Fastpaddler wrote:
Dodge provided the body for the up to 06 Sprinters but the chassis is pure Mercedes Benz with the ESP etc as are the later models. With the longer Sprinters ie 22ft9ins they have dualies which theoretically provide more rear stability in cross winds. My 06 has single rear wheels and Firestone air bags at the rear which i keep at 60psi. I keep the front tires at 55psi and rears at 80 because that gives some understeer up front.At 60 or more up front oversteer happens. 35mph winds are substantial for an rv especially with an overhang bunk system up front.
2. The Ford front end geometry has been debated on the web and there are innumerable cases of 'loose' front ends. Could be a problem with tire pressures, driver traits, roads, strong winds,overloaded rvs, and lack of rear end stabilizers. I have driven chevs and found the front end characteristics ie Stabiltrak superior to Ford. Perhaps the wheel alignment might cure the problem but it didnt for my Trail-lite. The Winnebago Aspect wasnt much better.
3. If I were to buy an LTV and I like the company products, I would still prefer a rear single wheel system if possible. I find the MB chassis quite tight and vehicle tracks well, more like a car. Others with dualy models can weigh in on their reactions. I came back from Manitoba where I can park my 06 on city streets without getting a ticket. With dualies the parking cops are after you right away.
AL
Dodge provided nothing on the Sprinters but a cosmetic nameplate and grill. They did not provide the body. The Sprinters were always 100% Mercedes Benz. Daimler shed Chrysler Corporation in 2010 so there were also dually Dodge brands for a couple of years. Starting with the 2007 chassis redesign some converters attempted to build on the four wheel 2500 chassis like the previous model but quickly realized they had to go to a 3500 dually. The Sprinter duallies are not like truck duallies in that the extra wheels do not change the width of the van so I am not sure how you can conclude cops would ticket a Sprinter dually. No major North American converter builds off the 2500 single wheel Sprinter that I know of today in the standard and extended body length.
