Hi everyone—new member and new Sprinter owner. I’m starting a build thread for my new project. My new rig is a 2019 Sprinter 3500XD 170 4x4 high top DRW (pictures to follow). I’ve been soaking up a lot of info from this great forum, and I hope to contribute back as I go.
I’m a longtime windsurfer/skier/snowboarder, and I have had cargo vans (gear inside but roughing it) and class Bs (comfy inside but gear on the roof is a pain). My goal now is to have all my gear inside AND have class B comfort, for me and for my wife.
I also want to use it this summer, so it is clear this will be done in stages. I plan to get a temporary set up in place and usable this spring, and finalize full conversion plans to do next winter, while I use it. But it's a catch-22, I do want to mount solar and cut holes for vents and windows, so I'm trying to map out both short and long term plan before I do too much irreversible stuff.
So here’s my starting point, any and all feedback is welcome. You CAD experts please try not to laugh too hard at my simplistic drawings--they aren't perfect but should help get some ideas across :
Usage:
1) Columbia Gorge/Oregon Coast trips chasing the wind, carrying a lot of gear
2) traditional RV-ing, seeing the country
3) possible future winter trips skiing and snowboarding
Floorplan:
- Front swivel seats as main seating
- 2 person folding bench seat under window behind driver’s seat
- Platform bed in rear, 6’ long gear garage under the bed with one 8’ extended section
- Galley on passenger side, extending forward to 1/2 of slider door
- Toilet/shower in front of driver side wheel well, behind bench seat
Main floor -- a pretty conventional gear garage layout
Gear garage -- I think this is pretty well baked, the 8' long sailboards sort of drive the layout.
Roof layout -- yes there are a lot of holes in the roof, still thinking about what I really want for light and ventilation. I am 6'2 and like the idea of a skylight in the shower--but also want good ventilation. Also like the idea of a skylight/hatch in the bed area vs. a dark cave.
Basement (undermount stuff) -- still thinking about gray & black size and locations.
I plan to implement in stages:
Stage 1: Temporary setup for summer 2020
Minimum:
- Interior: Cargo mat floor, no insulation or interior
- Gear: tie down on floor in rear
- Bed: 36” high temporary bed platform in rear using Harbor Freight ATV ramps and plywood
- Galley: Isotherm 115 fridge (or a cooler), portable propane stove, plastic tub for a sink
- Toilet: Thetford Curve Porta-Potti (4g water, 5.5g black tank, battery powered flush)
- Shower: Eccotemp L5 outdoor shower
- Fresh water: Temporary 42 gallon stock water tank, 12V pump for shower and galley.
- Electrical: 200 Ah Li batteries charged from alternator via Kisae DMT1250
Bonus:
- 320W solar (2X Renogy 160W panels 25.9" x 51.2" direct mounted to roof rails)
- Maxxair roof vent and windows installed
Stage 2: 3 season full conversion, complete next winter (may stop here)
- Insulation, interior, cabinets, windows
- Galley
- Indoor shower/wetsuit closet
- Rixen Espar D5 hydronic system for air and water heat
- Permanent plumbing including tanks
- Permanent electrical including solar/alternator/shore charging and control panel
Stage 3: Full 4 season off-grid (may never do this, but want to keep options open)
- Hydronic heating loop for undermount tanks and plumbing
- Insulation and heaters for undermount battery banks
- Higher capacity solar--add 3rd panel for 480W total
- Possibly second alternator--since solar in Canada in January could be pretty marginal
- Possibly hydronic in-floor heat added to Espar D5 system
That's it for now...
I’m a longtime windsurfer/skier/snowboarder, and I have had cargo vans (gear inside but roughing it) and class Bs (comfy inside but gear on the roof is a pain). My goal now is to have all my gear inside AND have class B comfort, for me and for my wife.
I also want to use it this summer, so it is clear this will be done in stages. I plan to get a temporary set up in place and usable this spring, and finalize full conversion plans to do next winter, while I use it. But it's a catch-22, I do want to mount solar and cut holes for vents and windows, so I'm trying to map out both short and long term plan before I do too much irreversible stuff.
So here’s my starting point, any and all feedback is welcome. You CAD experts please try not to laugh too hard at my simplistic drawings--they aren't perfect but should help get some ideas across :
Usage:
1) Columbia Gorge/Oregon Coast trips chasing the wind, carrying a lot of gear
2) traditional RV-ing, seeing the country
3) possible future winter trips skiing and snowboarding
Floorplan:
- Front swivel seats as main seating
- 2 person folding bench seat under window behind driver’s seat
- Platform bed in rear, 6’ long gear garage under the bed with one 8’ extended section
- Galley on passenger side, extending forward to 1/2 of slider door
- Toilet/shower in front of driver side wheel well, behind bench seat
Main floor -- a pretty conventional gear garage layout
Gear garage -- I think this is pretty well baked, the 8' long sailboards sort of drive the layout.
Roof layout -- yes there are a lot of holes in the roof, still thinking about what I really want for light and ventilation. I am 6'2 and like the idea of a skylight in the shower--but also want good ventilation. Also like the idea of a skylight/hatch in the bed area vs. a dark cave.
Basement (undermount stuff) -- still thinking about gray & black size and locations.
I plan to implement in stages:
Stage 1: Temporary setup for summer 2020
Minimum:
- Interior: Cargo mat floor, no insulation or interior
- Gear: tie down on floor in rear
- Bed: 36” high temporary bed platform in rear using Harbor Freight ATV ramps and plywood
- Galley: Isotherm 115 fridge (or a cooler), portable propane stove, plastic tub for a sink
- Toilet: Thetford Curve Porta-Potti (4g water, 5.5g black tank, battery powered flush)
- Shower: Eccotemp L5 outdoor shower
- Fresh water: Temporary 42 gallon stock water tank, 12V pump for shower and galley.
- Electrical: 200 Ah Li batteries charged from alternator via Kisae DMT1250
Bonus:
- 320W solar (2X Renogy 160W panels 25.9" x 51.2" direct mounted to roof rails)
- Maxxair roof vent and windows installed
Stage 2: 3 season full conversion, complete next winter (may stop here)
- Insulation, interior, cabinets, windows
- Galley
- Indoor shower/wetsuit closet
- Rixen Espar D5 hydronic system for air and water heat
- Permanent plumbing including tanks
- Permanent electrical including solar/alternator/shore charging and control panel
Stage 3: Full 4 season off-grid (may never do this, but want to keep options open)
- Hydronic heating loop for undermount tanks and plumbing
- Insulation and heaters for undermount battery banks
- Higher capacity solar--add 3rd panel for 480W total
- Possibly second alternator--since solar in Canada in January could be pretty marginal
- Possibly hydronic in-floor heat added to Espar D5 system
That's it for now...