Sprinter Van Conversion Tour: Custom 4×4 Outside Van
Tour my third Sprinter Van conversion and learn what I like and don’t like compared to the previous two.
In July 2022, I got a new custom camper van – a 4×4 Sprinter Van conversion built out by Outside Van in Portland, Oregon. This is my third Sprinter camper van since 2016, and over the years I’ve learned a lot from each van build about what works and what doesn’t. I’ve learned the pros and cons of having a bathroom, the importance of having enough storage for big AND small gear, and I’ve gotten to experiment with three different layouts which gives me a lot of perspective to share with you here.
In this blog post, I give a full tour of the design, layout, and material choices in my new van and how it compares to my previous Sprinter Van conversions. I also share more details about why I decided to switch up my floor plan and include an Outside Van review of my overall experience.
SprinterVan Video Tour
You can watch the full walk through of my new Sprinter Van in this video tour.
My Previous Sprinter Van Conversions
Back in 2015, I had recently launched my blog and was doing a lot of solo travel in the Western US. At the time, I was traveling out of my Subaru, but after a creepy experience camping inNevada, I decided I needed a vehicle that I would feel safer sleeping in. I also wanted a vehicle that I could more efficiently work out of since my new career path as a full-time blogger had me spending a lot of time on the road. That led me to the Sprinter Van.
My First Sprinter Van Conversion
My first 144″ Sprinter Vanwas built by an inexperienced builder in southern California and had a full indoor bathroom, an open aisle all the way to the back doors, and a convertible sofa bed across from the slider door.
In some instances – particularly when I was solo on shorter trips – this van worked well. However, I found myselfnever using the bathroom, wanting a more dedicated workspace, and needing more indoor storage for camping gear and my bike.
In addition, I learned a lot about materials, the importance of building light, and havingweight properly balanced across the van。这范构建合并重型材料tile and reclaimed barnwood – both of which looked beautiful, but when it came to driving off-road, things weren’t as durable as I had hoped. Since I wasn’t crazy about the layout or the build quality, I sold that van and learned some hard, expensive lessons in the process.
Watch thefull video tour of my first Sprinter Vanhere:
My Second Sprinter Van Conversion
In 2017, I hired the reputable Portland-based van conversion companyOutside Vanto build me a 170″ Sprinter Van conversion. With the longer wheelbase, I had more room to incorporate a permanent platform bed, a dinette for working and eating, and a spacious galley. I also wanted to leave some open space in the doorway since wedo van life with two dogs。
I had this second van for 4 years and drove it nearly 70,000 miles. The quality of my second Sprinter Van conversion was worlds above the first. The van was capable of driving almost anywhere thanks to the durability of the conversion. The battery system was also more robust and allowed me to stay off-grid for as long as I wanted.
Watch thevideo tour of my second Sprinter Vanconversion here:
My Third Sprinter Van Conversion
After 4 years and nearly 70,000 miles, I decided I wanted to experiment with a new layout. Also…surprise! Our family is growing….baby bear is due February 2023, so we needed another seatbelt which is the primary reason for this new van.
I went back to the drawing board with Outside Van to build out a new 2021 170″ 4×4 Mercedes Sprinter Van with a design that focused on incorporating a third passenger seat, additional storage to keep the clutter at bay, an upgraded lithium battery system, as well as many of the features I loved in my second van, like the big galley and platform bed.
We typically spend 6-8 months a year living full time in our van, and my new Outside Van turned out beautifully with many custom features that were designed to accommodatevan life with a familyof three plus two dogs for extended periods of time. I also work from the van so having a comfortable work space was key.
With adding a third passenger seat, we did lose some of our open space so freely moving about the van takes a little more finesse. However, we gained a lot more storage for all of the small things which has dramatically helped improve our organization.
Now that I’ve spent some time on the road in my new Outside Van, I’m ready to go into the details.
我一个gain chose a platform bed in my third Sprinter Van conversion
Missed the video tour in the introduction? You can take afull tour of my third Sprinter Van conversionhere on my YouTube channel.
4×4 Mercedes Sprinter Chassis
我选择了一辆奔驰车短跑运动员因为2021年wh范en I purchased the chassis, it was the only panel van on the market that offered 4×4 with adequate clearance for off-road driving. The Ford Transit has an all-wheel drive model, but the Sprinter Van has nearly 2″ more of ground clearance, which was important to me for its off-road capabilities.
My third Sprinter Van is the exact same chassis as my second, which we were really happy with and luckily encountered very few issues with. My partner Ryan and I have driven over rocky 13,000 foot passes in Colorado, chased powder, camped off hundreds of dirt roads, and more. Over the course of 4 years, the Mercedes 4×4 Sprinter allowed us to adventure nearly everywhere we wanted to go, proving itself to be one incredible beast. For these reasons, I chose another Sprinter.
My third Sprinter Van is high roof cargo 2500 170″ wheelbase, again the same as my last van. The 170″ gives us plenty of room to live comfortably for 6-8 months at a time, and store all of our gear without feeling cramped with two dogs. I’ve written acomparison of the 144″ vs 170″ wheelbaseand thepros and cons of the different van chassisif you’re trying to figure out what vehicle is right for your van conversion.
Why I chose Outside Van for my Sprinter Van Conversion
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I got burned on my first Sprinter Van conversion. I hired a “van builder” based on some pretty photos I saw on Instagram without really doing my homework on their background or experience.
Turns out, the guy talked a good talk but didn’t really know what he was doing. I was left with a brand new van build riddled with issues – such as a leaky shower floor, warped cabinets, and faulty wiring for my solar panels. These problems took me months to deal with, which certainly wasn’t the introduction to van life I was looking for.
For my second conversion, I wanted to work with a professional van conversion company that had a lot of experience, an excellent reputation, and could build me a van that was made to go off-road. During that time I met a fellow van lifer in a parking lot in Moab who had a Sprinter converted byOutside Vanand had nothing but good things to say.
This time I planned to do my research, so I scheduled a trip to Portland to tour their facility, and it was clear that Outside Van was a top notch operation. After interviewing a number of other popular companies, I decided Outside Van was going to be the best option for my second custom van.
Over the years, we put that second Sprinter Van to the test, driving her over some of the roughest roads the chassis could handle in Colorado, including Cinnamon Pass and Stony Pass.
After 70,000 miles, my cabinets and drawers worked exactly as they did on day 1, proving the build to be extremely durable. I never had any issues with my electrical or other systems, and the van functioned exactly as promised.
I never felt held back by my van, which is the way it should be if you’re dropping money on a professional van conversion. Also when I went to sell the van in late 2021, I was able to get top dollar for its resale. This is why I hired Outside Van once again for my third Sprinter build.
Regardless of what companies you are considering, I highly recommend you read thispost to help you screen and choose the right van builder。There are so many unqualified people out there ready to take your money, and I would hate to see you get screwed like I did the first time around.
And for full disclosure…Outside Van is now one of my brand partners, and they were one of my title sponsors atOpen Road Fest。
Custom Sprinter Van Conversion Details
Sprinter Van Walls
The walls in my Sprinter Van conversion, including the closet door shown below, are made out ofSileather。Sileather is a synthetic, eco-friendly material that is vegan, VOC-free, and fade proof. The best part is it’s waterproof and in order to clean it, you just need to wipe it down with a damp cloth – even bloody mosquitos wipe right up. It’s perfect for people with dogs, as dog hair doesn’t stick to it. I also used Sileather in my second van…that’s how much I liked it.
Behind the walls you’ll find insulation, a really powerful sound dampening material, and a custom infrastructure that Outside Van has developed to reduce the twisting and flexing of the van interior, making the build more durable. The van is incredibly quiet when I drive. There are no rattles or other noises from the cabinets or other components, making for a very peaceful ride.
Sprinter Van Seating Area & Workspace
In my second Sprinter van conversion, we had a dinette with a Lagun table just in front of the bed. This was my primary workspace and also where we ate our meals. I loved having this dedicated workspace, and the Lagun table worked perfectly as we could easily swivel is out of the way when it wasn’t being used.
