This handsome van doesn't compromise on practicality or comfort for his rugged good looks. Clean, comfortable, capable and with only 50k on the clock, the ravages of time and adventure have not yet taken their toll!
OVERVIEW: This off-grid capable and supremely comfortable 2018 Medium Wheel Base Mercedes 3rd Generation Sprinter 314 diesel features a three berth layout, all-terrain tyres, two 100Ah leisure batteries, twin 150w solar panels, inverter, diesel heater, air conditioning, 78L fridge with freezer compartment, double gas hob, sink and large garage with bike mounts. There is a Pioneer stereo with speakers throughout, as well as a swivelling television for watching in bed or in the lounge area. There is an easy-to-use Wi-Fi dongle for work or entertainment. Cables are provided for campsite electric hook-ups. There are multiple USB ports, 240v plug sockets and a USBC port. There is also a sundeck on the roof and a midgie-screen for the side opening.
SLEEPING: The side pods extend the bed-space to accommodate an immensely comfortable 195cm x 140cm (6ft 4.77in long) fixed double bed with an opening skylight directly above for ventilation or gazing at the stars before you nod off. If you would like to sleep with it open but are worried about insects as your bedfellows, there is a midgie-screen to keep them out plus a blackout blind if you prefer not to wake up with the sun. There are also blackout blinds, front and back, and removable insulated blinds for the cab windows. If, like me, you like complete darkness for sleeping, this set-up is perfect. The belted rear passenger seat folds out to a comfortable single rock and roll bed of 173cm (5ft 8.11in) and can be extended for taller folks using a combination of the pouffet and the footrest. This bed cleverly extends partially under the fixed bed so as not to eat in to the living area or side access to the van. This also means the occupant can remain in their slumber undisturbed - oftentimes in vans with different layouts, when one person gets up, you're all up! Personally I love the fixed bed that you can spontaneously just jump into during the day for a quick lie-down with a book, without having to reconfigure the whole living space. There are a couple of reading lights above the bed and these can also be used for extra lighting outside the back of the van.
STORAGE: The van has a number of good-sized cabinets and drawers as you can see from the photos. Items such as the toilet and water tanks are stored in a couple of these but it all depends on your own requirements - if you would prefer certain items be removed to make way for more storage, this can be arranged. The large garage under the bed has tonnes of storage space with hooks and clips for hanging wet clothes. Old towels are provided for catching drips or for drying bikes. In the garage are two bike mounts which can be adjusted for forks/frames of different sizes. A third small bike could possibly be accommodated here too if luggage was limited. Larger (XL) size bikes sometimes fit in the garage without issue but if push comes to shove, the rear wheel can always be removed. There are lights in the garage too so you don't have to mess about with head torches at night. There is also a custom roof-rack and a deck on the roof for storing extra gear.
LOUNGE AREA: The tinted windows are good for privacy but are also great for enjoying views from within - these can be opened for ventilation. There are ceiling lights throughout but the mood-lighting on red is nice when you are winding down for the night. Both of the front captain's seats can be swivelled around and configured in different ways to get your ideal seating set-up along with the rear passenger seat, pouffet and footrest. The seats can all be tilted back for maximum chill after a big hill day. The adjustable mood-lighting can also help facilitate this. There is a mount for the dining table in the living area as well as a smaller detachable laptop table for the passenger swivel seat. The garage can be accessed from the living area via a hatch - handy for chucking clothes in the laundry bag or retrieving supplies - you can crawl right through if you have good knees! The walls and ceilings are decked out in a charcoal tweed fabric and the seats are upholstered in ink blue leather. The living area itself can be extended outside on less windy days using the Fiamma F80s awning and the camping table and chairs provided. What you will notice is the sense of 'space' inside this van. Compared to some other conversions where you can't stand-up without getting a hernia or prolapsing a disc, this van has lots of overhead space even for the tallest of tall folks. You don't at all have the feeling of being cramped together in the living area, it just feels...roomy. A rechargeable hand-hoover and brush help to keep the dirt under control.
COOKING: The oak worktop kitchen is fully equipped with all the equipment you are likely to need for cooking, prepping, eating, drinking and washing-up. Please see photos to get an idea, or for more info please ask. Kettle and French-press are included for the hot beverage lovers. Consumables not provided. There is a 15L water tank and a grey-waste tank which are both easy to manage.
ADVENTURE-READY: I advise to use campsites but if going off-grid, there is enough juice from the two leisure batteries and solar panels to keep you going a while. If cold-plunging or bathing in rivers and lochs is your thing, the diesel heater turns the van into a warm hug in just a few moments. It barely uses any diesel so you don't have to worry about that. There is a clothes airer provided for use outside the van. If the weather isn't behaving (rain!), wet clothes and towels can be aired in the garage. The AT tyres are suitable for off-grid but that doesn't mean off-road. Please always stick to hard-standing/solid ground. Even campsites can get muddy though and so they come in very useful. For emergencies, there is a spare wheel with all the tools you would need to fit it although, phoning the breakdown folk and getting them to do it is always easier!
DRIVING THE VAN: Being a Sprinter it is narrower than some other vans of a similar length and at under 6 metres long (plus the back step) it isn't so long that you feel like you are driving something HUGE! Reversing is a doddle with the automatic rear camera and the blind spot warning is also a useful (automatic) feature. Driving it does take a little extra thought if you are used to driving a car - the turning circle is a bit bigger and you have to brake a bit sooner, as with all heavier vehicles. However, confidence comes very quickly after driving it for a short while. For driving-tunes there is DAB radio and Apple Play/Android Auto to link to your phone.
OTHER THINGS TO NOTE: This van does not come with a shower, fixed toilet or large water tank so campsite use is advised. However, a Thetford chemical toilet is available upon request. The 15L water tank can be refilled as necessary and can be easily accessed to monitor water usage or top-up. Of course, extra water can be taken along on your trip.
ITEMS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST: 1) Bedding and towels are provided according to the number of guests, including a mattress topper for the rock n roll bed. 2) A Deliveroo cool bag with plastic ice-blocks. 3) A long hot-water bottle (life-changing). 4) Different sized slipper socks for inside the van. 5) A stand-up paddle board with all the accessories can be provided for an extra £50 (wetsuits not included).
PICKING UP THE VAN: I am based 9 miles away from Edinburgh Airport but if driving from within the UK, I recommend pick-up from a specific local supermarket carpark very near the A1 where you can park your car for extended periods for a small fee via downloadable parking apps. I am happy to negotiate over drop-off/pick-up times and other locations in Edinburgh that you may find suitable for pick-up.
I'm more than happy to answer any questions you may have, no matter how trivial you may think they seem. No such thing as a stupid question if you don't know the answer, so please feel free to ask.
For safety and security, the van is fitted with a Scorpion tracking device.
