Anybody tow your boat with a Sprinter?

[Interacsol]

Hi Crew!

We have a VTX20 which we occasionally pull with our Class-A diesel motorhome; it's like the boat is not even there. 

Kids are out now so we are considering downsizing to a Sprinter Class-B RV.

The specs don't support towing our boat with these vehicles, but talking with people who own them, apparently they tow 5K lbs. without complaint, even over the passes here in Idaho.

We would only do it once a year or so on a road trip to Lake Powell or similar.

Does anyone here have any first-hand experience with this?

Thanks for any advice!

[Eagleboy99]

Even if it could tow it, would you be exceeding the GVRW?  Or the OCC? A friend has one - gas, 2WD - at it can't tow much here in the mountains.

[Interacsol]

Thanks, Eagleboy.   The Sprinter RV is rated for 5K towing, so that part is OK.  The CGVW would be exceeded by 1K lbs. fully loaded with our boat in tow.  We used to have a Class-C with a Triton V10.  It was the same scenario:  it was rated for 7.5K towing but the CGVW was 2K over the rating with our boat.  Nevertheless, it pulled the boat like a dream.  Slow up the long grades, but no braking problems on the way down, and solid handling all the way around.  Engine and transmission temps never budged.

I'd really like to hear from someone who has actually towed a boat with a Sprinter.

[oldjeep]

Which sprinter are they basing it on?  The 4500 C&C has a 7500lb towing capacity and a 12,125 lbs GVWR.  Seems like that would be the chassis to build a motorhome on

[RyanB]

I can't speak to motorhomes (other than to confirm that the Sprinter based MHs that I have looked at did indeed have a 5000 pound towing capacity), but I have spent more than my fair share of time towing over the rated capacity of a vehicle.  My experience is that it isn't a relaxing experience, and I would avoid it if possible.  While there aren't any "legal" issues towing over a manufacture rating, there is certainly a reason they rate them the way they do.  Especially in today's world of SAE ratings.

[Eagleboy99]

And the old "what happens to my insurance if I am towing over rated capacity?" question.

[RyanB]

7 minutes ago, Eagleboy99 said:

And the old "what happens to my insurance if I am towing over rated capacity?" question.

Nothing unless you have a stated policy exclusion. Which I’ve never seen or heard of a first hand experience of. 

[Eagleboy99]

1 minute ago, RyanB said:

Nothing unless you have a stated policy exclusion. Which I’ve never seen or heard of a first hand experience of. 

Of late, insurers are pulling cell phone records,  ECM data (you want a fright? check out what your car knows about you!), and accident photos.

 

[RyanB]

3 hours ago, Eagleboy99 said:

Of late, insurers are pulling cell phone records,  ECM data (you want a fright? check out what your car knows about you!), and accident photos.

 

Proof source?  I don’t care what they pull. In the US, if it isn’t a stated policy exclusion, you’re covered. After all, that’s what insurance is for - to pay for an accident, even if you are negligent. 
 

You could be speeding, over weight, drunk, making an illegal left turn while talking on a cell phone and your insurance will pay the claim. 

[Eagleboy99]

11 minutes ago, RyanB said:

You could be speeding, over weight, drunk, making an illegal left turn while talking on a cell phone and your insurance will pay the claim. 

Not up here.  And I'm pretty sure - using your eaxmple - that a DUI will preclude a claim.  Regardless, try to get insurance after that.