However, as you know everything in these vans is a tradeoff for space, and a must for this third Sprinter Van was to have an additional passenger seat behind the driver to safely transport a child. In order to make space for this captain’s chair, we’d have to forgo a dinette and dedicated workspace like we had in our last van.
In this new van, when we aren’t driving, we have a table that quickly pops into the floor. When it’s time for me to work, I can use that additional captain’s chair as my office chair. Even though it takes me a bit more time to get set up with my computer in this van, I’m really liking having a more ergonomic chair to sit in while I work compared to the dinette cushions in my last van that always bothered my back after a while. We also utilize the swivel seats and the table to create a three person dining area.
The table stows right behind the captain’s chair against the driver’s side galley cabinet so it’s out of the way when not in use.
I’m not quite sure about the sleeping arrangements once the kiddo is bigger, but at least at first, a bassinet will easily fit in front of this captain’s chair where the table pops in. By the time he is big enough for a bed, I’m sure there will be a number of solutions based on the pace this industry is innovating.
Cabinet & Galley Materials
All of the cabinetry in the van is made of 13-layer marine grade plywood which is treated so it won’t expand in heat or distort over time. Marine grade plywood is the standard used in boats and is made to withstand a bumpy ride.
All of the cabinet and drawer faces are covered using a high-quality laminate made by Wilson Art, which gives all of the wood in the van a nice finish while protecting the marine grade plywood underneath. Laminate is lightweight and way more durable than regular wood. I chose the Monarch Alona Grain for the lower cabinets and the Traceless Snow White Velvet for the overhead cabinets. The Traceless is not supposed to show fingerprints, but being white, it still shows dirt very easily, so I’m not sure I’d go with the white up top in the future.
Outside Van uses dovetail construction for their drawers which are made out of antimicrobial and eco-friendly bamboo. All of the drawers have a slow closing mechanism to prevent them from slamming shut and have push locks to keep the drawers and cabinets from opening while I’m driving.
Passenger Side Sprinter Van Custom Galley
In my third Sprinter Van, I chose to have the custom galley come out into the slider door to maximize the use of space in the van.
The passenger side galley has the following components:
- Large rectangular sink
- One burner induction stove
- Refrigerator
- Big compartment for a trash and a recycling bin
- Slide out outdoor cooking table
The white galley countertop is made of a material called Corian in the glacier white color. Corian is a durable material that can withstand normal wear and tear, although I do notice a few scratches already. The Corian is also very easy to clean, and I love the modern look it gives the van.
Need inspiration for your own van kitchen? Check outthese creative van cooking spaces。
Induction Stove
In my first Sprinter Van conversion, I had a permanent two burner propane stove inside the van. The gas stove was a huge pain to clean, and it took up a ton of counter space that was otherwise unusable. Since then I’ve switched to a one burner induction stove which I much prefer. The model in my current van is theTrue Induction single burner stovewhich requires 1800 watts to operate at maximum temperature.
Having a one burner induction makes it very convenient to prepare simple meals and boil water without having to set up our propane and two burner gas stove outside, which we still cook on for more complex meals.
While you do need a robust battery bank and inverter to run an induction stove, they have a lot of benefits. The True Induction stove in my Sprinter Van heats up and cools down fast, so you aren’t likely to burn yourself. Induction stoves are also easy to clean and safer since you aren’t combusting gas inside the van. One other thing Outside Van did is made the induction stove completely flush with the countertop, so when the stove isn’t on, it basically serves as normal counter space for chopping, etc. The induction stove is also especially useful forvan life in winterorwhen we are stealth camping。
Refrigerator
The fridge in my Sprinter conversion is theIsotherm 4.6 cubic foot Cruise Elegance 130。Isotherm is one of the premier marine and RV fridge companies, and their fridges are designed to survive shaking, vibration, and rigid movements that you have in vans and boats.
While it takes a bit of Tetris, we can fit about a week’s worth of food in the fridge which is nice for minimizing trips to the store. I do have two complaints about the fridge though. First is that after about 6 weeks, the freezer starts to ice up and the entire fridge has to be turned off and defrosted. This is a pain when you are traveling without access to a real refrigerator where you can store your food during this defrosting process. The second issue is that produce seems to go bad a lot more quickly than it does at home. I think that’s because the fridge gets packed so tight that there isn’t much air circulation in there. I recently bought some of theseproduce keeper bins, and while they are a little bulky they do seem to be helping a little bit.
For a comparison of立式冰箱vs顶加载胸部refrige风格rators for your van conversion, see this blog post。
Sink
For the sink, we have a nice pull-down faucet and a large, round stainless steel under-mount sink. I wanted a sink large enough that would make doing dishes very easy. Outside Van also created a cover that sits flush with the sink and creates a flat surface for additional prep space.
- Sink:Elkay Lustertone Classic Single Bowl Undermount Stainless Steel Sink
- Faucet:Moen Essie Spot Resist Stainless One-Handle High Arc Pulldown Faucet
Trash Can Compartment
当很多人都把他们的短跑运动员, trash storage is an afterthought. In my first Sprinter, I thought, “I’ll just hang a bag somewhere off a hook.” Well, once I realized that 1) that allowed smells to permeate the van, 2) it wasn’t dog-proof and 3) it was ugly to look at, I decided having a dedicated place for trash cans was essential.
在我的第三个短跑选手范转换,我在外面Van build an enclosed trash can compartment that was customized for two tall kitchen trash cans – one for garbage and another for recycling. Having it all behind a closed door keeps the smells more contained and it also prevents the dogs from sniffing around and getting into trouble when they are left alone. I really like that the two trash cans in the compartment are large. It means we can go quite a long time before we need to find a dumpster to throw our garbage away.
Slide Out Outdoor Cooking Table
在厨房的外面,我们滑出cooking table for outdoor cooking. This allows us to leave our portable camp cooking table at home.
Driver’s Side Galley
On the driver’s side of the van behind the captain’s chair, there is a smaller cabinet with four drawers. This is where we store our cooking utensils, spices, and tupperware, and there is also a junk drawer for random items (another essential in my opinion). This area is nice not only because of the additional storage, but it also provides extra counter space.
You’ll also notice in the above photo that the table top and leg are stored on the front side of this driver’s side galley, which gives the table a home and keeps it out of the way when it’s stowed. The table smoothly slides in and out and is very secure when we drive.
Custom Floor to Ceiling Closet
Moving further back, we have a floor to ceiling closet. This isn’t for clothes, although you could store folded clothes in here if you wanted. Instead we are using this space for food, smaller items, work stuff, and some of our cooking appliances like our blender.
I measured the dimensions of each shelf, and then I went to the Container Store and found some lightweight bins that would help keep this space organized. The handle on the bins make it easy to pull them out and get what we need, and each shelf has a lip that prevents the bins from sliding around.
衣柜的门是Sileather做的。这是soft and it zips and rolls up, clipping at the top. I chose a roll up door instead of a door that swings open for two reasons. First, this roll up door is lighter-weight than a door made out of wood, and it’s always good to cut weight wherever you can. Second, having it roll up means I can access the inside of the closet from the bed or from the front of the van anytime. A swing out door would have only allowed access to the closet from one side and would have taken up more space. This is the first closet of its kind that Outside Van has built, and it may be one of my favorite features of my van conversion.
When I was designing this van, I wondered how we (and our dogs) could easily get up onto the bed. Outside Van came up with this genius idea to have a pull-out step directly below the closet. This step is the perfect height for climbing in and out of the bed and also serves as an extra seat that has come in handier than we expected when cooking or putting on our shoes. The step has a load rating capacity of 300 pounds, and we leave it out when we are driving since Charlie likes to ride in the bed.
Below the step is a large open cabinet. We designed this cabinet to be big enough for a portable toilet if we decided to have one (check out thebest campervan toilet options here). We currently don’t carry a portable cassette toilet (more on our toilet below), so instead we use this area to store our dog food and our air fryer. And yes, we bring our air-fryer – it requires 1500 watts at the highest temps, and we can bake, make toast, cook tofu, and more with it.
