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Has Anyone Gone the Sprinter Van/RV Modification Route?
Posted on 3/30/23 at 11:19 am
Posted on 3/30/23 at 11:19 am
Wife and I are years away from this being an option, but we have been talking about it more and more.
I work remote. Should be empty nesters in our late 40's/early 50's.
The Sprinter Van mod life looks like an awesome alternative to going full RV.
Has anybody done this?
I work remote. Should be empty nesters in our late 40's/early 50's.
The Sprinter Van mod life looks like an awesome alternative to going full RV.
Has anybody done this?
This post was edited on 3/30/23 at 11:32 am
9
Posted on 3/30/23 at 12:31 pm to LSUShock
Did it back in my twenties around the west coast. Old dodge van.
To be honest, it was basically being homeless with a ride. I had a blast back then. No way I could do that again.
I would need a full RV set up. It’s not like instagram will lead you to believe.
Just rent a small RV and see how that works out. Then subtract from there.
To be honest, it was basically being homeless with a ride. I had a blast back then. No way I could do that again.
I would need a full RV set up. It’s not like instagram will lead you to believe.
Just rent a small RV and see how that works out. Then subtract from there.
Posted on 3/30/23 at 1:12 pm to LSUShock
been back & forth on this.
here is where i am at...
if we are going camping i want to camp. if we are not, i want to stay in nice/cool vacation rentals. plus i want 4WD for when i need it.
so now i have a jeep gladiator with a rack, can carry bulky shite, water, equipment, bikes, paddle boards, etc, and i will build out a camping trailer with rack-top tent on a surplus hummvee trailer
here is where i am at...
if we are going camping i want to camp. if we are not, i want to stay in nice/cool vacation rentals. plus i want 4WD for when i need it.
so now i have a jeep gladiator with a rack, can carry bulky shite, water, equipment, bikes, paddle boards, etc, and i will build out a camping trailer with rack-top tent on a surplus hummvee trailer
Posted on 3/30/23 at 2:57 pm to LSUShock
The only reason that I could see for going with a Sprinter van is if you're going to use it as a source of income. If you do that, you'll have to leave a lot of room to haul cargo.
I'd go with a couples travel trailer, just to have room to move around and have something to hang out in when the weather sucks.
You can get something like this for less than the cost of a van.
KZ Connect
I'd go with a couples travel trailer, just to have room to move around and have something to hang out in when the weather sucks.
You can get something like this for less than the cost of a van.
KZ Connect
Posted on 3/30/23 at 3:00 pm to LSUShock
To live in or to take on road trips? If to live in, that would not be for me. I like to shower and be able to wash my clothes. Also, like having a real toilet. Definitely wouldn't want to share that small of a space w/ someone else. Doing it alone would be tough enough. I think it would be awesome for road trips though.
Posted on 3/30/23 at 3:07 pm to Tigers13
it would be awesome for road trips but a converted sprinter is gonna be 100K plus. It’s a n expensive toy in that scenario
Posted on 3/30/23 at 3:28 pm to LSUShock
Man... the mountain bike scene is all about the sprinter life.
I think they're not bad for a solo dude/dudette out mountain biking/racing and living on the road. They'd be a tough call for more than one person.
As someone else I know said: why would I overpay to build out a sprinter for what amounts to a really crappy RV.
That being said, I have a friend with a sprinter that we travel in a whole lot on biking trips. His is really bare bones and modular, and I love it. Drives great and is super convenient. Has a power bank with solar and some other mods (refrigerator is a total game changer and my must have, if I were ever going to do it). But he wants to be able to throw motos or mountain bikes in his, or break out cots and sleep in it, or haul big stuff like furniture. So he's left it barebones for the most part. That's likely how I would do one as well.
Same Friend used to have a trailer camper as well that he pulled with his sprinter. Now that was awesome. Park them side by side and put an awning that covers over to the sprinter, leave the sprinter open. Was sweet. But wasn't used enough to justify.
Of course.. if you've got the money.. go Earth Roamer. There is no substitute.
LINK /
I think they're not bad for a solo dude/dudette out mountain biking/racing and living on the road. They'd be a tough call for more than one person.
As someone else I know said: why would I overpay to build out a sprinter for what amounts to a really crappy RV.
That being said, I have a friend with a sprinter that we travel in a whole lot on biking trips. His is really bare bones and modular, and I love it. Drives great and is super convenient. Has a power bank with solar and some other mods (refrigerator is a total game changer and my must have, if I were ever going to do it). But he wants to be able to throw motos or mountain bikes in his, or break out cots and sleep in it, or haul big stuff like furniture. So he's left it barebones for the most part. That's likely how I would do one as well.
Same Friend used to have a trailer camper as well that he pulled with his sprinter. Now that was awesome. Park them side by side and put an awning that covers over to the sprinter, leave the sprinter open. Was sweet. But wasn't used enough to justify.
