I'm a big fan of clean and simple camper designs. So when I saw this custom rig, I knew I had to share it with you.
What we have here is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter AWD cargo van with a 144″ wheelbase transformed into a nice mobile home. In case you're not familiar with Sprinters, they come in two wheelbases: 144″ and 170″.
Of course, the smaller a van, the fewer features you can fit in. The only way to mitigate this “real estate” The problem is to design an efficient project, which is exactly what you will find inside the platform I will tell you about today.
This van is the latest creation from Noah's Mark Build, a Hudson Valley, New York-based company that specializes in custom campers. The customer of this vehicle will be using it to travel through Hawaii.
Before we take a look inside, I would like to tell you more about the exterior of the vehicle. You will immediately notice the gray camouflage film, which gives the vehicle a more distinctive look.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / New Jersey Outdoor Adventures
One thing the smaller Sprinter van does better than a larger variant is get off the beaten track, as the shorter wheelbase helps the vehicle tackle more challenging terrain.
For better visibility on and off the road, Noah installed Baja lights up front. Two amber lights are mounted on an FVC (Flatline Van Co.) bumper and four are on the overhead rack.
Climb the ladder on the driver's side of the vehicle and you'll discover a FVC roof rack that houses a Fiamma awning and solar panels with a total capacity of 435W.
Noah has fitted a spare wheel carrier to the rear. Other notable exterior features include two T-Vent windows, one on each side, and side steps on both sides of the van.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / New Jersey Outdoor Adventures
Things get a lot more interesting once you step inside the vehicle. The rugged exterior theme doesn’t continue inside: in fact, Noah has designed a warm and welcoming living space.
He used cedar for the walls, cabinetry and ceiling, giving the interior a cohesive and beautifully designed look. He also finished the cedar with a Rubio Monocoat hardwax natural oil.
You’ll notice that this van has an open layout, which means the driver’s cabin isn’t separated from the living space. Manufacturers typically choose to separate these areas to make the interior feel more like a home, with the steering wheel out of sight and out of mind.
However, it also makes the living space feel smaller, which is why we don't typically see enclosed layouts on smaller vans like the 144″ WB Sprinter.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / New Jersey Outdoor Adventures
A kitchen counter covers part of the entryway. It features a deep stainless steel sink, perfectly positioned to turn the faucet and use it outside for washing. Additionally, all the plumbing valves are located behind a small door.
The counter doubles as a bathroom, housing a Trelino toilet mounted on a sturdy sliding stand, so you don’t have to worry about it breaking while you’re sitting there doing your business.
On the outside, facing the sliding door, you'll find a shoe compartment and a door that allows easier access to the internal grey water tank, which collects all the water you use in the sink.
Typically, some smaller vans use this swivel faucet setup as a shower. However, Noah found a much better solution: a concealed shower. Installation is quick and easy.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / New Jersey Outdoor Adventures
A shower tray is integrated into the floor: lift the floor covering to reveal it. Then, you will need to attach a curtain to the hooks on the ceiling. A water mixer is integrated into the wall above the sliding door, so you can connect a shower head. And voilà; the shower is ready to go.
You will discover the other part of the kitchen right in front of the entrance. It has a good counter space and a small Isotherm fridge/freezer, and is the perfect place to cook using a portable two-burner induction cooker. For storage, you can use three large drawers, two wall cabinets and a large top shelf.
This camper has two seating areas. The first is the driver's cabin, where the driver and passenger seats can be rotated. The second is located beyond the kitchen and consists of two small benches and a pull-out table integrated into the bed frame.
The driver's bench seat hides a Rixen hydronic heating system. This type of system requires a higher initial investment but provides both hot air and hot water, all while being more efficient than typical diesel air heaters and electric water heaters.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / New Jersey Outdoor Adventures
Above the driver's bench, Noah has designed the “brains” of this camper: a control panel for utility systems. It includes switches for lights, heat, fan, outlets and more.
The final part of the living space is the bedroom in the back. I really like the open feel of the lack of cabinets on either side. Also, the bunk windows on either side let in lots of light and can be opened for better air circulation. A Maxxair fan also helps keep the interior nice and cool.
To get into bed, you can use the bottom kitchen drawer as a step, as it has a cover and is designed to support greater weights.
The bed consists of three large cushions. Noah has created a sliding frame for it, which can be pulled out over the benches to create a double bed. During the day, when you want to use the benches, you can slide the frame back.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / New Jersey Outdoor Adventures
The entire space under the bed is used as a garage, which can be accessed from both inside and outside the van. The center section has a large pull-out tray that makes it much easier to reach your stuff.
The utility systems occupy the sides of the garage. The power is on the left. The highlights of the system are a 620Ah self-heating battery bank, a 3,000W inverter/charger, and a charge controller connected to the solar panel on the roof. On the opposite side, you will find the plumbing. It consists of a fresh water tank connected to an outdoor shower.
Overall, Noah with Noah's Mark Builds did a fantastic job with this mobile home. I'm particularly fond of the woodwork, but the platform amenities and utility system don't disappoint either.
What about pricing? Unfortunately, Noah hasn’t shared any information about how much he charges for his conversions. You’ll have to contact him to find out.
