DID I JUST DESTROY MY $200K 4X4 SPRINTER?!!

[@timothykoehler3051]

Sorry about your van, but I'm glad to hear no one was hurt. Excellent advice regarding keeping build receipts and documentation --- it's something that many van owners probably should take to heart. Keep us posted on the rebuild.

[@pcmartiny]

The biggest take away is that vans CG is already very high. When we kit them out with all the gear and lift them,.., CG is only going up. I would keep that in mind for the future... Glad nobody got hurt. 👍🏽

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

Please don’t tell me you have a degree in anything that requires knowledge of physics. First find out if you can from Mercedes where the center of gravity is located relative to the ground in the factory configuration. second modify that based on the weight and location of the center of gravity of every modification that you make. if you remove anything that was previously located above the center of gravity you have lowered the center of gravity. if you add anything that is above the previous center of gravity you have raised the center of gravity. this will require multiplication addition and subtraction and using a measuring tape and I’m not sure you’re qualified, or do you just shoot from the hip to be able to “contribute” to the conversation. If you can’t find out from Mercedes where the center of gravity is on the existing factoring version have an engineer or someone with knowledge of weights and physics guesstimate how high it is off the ground because the only important thing is that you account for things based on their distance from the center of gravity and their weight so even if your estimate of where the sin of gravity exists currently is it is still valuable to go through the exercise and if nothing else it will keep you reminded of what the goal is. What surprises me is that the heaviest things that people put in their vans are often put higher up than they need to be. One good example is fresh water storage. So far I have only added capacity for 18 gallons though I will probably add more later but I am traveling alone. For $75 I found a stainless steel tank that was part of a water filtration system removed from a multi-million dollar home. It fit perfectly in the space underneath and beside the sliding door on the passenger side and doesn’t hang down basically at all below everything else on my 4 x 4 sprinter tall top. That actually lowered the center of gravity. Obviously taking the spare tire from underneath the van and putting it half way up the back door just because you think it looks cool and you want to justify paying $2000 for a useless ladder from Owl Vans that you think looks cool but it doesn’t because it looks stupid raises the center of gravity a significant amount. Don’t listen to retired watch photographers that have the notion that it’s best to put heavy items directly over the rear axle. You will end up reaching the capacity of the rear axles without ever coming close to reaching the capacity of the front axle if you do that, and obviously anything over the wheel wells is going to have to be higher up than it might be if placed somewhere else.

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

The center of gravity of the van had a little to do with this since 90% of vehicles would have rolled over unless the moral of your story is don’t buy a van. I had a factory 2012 Toyota FJ cruiser driving on the freeway in Berkeley California going 50 miles an hour in the slow lane when some idiot going 75 in the slow lane did an accidental pit maneuver on my rear bumper knocking me off the freeway onto a slight embankment Causing my vehicle to roll over twice. I even had the factory tires on it and no additional lift. The only thing that lifted the center of gravity came on it when I bought it. I admit it was a very heavy duty full length aftermarket welded luggage rack made out of steel but if that had not been on the roof I probably wouldn’t be alive today because it acted as an amazing roll cage and made my roof not cave in on the driver side. If I had had a passenger it may or may not have saved their life to because their side was caved in more.

[@pcmartiny]

@@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeathSorry but you're trolling on the wrong guy. As a qualified Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor I have learned and taught enough about weight and balance to understand how even little changes can greatly affect the stability and dynamic characteristics of a moving vehicle. So really only stating the obvious here and not judging or criticizing anyone. 👍🏽

[@billh5343]

Hello pcmartiny. Just wanted to compliment you on, what I immediately took from your initial comment re CG - that this guy knows more than he's letting on. I've been quietly venturing in my van for years, upgrading the WHOLE suspension while weighing the difference of virtually every replaced part, and am VERY CG aware and try to keep heavy low, and light high. With military aviation jumbo experience at over 800k pounds of weight, I know CG as well. I don't normally reply much on these posts but when someone throws their heavily self-valued opinion around, one tends to learn more about them as a person, and less from their display of knowledge. Criticism becomes a distractor from the intended message. I digress. I totally agree with your, "...only stating the obvious and not judging or criticizing anyone." Everyone out there, have fun. Be safe.

