What is the height of the Sprinter van with AC unit?
The height depends on both the van’s roof configuration and the rooftop air conditioner installed. In practice, total height typically falls between about 2.4 meters and 3.2 meters (roughly 8 to 10.5 feet). For an exact figure, check the specific model/year and the AC unit’s dimensions.
What determines the overall height
Two main components
To determine the total height of a Sprinter with a rooftop AC, you must consider two parts: the base vehicle height (which varies by roof type) and the added height of the AC unit mounted on the roof. The combination yields the overall clearance you’ll need for bridges, tunnels, and parking structures.
Base roof configurations (qualitative distinctions):
- Standard roof: the lowest option, prioritizing compactness and lower wind resistance.
- High roof: taller to provide more cargo space and standing headroom.
- Super-high roof: the tallest option, often used for full standing room and larger interiors.
Conclusion: The base roof choice forms the foundation; the roof-mounted AC unit adds height on top of that base.
Rooftop air conditioner height considerations
AC unit height ranges
Rooftop air conditioners for vans and campers come in varying heights, and that height is added on top of the base roof. Typical external heights for common rooftop AC units fall roughly into these ranges:
- Small/compact units: about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) tall.
- Mid-size units: about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) tall.
- High-output units: sometimes 18 inches (45 cm) tall or more.
Conclusion: The total height is the sum of the base roof height and the AC unit height. When planning a conversion or verifying clearance, use the exact measurements from the Sprinter’s spec sheet for your model and year, plus the installed AC unit’s dimensions from the manufacturer.
How to measure for your Sprinter
Step-by-step guide
- Identify your Sprinter’s roof configuration (standard, high, or super-high) from the official spec sheet for your model and year.
- Obtain the external height specification for that roof variant (in meters or feet).
- Obtain the external height of your rooftop AC unit as installed (the unit’s height, not just the space it sits in).
- Add the two numbers to obtain the total height, including any rain cap, vents, or mounting hardware.
- Check clearance for your route or location, including bridges, parking structures, and carports, with some margin for safety.
Tip: Keep unit consistency—use either metric (meters) or imperial (feet) units throughout the calculation to avoid misreadings.
Summary
There is no single universal height for a Sprinter with an AC unit. The total height depends on the base roof height and the height of the installed rooftop AC unit. To get an accurate figure, reference the exact roof variant for your Sprinter model/year and the specifications of the chosen AC unit, then add the two measurements together and include any mounting hardware. This approach ensures you have the correct clearance for all routes and structures you plan to navigate.
