[chumstone]

No they cannot pull a 35 foot fifth wheel. These look like the truck to have, sure have some impressive numbers, especially with fuel ecomomy. Can't see how anyone can afford a truck that gets less than 20 mpg loaded.

Has anybody found faults with these Dodge Sprinters?

 

[DUKES2FORDS]

I guess they're economical, but don't they look like a flip-over waiting to happen??

I mean talk about high center of gravity & narrow axles...yikes! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

 

[torkbeast]

I've logged a few thousand miles in one.. I personally like them.. I drove ours hard and I could NOT get less than 26 mpg. They have plenty of power despite the ratings, and they will flat out move.. I'm 6'3" and I think it's a little cramped, but still comfortable.. I don't think it's uncommon to have some bugs that need to be worked out at first, but once taken care of they are very reliable.

Both UPS and FedEx use these in great numbers, so if you get a chance, ask one of those guys how they perform in their harsh work environments.

 

[Ernest]

My UPS driver loved his and was disappointed when they took it from him. Not enough room for his route.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Louisville_Joe]

Keep looking! Just for a laugh, sneak into your Dodge dealer's service department and find out what the technicians think of them. You might also want to ask in the parts dept. what a set of front brake pads cost.

 

[roofeditor]

[ QUOTE ]
No they cannot pull a 35 foot fifth wheel. These look like the truck to have, sure have some impressive numbers, especially with fuel economy. Can't see how anyone can afford a truck that gets less than 20 mpg loaded.

Has anybody found faults with these Dodge Sprinters?

[/ QUOTE ]

There was a Fed-Ex mechanic on the TDS site telling about a lot of maintenance problems that he has keeping them on the road.

As to the stability......I'd get the dual wheel which should help?

 

[Autocar]

I have a 3500 dual wheel model as a work truck. When it runs it is a great truck. It is comfortable to drive and the fuel economy and power are great. I have noticed no tendency for this thing to roll over any more than any other truck. (hey it's a big box of air over the load)

However, it has been a struggle keeping it on the road. As a matter of fact it is in the shop right now, with only 3000 miles on it.

The first problem was electrical. It ran great till one morning it just would not start, crank or anything. The dash would light up normal but as soon as you put the key to start all the lights on the dash would just flash at you. Battery was fine. The dealer had it for almost three weeks and found nothing wrong with it. Returned it and have not had that problem since.

The second problem was finding someone to work on it. The truck was in Wilmington, DE. No Dodge dealer there would touch it. No Mercedes dealer anywhere would touch it. The nearest Freightliner dealer that would touch it was in Pittsburgh. The Daimler-Chrysler service folks spent 4 hours figuring out it was one of theirs and found a dealer in Cherry Hill, NJ that had a tech to work on it. It was towed there after they came down and couldn't get it to start. Then as said above they found nothing wrong with it after three weeks.

The third problem happened last week. While driving down I 95 there was a loud BLAM and a wooshing noise. Pulled over and engine was running, could see no apparent damage. However, when we pulled away the engine had no power and the wooshing noise was constant. I figure a blown turbo or after cooler. Interesting enough it drove all the way back. It wouldn't go faster than 45 MPH but it kept running. Right now it is back at Cherry Hill Dodge and we haven't heard anything yet.

mike

 

[jlasich]

[ QUOTE ]

The third problem happened last week. While driving down I 95 there was a loud BLAM and a wooshing noise. Pulled over and engine was running, could see no apparent damage. However, when we pulled away the engine had no power and the wooshing noise was constant. I figure a blown turbo or after cooler. Interesting enough it drove all the way back. It wouldn't go faster than 45 MPH but it kept running. Right now it is back at Cherry Hill Dodge and we haven't heard anything yet.

mike

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like an intercooler boot blew off.

 

[Wayne B]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

The third problem happened last week. While driving down I 95 there was a loud BLAM and a wooshing noise. Pulled over and engine was running, could see no apparent damage. However, when we pulled away the engine had no power and the wooshing noise was constant. I figure a blown turbo or after cooler. Interesting enough it drove all the way back. It wouldn't go faster than 45 MPH but it kept running. Right now it is back at Cherry Hill Dodge and we haven't heard anything yet.

mike

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like an intercooler boot blew off.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, sounds like that to me also. No big deal.

