In July 2022, I received a brand new {custom} camper van – a 4×4 Sprinter Van conversion constructed out by Outdoors Van in Portland, Oregon. That is my third Sprinter camper van since 2016, and over time I’ve discovered lots from every van construct about what works and what doesn’t. I’ve discovered the professionals and cons of getting a toilet, the significance of getting sufficient storage for large AND small gear, and I’ve gotten to experiment with three completely different layouts which provides me loads of perspective to share with you right here.
On this weblog submit, I give a full tour of the design, format, and materials selections in my new van and the way it compares to my earlier Sprinter Van conversions. I additionally share extra particulars about why I made a decision to change up my flooring plan and embrace an Outdoors Van evaluate of my general expertise.
Watch the total video tour of my third Sprinter Van conversion right here!
My Earlier Sprinter Van Conversions
Again in 2015, I had just lately launched my weblog and was doing loads of solo journey within the Western US. On the time, I used to be touring out of my Subaru, however after a creepy expertise tenting in Nevada, I made a decision I wanted a car that I’d really feel safer sleeping in. I additionally needed a car that I might extra effectively work out of since my new profession path as a full-time blogger had me spending loads of time on the street. That led me to the Sprinter Van.
My First Sprinter Van Conversion
My first 144″ Sprinter Van was constructed by an inexperienced builder in southern California and had a full indoor rest room, an open aisle all the best way to the again doorways, and a convertible couch mattress throughout from the slider door.
In some situations – notably once I was solo on shorter journeys – this van labored effectively. Nonetheless, I discovered myself by no means utilizing the lavatory, wanting a extra devoted workspace, and needing extra indoor storage for tenting gear and my bike.
As well as, I discovered lots about supplies, the significance of constructing gentle, and having weight correctly balanced throughout the van. This van construct integrated heavy supplies like tile and reclaimed barnwood – each of which seemed stunning, however when it got here to driving off-road, issues weren’t as sturdy as I had hoped. Since I wasn’t loopy concerning the format or the construct high quality, I offered that van and discovered some arduous, costly classes within the course of.
Watch the full video tour of my first Sprinter Van right here:
My Second Sprinter Van Conversion
In 2017, I employed the respected Portland-based van conversion firm Outdoors Van to construct me a 170″ Sprinter Van conversion. With the longer wheelbase, I had extra room to include a everlasting platform mattress, a dinette for working and consuming, and a spacious galley. I additionally needed to go away some open house within the doorway since we do van life with two canines.
I had this second van for 4 years and drove it almost 70,000 miles. The standard of my second Sprinter Van conversion was worlds above the primary. The van was able to driving virtually anyplace because of the sturdiness of the conversion. The battery system was additionally extra sturdy and allowed me to remain off-grid for so long as I needed.
Watch the video tour of my second Sprinter Van conversion right here:
My Third Sprinter Van Conversion
After 4 years and almost 70,000 miles, I made a decision I needed to experiment with a brand new format. Additionally…shock! Our household is rising….child bear is due February 2023, so we would have liked one other seatbelt which is the first purpose for this new van.
I went again to the drafting board with Outdoors Van to construct out a brand new 2021 170″ 4×4 Mercedes Sprinter Van with a design that targeted on incorporating a 3rd passenger seat, further storage to maintain the litter at bay, an upgraded lithium battery system, in addition to most of the options I liked in my second van, like the large galley and platform mattress.
We sometimes spend 6-8 months a yr residing full time in our van, and my new Outdoors Van turned out superbly with many {custom} options that had been designed to accommodate van life with a household of three plus two canines for prolonged durations of time. I additionally work from the van so having a cushty work house was key.
With including a 3rd passenger seat, we did lose a few of our open house so freely transferring concerning the van takes a bit of extra finesse. Nonetheless, we gained much more storage for the entire small issues which has dramatically helped enhance our group.
Now that I’ve spent a while on the street in my new Outdoors Van, I’m prepared to enter the main points.
Missed the video tour within the introduction? You possibly can take a full tour of my third Sprinter Van conversion right here on my YouTube channel.
4×4 Mercedes Sprinter Chassis
I selected a Mercedes Sprinter Van as a result of in 2021 once I bought the chassis, it was the one panel van available on the market that supplied 4×4 with ample clearance for off-road driving. The Ford Transit has an all-wheel drive mannequin, however the Sprinter Van has almost 2″ extra of floor clearance, which was essential to me for its off-road capabilities.
My third Sprinter Van is the very same chassis as my second, which we had been actually proud of and fortunately encountered only a few points with. My associate Ryan and I’ve pushed over rocky 13,000 foot passes in Colorado, chased powder, camped off tons of of grime roads, and extra. Over the course of 4 years, the Mercedes 4×4 Sprinter allowed us to journey almost all over the place we needed to go, proving itself to be one unimaginable beast. For these causes, I selected one other Sprinter.
My third Sprinter Van is excessive roof cargo 2500 170″ wheelbase, once more the identical as my final van. The 170″ provides us loads of room to stay comfortably for 6-8 months at a time, and retailer all of our gear with out feeling cramped with two canines. I’ve written a comparability of the 144″ vs 170″ wheelbase and the professionals and cons of the completely different van chassis in the event you’re attempting to determine what car is correct in your van conversion.
