Sprinter / Promaster van input wanted

[matty]

Last night the SO and I looked into renting a sprinter conversion for our next vacation and were kind of surprised at how expensive it was and I suggested we just buy one and convert it ourselves. Cursory searches showed I could get an older used one from $7-15K. Digging in a little shows there are some common issues but nothing that would be a deal breaker. So I put it out to the collective wisdom of BARF what issues have you had with yours? What do you like / dislike? What’s cost of ownership been for you? Primarily this would be a camping, road trip van, moto hauler and not see much use otherwise, though it would be my daily, I don’t really drive much these days. I’ve mostly been looking at the 6 cyl diesel engines, probably a tall, haven’t decided on short or long (2500 vs 3500). Years would probably be 2011 and older. I'll add, even if you don't own one, but use one for work or whatever, I'll take that input too.

Thanks in advance

 

[squidworth]

Make sure to get one with the secondary AC. The AC in the dash alone on a hot day wont cool down anything beyond the front two seats.

 

[stangmx13]

Ive spent plenty of time in a Merc Sprinter 170" for motorcycle racing across the country.

There was room for a bench seat that folded down into a small bed, a wall, 2 bikes, and maybe 2ft behind the bikes. The shorter 144" model probably would not have room to sleep in the van without unloading the bikes. Maybe you could arrange stuff well with only 1 bike in the shorter van, maybe not.

Parking the 170" meant taking up 2-4 spots in any parking lot. Its just too long to use 1 spot nearly anywhere.

The bench/bed thingy was some aftermarket piece of shit. It looked like it was made in the 80s with ugly fabric. It worked, but it didn't fold completely flat and was just a little too short for me at 5'9". I had to sleep on my side with my knees bent. It only fit me and my gf because she's 5' and im skinny AF. Buy something better, especially if you need to sleep 2.

The diesel engine was amazing. Driving it fully loaded felt exactly the same as unloaded. We put it on cruise control a lot, even over plenty of hills.

 

[bikeama]

Subscribed. I am looking for a Class B Van RV. Prices new and used are nuts because of Covid. Also toying with the idea of buying a new or used van and doing my own build-out. I have done a build on my FWC and have the skills and abilities to do it. But will take time to do it.

Note to matty. If you want to use the vans as a bike hauler you may need to do a build-out to get what you want. Here is a link to Hodakaguy's van build. He has skills, abilities, and a shop.

 

[matty]

Make sure to get one with the secondary AC. The AC in the dash alone on a hot day wont cool down anything beyond the front two seats.

Really good to know, most of the cargo vans do not have it.

Ive spent plenty of time in a Merc Sprinter 170" for motorcycle racing across the country.

There was room for a bench seat that folded down into a small bed, a wall, 2 bikes, and maybe 2ft behind the bikes. The shorter 144" model probably would not have room to sleep in the van without unloading the bikes. Maybe you could arrange stuff well with only 1 bike in the shorter van, maybe not.

Parking the 170" meant taking up 2-4 spots in any parking lot. Its just too long to use 1 spot nearly anywhere.

The bench/bed thingy was some aftermarket piece of shit. It looked like it was made in the 80s with ugly fabric. It worked, but it didn't fold completely flat and was just a little too short for me at 5'9". I had to sleep on my side with my knees bent. It only fit me and my gf because she's 5' and im skinny AF. Buy something better, especially if you need to sleep 2.

The diesel engine was amazing. Driving it fully loaded felt exactly the same as unloaded. We put it on cruise control a lot, even over plenty of hills.

That's the trade off I've been thinking about with length, parking and maneuverability vs more amenities I can build in and comfort. The diesel seems like it's the only way to go for the very reason you mentioned, it also seems like it's a rock solid engine. And as far as hauling the bike, when it's two of us, I'll put it on a carrier, most likely, and when I'm flying solo it will live inside with me.

bikeama thanks for that link, I bookmarked to peruse later. That bed on the first page, in the video is bitchin!
Edit: I just looked at your build, I was eyeballing your rig when you had it for sale.

 

[bikeama]

bikeama thanks for that link, I bookmarked to peruse later. That bed on the first page, in the video is bitchin!
Edit: I just looked at your build, I was eyeballing your rig when you had it for sale.

I want some more creature comforts in my Van so no bike inside for me. I will be towing my BMW on a trailer to Texas in a few weeks so I will see how that works for me.

 

[kingmoochr]

When I worked on an ambulance, we had a fleet of Ford e vans and 3 sprinters. All 3 sprinters were downed multiple times, all under 100k miles. Our fords were all old junkers with way more miles but way more reliable. They drove nice, but that was about it. Have a friend who has 1 for work hauling, its had the same problem we did. I didn't work for fleet, so I don't know what the problem was, but it was pervasive.

 

[matty]

When I worked on an ambulance, we had a fleet of Ford e vans and 3 sprinters. All 3 sprinters were downed multiple times, all under 100k miles. ... but it was pervasive.

hmm, this gives me pause. Do you know, roughly, what years they were? It seems like the older ones are a bit more reliable.

 

[ScorpioVI]

OldMadBrit has a pretty kickass Quigley Transit he uses for adventuring.

One of my coworkers went to the Adventure Van expo in Big Bear last month and came back with a used Sprinter that was all kitted out already. He won't tell me how much he paid for it but I got a feeling he got more than bent over backwards...

 

[dravnx]

Fly and ride?
https://advrider.com/f/threads/2012...0wb-moto-adventure-van.1474790/#post-41186600

 

[littlebeast]

we bought a sprinter in february. love it!

 

[gixxerjeff]

The Promaster is a FWD Fiat. Just a heads-up.
The Sprinter is the no brainer between the two based on my time employed by Dodge in the service dept.

