There’s a lot to love about Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans. Not only do they offer optional four-wheel drive and “super-high” 7.5 feet of interior space, but the price of the base model is relatively affordable.
They seem about perfect for those of us who want to live the RV lifestyle, but don’t want or need 30 feet of space. However, what about the important question, can a Sprinter van fit in a garage?
Can a Sprinter van fit in a garage? No, a Sprinter van can’t fit through a standard 7-foot garage door. But there are many ways to help keep your Sprinter out of the elements.
We’re going to let you know what your options are to protect your Sprinter when you are not using it. There’s more to cover, so let’s dig in and get you all the information you need.
How Tall Are Sprinter Vans?
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van comes in several body styles, and each of them has a different height. However, when you have the super high option, the height of these models jumps from 96-114 inches, all the way to at least 121 inches tall.
The standard body styles of factory models without super high interior are:
- Cargo Van – 96 to 111 inches
- Passenger Van – 96 to 114 inches
- Extended Cargo Van – 107 to 111 inches
Factors That Affect Sprinter Van Heights
Several factors can change the height of the van beyond those above. If you have a conversion van, you need to know exactly what is on the roof of your Sprinter to know how tall it is.
If you have installed sunroofs, air conditioners, or vents on the roof, that means added inches in height. If you are planning on purchasing a Sprinter van conversion or already own one, you need to know what is installed on the roof to determine the height.
Other factors are the suspension and tire size that each van uses. If you have a factory model, with no changes, you can use the factory height and assume that it is between 96 and 114 inches tall (up to 121 inches for the super high models).
However, if you are talking about conversion, do not forget to take the following into account:
- Aftermarket tires or suspension
- Vents or air conditioners
- Antennas
- Roof-mounted storage
- Luggage racks
There are a few other things that you can have mounted on your roof, as well.
How Do I Measure My Van Height?
To determine your van height, lay a ruler horizontal on the top of the roof extending out a few inches, now measure from the horizontal ruler to the ground.
Then, measure any items mounted to the roof and add the tallest item’s height to the height of the van. The total of those two numbers will be the total height of your vehicle.
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How Tall Are Garages?
The standard height of a garage door is 7 feet, which doesn’t come close to allowing your Sprinter van inside. However, the interior height of most garages is 9-10 feet.
If you have a super high van, it definitely will not fit through the door of a standard garage.
There are, however, garages made for taller vehicles, and even communities where RV garages are the norm. Places that have a lot of “snowbirds” or seasonal travelers, like Arizona and Florida, have housing communities that feature tall garages to cater to the mobile lifestyle of their residents.
Can I Make My Garage Door Taller To Fit My Sprinter Van?
If you have a van that is under 115 inches tall, you may be able to fit the van inside the garage itself, but likely only after removing the door and tearing out the front wall of your garage!
Above the door in your garage, a header beam is used to provide support for the wall. If you plan to increase the height of the opening for your garage, you will need to have the beam raised. Raising the header will require hiring a contractor as it is a complicated job. It’s likely to cost you in the neighborhood of $5,000-$7,000 dollars to install a taller garage door.
If you do have a shorter van and a standard garage, you will likely need to hire a contractor to make it fit inside. If you do not hire a professional, please remember, there are permits, as well as city and state rules and guidelines that you must follow.
It is often cheaper to use a licensed contractor than to make a mistake and pay fines and fees.
Maybe it’s more cost-efficient to buy an entire metal building than raise the height of an existing garage door. However, if you have a separate garage, you can also have it raised – also an expensive proposition.
Raising The Entire Garage
It may actually be easier to raise the entire garage than raise the door height. The gentleman in the video below raised his entire garage 21 inches to be able to accommodate his vehicles.
Keep in mind that if you reside in an incorporated area, you are still going to have to deal with permits and inspections. This is a construction project, and as such, it also runs the risk of unexpected expenses. Electrical lines, door frame heights, and in some cases, even plumbing lines may be involved.
Are There Other Options To Keep My Van Out Of The Elements?
Yes, though, many of them mean some form of construction also. If you have space, a Quonset hut or steel building is a great solution, but a bit expensive. There are cheaper options that we will cover below.
If you are considering a building, you should also consider flooring choices. A concrete slab is your best option, but some people opt for dirt floors. Concrete is more expensive, but far cleaner and won’t turn to mud if it gets wet.
We have a post “How Long Do Sprinter Vans Last?” with tips on getting the most years of service from your van.
Most Cost-Efficient Ways To Protect Your Sprinter
If you don’t have the money to drop on a new building, there are less costly options.
Van Covers
A good van cover made for a van conversion is an excellent investment for anyone that isn’t living in their Sprinter full time. Keeping the elements at bay for a relatively inexpensive cost is the minimum you can do to protect your investment. It is also the least expensive option available.
Tall Portable Carports
When it comes to portable carports, there are several varieties. Some are simply an exposed frame with a roof made of sturdy material. However, some models have a sturdy cover that zips closed, creating a cloth-covered garage.
Portable carports are not as sturdy, nor do they last as long as metal buildings. However, they are worth the money to protect your van when you can’t be in it.
You can keep a Sprinter van out of the elements, even though it most likely will not fit into your garage.
Final Thoughts
Only you can determine if you want to invest the time and money into building or to buy a shelter for your Sprinter. However, it is possible to keep it out of the elements even though it will not fit in a standard garage. Then again, if you are fortunate enough to live in it, you may be just fine without any form of cover.
