Anyone put a Can-Am Spyder into a Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van?
A recent thread about the width of the RT has me thinking about the possibility of fitting an F3 in the back of an MB Sprinter. According to the specs, the F3s is 58.9 inches wide and the rear door opening of the Sprinter is 61.2 inches. On paper this is very tight but it fits. Of course it would need to back in because of the wheel wells. My question: has anyone tried this, or aware of anyone who has?
Skip H.
'21 Can Am Spyder F3 S
'97 Honda Goldwing w/Hannigan Astro 2+2 sidecar
It is a very tight fit, according to the specs, I would not do that. Chances are you will scratch your fender(s) or wheel(s.) Not too long ago I had to bring my Spyder RTL, not running at the time, my friend offered me to borrow his enclosed utility trailer, about same dimensions, 2" clearance total. I did not want to chance it, called a flat bed instead. Again just my 2cents.
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Ya no room for errors, or straps for that matter. So unsecured load riding in tight space on any type road is going to shift; even if you get it in , will it be same position to get back out?!
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Don't forget ramp angle and bottoming out of center or front when loading.
Brought my wife's new to her F3 home from 2.5 hrs away and glad the landscape trailer I borrowed also had a tilt bed. That front spoiler is low and barely cleared even with the tilt trailer.
No way it's gonna clear going up that high into a van without 20 foot ramps to lessen the loading angle.
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The rear doors on those Spinter vans fold all the way forwards/open to lie flat against the van sides, don't they??
Besides, I'm sure that one of our 'local but more remote' dealers here in South Oz uses a Sprinter van for transporting Spyders to & from his workshop.... only his van does have doors on both sides up towards the front of the load area to help with access to secure them (nose in! ) and he's always used the 'ratchet strap over the circumference of both the front tires' method of securing them too.
The rear doors on those Spinter vans fold all the way forwards/open to lie flat against the van sides, don't they??
Besides, I'm sure that one of our 'local but more remote' dealers here in South Oz uses a Sprinter van for transporting Spyders to & from his workshop.... only his van does have doors on both sides up towards the front of the load area to help with access to secure them (nose in! ) and he's always used the 'ratchet strap over the circumference of both the front tires' method of securing them too.
So I reckon that with care, you should be fine.
Thanks Peter, that's what I'm looking for; someone who's actually seen it, tried it, or aware of it being done (successfully or not). Yes, the rear doors do fold out against the body. There are definitely some challenges involved, but it appears to be possible. The over-the-wheel tie downs are a good choice. Before I invest in a used Sprinter, I'll have to find an owner willing to let me attempt a fitting. I have a couple of sets of ramps to try. I'll post my findings for anyone interested.
Skip H.
'21 Can Am Spyder F3 S
'97 Honda Goldwing w/Hannigan Astro 2+2 sidecar
Mercedes Sprinter Van will fit an F3 or Ryker Confirmed
I have driven a 2020 Ryker and F3 into the back of a Mercedes Sprinter Van by removing the door latch support and opening the door wide. I used three VEVOR 94x15x2.75 Inch Aluminum 6000 LBS ramps.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 01-01-2023 at 02:24 AM.
Reason: ' 's ;-)
Well Done! Love the rear wheel chock in photo #2, maybe a moderator can rotate the pics.
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I have driven a 2020 Ryker and F3 into the back of a Mercedes Sprinter Van by removing the door latch support and opening the door wide. I used three VEVOR 94x15x2.75 Inch Aluminum 6000 LBS ramps.
Test rotate.
Last edited by Snoking1127; 01-01-2023 at 08:19 PM.
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The second and third images don't link to their enlarged version like the first one does.
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The second and third images don't link to their enlarged version like the first one does.
Yeah, I noticed that.
2018 RT Ltd - Asphalt Metallic - East Valley of Phoenix
2018 RT Ltd Chrome - Champagne Metallic - Lake Stevens, Wa
(Champagne/Hooker) Magic Mirrors, 360 LED head lights, BajaRon sway bar, H&R springs and shock adjusters, dash cam, foam grips, third brake light 4 LED strobe for 7 seconds and then on steady, rear LED turn signals/8 ohm 50W resistors, sequential turn signals on front fenders, Vredestein and PPA Orb wheels on front and General out back, and driver backrest.
Things that move between machines: Ikea sheep skins, Zumo XT GPS, and extra tools. Hooker is going to be my summer trike up North; and Hookie my winter trike down South.
