The Mercedes Sprinter’s weight depends on which model it is:
Curb weight (how much it weighs): 4,597 to 5,952 pounds
Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR), how much it can carry, including its own weight: 8,550 to 12,125 pounds
Payload (what it can carry excluding its own weight (GVWR): 3953 to 6713 pounds
Knowing your van’s weight ratings is important so that you are aware of the weight your van can legally and safely accommodate without straining.
In today’s article, we’ll look at three Sprinter van weight ratings, why they’re important, and how cargo weight affects your van’s performance.
Curb Weight vs GVWR vs Payload
But first, here are some van weight terms that you should know.
Curb Weight: A Sprinter van’s curb weight is its unloaded weight with a tank full of fuel. It includes any fluids and batteries essential for the van’s standard operation.
GVWR: The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or GVWR is the maximum permissible weight your van can handle without the trailer. It includes its curb weight and its payload.
A van’s GVWR depends on its engine, transmission, suspension, chassis, and braking; hence it’s a fixed figure and not a measurement.
Payload: A van’s payload is all cargo it can carry, minus its own weight (GVWR).
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van Weight Ratings
And now, let’s take a deeper look into the weight ratings of specific Sprinter vans.
Mercedes Sprinter Cargo Van
| Van Trim Level | Maximum GVWR | Base Curb Weight | Payload Capacity |
| Cargo Van 1500 4-Cylinder Gas | 8,550 | 4,597 | 3,953 |
| Cargo Van 2500 4-Cylinder Diesel | 9,050 | 4,861 | 4,189 |
| Cargo Van 3500 6-Cylinder Diesel | 9,990 | 5,368 | 4,622 |
| Cargo Van 4500 6-Cylinder Diesel | 12,125 | 5,390 | 6,735 |
| Cargo Van 4500 4-Cylinder Diesel | 12,125 | 5,335 | 6,790 |
| Cargo Van 4500 4-Cylinder Diesel (extended high roof) | 12,125 | 5,952 | 6,173 |
Mercedes Sprinter Crew Van
| Van Trim | Maximum GVWR | Base Curb Weight | Payload Capacity |
| Crew Van 2500 4-cylinder Diesel | 9,050 | 5,247 | 3,803 |
| Crew Van 2500 6-cylinder Diesel | 9,050 | 5,302 | 3,748 |
| Crew Van 3500 6-cylinder Diesel | 9,900 | 5,743 | 4,247 |
| Crew Van 4500 6-cylinder Diesel | 12,125 | 5,765 | 6,360 |
Mercedes Sprinter Passenger Van
| Van Trim | Maximum GVWR | Base Curb Weight | Payload Capacity |
| Passenger Van 1500 4-cylinder Gas | 8,550 | 5,467 | 3,082 |
| Passenger Van 2500 4-cylinder Diesel | 9,050 | 5,467 | 3,583 |
| Passenger Van 2500 6-cylinder Diesel | 9,050 | 5,490 | 3,560 |
Mercedes Sprinter Cab Chassis
| Van Trim | Maximum GVWR | Base Curb Weight | Payload Capacity |
| Cab Chassis 3500 XD 4-cylinder Gas | 11,030 | 4,619 | 6,411 |
| Cab Chassis 3500 XD 4-cylinder Diesel | 11,030 | 4,674 | 6,356 |
| Cab Chassis 4500 4-cylinder Diesel | 12,125 | 4,641 | 7,484 |
| Cab Chassis 4500 6-cylinder Diesel | 12,125 | 4,696 | 7,429 |
Here’s How to Know Your Sprinter Van’s Curb Weight
Your van’s curb weight doesn’t include the weight of the passengers or the trailer weight that you might be towing.
It‘s an important determinant of your van’s performance as additional weight puts more strain on its drivetrain resulting in a poorer fuel economy.
Here’s how you can know your van’s curb weight.
Checking the Owner’s Manual
The owner’s manual that comes with every Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, contains all relevant information such as setup instructions, maintenance schedules, dashboard warning information, and your van’s weight capacities.
If you’ve misplaced yours and can’t seem to find it, you can look up your van’s curb weight online. You’ll only need to have its year, model, make, or vehicle identification (VIN) number.
Also, you can look it up at Mercedes-Benz’s website.
Using a Vehicle Scale Is the Most Accurate Method
Checking the user’s manual for weight measurements can sometimes be misleading since most vans are modified after leaving the auto shop. Therefore, your van’s rated/base curb weight may be less than its actual weight.
The reason is that any permanent modification to your van, such as adding a racking system or changing the rims, will add additional weight.
