Folks,
I have an Econoline van and it’s time to look for the next one
Anyone out there with a Strider van that would like to comment on how it works.
Our first take is that it would be top heavy and tippy in the turns. True? Not?
The ToolBear
“Never met a man who couldn’t teach me something.” Anon.
Replies
I've heard of a runner, a sprinter and someday I may need a walker but
the only strider I know of is shoes and they are only top heavy if I'm wearing them...never have they tipped me over...though I've tripped on occasion
It says "EXTRA SPACE".But I don't think that it would carry much in the way of tools.And certainly no a 4x6 sheet.http://www.sidestrider.com/
there I go - being the only serious one in class again
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It would give him a good side job, so to speak
Barry E-Remodeler
View ImageMemphest 2006
November 18th
http://www.fl-sprinter.com/Cargo/cargo.html
any chance you mean Sprinter made by mercedes and marketed here by Chrysler?
It is actually low floored so unless you hang everything from the cieling and walls, it would have a low center of gravity.
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Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Yes, that is the one. Sprinter, eh?
<My Senior Moment for the morning.>The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
I have a limited experiencee with the sprinters but in my high school internship I worked as a mechanic for the local ambulance service. About 2 months before i left we got a new sprinter ambulance in.
I don't know if they all are or just the ambulance setup was but it is a few inches taller and a few inches narrower than our econolines. In the sprinter i can stand straight up (6'2) in the econolines i had to bend over a little bit.
I've noticed many ambulance services in our area are changing over to the sprinters. I think a big part is the fuel mileage gained over the econolines.
As far as long term reliability i didn't get to see that much of it to really know. My thought though is as bad as it is for someone in the trades here to be without a vehicle just think how much worse it is if the ambulance is out of comission. Yet the big companies are still putting their faith in the sprinters, that's gotta say something.If it's not broke I can fix it
Interesting van but the comment in their desciption, "Electronic Stability Program* (ESP) that helps the driver handle critical situations more effectively" is not what I'd call a real strong point to buy the vehicle. My question to the sales dept. would be to explain the ESP system and why they need it.
Lot of vehicles have something similar. it is a computer brain having some control over functions. it know it is scary to think about, like the first time I had ABS come on - I got right off the brakes because of the throbbing until I rtealized what it was.
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This isn't a scientific fact, just an observation: Of the half dozen Sprinters I've seen in the last few weeks, three were on a tow truck hook heading to who-knows-where, but I'm taking a wild guess that it wasn't to a client's project.
FWIW.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
@@ Of the half dozen Sprinters I've seen in the last few weeks, three were on a tow truck hook heading to who-knows-where, but I'm taking a wild guess that it wasn't to a client's project.
Interesting. Seldom see an Econoline being towed. Rather a put-off if your van and tools were in the shop.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
My brother in law is a fleet mechanic and deals with 60 sprinters every day.(they used to have all econolines)
He likes em', says they're a good product.
If they're driven by multiple drivers who beat on them, he says you have to keep an eye on the brakes and front ends.
He says engine, tranny, and the rest are all better then average.
And just to give you a better sense about his comment, he's an excellent mechanic who's pickey about his work.
Hope this helps....Buic
I would think they're fairly well built, since they're from the Sterling/Freightliner/Mercedes folks, who don't want to mess up their truck reputation. Originally they were going to market them as Freightliners, until Daimler picked up Chrysler, and they decided to use Dodge as the avenue to market.
Be interesting to hear from somewone who actully has one, real life fuel mileage would be interesting to know. As well as towing and weight capacity.
I don't own a Sprinter, but a friend in Colorado bought one, diesel. (Are they only available with diesel engines?) He is a retired engineer, is customizing it into a compact RV. He gets 25 MPG going up and down a 10 mile, 3000 vertical foot commute, van empty. I am pretty impressed, and trust his figures. Half that drive is dirt road, BTW. After he gets done, I'll hear some highway figures.Very cool that a guy can stand up in the cargo bay of a Sprinter.Bill
I have one- 2006 140" wheelbase cargo version and the high roof.
Not too many miles on it yet, last fill up resulted in almost 22 MPG, which should get better as time goes on. I would be happy if it settled at 25.
It handles better than any domestic van I have owned or driven. It is a big vehicle- there is 72" of height clearance inside. Cool feature is the rear doors open 270* on the 140" and 158" wheelbase models.
The front end is rack and pinion, so I make an effort to miss big bumps- no different than anything else. No brake issues- they are supposed to go 80k miles on a set of pads.
The engine (5 cylinder) has a 400,000 mile rated service life. Don't know about the 07's which is a v-6 diesel.
Interior payload is something like 3500#. A bit more for the dually version.
Rated towing capacity is 5000#, but you must subtract van payload from that number.
Not the best vehicle choice if you need real towing capacity, but I do not.
No factory 4WD available, but it can be done aftermarket (european) if you have bottomless pockets.
No release/order date yet for 07 diesel models- in fact, there may not be any 07 diesel Sprinters sold in the USA. They have a gasoline engine version coming out. The 07's are also wider and longer than the previous generation. 2006 and earlier are diesel only.
thanks for the info, sounds impressive. Maybe where yu live it doesn't matter but how well does the heater and window defrost work?
Heat and defrost is important here too.... :)
It works just fine.
I also have the optional diesel fired water heater on a timer, so I can set it to warm the van- or I can heat the interior with the engine off. There is also a REST heating mode that somehow makes the engine heat up faster.