Of course.. if you've got the money.. go Earth Roamer. There is no substitute.
LINK /
This post was edited on 3/30/23 at 3:31 pm
Posted on 3/30/23 at 3:38 pm to LSUShock
that looks like it would turn horrible real quick.
Posted on 3/30/23 at 4:03 pm to LSUShock
My FIL has owned 2 sprinter vans. I've rented an RV for a couple trips, including a 6000 mile trip from Florida to the Grand Canyon and back with my 3 kids from under 10.
The issue with the south is it basically sucks for RV trips outside of some limited options because its a long arse drive out of the South.
Sprinter vans are great for longer drives, so if you are routinely looking on going on 5000 mile road trips for 2-3 week stretches that is where they shine. Legit 16-18 mpg compared to 8-12 mpg for a similar sized Class C. Sprinters also shine in you can go a legit 75+ on the interstate. I'm sure plenty of RV's can do that but Class C's you really can't and a lot of the smaller RV's are underpowered in comparison.
Sprinters also store MUCH easier so if you live say in the suburbs you can most easily store a Sprinter and HOA's may allow it.
IMO anyone that recommends a trailer has never truly road tripped in an RV because the experience is just not the same. Trailers are great for a long weekend trip where you drive 4-5 hours and stay for the weekend then pack up and take it home. On my 6000 mile trip I would literally wake up while everyone was sleeping, start the coffee, unhook the RV, and get on the road with fresh coffee while my kids slept or were getting read. (Safety...yeah I know). Also, if my kids refused to pee after lunch, not a big deal in the RV they just go when they needed. My wife got up and routinely turned on the generator on the road and used the microwave and stove to cook while we drove. Awesome.
Sprinter is also great if you ONLY HAVE 2 people, and NEVER anyone else. 2 is still gonna be tight but doable.
ETA: If you are routinely making long drives with short stays, I think that's where a sprinter shines as its a very comfortable driver. If you are routinely staying many nights, I'd look at something different.
The issue with the south is it basically sucks for RV trips outside of some limited options because its a long arse drive out of the South.
Sprinter vans are great for longer drives, so if you are routinely looking on going on 5000 mile road trips for 2-3 week stretches that is where they shine. Legit 16-18 mpg compared to 8-12 mpg for a similar sized Class C. Sprinters also shine in you can go a legit 75+ on the interstate. I'm sure plenty of RV's can do that but Class C's you really can't and a lot of the smaller RV's are underpowered in comparison.
Sprinters also store MUCH easier so if you live say in the suburbs you can most easily store a Sprinter and HOA's may allow it.
IMO anyone that recommends a trailer has never truly road tripped in an RV because the experience is just not the same. Trailers are great for a long weekend trip where you drive 4-5 hours and stay for the weekend then pack up and take it home. On my 6000 mile trip I would literally wake up while everyone was sleeping, start the coffee, unhook the RV, and get on the road with fresh coffee while my kids slept or were getting read. (Safety...yeah I know). Also, if my kids refused to pee after lunch, not a big deal in the RV they just go when they needed. My wife got up and routinely turned on the generator on the road and used the microwave and stove to cook while we drove. Awesome.
Sprinter is also great if you ONLY HAVE 2 people, and NEVER anyone else. 2 is still gonna be tight but doable.
ETA: If you are routinely making long drives with short stays, I think that's where a sprinter shines as its a very comfortable driver. If you are routinely staying many nights, I'd look at something different.
This post was edited on 3/30/23 at 4:19 pm
Posted on 3/30/23 at 4:44 pm to baldona
quote:
ETA: If you are routinely making long drives with short stays, I think that's where a sprinter shines as its a very comfortable driver. If you are routinely staying many nights, I'd look at something different.
You just hit the nail on the head of the allure of it.
I want something mobile. Something that's not a pain in the arse to drive down city streets or parking lots and can handle itself just fine off the beaten path as well.
Posted on 3/30/23 at 4:52 pm to LSUShock
quote:
I want something mobile. Something that's not a pain in the arse to drive down city streets or parking lots and can handle itself just fine off the beaten path as well.
Its all a give and take, I would definitely rent some options to really get a full understanding. I'd rent a small C class just to make sure its what you expect and don't want.
The entire off road thing is overblown IMO. It really just depends on your location though and plans. There's some places out west that sure, having something that can be 4 wheel drive will make sense.
But at the end of the day, comfort driving or comfort sleeping is the reason to own an RV. Those should really be the priority.
They also make a lot of sprinter vans that are designed more for road tripping then sleeping in. That's a solid option also. Just sleep in a hotel, use the sprinter to get there comfortably. That's what my FIL did.
