Automated van slider kits?

[Paddy]

We have a 2015 sportsmobile sprinter and we feel like a 800lb door on a Mercedes should be motorized. I've seen some kits but i thought it would be best to ask here if anyone has any experience or input on that. We'd like it to be able to stop at any point along its travel and also be functional on hills obviously.

 

[brianjwilson]

I never gave it much thought. But the motorized sliders on minivans are kind of handy.

2 things come to mind for me. It could be nice as my 1 and 3 year old can't operate the big door. On the other hand, i don't know that I want them to be able to open and close it!

After a quick search and seeing prices of $2500 I'm out. Seems like you're looking at something with one off parts and lots of pieces to fail.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Hydraulics would be more economical

 

[Paddy]

There's many kits that seem to range from about 1000-2500.

 

[Paddy]

I never gave it much thought. But the motorized sliders on minivans are kind of handy.

2 things come to mind for me. It could be nice as my 1 and 3 year old can't operate the big door. On the other hand, i don't know that I want them to be able to open and close it!

After a quick search and seeing prices of $2500 I'm out. Seems like you're looking at something with one off parts and lots of pieces to fail.

I think about it when we are on a slope mainly. Also when inside van closing it. I'm not a weakling but it takes a lot of effort to close it.

 

[Bikersmurf]

I've had the Fj40 in places where I've had to dead lift the whole weight of the front door above my head while standing on the rear tire to climb in... and it was a pain. I'd hate to try and lift an 800 lb door at even half the slope. Not that want to have a sprinter pointed straight up into the sky though.

 

[broncobowsher]

That door can't be 800 pounds. That would not be movable on any slope. 800 pounds is what a large motorcycle weighs

 

[Paddy]

That door can't be 800 pounds. That would not be movable on any slope. 800 pounds is what a large motorcycle weighs

Cool I'll just ask you to close it every time we are on a slope k?

I might be exaggerating the actual number, but the weight isn't the point. The point is that it's a 90$K camper that seems to take too much effort for closing and opening the door.

 

[Choff]

If you saw the problems my brother in law has with their Toyota Van with auto sliding doors and how they close sooooo slow !! and that they work some times and not sometimes, you might not want auto or motor driven sliding door.
Maybe a power assist type spring or Hydraulics may be the answer??
Good luck, I can hear your frustration with the high dollar amount cost of the van.

 

[Paddy]

If you saw the problems my brother in law has with their Toyota Van with auto sliding doors and how they close sooooo slow !! and that they work some times and not sometimes, you might not want auto or motor driven sliding door.
Maybe a power assist type spring or Hydraulics may be the answer??
Good luck, I can hear your frustration with the high dollar amount cost of the van.

Really the ones I see on YouTube seem to close very fast! But, durability is a concern, as is low hanging hardware since we get into remote places that a van isn't really at home in.