Why I selected Outdoors Van for my Sprinter Van Conversion
For those who’ve been following me for some time, you understand I received burned on my first Sprinter Van conversion. I employed a “van builder” primarily based on some fairly images I noticed on Instagram with out actually doing my homework on their background or expertise.
Seems, the man talked a very good speak however didn’t actually know what he was doing. I used to be left with a model new van construct riddled with points – similar to a leaky bathe flooring, warped cupboards, and defective wiring for my photo voltaic panels. These issues took me months to cope with, which definitely wasn’t the introduction to van life I used to be searching for.
For my second conversion, I needed to work with knowledgeable van conversion firm that had loads of expertise, a superb popularity, and will construct me a van that was made to go off-road. Throughout that point I met a fellow van lifer in a car parking zone in Moab who had a Sprinter transformed by Outdoors Van and had nothing however good issues to say.
This time I deliberate to do my analysis, so I scheduled a visit to Portland to tour their facility, and it was clear that Outdoors Van was a prime notch operation. After interviewing a variety of different fashionable firms, I made a decision Outdoors Van was going to be the most suitable choice for my second {custom} van.
Over time, we put that second Sprinter Van to the check, driving her over a few of the roughest roads the chassis might deal with in Colorado, together with Cinnamon Go and Stony Go.
After 70,000 miles, my cupboards and drawers labored precisely as they did on day 1, proving the construct to be extraordinarily sturdy. I by no means had any points with my electrical or different programs, and the van functioned precisely as promised.
I by no means felt held again by my van, which is the best way it must be in the event you’re dropping cash on knowledgeable van conversion. Additionally once I went to promote the van in late 2021, I used to be in a position to get prime greenback for its resale. Because of this I employed Outdoors Van as soon as once more for my third Sprinter construct.
No matter what firms you might be contemplating, I extremely advocate you learn this submit that can assist you display and select the precise van builder. There are such a lot of unqualified folks on the market able to take your cash, and I’d hate to see you get screwed like I did the primary time round.
And for full disclosure…Outdoors Van is now certainly one of my model companions, and so they had been certainly one of my title sponsors at Open Street Fest.
Customized Sprinter Van Conversion Particulars –
Sprinter Van Partitions
The partitions in my Sprinter Van conversion, together with the closet door proven beneath, are made out of Sileather. Sileather is an artificial, eco-friendly materials that’s vegan, VOC-free, and fade proof. The perfect half is it’s waterproof and to be able to clear it, you simply have to wipe it down with a moist material – even bloody mosquitos wipe proper up. It’s good for folks with canines, as canine hair doesn’t keep on with it. I additionally used Sileather in my second van…that’s how a lot I appreciated it.
Behind the partitions you’ll discover insulation, a extremely highly effective sound dampening materials, and a {custom} infrastructure that Outdoors Van has developed to cut back the twisting and flexing of the van inside, making the construct extra sturdy. The van is extremely quiet once I drive. There are not any rattles or different noises from the cupboards or different elements, making for a really peaceable experience.
Sprinter Van Seating Space & Workspace
In my second Sprinter van conversion, we had a dinette with a Lagun desk simply in entrance of the mattress. This was my main workspace and likewise the place we ate our meals. I liked having this devoted workspace, and the Lagun desk labored completely as we might simply swivel is out of the best way when it wasn’t getting used.
Nonetheless, as you understand the whole lot in these vans is a tradeoff for house, and a should for this third Sprinter Van was to have an extra passenger seat behind the motive force to soundly transport a toddler. So as to make house for this captain’s chair, we’d should forgo a dinette and devoted workspace like we had in our final van.
On this new van, once we aren’t driving, we now have a desk that rapidly pops into the ground. When it’s time for me to work, I can use that further captain’s chair as my workplace chair. Though it takes me a bit extra time to get arrange with my laptop on this van, I’m actually liking having a extra ergonomic chair to take a seat in whereas I work in comparison with the dinette cushions in my final van that at all times bothered my again after some time. We additionally make the most of the swivel seats and the desk to create a 3 particular person eating space.
The desk stows proper behind the captain’s chair towards the motive force’s aspect galley cupboard so it’s out of the best way when not in use.
I’m not fairly certain concerning the sleeping preparations as soon as the kiddo is greater, however at the very least at first, a bassinet will simply slot in entrance of this captain’s chair the place the desk pops in. By the point he’s sufficiently big for a mattress, I’m certain there shall be a variety of options primarily based on the tempo this business is innovating.
Cupboard & Galley Supplies
The entire cabinetry within the van is fabricated from 13-layer marine grade plywood which is handled so it received’t broaden in warmth or distort over time. Marine grade plywood is the usual utilized in boats and is made to resist a bumpy experience.
The entire cupboard and drawer faces are coated utilizing a high-quality laminate made by Wilson Artwork, which provides the entire wooden within the van a pleasant end whereas defending the marine grade plywood beneath. Laminate is light-weight and far more sturdy than common wooden. I selected the Monarch Alona Grain for the decrease cupboards and the Traceless Snow White Velvet for the overhead cupboards. The Traceless shouldn’t be supposed to indicate fingerprints, however being white, it nonetheless exhibits grime very simply, so I’m undecided I’d go along with the white up prime sooner or later.
