white buffalo
New member
Hi Guys,
I am selling my Custom Converted Sprinter Van that has been a tiny home on wheels for us. Although this is not the standard 4x4 off-road expedition type camper typically posted here, it is nevertheless a great adventure vehicle that some might find of interest.
Here is a link to more photos & details:
https://goodhealth4yall.wixsite.com/tinyhomeonwheels
Many folks consider this year model to be one of the most reliable of the Sprinter models, including the newest versions. These T1N engines are well known for going for 500,000 miles or more. They also get better gas mileage than the newer ones.
This RV Conversion/Tiny home on wheels was the culmination of a very long search for an existing RV that would readily fit most of our needs that we could purchase ready to use. We never found anything that was close enough, so we decided to do our own conversion.
Since we knew we'd be spending extended time in our RV as a temporary home while extensively renovating a new home, we felt it was important that our conversion felt spacious & not claustrophobic. This is in contrast to the RV industry standards for the size and class RV's we were looking at. We also used non toxic materials and finishes throughout wherever possible including top of the line materials, fixtures, electronics, & electricals, that didn't have heavy out gassing of plastics & vinyl materials, all of which are common place even in the most expensive of conversions.
We surveyed a lot of full-time & part time RV'ers & found that most never used their bathrooms or showers in their RV's, preferring to instead use restrooms/showers on the road or at campgrounds/truckstops, rather than using the standard way too small, marginally functional RV bathrooms, and they also wanted to avoid having to deal with dumping their grey & black water tanks constantly. So instead of the traditional bathroom, we opted for a simple composting toilet, a much larger kitchen sink, and only a fresh water tank. This allowed for a much bigger kitchen, a permanent queen sized bed area, plus lots of extra storage areas.
We store a lot of high quality food & prepare gourmet meals when traveling, so we maximized kitchen functionality with plenty of extra countertop and storage space, installed the largest marine two door upright frig available, installed a deep, heavy duty dual basin Stainless Steel residential sink. Two people can comfortably work side by side in the kitchen. We also designed a unique two-tiered overhead cabinet system which maximizes headroom and sense of spaciousness while at the same time providing ton's of usable cabinet storage space.
We wanted to be able to go to sleep or take a nap without having to convert a couch or chairs into a bed every time we wanted to use it, which is especially convenient during long travels. So we raised the bed platform just enough to create ton's of storage underneath that is both accessible from the back doors and inside the coach, and still*have plenty of room above to sit up in bed. We installed two large windows that run almost the length of the bed platform for panoramic views while resting. It is essentially glass all around the bed and with thick insulated top down bottom up shades, you can easily block out light for both maximum privacy and ventilation. It feels very private & secure with all the blinds up. We have never slept anywhere in a more comfortable, cozy & inspiring bed/bedroom setup. It can easily spoil you. It is designed to accommodate a queen size mattress/padding. There are Pullman style curtains that can be pulled across to separate the bed from the rest of the RV. This has a nice romantic feel and provides additional light & sound buffer if one person wants to go to bed before the other.
There is also a curtain to buffer between the cabin & the kitchen/closet zone and is a quick & easy method for privacy in parking lot's, etc.
The lighting was designed to enhance the individual aesthetics of each of the 3 different zones in the RV. . .the Bed, kitchen/closet, and the cabin/seating areas. The fixtures are marine grade Halogen incandescents (most are Stainless Steel) which are still very energy efficient and so much easier on the eyes than LED's and of course their color renditions are more*true to life. They are also on dimmers. There are indirect LED baseboard lights that are multicolored & programmable for mood/ambiance.
Custom fabricated no-see-um screens with magnetic closures for side door, back doors, and all vents & skylights.
We used 1/4" birch, formaldehyde free, plywood for the cabinet doors to save weight to help keep the center of gravity lower than traditional RV cabinets which helps give the vehicle better stability in all conditions.
We are very clean and have kept the interior in like-new condition. The vehicle has never been smoked in nor has it had any pets. It has not been in any accidents. The body has the usual dings & scratches for a vehicle of this age. There are some typical rust spots on the body, but have monitored & kept them in check with rust conversion & paint touch ups.