[@daversj]

I think gold violin’s CG is a little off from those huge run on sentences in his head. Definitely top heavy.

[@bddmhopp5]

These aren’t off-road vehicles….lifted and too tall and top heavy. No flex.

[@christianarias4850]

Off-road vehicles never flip over???

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

@@imc4357 ​ living the van life is great, but JT is right. I love the sprinter and I was going to buy one to live in. Figured I could make easy trail guide videos with the sprinter (my channel makes off-road trail guides with all kinds of vehicles)… but as I dug into it, I realized I’d destroy it. The Sprinter’s factory lift and 4WD is good, but it’s way too top heavy and too long. Even the SWB is too long and many of the van life conversions hang too low and aren’t protected. Now there’s different kinds of off-roading so if you just want to hit a loose dirt road, a sprinter will do the job. But if you want to go up switchbacks on moderate to even easy Colorado trails, you are at high risk of flopping. Don’t even think about Black Bear or the Devil’s Punchbowl/Schofield Pass. However, with this said, I’m all for people getting out there with whatever they have. I just wouldn’t take a sprinter or van conversion (except maybe an E450 sportsmobile) on a lot of my favorite trails.

[@MyGoogleYoutube]

It's a house.

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

@@christianarias4850 Not if you know your limits

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

Why does it have to be towed?

[@PavewayJDAM]

I see a lot of DIY conversions, which simply ignore any and all considerations of weight and how high that weight is placed. Just because max payload is X, doesn't mean your vehicle is safe to drive with X amount of weight 100% of the time, 5 feet above the empty CG.

[@andrzejmoczyrog102]

Sorry to see this happen BUT you would have a chance to avoid this if the van would not have been lifted… this Vans were OEM lifted 12centimeters as Anything above that made them really unstable. Oberaigner Which installed this 4x4 for Mercedes did 200.000 kms R&D in various terrain before they introduced this 4x4 system to the Sprinter. Another thing is the wheels and high centre of gravity Which is heavy load on the roof. Lifting this Vans is really making them UNSAFE… ITS good everyones Ok! Hope you can rebuilt it and rethink the gear you have on it

[@print4apet]

Driver error if you look at the tracks you see it just went off the shoulder, most any van woyld tip over.

[@raicebannon1936]

Sorry for them, but the physics of the design do not seem to be feasible. I can’t imagine what the engineering team at a major RV manufacturer would be thinking about seeing the lift and springs. What if they were hit by a big wind crossing and over pass?

[@bostonh2o]

so glad everyone is ok, I just went through that with my Raptor, guy ran a stop sign t-boned me, spun 360 into a ditch and rolled over 4 times. all ok.. it sucks to have to start over but thankful no one was hurt.

[@caseykittel]

would you change the suspension? maybe lower the center of gravity by not having a lift?

[@MichaelWilliams-ro9bm]

When people build out a van, it’s not uncommon to learn it’s not listed in Kelly blue book for value. That’s where they go to get values. Otherwise you’ve GOT to provide proof of parts and items in the van. When we purchased our ‘19 sprinter the seller flat out said no one will finance it. ( Paid $84,000 for it). 5000 miles. So we ended up paying cash. Had it been a Minnie Winnie or Thor or some major manufacturer, no problem getting value. After putting another $15 K in the vehicle it’s now insured where it’s supposed to be. You are spot on about receipts and the like. How is that adjuster to know how much it costs for a 12 volt dc to dc charger by victron or renergy supposed to cost or even install? They don’t, it’s on you to show them. Good vid, hope it works out for you!

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

Who gave you the notion that you can’t ensure the modifications to your vehicle?

[@Agileoffroad]

Kind of feel guilty hitting the like button. Let us know if you need anything!

[@adrenaline-hq-usa]

Thanks!! Appreciate you guys!