Outdoors Van makes use of dovetail development for his or her drawers that are made out of antimicrobial and eco-friendly bamboo. The entire drawers have a gradual closing mechanism to stop them from slamming shut and have push locks to maintain the drawers and cupboards from opening whereas I’m driving.
Passenger Facet Sprinter Van Customized Galley
In my third Sprinter Van, I selected to have the {custom} galley come out into the slider door to maximise the usage of house within the van.
The passenger aspect galley has the next elements:
- Giant rectangular sink
- One burner induction range
- Fridge
- Large compartment for a trash and a recycling bin
- Slide out out of doors cooking desk
The white galley countertop is fabricated from a fabric referred to as Corian within the glacier white coloration. Corian is a sturdy materials that may stand up to regular put on and tear, though I do discover a number of scratches already. The Corian can be very simple to wash, and I really like the fashionable look it provides the van.
Want inspiration in your personal van kitchen? Take a look at these inventive van cooking areas.
Induction Range
In my first Sprinter Van conversion, I had a everlasting two burner propane range contained in the van. The fuel range was an enormous ache to wash, and it took up a ton of counter house that was in any other case unusable. Since then I’ve switched to a one burner induction range which I a lot favor. The mannequin in my present van is the True Induction single burner range which requires 1800 watts to function at most temperature.
Having a one burner induction makes it very handy to arrange easy meals and boil water with out having to arrange our propane and two burner fuel range exterior, which we nonetheless cook dinner on for extra advanced meals.
When you do want a strong battery financial institution and inverter to run an induction range, they’ve loads of advantages. The True Induction range in my Sprinter Van heats up and cools down quick, so that you aren’t prone to burn your self. Induction stoves are additionally simple to wash and safer because you aren’t combusting fuel contained in the van. One different factor Outdoors Van did is made the induction range fully flush with the countertop, so when the range isn’t on, it principally serves as regular counter house for chopping, and many others. The induction range can be particularly helpful for van life in winter or once we are stealth tenting.
Fridge
The fridge in my Sprinter conversion is the Isotherm 4.6 cubic foot Cruise Class 130. Isotherm is among the premier marine and RV fridge firms, and their fridges are designed to outlive shaking, vibration, and inflexible actions that you’ve in vans and boats.
Whereas it takes a little bit of Tetris, we are able to match a couple of week’s value of meals within the fridge which is sweet for minimizing journeys to the shop. I do have two complaints concerning the fridge although. First is that after about 6 weeks, the freezer begins to ice up and your complete fridge needs to be turned off and defrosted. It is a ache if you end up touring with out entry to an actual fridge the place you possibly can retailer your meals throughout this defrosting course of. The second difficulty is that produce appears to go unhealthy much more rapidly than it does at house. I believe that’s as a result of the fridge will get packed so tight that there isn’t a lot air circulation in there. I just lately purchased a few of these produce keeper bins, and whereas they’re a bit of cumbersome they do appear to be serving to a bit of bit.
For a comparability of upright fridges vs prime loading chest model fridges in your van conversion, see this weblog submit.
Sink
For the sink, we now have a pleasant pull-down faucet and a big, spherical stainless-steel under-mount sink. I needed a sink giant sufficient that might make doing dishes very simple. Outdoors Van additionally created a canopy that sits flush with the sink and creates a flat floor for added prep house.
Trash Can Compartment
When many individuals are changing their Sprinter Van, trash storage is an afterthought. In my first Sprinter, I assumed, “I’ll simply hold a bag someplace off a hook.” Nicely, as soon as I noticed that 1) that allowed smells to permeate the van, 2) it wasn’t dog-proof and three) it was ugly to have a look at, I made a decision having a devoted place for trash cans was important.
In my third Sprinter Van conversion, I had Outdoors Van construct an enclosed trash can compartment that was custom-made for 2 tall kitchen trash cans – one for rubbish and one other for recycling. Having all of it behind a closed door retains the smells extra contained and it additionally prevents the canines from sniffing round and stepping into bother when they’re left alone. I actually like that the 2 trash cans within the compartment are giant. It means we are able to go fairly a very long time earlier than we have to discover a dumpster to throw our rubbish away.
Slide Out Out of doors Cooking Desk
On the skin of the galley, we now have a slide out cooking desk for out of doors cooking. This enables us to go away our transportable camp cooking desk at house.
Driver’s Facet Galley
On the motive force’s aspect of the van behind the captain’s chair, there’s a smaller cupboard with 4 drawers. That is the place we retailer our cooking utensils, spices, and tupperware, and there’s additionally a junk drawer for random objects (one other important in my view). This space is sweet not solely due to the extra storage, nevertheless it additionally offers additional counter house.
You’ll additionally discover within the above photograph that the desk prime and leg are saved on the entrance aspect of this driver’s aspect galley, which provides the desk a house and retains it out of the best way when it’s stowed. The desk easily slides out and in and could be very safe once we drive.