Perfect for weekend trips, full or part time van or motor home camping/living, ideal tiny home on wheels, very comfortable for living in while building or renovating a new home (which was our primary use for this vehicle). Could easily be adapted for indefinite off grid living, with the addition of a solar panel and controller or generator.*We no longer need this tiny home on wheels as we have renovated our new home.
INTERIOR:
Thoughtfully designed for maximum storage space and a feeling of grand spaciousness. Yacht like design and finish quality with lot's of functional & aesthetic details. Two people can comfortably work in the kitchen space side by side. Formaldehyde free plywood cabinets, solid woods, and non toxic finishes including Safecoat and/or low to zero VOC paints. This custom converted RV features a "three Zone" floor plan. Fully insulated with spray polyurethane foam makes the van more energy efficient in all types of weather.
Cabin Area Highlights (Zone 1)
1. Audiophile quality stereo system. . .Kenwood AM/FM/CD player with USB connect, Focal K2 6-3/4" 2-way speakers in a beautifully integrated custom a-pillar mounted speaker surrounds for optimized imaging & sound quality, Alpine PDX 4x100 watt digital amp, and 10" Subwoofer
2. Revolving captain seats that rotate 180 degrees for interior seating while parked.
3. Map reading light above passenger seat to read the maps during night time travel that does not create glare for the driver
4. Marine grade adjustable lighting on both sides of the cabin for reading and/or ambience when parked.
Kitchen area Custom design and build Highlights (Zone 2)
5. Marine grade gyroscopic fan behind the cockpit area to use either in the kitchen section or towards the cockpit area
6. Custom designed overhead open Map pockets to store maps and other items.
7. Book shelf cabinets to store books, manuals etc
8. Coat/Jacket closet under the book shelf
9. Enclosed composting toilet storage area
10. Unique style of two-tiered Cabinets all along the overhead ceiling line, Spice racks with clear lexan fronts
11. Specially designed Large Kitchen solid Cherry counter tops, including a pop up extension
12. 10" deep, double residential heavy gauge Stainless Steel sink, SS faucet
13. All Shark bite & pex plumbing & fittings
14. Large Novakool 9.1cu ft marine grade refrigerator with freezer. Super energy efficient AC/DC
15. Dometic Euro style LP two burner stove with glass cover,
16. Convection toaster oven that we have used to even bake breads.
17. Fantastic fan vent/skylight for kitchen exhaust and natural light.
18. Large window behind the Stove for a view while cooking with top down bottom up style custom Bali Duette blinds for privacy anytime.
19. Dometic Penguin II low profile 13,500 btu Air Conditioner with thermostat
20. 16 Gallon Fresh Water Tank
21. Electric Hot Water Heater : 2.5 Gallons
22. Portable Ragasco Marine grade composite Propane Tank 11lb
Bedroom Highlights (Zone 3)
23. Bed area is separated from the kitchen/Main space area by Pullman style curtains
24. Bed is always available without having to fold down anything and is always ready to jump in for rest or sleep time.
25. Queen size bed platform with headboards that also provide additional privacy whenever back doors are opened. There are also two through panels, with access to Main electrical box & disconnects from the bed platform.
26. Large windows in the bedroom area provide beautiful panoramic views whenever camped in your favorite campground or remote site and top down bottom up style custom Bali Duette blinds completely or partially cover any light for privacy and a good night's rest.
27. Two marine grade gyroscopic fans over bed, designed for individual use.
28. Marine grade adjustable lighting on both sides of the bed area with dimmers designed to use for night time reading & are energy efficient, warm and inviting.
29. Double closet over head cabinets on both sides of the bedroom.
30. Maxxair with remote ceiling exhaust vent skylight
31. Huge storage area under the bed 76" x 68"x 25", accessible from kitchen & from rear of vehicle. Also houses the RV electronic/electrical control system.