Posted on 3/30/23 at 5:01 pm to LSUShock
I currently have a sprinter that the wife and I use for mountain biking. We don't live in it, but we take multiple week to month long trips in it over the year. If you have any specific questions, fire them off and I'll answer.
We love it, but it is not for everyone. Instagram and YouTube romantize van life. That said, we like our van better than an RV for our lifestyle. There are pros and cons to each obviously, so think about how you want to use it and how comfortable you want to be.
An RV is going to be way more comfortable than a van. We have a heated outdoor shower. The water is hot but the Colorado mountain wind is not (even in August). So showering can be a bit of an unpleasant experience. We don't have a toilet (our next upgrade), so we are digging holes. Whenever you want to drive somewhere the van has to he completely stored so things don't go flying around when you drive. EVERYTHING will get dirty. Also, you better really love your wife. Soon to be married couples should live in a van for a week before marriage to see if they are compatible. Just a few examples of inconveniences with the van we have. I will gladly take those over being in an RV park with a bunch of people and the ability to be remote and really be able to get into the wilderness. It just depends on the person and how you want to use it.
Definitely recommend renting one before you pull the trigger. Plenty of companies to chose from. Like I said before, if you have any questions or want me to expand on my experience with a van, let me know.
We love it, but it is not for everyone. Instagram and YouTube romantize van life. That said, we like our van better than an RV for our lifestyle. There are pros and cons to each obviously, so think about how you want to use it and how comfortable you want to be.
An RV is going to be way more comfortable than a van. We have a heated outdoor shower. The water is hot but the Colorado mountain wind is not (even in August). So showering can be a bit of an unpleasant experience. We don't have a toilet (our next upgrade), so we are digging holes. Whenever you want to drive somewhere the van has to he completely stored so things don't go flying around when you drive. EVERYTHING will get dirty. Also, you better really love your wife. Soon to be married couples should live in a van for a week before marriage to see if they are compatible. Just a few examples of inconveniences with the van we have. I will gladly take those over being in an RV park with a bunch of people and the ability to be remote and really be able to get into the wilderness. It just depends on the person and how you want to use it.
Definitely recommend renting one before you pull the trigger. Plenty of companies to chose from. Like I said before, if you have any questions or want me to expand on my experience with a van, let me know.
This post was edited on 3/30/23 at 5:05 pm
Posted on 3/30/23 at 5:26 pm to Woadie
quote:
Definitely recommend renting one before you pull the trigger. Plenty of companies to chose from.
Do you have any experience with Outdoorsy or RVShare? Those look like the best bets for Class B RV rentals.
I don't think I'll ever purchase one (though we have thought about it) just because our 4Runner gets us into the backcountry and into some places I would not be comfortable driving a Sprinter van. And there are also areas that I would rather dispersed camp in the backcountry than sleep in a vehicle. Plus I am well over six-feet tall and worry I won't fit in a Sprinter van
I do see lots of them at bike races and ski resorts. Would be sweet to take it on fishing trips too. For all-day or long weekend type trips within a couple hundred miles I think they would be cool. But then it is a $150,000+ novelty item.
Posted on 3/30/23 at 5:51 pm to Bunsbert Montcroff
I personally do not have experience with those two companies but they are two of the biggest ones out there with the most reach. If you are out west there are more local rental companies that I feel will have a better deal and setup.
No doubt your 4runner is way more capable that a sprinter but you would be surprised how capable they are. Put some all terrains on them and you can get to probably 90% of what's out there.
Vans can certainly get expensive but we got ours brand new with the interior done for half of that amount. The bathrooms and the eletrical systems are what drives the cost up. Some people put way too much power in their vans. It's ridiculous.
No doubt your 4runner is way more capable that a sprinter but you would be surprised how capable they are. Put some all terrains on them and you can get to probably 90% of what's out there.
Vans can certainly get expensive but we got ours brand new with the interior done for half of that amount. The bathrooms and the eletrical systems are what drives the cost up. Some people put way too much power in their vans. It's ridiculous.
Posted on 3/30/23 at 5:56 pm to LSUShock
If you break down in a F150 or Tacoma with a drop in camper, you go to the nearest garage or auto parts store to get what you need. If a Sprinter breaks down, you have to flatbed to the nearest MB dealership.
Drive past the MB dealer in Westminster on the way up to Boulder. There are 100 modded Sprinters waiting for service at any given time.
Drive past the MB dealer in Westminster on the way up to Boulder. There are 100 modded Sprinters waiting for service at any given time.
Posted on 3/30/23 at 7:02 pm to pjab
Man i think id grab one of those old school toyota rv that has a toilet and shower and more importantly a 22re. For what you would spend on that stupid van you could remodel and put in a new rebuilt engine and be good to go and have alot of money left to travel. Not to mention more comfortable and much easier to work on and to find parts and someone to work on it. Good mpg also and the same size but with more space.
This post was edited on 3/30/23 at 7:19 pm
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