Here are some pictures of Arizona’s new tour van. I’m outfitting it for use as an RV. It’s a 2004 Dodge Sprinter 3500. It’s a Mercedes that dodge re-sells in the US, it’s a Turbo Diesel engine, and empty on the drive home got 26mpg, and the previous owner claims 23mpg when it’s fully loaded. It’s a huge step up from the 8-14mpg that the typical Ford E-350 tour van gets. No plans to convert it to run on vegetable oil yet.

You can see that there is a cargo divder, and no insulation to protect from the elements. The divider has been removed, I’ve done more work than I have pictures of, so there is a small gap in the documentation.

So here is the basic idea (I love google sketchup, but I really wish it would run on my Linux Ubuntu box). Shown from the behind the driver/passenger seats back. There will be two benches in an “L” shape, a small kitchenette, overhead storage bins, and in the rear, two bunks, with a cargo area below. Windows will be added, to the sliding door, and opposite behind the driver. The interior is getting insulated, and then a rooftop AC unit is going in as well. Electrical systems are going to be 2 AGM batterries, a 2000watt inverter/charger, and the kitchen stove will run off of small 1lbs propane tanks. Some of the design has already changed, but it’s all in my head.

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2 Responses to Sprinter Update 1

  1. dustin says:

    this is very awesome. i had an idea to live and work out of a dodge sprinter van this very evening. i have been looking for cheap housing while going to school for photography. and i will also need a vehicle for going to job sites. so i thought why not convert a sprinter into a home/small studio. i didnt like the idea of a traditional rv because of the appearance. i like to blend in more. this is an amazing idea base for me and i like the work you have done here and hope to consult you for my build in the future!

    thanks!

  2. sNovak says:

    Hey Dustin,

    I share you desire to head out into the wild in nothing but an RV. I would suggest you go out in a rented RV for a couple of months like I did, with my wife. I could probably swing it no problem, but the misses wasn’t havin it. You’d also like to follow this guy,, he’s even a photographer. http://www.whereisben.com.
    BTW, Mr. Hornbake, really enjoying the conversion bud. Keep it up.

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