HOUSE/COACH MECHANICAL SYSTEM
32. Blue Sea Systems Combiner allows house charging system to charge starting battery or allows vehicle alternator to charge house batteries when driving
33. Brand new 300 amp hour House Battery bank (AGM Lifeline sealed batteries)
34. Xantrex 2000 watt pure sine wave Inverter with remote switch in kitchen
35. Custom built tin plated copper bus bars with additional lug space for easy upgrades such as solar
36. Trimetric Battery monitor
37. Brand new Powermax Boondocker 60amp Converter charger
38. Logically laid out Electrical & Electronic Control center that is solar panels ready
39. Oversized Marine grade Tin plated copper wiring & Blue Sea Systems Marine battery switches.
40. 30 Amp-12 volt Main power selector disconnect switch
41. Easily expandable...already set up for adding solar panel/s & controller
EXTERIOR:
42. Patio lights on either side with a motion sensor on the passenger side.
43. Six sections of black Anodized Aluminum roof racks take advantage of entire roof area. Great for Kayaks, Canoes, & SUP's, or could*be used as a viewing/seating platform, and/or place for a Solar panel for indefinite off grid use.
44. Rear ladder for easy roof access.
45. Brand new Class IV Trailer hitch for up to 10,000lb towing capacity 1,000lb tongue weight
OTHER:
We are second owner. . . purchased in 2010 from original owner with 81,000 miles. Currently 137,000 miles.
Well maintained
Have replaced or upgraded the following mechanically:
New O2 sensor 06/16
New intercooler hoses 06/16
New Harmonic Balancer 06/16
Replaced tensioner, idler pulleys, and serpentine belt 06/16
Changed oil, fuel filter, & air filter 6/16. Changed oil every 10,000 Miles & always used Full synthetic Mobil 01 oil (including previous owner).
New exhaust system from cat back 02/16 & mid section to front pipe 03/17
New MAF sensor 01/16
Turbo resonator upgraded to aluminum billet style 01/16
New starting battery 06/15
New EGR valve 06/15
New brake pads & rotors 06/15
New front tires 04/15
Replaced transmission in 2013 @ 106,548 miles. No problem since.
Mechanically seems to be in good condition, well maintained
Have replaced or upgraded the following for coach RV conversion:
New 300 amp hr house batteries 03/17
New 60amp Converter charger 03/17
New CURT class IV Trailer hitch, 1000lb tongue weight 03/17
New convection toaster oven with inside light 03/17
New fresh water pump 02/17
New Stowaway 2 cargo Box 08/16
New Dometic Penguin II low profile 13,500 btu Air Conditioner with thermostat 06/15
Some typical rust spots on body, but have kept them in check with rust conversion and paint touch ups.
Near future and later maintenance suggestions:
Rear tires, parts & labor approx $750-1,000
Rear parking brake pad & spring kit, approx parts $75
Front seats have some cracking on side panels, but foam and cloth are in excellent condition, could be easily repaired to factory condition approx mat's. & labor $350
Exhaust manifold bolts replacement approx $360-700
Within next few years might be wise to replace glow plugs, some people replace the glow plugs as preventative maintenance around 150-175,000 miles Approx. parts $250
There is some rust on the underside and should also be manageable with seasonal treatment with rust convertor and possibly a barrier coating afterwards if you will be using frequently in winter road salt environments or rust prone areas
Annually check for body touch ups, etc.
Support
Free phone tech support for questions regarding RV coach functionality for the first month for you the new owner.
Includes custom operations manuals for RV coach conversion systems.
There are several well known expert techs in North America who can offer vehicle mechanical assistance via phone if needed, besides a massive online Sprinter forum resource support group https://sprinter-source.com/forum/ for troubleshooting and repairing any potential issues relating to the vehicle, one of the best for any vehicle available.
I am selling my Custom Converted Sprinter Van that has been a tiny home on wheels for us. Although this is not the standard 4x4 off-road expedition type camper typically posted here, it is nevertheless a great adventure vehicle that some might find of interest.
