Fans of vans have been arguing for years about which is better, the Sprinter or the Transit. This debate will go on for many years to come. When it comes to living off the grid, both cars are excellent choices, and both vehicles have enormous potential when it comes to constructing your own little trundling house.
Sprinter vs. Transit is now as important as “Lennon vs. McCartney” or “Zeppelin vs. Sabbath” or “Ketchup vs. Mayo” in the world of alternative living (if you answered; Lennon, Zeppelin, Ketchup, then you may continue reading this article).
If you want to live in a van or travel for a long time in your car, you should think of your car as your home. You and your family should be able to enjoy your off-road trip without having to worry about your mobile home breaking down while you’re on the road.
There’s no doubt that Mercedes Sprinter Conversions are some of the most popular camper conversions on the market. Many people think that just because they have the most well-known brand name doesn’t mean that they are the best.
If you see the Mercedes Benz logo from a mile away, you’ll recognize it. Even though companies like Winnebago use them for conversions and remove the badge, it’s not hard to recognise the Sprinter Camper Van in a crowd.
You can find many people who use Ford Transit either for long drives or Vanlife. Once they’ve been changed, they look more like a normal car, can go hundreds of thousands of kilometres, and are just as well-known as Mercedes.
I have seen a rise in the number of companies, like Outside Van and Benchmark Vehicles, using the Transit for their off-grid house conversions in the last few years. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one for myself.
Both vans have pros and cons, and I am going to do my best to give you the lowdown on both of them. I will also talk about how the van life community sees them. The pain in my head is the same as yours. I will get through this together (one way or another). Be ready for the most important fight of your life. Let Sprinter vs. Transit start!
If you want to buy a Mercedes Sprinter, should you do it?
Pros.
- One of the most well-known brands for people who live in a van
- Great mileage and performance quality
- Parts can be found in any country on the planet.
Cons
- People who buy Sprinters usually pay more than people who buy vans made by other brands.
- Rather than taking your Vauxhall or Promaster to a different garage for repairs, Mercedes prefers to use authorized parts and service providers.
- A lot of parts might be too expensive to buy because of dealership fees, and parts from Europe can take a long time to get to the United States.
- Even if you buy a second-hand Sprinter that has many miles on it, it will still cost you a lot of money.
If you go to a campervan festival or conversion rally, you’ll see a lot of Mercedes Sprinters there. Because they are thought to be the best campervan base vehicles, and because they come in three different sizes, they are the best choice for anyone who wants to live in a full-time van.
For example, some Sprinters have been known to run for more than 600,000 miles! They are also known for their high quality construction and long life. The Sprinter also has a professional look.
It doesn’t matter where you go in the world, you’ll be able to find a dealership or someone who knows someone who used to work for the company and can help you with your repairs.
You can get a lot of official and third-party accessories for the Sprinter series. This means you can make your home on wheels into a 4×4 monster. You can make a Sprinter into something that can conquer the world by adding snorkels, off-road tyres, suspension lift, bumpers, and a roof rack to the car (think Storyteller Overland and Van Do It).
Related Link: Kev’s Travel and Van Life Essentials
Is it better to use a Sprinter than the Transit?
It has more space in the cab sections than the other vans. You can have a place to keep all of the things you’ll need for your time on the road even if you go for long drives. Your partner might need space to read without any distraction. The Sprinter is like an extension of your home when you’re on the road. It comes with a lot of useful things that are great for living off the grid for a long time.
When it comes to how much fuel they use, the two vans are almost the same. A lot of things will depend on how many things you have crammed in your little van. You should get about 38mpg from both vans. A clad wall is more difficult to build around the Sprinter because it curves. There are many creative ways to solve this problem, though, so don’t give up!
It’s a strong “blank canvas” on which you can express yourself in many different ways when you remove the side panels and cut holes in your roof. Having a brand logo on your adventure bus is almost always going to cost you more money than customizing it for your needs. This is because the van itself costs a lot and the parts are also very expensive.
As a bonus, the side door closes softly and the side runner doesn’t need to be cleaned very often, which is a good thing. They also use “slam lock” technology. Even though you know you’ve locked your home, make sure you don’t leave your keys inside!
