SOLD!
Camper build out was done by a boatbuilder with lots of birch plywood and nice woodworking touches. Van is very comfortable for 2 people to travel indefinitely: with a flush toilet, bed always made up, lots of opening windows, fan, LED lights, solar panels, galley with sink and running water, stove, fridge, storage, and a swiveling passenger seat with a footrest.
A key feature of the build is that the bed is easily removable so we could carry sculpture. You could carry any cargo not wider than 4’ or taller than 6’ or perhaps make your own new bed/bench arrangements in the open area.
We had thought about attaching pulleys to the ceiling over the 4 corners of the bed and just raising the bed – all made up – up to the ceiling. It will fit. Or you could build a folding bench/bed as a number of Sprinter forum members have done – several have shared their plans on the forum.
We have found having the flexibility to change things without undoing a lot of work is important for long-term value.
In our setup the space under the bed is used for camping gear such as folding chairs, folding table, propane water heater, tent poles for the awning, and extra beer. Plus a bed for the dog.
Nothing lasts forever and this van is a Massachusetts van so rust could have been a very big problem. However, the van has had the best of maintenance and repair, including many major mechanical systems entirely replaced in the last few years, timely oil, fluid, and filter changes throughout its life. It was professionally repainted in 2011 and any subsequent rust was dealt with promptly and thoroughly.
Price: $28,000
The specs:
• 104,000 miles
• 5 cylinder 2.7L diesel with the best mileage of all Sprinter models, 28 mpg prior to solar installation, now between 21-22 on average when loaded
• 16” wheels with Michelin LTX M/S2 225/75R16 tires – 2 fairly new, 2 will need replacement within the year.
• A nice tight turning radius
• Fits in a regular parking space
• Super high ceiling van gives you 72.5 inches headroom inside
• Koni adjustable shocks all around
• 3/8” recycled rubber matting on floor gives sound and heat insulation and prevents things sliding around
• 1” Armaflex closed cell insulation on walls and ceiling
• Two Peninsula Glass Motion slider windows in rear doors with screens
• Two Seitz opening awning windows on sides, with built-in shades and screens
• Custom lockers the width of the wheel wells for storage and to support removable Ikea bed slats and mattress
• Reimo passenger seat swivel and DIY folding footrest
• Two Kyocera 135-watt solar panels on roof, with Rogue solar controller to charge two 100 amp/hr Lifeline AGM batteries and the starting battery via a Blue Seas automatic charging relay. The ACR also allows AGM camper batteries to be charged by the alternator when van’s engine is running.
• All hard wired electrical items are 12 volt & van has two 12 volt outlets
• Shore power inlet and one GFCI outlet in galley allows direct use of 110 volt items when hooked up – no inverter needed
• Two built-in propane lockers in galley (for 10 lb tank) and in rear of van (for 5 lb tank). Galley propane locker has fittings to allow 2 hoses to be permanently connected through locker, with valves to isolate (one for galley stove and one for portable water heater.) Both lockers are built like boat propane lockers with gaskets, pressure latches, and a hole through the bottom of the van to let any propane fumes sink safely outside. Tanks are shut off when not in use.
• Fantastic roof vent fan
• 3 marine LED reading lights, 1 marine LED overhead light, LED strip light under galley cabinets, waterproof LED strip light under bathroom cabinet
• 13 gallon polyethylene fresh water tank under sink
• Thetford cassette toilet with electric flush in separate compartment suitable for hand-held spray showers (waterproof floor and drain)
• Engel fridge/freezer with custom cutting board top – 12 volt or 110 volt
• Whale on demand water pump provides running water to sink
• Mexican ceramic sink and cold water marine faucet
• Corian galley counter with 2 drawers, cabinets above and open storage under
• Over cab storage cabinet and shelf over the sliding door
Major repairs & replacements on van since we bought it in 2009:
• Whole turbocharger replaced in 2009 under warranty, boost hoses and silencer replaced in 2015 - Dodge and Mercedes dealer work
• Koni adjustable shocks front and rear in 2011 – they have about 45K miles on them now
• Glow plugs replaced in 2015 – Mercedes dealer
• Complete exhaust replacement in 2015 – Mercedes dealer
• Full brake job in 2015
• Alternator in 2016
• Full engine cooling system in 2016: radiator, coolant pump, transmission cooler lines, plus water pump – Mercedes dealer
• All brake lines and emergency brake components replaced in 2017 – Mercedes dealer – brake lines are now stainless steel
• AC condenser and receiver/dryer replaced and compressor repaired in 2017 – Mercedes dealer
• Mobil 1 Mercedes spec oil and oil filter changed every 10K miles
• Transmission fluid changed at 60K miles and differential fluid at 90K miles
• All air filters and fuel filter changed at least three times in last 50K miles
• Mercedes dealer went over all hoses, belts, and replaced as needed in 2017. They also inspected fuel lines, power steering lines and other components under van subject to corrosion, cleaned and sprayed with anti-corrosion cavity wax.