Customized Ground to Ceiling Closet
Shifting additional again, we now have a flooring to ceiling closet. This isn’t for garments, though you could possibly retailer folded garments in right here in the event you needed. As a substitute we’re utilizing this house for meals, smaller objects, work stuff, and a few of our cooking home equipment like our blender.
I measured the scale of every shelf, after which I went to the Container Retailer and located some light-weight bins that might assist preserve this house organized. The deal with on the bins make it simple to drag them out and get what we want, and every shelf has a lip that forestalls the bins from sliding round.
The door of the closet is fabricated from Sileather. It’s smooth and it zips and rolls up, clipping on the prime. I selected a roll up door as a substitute of a door that swings open for 2 causes. First, this roll up door is lighter-weight than a door made out of wooden, and it’s at all times good to chop weight wherever you possibly can. Second, having it roll up means I can entry the within of the closet from the mattress or from the entrance of the van anytime. A swing out door would have solely allowed entry to the closet from one aspect and would have taken up extra space. That is the primary closet of its type that Outdoors Van has constructed, and it could be certainly one of my favourite options of my van conversion.
After I was designing this van, I puzzled how we (and our canines) might simply rise up onto the mattress. Outdoors Van got here up with this genius thought to have a pull-out step straight beneath the closet. This step is the proper peak for climbing out and in of the mattress and likewise serves as an additional seat that has are available handier than we anticipated when cooking or placing on our footwear. The step has a load score capability of 300 kilos, and we depart it out once we are driving since Charlie likes to experience within the mattress.
Beneath the step is a big open cupboard. We designed this cupboard to be sufficiently big for a conveyable rest room if we determined to have one (try the finest campervan rest room choices right here). We at the moment don’t carry a conveyable cassette rest room (extra on our rest room beneath), so as a substitute we use this space to retailer our pet food and our air fryer. And sure, we deliver our air-fryer – it requires 1500 watts on the highest temps, and we are able to bake, make toast, cook dinner tofu, and extra with it.
Overhead Cupboards
On each side of the van, there are overhead cupboards. On the motive force’s aspect, we now have one above our galley the place we retailer cooking elements, oils, cleaning soap, and extra. We prefer to preserve stuff up right here in a lazy susan for simple entry.
On the motive force’s aspect above the third passenger seat we now have an extended overhead cupboard. That is the place we retailer our dinnerware, espresso and morning drinks, paper towels, and toiletries.
Outdoors Van Sprinter Van Three-Panel Mattress
Subsequent on the rear of the van is Outdoors Van’s normal three-panel aluminum platform mattress that goes all the best way to the again doorways with Outdoors Van’s exoskeleton cupboard for clothes storage. The mattress is a queen-sized mattress. All three panels are secured to the mattress rails by way of spring-loaded threaded fasteners. The mattress panels can be eliminated if I needed to make use of the again of the van to maneuver furnishings, for instance.
I selected a {custom} 4″ latex mattress which was an expensive improve. To be sincere, I don’t discover it very comfy (it’s much more agency than I anticipated), and it’s the one factor I remorse within the van. So as to make it extra plush, we added the identical three inch latex topper that we had in our final van. Now it feels superior, however we misplaced three inches of headspace as a result of topper, making the mattress really feel a bit extra cramped.
My comforter for many who are curious is the Authentic Puffy Blanket by Rumpl. It’s an awesome choice for pet homeowners as a result of it’s machine cleanable and canine hair doesn’t cling to it.
Exoskeleton Cupboard Clothes Storage
On the passenger aspect of the van, I’ve what Outdoors Van calls an exoskeleton cupboard which is open with no cupboard face. This model of cupboard is stuffable, detachable, modular, and extra light-weight than conventional cupboards. We use this exoskeleton cupboard to retailer packing cubes containing all of our garments.
We every have one packing dice for pants, one for shirts, one for underwear, and one for socks. Take a look at my full van life clothes packing guidelines right here.
The open model cupboard has its professionals and cons. I like that it’s simple to stuff a jacket in there or rapidly seize one thing. On the similar time, except you might be tremendous diligent about placing your garments away in your packing cubes, it may possibly rapidly look messy and unorganized, which is commonly the case for us.
This cupboard hangs over Ryan’s aspect of the mattress and our canine Charlie usually sleeps beneath it.
Sprinter Van Storage
Beneath the mattress is a ton of storage within the space referred to as the van storage. Identical to I did for the closet, I measured this house fastidiously after which went to the Container Retailer and received light-weight bins that match completely within the space. I like storing stuff in bins as a result of they’re simple to drag out and swap out what’s in them primarily based on the season and the particular gear we want. The bins additionally don’t add loads of additional weight to the van like a strong drawer system would.
Proper now in our storage we now have room for all of our tenting and out of doors gear, footwear, additional canine and other people meals, my Starlink, and different miscellaneous gear, with numerous room to spare.
Outdoors Van additionally constructed a {custom} slide out gear tray that may we are able to use for extra bins, further gear, or our two Specialised e-mountain bikes. With my being pregnant, we aren’t at the moment touring with our bikes, however the gear slider is very superior as a result of it makes it a lot simpler to load our bikes or bins into the again of the van. It additionally permits for simpler entry to gear bins with out having to crawl round below the mattress.
