This Custom Sprinter Camper Van Conversion Makes Off-Grid Adventuring a Piece of Cake

This way, you can ensure you get a high-quality rig tailored to your wants and needs, at least if you opt for a custom conversion. The most significant drawback is price - you can significantly reduce expenses by adopting a DIY approach.

Thrive Crafted Vans is a specialized van conversion company based in Lehi, Utah. One of their latest creations is based on a 2024 AWD Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a 144" wheelbase. In fact, this project was requested by one of the company's first clients - that's how you know you did a stellar job: when the customers come back for more.

So, let's check out this camper van, starting with its exterior. First of all, the vehicle rides on Owl Vans Black Talon wheels wrapped in Yokohama Geolander all-terrain tires.

The van is finished all around in a beautiful blue-gray color wrapped with a ceramic coating. This coating acts as an extra layer of protection against UV rays, acid rain, tree sap, and more and lasts a lot longer than traditional wax: years instead of weeks and months.

Climbing on top of the vehicle using a side-mounted Flatline ladder, you'll find a Flatline roof rack holding a Girard awning and 400 W solar panels. Other notable exterior features are passenger-side running boards and Vanspeed capsules that increase the width of the bedroom at the rear to 78 inches (198 centimeters).

Pop the sliding door open, and you'll be greeted by a finely designed interior. The blue-gray theme continues on the inside, meaning the cabinetry is finished with the same color as the van's body. Laminate flooring, white walls, and a striking ash wood ceiling complete the aesthetic. What's more, you'll notice an open layout, meaning the driver's cabin isn't separated from the living space.

A decently sized bench occupies part of the entrance. Its outer part comes with a flip-down table, perfect for outdoor cooking, and a shoe storage spot. Moreover, on its side panel, you'll notice controls for the awning and a Lagun mount for a table.

Thrive Crafted Vans didn't significantly modify the driver's cabin – the builders attached a wooden tray with two cupholders to the center console and installed cubbies near the front seats' bases. Furthermore, the driver's and passenger's seats have swivel bases, which, in this case, is a factory option. For storage, you can use a large headliner shelf above.

Dead ahead of the entrance, you'll discover this camper van's kitchen. It features a white Corian countertop, a single-burner induction stove, an overhead 3-in-1 convection oven/microwave/air fryer, a deep stainless steel sink with a cover, and a small Isotherm fridge/freezer. Moreover, there are plenty of storage options in the form of two overhead cabinets and five drawers.

Next, we have the seating area, which consists of two benches, one on each side. You have some extra storage space under both, but the other one is larger and houses a Laveo dry-flush toilet.

You'll notice a control panel on the wall by the entrance with a Victron Cerbo GX touchscreen display and a diesel heater controller.

The bedroom occupies the rear part of the interior. It boasts two overhead cabinets, two reading lights, and the two capsules with slide-screen windows I mentioned earlier, which allow you to sleep on the bed from side to side. What's more, you can store more clothes in two drawers integrated into the bed frame, while a Nomadic ceiling A/C will keep you nice and cool.

What about the utility systems? Well, this rig is equipped with a proper 24 V power system from Victron – its highlights are 270 Ah batteries, a charge controller connected to the 400 W solar panels on the roof, and two DC-DC chargers. There are three ways you can charge the van: while driving via the two alternators, through a shower power connection, and with solar power.

Regarding heating, this mobile home features a diesel-powered Hydronic heating system, which not only heats up the air and the water but also the floor through a built-in system. To make sure the customers of this van could go far and long, the company mounted an extended fuel tank which increase the fuel capacity from 26 gallons (98 liters) to 45 gallons (170 liters).

Like in many other camper van conversions, the bed is positioned higher up to leave room for a garage underneath. The electrical system is hidden in a box on the right side of the garage, while the opposite box houses the plumbing system, comprised of a 30-gallon (114-liter) freshwater tank and an outdoor shower. All the water you use drains into a 15-gallon (57-liter) under-mounted greywater tank.

All in all, Thrive Crafted Vans did a great job with this camper van conversion, making full of the compact interior space. You're probably curious about how much the company asked for this project.

We don't have a quote for this unit. However, we do know that a Thrive Crafted Vans custom build based on a short wheelbase van generally starts at $70,000 (€64,960) and can go up to $150,000 (€139,200), while the long wheelbase van conversion cost an additional $5,000 (€4,640). You can find out more about the company's services and products on its website.