This sophisticated and badass 2018 Mercedes Sprinter van conversion is the ultimate #vanlife test drive. The 170” wheelbase allows for all the necessities of a tiny home, while the 4X4 will keep you safe on the road (or off).
THE CAB
Custom, handmade leather seats (for those long road trip days)
Ighaut Allrad USA is the exclusive US partner for Iglhaut Allrad. Iglhaut Allrad has been converting Mercedes 2 wheel drive commercial vehicles into truly capable off-road vehicles for over 35 years. We take a 2 wheel drive Mercedes Sprinter or Metric and convert it into permanent all wheel drive with a perfect 50/50 front to rear power split.
We can add three locking differentials, off-road high/low transfer case, suspension and brake upgrade, wheel well enlargement with fender flares to accommodate 18”light weight alloy wheels with up to 37” BF Goodrich KM3 Mud-Terrain tires, under body protection, rear door spare tire carrier, centrifugal snorkel, and 47.5 gallon fuel tank, for the most capable off-road van which retains all of its on road performance and handling characteristics.
Iglhaut Allrad is a World Wide Mercedes Van Partner and their conversion does not void the base vehicles warranty. Iglhaut Allrad USA facilitates the purchase of an Iglhaut converted vehicle for North American customers. All conversions are done in Germany at Iglhaut and turnaround time is about 6 month. Iglhaut Allrad USA takes care of all logistics and can help with the acquisition of the 2 wheel drive base vehicle.
Now VanDoIt has capitalized on the launch of the 2020 Transit AWD to make its modular vans even more capable and versatile, letting owners option right up to a full-blown off-road, off-grid adventure vessel. It received a pre-production prototype from Ford and got to work rejiggering its modular conversion around the updated van, bearing fruit in the all-new LIV.
Earlier this year, Ford announced plans to launch an all-wheel-drive Transit as part of its updated 2020 US van lineup. That might seem like small product news, but it means that the US market will finally get a second factory AWD van to compete with the Mercedes Sprinter 4×4 that came over the Atlantic in 2015. It also means we can expect to see camper vans that look more like this one. The masters of modularity at VanDoIt become the first Americans to offer a camper van on the all-new Transit AWD, adding the LIV van as the second model in their lineup of super-flexible adventure vans. With a full selection of plug-and-play equipment, the LIV can flex between eight-seat, toy-hauling sleeper van and fully equipped multi-bed camper.
One of the most refreshing companies currently converting vans is Nomad Vanz. Based in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Nomad Vanz builds custom vans for weekend adventurers or for full-time van lifers. Most builds use the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter high or low roof vehicles, although Nomad Vanz has done partial conversions for customers who own Ford Transits, Dodge ProMasters, and the Mercedes-Benz Metris.
We first met the Nomad Vanz crew at Overland Expo in 2018 where we ogled their showcase van Out of the Blue. Today we’re checking out their latest build, Jupiter, which transformed a bright red Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4 Cargo Van into a home-on-the-go. The high-roof van features the shortest wheelbase (144 inches) offered by Mercedes, but Nomad Vanz still manages to fit in all the essentials, and more.
Step into the sliding side door and you’re struck by the van’s bright colors. A yellow floor is both durable and cheery, and red kitchen cabinets match the van’s exterior. A feature Chilewich wall adds texture to compliment the other colors, while gray storage upper and central cabinets balance out the design.
Hymer certainly gave credit where it was due, recognizing BASF’s role in the opening paragraph of its VisionVenture announcement and detailing elements like the Chromacool exterior paint and Veneo Slate transforming-bathroom trim. Still, it wasn’t quite clear just how deep BASF’s participation ran. Knowing a thing or two about the power of a buzzy concept vehicle (like a bike or car), BASF released some additional information last week to squeeze a little extra press out of the VisionVenture, a star of the 2019 Caravan Salon that featured in RV, auto and tech publications and blogs all over the world.
Even with a few months of 2019 left to go, we feel confident that the Hymer VisionVenture is the coolest camper van of the year. The concept camper has absolutely captured the public’s imagination, showing how a little bit of creative tinkering can turn the art of sleeping in a van into world-class luxury travel. When Hymer announced the concept at the start of the 2019 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, it mentioned incorporating over 20 materials and technologies from German chemical giant BASF, touching upon some of the most integral. BASF jumped in this month to further detail exactly how its tech can benefit future van lifers.
This year at Düsseldorf, the Erwin Hymer Group debuted the VisionVenture concept. Built on a Mercedes chassis, the VisionVenture is a forward-thinking camper that looks more like a high-end apartment than a striped-down adventure rig.
To accomplish this, the camper’s interior uses warm bamboo, gray felt, and leather, mixing woods with other materials to add interest. The living area is located in the rear with two white sofas and a center dining table that folds down below the passenger-side bench. The stand-out feature of the living room is the panoramic rear window and large side windows. Fold out the rear door, drop a lower gate and the van boasts its own rear deck—complete with slide-out electric grill.
It’s an impressive lounge area, and the kitchen goes even further with a flush cooktop, sink, refrigerator, and ample storage. The styling is fresh too, with modular, deck-like wall paneling that works to hang plants or cooking equipment as needed. Integrated next to the kitchen is a compact slate-colored staircase—reminiscent of tiny house design—that boasts storage, motion-activated lighting, and access to an inflatable pop-up sleeping area. The upstairs bed sleeps two and takes advantage of big views through the rear roll-up window.
Blacksford specializes in rentals exclusively from Winnebago, only renting out the Winnebago Revel and the Winnebago View. The Revel is a go-anywhere adventure van that sleeps two, built on the 4×4 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis and with plenty of off-road capabilities to get you where you want to be. The View is a more luxurious RV for couples and families, with more space due to its Class C size.
All of Blacksford’s rentals are one year or less old with fever than 50,000 miles, ensuring that you’ll be vacationing in an almost brand-new model.