Introducing Ramsey and Caleb, a young couple who transformed a 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a 170″ wheelbase into a cozy mobile home. After spending a year and a half traveling in their first van, they planned out their dream build. One of the main goals of this project was to create a base for their skiing adventures.
They began the conversion and completed it in just 44 days, which is quite impressive considering the typical time it takes to build a camper van. Caleb dedicated himself to the project, treating it like a full-time job and working tirelessly from sunrise to sunset.
From the outside, this Sprinter van appears quite ordinary with its white paint job, allowing for potential stealth camping. The only giveaway of its camper nature is the presence of solar panels on the roof, although only a keen observer would notice them.
The true magic of this conversion lies within the interior. Open the sliding door, and you’ll find a utility closet in the entryway. This space is specifically designed to store snowboards, skis, and other bulky winter gear. Additionally, the compartment is lined with neoprene, ensuring waterproof protection.
In terms of design, the couple chose Walnut cabinetry paired with grey walls that have a sand-like hue. The rough-textured Roman clay countertops add a unique touch. The aesthetic is further enhanced by dimmable LED strips above and below, creating a calming and cozy atmosphere. For the ceiling, Ramsey and Caleb installed Walnut wood slats on black-painted plywood.
Upon entering, you’ll find yourself in the kitchen area, which is divided into two sections. It offers ample counter space, a dual-burner induction stove, a deep sink with a filtered water faucet, and plenty of storage in the form of drawers and cabinets.
One large drawer houses an Iceco 75-liter fridge/freezer, capable of storing three weeks’ worth of food. Additionally, a cabinet under the sink contains a Thetford toilet mounted on a sliding drawer.
On the driver’s side, next to the sink, you’ll find two spacious closets where the couple stores their clothing. There are also multiple drawers underneath, with one serving as a charging point equipped with an outlet.
Unlike many other camper vans, this rig features a shower located near the driver’s cabin door in a corner. It includes a water-saving Nebula shower head and a handheld wand. The couple added a beautiful touch by covering the walls with Roman clay, creating a textured and visually appealing look. The water supply comes from a 40-gallon freshwater tank connected to a water heater.
The first section of the living area is the lounge/bedroom space. It consists of two elongated benches with custom-made mattresses, a large rotating table, and two sizable windows with blackout shades. Additionally, this area can be transformed into a guest bed by attaching the table between the benches and rearranging the cushions.
In this part of the van, you will notice that the ceiling is lower compared to the rest of the vehicle. This is because the ceiling actually functions as an elevator bed. With just the press of a button, you can lower or raise the elevator bed. Personally, I am a great admirer of elevator beds in vans as they are incredibly space-saving.
Before I conclude, I would like to provide more information about the utility systems in this camper van. As previously mentioned, the main objective of this conversion was to create the ultimate mobile home for winter sports. To achieve this, the couple installed a heated shower and heated floors. For cooling purposes, a Dometic A/C unit is mounted on the ceiling.
The electrical system of this rig is exceptionally powerful, allowing the couple to go off-grid. It consists of lithium batteries with an impressive capacity of 900 Ah, a DC-DC charger that enables charging while driving, a 3,000 W inverter, and a solar charge controller connected to 600 W solar panels on the roof.
Overall, Ramsey and Caleb have done an outstanding job with this Sprinter van conversion. My favorite aspects are the visually appealing interior design and the waterproof utility closet specifically designed to store winter sports equipment. Additionally, the use of an elevator bed creates a spacious lounge area in the back.
According to the Source autoevolution.com