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TLBaja79
Nomad
Posts: 267
Registered: 10-17-2013
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Anybody used a Sprinter in Baja?
Thinking about getting a sprinter and wondering if they can handle baja roads, sand, etc...
How do they do in the sand, rough roads, snow???
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6029
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retireded
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One of my extended family members here in Nevada County has been using a Sprinter conversion for travel since he retired.
I know he does not travel to Baja, but he lives above the snow line here, and I am sure he has spent time exploring the Nevada side of the Sierra
Nevada range.
They are on the road right now, so it may be a while before I can ask him about back-road performance, but I know that he really likes his van.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18388
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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I see sprinters all over baja…. Most sprinters are shells that get interior rv treatment. I suppose durability of each matters who did the
interior build-out.
Friends did a custom sprinter build using a builder in Oregon, they love it, seems to be durable.
But these are rvs, so go slow on rough stuff, even the best cabinets can be shaken to bits….
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2308
Registered: 4-23-2006
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I had an 2006 for several years in baja.
I never had a good feeling about the reliability. It broke down a couple times.
Blown turbo hose, fuel pressure sensor and mystery problems with various computer systems. I bought it with 30k miles...sold at 60k. Luckily cabo san
lucas has a dealer who can work on them.
I loved it when it was running. It did ok for being a 2WD truck.
My council...get a ford transit.
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10564
Registered: 10-3-2003
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Sportsmobiles look more capable to me.
Sprinter will be fine for mild offroad conditions.
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10564
Registered: 10-3-2003
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Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob  | I had an 2006 for several years in baja.
I never had a good feeling about the reliability. It broke down a couple times.
Blown turbo hose, fuel pressure sensor and mystery problems with various computer systems. I bought it with 30k miles...sold at 60k. Luckily cabo san
lucas has a dealer who can work on them.
I loved it when it was running. It did ok for being a 2WD truck.
My council...get a ford transit. |
What knuckle head buys a 2WD?
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18388
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by JZ | | Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob | I had an 2006 for several years in baja.
I never had a good feeling about the reliability. It broke down a couple times.
Blown turbo hose, fuel pressure sensor and mystery problems with various computer systems. I bought it with 30k miles...sold at 60k. Luckily cabo san
lucas has a dealer who can work on them.
I loved it when it was running. It did ok for being a 2WD truck.
My council...get a ford transit. |
What knuckle head buys a 2WD?
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Why buy 4wd if you don’t need/want 4wd?
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18388
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by JZ | Sportsmobiles look more capable to me.
Sprinter will be fine for mild offroad conditions.
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Most people do only mild off road….
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 2432
Registered: 1-24-2015
Location: Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
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I can only report from 4 amigos drive them in states. Also delivery drivers in Baja all unreliable have broke down. Next problem when It breaks down .
Rear end diff, drive shaft,trans small parts to repair . Not sold when ones drive shaft bearing went bad. Only replacement drive shaft 2,500.00.
Reports from them not good even light towing weak.
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surfhat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 547
Registered: 6-4-2012
Member Is Offline
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12 years and going to Baja every year has only reenforced the faith in my 06 2wd sprinter van.
Not a single breakdown the whole time. Proper qualified maintenance is the cure to any doubts about going to Baja. That and carrying spare parts.
The sprinter forum is invaluable to help us Sprinter van owners avoid every issue. Just as heal thyself can apply, so does educate yourself on what to
do with these best vans on the road.
JZ, even you would be impressed with how well these 2wd vans handle off road washboard conditions.
Driving on the beach is for the awd models, but my 2wd has never failed me even when slugging through some deep mud after a downpour. It kept
creeping forward and did not require me to get out and dig. There is a traction control button that can be turned off that 'almost' makes it respond
like a rear differential locker. Almost haha
I had a Ford 4wd van in the 90's and managed to get it stuck on the beach north of Todos Santos one time. That was my fault for turning too sharply
and burying the Ford to the chassis.
That was totally driver error. Since I carried four 5' long pieces of Marsden Matting I drove on out of that buried to the chassis pit. That was the
only time I ever got stuck and learned the lesson well.
These days we have plastic recovery ramps that are a great improvement over the rusty sharp metal pieces of the military sand tracks I carried in the
past.