Overhead Cabinets
On both sides of the van, there are overhead cabinets. On the driver’s side, we have one above our galley where we store cooking ingredients, oils, soap, and more. We like to keep stuff up here in a lazy susan for easy access.
On the driver’s side above the third passenger seat we have a long overhead cabinet. This is where we store our dinnerware, coffee and morning beverages, paper towels, and toiletries.
Outside Van Sprinter Van Three-Panel Bed
Next at the rear of the van is Outside Van’s standard three-panel aluminum platform bed that goes all the way to the back doors with Outside Van’s exoskeleton cabinet for clothing storage. The bed is a queen-sized bed. All three panels are secured to the bed rails via spring-loaded threaded fasteners. The bed panels can also be removed if I wanted to use the back of the van to move furniture, for example.
I chose a custom 4″ latex mattress which was a pricey upgrade. To be honest, I don’t find it very comfortable (it’s a lot more firm than I expected), and it’s the one thing I regret in the van. In order to make it more plush, we added the same three inch latex topper that we had in our last van. Now it feels awesome, but we lost three inches of headspace due to the topper, making the bed feel a bit more cramped.
My comforter for those who are curious is theOriginal Puffy Blanket by Rumpl。这是a great option for pet owners because it’s machine washable and dog hair doesn’t cling to it.
Exoskeleton Cabinet Clothing Storage
On the passenger side of the van, I have what Outside Van calls an exoskeleton cabinet which is open with no cabinet face. This style of cabinet is stuffable, removable, modular, and more lightweight than traditional cabinets. We use this exoskeleton cabinet tostore packing cubescontaining all of our clothes.
We each have one packing cube for pants, one for shirts, one for underwear, and one for socks.Check out my full van life clothing packing checklist here.
The open style cabinet has its pros and cons. I like that it’s easy to stuff a jacket in there or quickly grab something. At the same time, unless you are super diligent about putting your clothes away in your packing cubes, it can quickly look messy and unorganized, which is often the case for us.
This cabinet hangs over Ryan’s side of the bed and our dog Charlie generally sleeps underneath it.
Sprinter Van Garage
Underneath the bed is a ton of storage in the area called the van garage. Just like I did for the closet, I measured this space carefully and then went to the Container Store and got lightweight bins that fit perfectly in the area. I like storing stuff in bins because they are easy to pull out and swap out what’s in them based on the season and the specific gear we need. The bins also don’t add a lot of extra weight to the van like a robust drawer system would.
Right now in our garage we have room for all of our camping and outdoor gear, shoes, extra dog and people food, my Starlink, and other miscellaneous gear, with lots of room to spare.
Outside Van also built a custom slide out gear tray that can we can use for more bins, additional gear, or our two Specialized e-mountain bikes. With my pregnancy, we aren’t currently traveling with our bikes, but the gear slider is especially awesome because it makes it so much easier to load our bikes or bins into the back of the van. It also allows for easier access to gear bins without having to crawl around under the bed.
Everything gets secured in the garage usingMac’s Versatile Tie Down System– basically a version of L Track. Using Mac’s tie-down rings, we cinch all of our bins up using straps or bungees so nothing moves while we are driving. The bikes use the same system. We simply take the front wheel off of our bikes, put the bikes in facing the opposite direction so we can get them as tight as possible together, and then mount them to the Mac System using fork mounts. It takes a few minutes to unpack and put the bikes together, but it gives me peace of mind being able to store our electric bikes inside the van to prevent them from getting stolen or damaged.
We can access the garage via the back doors or from the inside of the van which was a necessity for me. I didn’t want to have to go outside to the back of the van every time I needed to access something under the bed.
Underneath the bed, you’ll also find our electrical system (driver’s left side cabinet) and water tanks (passenger right side cabinet).
Van Life Essentials Packing List
Below are a few of my favorite pieces of van life gear and recommendations for the road:
Sprinter Van Electrical System
In my very first van, I was always worried about power. I didn’t have enough battery storage or solar, and I found that to be very stressful. This taught me that it’s better to overestimate your power needs, which is what I’ve done ever since.
我的第二个短跑Van表面涂覆有很高的执行cal components with 660 watts of solar and 440 Ah of AGM batteries. The only time I worried about power was in winter if we were parked somewhere for a week with no sun. At all other times, the system was plenty adequate.
In this third van, I opted for many of the same components I had in my last van but a beefier system overall. I also upgraded from AGM batteries to lithium.
We currently spend about 6-8 months straight living in our van every year and have a variety of electronic equipment we need to run. This includes electric bikes, my computer, camera, induction stove, the heater, water heater, and other electronics.
Lithionics Battery System
In this new Sprinter Van conversion, we have two 315 Ah Lithionics lithium batteries, for a total of 630 Ah bank. The battery capacity is very easy to monitor with a screen right above our galley that tells us how full it currently is.
使用锂电池,可以用90%的蝙蝠tery capacity before you need to charge them (unlike AGM where you can only use 50% before you risk damaging the batteries). In order to prevent damage in my current van, each Lithionics battery has a safety built into it. Once the batteries are depleted to the 10% mark, the system will shut off as a reminder that the batteries need to be charged – which is as simple as turning on the ignition in the van due to our secondary alternator.
Outside Van uses the Lithionics system for a number of reasons. First, it is one of the few lithium systems which will give you a precise and accurate SOC (State of Charge) reading. Second, lithium batteries in general have a hard time charging below freezing. To solve this issue, the Lithionics batteries have an internal heating blanket that automatically turns on if the temperature of the batteries ever drops below 34°.
So far, I’m incredibly impressed with my system. In 5 weeks on the road, our batteries never dropped below 75% capacity which means we should never have to worry about running out of power.
Secondary Alternator
In my second Sprinter, the batteries were connected to the vehicle’s alternator so they could charge while I was driving, but only after the vehicle’s battery was completely charged.
In my third Sprinter Van conversion, Outside Van installed a secondary 280XP Alternator Kit with a Wakespeed Regulator. This secondary alternator is dedicated to charging the house batteries, which begins as soon as the vehicle engine is turned on. It charges the batteries extremely fast. In my real world experience so far, it looks like it can add 10% charge for every 20 minutes of driving, so we almost always arrive to our campsite with our batteries completely full.
Solar Panels
On the roof, I have 310 watts of solar panels made byZamp Solar。They are the same brand I had on my last van, and Outside Van uses Zamp because their panels are made right here in the US, and out of the companies they’ve tried, they’ve found Zamp’s panels to be the highest performing. I have two 90-watt panels and one 130-watt panel.
Due to the increased capacity of my batteries and the efficiency of the secondary alternator, I was able to slightly downsize my solar system and gain back some roof space. The main purpose of the solar now is to keep my batteries topped off if we are parked for several days.
>> Read Next:Planning your electrical system for your van conversion
Roof Rack
My solar setup on the roof is secured to a custom-made Outside Van roof rack. The rack is very low profile, so you can barely see it from the ground, and it has a walkway down the center of the van that I use to hang out or access the solar panels for cleaning. It works out great as a platform for taking photos too.
Another neat feature of the roof rack is it has four rows of Mac Track which makes it very easy to secure gear to the roof of our van.
Inverter
The final piece of our van’s electrical system is the inverter. I have a2000 watt Magnum Pure-Sine Inverterwhich converts power from the batteries to AC power that I use to run the induction stove and other things that plug into the 110 outlets. I have 6 USB outlets and 6 regular 110 outlets, including two 110 outlets in the garage that we use to charge our e-bikes. They are located all throughout the van so charging is always convenient.
Temperature Control in my Sprinter Van Conversion
The temperature in our Sprinter Van is controlled with two ceiling vans, window vents, and a diesel run heater. I opted against a rear AC in my Sprinter Van conversion which would cool the living area even when the vehicle is not running. While temperatures seem to be getting hotter every year in the mountains and a rear AC unit sounds really nice, they draw a ton of power. Since we like to be off the grid as much as possible, an AC unit didn’t seem like the best fit for our lifestyle. Of course, if you plan on living in Florida or Arizona in summer, you may need to plan differently.
