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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I purchase POINTER®?

Alpine Armoring sells POINTER® through GSA contract 47QSMS26D0064, DHS and FEMA grant programs for police agencies, and lease and financing referrals. Standard purchase terms are a 50% deposit upon order, with the remaining 50% due before shipping.

How heavy is POINTER®?

POINTER® Vans weigh anywhere from 10,500 lbs (4,763 kg) to 11,500 lbs (5,2168 kg) based on level of protection, optional accessories & additions & occupancy layout. High GVWR, upgraded suspension and brakes carry the load.

Can I customize POINTER® to my specific needs?

Yes. POINTER® comes in three configurations: Tactical SWAT/APC, Mobile Command, and Incognito. Specify seating, MOLLE racks, gun storage cabinets, a roof hatch and overwatch platform, 360-degree cameras, night vision, PA and multi-siren systems, server cabinets, strobe lighting, and many other available options.

How many people does POINTER® carry?

Up to 11 occupants including the driver. Every build is configured to meet the end users' intended usage, so a SWAT team, a command staff, and an executive detail each get a different interior inside the same shell.

What protection level does POINTER® offer?

POINTER® is available from Alpine A4 (CEN B4) through Alpine A9 (CEN B6+). Alpine A4 stops handgun rounds up to .44 Magnum. Alpine A9 stops 7.62x51mm M80 Ball rifle fire, and the POINTER® vans in our inventory carry it. Check the weapons and ammunition chart to match a level to your threat assessment.

Does POINTER® look like an armored vehicle?

That depends on the configuration you order. The Incognito keeps the factory cargo van silhouette, so a plain white Transit on a city street reads as a commercial vehicle. The SWAT/APC build is the opposite. A roof hatch, over-watch platform, gun ports, and ram bumper announce exactly what it is, which is what an agency wants when presence is the deterrent.

Is it legal for civilians to own a POINTER®?

Yes. Civilian ownership of bullet-resistant vehicles is legal in all 50 states, and POINTER® complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, registration, and plate requirements. Police departments and government agencies buy most POINTER® vans, and private security teams do as well.

Do I need a commercial license to drive POINTER®?

No. A standard driver's license covers POINTER® across the United States, since 11,150 lbs sits far below the 26,001 lb threshold that triggers a commercial driver's license. Plan for overhead clearance instead. The Sprinter high-roof build stands 114 inches (9 feet 6 inches) tall.

What chassis is POINTER® built on?

POINTER® uses the Ford Transit 350HD and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500XD/4500 chassis, as well as other full-size cargo vans on request. The Transit runs a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 gasoline engine making 310 hp, a 10-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive. The Sprinter runs a 2.0L high-output four-cylinder diesel making 211 hp, a 9-speed automatic, and 4x4.

Does POINTER® come in different colors?

Yes, POINTER® is available in just about any color you choose. We offer Oxford White, Jet Black, and many more. Choose a smooth finish for an unmarked commercial look, a texturized finish for tactical duty, or agency livery and reflective graphics for marked patrol work.

How long does it take to build a POINTER®?

Armoring takes 60 to 90 days at Alpine A4 through A9, which covers the full POINTER® range. Your delivery date includes chassis acquisition and shipping on top of that, so ask our team for a date that meets your specifications. Agencies ordering through our GSA contract skip the open-bid cycle, which usually saves more calendar time than the build. Priority production slots are available for urgent orders.

Can you fit off-road tires to POINTER®?

Yes. POINTER® runs 16-inch wheels with run-flat inserts, and we can specify all-terrain or mud-terrain tires in place of the standard highway pattern. Choose the tire at build time, because the run-flat insert is sized to the tire and wheel together and a later swap at a tire shop breaks that pairing.

What is the highest GVWR and payload?

POINTER® is built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500XD and the Ford Transit 350 HD, and we upgrade the axles, springs, and brakes on every build to carry the armor. Payload depends on protection level, seat count, and equipment package, so our engineering team issues a certified GVWR and payload figure with your build sheet. Send us your loadout, and we will size the chassis to it.

Does POINTER® have gun ports?

Yes, gun ports are available on POINTER®. Our Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500XD SWAT/APC build carries six, set into the sides and the rear. They suit the SWAT/APC and Mobile Command configurations. Leave them off the Tactical Incognito, where a visible port undoes the covert profile. Any POINTER® fitted with gun ports requires an export license before it ships outside the United States.

Which POINTER® chassis has the tightest turning circle?

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500XD. Mercedes-Benz publishes a 45-foot curb-to-curb turning circle for the 144-inch-wheelbase Sprinter, and the Ford Transit 350 HD we build on sits four inches longer, with a 148-inch wheelbase. Both figures describe the bare chassis. Ask our team for the measured figure for a finished POINTER®, because run-flat tires and an upgraded suspension affect it.

Is POINTER® made in the USA?

Yes. We armor and build every POINTER® at our plants in Chantilly, Virginia. Ford assembles the Transit at Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri, and Mercedes-Benz Vans assembles the US-market Sprinter in North Charleston, South Carolina. Agencies buying with federal grant money should ask our team about domestic content requirements, since those rules turn on parts content rather than assembly location.