Sportsmobile uses a variety of van platforms, Sprinters, Ford Transits, et al. They are essentially window dressing and don't advance the factory
built in capabilities. Sportsmobile does a great job cosmetically enhancing what the factories put out.
The drive trains are what the dealers get from the factory. There are some options to install a rear locker after the fact that would be great to have
but at a considerable cost of five grand. If I was a newby, this upgrade would be more attractive for my 16 year old Sprinter. I will have to do
without driving on the beach and am fine with that fact.
ULSD diesel fuel is becoming more available in Baja Sur. ULSD diesel has been in Baja Norte for years. The reason I bought my 06 when I did was
because it could run on any kind of diesel. ULSD or LSD. Many with newer vans that require ULSD, 07 up models, have done fine in Baja Sur. I always
fill up before I get to Baja Sur just in case at Jesus Maria just north of Guerrero Negro and the state line between Baja Norte and Baja Sur. With
more and more Baja Sur stations selling ULSD even the newer Sprinters should have no problems filling with ULSD.
To each his own. Peace and love and respect and some fish tacos thrown in for good measure.
Above all, please show respect, respect, respect. Por favor. We Nomads deserve at least this much. Happy 4th everyone.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Online
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by JZ | | Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob | I had an 2006 for several years in baja.
I never had a good feeling about the reliability. It broke down a couple times.
Blown turbo hose, fuel pressure sensor and mystery problems with various computer systems. I bought it with 30k miles...sold at 60k. Luckily cabo san
lucas has a dealer who can work on them.
I loved it when it was running. It did ok for being a 2WD truck.
My council...get a ford transit. |
What knuckle head buys a 2WD?
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Why buy 4wd if you don’t need/want 4wd?
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Trying to see Baja in a 2WD is like going to Disneyland without enjoying any of the rides!
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surfhat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 547
Registered: 6-4-2012
Member Is Offline
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Never mind. Please ignore my previous post. I am obviously off base and just an old man with memories. Somehow over the past fifty years I got by
without 4wd for most of that time. Do carry on.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18388
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by JZ | | Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob | I had an 2006 for several years in baja.
I never had a good feeling about the reliability. It broke down a couple times.
Blown turbo hose, fuel pressure sensor and mystery problems with various computer systems. I bought it with 30k miles...sold at 60k. Luckily cabo san
lucas has a dealer who can work on them.
I loved it when it was running. It did ok for being a 2WD truck.
My council...get a ford transit. |
What knuckle head buys a 2WD?
|
Why buy 4wd if you don’t need/want 4wd?
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Trying to see Baja in a 2WD is like going to Disneyland without enjoying any of the rides! |
Silly comment. I don’t need 4wd to go camping in SPM, go whale watching at any of the lagoons, go to wineries in valle guadalupe, or most of the
beaches.
Most desirable tourist areas in baja and bcs are accessible by roads drivable by 2wd.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Online
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by JZ | | Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob | I had an 2006 for several years in baja.
I never had a good feeling about the reliability. It broke down a couple times.
Blown turbo hose, fuel pressure sensor and mystery problems with various computer systems. I bought it with 30k miles...sold at 60k. Luckily cabo san
lucas has a dealer who can work on them.
I loved it when it was running. It did ok for being a 2WD truck.
My council...get a ford transit. |
What knuckle head buys a 2WD?
|
Why buy 4wd if you don’t need/want 4wd?
|
Trying to see Baja in a 2WD is like going to Disneyland without enjoying any of the rides! |
Silly comment. I don’t need 4wd to go camping in SPM, go whale watching at any of the lagoons, go to wineries in valle guadalupe, or most of the
beaches.
Most desirable tourist areas in baja and bcs are accessible by roads drivable by 2wd.
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I guess goats are like sheep? Just follow the crowds to the typical tourist sites.
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JDCanuck
Super Nomad
Posts: 1670
Registered: 2-22-2020
Member Is Online
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Sprinters were really popular up here for decades where we have nice smooth roads. Lately not so much as people are dumping them and choosing to fly
to destinations or rent from a tour company instead. Its been super hard to find a place to camp out with them lately as the campsites are overbooked,
primarily by rental tour companies who reserve in advance.
What is growing is the van or minivan conversion use as you can park with them most anyplace, including rest stops for breaks.
After your travel period you pull out the sink, stove grey water storage and bed and put it back in service as a family use vehicle.