[@4kiselevmaximENG]

@@adrenaline-hq-usa I sincerely sympathize. It's too narrow. The body should be wider, at least about 2.3 m. For myself, I'm looking for a base for a four-wheel drive motorhome and the Sprinter is one of three options. Don't like the clutch. I'm a proponent of true all-wheel drive. But I realized that if you choose Sprinter, it is better to take the chassis (cabin and platform with wheels), and do the cabin with flat flat walls and wider to sleep across was comfortable and there was more space. Another option was Chevrolet Express / GMS Savanna because the frame and axles, but it is less comfortable on the asphalt and on the highway, although the car is much easier, but I do not like neither the interior, nor the panel, nor the headlights, nothing but the chassis and body. The other option is my very favorite RAM. Ideally 2500/3500, but it is a truck in many countries and needs a truck license category (not a problem for me - still want to learn), but difficult to pass customs along with the trucks. 1500 as an option. I need 2 rows of seats for 5 people, preferably 6 people, mostly riding 4-5. Passage to the cabin from the living compartment and back is important. The RAM as well as the Sprinter has cruise control and it is adaptive, which I really want, I like the interior and exterior (especially the RAM), and the ride comfort for 1000+ km. The Sprinter is more comfortable due to the load-bearing body. It should also have independent suspension like V-class. There is still a thought to make the body up to 2 meters high so it can be placed on parking lots and on parking lots the slider goes up and there is a full-size full-size house, though of course it will add weight and make design complicated in electronics. But I know for sure that it is necessary to take the base and the body should be wider, preferably both the base and the wheels should be wider. Good luck to you! I hope all will be well!

[@missingremote4388]

@@4kiselevmaximENG or a dually rear axle. Helps stability while parked or while driving

[@Jametsi]

I rolled my Sprinter too, but had about 70km/h speed. Had just finished welding, fixing and painting the whole van over, a 3-year project that was finished just 2-3 weeks before the accident. Same kind of damage, but a little worse on the roof corner, so not fixable. Also only had the mandatory insurance that wouldn't cover anything... Took 2 years before I was able to even start parting out the van, as it was emotionally too hard to see it in that shape. But well, as long as nobody gets hurt, life goes on!

[@marceldupree5881]

Great advice on documenting - I am gonna do PDFs backed up.

[@andreimadan1732]

I guess all of those extra accessories around the vand are not so protective after all ... they forgot to install the most important one. ,,Anti ,,Bad Operator

[@jamestreanor182]

Tell us what yogi did to crash it

[@KarlKrantz]

What’s the fuss about, I’ve set my Sprinter on it’s side, flipped it shiny side up and it was fine except for minor cosmetic damage that seems worse than yours. Seems a big fuss and drama for clicks and not reality. Seriously what doesn’t work about it after this ?

[@davidfromtexas9681]

I'm sorry about your van and I'm glad you are okay. You did not really cover how this happened. That road did not look like a big challenge or anything. I have seen many guys take their expensive vans into places maybe they should not have gone. We have a campervan but there is no way in hell I want to have to file an insurance claim and wait another year for a new van to be built. Screw that. I hope it can be fixed but it looks like its been through a hay bailer. Good luck!

[@scottetkin8617]

I am sure its speed. People want to drive like they have a sports car

[@lrobie123]

the height of these vans makes me cringe when see these machines go on offroad trails too

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

just doesm seem right to take a medium size van with long wheelbase and long rear overhang and transform it into a offroad camper tbh ... rather take a large van / heavy duty van with twin tires on the rear axles

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Dang! I hate this for y'all. Glad nobody was seriously hurt. Stuff can always be replaced. The county road shoulders here in Colorado are no joke this year. I was walking the other day, stepped 8" off the plowed part, and sank past my knee. 😳 Thanks for the update!

[@adrenaline-hq-usa]

Yes, the shoulders can be extremely deceiving and with a heavy rig it just doesn't take much to for things to go south quickly.