Outside Van did do a few things though to keep the interior of the van comfortable, even on hot sunny days.
Vented Windows
首先,他们取代了正面工厂窗口s withCR Laurence Windowsthat vent. Next to the bed, we also have small slider windows that pop open.
Ceiling Fans
I have two Maxx Fans. One above the galley and one above the bed. They each have a rain sensor and create really nice airflow in the van. We typically have one pulling air in and the other pushing air out.
Insulating Window Shades
All of the window shades in my Sprinter van conversion are made of a Sunbrella material with a layer of closed cell foam in the middle which helps insulate the van from the heat in the summer and prevents warm air from escaping through the windows in the winter. The shades are very simple to put up and take down via the snap buttons and most of the time, we find ourselves driving with them in place to keep the sun out.
我一个lso have a full set of Outside Van window coverings that cover the front, driver, and passenger windows. These are very easy to put up, and we use these every evening for privacy and to block out the morning sun.
To help regulate the temperature during the day when we are out on hikes or away from the van, we use this insulated soft wall curtain that separates the cab from the living area. This soft wall is extremely effective at keeping the heat in the cab from entering the back of the van during the day. Typically in the evenings, we use our front window covering instead of this soft wall in order to use our swivel seats, but if it’s just a quick night stealth camping somewhere, this soft wall comes in really handy. There is also a middle portion that zips up that creates a walkway from the front to the back of the van.
Sprinter Van Heater
My Sprinter Van conversion utilizes theWebasto Air Top EVO 40 Heaterto heat the air in the van. It is extremely efficient and produces a significant amount of heat in as little as 6-8 minutes. The best feature is an auto function that allows you to digitally set the temperature and once the ambient air in a van reaches that temperature, the system idles until the temperature drops again.
It also has a timer mode that allows you to set a day, time, and duration for the heater to run, even when you are not there. On a ski day, this allows you to go out and return to a warm van without having to heat it the whole time you are gone from the van. We’ve only used the van in the hot summer so far, but we have briefly tested the heater, and it works very well.
Sprinter Van Plumbing System
这是standard at Outside Van to have all of the plumbing contained within the van, rather than having tanks and pipes running on the outside. That way the system is more insulated for four season use. The plumbing in my third Sprinter Van conversion is streamlined and simple to use. For acomprehensive post all about water tanks, toilets, showers, and more, go here。
Water Tanks
I have a 28-gallon water tank inside a driver’s side cabinet in the garage. The BPA-free water tank is permanent, but it can easily be filled using a hose or 5-gallon jugs if I can’t find a spigot with potable water. Luckily that’s never been an issue. If we aren’t showering, 28 gallons will last us between 8-10 days.Learn where to fill up your water tanks in this post.
To fill the tank, we just connect the hose to the spigot and stick the hose in the inlet on the outside of our van.
Under the sink, there is a very basic water filter. In order to ensure that the water we are drinking is safe, I recently invested in athree-stage Clearsource Ultra RV Water filter systemthat filters out viruses, bacteria, sediment, bad taste, and even heavy metals. It was expensive, but considering we rely on public water sources (with pipes that are likely very old) more than half the year, I wanted some extra protection for the sake of my long term health.
Water Heater and Outdoor Shower
The water heater in my newest Sprinter Van conversion is different than what I had in my last two vans. In my previous vans I had the Webasto Dual Top Evo 6 which heated the hot air and water by siphoning a bit of diesel from the van’s gas tank. It did the job, but it took about 30 minutes to heat the water and the boiler could only heat 3 gallons of water at a time. As a result, we didn’t really use it that much.
In this van, I have the Rixen Espar Hydronic system which is a furnace that heats a closed loop of coolant. Then a heat exchanger is used to transfer the heat from the coolant to the hot water.
这个系统有几个优点。首先,热water is available within 5 minutes of starting the unit. It also heats the water hotter, and by using a mixer valve, we can fine tune the temperature of the water that comes out. Finally, the system will continuously heat the water until you turn it off. That means, once the system is hot, we could heat all 28 gallons in our water tank. We likely wouldn’t do that, but it’s nice to know if we wanted to take a long shower, we could.
For the shower, Outside Van does build lightweight indoor showers for those of you who truly need a regular indoor shower…but based on myexperience with the indoor shower in my first van, I decided this wasn’t a necessity for me or worth the sacrifice in space.
For showering, we can quickly hook up a shower hose to the back of the water tank, which allows us to take hot outdoor showers. However, since we like to conserve our water, more often than not, we take showers at gyms, community centers, campgrounds, or houses of family or friends. I am going to get one of theseportable pop up shower privacy tentsthough and I think it will incentivize me to use this outdoor shower more.
Collapsible Toilet
In my first Sprinter Van, I had aThetford portable toilet。It did the trick, but I hated using it for #2 because dumping it was gross. Plus, finding a dump every 5 days to empty the toilet was a hassle.
In my second and third van, we ditched the portable toilet and now rely on pee jars for #1 and this foldableGo Anywhere toiletthat utilizes wag bags for #2 when a public toilet isn’t available. The toilet folds up really small so it doesn’t take up as much room as a cassette or composting toilet. Once you’re done doing your business, the bag just goes in any outside trash can.
The bags do get pricey, and I’m not crazy about the plastic waste, but for the occasional use, it’s worked out great for us. The space we save by not having a normal toilet is more than worth it, and I enjoy not having the toilet-related chores.Compare the best toilet options for van life in this blog post.
A note on toilets: When at dispersed campsites, I used to dig a hole and go poop outside according toLeave No Trace principles。However, as our public lands are becoming more crowded and over-used, I no longer feel that this is a responsible option for people who spend significant amounts of time on the road. That was a big factor in our decision to start carrying the Go Anywhere toilet that we have in our van.
Sprinter Van Floor
Now on my third Sprinter Van conversion, I’m convinced that there are very few flooring options that stay looking clean when you are living in and using the van for outdoor adventures.
In my first van, I had dark laminate wood floors. They looked great clean, but dirt showed very easily on dark colors and with our dog, all we saw was footprints. The laminate also felt slippery and didn’t provide any traction.
In my second van, I had a high density vinyl weave in the living area. It was a beige color with texture, and I thought the dirt would blend right in, but I was wrong. Like my first van, it showed dirt really easily and was even more difficult to clean due to the weave.
In my third van, I chose a Lonseal vinyl product that has a little texture for grip, but no grooves that trap dirt. This time I went with a dirty brown color with specks. When it’s clean, it looks fanastic, but again, with dogs it’s nearly impossible to keep it looking nice.
Our interim solution has been to cover the entire floor with some gray door mats I got at Target that I can easily vacuum. My long-term plan is to get a set of custom floor mats made byInhabit Design Worksthat you can remove and hose off. They also provide cushion and some extra insulation, and this is the first upgrade I plan to make.
As far as floor installation, the first thing Outside Van does when building their floors is to remove the factory floor. They then build a new floor out of marine grade plywood and adhere a layer of high-density vinyl to the top. This is slightly heavier than the factory floor, but it’s a little thicker and way more durable, so there’s no flex in the floor when you place heavy features on it.
>>Read Next:A Guide to Floor Materials for your Van
Tires and Suspension
We do a lot of off-roading in our Sprinter Van, so having an excellent all-terrain tire and upgraded suspension was essential.
Tires and Wheels
Like my last van, the tires are the BF Goodrich K02 265/70/R17. They perform well on rocky roads, snow, and even in muddy conditions (with the right driving skills).
The wheels areBlack Rhino Stadium 17″ Wheels, which are one inch bigger than the stock wheels that the van comes with. I chose these specific wheels because they have a heavy duty load rating at 2,450 lbs/wheel.
Agile Offroad RIP Kit Suspension Upgrade
The stock suspension that the Mercedes Sprinter Van comes with is not intended for going off-road or handling bumpy terrain. In bumps, windy conditions, or even pulling out of the driving, a converted Sprinter Van with stock suspension will experience an unnerving amount of sway. That’s why upgrading the suspension is one of the best things you can do if you want to improve the performance and overall feel of the ride. Upgrading the suspension is also important when you’ve added a lot of weight to the van.