Here is a link to more photos & details:
https://goodhealth4yall.wixsite.com/tinyhomeonwheels
Custom RV Conversion 2005 MB Sprinter 3500 Dually
2.7 liter, 5 cylinder MB turbo diesel, 158 WB, Super high ceiling, Towing Capacity: 5000 LBS
Price $59,600
The vehicle manages 19-23 mpg and handles like a car yet has many of the comforts of a large motor home. The ride is smooth and best of all you can park it almost anywhere and be in the complete luxury of your own home on wheels, wherever you go! The perfect adventure vehicle.2.7 liter, 5 cylinder MB turbo diesel, 158 WB, Super high ceiling, Towing Capacity: 5000 LBS
Price $59,600
Many folks consider this year model to be one of the most reliable of the Sprinter models, including the newest versions. These T1N engines are well known for going for 500,000 miles or more. They also get better gas mileage than the newer ones.
This RV Conversion/Tiny home on wheels was the culmination of a very long search for an existing RV that would readily fit most of our needs that we could purchase ready to use. We never found anything that was close enough, so we decided to do our own conversion.
Since we knew we'd be spending extended time in our RV as a temporary home while extensively renovating a new home, we felt it was important that our conversion felt spacious & not claustrophobic. This is in contrast to the RV industry standards for the size and class RV's we were looking at. We also used non toxic materials and finishes throughout wherever possible including top of the line materials, fixtures, electronics, & electricals, that didn't have heavy out gassing of plastics & vinyl materials, all of which are common place even in the most expensive of conversions.
We surveyed a lot of full-time & part time RV'ers & found that most never used their bathrooms or showers in their RV's, preferring to instead use restrooms/showers on the road or at campgrounds/truckstops, rather than using the standard way too small, marginally functional RV bathrooms, and they also wanted to avoid having to deal with dumping their grey & black water tanks constantly. So instead of the traditional bathroom, we opted for a simple composting toilet, a much larger kitchen sink, and only a fresh water tank. This allowed for a much bigger kitchen, a permanent queen sized bed area, plus lots of extra storage areas.
We store a lot of high quality food & prepare gourmet meals when traveling, so we maximized kitchen functionality with plenty of extra countertop and storage space, installed the largest marine two door upright frig available, installed a deep, heavy duty dual basin Stainless Steel residential sink. Two people can comfortably work side by side in the kitchen. We also designed a unique two-tiered overhead cabinet system which maximizes headroom and sense of spaciousness while at the same time providing ton's of usable cabinet storage space.
We wanted to be able to go to sleep or take a nap without having to convert a couch or chairs into a bed every time we wanted to use it, which is especially convenient during long travels. So we raised the bed platform just enough to create ton's of storage underneath that is both accessible from the back doors and inside the coach, and still*have plenty of room above to sit up in bed. We installed two large windows that run almost the length of the bed platform for panoramic views while resting. It is essentially glass all around the bed and with thick insulated top down bottom up shades, you can easily block out light for both maximum privacy and ventilation. It feels very private & secure with all the blinds up. We have never slept anywhere in a more comfortable, cozy & inspiring bed/bedroom setup. It can easily spoil you. It is designed to accommodate a queen size mattress/padding. There are Pullman style curtains that can be pulled across to separate the bed from the rest of the RV. This has a nice romantic feel and provides additional light & sound buffer if one person wants to go to bed before the other.
There is also a curtain to buffer between the cabin & the kitchen/closet zone and is a quick & easy method for privacy in parking lot's, etc.
The lighting was designed to enhance the individual aesthetics of each of the 3 different zones in the RV. . .the Bed, kitchen/closet, and the cabin/seating areas. The fixtures are marine grade Halogen incandescents (most are Stainless Steel) which are still very energy efficient and so much easier on the eyes than LED's and of course their color renditions are more*true to life. They are also on dimmers. There are indirect LED baseboard lights that are multicolored & programmable for mood/ambiance.
Custom fabricated no-see-um screens with magnetic closures for side door, back doors, and all vents & skylights.