Other equipment included:
• Set of Thule tire chains
• Coleman On Demand portable propane water heater with shower sprayer and custom valve to allow water to recirculate into water jug while showering (water saving)
• Coleman 1 burner propane stove and hose to galley tank
• 12 volt Roadtrucker mattress pad heater which is enough to sleep warmly most of the time
• 2 Reliance water jugs – one for hot water shower and an extra for outside cooking
• Ikea double bed slats with adjustable hinged section at head of bed and 4” Ikea foam mattress
• DIY vinyl tarp awning with telescoping tent poles, tent pegs, and pad eyes installed on side of van to carry awning
• Curtains – matching privacy curtain behind cab & rear window curtains; also matching bathroom shower curtain and window curtain
• Drinking water safe hose to refill water tank
• Custom removable padded plywood box for dog to ride on fits between front seats
• Storage tubs, Rubbermaid dish basins, dish drainer, & battery operated LED lights for storage cabinets, plus misc other small equipment could be included depending on your preferences
This van seems to have good juju. We had 3 long cross-country trips, 2 trips to Florida, a tour of Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island, and numerous trips to Maine and around the Northeast delivering sculpture. No breakdowns. Very comfortable to drive. We have loved building it out and using it for 8 years. You’ll have fun too.
For those who like to read old posts on camper buildouts:
build installment 1
additional installment 1 posts
additional installment 1 posts
installment 2
Lots of other posts with build info scattered around. Search on bstory if you are interested.
Camper build out was done by a boatbuilder with lots of birch plywood and nice woodworking touches. Van is very comfortable for 2 people to travel indefinitely: with a flush toilet, bed always made up, lots of opening windows, fan, LED lights, solar panels, galley with sink and running water, stove, fridge, storage, and a swiveling passenger seat with a footrest.
A key feature of the build is that the bed is easily removable so we could carry sculpture. You could carry any cargo not wider than 4’ or taller than 6’ or perhaps make your own new bed/bench arrangements in the open area.
We had thought about attaching pulleys to the ceiling over the 4 corners of the bed and just raising the bed – all made up – up to the ceiling. It will fit. Or you could build a folding bench/bed as a number of Sprinter forum members have done – several have shared their plans on the forum.
We have found having the flexibility to change things without undoing a lot of work is important for long-term value.
In our setup the space under the bed is used for camping gear such as folding chairs, folding table, propane water heater, tent poles for the awning, and extra beer. Plus a bed for the dog.
Nothing lasts forever and this van is a Massachusetts van so rust could have been a very big problem. However, the van has had the best of maintenance and repair, including many major mechanical systems entirely replaced in the last few years, timely oil, fluid, and filter changes throughout its life. It was professionally repainted in 2011 and any subsequent rust was dealt with promptly and thoroughly.
Price: $28,000
The specs:
• 104,000 miles
• 5 cylinder 2.7L diesel with the best mileage of all Sprinter models, 28 mpg prior to solar installation, now between 21-22 on average when loaded
• 16” wheels with Michelin LTX M/S2 225/75R16 tires – 2 fairly new, 2 will need replacement within the year.
• A nice tight turning radius
• Fits in a regular parking space
• Super high ceiling van gives you 72.5 inches headroom inside
• Koni adjustable shocks all around
• 3/8” recycled rubber matting on floor gives sound and heat insulation and prevents things sliding around
• 1” Armaflex closed cell insulation on walls and ceiling
• Two Peninsula Glass Motion slider windows in rear doors with screens
• Two Seitz opening awning windows on sides, with built-in shades and screens
• Custom lockers the width of the wheel wells for storage and to support removable Ikea bed slats and mattress
• Reimo passenger seat swivel and DIY folding footrest
• Two Kyocera 135-watt solar panels on roof, with Rogue solar controller to charge two 100 amp/hr Lifeline AGM batteries and the starting battery via a Blue Seas automatic charging relay. The ACR also allows AGM camper batteries to be charged by the alternator when van’s engine is running.