In my third van, I chose theAgile RIP Kitfor the upgraded suspension package which has completely transformed the driving experience. In the front, a coil over spring is added to the factory McPherson strut, along with an upgraded Fox shock. The result is a tremendous difference in how the van handles weight shift around corners, improved dampening in the bumps, and the van responds more quickly to the driver’s controls.
In the rear, the factory leaf spring system is replaced with a progressive six leaf spring system, and you chose a load based on your rear axle weight so the system is customized. This increases thepayload capabilityand gets rid of any sagging in the rear of the van. It also results in a smoother ride due to the progressive nature of the springs. There is also an additional Fox shock added in the rear, again for improved dampening of the movement. The result of the shock is that the van sways much less side to side over uneven terrain, especially with the high roof Sprinter Van.
Owl Vans Rear Accessories
All of the rear aluminum accessories on the van are made by Owl Vans. The main reason I chose Owl for my rear accessories is that you don’t have to first swing out the box and spare tire before opening the rear doors. Instead, all of the Owl Vans gear on the rear opens automatically when you open the back doors.
B2 Carrier, Mini Sherpa, and Medium Expedition Box
TheB2 Carrieris a modular storage system designed by Owl Vans that can be customized depending on your storage needs. On the bottom, we have theMedium Expedition Boxwhere we store our shore power hookup, hoses, tools, trekking poles, and other dirty gear in order to keep the inside of the van cleaner.
Above the B2 Carrier, we originally had Owl’s Bike Mounting Tubes that would allow us to carry our e-bikes on the outside of the van if we choose using 1Up Bike Trays. The advantage of carrying your bikes on the B2 carrier rather than a hitch mount is that you don’t lose any ground clearance and it also doesn’t reduce access to your back doors. Also, I like that Owl has designed their bike carrier to handle the weight of e-bikes, which are a lot heavier than normal mountain bikes. Due to my pregnancy, we decided to leave the bikes at home for the near future, so we removed the mounting tubes for now.
At the top of our B2 Carrier, we haveOwl’s Mini Sherpa Plate。This gives us the option to mount a variety of recovery tools – such as an ax, shovel, aspare Rotopax diesel canister, or even ourMaxtrax recovery boardsif we were to remove the Expedition Box on the bottom.
Owl Ladder and Spare Tire Rack
On my previous two vans, I had the spare tire stored underneath the van in the factory spot. With all of the off-roading we do, I decided that having the spare tire underneath the van might not be the easiest place to access it if we got in a pickle on a dirt road.
TheOwl Ladder + Tire Carrierprovides a solution to this by combining a ladder and spare tire rack on the back door. The tire carrier allows us to carry a full sized 17″ spare that is identical to the rest of our tires. The ladder/tire combo rack only weighs 25 pounds and again the back doors can open without having to swing out the rack first.
The ladder is streamlined and has pegs that extend below the spare tire rack that you use to get up on the ladder. I will say it’s a little tricker the first couple of times to step up onto than a traditional ladder, but once you get the hang of it, it’s quite easy.
Rolef Bug Screens
In my previous two Sprinter Vans, we did not have a good bug screen solution. We tried several different brands, as well as some make shift options with magnets that we bought off Amazon. Nothing really worked or was very convenient to get in and out of the van.
For my third Sprinter camper van, I knew I wanted the Rolef bug screens. They are pricier than the other options, but being able to keep the doors open when we were recently in Canada was priceless. The mosquitos were absolutely brutal, but we were able to keep our slider and rear doors open on those hot summer evenings and keep the inside of our van bug free.
The Rolef bug screens are permanently installed, but you can roll them up when you don’t want to use them. There are simple clips at the top that hold them up.
On the rear bug screen, the top half is screen, and the bottom half which you can roll up separately is solid. This allows you to access your gear in the garage while keeping the bed area bug free.
On the slider door, when you want to use the bug screen, you unclip it and zip it down. Then to easily get in and out of the van, there is a magnetic strip that allows you to quickly open and close the right side without having to deal with the zipper. It’s a pretty great design and I’m so glad we have them.
Sprinter Van Awning
On my second Sprinter Van, I decided against a permanent awning because I wanted as few things as possible hanging off of the van. Instead, we used theMoonShadewhich is a portable, budget-friendly shade solution that sets up pretty quickly (you can read my fullreview of the MoonShade here).
In my third Sprinter, I opted for a Fiama awning. We’ve used it a few times so far, and I think a permanent awning has its pros and cons. It is quicker and easier to set up, and I do think it provides more shade than some of the portable options due to the fact that you can adjust the angle.
However, with a permanent awning, you have to be very careful and pull it in if it gets windy, and there are also a lot of parts that can break. We’ve only used ours a few times, and we’ve already been having some issues trying to close it. There is also the added cost of a permanent awning, so you have to really think about how much you’ll use it and whether or not it’s worth it.
Thanks for reading through my Sprinter Van conversion blog post. You canwatch the tours of all three of my vans on YouTubeso you can see how they’ve evolved over time. Make sure to subscribe so you get notified of any future videos.
READ NEXT
Interested in doing van life? Get inspiration for your van build and life on the road with these blog posts.
- Van Life 101: How to Guide for Living in a Van
- Camper Vans with Bathrooms: Toilet and Shower Inspiration for your Van Build
- Best Campervan Layouts for Families
- Best Campervan Rental Companies for your US Road Trip
- Best Camper Van Kitchens for Layout & Design Inspiration
- 50 Best Van Life Gifts
- DIY Van Build vs Hiring a Conversion Company
Got questions about my Outside Van Sprinter Van Conversion? Leave a comment below and be sure tosign up for our van life newsletter。
Your customized van is beautiful and highly functional!! It looks fabulous! My curiosity is how much did it cost to build it?
Hi Beverly, Outside Van is one of the more high-end conversion companies that specializes in 4×4. The van costs about 55k and then the conversion all depends on what you want inside.
Only for the conversion ?
Hi Yves, A brand new 4×4 Sprinter Van runs about $50k for the base price, and it goes up depending on what options you pick. There’s not a lot of used 4x4s available because Mercedes just started making them a couple of years back. If you don’t care about 4×4, you can find a used Sprinter for a lot less. The price of your conversion will depend if you do it yourself or hire someone and how complicated your floorplan and systems are. If you DIY, you can build out a Sprinter for as little as $10k. For a professional build, you should expect to pay a minimum of $30k for a basic build. Costs can be as high as $100k for the conversion if you choose a reputable company and add things like a powerful solar and battery system, an indoor shower and plumbing, and the little details (sometimes things you can’t see) that make the van better.
Congratulations !!! It is perfect for that kind of life ….. that you never want to came back …!!!
Regards
I LOVE your new Sprinter van by OutsideVan and we’re considering one.
My question is how much did it cost total?
(Say if I wanted a new van made JUST like yours)
??
Thank so much & I love your blog!
Hi Lisa, it really depends on the outfitter/conversion company you select. Outside Van is one of the higher end conversion companies that specializes in 4×4, and they are very detailed in their quote process. They walk through every single option and then their program spits out a price.
I know, like me, you’re wondering why is it such a big secret what she paid for the van. “The lady doth protest too (often), methinks”. She’s making money off of the people that read her blog or watch her videos from the advertisers so doesn’t she owe an answer to us loyal readers/viewers? One possible explanation for this is she doesn’t want to tell you what she paid because, unethically, many van builders secretly compensate influencers. It’s actually illegal not to divulge compensation if the reviewer says anything positive in their review. Ask her if she was compensated in anyway by Outside Van or any of the suppliers she named and praised including a discount, free items, expedited build date etc. I’m guessing she’ll dodge answering that question directly just like she’s dodged answering the how much did it cost questions. I’m guessing if you contact Outside Vans or the suppliers that she mentions by name and compliments and ask them the same question they won’t answer either. One influencer on mattresses, Sleepopolis, was sued by Casper (Google it) alleging false advertising and deceptive practices and ended up having to sell their platform for half of what it was worth to Casper to settle the suit and they were making millions per year off of it. Nonetheless, since lawsuits are rare due to the expense and a crack down by law-enforcement on this prolific illegal practice is nonexistent that doesn’t seem to have scared any influencers in the van conversion review business. Compensation does not have to be in the form of cash to be illegal if not divulged. The same law applies to the van builder. If they’re ever interviewed about their build and they say how much they like the products from a particular company and they don’t reveal that they’re getting a discount on those products they are breaking the law. After the huge surge in business due to Covid the money and profits at stake have grown exponentially and so have the influencer rewards and deceptive practices. Tip one a builder says that they partner with XYZ Corporation it’s usually code meaning we get a discount And/or other compensationfor appraising and using their products only.