We used 1/4" birch, formaldehyde free, plywood for the cabinet doors to save weight to help keep the center of gravity lower than traditional RV cabinets which helps give the vehicle better stability in all conditions.
We are very clean and have kept the interior in like-new condition. The vehicle has never been smoked in nor has it had any pets. It has not been in any accidents. The body has the usual dings & scratches for a vehicle of this age. There are some typical rust spots on the body, but have monitored & kept them in check with rust conversion & paint touch ups.
Perfect for weekend trips, full or part time van or motor home camping/living, ideal tiny home on wheels, very comfortable for living in while building or renovating a new home (which was our primary use for this vehicle). Could easily be adapted for indefinite off grid living, with the addition of a solar panel and controller or generator.*We no longer need this tiny home on wheels as we have renovated our new home.
INTERIOR:
Thoughtfully designed for maximum storage space and a feeling of grand spaciousness. Yacht like design and finish quality with lot's of functional & aesthetic details. Two people can comfortably work in the kitchen space side by side. Formaldehyde free plywood cabinets, solid woods, and non toxic finishes including Safecoat and/or low to zero VOC paints. This custom converted RV features a "three Zone" floor plan. Fully insulated with spray polyurethane foam makes the van more energy efficient in all types of weather.
Cabin Area Highlights (Zone 1)
1. Audiophile quality stereo system. . .Kenwood AM/FM/CD player with USB connect, Focal K2 6-3/4" 2-way speakers in a beautifully integrated custom a-pillar mounted speaker surrounds for optimized imaging & sound quality, Alpine PDX 4x100 watt digital amp, and 10" Subwoofer
2. Revolving captain seats that rotate 180 degrees for interior seating while parked.
3. Map reading light above passenger seat to read the maps during night time travel that does not create glare for the driver
4. Marine grade adjustable lighting on both sides of the cabin for reading and/or ambience when parked.
Kitchen area Custom design and build Highlights (Zone 2)
5. Marine grade gyroscopic fan behind the cockpit area to use either in the kitchen section or towards the cockpit area
6. Custom designed overhead open Map pockets to store maps and other items.
7. Book shelf cabinets to store books, manuals etc
8. Coat/Jacket closet under the book shelf
9. Enclosed composting toilet storage area
10. Unique style of two-tiered Cabinets all along the overhead ceiling line, Spice racks with clear lexan fronts
11. Specially designed Large Kitchen solid Cherry counter tops, including a pop up extension
12. 10" deep, double residential heavy gauge Stainless Steel sink, SS faucet
13. All Shark bite & pex plumbing & fittings
14. Large Novakool 9.1cu ft marine grade refrigerator with freezer. Super energy efficient AC/DC
15. Dometic Euro style LP two burner stove with glass cover,
16. Convection toaster oven that we have used to even bake breads.
17. Fantastic fan vent/skylight for kitchen exhaust and natural light.
18. Large window behind the Stove for a view while cooking with top down bottom up style custom Bali Duette blinds for privacy anytime.
19. Dometic Penguin II low profile 13,500 btu Air Conditioner with thermostat
20. 16 Gallon Fresh Water Tank
21. Electric Hot Water Heater : 2.5 Gallons
22. Portable Ragasco Marine grade composite Propane Tank 11lb
Bedroom Highlights (Zone 3)
23. Bed area is separated from the kitchen/Main space area by Pullman style curtains
24. Bed is always available without having to fold down anything and is always ready to jump in for rest or sleep time.
25. Queen size bed platform with headboards that also provide additional privacy whenever back doors are opened. There are also two through panels, with access to Main electrical box & disconnects from the bed platform.
26. Large windows in the bedroom area provide beautiful panoramic views whenever camped in your favorite campground or remote site and top down bottom up style custom Bali Duette blinds completely or partially cover any light for privacy and a good night's rest.
27. Two marine grade gyroscopic fans over bed, designed for individual use.
28. Marine grade adjustable lighting on both sides of the bed area with dimmers designed to use for night time reading & are energy efficient, warm and inviting.