[@mtnbound2764]

is there another video going over how it rolled?

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

No they don’t want to say either for insurance purposes or out of embarrassment

[@thebatlwgn]

My first thought when i saw the van on its side... Man it would be a lot easier to install some stuff that way hahah, okay actually going to watch the video now.

[@shoutingatclouds1050]

That van looks like pretty ripples on the water all nice and blue. Good job

[@VensystemsUk]

lots of good advice. Thanks for taking time to make and share video at such a time, we all need to be aware of the dangers and unforunate accidents of driving high CoG boxes in snow. I hope the insurance company help you get back up and running quickly.

[@sebastianslife91]

Best advice don't pretend a sprinter can do real 4x4 econoline stuff. Stick to pretending and campgrounds. Wake up call dum dum

[@shaneharrison4775]

Yes and a build book is a must even if it's just a bunch of note books with folders

[@genpaulo8070]

I’m so sorry for this incident, glad everyone is ok. What insurance do you use?

[@adrenaline-hq-usa]

Statefarm, and thank you for the kind words.

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

@@adrenaline-hq-usa so what did State Farm say? Did you have RV coverage? What did they pay for? What did they not pay for I have State Farm

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

I don’t know who gave you the notion that when a vehicle is totaled that is not repairable but over 90% of totaled vehicles are repaired and put back on the road. 90% of the vehicles I have owned in my over 50 years of driving were totaled vehicles. Where do you think I was able to buy a 2020 Mercedes sprinter tall top 4 x 4 passenger van during Covid when there wasn’t a single new 4 x 4 sprinter tall top for sale in the United States. It was six months old and had 5500 miles and was owned by a doctor judging from the beach sand in the seats and on the floor it may have made a few trips to the beach with the kids in it and on the way back the wife may have stopped in at Burger King and ran into the awning on the driver side forgetting how tall the van was. That’s all it takes to total a sprinter it’s so high up if I don’t point it out to people that are admiring my van they don’t even notice it and I haven’t done anything to repair it yet

[@k6xlt]

Bummer about the van . . could you tell us a bit about that air horn (chimes) set up on the under carriage?

[@hugolafhugolaf]

I would’ve left it as is. It gives it that « I’ve been through some shit » look.

[@jessicaarverne1181]

I'm not an expert but to me this does not look too bad. I think it can be repaired. It's just a lot of body work. Replacing the left front door and repairing some panels replacing others, a lot of bondo some paint and it's OK. Used parts would be less expensive. May be you can buy a welder, a folding machine, sheet metal and learn how to use all these tools. And oh by the ways, filming the repair process would make some really interesting videos. It will not be as good as new but good enough.

[@thebatlwgn]

Again, I'm glad you guys are okay. I'm really curious to see whats next and if they decide to repair vs total that van. You guys will crush whatever comes next.

[@adrenaline-hq-usa]

We are very lucky. Thank you!! Still waiting for an update from insurance, but whatever comes next will definitely be badass!

[@SlimNicky]

Dude - breaks my heart to see this. Glad no one was hurt. And you have a great attitude. All will be ok.

[@adrenaline-hq-usa]

Thanks Nick, just have to keep moving forward!

[@ericcullars8434]

What happened? How you to roll the van. And that's a nice rig.!!! Glad you and everyone is good

[@wmg5939]

Sprinter always looked like the van that could tip over easily

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

Nonsense. What gave you that notion?

[@Milo19970]

Looks very fixable?

[@tomdoran2447]

Body damage is going to happen to any real 4x4 vehicle. Looks like a fresh mirror and some new side curtain air bags would do it. I personally would not worry about it unless it was a functional issue. Seems like the truck did well and has a lot of life left! If you had to you could get the body cleaned up and then for fun a raptor liner paint job to replace the factory paint would be badass.

[@jadesluv]

Did you notice the whole right side is bashed in? Slider is not going to open, insuranceis going to total it,

[@tuomasholo]

Thanks for sharing a painful moment and no one was seriously injured.

