Custom Camper Van Is Loaded With Creature Comforts, Including a Fold-Up Double Seat

Campers nowadays are more popular than ever - of course, this recent surge in popularity, especially during the pandemic, determined people to start businesses specializing in building and converting campers. One such business is Nomad RVs, based in Lakewood, New Jersey. One of their latest projects is a 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter AWD 170, converted into a full-time mobile home.

If you're even remotely familiar with camper vans, you'll be able to figure out this is a tiny home on wheels as soon as you lay your eyes on it. You'll notice a roof rack with a Fiamma awning, side steps, and two extension pods that increase the van's width toward the rear.

At the rear, Nomad RVs mounted a storage box on a rack, leaving plenty of space to add other accessories. Moreover, you'll find a Flatline Van Co. tire carrier. If you walk toward the driver's side of the vehicle, you can use a ladder to get on top of the van. Besides the rack and the awning, the company also fitted 525 W solar panels, a StarLink, and a WeBoost cell phone signal booster.

Let's move on inside – I'll start with the driver's cabin. Some van builders choose to separate it from the rest of the space with a wall in order to make the van's interior feel more like a home. That also means less light gets inside, and the area has less of an open feel.

However, you can find a middle solution, such as devising a curtain that blocks the light whenever needed and prevents you from seeing the driver's cabin.

Of course, just like many other converted camper vans, this one comes with passenger's and driver's swivel seats. There's also a spacious swivel table that's in reach from the driver's seat. Look above, and you'll discover a large headliner shelf and a curtain bar.

Here's what I believe to be the most remarkable feature in this van, something you don't see in many rigs. Near the swivel table, you'll notice a double seat complete with seat belts. This is something you often find in campers, but here's the catch: you can pop the backrests down and fold up the seats, essentially creating a lot of space in the area.

On the wall behind this foldable seat, you'll notice 120 V and USB plugs. Above, for storage, the builders added a Van Wife Components J Channel, an aluminum trim designed to be fixed to walls as an attachment point for accessories. In this van, Nomad RVs added two 18-inch (46-centimeter) bags that can be popped off.

Furthermore, for even more practicality, the double seat comes with a detachable table that can be added on top, creating more counter space. It can even be used as a standing desk.

Behind the double seat, you'll find this mobile home's wet bathroom. I'm fond of the design Nomad RVs used, with wooden slats arranged vertically and a shower with a golden finish.

However, if you get closer, you might notice that the slats are, in fact, made from synthetic teak that imitates wood. To be frank, if Nomad RVs hadn't mentioned it, I would've surely believed this is wood. Moreover, the bathroom features a cassette toilet, two dimmable LED lights, and a sliding shower door.

Next up, we have the kitchen area. It consists of a quartz countertop, a deep sink with a golden faucet, a microwave, a portable induction stove, and pale green cabinetry, as well as a pantry and overhead cabinets. In fact, there are 8 feet (2.4 meters) of overhead cabinets running along the entire length of the interior.

The vertical lines design continues in the kitchen, as the client specifically requested the van's cabinetry to be finished this way. Another aesthetic touch is the kitchen splashback, made from white tiles. You'll also discover some plugs, switches, a Victron display, and controls for a diesel heater.

On the opposite side, the builders created a closet. Underneath it, you'll discover a tiny Dometic fridge/freezer and the diesel heater.

And lastly, we have the bedroom, where you'll find a queen-size bed. Nomand RV was able to fit a mattress this large by installing the extension pods I mentioned earlier. Moreover, the company provided a Dometic RTX 2000 A/C and two reading lights with USB plugs.

And that's about it for the living space - the only remaining part is the garage, located under the bed and accessible by opening the two rear doors. Besides an enormous storage space offered by a tray, you'll discover part of the van's utilities.

The Victron electrical system is integrated on the left side and comes with two 300 Ah batteries. On the passenger's side, Nomad RVs fitted a 30-gallon (114-liter) fresh water tank, a 12 V, 2.5-gallon (9.5-liter) water heater, and an outdoor shower. What's more, a 20-gallon (76-liter) grey water tank is mounted underneath the vehicle, complete with a heating system that prevents it from freezing.

All in all, this custom conversion not only looks good, but it'll do the job when it comes to living in it. If you plan on "van lifing" with family or friends, the foldable, multi-functional seat I mentioned earlier might be a wise investment.

Regarding pricing, Nomad RVs didn't offer an exact quote, but my guess is the conversion would be somewhere around $50,000 to $60,000 (€46,500 to €55,800). If you're interested in having Nomad RVs build your tiny home on wheels, they follow a straightforward process.

First, you contact them, then agree on a rough plan and pricing. You'll need to pay a $5,000 (€4,650) deposit at least six weeks before the build. The last steps involve you sourcing a van, and then the company starts converting it.