• All hard wired electrical items are 12 volt & van has two 12 volt outlets
• Shore power inlet and one GFCI outlet in galley allows direct use of 110 volt items when hooked up – no inverter needed
• Two built-in propane lockers in galley (for 10 lb tank) and in rear of van (for 5 lb tank). Galley propane locker has fittings to allow 2 hoses to be permanently connected through locker, with valves to isolate (one for galley stove and one for portable water heater.) Both lockers are built like boat propane lockers with gaskets, pressure latches, and a hole through the bottom of the van to let any propane fumes sink safely outside. Tanks are shut off when not in use.
• Fantastic roof vent fan
• 3 marine LED reading lights, 1 marine LED overhead light, LED strip light under galley cabinets, waterproof LED strip light under bathroom cabinet
• 13 gallon polyethylene fresh water tank under sink
• Thetford cassette toilet with electric flush in separate compartment suitable for hand-held spray showers (waterproof floor and drain)
• Engel fridge/freezer with custom cutting board top – 12 volt or 110 volt
• Whale on demand water pump provides running water to sink
• Mexican ceramic sink and cold water marine faucet
• Corian galley counter with 2 drawers, cabinets above and open storage under
• Over cab storage cabinet and shelf over the sliding door
Major repairs & replacements on van since we bought it in 2009:
• Whole turbocharger replaced in 2009 under warranty, boost hoses and silencer replaced in 2015 - Dodge and Mercedes dealer work
• Koni adjustable shocks front and rear in 2011 – they have about 45K miles on them now
• Glow plugs replaced in 2015 – Mercedes dealer
• Complete exhaust replacement in 2015 – Mercedes dealer
• Full brake job in 2015
• Alternator in 2016
• Full engine cooling system in 2016: radiator, coolant pump, transmission cooler lines, plus water pump – Mercedes dealer
• All brake lines and emergency brake components replaced in 2017 – Mercedes dealer – brake lines are now stainless steel
• AC condenser and receiver/dryer replaced and compressor repaired in 2017 – Mercedes dealer
• Mobil 1 Mercedes spec oil and oil filter changed every 10K miles
• Transmission fluid changed at 60K miles and differential fluid at 90K miles
• All air filters and fuel filter changed at least three times in last 50K miles
• Mercedes dealer went over all hoses, belts, and replaced as needed in 2017. They also inspected fuel lines, power steering lines and other components under van subject to corrosion, cleaned and sprayed with anti-corrosion cavity wax.
Other equipment included:
• Set of Thule tire chains
• Coleman On Demand portable propane water heater with shower sprayer and custom valve to allow water to recirculate into water jug while showering (water saving)
• Coleman 1 burner propane stove and hose to galley tank
• 12 volt Roadtrucker mattress pad heater which is enough to sleep warmly most of the time
• 2 Reliance water jugs – one for hot water shower and an extra for outside cooking
• Ikea double bed slats with adjustable hinged section at head of bed and 4” Ikea foam mattress
• DIY vinyl tarp awning with telescoping tent poles, tent pegs, and pad eyes installed on side of van to carry awning
• Curtains – matching privacy curtain behind cab & rear window curtains; also matching bathroom shower curtain and window curtain
• Drinking water safe hose to refill water tank
• Custom removable padded plywood box for dog to ride on fits between front seats
• Storage tubs, Rubbermaid dish basins, dish drainer, & battery operated LED lights for storage cabinets, plus misc other small equipment could be included depending on your preferences
This van seems to have good juju. We had 3 long cross-country trips, 2 trips to Florida, a tour of Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island, and numerous trips to Maine and around the Northeast delivering sculpture. No breakdowns. Very comfortable to drive. We have loved building it out and using it for 8 years. You’ll have fun too.
For those who like to read old posts on camper buildouts:
build installment 1
additional installment 1 posts
additional installment 1 posts
installment 2
Lots of other posts with build info scattered around. Search on bstory if you are interested.
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