Community Forums

MRichaud · 03-09-2023, 05:54 AM

Hey, Folks -

We're considering selling our Precept 31UL and downsizing to a Sprinter Class C. Would like to keep our Wrangler JLU Sport 4-door that we pull behind the Precept, but it weighs in at ~4200 lbs., which seems like the limit to what the Sprinter can handle. GVWR of the Sprinter is 11,030; GCWR is 15,250. Does anyone here have any direct experience with this that could shed some light here?

Thanks!

MtCamper · 03-09-2023, 06:00 AM

No personal experience but a member of my Jeep club tows his JLUR with a newer MB based View. His Jeep is heavily modded and is probably near 5500# if not more. He claims double digit MPG and no problems with power or speed.

MRichaud · 03-09-2023, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtCamper

No personal experience but a member of my Jeep club tows his JLUR with a newer MB based View. His Jeep is heavily modded and is probably near 5500# if not more. He claims double digit MPG and no problems with power or speed.

Thanks! Mine is bone stock, so that's encouraging.

Jim from BZN · 03-09-2023, 08:54 AM

I have a Tiffin Wayfarer Class C and have towed a 2dr Wrangler without any issue. Now, I am towing a new 2022 Ford Ranger Tremor that is alittle heavier without any issue. I haven't formally weighed the Tremor but it is listed around 4500 - 4600 lbs.

If it was me making your decision, I would make sure you have a top quality braking system in the toad. Like an RVi3, or similar and go for it

MRichaud · 03-09-2023, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from BZN

I have a Tiffin Wayfarer Class C and have towed a 2dr Wrangler without any issue. Now, I am towing a new 2022 Ford Ranger Tremor that is alittle heavier without any issue. I haven't formally weighed the Tremor but it is listed around 4500 - 4600 lbs.

If it was me making your decision, I would make sure you have a top quality braking system in the toad. Like an RVi3, or similar and go for it

Thanks, Jim. I do have an Invisibrake system that I installed in the Wrangler. Very happy with its performance. The baseplate and tow bar are both Demco - the tabless Commander model. Very stout.

Ludmilla · 03-09-2023, 03:55 PM

When I was looking for a new RV, I looked at various Sprinters. When I subtracted the GCWV - GVWR, I got less than 4000 pounds. My Jeep weighs around 4400 pounds. The sales people kept telling me I would be fine - it has a 5K hitch. So I called Winnebago - one of the manufacturers. They told me that Sprinters are not rated to pull over 4000 pounds. They said you may get away with it, but if something went wrong and they knew what you were pulling, you would void the warrantee. Based on all of that, I ruled out all the Sprinters.

MRichaud · 03-10-2023, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ludmilla

When I was looking for a new RV, I looked at various Sprinters. When I subtracted the GCWV - GVWR, I got less than 4000 pounds. My Jeep weighs around 4400 pounds. The sales people kept telling me I would be fine - it has a 5K hitch. So I called Winnebago - one of the manufacturers. They told me that Sprinters are not rated to pull over 4000 pounds. They said you may get away with it, but if something went wrong and they knew what you were pulling, you would void the warrantee. Based on all of that, I ruled out all the Sprinters.

Yeah, that's what concerns me. Even though the GCWR is within the limit, it seems there's conflicting info out there.

bigb56 · 03-10-2023, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ludmilla

When I was looking for a new RV, I looked at various Sprinters. When I subtracted the GCWV - GVWR, I got less than 4000 pounds. My Jeep weighs around 4400 pounds. The sales people kept telling me I would be fine - it has a 5K hitch. So I called Winnebago - one of the manufacturers. They told me that Sprinters are not rated to pull over 4000 pounds. They said you may get away with it, but if something went wrong and they knew what you were pulling, you would void the warrantee. Based on all of that, I ruled out all the Sprinters.

So the published towing capacity of the Sprinter is 5,000lbs but they told you it's really 4,000lbs and if you go over that it voids the warranty?

This totally makes no sense. Are you sure they didn't say you have 4,220 lbs left for towing if you are at max GVWR of 11,030? (GCVWR is 15,250) 15,250-11,030=4,220. If you are only loaded to 10,250 you could tow the entire 5,000.

Jim from BZN · 03-10-2023, 07:50 AM

When a manufacturer posts numbers, they are not factoring in braking on the toad/trailer. All the braking must be done by the towing vehicle. That's why I am comfortable towing the 4600 lb Ranger Tremor behind my Mercedes 3500 Sprinter diesel. It's equipped with Blue Ox tow gear and the RVi3 braking system.

Ludmilla · 03-12-2023, 10:38 AM

As I stated, you can determine the weight you can pull by using the following calculation:

GCWR - GVWR

This is based on a number of factors - not just braking.

For these smaller RVs, you can assume you will be close to your GVWR. Do not be fooled by the hitch rating, which is 5000 pounds. That is more than the Sprinters I have seen can pull.

Use the Winnebago View as an example. All of the models have a GCWR of 15250 pounds and a GWVR of 11030 pounds. The difference is 4220. Therefore, the most you can pull is 4220.

Personally, I would not want to pull right at the max. My Jeep weighs 4400 pounds and therefore cannot be pulled with any of the View models. These numbers are about the same for all of the Sprinter chassis models I have seen.

Kutakm · 03-26-2023, 08:16 PM

We have a 2022 MB class C Melborne, and tow a 2022 Chevy Colorado. We live in SE Oklahoma flat towed it to Mt.Whitney in Califonia mostly I-40. No issues at all, but you can definately feel some of the steep hiils on I-40, still averaged 12mpg at 62 - 65 mph

MRichaud · 03-27-2023, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kutakm

We have a 2022 MB class C Melborne, and tow a 2022 Chevy Colorado. We live in SE Oklahoma flat towed it to Mt.Whitney in Califonia mostly I-40. No issues at all, but you can definately feel some of the steep hiils on I-40, still averaged 12mpg at 62 - 65 mph

Good to know. The Colorado is similar in weight to the Wrangler. Thanks!

Mickey

RVStitchy · 03-27-2023, 04:49 AM

Just make sure you get both weighed after you load and hitch up . I have read a couple of articles on various Class Cs built on the MB chassis. They are getting bigger and heavier - not leaving much room for payload. It doesn't take much to go over the GVWR with two people, full water, supplies and toys.

MRichaud · 03-27-2023, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVStitchy

Just make sure you get both weighed after you load and hitch up . I have read a couple of articles on various Class Cs built on the MB chassis. They are getting bigger and heavier - not leaving much room for payload. It doesn't take much to go over the GVWR with two people, full water, supplies and toys.

Thanks. Weighing both is first on the agenda after we take delivery. We don't use the fresh water tank, so that's off the table. And when we tow the Jeep, it's empty; typically even have less than 1/2 tank of fuel in it.

Mickey