Mercedes Sprinter Chassis

[Yaktop]

Can anyone confirm that the chassis doesn’t go through ANY modifications by Thor? Ie: stretch, hitches, axle moves etc.

[Gladinwj]

On what model? I have a Compass, and the length of the frame is extended.

[paulwadley]

I too have a Mercedes Benz chassis. Never thought about that question. An easy answer is to call Thor and ask them.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Thor doesn't stretch frames in house, they have an outside company that does it for them. Modified chassis is delivered to Thor ready for the camper bodies.


http://www.morryde.com/division/chassis-division

[Bob Denman]

Mine has 170.3" between the axles. That kind of seems to be a very common wheelbase for these applications.

[Bob Denman]

UPDATE: I also see that a 156" wheelbase is used as well...

(Too late to edit my previous post...)

[The Gritz Carlton]

High volume for a specific market will encourage truck/chassis manufacturers to build the correct chassis length and wheelbase for the application. Body builders (Thor as example) will conform their coach designs based on wheelbases for a few models. In cases where the two don't meet, they will modify the chassis length and/or add additional frame rails to the ends. This practice goes back years and the companies that specialize in it are professionals...their reputation "rides" on it. In my commercial truck sales days, we would order more "cab and chassis" configurations with longer wheel bases as it is more feasible to "shorten" a frame than extend it. Not sure about MB but every chassis that comes into Thor's Staging Lot gets put on hold until Ford engineers physically inspect any frame modifications done to their chassis and approve it for their warranty consideration. The frame itself would be the least concern to me with all the other build quality issues most RV manufacturers encounter from the frame up. Units that have the frame "hump" over the rear axle are less desirable to modify and coach bodies are probably built on the factory's frame. JMHO.

[Bob Denman]

I agree: the frame should be just about the least of your worries...
It's what they put on top of it...

[Bob Denman]

Oh! I just took a look at the website for the Sprinter Chassis...
As a chassis-cab combo: you can get the 170" wheelbase right from them!

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

UPDATE: I also see that a 156" wheelbase is used as well...

(Too late to edit my previous post...)

Which Mercedes Sprinter motorhome uses a 156” wheelbase? I’m curious because I’ve only seen the 170”. Occasionally you see a shorter wheelbase from next smaller van length (in the 140s), but I was under impression Mercedes doesn’t allow wheelbase modifications.

Unlike Ford and Chevy trucks, Sprinters have a semi-unitized frame which doesn’t lend itself to stretching. The same goes for Ford Transit and RAM ProMaster. Every one of these I’ve seen keeps OEM wheelbase.

These unitized frames do have a factory rear extension that is bolted on with splice plates. There’s a lot more engineering involved because the metal is very thin and not as easy to modify as a standard truck “C” channel frame.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

....cut.... Units that have the frame "hump" over the rear axle are less desirable to modify and coach bodies are probably built on the factory's frame. JMHO.

The Ford E-Series has frame humps over rear axle and has wheelbase modified all the time. It’s the most common motorhome chassis in US and only the shortest Class Cs keep original Ford wheelbase. The majority have frame cut and stretched somewhere behind cab. Axis and Vegas Class As also get their original 158” wheelbase stretched to 188” or 194”.

I don’t personally like it, but it’s done all the time.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Chance

Which Mercedes Sprinter motorhome uses a 156” wheelbase? I’m curious because I’ve only seen the 170”. Occasionally you see a shorter wheelbase from next smaller van length (in the 140s), but I was under impression Mercedes doesn’t allow wheelbase modifications.
.

Thor's Compass 23 TB, and 23 TW...

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Thor's Compass 23 TB, and 23 TW...

And those would be Fords, not Mercedes.

The 156” wheelbase is right from Ford. As mentioned before, these kinds of unitized frames aren’t as easy to stretch. In Europe they replace the entire frame sometimes, but I’ve never seen one have wheelbase stretched or shorten — not yet anyway.

[Bob Denman]

I was just coming back in here to note that mistake...

[The Gritz Carlton]

Originally Posted by Chance

The Ford E-Series has frame humps over rear axle and has wheelbase modified all the time. It’s the most common motorhome chassis in US and only the shortest Class Cs keep original Ford wheelbase. The majority have frame cut and stretched somewhere behind cab. Axis and Vegas Class As also get their original 158” wheelbase stretched to 188” or 194”.

I don’t personally like it, but it’s done all the time.

This may apply to motorhomes and E Series (with the hump) but cutting the frame behind the cab on straight frame is rarely done. You have to double the frame and resell is non-existent. Majority of commercial mods involve adding frame to the rear, unbolt and slide axle(s) back, drill and re-bolt, extend drive shaft. Any "hump" frame nearly has to be cut behind the cab. The Axis and Vega most likely are done in the manner I mentioned...not cut behind the cab. All straight frame chassis' are done at the rear.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

....cut..... The Axis and Vega most likely are done in the manner I mentioned...not cut behind the cab. All straight frame chassis' are done at the rear.

No, they are based on stripped Ford E-Series chassis that also have humps over rear axle. They are also cut and spliced behind where the cab would be if it had one. It’s just behind transmission crossmember. I’ve seen the drawings and have actually seen it. It’s OK but not ideal. I would personally prefer Ford OEM wheelbase length if at all possible.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Chance

I would personally prefer Ford OEM wheelbase length if at all possible.

What is the maximum wheelbase, that is available from Ford?

[Yaktop]

Ok. Striking out the Ford comments looks like the Sprinter chassis is not modified. Most likely not the hitch. I like that since although the top house is where most of the problems are there’s nothing better than a strong foundation. �� thanks for the input.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

What is the maximum wheelbase, that is available from Ford?

For E-Series OEM wheelbase I’m only aware of 138, 158, and 176 inches.

[Bob Denman]

So mine was stretched 33".