All the things will get secured within the storage utilizing Mac’s Versatile Tie Down System – principally a model of L Monitor. Utilizing Mac’s tie-down rings, we cinch all of our bins up utilizing straps or bungees so nothing strikes whereas we’re driving. The bikes use the identical system. We merely take the entrance wheel off of our bikes, put the bikes in going through the other way so we are able to get them as tight as doable collectively, after which mount them to the Mac System utilizing fork mounts. It takes a couple of minutes to unpack and put the bikes collectively, nevertheless it provides me peace of thoughts having the ability to retailer our electrical bikes contained in the van to stop them from getting stolen or broken.
We will entry the storage by way of the again doorways or from the within of the van which was a necessity for me. I didn’t wish to should go exterior to the again of the van each time I wanted to entry one thing below the mattress.
Beneath the mattress, you’ll additionally discover our electrical system (driver’s left aspect cupboard) and water tanks (passenger proper aspect cupboard).
Sprinter Van Electrical System
In my very first van, I used to be at all times nervous about energy. I didn’t have sufficient battery storage or photo voltaic, and I discovered that to be very demanding. This taught me that it’s higher to overestimate your energy wants, which is what I’ve finished ever since.
My second Sprinter Van had excessive performing electrical elements with 660 watts of photo voltaic and 440 Ah of AGM batteries. The one time I nervous about energy was in winter if we had been parked someplace for every week with no solar. In any respect different occasions, the system was loads ample.
On this third van, I opted for most of the similar elements I had in my final van however a beefier system general. I additionally upgraded from AGM batteries to lithium.
We at the moment spend about 6-8 months straight residing in our van yearly and have quite a lot of digital tools we have to run. This consists of electrical bikes, my laptop, digicam, induction range, the heater, water heater, and different electronics.
Lithionics Battery System
On this new Sprinter Van conversion, we now have two 315 Ah Lithionics lithium batteries, for a complete of 630 Ah financial institution. The battery capability could be very simple to observe with a display proper above our galley that tells us how full it at the moment is.
With lithium batteries, you should use 90% of the battery capability earlier than you could cost them (not like AGM the place you possibly can solely use 50% earlier than you danger damaging the batteries). So as to stop injury in my present van, every Lithionics battery has a security constructed into it. As soon as the batteries are depleted to the ten% mark, the system will shut off as a reminder that the batteries have to be charged – which is so simple as turning on the ignition within the van as a consequence of our secondary alternator.
Outdoors Van makes use of the Lithionics system for a variety of causes. First, it is among the few lithium programs which provides you with a exact and correct SOC (State of Cost) studying. Second, lithium batteries usually have a tough time charging beneath freezing. To resolve this difficulty, the Lithionics batteries have an inner heating blanket that routinely activates if the temperature of the batteries ever drops beneath 34°.
To this point, I’m extremely impressed with my system. In 5 weeks on the street, our batteries by no means dropped beneath 75% capability which suggests we should always by no means have to fret about working out of energy.
Secondary Alternator
In my second Sprinter, the batteries had been linked to the car’s alternator so they may cost whereas I used to be driving, however solely after the car’s battery was fully charged.
In my third Sprinter Van conversion, Outdoors Van put in a secondary 280XP Alternator Package with a Wakespeed Regulator. This secondary alternator is devoted to charging the home batteries, which begins as quickly because the car engine is turned on. It costs the batteries extraordinarily quick. In my actual world expertise to date, it appears to be like like it may possibly add 10% cost for each 20 minutes of driving, so we virtually at all times arrive to our campsite with our batteries fully full.
Photo voltaic Panels
On the roof, I’ve 310 watts of photo voltaic panels made by Zamp Photo voltaic. They’re the identical model I had on my final van, and Outdoors Van makes use of Zamp as a result of their panels are made proper right here within the US, and out of the businesses they’ve tried, they’ve discovered Zamp’s panels to be the very best performing. I’ve two 90-watt panels and one 130-watt panel.
As a result of elevated capability of my batteries and the effectivity of the secondary alternator, I used to be in a position to barely downsize my photo voltaic system and acquire again some roof house. The primary goal of the photo voltaic now’s to maintain my batteries topped off if we’re parked for a number of days.
>> Learn Subsequent: Planning your electrical system in your van conversion
Roof Rack
My photo voltaic setup on the roof is secured to a custom-made Outdoors Van roof rack. The rack could be very low profile, so you possibly can barely see it from the bottom, and it has a walkway down the middle of the van that I take advantage of to hang around or entry the photo voltaic panels for cleansing. It really works out nice as a platform for taking images too.
One other neat characteristic of the roof rack is it has 4 rows of Mac Monitor which makes it very simple to safe gear to the roof of our van.
Inverter
The ultimate piece of our van’s electrical system is the inverter. I’ve a 2000 watt Magnum Pure-Sine Inverter which converts energy from the batteries to AC energy that I take advantage of to run the induction range and different issues that plug into the 110 retailers. I’ve 6 USB retailers and 6 common 110 retailers, together with two 110 retailers within the storage that we use to cost our e-bikes. They’re situated all all through the van so charging is at all times handy.