29. Double closet over head cabinets on both sides of the bedroom.
30. Maxxair with remote ceiling exhaust vent skylight
31. Huge storage area under the bed 76" x 68"x 25", accessible from kitchen & from rear of vehicle. Also houses the RV electronic/electrical control system.
HOUSE/COACH MECHANICAL SYSTEM
32. Blue Sea Systems Combiner allows house charging system to charge starting battery or allows vehicle alternator to charge house batteries when driving
33. Brand new 300 amp hour House Battery bank (AGM Lifeline sealed batteries)
34. Xantrex 2000 watt pure sine wave Inverter with remote switch in kitchen
35. Custom built tin plated copper bus bars with additional lug space for easy upgrades such as solar
36. Trimetric Battery monitor
37. Brand new Powermax Boondocker 60amp Converter charger
38. Logically laid out Electrical & Electronic Control center that is solar panels ready
39. Oversized Marine grade Tin plated copper wiring & Blue Sea Systems Marine battery switches.
40. 30 Amp-12 volt Main power selector disconnect switch
41. Easily expandable...already set up for adding solar panel/s & controller
EXTERIOR:
42. Patio lights on either side with a motion sensor on the passenger side.
43. Six sections of black Anodized Aluminum roof racks take advantage of entire roof area. Great for Kayaks, Canoes, & SUP's, or could*be used as a viewing/seating platform, and/or place for a Solar panel for indefinite off grid use.
44. Rear ladder for easy roof access.
45. Brand new Class IV Trailer hitch for up to 10,000lb towing capacity 1,000lb tongue weight
OTHER:
We are second owner. . . purchased in 2010 from original owner with 81,000 miles. Currently 137,000 miles.
Well maintained
Have replaced or upgraded the following mechanically:
New O2 sensor 06/16
New intercooler hoses 06/16
New Harmonic Balancer 06/16
Replaced tensioner, idler pulleys, and serpentine belt 06/16
Changed oil, fuel filter, & air filter 6/16. Changed oil every 10,000 Miles & always used Full synthetic Mobil 01 oil (including previous owner).
New exhaust system from cat back 02/16 & mid section to front pipe 03/17
New MAF sensor 01/16
Turbo resonator upgraded to aluminum billet style 01/16
New starting battery 06/15
New EGR valve 06/15
New brake pads & rotors 06/15
New front tires 04/15
Replaced transmission in 2013 @ 106,548 miles. No problem since.
Mechanically seems to be in good condition, well maintained
Have replaced or upgraded the following for coach RV conversion:
New 300 amp hr house batteries 03/17
New 60amp Converter charger 03/17
New CURT class IV Trailer hitch, 1000lb tongue weight 03/17
New convection toaster oven with inside light 03/17
New fresh water pump 02/17
New Stowaway 2 cargo Box 08/16
New Dometic Penguin II low profile 13,500 btu Air Conditioner with thermostat 06/15
Some typical rust spots on body, but have kept them in check with rust conversion and paint touch ups.
Near future and later maintenance suggestions:
Rear tires, parts & labor approx $750-1,000
Rear parking brake pad & spring kit, approx parts $75
Front seats have some cracking on side panels, but foam and cloth are in excellent condition, could be easily repaired to factory condition approx mat's. & labor $350
Exhaust manifold bolts replacement approx $360-700
Within next few years might be wise to replace glow plugs, some people replace the glow plugs as preventative maintenance around 150-175,000 miles Approx. parts $250
There is some rust on the underside and should also be manageable with seasonal treatment with rust convertor and possibly a barrier coating afterwards if you will be using frequently in winter road salt environments or rust prone areas
Annually check for body touch ups, etc.
Support
Free phone tech support for questions regarding RV coach functionality for the first month for you the new owner.
Includes custom operations manuals for RV coach conversion systems.
There are several well known expert techs in North America who can offer vehicle mechanical assistance via phone if needed, besides a massive online Sprinter forum resource support group https://sprinter-source.com/forum/ for troubleshooting and repairing any potential issues relating to the vehicle, one of the best for any vehicle available.
