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Old 01-02-2022, 06:55 PM   #1
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QX80 vs Sprinter 2500 tow vehicle preference

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
Do you have a preference towing between the QX80 and Sprinter?
Preference - we select to best match our travel plans.

There are pros and cons to towing with any van. Search for other forum threads that describe Mercedes, Ford, and Nissan vans as tow vehicles.

Wish the Sprinter had the QX80's power.

The Mercedes Benz’s safety and towing features are superior to the Infiniti. We like the Sprinter’s extra space, more open view, and configuration flexibility. When traveling for work, the Sprinter can be our office, and our E19 remains our home.

Sprinter gets 13.5-15 mpg after 8200 E19 towing miles. QX80 gets 10-11 mpg using premium gas after 37,000 E19 towing miles.

Our 2020 VS30 Sprinter 2500, 144” wb, high-roof, passenger, v6 diesel has 188 hp, 325 lb-ft torque, 5000 lb towing rating. Our Sprinter's options make it more like a passenger car, not a cargo van. See attached build listing.

Our previously-owned, low milage, 2017 QX80 "limited" has 400 hp, 413 lb-ft torque, 8500 lb towing capacity. Being the “limited” edition, it has nearly every option package Infiniti offers, plus some special edition items. It is quiet, comfortable, and powerful.

We are trading the QX80 for a 2020 low mileage, certified pre-owned Mercedes Benz GLS 580, which offers 483 hp, 516 lb-ft torque, 7700 lb towing capacity. We look forward to getting the Mercedes Benz safety, towing, and other features.

73/gus
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Old 01-02-2022, 09:15 PM   #2
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Thanks; that is similar comparison of the Sprinter and our Transit T-250. It has the 3.5 Ecoboost engine w/AWD and has plenty of power. MPG about same towing as your Sprinter. Having only towed any significant distance with it one time am not sure whether I prefer it to the Expedition or not. Oddly, the bus-driving position of the van after 5+ hours of driving is probably as good if not better than the cushy SUV. The last difference is the hitch is too low for a WDH on the van vs. SUV, and while it isn't necessary for the SUV I do prefer the "belt & suspenders" aspect of using it.

The Benz 580 sounds SWEET! If I win the Lottery that's my next ride for sure! Thanks for the report
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Old 01-03-2022, 08:11 AM   #3
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Nice combo you have

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Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
Thanks; that is similar comparison of the Sprinter and our Transit T-250. It has the 3.5 Ecoboost engine w/AWD and has plenty of power. MPG about same towing as your Sprinter.
You do have a nice, similar setup.

Our son tows their 36’ Kodak Express with an Expedition. They like it, especially having our four grandsons in the rear seats.

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Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
Having only towed any significant distance with it one time am not sure whether I prefer it to the Expedition or not. Oddly, the bus-driving position of the van after 5+ hours of driving is probably as good if not better than the cushy SUV.
Your bus-driver position description is a good one. I think our van’s large windows and higher sitting position above traffic helps on long driving days. On Saturday, we drove 14 hours, 725 miles, in the Sprinter towing our E19, and we felt OK at the end. Saturday was an exception to our 400 mile day limit.

We’ve driven lots more E19-towing miles using the QX80. We are always arrive in good shape too. There’s much to be said for the QX80’s interior quiet after many driving hours.

We had a 2010 Sprinter, similar configuration, and we enjoyed driving it. Our daughter has it now, and they use it for towing their 2020 21NE.

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Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
The last difference is the hitch is too low for a WDH on the van vs. SUV, and while it isn't necessary for the SUV I do prefer the "belt & suspenders" aspect of using it.
Our E19 has the Hensley hitch, and the Sprinter uses a straight tow bar. It would be too low for any off road venturing. Plus the Sprinter is 2WD. We think of our SUV as the off-road capability.

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Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
The Benz 580 sounds SWEET! If I win the Lottery that's my next ride for sure! Thanks for the report
We’ve had good luck purchasing pre-owned, low-mileage vehicles that were “corporate executive” models. Our QX80 Limited was the “show vehicle” for one of the Nissan USA executives in Franklin, TN. It was a 13-months old and had only 1100 miles on it. It does a great job towing the E19 and our 2004 30’ Airstream Classic.

We’ve found a similar deal on the certified pre-owned GLS 580. Unfortunately, used vehicle pricing is high everywhere now, especially since Mercedes Benz cancelled production of the 2022 model year 580’s V8 engine due to supply chain issues. We feel lucky to have found the one we did. Pays to shop nationally these days.

Wish you the best with your Escape and your versatile towing fleet. I’m thinking a van and an SUV create a great tow-vehicle combination with lots of flexibility. May you have many comfortable miles ahead.

73/gus
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Old 01-03-2022, 08:12 PM   #4
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Hey Mary & Gus- yes it is great to have options! The van was requested 2-3 years ago by Susan as she would like to go out with adult kids or solo and is not up to towing our 21. The "aha" moment came last February in Joshua Tree Belle C.G. where two Sportsmobile vans were parked next to us. Susan said later that -sic- "Dang it, I've been saying I've wanted a van for awhile and I figure I've got ten good years..." What do you say to that if you are fortunate enough to have the means to comply?

