Sprinter 4x4 coming for 2015

Without decent All-terrain tires and more ground clearance, it's not going far off pavement. That long wheelbase will increase the chance of high-centering too. Good first try, but not fully thought out yet.

Envisioning a DIY camper-van, these Factory options look intriguing:

1. 4x4 low + mud/snow tires.
2. Engine high-idle + 2nd battery (combine with 2000W inverter + aux. alternator); ~eliminate need for generator.
3. 17,000BTU fuel powered engine heater runs for 60 mins. and warms coolant/interior heater. (~Espar type?)
4. Rear heater prep. = heater lines to rear. (could add heat exchanger for hot water and/or rear heat)
5. Bandpass windshield (blocks UV/heat).

Ideally would like to eliminate need for propane and generator. Ideas not fully baked...

The higher clearance will make it easier to fit a PowerTech genset right in front of the hitch. That way, you can have 3000 watts of diesel and the generator will be well out of the way of the departure angle, and by adding a skid wheel to the tow hitch, if the angle isn't enough, the hitch will take the pummeling, not the generator case.

Just FYI, May 5 is when the initial orders for 2015 Sprinters are being taken, and they will be here in October for 2WD, 4WD models likely in December or January of 2015.

The rear heater prep is interesting, especially when used with the Espar MCS 16, because on shore power, you still get on-demand hot water and warm air. On the road, the engine coolant provides that. I don't see it offered by Sportsmobile, but it would be an interesting thing to have.

Nice rig. Would need to tow a small trailer behind it with dry/wet bath, kitchen(decent size), wider sleeping quarters and so on. Looks like a camper for camping not rving much more than a day or so.

Not a problem with high center here

http://youtu.be/ZQeFsTwu8p8

http://youtu.be/dGja-FhPq0Y

I've been off roading for 50 years and everything gets high centered under the right conditions. I was able to high center a Jeep, a Hummer H1, and most other off road capable vehicles. I don't think people will buy the AWD Sprinter and hope to hill climb in Moab or the Rubicon.

It is what it is - a BONUS to the Sprinter that will get it into areas that it currently can't get into, and be a great snow and ski van.

nomad 289 wrote:
Envisioning a DIY camper-van, these Factory options look intriguing:

1. 4x4 low + mud/snow tires.
2. Engine high-idle + 2nd battery (combine with 2000W inverter + aux. alternator); ~eliminate need for generator.
3. 17,000BTU fuel powered engine heater runs for 60 mins. and warms coolant/interior heater. (~Espar type?)
4. Rear heater prep. = heater lines to rear. (could add heat exchanger for hot water and/or rear heat)
5. Bandpass windshield (blocks UV/heat).

Ideally would like to eliminate need for propane and generator. Ideas not fully baked...

just remember-idling a diesel at high idle or not-does tend to clog egr valves and dpf sooner.a lot of idling in generalis tough on a diesels emissions controls sytem-it does not hurt the engine though.