Many people who do use YouTube to discuss their areas of expertise, have a sentence which plays across the screen which says the owner is getting some compensation for the product they talk about. Each business owner is different.
If it is a product I am interested in, I don’t care if there is compensation. Kristen has done this with clothing, I have check stuff out, and often bought thru her site. She has used the product and I liked what I saw. Win-win!
Are we allowed to ask how much for this. Turnkey? My guess is $100000. Up to ?130000?
Yep that’s about right
感谢分享这么多关于你的新细节build out. Many of the features are very attractive. What did the conversion cost or what would it cost a reader to build this van with Outside van?
Thanks!
I’m also curious to the cost of the buildout! I’ve been thinking of doing something similar
Hi Kim I imagine the 50K would include labour? Thank you so much for all the wonderful information!
Hi Kristen,
Beautifully written article! I love your new Van…I was lucky enough to be camping next to you in Quincy and you gave me a tour. So nice to meet you and to see this article pop up in my feed was extra special.
Susan
Hey Susan! it was great meeting you! We enjoyed meeting your husband in Lassen too. Hope you’re having a great winter.
Nice. You should not store more than 1 lb of propane inside. That is very bad.
Very nice van. Has me thinking again before I finalize my design. Is your water pump located inside the tank? (Submerged vs centrifugal or suction? )It is very quiet.
Wow! Just watched the tour and read through this entire post. I’m planning on purchasing a van soon and doing most of the conversion myself and I have to say that of the nearly hundred videos I’ve watched so far yours is just the fourth I’ve put into my YouTube ‘Camper Ideas’ playlist. The combination of aesthetics and functionality in your is exactly the type of approach I’m hoping to do. I’m most excited about the walls! Can you let me know what the exact material / product is that you used? Looking forward to learning more! Cheers and happy adventuring!
Hi Don, great to hear you enjoyed the tour & the post! So great to hear you are going to be jumping into your own conversion. My vans were designed and built by Outside Van. They found a synthetic leather product that is eco-friendly, VOC-free, easy to clean with a damp cloth, waterproof, and fade proof. It’s perfect for people with dogs, as dog hair doesn’t stick to it. If you would like to inquire about buying similar material you’ll need to contact Outside Vans directly and let them know it is Kristen’s van you are modeling your walls after–Kristen was the first person to have white walls made by Outside Van so I am sure they will remember & be able to help you!
Hi again Kristin, another question…
It appears that there is not an awning on your van. Was this something you simply never wanted?
Thanks!
我其实是想同样的事情。我注意到you had one on your original build. Did you find that you didn’t use it as much as you’d think (or cost would allow for)?
This looks amazing, Kristen! I just bought a tiny Chevy Astro to start out my van life, but my dream is a Sprinter van by Outside Van. Maybe someday. Have fun and I’m looking forward to following your adventures.
Can you send me a link to the water tank setup you have? That looks so sweet.
Hi Rand, Outside Vans put together Kristen’s water tank. Kristen has a 25-gallon water tank inside a cabinet in the garage, alongside the Webasto Dual Top which stores an additional 3 gallons of hot water in the boiler. The BPA-free water tank is permanent, but it can easily be filled using a hose or 5-gallon jugs if she can’t find a spigot with potable water. Water that runs through lines to the sink goes through a three-stage charcoal water filter that ensures the water she + Ryan are drinking is clean. If you have more questions you can contact Outside Vans directly and just let them know it’s my Sprinter Van you are trying to model after.
Hey Kim, what about waste water? is there a tank for that, or does it just dump on the ground? How did you insure it’s not frozen when winter camping?
Can I purchase a duplicate of your van?
Hi Norman, we recommend you reach out to Outside Van directly. Let them know you like Kristen’s van and then you can discuss your needs to create a van that is suitable for you.
Beautiful Sprinter that will bring to you millions of smiles! You have incorporated some very cool features that I have never seen. I always learn something new from Bearfoot Theory. Thank you, Kristen Bor! You are so smart and sweet for sharing your knowledge with us beginners. Happy trails and summer travels to you and yours.
Do you have a winterized water system and waste system.
There is no grey water tank. They do that because it’s just another thing to freeze in the winter. The clean water tank is located inside the van, which is insulated. But when I’m not using the van in the winter in Utah, I empty the tanks just to protect it. If I was using the van on a regular basis, then I’d just keep the Webasto running on low to keep the temps at a safe level.
Ballpark what does a van such as this cost? We are seriously considering something similar and would love to have a number so we can start planning!
Thank you for sharing (both of your vans). You have a beautiful new van. My wife and I are planning on getting ours next year. Outside van was my first choice for our build after looking at other builders, and contemplating on do it myself. Your experience with your builds is greatly appreciated.
I’m in the process of building out my own van & I really like the look of your leatherette walls & ceiling. Can you tell me what that material is?
Hi
First off, Thanks for so many inspirational videos!
I’ve never owned an RV/van, so I am gathering info. Comparing RV vs Van at the same price point, did you consider getting a MB chassis Class C based RV instead? Like the Jayco Melbourne prestige or the Winnebago View/Navion. About 3ft longer, same width, but with home-like comforts and similar price to van+custom work.
我一个m trying to find a way to purchase the stuff you made your walls out of. Do you know how I can get some?
Hello Kristen…
So by the looks of your tattoo, I deduce we have the same GREAT musical tastes! lol
…Wondering if you’ll be at the Ace Hotel for the Wolf Brothers tour? I’ll be in the front row!
In any event, had a Sprinter Sportsmobile conversion a few years back. Currently considering the Winnebago Revel 4×4 because of the head and passenger seating arrangement. (Only concern would be the many warranty issues associated with many reported deficiencies associated with conversion build and assembly) Kinda sad that so many of the production Sprinter conversions don’t account for a small family by offering any seating adjacent to the cab. That said, your Sprinter looks perfectly suited to your lifestyle and situation.
If you ever plan a trip out to the San Juan Islands or Flagstaff, I’d love to play host.
Happy trails and enjoy the lifestyle!
…Cheers
我一个m curious, the down payments, plus the monthly payments needed through the bank? I guess it depends on each individual credit?
Nice setup you have there, I like the style.
I loved the aesthetics of your last van and love this even more! I curious the width of the dinette? It looks different in each picture I look at. Thanks
Hi I’m curious as to the dimensions of your galley? (Height/Width/Depth) as well as your bench seat dimensions? (Length/Depth)
After OSV installs the insulation and walls what is the interior width of the van at the floor and the usable length from behind the front seats to the back of the van?
另外,如果你的尺寸你以前的vans shower and toilet so u know how much space they take up.
Thanks!
Aaron
Dear Kristen,
I’ve been following you religiously and finally found my 4×4, 144, low top Sprinter. I’ll be starting my build in Sept and am hoping to get more information on your water filtration system; brand of BPA water tank and filtration system. Thanks for pioneering the way!
With gratitude, Rolo
谢谢你的教育在你的冒险s with your vans. I am slowly building mine out and have enjoyed reviewing your blogs for direct insights. Im a big fan of Outside Vans work, Im builder so Ive also been enjoying my own process, although a mix of trial and error. Question on your walls, did they use marine ply for those as well, then wrap? The material you used for them have answered some of my design cross roads , Very well thought out, Thank you again for sharing!
Michael
We also got the Webasto Dual Top heater, and I’m in the middle of installing it now. How do you like it?