The diesel fired aux heater isn't a common option, and it is expensive. There are aftermarket versions available.
The climate controls are pretty cryptic- I guess that is a Mercedes thing.
Insulating the van has made a huge difference.
Don't tell me... they are gonna replace a bullet-proof german diesel with a Chrysler halfarss v-6 six conversion....
or worse a Mopar gas engine...
"The truth, when told does nothing but bolster a mans character."
Same trhinking here somnewhat. I have been dreaming of a Sprinter, but in large part because of the diesel and the Mercedes reputation...
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Nope, Mercedes V-6. Called the BlueTec.
Gas or deisel?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
First 2007 Sprinters will be gas.
There is no order or delivery date yet for diesel engined Sprinters.
Has to do with the rollout (or lack thereof) of ULSD diesel in the USA. Noticed the diesel pump stickers stating not to use the fuel in model year 2007 vehicles?
I have read something about a change in the fuel formula
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Current "on road" diesel fuel is no more than 500 ppm of sulphur. ULSD (Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel) is no more than 50 ppm. Home heating oil can have 2000 ppm+.
Current fuel will destroy pollution controls on an engine designed for ULSD. Current European diesel engines are designed for ULSD. Only ULSD engines will meet 2007 EPA regs for particulates- this is why a 40+ MPG diesel Jetta cannot be sold in a CARB state and a 8 MPG Hummer can.
Rollout of ULSD was further delayed after hurricane Katrina.
Medium and heavy duty diesel trucks are exempt from the same particulate standards as passenger cars. Manufacturers wanted to use urea injection to lower particulate emissions, but the EPA nixed that. The Mercedes CRD car uses a particulate filter that burns off the contaminants every so often.
VW is making all the diesels they can to import to the USA before December 31 to sell as 2008 models. When they are gone, that is it until ULSD comes on line in the USA. The current VW engine barely squeaks by EPA particulate standards.
Production of 2006 Sprinters stopped several months ago, and there is a new body and engine for 2007+.
There is a very good chance that no new diesel Sprinters will be sold in the USA until the 2008 model year. Current orders for new gasoline engine Sprinters have a 4 to 6 month wait.
So what engine and what milage/ performance can be expected from a Gas Sprinter
(Gas sprinter: what other people become when I fart in a crowded room:))"The truth, when told does nothing but bolster a mans character."
I have no idea. No official info has been released.
That is an amazing amount of info and very useful - where did you learn all this?
We are running a lot of equipment (tractor, generator, excavator, skid loader) using off road diesel (the same truck that delivers heating oil) Any concerns?
Were thinking hard about buying a sprinter van, but diesel/economy is the major reason...
I had heard diesel trucks would be subject to the new rules - are you saying they are exempt for now?
Treat every person you meet like you will know them the rest of your life - you just might!
Been reading a lot at a TDI forum and a Sprinter group. Also visit the diesel stop once in a while. The info is out there.... Days of reading and searching.
I don't know specifics, but there are different EPA classifications for different vehicles. That is why there are so few passenger vehicles with diesel engines- also why there is not a light duty truck with a diesel. I think a GVW over 7700# is the cutoff between "passenger" and "medium duty"
Over the road trucks are also facing tightening emissions rules. I think Caterpillar was the first to meet 2007 standards with their engines. The trucking industry has been a big opponent of ULSD due to increased costs for the fuel and the process that strips the sulphur also takes some BTU's (oil) resulting in lower MPG's.
None of these vehicles are "exempt" from the "rules", but the "rules" are different for each class of vehicle. Compounding the issue is the CARB states.
As far as I know, home heating oil is not subject to the same standards as on or off road diesel fuel. These standards include sulphur content, viscosity and lubricity. There is also that little dye issue.
It is possible that your supplier sells off road diesel fuel as home heating oil to reduce the number of dedicated trucks for each. The dye is easily added.
I would NOT use off road diesel or home heating oil in any modern diesel engine unless you know that it is the same stuff sold as on road fuel- dye and taxes added. The only thing making the current diesel engine so much better is technology and real high injection pressures (Mercedes CRD is over 20,000 psi). Crappy fuel will ruin that parade real quick.
Mainly about VW diesels, but plenty of info here: http://www.tdiclub.com
The good, bad and ugly on the Sprinter (you may have to register to yahoo to view this group, and you will have to register to view some messages): http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/sprintervan/
There are also forums for Cummins, Duramax and Powerstroke powered trucks.
Edited 9/7/2006 11:03 pm ET by danski0224
"the Sterling/Freightliner/Mercedes folks, who don't want to mess up their truck reputation"
"they decided to use Dodge as the avenue to market"
I don't know but this seems a tad counterintuitive...
like Wolfgang Puck choosing McDonalds to market his new entree's"The truth, when told does nothing but bolster a mans character."
"I don't know but this seems a tad counterintuitive...
like Wolfgang Puck choosing McDonalds to market his new entree's"
But then again, if Wolfie decided to market some entrees that were aimed at 300# residents of trailer parks, where else would be a good place to sell them?
The Sprinter isn't aimed at the Class 8/9 truck market, it's aimed at two markets; fleet sales to courier companies, and to tradesmen. Fleet sales are all handled differently, and you'd get more tradesmen at a Dodge dealer than a Freightliner shop.
That thing gotta hemi?