Factory Mercedes-Benz Natural Gas and does size count for a LWB Sprinter/Crafter?

Good morning all.Currently we are negotiating a part exchange with the van dealer to upgrade to one of the two below described vehicles.1. Mercedes Sprinter “NGT” 100,000 miles.1.8 petrol supercharged engine “NGT” with factory fitted gas conversion. 150bhp, 240NMMedium length normal roof (I have to bend my neck to stand up in)2. VW crafter 2.5 40,000 miles.Diesel. 136bhp, Torque unknown?Long length high roof, fully lined, fitted with sortimo racking solution and tow bar.Both 3.5tonne approx 1400kg load capacity and same price.We feel one of the above will cut down on trailer usage as we work primarily within the city and a trailer can be a pain more often than not.How many of you load loose materials (sand/gravel into the back of their typical van rather than a trailer?Do you find this method works for you?We never worry about our small van and parking.Please appreciate that we have never lived with any long wheel based van.Whilst the long wheel based van is ideal for extra storage especially waste, do any of you feel that the long wheel based vehicles become a pain in the butt to park and daily living?Do any of you with a long wheel base sometimes wish you had the medium size variant?Like wise do those of you with a T4/T5 or vivaro type vehicle ever think a long wheel based sprinter would tick more boxes?Thank you all kindly in advance.We are hoping one of you may highlight something we have over looked.Kind Regards

Replies

Pristine Gardens December 28, 2013 at 9:41am

I run a Nissan primastar (same as traffic and vivaro) great little van and perfect for the maintenance round but a nightmare when it comes to landscaping and removing any waste from a site. With tools in the back I can just about squeeze 2 bulk bags of green waste, the same with landscaping buy the time you put the mixer and compactor in that's about it. With regards to materials I have to rely on delivey or buy small bags from wickes. I used to have a small combo van and a transit tipper and thought this would be a good I between to cutdown on costs but now looking to get a tipper again and run both. I would def take the LWB
PRO

Brian www.mibservices.co.uk December 28, 2013 at 10:32am

We got rid of our mwb hr van and trailers and bought a xlwb luton VW LT 35, never looked back and kick myself for not doing it years ago. Will be adding another to the business next year. Go large, you will find it is a much more convenient way to work.
PS: I would opt for the VW @ 40K miles over the Merc @ 100k on the clock. The Merc probably been a couriers and will have been thrashed.
PRO

Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd December 28, 2013 at 10:35am

We had a lwb crafter on hire a year ago after a swb transit was written off by a 3rd party.

The space inside was Unbelieveable - we should put over 20 tonne bags of waste inside with room for more. However we could not get it into one of our sites as the length prohibited us physically turning the van if a single track road into their driveway.

The replacement purchase that we have is a sprinter high roof mwb which for us is the perfect size.

We never have loose materials loaded in, only the odd barrow of waste tipped in. When we need loose materials, if over 2t then we get them delivered, if under 2t then we utilise the trailer.
Derek Conway December 28, 2013 at 11:33am

I moved up from a SWB to MWB, medium roof transit a few months ago and find its making life a lot easier, less need to be dragging trailer about and I can get the ride-on in the back as well as the push mower. Its not really costing me any more in fuel either.
English Sheep December 28, 2013 at 11:50am

Brilliant reviews thank you all.

The LWB HR caught my attention due to the mileage and that it comes with the tow bar, shelf racking and is fully lined with the sortimo lining kit. Which saves me between 1-2k. If it was not for the low mileage and the more powerful engine then I think I would be fixed on a MWB HR.

The sprinter "NGT" whilst catching my attention worries me in case anything goes wrong. Very very expensive.

I'm just trying to appreciate and forward plan if the LWB will create more problems.

Whilst I have had Nicks and Dericks thought process for the MWB HR the pricing of the LWB HR Crafter is really swaying me to that direction!
Kieran Ray December 28, 2013 at 2:06pm

Personally I have never driven either a sprinter or a crafter, but in transit terms I have used all sizes and the lwb was the best bet except for the odd client when access was a little awkward. I had the medium roof though which in truth was the best bet in my mind as the high roof was just a bit too tall.
Bespoke Lawncare December 29, 2013 at 9:58am

If parking is an issue with small van and trailer, then is a long wheel base van not going to give you the same problem
Rather than load loose materials like sand that will rot the van due to salt content why not buy in bulk bags loaded straight on with a fork lift.