 

[kuksul08]

I have a fair bit of time in a diesel Sprinter. I was surprised at how cheap it was inside. The diesel motor was very smooth and easy to drive, and it tows nicely too.

 

[Johndicezx9]

My dyslexia has me reading Promaster as "pornstar"....

 

[CDONA]

My mind tells me "Promaster" is a bass boat.

 

[matty]

The Promaster is a FWD Fiat. Just a heads-up.
The Sprinter is the no brainer between the two based on my time employed by Dodge in the service dept.

Solid.

OldMadBrit has a pretty kickass Quigley Transit he uses for adventuring.

One of my coworkers went to the Adventure Van expo in Big Bear last month and came back with a used Sprinter that was all kitted out already. He won't tell me how much he paid for it but I got a feeling he got more than bent over backwards...

I'd love to have a Quigley Transit, but waaaaay out of my price range, same with the already built RV conversions.

And now that I know Promaster isn't as good, pornstars and fishing boats are off the list.

 

[SpeedyCorky]

i'm in the market for a track and road trip van as well. done a lot of research.

the sprinter: diesel, good mileage at 22 to 25mpg, fucking huge cargo room. when it breaks, gonna cost you minimal $2k to get it fixed, likely more. cost is around $30k for a 5 year old model with 50k miles

also looking at the GMC Savana, very similar if not exactly the same as the Chevy Express. i'm looking at the 2500 series. gasoline motor, no forced induction to go wrong, good cargo space with the extended version of the Savana, but less headroom than a sprinter. less likely to break and will cost you less when it does. doesnt come in a high roof version. purchase cost will be around $5k or so less than a Sprinter. shittier mileage, maybe 16mpg if u r lucky.

dont forget the Nissan NV cargo. they make a tiny van, but also a full size van, that they also offer with a high roof version. they dont offer an extended version, which is a real bummer. standard roof looks like its higher than a Savana, but less than a Sprinter. gas motor, slightly better MPG than the Savana


I gotta see them all in the flesh when i get back in the country, but man i'm torn between these 3. i know the savana has a lower roof than i want, making loading bikes difficult. so I want it to be a sprinter (std roof), but if i still feel that the low roof sprinter is too cramped, then its gotta be a high roof, and if its gonna be a high roof, i'll take the nissan over the sprinter. i like the gas motor better (less problems), and purchase price is substantially cheaper

 

[OldMadBrit]

Just saw this and am late to the party.

I built ours for 3 pretty specific use cases:
1) 6-10 day trips into the wild, boondocking (technically "dispursed camping" miles from anywhere in challenging off-road terrain.
2) Windsurfing base camp - hauling my kit around the Bay and serving as a changing and warming room.
3) hauling my bike and car to track days and serving as trackside accommodation - the 3.5 twin turbo motor does this with ease.

I started with a Quigley converted 148" Mid Roof EcoBoost Transit and focused on minimal weight, removable modules, simplicity and ease of cleaning. We have done 18,000 miles in it now with it serving as a of-grid, off-road camper and transporting windsurfers in the windsurfing season.

We have done several 5-7 day trips in it so far this year. Each has been unique, amazing and occasionally challenging. Getting stuck 2 miles up an old mine trail where I had to do a 20 point turn around an open mine shaft with a 600ft drop off the other side was one of the most memorable :wow

I have build thread here:

https://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/threads/multi-use-adventure-van-build.75562/

and post some of our adventures here:

https://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=526248

You definitely don't need a full blown 4x4 Quigley or an AWD Sprinter as the basis of an Adventure Van. A used 2WD Transit or Sprinter with a lift kit (<$800), a LSD and some decent oversize tires will get you to ~85% of the places we go.

 

[matty]

dont forget the Nissan NV cargo. ... i'll take the nissan over the sprinter. i like the gas motor better (less problems), and purchase price is substantially cheaper

I had forgotten about the NV2500, thanks for pointing that out and you make good points about the operational costs.

Just saw this and am late to the party.

I built ours for 3 pretty specific use cases:
1) 6-10 day trips into the wild, boondocking (technically "dispursed camping" miles from anywhere in challenging off-road terrain.
2) Windsurfing base camp - hauling my kit around the Bay and serving as a changing and warming room.
3) hauling my bike and car to track days and serving as trackside accommodation - the 3.5 twin turbo motor does this with ease.

I started with a Quigley converted 148" Mid Roof EcoBoost Transit and focused on minimal weight, removable modules, simplicity and ease of cleaning. We have done 18,000 miles in it now with it serving as a of-grid, off-road camper and transporting windsurfers in the windsurfing season.

We have done several 5-7 day trips in it so far this year. Each has been unique, amazing and occasionally challenging. Getting stuck 2 miles up an old mine trail where I had to do a 20 point turn around an open mine shaft with a 600ft drop off the other side was one of the most memorable :wow

I have build thread here:

https://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/threads/multi-use-adventure-van-build.75562/

and post some of our adventures here:

https://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=526248

You definitely don't need a full blown 4x4 Quigley or an AWD Sprinter as the basis of an Adventure Van. A used 2WD Transit or Sprinter with a lift kit (<$800), a LSD and some decent oversize tires will get you to ~85% of the places we go.

Bookmarked your build thread, thanks for sharing that and posting the pictures of your adventures, that's exactly what I'm imagining...Epic adventures! But I'm getting ahead of myself. It looks like you went the luggable lou route instead of a composting toilet, was that because of weight, space or? Regardless, thanks for sharing the details of your build, a real adventure-mobile, and inspiring.

 

[Kestrel]

Doesn’t Ford now sell a 4WD Transit from the factory? (Out of the OP’s price range though...)