Sprinter Camper Van FAQs
Realistic tips on buying and building a custom Sprinter Van for travel and camping
Are you wondering whether a Sprinter could be right for you as a travel and camping vehicle? Here are some questions Kristen Bor is frequently asked about designing her first van and what she is doing differently on her second Sprinter Van conversion.
Q: Should I get the 144-inch or the 170-inch wheelbase?
A: When I purchased my Sprinter and started building it out, I was single. I’ve been happy with the 144-inch length, and I like that it can fit in a normal parking space and is extremely easy to maneuver. Now with two people and a dog, long-term travel – especially taking storage into account – is a little tight. For my next Sprinter Van, I’m getting the 170-inch and find it gives me a little more wiggle room with the layout, with space for a permanent bed, galley, small dining table and a ton of storage underneath.
Q: What factory options do you recommend?
A: I strongly recommend the following options, whether you are buying your van new or used. Swivel seats: These allow you to swivel the front captain’s chairs around to face the cabin. Active Safety Plus Package: This comes with a bunch of handy safety features. The most important one is the blind-spot monitoring, which warns you if you put your blinker on and there is someone in your blind spot. Roof rails: If you think you might ever want a roof rack, you should purchase a van with factory roof rails. Rear back-up camera: The backup camera makes it worlds easier to park the van. You can also install one after-market, but I haven’t had any problems with the factory camera. Factory trailer-hitch package: Essential if you ever want to tow anything or put a bike rack on the back of your van. Park Sense: This causes the van to beep if you are too close in the front or back of the van when you are parking. However, if you plan on putting on a special rear or front bumper, the Park Sense won’t be accurate.
Q: What power train do you recommend?
A: A 4-cylinder engine with 2-wheel drive is available and provides the best fuel efficiency, but if you’re investing in a travel and camping van, I recommend the 6-cylinder engine with 4Matic AWD. I get 12-16 mpg on mine. I’m based in Salt Lake City and ski a lot in the winter. I also do a lot of driving on dirt roads and occasionally off-road to get to a desired vantage point. I’ve been very happy with my decision to get the 4×4, and I think it was worth the cost. I like the security of the low-range option, but for general travel and camping use, you could get by with 4Matic and knobby all-terrain tires.
Q: How much does it cost to convert a Sprinter Van for camping?
A: A new 4×4 cargo Sprinter Van starts around $50,000, depending on what options you pick. There aren’t a lot of used 4x4s available because Mercedes just started making them a couple of years back. 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 have tools, space, skills and time, you can build out a Sprinter for as little as $10,000. For a professional build, you should expect to pay a minimum of $30,000 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 less-visible details that make the van better.
Q: How did you pick your conversion company?
A: After a bad experience with my first conversion, I was more careful planning my second van and interviewed several different companies. I narrowed my choice down to two: OutsideVan.com and ADF Sprinters (automotivedesignsandfab.com). My interactions with these Sprinter Van conversion companies have been very professional, and I’ve been impressed by the quality of their work. I wrote a detailed online post with advice for screening a Sprinter Van company that you should check out before you start the process. The main thing I’ve learned is that a larger, more established company might be more expensive, but they have the resources to guarantee the final product. They also have the experience to know what works and what doesn’t, and your van will hold its value better when you resell. I’d also choose a company that specializes in outdoor vans if you want your build to hold up on rough dirt roads.
For more information and many more questions, answers and practical tips, as well as travel experiences and gear recommendations, visit Kristen Bor’s website at www.bearfoottheory.com.
Planning a custom conversion can be an exciting – rather than daunting – process, if you do your homework and work with an experienced conversion company. At top is a computer-generated view of my first conversion, and below, the final result, with all the special-purpose storage compartments open to show just how compact and efficient a Sprinter Van can be