Sprinter Access
- April 2020
- Van Living Hi Steph
Hey Steph,
I have a quick question about your Sprinter – one that I think, perhaps, a Moab climber might have special insight into.Background: We (my partner, and our dog) are about to buy one. For years we had planned on getting a 144. Now we’re leaning more towards the 170. I understand the limitations of the bigger vehicle, longer wheelbase, and worse turn radius, breakover angles, and departure angles. But I’m wanting to get a practical sense of where this thing could go. It will be a 4×4. Would you/could you/have you taken your Sprinter:
1) Down the Horsethief switchbacks and/or into Taylor Canyon to Moses?
2) Down the Shafer switchbacks and/or all the way to Monster Tower/Washer Woman?
3) Into the Bridger Jacks (admittedly I haven’t been to the Creek for a few years so I’m not sure how that area has changed now that the camping has been designated)?
4) Into the Meat Walls, Cliffs on Insanity, the Cat Wall?
5) Up to the Horn in the Henry Mountains?
6) Around the La Sal Loop Road?
7) Up to the upper camping at the Fins in Idaho?These are all places I’m familiar with and I’ve been to in our Tacoma – and places I think I could take a 4×4 144 no problem… But I’m trying to get a sense for just how limiting the 170 will be!
Thanks in advance for your feedback – and also for the excellent article you wrote discussing your Sprinter!
Cheers,
Josh (& Kate & Tully)
Hi Josh,
I guess I’m not up to date on the 4×4 Sprinter options currently, because I did not realize they offered it on the 170 now, wow!
To answer your questions, would I could I 🙂
1) Down the Horsethief switchbacks and/or into Taylor Canyon to Moses?
No problem to take any Sprinter down the Mineral switchbacks, as long as the road is dry and hasn’t been wiped out (the raft companies take schoolbuses with boat trailers). I have driven a 2WD Honda Element all the way into Taylor Canyon, and I would take a 4×4 Sprinter in.
2) Down the Shafer switchbacks and/or all the way to Monster Tower/Washer Woman?
Monster Tower, definitely not. You need a truck for that.
3) Into the Bridger Jacks (admittedly I haven’t been to the Creek for a few years so I’m not sure how that area has changed now that the camping has been designated)?
Bridger Jacks seem to change depending on the season, and often the very first section off the main dirt road is the stopper if it’s eroded a lot. You can even have a problem crossing the creek to reach that first turn, depending on how high the water is. I’ve seen a 2WD 170 in there once some years back, but I would definitely not drive mine even if it was 4WD. Remember, it’s a very big and very expensive vehicle and if you get stuck it’s not going to be a good time…
4) Into the Meat Walls, Cliffs on Insanity, the Cat Wall?
You can get to Second Meat but definitely not to Tenderloins unless you have a truck. Cliffs of Insanity will depend on the conditions, but I think it would be ok with 4×4. Cat Wall, no problem even with 2WD.
5) Up to the Horn in the Henry Mountains?
I haven’t been to the Horn in about 15 years, but at the time we drove a disintegrating VW Jetta. But if there are super tight turns, the Jetta would probably outdo the 170 Sprinter, so I’m not sure about that.
6) Around the La Sal Loop Road?
The paved road you will be fine. You can go up the dirt road to Geyser Pass, but the curves will get too tight about a mile before the turnoff to Gold Basin and I would definitely not go past the Gold Basin turnoff either because it gets very narrow and tight and it would be hard to bail out.
7) Up to the upper camping at the Fins in Idaho?
We tried and failed because our wheels spun on the gravel. I’m pretty sure the 4×4 would work.
For our setup, we decided to use a dirtbike for access where the van can’t go, because we were really wanting the 170 for living space (also, the 4×4 was only available in the 144 at that time, and also really expensive as well as worrisome since it was the first year they offered it, and I always wonder if the bugs have been ironed out yet). This is also great for crowded parking situations like Rifle and Maple, because everyone seems to have a big van nowadays and it can be a big issue with limited parking. It’s fun to establish a nice campsite and then cruise to the crag with the little dirtbike 🙂
Still, I think if you’re in snow or sand a lot, the 4×4 would be super helpful and most likely worth it. I would personally go with the big one because two humans and a dog can take up a lot of space and when we’re all inside, we really enjoy having the space. I’ve seen a lot of super nice layouts in 144s, and when I admire them, the owners usually say they wish they had more room when they are a couple plus a dog. That being said, I love driving (and parking) the shorter van, so if it was only one human and a dog, I’d absolutely go for the 144.
Good luck!
Steph