Temperature Management in my Sprinter Van Conversion
The temperature in our Sprinter Van is managed with two ceiling vans, window vents, and a diesel run heater. I opted towards a rear AC in my Sprinter Van conversion which might cool the residing space even when the car shouldn’t be working. Whereas temperatures appear to be getting hotter yearly within the mountains and a rear AC unit sounds very nice, they draw a ton of energy. Since we prefer to be off the grid as a lot as doable, an AC unit didn’t seem to be the very best match for our way of life. In fact, in the event you plan on residing in Florida or Arizona in summer season, you could have to plan in another way.
Outdoors Van did do a number of issues although to maintain the inside of the van comfy, even on sizzling sunny days.
Vented Home windows
First, they changed the entrance aspect manufacturing unit home windows with CR Laurence Home windows that vent. Subsequent to the mattress, we even have small slider home windows that pop open.
Ceiling Followers
I’ve two Maxx Followers. One above the galley and one above the mattress. They every have a rain sensor and create very nice airflow within the van. We sometimes have one pulling air in and the opposite pushing air out.
Insulating Window Shades
The entire window shades in my Sprinter van conversion are fabricated from a Sunbrella materials with a layer of closed cell foam within the center which helps insulate the van from the warmth in the summertime and prevents heat air from escaping by the home windows within the winter. The shades are quite simple to place up and take down by way of the snap buttons and more often than not, we discover ourselves driving with them in place to maintain the solar out.
I even have a full set of Outdoors Van window coverings that cowl the entrance, driver, and passenger home windows. These are very simple to place up, and we use these each night for privateness and to dam out the morning solar.
To assist regulate the temperature throughout the day once we are out on hikes or away from the van, we use this insulated smooth wall curtain that separates the cab from the residing space. This smooth wall is extraordinarily efficient at conserving the warmth within the cab from coming into the again of the van throughout the day. Usually within the evenings, we use our entrance window overlaying as a substitute of this smooth wall to be able to use our swivel seats, but when it’s only a fast night time stealth tenting someplace, this smooth wall is available in actually helpful. There’s additionally a center portion that zips up that creates a walkway from the entrance to the again of the van.
Sprinter Van Heater
My Sprinter Van conversion makes use of the Webasto Air Prime EVO 40 Heater to warmth the air within the van. This can be very environment friendly and produces a big quantity of warmth in as little as 6-8 minutes. The perfect characteristic is an auto perform that permits you to digitally set the temperature and as soon as the ambient air in a van reaches that temperature, the system idles till the temperature drops once more.
It additionally has a timer mode that permits you to set a day, time, and length for the heater to run, even if you end up not there. On a ski day, this lets you exit and return to a heat van with out having to warmth it the entire time you might be gone from the van. We’ve solely used the van within the sizzling summer season to date, however we now have briefly examined the heater, and it really works very effectively.
Sprinter Van Plumbing System
It’s normal at Outdoors Van to have the entire plumbing contained inside the van, moderately than having tanks and pipes working on the skin. That manner the system is extra insulated for 4 season use. The plumbing in my third Sprinter Van conversion is streamlined and easy to make use of. For a complete submit all about water tanks, bogs, showers, and extra, go right here.
Water Tanks
I’ve a 28-gallon water tank inside a driver’s aspect cupboard within the storage. The BPA-free water tank is everlasting, however it may possibly simply be stuffed utilizing a hose or 5-gallon jugs if I can’t discover a spigot with potable water. Fortunately that’s by no means been a difficulty. If we aren’t showering, 28 gallons will final us between 8-10 days. Study the place to replenish your water tanks on this submit.
To fill the tank, we simply join the hose to the spigot and stick the hose within the inlet on the skin of our van.
Below the sink, there’s a very fundamental water filter. So as to make sure that the water we’re consuming is secure, I just lately invested in a three-stage Clearsource Extremely RV Water filter system that filters out viruses, micro organism, sediment, unhealthy style, and even heavy metals. It was costly, however contemplating we depend on public water sources (with pipes which are probably very outdated) greater than half the yr, I needed some additional safety for the sake of my long run well being.
Water Heater and Out of doors Bathe
The water heater in my latest Sprinter Van conversion is completely different than what I had in my final two vans. In my earlier vans I had the Webasto Twin Prime Evo 6 which heated the recent air and water by siphoning a little bit of diesel from the van’s fuel tank. It did the job, nevertheless it took about half-hour to warmth the water and the boiler might solely warmth 3 gallons of water at a time. Because of this, we didn’t actually use it that a lot.
On this van, I’ve the Rixen Espar Hydronic system which is a furnace that heats a closed loop of coolant. Then a warmth exchanger is used to switch the warmth from the coolant to the recent water.
This method has a number of benefits. First, the recent water is accessible inside 5 minutes of beginning the unit. It additionally heats the water hotter, and through the use of a mixer valve, we are able to positive tune the temperature of the water that comes out. Lastly, the system will constantly warmth the water till you flip it off. Which means, as soon as the system is sizzling, we might warmth all 28 gallons in our water tank. We probably wouldn’t do this, nevertheless it’s good to know if we needed to take an extended bathe, we might.
