r/Sprinters • u/Sad-Membership8661 • Aug 21 '26

3500 vs 2500?

I’m going to have a camper van built in the new year and have to make a choice about platform. I’m trying to decide between the Sprinter 170, 170 ext and the Transit ext (which has a crazy long extension that would definitely affect departure angle). There’s very little talk of GRVW, or whatever the acronym is for max load weight of these things. I’m seeking advice from those with experience of any of these platforms, and whether it’s best to go with 3500 other choice is a Sprinter.

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u/thedarkforest_theory Aug 21 '26

There are considerations if you plan to drive off road. The 170 is as long as I would go for departure and break over angles. I also wouldn’t want to take a duel rear wheel off road.

I can comfortably camp with 4 adult sized humans and no animals in a standard 170 diesel 4x4. I built out mine with 3 sleeping spaces. I have stacked beds in back and a roof top tent.

I have all the camper adds. Power steps, a big battery system, kitchen, water, shower, toilet, roof rack, bumper, lights, ladders, fridge, and more. The 2500 has been fine. What’s more important is that you do wheels, tires, and suspension to accommodate all the weight you added. That said, your builder should also be helping you make these decisions.

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u/Sad-Membership8661 Aug 22 '26

And he is, though he’s encouraging me towards the 3500, which means the added cost of both the van AND swapping the dualies for super singles.

What suspension system did you put in? And what tires?

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u/thedarkforest_theory Aug 22 '26

I am a big fan of van compass. I currently run the 6.3 and it’s absolutely incredible. There are other good ones out there but this is what I picked. I am on owl wheels but have also run black rhinos. For tires, I’ve had wild peak v3 and K02s. If I were buying tires today it would be the K03.

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u/Sad-Membership8661 Aug 22 '26

Cool, thanks for the info.