This 2023 Sprinter Camper Van Is the Ultimate Winter Adventure Home With Heated Features

Meet Ramsey and Caleb, a young couple who converted a 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a 170" wheelbase into a cozy tiny home on wheels. After traveling in their first van for one and a half years, they mapped out their dream build. One of the purposes of this build was to serve as an adventure base for skiing.

They started it, and 44 days later, the project was done. I don't know if you're familiar with how much a camper van build typically takes - trust me, 44 days is really quick. However, Caleb treated the build like a full-time job, even more than that, working from sunrise to sunset.

On the exterior, this Sprinter van looks pretty standard – it's finished in white paint, and you might even be able to stealth camp with it. The only indicators of its camper DNA are the solar panels on the roof, but only a keen eye will spot those.

The true magic of this build happens on the inside. Pop the sliding door open, and you'll discover that a utility closet occupies part of the entryway. This space is designed to hold snowboards, skis, and other bulky winter gear. What's more, the compartment is lined in neoprene, meaning it's waterproof.

Regarding design, the couple opted for Walnut cabinetry paired with grey, almost sand-colored walls and rough-textured Roman clay countertops. I love the aesthetic, especially since there are a bunch of dimmable LED strips above and below that create a calming, cozy atmosphere. For the ceiling, Ramsey and Caleb added Walnut wood slats on sheets of plywood that were painted black.

The first area you'll be in when you step inside is the kitchen, which is split into two parts. It features a decent amount of counter space, a dual-burner induction stove, a deep sink with an extra filtered water faucet, and a bunch of storage space in the form of drawers and cabinets.

One large drawer holds an Iceco 75-liter (almost 20-gallon) fridge/freezer box, which the couple explained is enough to keep three weeks' worth of food. Moreover, a cabinet under the sink holds a Thetford toilet mounted on a drawer slide.

The space beside the sink, on the driver's side, is taken up by two enormous closets – it's where the couple stores all of their clothes. There are also many drawers under them, one of which serves as a charging point, as it comes with an outlet.

Unlike in many other camper vans, this rig's shower was built next to the driver's cabin door, in a corner. It features a water-saving Nebula shower head, as well as a handheld wand. One design touch I'm really fond of is that the couple used Roman clay to cover the walls, creating a beautiful textured look. By the way, water is provided by a 40-gallon (151-liter) freshwater tank connected to a water heater.

The last part of the living space is the lounge/bedroom area. It consists of two long benches with custom-made mattresses, a huge swivel table, and two large windows with black-out shades. Furthermore, this space can be transformed into a guest bed by attaching the table between the benches and rearranging the cushions.

You'll notice the ceiling is closer here than in the rest of the van – that's because the ceiling is, in fact, an elevator bed. You can lower and raise the elevator bed at the press of a button. I'm a big fan of elevator beds in vans, as they save a lot of space.

Before I end things, I want to tell you more about the utility systems in this camper van. I mentioned that the purpose of this build was to be the perfect mobile home for winter sports – in this regard, the couple added a heated shower and heated floors. For cooling, you can use a ceiling-mounted Dometic A/C.

The rig's electrical system is quite powerful, enabling the couple to go off the grid. It comprises lithium batteries with a whopping 900 Ah capacity, a DC-DC charger (enabling the system to charge while driving), a 3,000 W inverter, and a solar charge controller connected to 600 W solar panels on the roof.

All in all, Ramsey and Caleb did a fantastic job with this Sprinter van conversion. My favorite parts are the interior aesthetic and the waterproof utility closet meant to house winter sports gear. What's more, the use of an elevator opens up the back area, creating a spacious lounge.