4w or Not 4 - That Is The Question

[Marley]

Originally Posted by eric1514

If I really wanted 4x4, I'd buy a pickup truck and put a camper on the back of it.

Originally Posted by Bruceper

You got all that then you know you want a Unimog

Everything I bought made sense at the time but now the kids are finished their education and going different ways...time for me to go a different way!
Dakar Rally Class B by Roughtrek or Punish-Way..?

[dknightd]

I'm pretty much convinced I want a 144"wb 4x4 2500 sprinter for my conversion. Reasons:
It is small enough to drive and park in town.
It has single rear wheels.
A little more ground clearance can come in handy.
It gives me a little more confidence should the dirt road I'm camping on get slippery overnight. (It is not a real 4x4 - more like an AWD)
Unfortunately prebuilt options are limited, and wait time for a custom conversion is over a year. Still thinking . . .
I might spring for the roadtrek agile ss with ecotek option (no propane).
But I'm not wild about all those tanks under the van. I need to see one in person to decide if that would be a deal breaker.

[Bruceper]

Dakar Rally Class B by Roughtrek or Punish-Way..?

Boo Ya! I'm in.

[atom]

Originally Posted by dknightd

...... (It is not a real 4x4 - more like an AWD)
......

Are you saying the Sprinter is not 4WD? It looks like a real part-time 4WD system to me. i.e. don't drive it on non-slippery surfaces, stop to engage the 4WD, etc.

[BBQ]

.

The Sprinter 4x4 is a part-time four wheel drive. (with low range)
It is not a full-time AWD.

You need to stop the van to engage the front axle.
This is Mercedes Benz truck class old school four wheel drive.
You cannot use the 4-wheel drive mode on pavement,
it is strictly for offroad use only. (or to get out of slippery surface)

There is no locker, but they have brake assisted anti-slip.

[Marley]

Originally Posted by BBQ

.

The Sprinter 4x4 is a part-time four wheel drive. (with low range)
It is not a full-time AWD.

You need to stop the van to engage the front axle.
This is Mercedes Benz truck class old school four wheel drive.
You cannot use the 4-wheel drive mode on pavement,
it is strictly for offroad use only. (or to get out of slippery surface)

There is no locker, but they have brake assisted anti-slip.

Interesting. Thanks for the information. I was thinking it had a highway 4wd drive mode and a low off-road mode. Good to know.

Just read the info on MB site. Says 4x4 version has ETS controlled by a push button on the dash. Low 4x4 mode for off-road type stuff.

[BBQ]

This is why you want a 4x4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgOsAsxKscE

[dknightd]

Originally Posted by atom

Are you saying the Sprinter is not 4WD? It looks like a real part-time 4WD system to me. i.e. don't drive it on non-slippery surfaces, stop to engage the 4WD, etc.

I'm pretty sure the USA spec sprinter has selectable AWD. The manual has no caution about using 4wd on non-slippery surfaces. Yes, you have to stop to engage it.

[BBQ]

.

Sprinter is part Time 4x4
The M-Class SUV is full time 4x4

https://youtu.be/KlM6CcYLeHE?t=167

[Marley]

Originally Posted by BBQ

This is why you want a 4x4

No weight in the back and turbo-lag driftin'

[RickNV]

yes it would be very nice if the Sprinter was offered with the 4x4 / 4 cylinder configuration as most people I have asked who actually drive sprinters say the 4 cylinder is a much better vehicle - no double this is a huge compromise as all it takes is one time getting stuck on an easy icy grade or dirt and your in trouble- camping and rving is a balance of compromises for sure

[sheral]

I have to agree, if MB was making the 4x4 in the 2.1 L 4 cylinder/7 speed trans I would be buying.

[BBQ]

.

This is a good thread...


Things to know before you Buy a 4X4 sprinter

Things to know before you Buy a 4X4 sprinter - Sprinter-Forum

[BBQ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ndy3OVSOrc