(Asphalt/Hookie) Elka shocks on front - BajaRon sway bar, OEM driver's backrest, LED headlights, dual USB with voltmeter, dash cam, foam grips - Magic Mirrors - front tires Vredestein Quatrac SL on PPA ORB Chrome wheels.
The second and third images don't link to their enlarged version like the first one does.
That's cos the first one was loaded as a thumbnail, the last two were loaded as images... and as such, what you see is what you get!
Yeah, I know, I know.... but it's a Forum platform 'undocumented feature', so there's not all that much that can be done without adding significant cost & complexity to maintaining the Forum Platform!!
However, for those who care, the surest & easiest way to make sure your pics appear in the correct orientation when displayed on the Forum is to make sure that you take them in Landscape Mode, so that they are wider than they are tall - and to do that, when your phone/picture taking device has a standard default of taking pics in Portrait Mode, simply make sure that when you're taking pics to put up here, you simply need to drop the top of your phone &/or picture taking device to the LEFT, ie. anti-clockwise... That will take the phone's default 'Picture Anchor Point' from the pics Top Right Corner to the Forum's Default Anchor Point Position in the Top LEFT corner, and as a result, your pics will appear the correct way up when posted here!
I have driven a 2020 Ryker and F3 into the back of a Mercedes Sprinter Van by removing the door latch support and opening the door wide. I used three VEVOR 94x15x2.75 Inch Aluminum 6000 LBS ramps.
Thanks, as a "visual" person, this is what I needed to see. I'm still considering it. Been looking for the right Sprinter: 3500 XD 170 V6. Hopefully soon.
Skip H.
'21 Can Am Spyder F3 S
'97 Honda Goldwing w/Hannigan Astro 2+2 sidecar
Thanks, as a "visual" person, this is what I needed to see. I'm still considering it. Been looking for the right Sprinter: 3500 XD 170 V6. Hopefully soon.
Chevy & Ford also make a similar Van ..... for a lot less money .....JMHO .... Mike
Thanks Mike, but I'm not aware of anything comparable made by Chevy/GMC. The largest Ford Transit and Ram Promaster aren't as long as the MB Sprinter 2500/3500 XD 170 wheel base. In addition, based on the specs I've read, I believe the rear door opening for both the Ford and Ram is too narrow. I'm not necessarily a big fan of MB because of the initial cost and maintenance expenses, but the Sprinter is the only vehicle I'm aware of that that has "most" of what I want or need. My goal is to create a toy hauler with minimal rv amenities. I currently have an open trailer I can use, but I'm not a big fan of towing anything. All suggestions are welcomed.
Skip H.
'21 Can Am Spyder F3 S
'97 Honda Goldwing w/Hannigan Astro 2+2 sidecar
Thanks Mike, but I'm not aware of anything comparable made by Chevy/GMC. The largest Ford Transit and Ram Promaster aren't as long as the MB Sprinter 2500/3500 XD 170 wheel base. In addition, based on the specs I've read, I believe the rear door opening for both the Ford and Ram is too narrow. I'm not necessarily a big fan of MB because of the initial cost and maintenance expenses, but the Sprinter is the only vehicle I'm aware of that that has "most" of what I want or need. My goal is to create a toy hauler with minimal rv amenities. I currently have an open trailer I can use, but I'm not a big fan of towing anything. All suggestions are welcomed.
OK .... I see your point ..... No I didn't do an extensive ( ie actual dimensions ) search .... Go take a peak at my Album for my " toy hauler / RV build " ( Toyt pk-up ). I bought a 10 yr old Toyt. for $4,000 ( from Alaska which does not use salt ) .... sold the pristine trk. bed for $2000. Then built a frame for the box which I also built. I had a welder & knew how to use it, which saved a hugh amount of money. I also outfitted the inside of the box to be a sleeper with the ability to cook..... Mike
OK .... I see your point ..... No I didn't do an extensive ( ie actual dimensions ) search .... Go take a peak at my Album for my " toy hauler / RV build " ( Toyt pk-up ). I bought a 10 yr old Toyt. for $4,000 ( from Alaska which does not use salt ) .... sold the pristine trk. bed for $2000. Then built a frame for the box which I also built. I had a welder & knew how to use it, which saved a hugh amount of money. I also outfitted the inside of the box to be a sleeper with the ability to cook..... Mike
I remember seeing that rig at a SpyderFest or two!
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