Sprinter diesel tow question

ncrowley wrote:
Determine the weight you can pull by using the following calculation:

GCWR - GVWR

For these smaller RVs, you can assume you will be close to your GVWR. Do not be fooled by the hitch rating, which is 5000 pounds. That is more than the Sprinters can pull.

Use the Winnebago View as an example. All of the models have a GCWR if 15250 pounds and a GWVR of 11030 pounds. The difference is 4220. Therefore, the most you can pull is 4220.

Personally, I would not want to pull right at the max. My Jeep weighs 4400 pounds and therefore cannot be pulled with any of the View models. These numbers are about the same for all of the Sprinter chassis models I have seen.

That’s a very simplistic and conservative approach, although lacking in analysis and not entirely correct.
IE. A low profile trailer (toad that’s 3’ behind a huge box) adds no additional payload (gvw) to the tow vehicle and virtually no additional wind resistance.
A 4klb Jeep behind a motorhome will tow about the same as a mini canned ham camper behind a low profile tow vehicle (IE normal vehicle not a box van). Possibly easier.
Pretty easy to see how easy it is on the tow vehicle simply by looking at the change fuel mileage, which is minimal in this scenario. And the majority of that is due to rolling resistance only.
The additional stress on the drivetrain (the only plausible consideration with a dolly or 4 down toad with brakes) is very small.
Suspension? No concern, it’s not loading the tow vehicle suspension.
Brakes? No concern at all if you have toad brakes.
Weight ratio? No concern pulling 2 tons that doesn’t tail wag the dog with a 5-7 ton doooley tow rig.