And for your first issues, a shop can't fix a problem if it's not happening. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif It's just not possible without out just throwing parts at it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Wayne B

 

[frobozz]

[ QUOTE ]
The first problem was electrical. It ran great till one morning it just would not start, crank or anything. The dash would light up normal but as soon as you put the key to start all the lights on the dash would just flash at you. Battery was fine. The dealer had it for almost three weeks and found nothing wrong with it. Returned it and have not had that problem since.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like an interlock (Trans in Park, foot on brake, etc.) I'm assuming it wasn't a case of you not having the truck in the proper state(!), but rather than the interlock switch at whichever location was flaky. I'm sure that one will keep haunting you until you find it... but if it was me, next time I'd be rattling the shifter, slapping the brake, etc. until I narrowed it down.

(My son has finally stopped calling me every couple of weeks with the '82 300SD "Dad it won't start!" "Do you have it in Park?" "Ohhhhhhhh...")

Duncan

 

[LRH]

[ QUOTE ]
I have a 3500 dual wheel model as a work truck. When it runs it is a great truck. It is comfortable to drive and the fuel economy and power are great. I have noticed no tendency for this thing to roll over any more than any other truck. (hey it's a big box of air over the load)

However, it has been a struggle keeping it on the road. As a matter of fact it is in the shop right now, with only 3000 miles on it.

The first problem was electrical. It ran great till one morning it just would not start, crank or anything. The dash would light up normal but as soon as you put the key to start all the lights on the dash would just flash at you. Battery was fine. The dealer had it for almost three weeks and found nothing wrong with it. Returned it and have not had that problem since.

The second problem was finding someone to work on it. The truck was in Wilmington, DE. No Dodge dealer there would touch it. No Mercedes dealer anywhere would touch it. The nearest Freightliner dealer that would touch it was in Pittsburgh. The Daimler-Chrysler service folks spent 4 hours figuring out it was one of theirs and found a dealer in Cherry Hill, NJ that had a tech to work on it. It was towed there after they came down and couldn't get it to start. Then as said above they found nothing wrong with it after three weeks.

The third problem happened last week. While driving down I 95 there was a loud BLAM and a wooshing noise. Pulled over and engine was running, could see no apparent damage. However, when we pulled away the engine had no power and the wooshing noise was constant. I figure a blown turbo or after cooler. Interesting enough it drove all the way back. It wouldn't go faster than 45 MPH but it kept running. Right now it is back at Cherry Hill Dodge and we haven't heard anything yet.

mike

[/ QUOTE ]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The only Dodge truck dealers that can sell/service the Sprinters are the ones who sent the tech's for training and purchased the expensive tools/manuals ect. Talked to a few who said it was too much money for what they thought would be minimal sales.

 

[dt_diesel]

Several dealers in this area have them, and they seem to be getting good reviews generally speaking. I also know of a family who traded in their full-size gas Chevy van for one of these rigs, and so far they love it.

It's a faily proven model, as Mercedies has build this unit for several years in and for Europe. There is actually a Ford unit this is similar called the Transit. There may be issues with some areas of the truck that were modified to bring it to the US.

I have also wondered about thier stability in crosswinds. Living in Illinois, this can be QUITE an important factor in vechile selection. I think I would purchase a 3500 DRW low-roof model simply due to this. Personally, I think it's also the best-looking van around, for what that is worth!

 

[Autocar]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]



Sounds like an intercooler boot blew off.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, sounds like that to me also. No big deal.

And for your first issues, a shop can't fix a problem if it's not happening. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif It's just not possible without out just throwing parts at it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Wayne B

[/ QUOTE ]

The electrical thing did it for the service writer when it got there, but of course never again afterwards. It probably is a flaky relay that got better.

I thought the aftercooler also, but no obvious blown off hose or damage to the cooler itself. So maybe the turbo.

Talked to the service writer today on the phone, and I quote: " The Sprinter tech is away on training and will be back next week. So no one has looked at the transmission." I said,"I think it's the turbo or engine." He says, "It came in with 'no power, will only go 45 MPH' that's transmission.

hmmm.... and I used to thing the Ford guys were bad.

mike

 

[thunderstruck]

THE tech is away on training? Hope it doesn't break down while he's taking his 2 week summer vacation!

 

[PSD PAC]

I had that happen when my 97 dodge blew its motor.... I 'encouraged' them to send it to our local Cummins shop.... and the saga began.

good luck!

PSD PAC