CASERTA
Ottawa
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Joined: 02/28/2010
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I have been looking at a 2008 PW Plateau on a 2007 2500 Chassis. In investigating why there were no rear seat belts I determined that the vehicle had a Cargo Carrying Capacity of only 65 kgs (143 lbs.). This means that the vehicle with a full fuel tank, a full water tank and 1 driver and 1 passenger, has very limited capacity (143 lbs) to carry any additional weight let alone additional passengers. I realize the problem goes away with the 3500 found on most newer Sprinter RV's. Also , I realize that older Sprinter chassis perhaps were lighter and perhaps have a greater CCC. I was wondering if the limited CCC has been a problem for any other owners of 2500 Sprinter RV's.
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Davydd
Minnesota
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Joined: 11/27/2005
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Tells you something doesn't it? I can't recall any converter using anything but the 2500 chassis with the old design. When the new design body came out I believe almost all the converters continued to use the 2500 chassis. I thought Pleasure-way at the time was the only one building on the 3500 chassis from the start but maybe that was only in the United States or you are looking at one of their very first because they switched over to 3500 a good two years before others. Most converters did not switch until the 2010 model year. Pleasure-way was onto something before the others given there is a premium for a 3500 they swallowed in a very competitive environment.
The worst were Four Winds and Winnebago ERA. They went farther and built on the 14" longer and heavier extended body (24 ft.) with the 2500 chassis. Four Winds quickly discontinued their model and Winnebago suspended building Bs for a year before coming back out with a dually 3500. I have to believe there were some issues kept quiet.
The old design 2500s were at the very edge in capacity in my opinion. I quickly found out on my 2005 P-W Plateau that there was no way I could carry the stated hitch capacity of 500 lbs. or anything close to it with a hitch cargo carrier. About 250 lbs. including cargo and carrier was about the safe maximum. The new design body was longer, wider, taller and heavier. I'd be very leery about any Sprinter new body on a 2500 chassis.
Davydd
2011 Great West Van Legend Sprinter B Camper Van
Visited states in an RV
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NewsW
US
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Joined: 02/06/2012
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To increase effective CCC, don't fill the water tank until you arrive at your destination, and empty all black / grey etc. tanks as you leave.
I never cease to be amazed at how manufacturers (not users) push the envelope.
And what a zoo it was before CCC ratings became an industry standard.
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ffjeff
Coloma, CA
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Joined: 09/30/2006
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That does not sound right to me. Our 2006 PW Plateau TD is on a 2500 Sprinter single rear wheel.
Our reserve payload is 1095 lbs.
CCC Cargo Carrying Capacity is +8550 3878KG
Unloaded Vehicle Weight is -6878 3120KG
Fresh Water is -232 105KG
LP -39 17.7KG
2 people @154lbs -308 140kg
Reserve Carrying Capacity +1093 +495.8KG
* This post was
edited 06/16/12 08:41am by ffjeff *
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CASERTA
Ottawa
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The actual GVWR is 3878 Kgs. Seating Capacity is 140 Kgs. Cold Water is 80 Kgs. Hot Water 23Kgs. and Waste Water is 128 Kgs. CCC is definitely 65 Kgs. I can only assume that the 2007 Sprinter is heavier than the 2006 and this is causing the difference in the 2 model years. In Canada, PW did not permit rear seat belts in the Plateau to prevent the the CCC to be exceeded. There are liability and perhaps insurance issues that would have to be considered if I were to add seat belts. A bit confusing to say the least.
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topless
Wichita, KS
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When I was doing research on Sprinters before I bought mine, I talked to a couple of converters. (this was back in 2005). In order to not void the factory warranty, the conversions had to comply with MB restrictions. Since most conversions were done on the 2500 chassis, the conversions were limited to 6550 lbs, out of the 8550 lb GVW. With my van, they ditched the spare tire in order to make weight, but would give it to you if you asked for it. You could really restrict what you carried if you filled the fresh water tank.
If you want to know what your van weighs, find a public scales. They charge a few dollars, but it will give you the exact weight. In a nearby small town I found you could take in some doughnuts and get it for free.
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NewsW
US
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CASERTA wrote:The actual GVWR is 3878 Kgs. Seating Capacity is 140 Kgs. Cold Water is 80 Kgs. Hot Water 23Kgs. and Waste Water is 128 Kgs. CCC is definitely 65 Kgs. I can only assume that the 2007 Sprinter is heavier than the 2006 and this is causing the difference in the 2 model years. In Canada, PW did not permit rear seat belts in the Plateau to prevent the the CCC to be exceeded. There are liability and perhaps insurance issues that would have to be considered if I were to add seat belts. A bit confusing to say the least.
The key reason the Sprinters did not sell well beside high price is the North American combination of high speed (read lots of power needed), and wanting to haul everything including the kitchen sink with them just to fetch groceries.
America is still the market for large vehicles with big engines.
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mowog
Maryland
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We waited for a 2011 Roadtrek RS as they started using the 3500 chassis. Airstream caught on early to needing the 3500. My RS on the 3500 gives me 2800 lbs of carrying capacity. I filled all tanks (propane,diesel,water, black,grey) and added almost everything we take on trips. At a truck stop the van weighed about 9300 lbs, still way short of maximum vehicle weight.
I didn't realize the lack of seat belts (ours has 3 in rear) was a weight thing.
I think there are a lot of overloaded Bs out there.
Bob Skillman
Ellicott City, MD
2011 RT RS Adventurous
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topless
Wichita, KS
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NewsW wrote:CASERTA wrote:The actual GVWR is 3878 Kgs. Seating Capacity is 140 Kgs. Cold Water is 80 Kgs. Hot Water 23Kgs. and Waste Water is 128 Kgs. CCC is definitely 65 Kgs. I can only assume that the 2007 Sprinter is heavier than the 2006 and this is causing the difference in the 2 model years. In Canada, PW did not permit rear seat belts in the Plateau to prevent the the CCC to be exceeded. There are liability and perhaps insurance issues that would have to be considered if I were to add seat belts. A bit confusing to say the least.
The key reason the Sprinters did not sell well beside high price is the North American combination of high speed (read lots of power needed), and wanting to haul everything including the kitchen sink with them just to fetch groceries.
America is still the market for large vehicles with big engines.
That is partially true, however when Sprinters first hit the market, there was ( and still is to a point) a public perception of noisy, smelly engines. I was one of the first to join here with a Sprinter and the comments against usually included those 2 objections, then I was told that 154hp would never move a fully loaded van. That has changed over the years, now it's the extra cost more than anything else.
I had people who had never even seen one in person, telling me how bad diesels were and how underpowered it would be. A turbo diesel isn't for everyone, but it is a great engine for a heavy vehicle.
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NewsW
US
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The only known good bona fide way to estimate Cargo Carrying Capacity.
Bring the actual vehicle (with fuel tanks, propane, water, etc. filled exactly as you intend to travel)
But without baggage.
Follow the CCC formula and find if you are exceeding the weigh:
A) Gross (both axles)
B) Individual axle weight
C) Individual tire weight
You may have 1,000kg of CCC, but that doesn't mean you can pile the weight all in the left front corner.
To me, anything less than 1,000lbs CCC (water, propane, fuel full) is not enough.
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