As a result, using a vehicle scale is a more accurate way to know a van’s weight.
Here’s how you can use a vehicle scale
- Ensure that your Mercedes Sprinter van is unloaded without any temporary cargo or trailers.
- Fill up all fluid tanks such as the gas tank and check that your van has sufficient brake fluid, engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid and any other fluid that the van needs.
- Drive your Sprinter van onto the vehicle scale and take note of the weight reading.
The figure you get is your van’s actual weight or its curb weight.
Subtracting The Maximum Payload From the GVWR
A Sprinter van’s GVWR will always vary with the different van models. Additionally, the payload will depend on the weight of passengers or cargo that you’re transporting.
For example, the 144″ wheelbase 2500 Crew Van with a 6-cylinder engine has a maximum available GVWR of 8,550 pounds and a maximum payload of 3,237 pounds.
To get its curb weight, deduct the maximum payload from the maximum available GVWR. In the above example, the van’s base curb weight is 5,313 pounds.
Why It’s Important to Know Your Van’s Weight
Knowing your van’s weight is very important, especially if you use it for commercial purposes. A van whose weight exceeds the rated GVWR is overloaded and will be subject to traffic penalties.
To avoid such a case, you must know your van’s weight, and here’s why.
Lighter Vans Have Better Performance
The GVWR is an important vehicle rating that affects a van’s performance, especially when not towing. Loading a van beyond its GVWR lowers its stability, makes it difficult to steer, and increases its braking distance making it difficult to judge its braking distance.
Additionally, frequent overloading will lower your van’s lifespan.
Signs of a frequently overloaded van include:
- Irregular tire wear.
- Unresponsive steering and suspension.
- Premature brake wear.
- A sagging rear end.
Overloading the Axles Is Dangerous
In addition to the GVWR rating, you must know your van’s gross axle weight rating (GAWR). GAWR is determined by the manufacturer and not a measurement of how much weight you’re placing on your van’s axles.
Sometimes, a van might exceed its axle weight ratings despite being within the GVWR rating.
It can result from placing too much weight on a particular axle.
For example, overloading the back of your van puts too much pressure and weight on the rear suspension and wheels, making the steering harder and less responsive.
You’ll also affect your van’s braking performance since it won’t be getting sufficient traction from the front wheels.
Additionally, too much stress placed on the rear axles will cause a tire to burst, and you might lose control of your van.
Lighter Sprinter Vans Have Better Fuel Economies
A lighter van will always have a better fuel economy than a heavier one, given that both have the same drivetrain components.
You can expect a 1-2 percent increase in miles per gallon ratings with every 100 pounds that your van loses.
How to Load Your Sprinter Van Safely
Now that you’re well aware of your van’s GVWR and curb weight, it’s equally important that you know how to load safely. Improper loading will lower your van’s stability.
Additionally, it’s illegal to drive a van when the weight or distribution of the load is in a manner that endangers your life and that of others.
Here are some tips that I use to load my van safely.
Distribute the Cargo Across the Cargo Area
Load distribution will affect how you accelerate, corner, brake, and maneuver through traffic. Place the heavier items on the van floor and put the lightest items highest for your safety.
Furthermore, ensure that the weight is distributed equally between the front and rear axles. And since it can be difficult to get each axle’s gross axle weight, be sure to load the heavier items between your van’s axles.
Secure Your Cargo
Securing your cargo reduces the chances of injury, death, or significant damage to your van during the transportation and unloading of cargo. When cornering, poorly secured or unsecured cargo will sway, making your van unstable.
Additionally, the cargo will bang against your van’s walls when accelerating or decelerating. I’d recommend that you frequently secure large items with tensioning/ lashing straps attached to your van’s anchoring points.
Racking may help improve stability, especially if you’re transporting smaller items.
Use Pallets for Heavy Items
Pallets are more beneficial than placing items on the van’s floor if you’re transporting heavy items or a cargo that needs to be secured.
They are also beneficial if you’re transporting many smaller items that would be difficult to secure to the van’s anchoring points.
However, you need to ensure that your pallets are in excellent condition and you’ve secured the loads.
Final Remarks
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans have very high towing and payload capacities compared to its rivals. Additionally, the vans are equipped with powerful 2.1 and 3-liter engines to ensure that you reach your destination in good time.
However, some Sprinter van owners might be tempted to exploit the huge cargo volume and load their van excessively. I don’t recommend doing so as it strains your van’s powertrain and may even lead to road accidents.
And as we’ve seen, loading your van safely and legally will not only save your life but will also extend its lifespan.