Here goes! My build thread to sleep a family of 9 (!!!) in a 2020 170" 4x4
- Thread starter drodio
- Start date
White Cloud
New member
Yes. You will likely face weight issues. Net payload after buildup in most Bs is somewhat limited. Add supplies, tools and utensils/dishes, a galley of some sort and your will likely not have enough GW headroom for nine. And no bathroom.....
drodio
"Avalanche" • 2022 170" Ext Cargo 4x4
@Aqua Puttana I’ll have to weigh the van with everyone in it!
drodio
"Avalanche" • 2022 170" Ext Cargo 4x4
The VanTop mirror is awesome. I had to get a few accessories to wire it all up:
- VanTop H612T 12” 4K Mirror Dash Cam
- Extension cable to run the wire for the rear camera (which I installed just below the regular rear camera)
- The hardwire kit (the mirror only comes w/ a cigarette adapter plug)
- VanTop H612T 12” 4K Mirror Dash Cam
- Extension cable to run the wire for the rear camera (which I installed just below the regular rear camera)
- The hardwire kit (the mirror only comes w/ a cigarette adapter plug)
cswsprinter
Member
What up D? This looks awesome. I'll be adding this to my build list. BTW, Sorry I missed the meet up. I ended up being out of town that weekend. I'd love to do a rain check.
drodio
"Avalanche" • 2022 170" Ext Cargo 4x4
Next one is happening on April 24th! https://sprinter-source.com/forums/index.php?threads/96823/
See you there?!
cswsprinter
Member
nice it's on my calendar!
cswsprinter
Member
D, how did you wire the new rear view camera below the regular rear view camera? Did you have to create a new penetration in the roof or where you able to somehow utilize the existing camera's opening? I'd also be curious how you mounted it. I'm about to pull the trigger. It would be great to get visibility behind the van while driving.
drodio
"Avalanche" • 2022 170" Ext Cargo 4x4
@cswsprinter I didn't take a pic of it but basically, the stock rear camera is in a plastic housing, and there's an easy access point from inside the van through a hole in the roof into that stock housing.
I mounted the new rearview camera directly below the stock camera, onto that same plastic housing, and then used the stock hole. I put a bunch of sikaflex on the plastic housing mount when I screwed it back into the roof to account for a bit of extra gap between the housing & roof from the small rearview camera wire. Another option I considered would be to drill a hole into the housing and run the wire through it, and down into the roof, but I didn't think that was necessary.
Def recommend! It's been driving me crazy not to be able to see what I'm towing behind me.
I mounted the new rearview camera directly below the stock camera, onto that same plastic housing, and then used the stock hole. I put a bunch of sikaflex on the plastic housing mount when I screwed it back into the roof to account for a bit of extra gap between the housing & roof from the small rearview camera wire. Another option I considered would be to drill a hole into the housing and run the wire through it, and down into the roof, but I didn't think that was necessary.
Def recommend! It's been driving me crazy not to be able to see what I'm towing behind me.
cswsprinter
Member
Right on. Thanks for the details. When you get a chance please shoot a pic of the final product. I’m curious to see exactly how it looks with the camera below the stock camera. Cheers!
drodio
"Avalanche" • 2022 170" Ext Cargo 4x4
drodio
"Avalanche" • 2022 170" Ext Cargo 4x4
Now that we’ve done a few trips with the family, here’s a bit more 411 on how the sleeping arrangements are working:
We can sleep 2 adults + 1 child on each of the queen beds. That’s working quite well. We fold the rear 2 seats down to create a full platform for the lower mattress, along with the two camping table tops I fabricated.
We can sleep 2 kids on the CabBunks, as per a previous post.
And we can sleep 1 small adult (aka grandma) or 1 child on an inflatable “L” mattress on one row of bench seats.
It’s super tight, no question!!! For multiple night stays when camping we’re setting up a tent and doing 5-6 in the van and 3-4 in the tent.
but it **is** possible to sleep all nine — for example when traveling from SF to PHX with one overnight in LA, which was the goal!
We can sleep 2 adults + 1 child on each of the queen beds. That’s working quite well. We fold the rear 2 seats down to create a full platform for the lower mattress, along with the two camping table tops I fabricated.
We can sleep 2 kids on the CabBunks, as per a previous post.
And we can sleep 1 small adult (aka grandma) or 1 child on an inflatable “L” mattress on one row of bench seats.
It’s super tight, no question!!! For multiple night stays when camping we’re setting up a tent and doing 5-6 in the van and 3-4 in the tent.
but it **is** possible to sleep all nine — for example when traveling from SF to PHX with one overnight in LA, which was the goal!
cswsprinter
Member
Thanks D! I ordered the mirror & cam.
drodio
"Avalanche" • 2022 170" Ext Cargo 4x4
Tore the van apart this weekend to get the water system set up. Hose quick coupling connections in both the side slider door, and back. Two 20 gallon wheel well tanks from RB Components. Just have to finalize the pump’s location and should be good to go!
drodio
"Avalanche" • 2022 170" Ext Cargo 4x4
The quest to sleep 9 comfortably in the Sprinter continues! We’ve been using the Cabbunk, which is good but takes ~15 mins to set up. Been looking for another way to sleep 2 kids.
I just fabricated a “slide out” bed that stores underneath the upper mattress. It’s 40” wide by 70” long. It’s supported by an aluminum 2” bar that sits on two stirrups that I fabricated, as well as four Paracord points.
I’m about to use it on a road trip so we’ll see how it holds up!
I just fabricated a “slide out” bed that stores underneath the upper mattress. It’s 40” wide by 70” long. It’s supported by an aluminum 2” bar that sits on two stirrups that I fabricated, as well as four Paracord points.
I’m about to use it on a road trip so we’ll see how it holds up!
