Increasing tongue weight capacity on a Sprinter

[Maslin]

I just went through my manual with regards to towing and it doesn't mention anything for or against using a weight distribution hitch, or otherwise mention the concept of such a thing existing, AFAICT. @Maslin sorry to call you in to this, but is there an official line on the subject?

I've never seen it. We see quite a few big RVs with the car towing attachments, I've never seen a WD adapter.

Most people driving a camper aren't towing a camper.

 

[bigb]

So my understanding is that means an emphatic NO then!

Except the one I linked in post 25 above which I thought was from MB but now questioning it

 

[autostaretx]

The (pick your year) Body and Equipment Guide (BEG) goes through the math to show the consequences of tongue weight.
One issue is that you're off-loading the front wheels, which affects steering and braking.
The 2nd consideration is that you're stressing the frame rails beneath the floor.

Isn't the 750# tongue weight an extra option? (normally it's 500#, pay extra for 750 (7500 trailer weight).
That extra price includes beefing up the underbody. Extra cross-frame members (etc).
The cab/chassis version already comes reinforced (due to lack of monocoque body)

BEGs for the various years here: https://www.mbvans.com/en/upfitter/tech-info/beg

--dick

 

[Maslin]

I believe the chassis rating rules all. Like adding springs or heavy tires, the plaque still says what the plaque says.

 

[Kajtek1]

Too many Sprinters develop wrinkles on siding and roof over rear axle.

 

[Moto Vita]

I sit corrected. I have never heard of a unitary construction vehicle permitting this. Just out of interest, where is this located?

Maybe you're too young to remember this.

https://www.airforums.com/attachments/olds-trailer-015-jpg.1656609/

 

[Kajtek1]

Don't forget about side effects.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

Maybe you're too young to remember this.

https://www.airforums.com/attachments/olds-trailer-015-jpg.1656609/

I have seen it. But the first E body generation was full Xframe.

 

[Midwestdrifter]

Tongue weight rating can be limited by either the chassis structure, the hitch itself, or by the rear suspension/axles load rating.

Generally speaking on the sprinter the limiting factor is the chassis structure. To go beyond this rating you would need to identify the weak point(s) in the chassis and compensate for them. If that is even feasible.

A weight distributing hitch may reduce the apparent tongue load. However you may in fact be putting more load on other parts of the chassis due to the torque/moment that is transferring load to the front axle.

I would much prefer to have a slightly high tongue weight, than put a WD hitch on a chassis that doesn't appear designed for that load/application.

Aside from trailer stability, as long as the towing vehicle has enough weight on its rear axle, tongue weight isn't critical. For example a 5,000lb trailer being towed by a motorhome with 7,000lb on the rear axle. It doesn't matter from a towing vehicles perspective if there is 400 or 700lb on the tongue. At least from a stability perspective. Now the trailer may not track straight with low tongue weight.

 

[unfortunate]

Given you refer to warranty, what item are you thinking about warranty on? Your signature states 2010, I can't imagine any remaining warranty.