HD suspension components from Marquart for the Mercedes Sprinter
The Mercedes Sprinter and its special characteristics
The Sprinter is generally considered to be very comfortable. However, its soft suspension is also the most common point of criticism. Its driving behaviour is spongy and the structure fluctuates a lot. Many people complain about unstable driving behaviour and a rolling structure – especially in alcove motorhomes. This can be a particular problem on bends and uneven surfaces. The vehicle feels spongy – almost like a swing boat.
Overall, many feel that the rear axle has insufficient suspension – the vehicle sways and rocks. The Sprinter ‘floats’, which can be felt, for example, when entering and exiting the slipstream of an overtaken truck. The crosswind susceptibility is also a major problem. To make matters worse, the converted motorhome often has a very low possible payload.
Another major point of criticism is that the Sprinter sags at the rear axle. Many Sprinter colleagues criticise this even in new vehicles. This is not only a visual problem. The ‘sagging’ at the rear axle also means that the spring travel is too short. This in turn leads to the impression of bottoming out at the front of the vehicle – especially in fully integrated motorhomes.
Rocking, swaying, rolling in motorhomes?
This indicates that your motorhome’s shock absorbers are too weak or even defective. Campervans are usually based on series-produced light commercials or on a truck chassis that has been de-rated. Original shock absorbers from a Mercedes Sprinter delivery van are usually not up to the diverse requirements of motorhomes, because the significantly different use is not taken into account and motorhomes almost always drive at the weight limit. The standard chassis is often not designed for this constant load:
- A completely changed vehicle height and width,
- a long rear overhang,
- additional tanks (movable load),
- a motorcycle bridge at the rear (changed centre of gravity) or
- a boat on the roof (increased centre of gravity).
Not adapting the dampers to these changed requirements is negligent.
Special challenges with the chassis of motorhomes
Marquart offers suspension components for the Mercedes Sprinter for every need. Stronger and firmer shock absorbers for the rear axle, firmer yet comfort-oriented spring struts for the front axle. In addition, we not only have different characteristics in the compression and rebound stages for the dampers, we also supply the spring struts with springs tailored to your needs. We have these in stock for you in different thicknesses and heights to suit your needs. You determine how comfortable or sporty the driving behaviour of your Sprinter will be.
Shock absorbers from Marquart Germany offer you
- increased stability in crosswinds and when driving over bridges,
- better driving behaviour in storms and gusts,
- stability on winding roads, no more rocking and pushing out in corners,
- very good driving stability on roundabouts,
- rocking, bouncing and spongy steering are a thing of the past.
Individual solutions for more driving safety
We are often asked by Mercedes Sprinter drivers: ‘What can I do to improve the handling of my motorhome? What are the advantages of air suspension for my Sprinter?’
An air suspension makes particular sense if the level of the vehicle is to be raised or if unevenness in the ground is to be levelled out at the parking space. This is particularly advantageous for vehicles with a long rear overhang (centre of rear axle to the end of the vehicle). For example, if you often use ferries or drive onto steep ramps. Air suspension can also be advantageous if you are sensitive to wind. However, an air suspension always works only vertically.
To improve driving safety, however, it is particularly important to consider the horizontal forces (lateral rocking and swaying and all pitching and rocking movements). To significantly improve a vehicle’s handling, progressive (quick-acting) shock absorbers are the first choice. As soon as the body moves out of the horizontal position, it must be held in place by a strong yet finely tuned rebound stage. The pressure stage of our dampers allows for rapid compression without allowing the cabin to ‘sink through’.
Marquart shock absorbers with perfectly matched compression and rebound damping on the front and rear axles keep the vehicle safely on track even in precarious situations. No matter which body you are travelling in, whether Hymer or Bimobil, La Strada or Euramobil, Dethleffs or any other body manufacturer – our suspension optimisation will make your Mercedes Sprinter drive much more confidently and safely.
We have a variety of suspension optimisations available for the Mercedes Sprinter. Starting with raising the rear axle using an additional spring layer and/or blocks, to completely new spring packages, to coil-over springs on the front axle (also with certificate). Increased load capacity after individual inspection or installation of air suspension (also with certificate). And of course, Marquart shock absorbers and struts. There are restrictions for Alko chassis.
We are happy to accommodate your wishes when it comes to finding the perfect chassis optimisation for your requirements. For example, a more comfortable ride, better directional stability, more ground clearance, a horizontal alignment of the vehicle will be the result.
Click below on the voices of our satisfied customers and get an idea of our options for optimising the chassis of your Mercedes Sprinter. Send us an enquiry!
Tip!
It is not possible to raise vehicles with load-dependent brake pressure controllers.
When installing coil-over springs, we also install track plates depending on the drive type.
For lifts above a certain height, we replace the standard brake lines with more durable and length-adapted steel flex lines.
