sprinter experts? @Maslin @Midwestdrifter @Mr. Bills ?

PS I am asking for someone else, I only flat tow a Jeep. I think I know the answer but others are saying different.

 

[bigb]

Moved from this thread: https://sprinter-source.com/forums/index.php?threads/143436/

You shouldn't use a load distribution hitch on Sprinter.

Why? Mercedes says you can.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

Why? Mercedes says you can.

Its a unibody. Perhaps since you have a class A, and thus it has a full frame, the rules are different?

 

[bigb]

 

[Green Maned Lion]

View attachment 390753

I sit corrected. I have never heard of a unitary construction vehicle permitting this. Just out of interest, where is this located?

 

[bigb]

Pretty sure I found it right here on the forum

 

[bigb]

Pretty sure I found it right here on the forum

Here it is, post #15 https://sprinter-source.com/forums/index.php?threads/50725/ FWIW I thought WD on a unibody was a bad idea myself but I have been researching for 3 days and found quite a few unibody vehicles where the manufacturer allows it.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

Pretty sure I found it right here on the forum

I just went through my manual with regards to towing and it doesn't mention anything for or against using a weight distribution hitch, or otherwise mention the concept of such a thing existing, AFAICT. @Maslin sorry to call you in to this, but is there an official line on the subject?

 

[Kajtek1]

I don't think unibody is crucial part here.
Modern SUV are unibody and they can use WD hitches, but in Sprinter case, you have very long overhang and that makes the difference.
Just as a pointer, 3500 long Sprinter do have 6000lb towing rating, but extended version, who add about 16" is dropping it down to 5000lb.
Once you start checking, most of Diesel Pushers, who can weigh 15 tons, do have 5000lb rated tow hitches.
Long overhang with heavy engine in it is not leaving much margin for extra weight.

 

[Cheyenne]

Here it is, post #15 https://sprinter-source.com/forums/index.php?threads/50725/ FWIW I thought WD on a unibody was a bad idea myself but I have been researching for 3 days and found quite a few unibody vehicles where the manufacturer allows it.

But the 'catch' is in the quote you linked to...

A trailer hitch must be categorized as Class III, IV or V to be used with a weight distribution system. Not all Class III hitches are designed to be used with weight distribution systems, though. Always check the weight rating label that is on the trailer hitch. This sticker lists two capacities: weight carrying and weight distributing. If nothing is listed for weight distributing, then a weight distribution system cannot be used.

So has your/the hitch in question actually got a weight rating listed specific to a WDH? If not then this says you CANNOT use a WDH with it.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

I don't think unibody is crucial part here.
Modern SUV are unibody and they can use WD hitches, but in Sprinter case, you have very long overhang and that makes the difference.
Just as a pointer, 3500 long Sprinter do have 6000lb towing rating, but extended version, who add about 16" is dropping it down to 5000lb.
Once you start checking, most of Diesel Pushers, who can weigh 15 tons, do have 5000lb rated tow hitches.
Long overhang with heavy engine in it is not leaving much margin for extra weight.

Which modern SUV are you discussing?

 

[Kajtek1]

I just went through my manual with regards to towing and it doesn't mention anything for or against using a weight distribution hitch, or otherwise mention the concept of such a thing existing, AFAICT. @Maslin sorry to call you in to this, but is there an official line on the subject?

But OE hitches do have 7 or 8" limit from the receiver to the ball. Good luck finding WD setup, who meets it.

 

[Kajtek1]

Which modern SUV are you discussing?

Most, if not all MB SUV build in last 20 years are unibody. Even the biggest GL
My 7 passenger Land Rover is unibody as well.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

Most, if not all MB SUV build in last 20 years are unibody. Even the biggest GL
My 7 passenger Land Rover is unibody as well.

Sure, but you couldn't use a WD hitch on anything I've seen but the W163, what was BOF.

 

[Kajtek1]

I never used WD hitch period.
IMHO WD is BandAid for poor tow vehicle design, like American pickups, who squat like crazy with bigger grocery load.

 

[bigb]

But the 'catch' is in the quote you linked to...



So has your/the hitch in question actually got a weight rating listed specific to a WDH? If not then this says you CANNOT use a WDH with it.

All the NCV3 hitches on this page have both dead weight ratings and WD ratings with 8 of them at 1,000/10,000 lbs with WD.

https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2015_Mercedes-Benz_Sprinter.htm

 

[Cheyenne]

All the NCV3 hitches on this page have both dead weight ratings and WD ratings with 8 of them at 1,000/10,000 lbs with WD.

https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2015_Mercedes-Benz_Sprinter.htm

But that website is for a hitch retailer, try and find the same info on an MB website?

 

[bigb]

But that website is for a hitch retailer, try and find the same info on an MB website?

I've scoured MB reference pages and that information seems to be left out, nothing saying yay or nay on WD. FWIW here is the discussion that has me investigating further: https://www.airforums.com/threads/sprinter-van-as-tow-vehicle.1453600/

 

[EBS-P]

I sit corrected. I have never heard of a unitary construction vehicle permitting this. Just out of interest, where is this located?

All Sienna’s and this I assume Highlanders allowed it. Honda didn’t recommend it on the Odyssey because that had such little extra capacity on the front axel.

and really a WDH for tongue weighs less than 500 pounds doesn’t transfer all that much weight to the front axle. Some weight distributing hitches are also anti sway. Those I would use on a lighter trailer.

 

[Cheyenne]

I've scoured MB reference pages and that information seems to be left out, nothing saying yay or nay on WD.

So my understanding is that means an emphatic NO then!

FWIW here is the discussion that has me investigating further: https://www.airforums.com/threads/sprinter-van-as-tow-vehicle.1453600/

And unfortunately I cannot open that link from the UK.