Sprinter or Transit?
- Thread starter Polonus
- Start date
avanti
2022 Ford Transit 3500
THAT's for sure.
Thanks for mentioning Volta. I forgot about that package. So then it’s only Volta and HarryN. I don’t think there is another.
while I’m thinking about it has HarryN actually installed a 48V system in a van? My guess is he has not. Prove me wrong HarryN.
avanti
2022 Ford Transit 3500
That's ridiculous. Lots and lots of 48V systems exist.
Just Google "RV 48V"
How is it ridiculous? “Lots and lots of 48V systems exist?” That is a statement I would call “ridiculous”. I don’t see any other commercial 48V systems for RV’s.
I realize people feel that the Sprinter is 4WD but what makes it so? How is it at all different from Transit AWD?
Graphite Dave
Dave Orton
Fortunately that was what I had to do. Had 2008 NCV3 Sprinter and sold it after 5 years and bought a 2015 Transit. One of my smarter decisions. Have had Transit for 5 years and so far no reliability issues. No need to repeat the 5 year cycle now.
OrioN
2008 2500 170" EXT
You, and purposely, forgot to mention that....
...the next and current owner has had no issues to date.
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Graphite Dave
Dave Orton
Know about the next owner but have not had resent contact with the current owner.
Maybe I was just being nice to get all three major issues during my time of ownership.
Curious. What has been the reliability with the third owner? How did you make contact with him?
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I’m not saying the sprinter is 4wd, I was just reiterating that the AWD Transit is not. FWIW QuadVan can put a real 4wd in the Transit but they don’t offer it for the Sprinter. Apparently Quigley doesn’t either anymore.
Polonus
Member
Over the last few days I flip-flopped about what to do. I was sure I'll go with Transit, then I visited couple of Mercedes dealers and sow a beautiful Mercedes with 10 inches nav screen, then someone bought it. Later I test drove Mercedes and it remained me of old Żuk van I drove in Poland in the seventies. Every pothole, every rough surface rattled the body panels. I know, it would go away after putting insulation on it, but still... Then I went to Ford dealer and test drove a Transit with the EcoBoost engine - and... Wow! Suddenly I knew it will be my next van. That thing flies! And is solid as a brick, even when I drive it over rough RR crossing. I am ordering it this Tuesday.
??? Where did you get this number from? For me price is very similar. You cannot compare them exactly, since some options are available on one, not on the other, But I couldn't save anything going for the Sprinter.
Thx. I checked it out and he had one 170" for 42K and many 144's for about 38K, but those vans have almost no options. With no options I can have Sprinter with that wonderful EsoBoost engine for about the same money.
Mercedes turbo gas? Friends in Europe tell me it is a terrible motor and quite weak comparing to EcoBoost. And I'll go for a limited slip differential. With better tires and set of chains in the "garage" no need for AWD, or 4WD.
I just bought a new 2019 2wd 144 cargo. Paid 31,265 (Sticker $38780). The closest I could get on a similar Transit was $37000 (Sticker $38500). The Mercedes Dealer was much more willing to deal.
So far I’m very happy with the I4 turbo gas with 9 spd transmission and 4:18 rear end. (I’m old and don’t feel the need for the van to act like a roadster). 23mpg hwy and 19mpg in town. 5000lb towing capacity and 4400lb payload capacity. I haven’t hauled a heavy trailer up hill but the van cruises up a 8 degree grade with no issues/hesitation. No trouble passing trucks. I’ll admit I am very surprised at how well the motor is performing so far. It has all the power I need.
I will eventually put a locker on the rear end and carry chains or use studs in winter.
So far I’m very happy with the I4 turbo gas with 9 spd transmission and 4:18 rear end. (I’m old and don’t feel the need for the van to act like a roadster). 23mpg hwy and 19mpg in town. 5000lb towing capacity and 4400lb payload capacity. I haven’t hauled a heavy trailer up hill but the van cruises up a 8 degree grade with no issues/hesitation. No trouble passing trucks. I’ll admit I am very surprised at how well the motor is performing so far. It has all the power I need.
I will eventually put a locker on the rear end and carry chains or use studs in winter.
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Offgridvan
New member
Mercedes for me , I have 3 Mercedes vehicles all bought when at least 9 years old .
As they age they simply do not wear out.
I do my own servicing and repairs and I can see the quality of the design.
Yes they have occasionally made mistakes , single row timing chains, saying gearboxes are sealed for life ,
but overall I believe them to be the best.
I've just bought an old sprinter van converted to a camper because with covid I don't fancy staying in Hotels.
It's got 173,000 on the clock.
The engine uses no oil and the oil stays clean after a change.