[@terryh3689]

Oh no Tim! I’m so sorry! I’m glad you’re all ok. I hope the process to come goes smoothly. This reminds me that I’ve been negligent in updating my insurance company regarding mods.

[@adrenaline-hq-usa]

Thank you so much, Terry! Definitely get those modifications on your policy while you’re thinking about it!

[@earlhamil731]

So did they total it?

[@shaneharrison4775]

Glad y'all are ok good luck with the repairs

[@mtnride4930]

Tim Glad everyone is Ok and great info on documenting and checking with insurance co. Greetings from St George Utah.

[@scottfast03]

Great attitude Tim. Sorry this happened. Glad everyone is safe. Onward and upward! Looking forward to meeting you and the team in March.

[@rd4660]

It would be interesting to know the weight of your van wet, full of fuel and water, then the GVWR. Once you start building out a van it's very easy to pass that GVWR.

[@Myamericanlife61]

I just rode up on your post here and took interest in your channel man so I’m a new subscriber and look forward to seeing what way you going from here glad no one good hurt man I will say them sprinters are built like a brick shit house I used to deliver expedited freight and wouldn’t use anything else well nice to meet you guys I will just hang around in the background lol 😂 take care

[@johnz6579]

What's the point of those fancy tow hooks on the bumper? Was this not a prime opportunity to use them?

[@sprinterfix]

HMM, SO THEY CAN TIP OVER HUH? I THOUGHT THAT WAS A MYTH

[@DanWActual]

Nooooo!!! I was sketched out getting a tire off the ground with my van for the first time for this reason. Lol

[@BikerBearMTB]

What is the weight this motorhome? I’m only asking to see if I could drive it on a car license in the UK

[@rickbabcock6397]

I was crying when a tree branch dented my hood the size of a golf ball.

[@gofy8481]

I don't know what the problem is, looks great from the driver's side!!

[@yorkluessen6326]

Oh shit, sorry about this bad luck😟. Happy, that no one was injured.Wish you power to rebuild this Van....

[@ellerybice3787]

Blurred steel! Stay home! 🦨

[@TeachAManToAngle]

Glad you are ok. Most important thing.

[@philosopher4279]

Guess you (we) all need a backup van. “Why have one when you can get 2 for twice the price” - movie Contact

[@daviddoble5956]

Just a delivery van with make up .😂

[@richardvalitalo3670]

Sorry to see your offroad experience become a bad adventure. Thanks for sharing, good luck going ahead.

[@dogbone6315]

Glad it was in heavier snow. Took”some” damage out of it. Really doesn’t look that bad for what it went through. Hope it goes well.

[@JS-hd5uy]

Yeah, but … how’d it get over there on its side to begin with? Something other owners should know about, to avoid?

[@briandrake9467]

The bumpers still good..

[@glennr9913]

It'll be interesting to hear how much the insurance company thinks the van was worth. It's hard to believe how much $$ some folks will pour into a van. We all know vehicles depreciate by a huge factor as soon as we buy them. I've been scared in my 4x4 Sprinter just trying to get up a buddy's sketchy mountain driveway. The extended 170 is way too long for switchbacks or any offroading. It looks like yours just slid off the road bank.

[@gregoryblock9083]

Glad none hurt. Good luck moving forward. ✌🏼❤️😊

[@print4apet]

Just replace the side mirror an good to go !

[@glennbeadshaw727]

I like your style it is an off-road van after all

[@thevanlife]

such a bummer... i'd be devistated

[@victorylittleking]

Great advice. 👍

[@toddallen443]

Glad your ok, and don’t forget that train horn! Number two will be better 👍🏻🥃

[@dixter1652]

there is no way they won't total that.... mine was caught in a hail storm and it was just on the limit of being total'd...... get every single part you can off of the van... wheels/tires and anything thats not on a stripped down sprinter.... if you get enough parts for the next build you can buy a new sprinter for under $40K and you will just need to build another from the parts... normally the insurance won't cover custom/after market parts...

