Sprinters in the mountains

[surfgeek33]

If you ever come around the Fresno area, here in California, I'm quite sure SMB west will let you test drive their 4x4 Sprinter. If all you want is info about the ride and capabilities, those guys will give you all the info needed if you email them. Good luck.

Ray

[monkeyboy]

Originally Posted by stmlandplan

I really had concluded that I was going to have to wait and try to swing a 4wd version but you guys have convinced me that I may not need it for snowy roads and occassional off-roading. Just out of curiosity has anyone tried the 4wd Sprinter's?

I looked into the 4wd Sprinters and hoped too that they would show up but ultimately decided not to wait for them or fork out the 15-20K to get one modified in a custom manner that would likely invalidate any warranties and possibly difficult to repair etc. Even in CO, the reality is you don't really need 4wd 98% of the time (unless you are an offroader). I do think a MB engineered AWD system on the Sprinter would be sweet and provide an extra level of comfort in the 2% needed situations. Because of the shape/weight/balance points/etc of the Sprinter, hard for me to imagine it ever being setup to be a serious offroading 4x4 vehicle without some major [$$$] modifications (you can find some extreme examples on the web). Obviously, the Ford SMB is much better suited if true 4x4 is needed.

I checked out the 4WD one that is out in Fresno but did not drive it. It is a cool looking rig but it was way to big/clunky looking for what I was looking for (ie stealth, low roof, etc).

[saabman]

Just for your info I drove my 2WD Chevy in 10-12 inches of snow just before Xmas and went fine... of course not off road... but still...

Didn't even have snow/off road tires yet...

Can't wait till I get the Open Countries on...

[mb309]

My experience with my 2WD Sprinter in snow and other loose conditions has not been nearly as positive. (Understand, however, that I am a flatlander at heart, and less experienced than others).

I find that in icy conditions, or even wet grass and a cowpie, the Sprinter traction control will make me stuck in no time. The combination of engine dethrottling and whatever else prohibits me from getting going in slick stuff. YMMV.

Once I am going, it handles beautifully in icy conditions with the ASR and traction control. Additional weight in the back (kids & dogs) helps.

I urge you to take up one of these kind forum members offers for a test drive before you plonk down your cash.

[saabman]

I agree that a test drive is very important...

[RickL]

The stock Conti tires on the Sprinter are not the greatest for driving in adverse conditions. The Nokian Vatiiva tires seem to have quite a following in the Sprinter crowd.

Rick L

[saabman]

I am using Nokian Hakkapelita and on my Dodge Raider in winter and they are great!!!


The Vatiiva look quite similar to the Toyo Open Country At I just bought... maybe a little less agressive...

[stevepar]

I have taken alot of roads off the main drag, dirt, gravel,etc without a problem but would never reccomend any rock crawling or serious off road adventures. I think the Sprinter is a unibody construction so even a 4WD would not give you that great a system for serious off roading. It would "help" in snow or slippery terrain
I sold my 1996 2WD Ford SMB and went with the 2007 Sprinter and love driving it more than the Ford. Mercedes does it right.

[jage]

I don't know, I wheeled the heck out of a unibody Cherokee... but my understanding is that's why Ober-ichner has IFS 4x4 because the unibody is not made to take the stress of a solid axle. This from Herber, the guy in S. Africa who does the 4x4 Sprinters.

[RlnStn949]

Has anyone tried the 3500 Sprinter RB with the dually w/positraction option for some light duty off roading? Don't want to be rock crawling, just want to be able to navigate an occasional dirt road with some wet spots and an occasional snowy road. And does anyone know if one can get the penthouse with the high roof Sprinter?