Towing capacity of Sprinter motorhome

Wayne Dohnal wrote:
"My point is and always has been that there are better choices than an MB if you are going to tow."

That assumes that towing performance is the only decision point, and if it were, I would agree. Every RV is a compromise of features and capabilities and we try to make the best overall choice for ourselves. If the only decision point is MPG, MB is the choice. If it's cab comfort, MB is the choice. If it's driving on narrow roads, MB is the choice. If it's barely fitting through my shop door, MB is the choice :)

As to the statement "I have yet to speak with an MB owner who was satisfied, much less happy with towing.", 5 different Sprinter owners have said they are satisfied with towing on this thread, and another reported that he's talked with "many" Sprinter owners who tow and they were all happy with it, and he's followed several up hills and they had no problem.

At this time I suspect most of the Sprinter RVs are the 154 HP version, which is true of mine that climbs 6% grades, towing, at 47 MPH. The new 188 HP version must be a real screamer in comparison. As an aside, I have yet to speak with an Ford chassis RV owner who was satisfied, much less happy with towing. Yet I assume they probably are ok with it.

Yep, the first statement remains a fact that none here has come close to refuting. Read it again, I said there are "better" choices such as a big block V-8/V-10.


We are in complete agreement here on decision points. You may recall that I gave serious consideration to the MB because we had no plans to tow. There are a number of other decision points you neglected to mention:

The price of the MB being a serious consideration. If you want an MB it comes at a very steep price, one that will never be recouped in fuel savings unless you drive it hundreds of thousands of miles.

Service on the MB's is notoriously problematic with their service centers often being hundreds of miles down the road. Before you try to deny this one spend a little time reading about this as there have been many posts documenting this issue. A V-10 can be serviced just about anywhere at any one of the thousands of Ford dealers.

While storage varies widely from model to model the MB's are not known to be particularly voluminous. Head room is reduced, which at 5'9" was not a big issue for me it did feel somewhat cramped compared to the room we found in our conventional C (7' of headroom will do that). As far as cab room some folks rave about the Chevy and or complain about the Fords but much like your garage door that is a very subjective issue. Mine fits me just fine.

Now after all of this felonious thread drift permit me to return to the original thread topic. The purchase of any RV is of course a series of compromises, on that at least I think we can all agree. As noted several times I think the MB is a great engine and many of the MB equipped models have a lot to like. They were however not the right combination of features and performance I was seeking. But since the topic is and always has been, the towing performance of the MB Sprinters I made my comments (fully expecting dissenting opinions), based upon real world experience and facts that supported those observations.

I have seen too many Sprinters with a Toad struggling up grades, flashers on, creating safety issues for the rest of the folks on the road simply because when it comes to towing there are better choices. I know some want to have it all from the fuel economy to the more compact size found behind the stylish MB badge and are willing to sacrifice some towing performance to get there. Unfortunately when towing with less than an ideal TV it "can" quickly become a safety issue for others who have had no say in the equation. I think the problem is more acute for people pulling TT's and fivers with less than the ideal TV but the net results can be the same.

While a bit lively at times this discussion has been civilized and for anyone considering towing with an MB lots of good info, both pro and con, has been shared. I will continue to chat up MB owners seeking new perspectives and would love to meet any of the dissenters who took the time to post.

:C