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

That is nonsense and I don’t know who gave you that notion and fact that you used the word “normally” means that you’re shooting from the hip. you are a wealth of disinformation. you have to get the right kind of insurance and itemize everything by dollar amount

[@philblack5910]

Real snows over muds in the winter

[@ianiresaezberjano9478]

Hay alguno que deveria tener como maximo un fiat panda

[@albedoplus]

Major bummer! 😢

[@TrishBenedict]

If I were an insurance agent, I wouldn’t ensure something called “Adrenaline Van”.

[@MichaelWilliams-ro9bm]

Insure

[@ridgebackrover]

Ya sent’er too hard bud!

[@Thefitmotochic]

Can't wait to see what is next for Blue Steel... or whatever is next❤ glad y'all are safe... either way this is getting a ton of traffic... 📈

[@thejackofalltravels8267]

Glad you’re all Okay. Laying it on the side like that is kind of in keeping with the adrenaline lifestyle.

[@adrenaline-hq-usa]

Thanks guys, really appreciate all the support from your team!

[@thetrailoutthere]

Crazy how I always imagine these vans tipping over when I see them on the highway. Thankfully you're ok.

[@kristenpanico210]

I’m so sorry, Brother! ❤

[@65plusfabulous56]

Oh my goodness. What happened???😟😟😧😧😢

[@roundstone2020]

The name on the side says it all...

[@karlchang6557]

I’ll bet you got some adrenaline boost when you sped down that snowy county road in your dressed up extended delivery van.

[@dvpzy]

Searching '170 sprinter off-road' and this is the first thing. It seem for real off-road you need a 144 Sprinter.

[@andreimadan1732]

At least you got your Adrenaline,, after all

[@oodlesofnoodles83]

You will rebuild it better than before!

[@virtualmyles]

At least you didn't scratch the skid plate? Bummer man. Sucks to see, but glad it's on 4 wheels again.

[@orlandobabe]

This was one of my big concerns about van life. It made me think about what type of van I’d want

[@peterdoc5262]

This will happen to 4x4 Drivers feeling too save on snow - going fast with a high and heavy vehicile…..

[@bluemeanie6395]

The dents give it character. It's fine. Replace the mirror and drive it.

[@adrenaline-hq-usa]

I’m sure the dents would have buffed out 🤣

[@dpdiver1]

Should have got an E series

[@UnboxFlix]

I’ve owned these since 2007, still never wrecked mine! 🎉

[@dralinrichardson]

NO!!! YOU DID NOT DESTROY YOUR $220K 4X4 SPRINTER!!!

[@tommynikon2283]

What's better than 4x4? A DRIVER.

[@tynitahaines4012]

OMG thank God you are ok.

[@marcgatto9675]

That'll rub out....

[@DavidMcbrady]

Meh... You got plenty of money 💰💰 "no worries' 👍

[@nexpro6985]

It'll buff out.

[@glennbeadshaw727]

Accidents happen but just remember 5 Seconds extra of attention and save two to three years of wasted income..... and absolutely forget about joyriding $200,000 vans. Anyway I'm sure it's a lesson learned and good luck in the future for you and your family

[@TheAcarges]

Took me weeks to get “replacement value” coverage. A lot of back and forth, build sheet, pictures, comparable, etc., until they fully understood why it was worth what I said it was to replace (used, not new!!).

[@cristianmihai4818]

surprized window and front screen is ok....

[@adrenaline-hq-usa]

Both the side window and the windscreen are broken but surprisingly they aren't shattered!

[@brianhill4995]

Get PDR repairs on it easy repairs

[@fooslinger]

That should buff out.

[@glennbeadshaw727]

Oh I forgot that one it's the best one there is

[@anthonysears871]

They're just tool boxes on four wheels!

[@Famagogo]

Uh no, I'm so sorry to see this.

[@IMAKEMOVIES1]

You must let me direct and shoot your content.

[@marshallallied]

Dude you could have changed the oil while it was "convenient" 😏

[@piesareround]

😂😂😂😂😂