For the bathe, Outdoors Van does construct light-weight indoor showers for these of you who really want a daily indoor bathe…however primarily based on my expertise with the indoor bathe in my first van, I made a decision this wasn’t a necessity for me or definitely worth the sacrifice in house.
For showering, we are able to rapidly hook up a bathe hose to the again of the water tank, which permits us to take sizzling out of doors showers. Nonetheless, since we prefer to preserve our water, most of the time, we take showers at gyms, neighborhood facilities, campgrounds, or homes of household or associates. I’m going to get certainly one of these transportable pop up bathe privateness tents although and I believe it’ll incentivize me to make use of this out of doors bathe extra.
Collapsible Bathroom
In my first Sprinter Van, I had a Thetford transportable rest room. It did the trick, however I hated utilizing it for #2 as a result of dumping it was gross. Plus, discovering a dump each 5 days to empty the bathroom was a trouble.
In my second and third van, we ditched the transportable rest room and now depend on pee jars for #1 and this foldable Go Wherever rest room that makes use of wag baggage for #2 when a public rest room isn’t obtainable. The bathroom folds up actually small so it doesn’t take up as a lot room as a cassette or composting rest room. When you’re finished doing what you are promoting, the bag simply goes in any exterior trash can.
The baggage do get dear, and I’m not loopy concerning the plastic waste, however for the occasional use, it’s labored out nice for us. The house we save by not having a standard rest room is greater than value it, and I get pleasure from not having the toilet-related chores. Evaluate the very best rest room choices for van life on this weblog submit.
A be aware on bogs: When at dispersed campsites, I used to dig a gap and go poop exterior based on Depart No Hint ideas. Nonetheless, as our public lands have gotten extra crowded and over-used, I not really feel that it is a accountable choice for individuals who spend important quantities of time on the street. That was an enormous think about our determination to begin carrying the Go Wherever rest room that we now have in our van.
Sprinter Van Ground
Now on my third Sprinter Van conversion, I’m satisfied that there are only a few flooring choices that keep wanting clear if you end up residing in and utilizing the van for out of doors adventures.
In my first van, I had darkish laminate wood flooring. They seemed nice clear, however grime confirmed very simply on darkish colours and with our canine, all we noticed was footprints. The laminate additionally felt slippery and didn’t present any traction.
In my second van, I had a excessive density vinyl weave within the residing space. It was a beige coloration with texture, and I assumed the grime would mix proper in, however I used to be fallacious. Like my first van, it confirmed grime actually simply and was much more tough to wash as a result of weave.
In my third van, I selected a Lonseal vinyl product that has a bit of texture for grip, however no grooves that entice grime. This time I went with a unclean brown coloration with specks. When it’s clear, it appears to be like fanastic, however once more, with canines it’s almost not possible to maintain it wanting good.
Our interim answer has been to cowl your complete flooring with some grey door mats I received at Goal that I can simply vacuum. My long-term plan is to get a set of {custom} flooring mats made by Inhabit Design Works that you may take away and hose off. Additionally they present cushion and a few additional insulation, and that is the primary improve I plan to make.
So far as flooring set up, the very first thing Outdoors Van does when constructing their flooring is to take away the manufacturing unit flooring. They then construct a brand new flooring out of marine grade plywood and cling a layer of high-density vinyl to the highest. That is barely heavier than the manufacturing unit flooring, nevertheless it’s a bit of thicker and far more sturdy, so there’s no flex within the flooring while you place heavy options on it.
>> Learn Subsequent: A Information to Ground Supplies in your Van
Tires and Suspension
We do loads of off-roading in our Sprinter Van, so having a superb all-terrain tire and upgraded suspension was important.
Tires and Wheels
Like my final van, the tires are the BF Goodrich K02 265/70/R17. They carry out effectively on rocky roads, snow, and even in muddy situations (with the precise driving abilities).
The wheels are Black Rhino Stadium 17″ Wheels, that are one inch larger than the inventory wheels that the van comes with. I selected these particular wheels as a result of they’ve a heavy obligation load score at 2,450 lbs/wheel.
Agile Offroad RIP Package Suspension Improve
The inventory suspension that the Mercedes Sprinter Van comes with shouldn’t be supposed for going off-road or dealing with bumpy terrain. In bumps, windy situations, and even pulling out of the driving, a transformed Sprinter Van with inventory suspension will expertise an unnerving quantity of sway. That’s why upgrading the suspension is among the finest issues you are able to do if you wish to enhance the efficiency and general really feel of the experience. Upgrading the suspension can be essential while you’ve added loads of weight to the van.
In my third van, I selected the Agile RIP Package for the upgraded suspension bundle which has fully remodeled the driving expertise. Within the entrance, a coil over spring is added to the manufacturing unit McPherson strut, together with an upgraded Fox shock. The result’s an incredible distinction in how the van handles weight shift round corners, improved dampening within the bumps, and the van responds extra rapidly to the motive force’s controls.