In JZ's case, he could have his kids drive a 4 by 4 with bikes in the back, use the minivan as a service and meals vehicle and get both uses at the
same time. Overall combined fuel use would not be much different than using one Sprinter assuming the minivan was used as a home base.
[Edited on 7-3-2022 by JDCanuck]
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JDCanuck
Super Nomad
Posts: 1670
Registered: 2-22-2020
Member Is Online
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Jz and Surfhat: Just bought a well used 4by4 Canyon crew cab(my first) and driving it down to our place end of this month for very rough use in and
out of La Paz in future years. Any suggestions on something I should carry in the odd chance i get it buried in the deep sand? My only experience was
with a Grand Cherokee i rented and had to put into 4wd once when i got bogged down. Traction mats of some kind come to mind.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18388
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by JZ | | Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob | I had an 2006 for several years in baja.
I never had a good feeling about the reliability. It broke down a couple times.
Blown turbo hose, fuel pressure sensor and mystery problems with various computer systems. I bought it with 30k miles...sold at 60k. Luckily cabo san
lucas has a dealer who can work on them.
I loved it when it was running. It did ok for being a 2WD truck.
My council...get a ford transit. |
What knuckle head buys a 2WD?
|
Why buy 4wd if you don’t need/want 4wd?
|
Trying to see Baja in a 2WD is like going to Disneyland without enjoying any of the rides! |
Silly comment. I don’t need 4wd to go camping in SPM, go whale watching at any of the lagoons, go to wineries in valle guadalupe, or most of the
beaches.
Most desirable tourist areas in baja and bcs are accessible by roads drivable by 2wd.
|
I guess goats are like sheep? Just follow the crowds to the typical tourist sites. |
Sheep? I have seen you off-roaders. Y’all be like a bunch teenage girls, travel in large groups (bring your own traffic jams to remote roads), and
cannot go to bathroom alone.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10564
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck | | Jz and Surfhat: Just bought a well used 4by4 Canyon crew cab(my first) and driving it down to our place end of this month for very rough use in and
out of La Paz in future years. Any suggestions on something I should carry in the odd chance i get it buried in the deep sand? My only experience was
with a Grand Cherokee i rented and had to put into 4wd once when i got bogged down. Traction mats of some kind come to mind. |
I have an offroad floor jack, snatch strap, and maxtrax. Air down. Watch where you go.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Online
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by JZ | | Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob | I had an 2006 for several years in baja.
I never had a good feeling about the reliability. It broke down a couple times.
Blown turbo hose, fuel pressure sensor and mystery problems with various computer systems. I bought it with 30k miles...sold at 60k. Luckily cabo san
lucas has a dealer who can work on them.
I loved it when it was running. It did ok for being a 2WD truck.
My council...get a ford transit. |
What knuckle head buys a 2WD?
|
Why buy 4wd if you don’t need/want 4wd?
|
Trying to see Baja in a 2WD is like going to Disneyland without enjoying any of the rides! |
Silly comment. I don’t need 4wd to go camping in SPM, go whale watching at any of the lagoons, go to wineries in valle guadalupe, or most of the
beaches.
Most desirable tourist areas in baja and bcs are accessible by roads drivable by 2wd.
|
I guess goats are like sheep? Just follow the crowds to the typical tourist sites. |
Sheep? I have seen you off-roaders. Y’all be like a bunch teenage girls, travel in large groups (bring your own traffic jams to remote roads), and
cannot go to bathroom alone. |
Yes, you like to generalize and put people into 'groups'.
It is possible, to do both, travel with others to "share the stoke" and to camp solo, and not in campgrounds.
I do far more of the second method than the first. Sharing is caring, however.
Just make sure to pack out whatever you brought in and if possible leave the place looking better than you found it!
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3508
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
Member Is Offline
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I've had AWD SUV's for a long time. Trucks have always been 4WD. Can't justify spending $10k more for 4WD except when I need it. The
possibility of needing it is enough reason for me to go 4WD. I'd never buy a 2WD vehicle. Or FWD.
Priced a custom van awhile ago came to about $150k. Solar, 2kw inverter, etc. About the price of my last Class A -- a Newmar Canyon Star.
Since a Sprinter is like an RV, I'd really look at how I'd be using it -- how long I'd be camping somewhere -- before passing up a real RV.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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