#VanLife has probably taken over your feed at one point or another, and you might be asking yourself: how on earth could I live in one of these? That’s where the Sprinter Van comes in. At Good Van we not only transform these high-performance vehicles into a personalized living space, but a home. Here is everything a beginner #VanLifer would need to know about the Sprinter Van to get started. 

The Sprinter Van is a full-sized van manufactured and designed by Mercedes-Benz as a modern purpose-built commercial vehicle originally hitting the North American shelves in 2001. What makes a Sprinter Van different from other vans available is the combination of its lofty ceiling, long wheel base options, a fuel-efficient diesel engine, and a unibody construction. This combination is exactly why the Sprinter Van has consistently gained more traction across the last ten years beating out its competitors, and finding a new purpose and popularity in its transformation from commercial hauling to becoming the face of nomadic living.

The reason why the Sprinter Van is preferred by industry professionals, including premium builders (like the Good Van!), is outlined above, but let’s go into more detail about why the Sprinter is, and should be, the van of your dreams. 

Lofty Ceilings: The High-Roof Sprinter Van has a standing height of 79 inches, or 6 feet and 5 inches, making it perfect for even the tallest of campers. 

Long Wheel Base (LWB) Options: The wheelbase of any vehicle is the distance between the centre of the front wheels and the centre of the back wheels. A longer wheelbase allows for more storage, and if you’re taking your life on the road—you’re going to want all of the space you can get. LWB also allows more room for a bed, kitchen, and all the gear you’ll need. 

Fuel Efficient Diesel Engine: Diesel allows for a better fuel economy with your Sprinter getting roughly 14-18 miles per gallon (MPG) depending on configuration and load which edges out its competitors in terms of overall yearly savings. 

Unibody Construction: A unibody construction integrates the frame into the build which sets you up with a quieter, more comfortable driving experience than “body-on-frame” builds because not all of the components of the unibody have to be made of heavier metals. This continues to reduce vehicle weight and improve efficiency and performance while also aiding in acceleration, cornering, and fuel economy.  

In short: is a Sprinter Van right for you? YES! While it is a big commitment, it is simultaneously a big investment. The Sprinter Van consistently outcompares the available competition while providing comfort, style, and the ability to craft the home of your dreams. And speaking of style, a normal Sprinter Van doesn’t immediately come with the kitchen and bedroom of your dreams. It might seem intimidating to know where to start, but when you bring a Sprinter for conversion to the Good Van we have three “blank slates” or body styles to choose from: 

The Cargo Van: is our most popular option for a custom build. It has two seats up front while remaining completely empty in the windowless shell. It gives you a clean start for your vision and Good Van total freedom to add insulation, windows, and cabinetry exactly how and where you want it.

The Crew Van: comes with a second row of seats making it best for families, large groups of friends, or people who simply want a guaranteed safe way to carry more than one passenger, but still want plenty of "garage" space in the back.

The Passenger Van: is designed to carry up to 15 people. They have windows all the way around allowing for amazing 360 degree views, however, they do require a bit more work to convert. Good Van will have to remove the factory seating and interior trim to build out a living space, but you receive comfort, space, and the van of your dreams in return. 

All in all, Good Van is here every step of the way to guide, explain, and craft the Sprint Van of your #VanLife dreams. 

Author: Katie Dillard