|
|
Posts: 65
Location: De Pere Wisconsin | Hi all, hoping someone will have some insight here as I am not real up to speed on technical engine things. Looking at a Dodge Sprinter van for business purposes and am impressed enough to wonder if I could use it as my primary vehicle also.
I am towing a Tuffy Esox mag, guessing it is around 2000 lbs boat motor trailer.
The Sprinter is rated to tow 5000 lbs - But not knowing how diesels figure with hp and torque I am a little confused by the numbers, have been told diesel's are about torque, not hp's....
sprinter specs
3.0 liter v6 diesel
154 hp @ 3400 rpms
280 ft-lbs of torque @ 1200-2400 rpm.
Put about 17000 miles a year on a vehicle, around 3000 towing.
Any knowledgable input would be appreciated , thanks! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 480
| Hi David, I pulled a 175 Alumicraft Navigator with a Sprinter (hightop, 158" WB) last year to Canada and back from Mpls and loved it. 18-20 mpg, no problems with the weight, AC going and about 75 mph. I want one too for work and towing. They are easy to drive and the sight lines are perfect for me. At the border they weren't sure what it was, a RV or a van? I told them a van. I look on ebay for a high mileage vans over 120K miles in my price range but haven't found one yet. Good luck |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1286
Location: Stevens Point, Wi. | Not sure where you got your info.
06 models had inline 5cyl.(2.7) 154HP 243 ft.# torque
07 models have V6(3.0) 215HP@4200RPM 376ft# torque
The 3 liter is a Benz motor. Very strong, quiet, an economical.
The vehicle is butt ugly, but awesome interior room.
The only downside is a limited dealer network.
Edited by ghoti 5/18/2007 4:57 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 65
Location: De Pere Wisconsin | http://www-5.dodge.com/en/sprinter/features/cargo.html?feature=engi...
I guess I just figured Dodge would know what they are building so I posted their listed specs from the website 
So the van obviously pulled well - would the lower torque be of help on a rough landing for instance? Am concerned about being just rear wheel drive also - man are they huge inside and the fuel economy when not pulling is spectacular for the vehicle size. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1286
Location: Stevens Point, Wi. | Interesting differences. My info came directly from the service manual. |
|
| |
|
| Thank you for this thread, I am considering this truck for the same purposes.
Very helpful info, as always, from my muskie brothers!! |
|
| |
|
| Ghoti, do you have one of these vans? Is the service manual from 2006 or earlier maybe? Interesting..... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1286
Location: Stevens Point, Wi. | David, no, don't own one, but I do work on them. The specs I gave you are from our on line factory manuals. The 07 models are the first year for the 3.0 liter engines. Just as a double check I looked at the specs for that engine in an 07 Grand Cherokee and they were the same as I posted previously for the Sprinter. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 65
Location: De Pere Wisconsin | So, are the specs you have correct do you believe? I am assuming they would translate into a more powerful engine.
Also, do you think the van would be appropriate for towing when you get on some nasty landings?
I am hoping to drive one early next week sometime and am very curious - I am finding pretty positive talk about the van on other vehicle specific forums.
Thanks for the info! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 87
| How are they for hauling large loads. The one I'm looking at is on a 3500 chassie. I am looking to improve from 8 miles to the gallon. If I could get 20 mpg, the truck would pay for itself. Any more info on this would be great. Terry |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1286
Location: Stevens Point, Wi. | After further checking, the specs I gave are correct. Not really sure why an advertising document would be so far off.
Directly from my training manual:
Peak HP 215@ 3500-4200 RPM
Peak torque 376@ 1800-2600 RPM
These vehicles were designed for commercial use and should make good haulers. If you have an UPS center near you, go in and talk to some drivers. They have quite a few in their service. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 143
| It would be a good tow vehicle. not my first choice, but an interesting option, i suppose.
you're asking about rough landings...define rough. i launch my boat where there is NO landing, and without 4x4 i'd be screwed. the thing about the diesel is that it's designed for power on the low end of the powerband, hence the high torque at low RPM's. which means you'd be spinning the tires if things got rough, even though you do have a pretty lightweight rig. though i'd assume you'd be fine 99.9% of the time. and if you aren't, i'm sure there's always someone like me around with a diesel truck who'd be more than willing to help pull you out |
|
| |
Dodge Sprinter diesel van as tow vehicle?