Towing capacity of Sprinter motorhome

Wayne Dohnal wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
I have yet to speak with an MB owner who was satisfied, much less happy with towing. A 10,000#+ coach with a 3,000 to 5,000# Toad is asking a lot of 188 HP. Wish I had a dollar for every MB with a Toad I have seen lugging up a 6% grade at 35 to 45 with their flashers on.

I am an MB owner who is satisfied and happy with towing, a bit over 19,000 miles. So what if I'm going up the 6% grades at 45? More often than not, I'm flying past the semis if there's a passing lane.

The big problem for me is going down those steep grades. Engine braking on the Sprinter is pathetic. On a long downgrade I have to choose between 3rd gear at 55 to 60 with frequent braking, or 45 in 2nd gear with little or no braking. I go down the long steep grades at 45, and that's when the semis want to crush the little Sprinter insect in front of them.

If you are doing 35-45 I doubt you are "flying" past the semis. If you were not overloaded with your Toad you likely could/would get up those 6% grades at 50-55 which would be far safer not only for you but for everyone else on the road. By your "so what" response I gather you just don't care and that is troubling.

Less Toad and/or more motor would eliminate this problem. As you point out your current rig puts you (and others), in jeopardy going down as well as up and yet you are "satisfied and happy?" :h

When I'm stuck behind someone who can't get up the hill at a reasonable speed it places a very large bulls eye on the back of my rig and that is my concern.

:E