Could you direct me to the synthetic leather that was used on your walls? We re just beginning our conversion.
Hi Terra, The material is called Sil-Leather. Hope that helps!
Your new Sprinter looks great!
What is underneath the bench seat on the driver’s side? It looks like it is vented for some kind of electrical equipment
That’s where all the fuses are.
Thanks so much for posting all of the detail on this build! I just started my second conversion, this time coincidentally the same color as yours, though the baby 144wb version. Could you share the manufacturer of the high density vinyl on the forward part of the cabin? I was about to settle on Lonseal vinyl flooring, but like the pattern on yours even more!
About Sileather. Love ur van. My wife white walls in our Sprinter van but we can’t find a US supplier for Sileather – not Amazon, not Ebay. Any ideas on how to buy Sileather?
Hi James! I would recommend contacting Outside Vans directly and seeing if they can offer you any retailers/suppliers.
Do you have a second alternator hooked up for charging your house batteries?
不,我不喜欢。电池都是带电的regular car alternator. There is a separator though…so the alternator first charges the car battery and then once that’s full it charges the house batteries. Hope that makes sense!
Very nice van. My wife and I are doing a van conversion with Outside Van as well. We have been thinking about going with the SiLeather for the walls. The choice of color and ease of cleaning are appealing. How have you liked the material in your van? Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Regards,
George
Hey George – The Sil-Leather is holding up great. I love how easy it is to clean. You’re going to be so stoked on your outside van. their work is amazing. Have fun out there!
Beautiful van…and well thought out. Thanks for sharing.
Curious now that you’ve had the van a bit, what you think of the high density vinyl weave flooring in the cabin? Really like the look and thinking of using a similar approach in our upcoming build. If you still like the option, can you share specifics on the actual product/supplier?
Hey there – I actually wouldn’t the do the floor in the front again. It looks great and I like the texture, but the grooves in the floor make it very difficult to clean.
Beautiful van and a wonderful, detailed blog post! I’m curious what make and model your seat swivels are for the driver and passenger seats. I like that they not only swivel, but also slide forward & back. Thanks for the tour!
Great build Kristen. Very similar design that my wife and I came up with that we are planning for our build. Do you find accidentally hitting your head on the overhead cabinets above the bed? Did you explore any other clothing cabinet options? Whet height is the garage and what thickness is your mattress pad. Do find you have enough head room to comfortably sit upright in the bed? Did Outside van provide you with schematics of your electrical and plumbing systems you could share? Again…great build!
Thanks,
Jonathan
Hey there! Ryan sleeps on that side of the bed, but there is enough room that he doesn’t actually have to sleep under the cabinets. That’s where the dogs sleeps If I could do it again, Outside Van is installing these new soft cabinets made by Adventure Wagon that look pretty cool. Headroom is a little tight. If we didn’t have bikes, I would have made the bed a few inches shorter. I don’t have a schematic.
Thanks Kristin. Reviewing your build again as we are starting ours. I am building the galley and storage cabinets myself and curious of the thickness of the Marine grade plywood used. 1/2” or 3/4” I suspect? Also, do you have a bottom and back to all cabinets? We are going to utilize the hanging Mule bags in bed area and also looking at it or other options in galley area. Perhaps my wife and I just need a tour next time you guys are in Boise:)
Nice write up. How was your experience moving from a 144 to a 170 in terms of drivability? Does the increased turning radius bother you or is it a negligible inconvenience? We’re looking to build a camper van for a family of 4 (2 little kids). Thanks, and keep up the great work. You’ve inspired many of us.
Hi Dan, this post will help you out with all those answers–//www.kst-corp.com/144-vs-170-sprinter-vanlife/
It looks like you left a comment there that you found it! Glad to hear it was helpful.
ive been living out the back of a ranger for a few years and am looking into buying a short school bus and having something about 80% as nice as this for a 5k budget
What is the name of the synthetic leather product you used on the walls and ceiling? I love the lay out of your van. You did a great job.
Hi Becky, the material is called Sil-Leather. Hope that helps!
Hi! I love the white walls and ceilings but have been told by builders that the sil-leather does not hold up to abuse. I have a really messy kid who doesn’t not like to take care of nice things and is a magnet to making white things not white. Would you still recommend doing the walls as you have done? I’ve been told that light scratches show up and dirt can build up in those scratches and ruin the easy cleaning properties of the walls. Is this a material that can handle serious abuse or is more fit for people who take great care of their things? In which case I will likely just use it on the ceiling and skip the walls.
THANKS IN ADVANCE :)))
@roverlife
Hi Jonathan!
Thanks for your comment. Kristen loves the Sil-leather and reports that it’s super easy to keep clean, but as you mentioned, she and her partner do take care of the van. I can’t speak on whether it would hold up to serious abuse, so it might be better for the ceiling instead of the walls. That way, you won’t have to worry much about it. When it’s done, come on out to Open Roads Fest with your family!https: //openroadsfest.com
Hey there, I’m designing my Outside Van conversion and have to make some final decisions. I was wondering whether you like the exoskeleton for clothes, or whether you think cabinets would keep things looking a little more organized? Basically, I know I’m a messy person. In my current van, I try to be neat, but eventually I am shoving everything into the closet and glad I have doors to close. Just wondering if you have any realistic advice. I love your van !! Thank you… Heather
That’s a tough one. The exoskeleton is easy to grab stuff down from, but like you I’m messy, and that cabinet always seems to overflow. Next time I’m on the fence about which cabinets I’d go with.
Your and Ryan’s choice of interiors and cabinets are amazing…. marine grade plywood selection is very clever choice ,
https: //www.ogavans.com
Link to view the top rack?
I can’t believe you can also fit bikes in there. That is nuts and also amazing. This was fascinating to read. Thanks.
Hello! Great review wondering where you got that awesome insulated cabin divider curtain? We are looking for one just like that!
Hi Mary!
Glad to hear you liked it. This is Mary Kathryn responding on Kristen’s behalf. All the curtains in Kristen’s van were made by Outside Van. They are made of ripstop nylon with a layer of closed-cell foam on the interior to insulate. They’re pretty great! In my van, I have a storebought thermal blackout curtain that works quite well. It’s simple and white with thermal properties. I imagine it’s not nearly as warm as Kristen’s custom insulated curtains but it works well for us and only cost about $30.
This is so inspiring. Do you have any information or links to how to DYI a van conversion as I have plenty of time on my hands
Hi there, Joanne!
Thanks for your comment. We’re so glad to hear you feel inspired and are interested in DIYing a van conversion! I built out my van three years ago and had so much fun in the process, so I definitely recommend it. Our Bearfoot Theory team recently created a comprehensive FREE van life course that includes extensive information on everything that goes into a camper van conversion. It will be really helpful in your process. We’ll be releasing it soon, so jump on the email list and you’ll be notified when we launch it.https: //www.kst-corp.com/van-life-roadmap-waitlist/
Hi there! Love all your information, I am digging through it slowly, does it say anywhere what something like this costs? Thank you so much, I’m trying to go from the idea of a four-wheel-drive truck with a camper that I’ve always thought I wanted To realizing I may be more into this style..
Hey there Jeanine,
Thanks for your comment. Kristen’s conversion was around 50 or 55K, not including the vehicle. There are so many awesome options out there depending on your lifestyle, priorities, needs, and budgets. Soon, we’ll be launching our comprehensive FREE van life course where we discuss everything from choosing a vehicle, converting one, and living on the road. Add your email to the list to be notified when we release it!https: //www.kst-corp.com/van-life-roadmap-waitlist/
Not having a toilet for a woman is just downright nasty. I am a truck driver and I know personally that you have to always stay at a truck stop or a gas station because you can have a bm any time. However, those bathrooms can be extremely gross. Many Truck stops have a shower room and decent bathroom facilities but there are those depending on the part of the country you are that is just disgusting. Many of these women who camp ride bikes and hike and you think after those activities you shouldn’t take a shower? Not to mention when you’ve been with a man or your monthly cycle.
