[mdshunk]

I'm considering gettting a Sprinter van now, since there are a few manufacturers now offering racking/shelving and ladder racks for the Sprinter. My confusion lies in the "manufacturer". They are avilable in the Dodge, Freightliner, and Mercedes name. I think that they are all the same, but are there any differences? If I had to guess, I might guess that the ones with the Freightliner badge might have a heavier suspension, and the one with the Mercedes badge might have a different engine choice, and so on. Is one badge of the Sprinter notably cheaper than the identical van with another badge? Or... is an identically specced van actually the SAME van, just with a different badge? Right now I drive a pretty nice step van, but they're lousy on fuel.

 

[Limestone]

I have been shopping for vans also I was told they are the same but have different grills and name plates. I was told this by a friend who works for a freightliner dealer in the shop. He told me to look at the Dodges first they are cheaper.

 

[bergenbldr]

i looked at the sprinter before buying gmc.one word sticker shock.

 

[mdshunk]

i looked at the sprinter before buying gmc.one word sticker shock.

Well, the current fleet is mostly GMC's with Utilimaster bodys and a Pelsue electrician's upfit at 75K plus each. The Sprinter should be a bargain in comparison.

 

[bergenbldr]

think your annual mileage needs to be high to justify cost v/s fuel savings.at 12k a year just din,t makr sense.also sprinter has has less towing capacity than gmc.

 

[magnum]

I have chey 3500 cube van with box's on one side. Don't know how I ever worked out of a truck or regular van. I also tow dump trailer on a regular basis which the sprinter may not like. The guy that works for me just bought a sprinter (Dodge) and loves the 25 mpg. and the room inside seams to be endless. He also looked at weathergaurd rack systems but didn't like any of the setups but found it nice to do muck sets up online.

 

[Grumpy]

Mercedes is the actual manufacturer. I have heard the only difference between the American Dodge and the European Mercedes is the engine size. The Dodge is more powerful. A friend of mine's father who is from the Czech Republic says he has the Mercedes and has over 200k miles with no major problems.

 

[bergenbldr]

one problem with large work vehicles we have here is that the parking lots at most of our suppliers seem to have been laid out for the model t ford ,hard to get in out park even with fullsize pickup or van. not to mention lots of low underpasses.i witnessed motor home get half way thru and crunch,he didn't allow for height of roof ac units!!smaller vehicles are also good for pulling into my favorite drive thru,............the bank!

 

[Grumpy]

one problem with large work vehicles we have here is that the parking lots at most of our suppliers seem to have been laid out for the model t ford ,hard to get in out park even with fullsize pickup or van.

Most of my suppliers don't even bother painting lines since nobody even bothers obeying them anyways.