Within the rear, the manufacturing unit leaf spring system is changed with a progressive six leaf spring system, and also you selected a load primarily based in your rear axle weight so the system is custom-made. This will increase the payload functionality and eliminates any sagging within the rear of the van. It additionally ends in a smoother experience as a result of progressive nature of the springs. There’s additionally an extra Fox shock added within the rear, once more for improved dampening of the motion. The results of the shock is that the van sways a lot much less aspect to aspect over uneven terrain, particularly with the excessive roof Sprinter Van.
Owl Vans Rear Equipment
The entire rear aluminum equipment on the van are made by Owl Vans. The primary purpose I selected Owl for my rear equipment is that you simply don’t should first swing out the field and spare tire earlier than opening the rear doorways. As a substitute, the entire Owl Vans gear on the rear opens routinely while you open the again doorways.
B2 Service, Mini Sherpa, and Medium Expedition Field
The B2 Service is a modular storage system designed by Owl Vans that may be custom-made relying in your storage wants. On the underside, we now have the Medium Expedition Field the place we retailer our shore energy hookup, hoses, instruments, trekking poles, and different soiled gear to be able to preserve the within of the van cleaner.
Above the B2 Service, we initially had Owl’s Bike Mounting Tubes that might permit us to hold our e-bikes on the skin of the van if we select utilizing 1Up Bike Trays. The benefit of carrying your bikes on the B2 service moderately than a hitch mount is that you simply don’t lose any floor clearance and it additionally doesn’t scale back entry to your again doorways. Additionally, I like that Owl has designed their bike service to deal with the burden of e-bikes, that are lots heavier than regular mountain bikes. As a result of my being pregnant, we determined to go away the bikes at house for the close to future, so we eliminated the mounting tubes for now.
On the prime of our B2 Service, we now have Owl’s Mini Sherpa Plate. This offers us the choice to mount quite a lot of restoration instruments – similar to an ax, shovel, a spare Rotopax diesel canister, and even our Maxtrax restoration boards if we had been to take away the Expedition Field on the underside.
Owl Ladder and Spare Tire Rack
On my earlier two vans, I had the spare tire saved beneath the van within the manufacturing unit spot. With the entire off-roading we do, I made a decision that having the spare tire beneath the van won’t be the best place to entry it if we received in a pickle on a dust street.
The Owl Ladder + Tire Service offers an answer to this by combining a ladder and spare tire rack on the again door. The tire service permits us to hold a full sized 17″ spare that’s similar to the remainder of our tires. The ladder/tire combo rack solely weighs 25 kilos and once more the again doorways can open with out having to swing out the rack first.
The ladder is streamlined and has pegs that reach beneath the spare tire rack that you simply use to rise up on the ladder. I’ll say it’s a bit of tricker the primary couple of occasions to step up onto than a conventional ladder, however when you get the hold of it, it’s fairly simple.
Rolef Bug Screens
In my earlier two Sprinter Vans, we didn’t have a very good bug display answer. We tried a number of completely different manufacturers, in addition to some make shift choices with magnets that we purchased off Amazon. Nothing actually labored or was very handy to get out and in of the van.
For my third Sprinter camper van, I knew I needed the Rolef bug screens. They’re pricier than the opposite choices, however having the ability to preserve the doorways open once we had been just lately in Canada was priceless. The mosquitos had been completely brutal, however we had been in a position to preserve our slider and rear doorways open on these sizzling summer season evenings and preserve the within of our van bug free.
The Rolef bug screens are completely put in, however you possibly can roll them up while you don’t wish to use them. There are easy clips on the prime that maintain them up.
On the rear bug display, the highest half is display, and the underside half which you’ll be able to roll up individually is stable. This lets you entry your gear within the storage whereas conserving the mattress space bug free.
On the slider door, while you wish to use the bug display, you unclip it and zip it down. Then to simply get out and in of the van, there’s a magnetic strip that permits you to rapidly open and shut the precise aspect with out having to cope with the zipper. It’s a fairly nice design and I’m so glad we now have them.
Sprinter Van Awning
On my second Sprinter Van, I made a decision towards a everlasting awning as a result of I needed as few issues as doable hanging off of the van. As a substitute, we used the MoonShade which is a conveyable, budget-friendly shade answer that units up fairly rapidly (you possibly can learn my full evaluate of the MoonShade right here).
In my third Sprinter, I opted for a Fiama awning. We’ve used it a number of occasions to date, and I believe a everlasting awning has its professionals and cons. It’s faster and simpler to arrange, and I do suppose it offers extra shade than a few of the transportable choices as a consequence of the truth that you possibly can alter the angle.
Nonetheless, with a everlasting awning, you must be very cautious and pull it in if it will get windy, and there are additionally loads of components that may break. We’ve solely used ours a number of occasions, and we’ve already been having some points attempting to shut it. There’s additionally the added price of a everlasting awning, so you must actually take into consideration how a lot you’ll use it and whether or not or not it’s value it.
Thanks for studying by my Sprinter Van conversion weblog submit. You possibly can watch the excursions of all three of my vans on YouTube so you possibly can see how they’ve advanced over time. Be sure to subscribe so that you get notified of any future movies.
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