Towing over 5,000 sprinter cargo with penthouse and interior SMB build

[Jgt8]

Any guidance as to towing close to the limit? I own 2018 4x4 cargo low roof w penthouse and interior build. Looking at black series trailers and they offer a c12, a H12 and H15 all dry weight is ok but concerned about all the added weight on the sprinter after build plus trailer once water and supplies? Any experience would be appreciated I would bet be going crazy off grid just some gravel roads
Appreciate any tips advice. Jay

C12 3307lbs and GVWR is 6750
H12 4422 and 6750
H15 4722 and 7000

[Gooseberry]

What is the gvwr on your van ? A 2500 is 8550lbs and 3500 is 9990lbs so what’s the weight of the van.

[Jgt8]

Don’t know but will get that thanks

[Fitz]

GVWR = 8,550 lbs
GAWR (front) = 3,970 lbs
GAWR (rear) = 5,360 lbs
GRW (trailer) = 5,000 lbs
TWR (tongue) = 500 lbs
GCWR = 13,500 lbs
Page 287 of the 2016 Operator’s Manual
Flint weighed 8,220 lbs. the day he left SMB, it adds up fast.
Gooseberry is correct, find a CAT scale near you and get front axle, rear axle, and total weights and then you will have the information to make your decision.

[Jgt8]

Thanks will do

[deshet]

Many recommend that you turn over drive off when towing heavy. I do this when towing heavy in the mountains.

Also you can add a larger transmission oil cooler. I do a drain and fill at oil changes on my heavy tow vehicles. I do this once a year because I don't put enough miles on them to change it more than yearly.

Most of the transmission guys recommend these things to extend transmission life. (Oil cooler and overdrive off) I don't think you will have any issues moving 5000 pounds. Most of these vehicles are underrated for liability reasons.

5000 pounds is light. You could get an electronic brake controller and install electric braking but that may be over kill for a light load.


Thanks.

[OurayMark]

Unlike my GMC pickup, whose Owner’s manual lists a reduced towing weight as the vehicle GVW increases, my 2500 4x4 Sprinter manual does not. It specifies a 5000 pound towing limit whether the van is empty or at the maximum GVWR.
I have not tested handling while towing 5000 pounds with my fully loaded SMB Sprinter, but a person would be on the right side of the law doing so. As you probably know, if either the manufacturer’s load or tow limits are exceeded and a person is involved in a wreck, the insurance company contract is void and liability exposure increases. So best to stay within those limits!

[michuth]

Is that 5000 lbs with or without trailer brakes?

[carringb]

It looks like the GCWR for all 2500 vans is 13,550 pounds. A full buildout could eat up much of that. You'll probably need to find owners of similar builds, and find their actual weights. But the 3500 is rated at 15,250 pounds combined. Those would be hitch-limited.

Also, beware the Springer is not SAE J2807 tested, so it will slow down in the mountains towing at max rating.

There's a lot to that standard, but the crux of it is the Davis Dam test:
The tests includes driving up the Davis Dam, a 7 percent grade that runs eastward out of Laughlin, Nev., for 11 miles to the top of the 3,500-foot summit in daytime temperatures of 100 degrees with the air conditioning going full blast.


I would absolutely use trailer brakes. I don't think the transmission since the T1N needs extra cooling. But you will probably want to shift manually. Motorhome owner frequently complain that it'll downshift too soon, and spin the motor above its power band, and hence make them lose speed. Although maybe that strategy is intentional to keep EGTs down.