Hi Marie! Thanks for sharing your experience here. Many van lifers prefer not to have a toilet or shower and they make it work, while others do need one. Everyone is different, so it all depends on personal needs and priorities.
What is the name of the leather-like materials used on your walls. It appears that it was also used on the fronts of the open cabinets in the back over the bed. Please let me know what that is.
Thanks, JJ
Hi JJ! It’s called Sil-Leather. It’s eco-friendly, non-toxic, waterproof, and highly durable.
Hi – great van! Do you know what material they use for the walls and ceiling? Thanks in advance
Hi, Jon!
Thanks for your comment. In Kristen’s van, Outside Van used 3M Thinsulate for insulation and Mahogany luan panels for the walls. Then they covered it with a material called Sil-Leather, made of silicon. Sil-Leather is eco-friendly, non-toxic, waterproof, and highly durable.
Hi, love your van. I love the folks at Outside Vans and have toured their shop. I am curious if you could share more pictures on your dinette to bed set up. The bottom slides out, but how is the “back” supported? Can you access the space under the cushion? Thanks!
Hi Jeannette, this is Linda responding on Kristen’s behalf. Thank you for the love! There are some good photos of Kristen’s dinette to bed setup in this lesson which is part of our free online course, the Van Life Roadmap:https: //www.kst-corp.com/camper-van-conversion-layout/
Thanks, but the photos do not show how the back cushion is attached and supported. Do you have any more information or pictures on this? Thanks! Hopefully she is healthy and happy.
Hello. I’ve been having a hard time deciding between LiPo and AGM batteries but love the idea of having such a big bank. That being said:
1) How many NorthStar batteries do you have and what is the name?
2) How heavy are they?
3) Is that useable 660AH (meaning you actually have about 1320AH, seeing that AGMs can only be drained 50%) ?
Sorry if that was a bit of a question-overload . Thank you in advance for your time and answer.
Hello Kristen,
Could you tell me what the brand of single burner induction cooktop you used? It is hard to tell in the photo. Maybe Thermador or Frigidaire?
Thanks so much
Hi Kelly – Kristen has a Mr. Induction stove, but the model she has is discontinued.
Hi Kristen, love your van layout! What do you do for internet access when you are in remote areas?
Hi Ruth – we have a whole post on that! You can find it athttps: //www.kst-corp.com/van-life-internet-access/
Regarding the dinette, how large is the table top? Is it big enough for three or four people to dine? If not, could you envision a way to have two lagoon tables in the dinette so that you could have three or four people dine at the table? I know it would be a tight squeeze. We’re in the process of building a dinette in our van with the intention of mirroring Kristen’s dinette, but it seems the weight limitation for the lagoon table top prevents us from having a size large enough to really have a restaurant bench-seat style experience.
我一直享受你的简报和博客。我一个m learning so many new things about life in a van and it is so inspiring. My sister has a small van that she is converting herself and taking some small trips. I have been designing and scrap-booking all her Van Adventures so far. I hope I can join her on one but would love to some day have something bigger and more comfortable like yours. Thank you for sharing all this wonderful info. Artgal Style
Your clear, concise explanations of everything you liked/disliked in your first van, and the changes you made in your new one are wonderful! I’ve been looking for good information about converting a van, and I’ll probably use a lot of your suggestions. THANK YOU. I do wonder, however, about the AC. We will probably be traveling a lot in the southwest, and it gets pretty warm. I’ll ask our outfitters about the difference between the fans and the AC. Appreciate it
Glad you found it helpful!
Hi Kristen, I am curious about your opinion of the flush mount induction cooktop in your galley. I am working on a build with OSV and I like the idea of the flush mount cooktop, but am concerned that the interface between the countertop and the cooktop will collect grime, especially with the white countertop (is it avonite?) Have you found this to be an issue, or over time has it remained as nice as in the pic in this blog post? I assume it is caulked with silicone or something similar, but is it holding up over time? do you have any other options on the flush mount cooktop to share? Thanks!
So far it’s held up great!
I’m in love with your van and thank you for your post! I have a question about the photo of the outside folding table and there’s a stove on top. May I ask the brand name or where it was purchased? I’m looking for a heavy duty folding table I can use outside for outdoor cooking, and it looks like that one is pretty compact for space/storage, which is always limited in a van. Thank you!!
You can find them in ourCamp Cooking Essentials post。The stove is a Eureka Ignite Camp Stove and the table is a GCI Slim-Fold Cook Station.
So cool and you dont need a toilet
Would love to know. Now that you have been in a Sprinter Extended for a few years vs your previous 144, hitting the trailheads hard, do you still prefer the longer van and why?
Hello Kristen, You mention the bed is almost king size. How long is it? I am 6’5″ and like the length of a California king.
Really like your van, it is just what I would like.
Hi Brad, the bed is 6.5 feet long x 5.5 feet wide. Hope this helps – good luck with the van search!
Hello – your website has a lot of great information – thank you!
could you provide more detail and/or resources for the hanging insulated current at the front of the van – how are they hung, did you make the curtains yourself or are they available somewhere? We have insulated coverings for the windows themselves but having something to block off the space at the front would be helpful in the winter. Thanks!
Hi Martha, it’s custom-made by Outside Van (my van builder), but it’s made of ripstop nylon with a layer of closed cell foam insulation on the inside. I talk more about it in my van tour video:https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLtN33KfELw。It definitely helps with temperature control to have something blocking the cab (where so much heat gets in).
Awesome article. I’ve been kicking tires for a few months and really getting into watching longer videos and reading longer format articles like yours. Yours has been one of the best. Thanks for taking the time. You’ve got me looking at Outside Vans too.
Hi Ryan, thanks for the kind words! I actually just had a new van built out by Outside Van (delivered to me a few weeks ago!). I’ll have a full van tour coming out soon if you want to see more of their work.
Hi, I just saw your video on your 3rd van conversion. Incredibly well done with the van design and the video. There is so much that I think I would want now whenever I finally get to buying a van and getting it built (by a professional). I am wondering if you can recommend or suggest any professional van builders who work on the RAM ProMaster. Thanks!
Hi Carlos, thanks for watching – I’m really happy with how the van turned out! I’ve only ever worked with Outside Van (for my 2nd and 3rd) & don’t have any personal recommendations for professional Promaster builders. However, I do recommend checking out this blog post on how to screen a reputable van conversion company:https: //www.kst-corp.com/screening-campervan-conversion-company/。I had many issues with my first van builder back in 2015 & learned a lot in the process.
Thankz, I unexpectedly enjoyed reading and watching the whole thing! Interesting. Love the new details, like the increased organizational stuff as well as the innovative screens and curtains, etc. But still need that indoor show for quick 2 minute showers before bed!
Hi Terry, thanks for reading/watching! Totally understand on showers – everyone’s preference is different!
Are you going to try out the Cuddy again in this van?
Hi Kristin – I tested out a prototype at my house and had a few issues with it, but they are working out the kinks and I think it’s a promising product. I believe they are finally shipping them out to customers who pre-ordered one… but in that whole process, I decided that the system we used in my second van (Go Anywhere foldable toilet) works just fine for now.
Thanks for putting together this tour of your new van, its cool to see how all of the small design details function in daily use! I was curious if you intentionally chose the diesel air heater instead of Rixens hydronic air heater? I’m also looking at Rixens for heating in our van, but didn’t know they offered a hydronic water-only kit, without the air heater.
Hi Nick, thanks so much! After 2 other vans, I had a good idea of what I wanted, and the team at Outside Van really takes to the next level with their detail. As far as the diesel heater, I just went with Outside Vans’ recommendation – I figured they knew what was best.
I love your last van can you tell me a ball park if cost for a similar Van
Hi Sherrie, since every Outside Van is totally custom and my old van was built 4+ years ago before the prices of lumber, etc. increased, it’s impossible to give a ballpark of current numbers. I’d recommend contacting Outside Van directly to get a quote.
我一个m preparing to join the van life and get my first van. I really am grateful for your suggestions and ideas. I will hope to get my build right.
Hi Meryl, glad to hear you’ve found the blog helpful! And congrats on starting the preparations for van life… if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out