It's been a journey since last March. First, spending days on the internet searching vans and the logistics involved. Found out pretty quick that MSRP was it, less any factory rebates. Even a dealer in Oregon with a 2020 wasn't budging. So we decided on a van from a dealer in Denver area and fortunately we have a 2 hour non-stop from SLO, CA. Great ride- mostly Cal Poly students going home for Spring Break, and the scenery 30 minutes out was great... more snow from the air I've ever seen.

We did an Adventure Wagon kit install at their factory in Portland. We towed our 21 up with the van then did a Boondockers Welcome stay in Newberg and rented a car while they did their install in five days. Then we brought it home and did all the systems ourselves. Now we have essentially what a Winnebago Revel has for 1/2 the cost. They are now over $200K!

Don't see too many vans towing trailers, yet they are very popular for sure and it is nice to contemplate dropping the trailer then having the means to go off for a few days or more in the van.

Glad we jumped when we did; with the shortages across the auto world people with January 2021 build dates didn't get delivery until very recently and the orders have already been closed for the 2022 models. Amazon, et al is responsible for much of this unfortunately.
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Old 01-10-2022, 01:38 PM   #5
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More GLS towing capacity - details

Just found an important item in the 2020 Mercedes GLS manual, for all models (450, 580, Maybach)

"Towing capacity, braked = 7716.2 lbs (3500 kg)
The tongue weight is not included in the towing capacity.
Maximum tongue weight = 617.3 lbs (280 kg)"

So, the 2020 GLS total trailer weight allowed = 8333.5 lbs (3780 kg). It is practically the same as the QX80, except for the rated tongue weights.

2022 GLS model eliminated the 580 (v8 engine), which is one reason why we went with a 2020 low mileage certified pre-owned.

73/gus
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Old 06-06-2022, 10:53 AM   #6
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Mary & Gus -- What is the mileage of your Sprinter when not towing?

Ross -- Same question regarding your Ford Transit. Maybe I should get a van for my next tow vehicle.


thanks.
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Old 06-06-2022, 11:02 AM   #7
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Quote:
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Mary & Gus -- What is the mileage of your Sprinter when not towing?
The diesel MPG is highly driving speed dependent. When we tow at 55 mph in California, we get 14-16 mpg. At 70-75 mph in NM, AZ, and TX, we get 11-13 mpg. The mountains also make a significant difference.

73/gus
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Old 06-06-2022, 01:44 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Lewis View Post
Mary & Gus -- What is the mileage of your Sprinter when not towing?

Ross -- Same question regarding your Ford Transit. Maybe I should get a van for my next tow vehicle.
Ford makes three lengths of vans: 130/148L & 148EL inch wheelbase. We have the 148L. With EB & AWD it is a very capable tow. Seems to get the same mpg as our Expedtion EB RWD.- towing 13- 14 (under 65 mph for both), unhitched 18+ depending on speed.

The Expedition is easier to use with its 122' WB; can usually do u-turns in most intersections with the trailer. No way with the van. Can use a WDH, with SUV, whereas van hitches are so low we couldn't use our Pro Series with round bars- maybe a trunnion model would work.

Lastly, I think vans are even harder to come by than trucks at this time as Amazon, et. al have priority to get their fleets stocked up with new ones.
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Old 06-06-2022, 02:36 PM   #9
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Quote:
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Lastly, I think vans are even harder to come by than trucks at this time as Amazon, et. al have priority to get their fleets stocked up with new ones.

Good point. Something else to consider. Thanks for the info.
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Old 06-06-2022, 03:09 PM   #10
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Quote:
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The diesel MPG is highly driving speed dependent. When we tow at 55 mph in California, we get 14-16 mpg. At 70-75 mph in NM, AZ, and TX, we get 11-13 mpg. The mountains also make a significant difference.
Our Sprinter gets about 17-18 mpg around town and 20-22 mpg on highway, without the trailer. Ours is the 144” wheelbase, high roof, V6 diesel, 2020 passenger model. It has all the safety and comfort packages we could get. This includes factory towing package.

73/gus
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Old 06-06-2022, 05:40 PM   #11
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Thanks. I'm guessing a used Sprinter or Transit would be USED, especially a cargo version, with a lot of hard miles on it. I'm intrigued by the idea of towing with one because I could bring home stuff I find on my trips. I'll have to research this.
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Old 06-06-2022, 06:15 PM   #12
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and then we all can visit your home and see where you have been........
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Old 06-06-2022, 07:37 PM   #13
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2019 4WD Sprinter 2500.
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A solid 9 days of enjoyment in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains of Alberta faaar beyond the possibility of any amenities… just arrived back home this afternoon. We’ll head back out again soon.

…I have no idea how to rotate the second image…
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