Vanimal: 4x4 Sprinter build
- Thread starter Kgorman
- Start date
trailsurfer
Explorer
Looking good. Thanks for all of the updates.
Quick update. Went out to our ranch again for some goofing off time. The dirt road up there is really tricky right now, the van creaks like crazy from around the sliding door when one wheel is in the air and you are towing. I wonder where the limit of off roading and towing at the same time is?
This time I took 3 'adults'. Everyone was super comfy. We commented the stereo sucks and a sonos play:1 or 3 running off the goal zero AC would have been optimal both in transit and at camp.
The cup holder situation in the sprinter is bad. The door holders too low, the dash holders too small, and the center holder is a singleton. No place for Yeti mugs after a bucees stop for coffee. ;(
We ripped out the towing light cable so I have to fix that. I added DEF for the first time. No drama, but I recommend having your own funnel on board for this purpose.
I do wish It had a bit more power. 5400 miles now.
The toolbox storage solution rules. Tons of space. The drawers have positive lock which is really important if you aren't perfectly level and I lock the drawers in transit. I need some drawer liner so things inside don't rattle.
This time I took 3 'adults'. Everyone was super comfy. We commented the stereo sucks and a sonos play:1 or 3 running off the goal zero AC would have been optimal both in transit and at camp.
The cup holder situation in the sprinter is bad. The door holders too low, the dash holders too small, and the center holder is a singleton. No place for Yeti mugs after a bucees stop for coffee. ;(
We ripped out the towing light cable so I have to fix that. I added DEF for the first time. No drama, but I recommend having your own funnel on board for this purpose.
I do wish It had a bit more power. 5400 miles now.
The toolbox storage solution rules. Tons of space. The drawers have positive lock which is really important if you aren't perfectly level and I lock the drawers in transit. I need some drawer liner so things inside don't rattle.
Also a quick note on the Thetford Curve toilet. It's awesome. It wasn't expensive, about $125 on Amazon. We mostly got it for the kids on long trips. It works as billed. I just ordered the quick release base for it so I don't need to use the l-track to tie it down. In terms of smell, there is zero. None. I wash it and change it out every trip. Cleaning is painless really.
I do wish I had a cover of some sort so when I open the rear doors there isn't this obvious white pooper.
Overall a really nice feature for Vanimal.
I do wish I had a cover of some sort so when I open the rear doors there isn't this obvious white pooper.
Overall a really nice feature for Vanimal.
Cupholder solution
Sounds like you've already got some nice coffee cups, but these units fit the dash-top holes perfectly and work awesome: http://www.amazon.com/Thermos-Vacuu...97751&sr=8-1&keywords=thermos+sipp+travel+mug
Sounds like you've already got some nice coffee cups, but these units fit the dash-top holes perfectly and work awesome: http://www.amazon.com/Thermos-Vacuu...97751&sr=8-1&keywords=thermos+sipp+travel+mug
I used to work with a German, he was CEO of the company (i worked with him as he made it up through the ranks for years and knew him quite well), he would always ***** about americans and their addiction to cup holders in their vehicles, stating Euros only stopped and drank espresso's and enjoyed life not big super sized coffees in the car in a hurry to get somewhere. this is evident in almost all german made marques (audi A4 cup holders suck to). but i always got a kick out of when i looked in his car, every cup holder was full of some kind of thing. moral of the story, dont try to change a germans mind-ha
We added a new vehicle to our stable (2016 900S RZR), so we needed a new trailer. This is a car hauler from top hat trailers. Loaded we are about #4800. The sprinter towed it like a champ, even over 4x4 roads. I have the 7 pin trailer wiring installed, but no brake controller just yet. Even considering that it stops great. I plan a hitch with slightly less drop.
thethePete
Explorer
Does MB offer a brake controller for these from the factory? If so, it will probably be a plug-in install on your van and may be worth looking into. Otherwise, the Prodigy brake controllers are nice.
GSI makes a 30oz java press, which is enough to make coffee for 2 and then have another press brewed up before the first cups are finished. It's the biggest one I've found so far. There's also the percolator option. Plenty of those in different sizes, though for trips where it's just my wife and I, I prefer the taste of the press coffee.
GSI makes a 30oz java press, which is enough to make coffee for 2 and then have another press brewed up before the first cups are finished. It's the biggest one I've found so far. There's also the percolator option. Plenty of those in different sizes, though for trips where it's just my wife and I, I prefer the taste of the press coffee.
Ianataylor@gmail.com
New member
What MPGs are you averaging?
1leglance
2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
Great family rig, thanks for being so honest along the way.
If I didn't have so much time and money into my suburban I think I would have the shorter wheelbase sprinter in my driveway in a heartbeat.
Please keep posting the trip post report and changes.
Thanks
If I didn't have so much time and money into my suburban I think I would have the shorter wheelbase sprinter in my driveway in a heartbeat.
Please keep posting the trip post report and changes.
Thanks