Towing capacity of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter varies across the lineup. As you may know, the Sprinter is available in cargo, crew, and passenger varieties, with seating for 2 to 15 passengers. Additionally, you can get a standard or high-roof version in short (144 inches) or extended wheelbase (170 inches) configurations. The Sprinter has a four-cylinder turbodiesel engine in standard or high-output versions, with the latter producing 211 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. Furthermore, it is available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).
However, the one with the strongest towing capacity is the Sprinter Cargo Van 4500. It comes in an extended-wheelbase body and has a high-output turbodiesel engine. It can tow up to 7,500 pounds and has a maximum payload of 6,250 pounds. Meanwhile, maximum towing capacity for Sprinter models in Cargo and Crew trims is limited to 5,000 pounds. The only exception is the Sprinter passenger van, especially the high-roof model with the extended wheelbase, which Mercedes-Benz does not recommend for towing. Despite not being suitable for pulling heavy loads, it has a maximum load capacity of 3,109 pounds.
Other variants in the Sprinter passenger range share a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the cargo and crew models. It’s worth noting that the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is also available in an all-electric eSprinter variant that ranges around 300 miles per charge. However, according to Mercedes-Benz, the electric Sprinter van has a maximum towing capacity of 4,100 pounds. edmonds Was quoted towing 4,277 pounds in our 2024 Sprinter test drive.
There is no factory-installed trailer brake controller
Van life may not be cheap anymore, but the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has become an icon of the movement along with its Ford, Chevy and Dodge counterparts. If you don’t mind spending six figures on a new mobile home, it’s also a suitable candidate for an expensive but desirable adventure-ready conversion van. However, if you want to do towing, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter does not have a factory-installed Trailer Brake Controller (TBC), and this can be an issue if you want to take advantage of the Sprinter’s towing capability.
European trailers usually have mechanical surge brakes that use trailer motion to apply stopping power. The system does not require any electrical connections or trailer brake controller, making it great for boat trailers that often get wet or submerged in water. Since Americans mostly use electric trailer brakes that require a trailer brake controller, you’ll need to find a compatible TBC gadget and a reputable shop to install it, as getting everything working isn’t exactly straightforward, because motor instinct Revealed in our long-term Mercedes Sprinter review.
Also, keep in mind that some states require trailer braking that corresponds to the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), for example, Texas and North Carolina require trailer brakes for a GVWR of 4,500 and 4,000 pounds, respectively, while California, Idaho, and Nevada require trailer brakes for a GVWR of 1,500 pounds or more. Meanwhile, some states require trailer brakes with a breakaway cable to stop the trailer if the trailer inadvertently becomes disconnected from the tow car.
