DIY Sprinter Camper Van Makes Tiny Living a Breeze via a Great Deal of Creature Comforts

Meet Alex and Sean, the owners and builders of this 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper van. They bought the base vehicle when it had 39,000 miles (62,764 km) for $43,000 (€40,472). The Sprinter is one of the most popular vans for camper conversions, but it's also the priciest. You could look at the Ford Transit or the Ram ProMaster if you want more affordable options.

The couple then invested $35,000 - $40,000 (€32,943 - €37,648) into the rig's conversion, bringing the total price of the camper van to about $80,000 (€75,298). Is that a lot? Well, it depends on who you ask.

If you're unfamiliar with camper vans, you might think that's a fortune. However, if you've read other of my articles regarding specialized van conversions, you might know that some companies ask for the same sum or more just for the conversion, excluding the base vehicle price. At the same time, you can go much lower than that with a build like this one. Ultimately, it depends on your exact needs regarding your tiny home on wheels.

When it comes to the conversion itself, you can use so many resources online to learn. Of course, it's much easier if you have the necessary skills beforehand instead of learning by doing, which implies many mistakes.

In this couple's case, Sean is a carpenter, so his skills were very useful in this conversion. Furthermore, as he explained, he has a stunning "resume" to show to possible customers: this awesome camper van.

As usual, I'll start the tour with the exterior. This Sprinter is finished with standard white paint all around. At the rear, Alex and Sean fitted a storage box. Moreover, you can use a ladder on the driver's side to climb on the vehicle. You'll discover a roof rack holding two 200 W solar panels, a WeBoost, and a deck. Were it not for these few details, especially the box at the rear, this camper could pass as a run-of-the-mill passenger van.

Pop the sliding door open, and you'll discover a cozy and more colorful aesthetic inside. Alex and Sean opted for white and greenish-blue cabinetry paired with a white ceiling and various wood tones. What's more, they chose to have an open layout, meaning the driver's cabin isn't separated from the living space.

Dead ahead of the entrance, you'll find the seating area. It consists of a bench and a swivel table, as well as two overhead cabinets and a floor storage compartment. Furthermore, the driver's and passenger's seats can be turned to face the interior, within reach of the swivel table.

One of the two overhead cabinets houses the rig's control panel. It's a simple setup comprising a water tank gauge, an inverter controller, and more. Since we're on the topic of utilities, let me tell you about the power system's highlights. It's got 500 Ah batteries, a 3,000 W inverter, and a solar charge controller connected to the 400 W solar panels on the roof.

The kitchen is located on the passenger side of the interior. It features a two-burner stove, a farmhouse-style sink, and a small Dometic fridge/freezer. For storage, you can use drawers integrated into the counter, as well as two overhead cabinets. Another notable design detail is a peel-and-stick backsplash.

Opposite the kitchen, you'll notice a bathroom. It's quite spacious and has a shower and a composting toilet. And there's no need to remove or make your way around the toilet when showering (like in other camper vans), as it's mounted on drawer slides. Furthermore, water inside this rig is provided by a 35-gallon (132-liter) freshwater tank, and it ends up inside a 20-gallon (76-liter) greywater tank underneath the vehicle.

The final part of the living space is the bedroom, positioned at the very rear of the interior. It features an almost queen-size mattress, two windows letting plenty of natural light shine inside, and two reading lights.

Between the bathroom and the bedroom, you'll find a floor-to-ceiling unit integrating a hanging closet with a mirror and other storage spots in the form of cabinets and drawers. Moreover, there's plenty of extra space to store your stuff in the six overhead cabinets above the bed (three on each side).

To access the garage, you'll have to exit the vehicle and open its two rear doors. It's almost fully packed since this is where Alex and Sean store their tools, gear, and more. Moreover, the electrical system is housed in a box on the left side, and the plumbing system is on the right, right next to another box holding a propane canister.

All in all, Alex and Sean meticulously planned their camper van, and the result was worth it. It's comfy, aesthetically pleasing, and very practical.