We've concentrated on refitting the the camper , but not worrying about the mechanics because we know they won't go wrong.
My e220 CDI estate is my mates old company car , bought last year with 170,000 miles on it . I will keep it for another 15 years.
My advice is save your money, buy a 10 year old Mercedes based RV and update the camper fittings, repaint it ,
It will run just as well as a new one.
If you follow the link in my signature, it takes you to my web store.
Some systems are 24 and others are 48 volt (internally). End customer devices take a variety of voltages - USB (nominal 5 volts), 12 v, 24 v, 48v, 120 vac, etc. All of these are pretty easily supported.
The typical system is built at my shop, then shipped to a customer or installer for installation in their van. That is the main business.
I do a small number of installations of systems, solar, and help customers with van wiring each year but that isn't the primary business goal. I also help arrange the installation of auxiliary alternators, but I don't install them myself.
My shop is small and local real estate is expensive, so doing it this way is more cost and time efficient and allows customers to keep driving their van until the final steps, rather than have it sit in a shop.
I work with a lot of different types of vans - sprinter, transit, promaster, dodge mini van, box truck, odds and ends - and a lot of model years. I try to keep the information all organized, but no doubt there are people like yourself who have more expertise in some models, and I respect that.
If you would like to look over the items on the site and are interested, we can talk about setting you up as an installer. I like it when people push back and show me where I have room to grow in an application. I will admit that because of risk, I am somewhat conservative regarding going beyond the mfg published information.
For the month of August and early Sept, I am completely swamped, but we can talk about it in mid September if you like.
Polonus
Member
If I buy my own LiFePo4 batteries and solar panels plus have Transit with dual alternator, can you help with connections, controllers and know how?
Yes. It is ideal for you to purchase the items that you listed.
All of the other items required are provided when you purchase the "system".
The batteries qualified for use are listed on the web site details. Just click on the photos for more info.
Email me directly for further discussions and before you buy anything so that we can coordinate.
Polonus
Member
Thx. However it will be about 6 months before I'll decide what to do. I just ordered my van and delivery time is 18-22 weeks.
asimba2
ourkaravan.com
It really comes down to a personal decision. At the time I bought my Sprinter in 2016, I felt it was the best van available (with the 4 cylinder twin turbo diesel). I wouldn't trade it for any van currently available. I am not a Mercedes fan boy and have no loyalty to any certain brand.
If buying new, with today's options, I would highly consider the AWD Transit. In my travels with Sprinter 4x4s, the drive system simply fails to perform when you need it most. They seem to do okay in the snow and when traction is equal between all four wheels though.
However WHEN the 4 cylinder diesel comes back (MB literature says it will), then I'd be back to the Sprinter 2WD over the Transit. Powertrains are something I care about.
The Transit has the added advantage of a coil sprung front end where the Sprinter has a transverse fiberglass leaf spring from the 1990s, hence the difference in ride that many note. Otherwise both vans are just a steel carcass made for delivering packages.
-Ken
If buying new, with today's options, I would highly consider the AWD Transit. In my travels with Sprinter 4x4s, the drive system simply fails to perform when you need it most. They seem to do okay in the snow and when traction is equal between all four wheels though.
However WHEN the 4 cylinder diesel comes back (MB literature says it will), then I'd be back to the Sprinter 2WD over the Transit. Powertrains are something I care about.
The Transit has the added advantage of a coil sprung front end where the Sprinter has a transverse fiberglass leaf spring from the 1990s, hence the difference in ride that many note. Otherwise both vans are just a steel carcass made for delivering packages.
-Ken
Graphite Dave
Dave Orton
I think the front suspension is why the Transit handles better than a Sprinter. Rear suspension on both are the same.
I did not notice much difference in ride from my sold 2008 Sprinter to the current 2015 Transit. I did notice a difference in handling.
GotDiesel?
New member
A four cylinder gas engine in a cargo van converted for camping better stay in the flatland.
Transit AWD has four levels of engagement and will direct 50/50 split power to the front/rear wheels. That's pretty close to 4wd. And if you're a purist, get the Quadvan or Quigley parts added then you can go places in your van that you shouldn't.
Mercedes will only send 40% power to the front wheels and hubs are not locked. If you have ever had a true 4wd vehicle that could shift into 4wd high on the fly and lock the hubs in 4wd low, you will know the difference. Mercedes requires you to stop the van to engage "4wd". Not the best plan when you come to a soft spot and need those front wheels to pull NOW.
And, you're right. Let's not talk about needing to have it worked on. $$$$$ if you can find a dealer with a tech who's trained on the Sprinter.
Can you tell that I think the Sprinter is over-rated? We could always talk about how much flex there is in the Sprinter on uneven ground.