Channels featuring Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Other names
From 2001 to 2001, Sprinters were sold in the United States under the Freightliner Sprinter name.
Specifications
| Curb weight | 4,696 lbs. |
|---|---|
| GVWR | 8,550 lbs. |
Wikipedia: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Unofficial links
T1N Sprinter
- Florida Van Man - T1N Sprinter focused, with events and online community
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter gallery
See more in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter category. For image credits, open image and click More Details.
Sprinter
(external image) The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been sold under many nameplates: Dodge, MB, Freightliner, etc. It was the first of the modern eurovans sold in the US. Perhaps because of the head start it is the dominant high-roof camper conversion platform in the U.S., both DIY and commercial Class B.
The Sprinter is famed for huge cargo volume and for the fuel efficiency of the diesel engines which can get 20+ MPG.[1] They are also the largest vans available, with the Extended Body option on the 170" wheelbase extending to a full 24 feet long.
The "super high roof" and (discontinued?) "mega roof" appear to have fiberglass roofs, though panels are reported to mount to them without issue.[2]
alternator
[[https://img.mousetrap.net/misc/thumbs/alt_Sprinter-220A_curve.jpg (external image)]]
See this discussion on which Sprinters have "smart" alternators (E33 in Sprinter-speak). Single-voltage alternators appear to run ~14.1v.[3]
Alternators may include:[4]
- 180A (T1N?)
- 200A (4cyl OM651)
- 220A (6cyl OM642)[5] -- see output curve on the right
- 250A (code M60) optional
By 2016-2017 regulation was being managed by the ECU:
>> The alternator regulator is equipped with a LIN (Local Interface Network) interface. The characteristics of the LIN alternators are fixed in the engine control unit[6]
Solar mounting
> T1N flat roof area measurements are approximately 52" x 168" -- DesertAdventures
2007+ Sprinters have roof holes punched (sealed from the factory) for mounting racks or rails. video | article with pictures
Known issues
In general, the (before 2010) T1N models are simpler and often preferred for field maintainability.
- Body rust issues until 2017 (?) - Metallic colors may have received better clearcoat.
- 2008+ diesel emissions control:
- AKA ["fatal flaw"].
- 2008-2018 model years are particularly problematic due to the location of the components. They are very tightly packed and there isn't much airflow in the area, leading to heat buildup that eventually cooks the DEF tank/heater and exhaust particulate filter. This is made worse when subjected to long periods of idling.
- The tight packaging makes the system very difficult to access for repairs/replacement, requiring sometimes dozens of hours of labor. Repair bills can easily run into the thousands.
- For the 2019 model year, the system underwent significant redesign and anecdotal reports have been generally positive, with increase reliability and easier to access components. However it will always be an achilles heel of any modern diesel.
- fuel injector ["black death"]
- T1N: glow plug seizure in cylinder head
- pay close attention to M-B specs for engine oils. Which spec goes with which engine.
- Service may be difficult to locate; not all M-B dealers can work on the Sprinter vans and some do not work on any vehicle over 10 years old.
- Parts and hourly rate are expensive, particularly at M-B dealerships. Many repairs (especially regarding the emission systems on 2010+ vans) are locked behind proprietary computer systems that are only available at a dealership.
Quirks
The walls are curved in prominently near the top. This can limit space and make building the walls difficult.
Resources
| Resource | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| FloridaVanMan: The Group for T1N Sprinters | Public Facebook group with 5k members as of August 2024. "This group is for anyone that is looking into building their own camper or has built or rebuilt their own campers so we can share ideas and build a friendly welcoming community around trailers and campers." | |
| Mercedes Sprinter Camper Community | Public Facebook group with 56k members as of August 2024. | |
| Mercedes Sprinter Tech | Private Facebook group with 9k members as of August 2024. | |
| /r/Sprinters | Subreddit with 5.6k members as of September 2024. | |
| Sprinter Source forum | Very active forum for Sprinter owners with ~150k members. | |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | Wikipedia article | |
| Repair Pal | Reliability and maintenance costs | |
| Consumer Reports | Reliability and vehicle tests | |
| IIHS safety ratings | Vehicle crash safety information | |
| Manual-Directory.com | Owner's manuals | |
| Charm.li | Repair manuals through 2013 | |
| "living in Mercedes-Benz Sprinter" "Mercedes-Benz Sprinter build" "Mercedes-Benz Sprinter conversion" | YouTube searches | |
| Search forums and groups | Search van life discussion groups for "mercedes-benz sprinter" | |
| Search related sites | Search van life sites for "mercedes-benz sprinter" | |
| Search NomadLife.wiki | Search other pages on this wiki for "mercedes-benz sprinter" |
Some or all of the content on this page was originally sourced from this page on RVWiki
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_Sprinter#Fuel_economy
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/jo7s56/can_a_maxxfan_hood_hang_off_the_rear_of_a_van_by/gb6eyrl/
- ↑ https://sprinter-source.com/forums/index.php?threads/51538/post-500924
- ↑ https://sprinter-source.com/forums/index.php?threads/51538/post-500290
- ↑ https://www.mbvans.com/content/dam/mb-vans/us/upfitter/bulletins/alternator-information.pdf
- ↑ https://sprinter-source.com/forums/index.php?threads/51538/post-500290