Aktiv style layout on MB Sprinter Chassis?

[IrishRogue]

I'm a fan of the overall Aktiv layout, but want to semi-regularly tow a boat with our Class-B, and the beefier MB Sprinter chassis seems a must.

Does anyone know of a layout like this on the Benz platform?

[GeorgeRa]

Bed length on a Sprinter could be a limit sleeping crosswise, Sprinters are narrower than PMs.

[IrishRogue]

Good point -- we're not fixed on sleeping cross-wise though. The interesting bit is the tradeoffs up front, including the wider seat behind the driver + table.

[Keyne]

The upcoming (1 week away) Winnebago Sprinter Adventure van will have the Aktiv style layout (if it is close to the design of the concept vehicle). For sideways sleeping they have the bump out sides in the rear of the Sprinter. To be released in about a week from what I understand.

Winnebago's Concept Adventure Vehicle is ready to rough it

[AlexJ]

Originally Posted by IrishRogue

I'm a fan of the overall Aktiv layout, but want to semi-regularly tow a boat with our Class-B, and the beefier MB Sprinter chassis seems a must.

Does anyone know of a layout like this on the Benz platform?

Safari Condo Sprinter XL Flex has that layout.

[booster]

There is also no question that a Transit would pull anything you want, too, so you may want to look at them also.

[mumkin]

Looked like an Activ type toilet cassette in the back of that new Winnebago...

I can see complaints about that in seconds...

[wincrasher]

It will be interesting to see how the new concept van compares to the old one. They flirted with the idea of taking that one to production, but chickened out. Now supposedly they are moving ahead. So what they changed to validate that decision will be extremely interesting with what it reveals about their view of the marketplace.

[IrishRogue]

BOOSTER: Transit chassis isn't' as burly as the MB sprinters.... GCWR is ~2000 lbs higher on the Benz--and the unloaded weights are more like 500 lbs lighter on the Transit. That's 1500# of additional towing capacity on the Benz, and I'm on the upper end of 5000# towing... Can't make the numbers pencil on the Transit, LMK if you can!

[BBQ]

.

The Ford Transit diesel does not make sense.

The 3.5L ecoboost gas engine performs much better.

[booster]

Originally Posted by IrishRogue

BOOSTER: Transit chassis isn't' as burly as the MB sprinters.... GCWR is ~2000 lbs higher on the Benz--and the unloaded weights are more like 500 lbs lighter on the Transit. That's 1500# of additional towing capacity on the Benz, and I'm on the upper end of 5000# towing... Can't make the numbers pencil on the Transit, LMK if you can!

I don't have all the numbers on them, but one thing we have seen on many of the different class b vans is that they just list the towing weight for them the same as if there was no heavy conversion done, and once converted would have trouble with that kind of weight.

I am with BBQ, though, the Ecoboost should out tow the Sprinter or the transit diesel big time. How heavy are you looking to tow?

[IrishRogue]

Yeah, even the ecoboost versions are held back by GCWR's around 13000# -- unless I'm reading things incorrectly?

[BBQ]

.

Can't wait for Ford Transit to get the gen2 3.5L ecoboost and the 10 sp transmission.

510 lb/ft of torque


MB has a whole series of new engines up its sleeve.
It is going to be interesting.

[booster]

The Transit must be limiting be chassis strength, as the Ecoboost pulls lots more than that in pickups, and Sprinters just don't have all that much power, from what I have seen in the mountains.

[wincrasher]

I doubt the issue is chassis strength. Often the weak link is the transmission. Seems that some of the deisels now in trucks and vans/cutaways is only a mpg pay, and not for big towing. Chevy bucked that trend when they did the diesel in the Express - again, the transmission being the limiting factor, but it could still tow a substantial load.

[angelmroman]

If you're focusing in on the GCWR of other Chassis vs the Sprinters, the Chevy Chassis is rated at 16,000 GCWR vs 15,250 on the Sprinters. Granted, I'm not aware of any current Chevy offerings that have the Layout you're looking for, but with Bs, it's always about "compromises". Which is most important to you? Good luck in your search 😉

[IrishRogue]

Agree on the Chevy chassis, it's most certainly a candidate. We've not found any that have the open-feeling and headspace of the MB Sprinters -- but certainly we'd consider anything there. Other than Roadtrek 210/etc, were open to suggestions!

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

I doubt the issue is chassis strength. Often the weak link is the transmission. Seems that some of the deisels now in trucks and vans/cutaways is only a mpg pay, and not for big towing. Chevy bucked that trend when they did the diesel in the Express - again, the transmission being the limiting factor, but it could still tow a substantial load.

Transmissions and brakes are often the limiters on GCVWR.


- - Mike
2012 Sprinter 3500 Extended converted B-Van by Airstream