Is it worth it to buy a Ford Transit Van?
Pros
- Compared to a Mercedes Sprinter, this is a lot cheaper.
- Dealerships can be found all over the place, and most garages can fix things.
- The standard MWB model has a bigger load capacity than the Sprinter.
- Good for “day van” conversions.
- Having a square inside shape is easier for a DIY conversion because it’s easier to get things done.
Cons
- In general, there is less space for cargo when compared to the Sprinter range.
- Transit cars usually run on petrol, which can be more expensive than diesel.
- There is less space inside the cab for storage.
Many people who want to live in a van for a long time choose Ford Transit Campervan conversions. People who just want a vehicle they can use for short trips also like them.
People who like low-profile cars or don’t want to spend a lot of money on an SUV will love this car. They’re often cheaper to buy, and used car lots and dealership parking lots are often full of old delivery or service vans looking for a new home.
When it comes to getting things done, transit vans are the ones to call. From postal workers to military drivers, anyone who uses them will be better off because they help them get things done faster. They’re known for being able to keep moving even when the mechanic says they can’t, like the great Fiat Panda 44.
Because there is so much room in the back, conversions can be done quickly and cheaply. Cladding or wooden planks can be easily installed in a square shape, and the smaller MWB options make it easy for the vehicle to slide under most European height barriers.
Because the Transit is a more recent model on the US market, you may have a harder time sourcing older parts for your car. You’ll be surprised at how cheap aftermarket “third-party” parts are when compared to the parts that come with the Sprinter. There are also a lot more aftermarket “third-party” parts that you can use as well (always buy from reputable sellers).
Is a Transit better than a Sprinter?
No matter what anyone says, a Transit will always be more comfortable to drive than a Sprinter when it comes to the way it feels. If you’re used to driving small cars and don’t want to feel out of place when you’re travelling around the world, a Transit might be the right choice for you. This is because the van has a more car-like feel to it.
When it comes to bumps and potholes, it’s better than the Sprinter (unless you’ve added an off-road package, of course). It also has better steering and handling than the Sprinter, which makes it a better choice if you want to drive like in movies and TV shows.
As a result, if you’re planning to go on a long trip and want to bring spare parts with you, you won’t have to take out a loan or sell your organs to get the parts you need for repairs while on the road. If you want to clad or cut into your roof, you won’t have any problems because the inside shell is set up so that screws can be put into the metal beams.
The type of bed you choose will depend on how much storage space you have. There won’t be any problems with installing exterior accessories like roof racks or light bars on the car, either. There are only two types of campers with high roofs: LWB and E-LWB. If you want to stand up in your camper, you’ll have to choose one of these.
So, if they are very similar then which one is the better?
Although it was a tough fight and one that was incredibly difficult to call, I have come to a conclusion.
For shorter drives the Ford Transit is better as it is easy to move around, has a lot of stealth options, and is cheap to build.
Mercedes Sprinters are better for full-time living because they have more space. To not feel crowded while you live in your van full time, you need to have more space.
If I had unlimited money, I would choose a 4×4 Sprinter because those cars can drive on any surface, even water. Hence it is my winner for the day.
However, if you live in the United Kingdom, there are a lot of different brands you can look into. It will only cost you £3,000 to buy a Vauxhall Movano because it isn’t one of the most popular cars on the market. Because when you get inside and put your head down on your pillow, it doesn’t make any difference what the outside of the car looks like.
Price is unquestionably the most important consideration when selecting the proper van, and while Mercedes may have come out on top in our Sprinter VS Transit comparison, they will remain out of reach for many individuals who don’t have a large sum of money to spare on a new vehicle. I’ve seen a couple who were thrifty and did their own work convert a Transit for just £900, and the finished product was pretty good.
Vans are as unique as the clothes you wear, the food you like, and the people you like. You must have a strong connection to the vehicle you choose. When it comes to space, though, a Sprinter may be the best choice. You might fall in love with a VW Crafter or an IVECO Daily and learn to work around what you have. As in Harry Potter, a van will choose a wizard (or wand) for you. You’ll know when the right one is on your doorstep.
Related Link: Kev’s Travel and Van Life Essentials
