The 144” vs. 170” Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
For those in the market of purchasing a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter understanding the number of differences between the respective Cargo, Crew and Passenger Van chassis variants is vital in performing a purchase that corresponds with their travel needs and budget constraints. However, a more important lies in the decision to choose the 144” or the 170” Mercedes-Benz Sprinter wheelbases, as each offers their series of associated pros and cons depending on usage and floor plan configurations. When approaching a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van conversion company, there are a number of questions you need to ask yourself, in order for the upfitter to narrow down essentials and to recommend a series of layouts that fulfills your unique travel needs.
Consider the Following Questions Before Purchasing
What is the desired maximum passenger capacity? How many passengers will be using the van on a daily basis? How often are you planning on utilizing the van? Are you planning on traveling predominantly within urban areas? Are you planning on traveling on more rougher, rural roads? Is the climate within your area warn or cold weather based? Where do you plan on parking the van? Are you planning on driving the van yourself, or are you hiring a driver? Do you require additional luggage storage space? Do you need space for a bathroom / lavatory, bed, and/or kitchen? Such are all important questions to consider, and while it may be difficult to have a solid answer to all these, your conversion van company can provide you some professional insight when such are kept in mind.
How HQ Custom Design’s Approach Differs
At HQ Custom Design, we prefer to take a more bare bones and holistic approach to our Mercedes-Benz Sprinter conversions, in order for us and our client to have a concise understanding in what exactly are their needs and from there presenting available options that makes sense for them. Rather than playing a game of 20 questions, it is simpler to start off with asking, what is the intended purpose or usage of the van? More often than not, in formulating a response to answer this inquiry, you may well indeed provide indirect answers to a series of questions and pose a slew of additional concerns. Even more so, from a upfitter / custom converter perspective, it is more important to understand intended use rather than knowing you need dual wheels, 4×4, among other chassis options as the former tends to answer the latter concerns.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 144” Van
From design and marketing perspective, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 144” is hands down considered to be the easier in regards maneuvering and its capability of fitting into a regular spot. Depending on the average planned passenger capacity, the 144” Sprinter may or may not provide adequate space for hoarding personal belongings and fitting a large amount of passengers. Even more so, while the inclusion of a rear bathroom / lavatory and kitchen area are possible, the 144” is a tight space to begin and such additions tend to shrink the total space and comfort factor. By the same token, those in search of an adventure RV should be aware that the 144” Mercedes Sprinter is able to include a bed, but depending on the floor plan configuration a retractable sofa bed, adjustable elevated bed or regular twin sized bed are required that each provide their series of advantage and disadvantages. Obtaining a Sprinter van is not a short investment, and usage needs to be considered from a long term perspective. If traveling by yourself or with a canine companion, the 144” may provide the perfect amount of travel and livable space. Although, if in a relationship or traveling as a family, the 144” Sprinter becomes a crowded environment and longer commutes becomes less and less comfortable for passenger all around.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 170” Van
On the other hand, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 170” provides a larger amount of legroom in terms offering a layout that provides a significant amount of space customization. Whether including multi passenger seating for a shuttle bus build, a mobile office for more commercial builds, wheelchair accommodations for handicap mobility builds, or a full-sized kitchen, bedroom, dining room and storage for adventure RV builds, the 170” aims to be a large empty canvas. In comparison, there is a learning curve and planning required when it comes to finding parking for the 170” Sprinter, as these are unable to fit in regular spots and are difficult to use in urban areas due to lack of parking as a whole and for the inability to fit inside most parking garages. The added 3.5 feet contributes to a huge difference when considering the added space for storing belongings / equipment, in addition to having a full livable space to move around in and including space for a number of cabin amenities. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz does offer a third wheelbase option for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, which is the 170” extended (EXT) models that add 18 inches to the rear of the van, which is required in some applications due to need of extra passenger / storage, or even more due to the complexities and space required for certain appliances and associated electrical systems.
Build a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Conversion Van with HQ!
At HQ Custom Design, our dedicated team of professional craftsmen, designers and engineers can construct a custom Sprinter that fits your particular needs and includes all of the essentials that make sense for you in a budget and practical sense. With over 3 decades of experience within the upfitting and conversion industry, we are open to hear new concepts and aid in developing innovative solutions to fulfill your travel needs. Whether on the 144” or 170” Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, as a Daimler Vans Master Upfitter we aim to offer all our clients, regardless of their budget, a vehicle that matches our core principles of safety, reliability and durability.
HQ Custom Design has been custom-building conversion vans specializing on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Metris along with the Ford Transit and Cadillac Escalade chassis for more than 30 years. We have a diverse wealth of knowledge and expertise at our disposal, and are more than happy to talk you about your design ideas. Please fill out our inquiry form, contact our office at 201-592-6939 or email us at sales@hqcustomdesign.com for more information.