SPRINTER GATHERING 4/17/10: 5th Annual NW SprinterFest, Tualatin, OR

[mhiscox]

It's once again time for the M-Bz Sprinter van to have it's day in the sun/rain. The fifth annual Sprinterfest will be held on Saturday, April 17th in Tualatin, OR, a few miles south of Portland just off I-5. They'll be a wide variety of Sprinter rigs, from work trucks to campers and motorhomes, both the older T1Ns and the new NCV3s. I'll be there with much of my fleet, the Tacoma and the ER Jeep having been given a day of official Sprinter membership.

If you've any interest in Sprinters, either for street use or for overlanding, you should consider dropping by if you're in the area, especially if the weather turns out nice.

Here's the official blurb:

Greetings Everyone,

The 5th Annual NW SprinterFest will be held on Saturday April 17th, 2010. This year will feature RV conversions done by van owners. Sprinter owners from all over the West Coast have indicated they will bring their pride and joys for all to see and share. Ideas will abound!! And like last year...we'll have a pot luck with the grills fired up for some good old fashion home cookin'. The event will be held in our parking lot, will start at 10:00am and will go until we're done (4:00pm or so). So come join us and share in some Sprinter camaraderie!

Thank you, John
Sprinter Store
http://sprinterstore.com/
A division of Upscale Automotive, Inc.
19460 SW 89th Ave.
Tualatin, OR 97062
503-692-0846

And more elaborate details here: http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10308&highlight=Sprinterfest.

 

[Herbie]

Nice! Wish I could be there.

I'm curious to hear about the state of the Sprinter Store 4x4 conversion. I think their website still lists it as "no ETA".

Lack of an inexpensive 4x4 option is what pushed me to the Astro van, but its never too late to change course!

 

[mhiscox]

I'm curious to hear about the state of the Sprinter Store 4x4 conversion. I think their website still lists it as "no ETA".

I'll try to get an update at SprinterFest. John and his crew did, of course, complete the one conversion:

that is described in this thread:

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20766.

And while it turned out well enough, I don't know if they've had anyone else who was serious about spending the money. The issue is that this conversion works because it's essentially all new Mercedes factory 4x4 parts bought seperately and put into the NAFTA Sprinter. This results in tens of thousands of dollars in component costs alone, making the conversion somewhere around $30K, last I heard. Not too attractive.

I'd love a Sprinter 4x4, but know enough of T. Low's Astro to consider it a fantastic alternative. If you're replicating that van, you are on a good course.

 

[mhiscox]

This saturday!

Yeah, I know . . . everyone's at Overland Expo. :sombrero:

Here's the latest blurb. I anticipate a good time will be had by all.

3 days and counting to the 5th Annual SprinterFest! The weather looks good so…are you ready!!! Yes, we'll have the grill going for Hal. McCoy Freightliner will have a 2010 Sprinter for us to get our little paws on and test drive. And, we will have a couple of special treats. An Earthroamer excursion vehicle and Tom's 4wd Sprinter!! There will be lot of folks attending. Many new Sprinter owners and some that have just ordered a new Sprinter but have not taken possession yet. They will be very excited to talk and learn about their new purchase. You old timers will need to step up and answer all their questions. So grab your favorite food, drink (and of course your Sprinter) and come on down. BTW, for those who don't know, the Fest will be held at our shop this Saturday the 17th from 10:00am until were done (see the address below or give us a call for directions).

See ya there, John
Sprinter Store
http://sprinterstore.com/
A division of Upscale Automotive, Inc.
19460 SW 89th Ave.
Tualatin, OR 97062
503-692-0846

 

[adventureduo]

Ever since i drove yours i have been in love with Sprinters. Can you take photos of the event for all of us that can't make it? Im sure we'd all like to see the various rigs that show up.

Have fun Mike!

 

[mhiscox]

Well, as they say . . . You shoulda been there. Best ever SprinterFest, with 39 different rigs and dozens of non-owners stopping by to check things out. For the first time, considerably more of the 2007-on NCV3 models than the older T1Ns. LOTS of interest in doing conversions, and I spent the entire day (missed lunch) giving tours of my Sprnter. It tended to reinforce what I've always said about the Sprinter being an excellent platform for the non-hardcore camper looking to stay out of a pre-build RV.

Anyway, we had people come from all over and everyone had a fine time comparing notes, taking pictures, and generally belonging to the tribe.

Interestingly, some guy brought a couple of overlanding vehicles that I thought were pretty cool, but they got remarkably little attention from the Sprinter-focused attendees. :sombrero:

No doubt, they'll be a Sixth Annual event next year. (With some luck, maybe they can avoid hitting both Overland Expo and the big PNWA swap meet.)

 

[Christian P.]

Mike

Looks like a great event!

In the parking lot of overland expo there was a 2007+ sprinter 4x4
I believe it was a SK conversion. the front axle was a Ford and it looks pretty sturdy. I did not have the chance to meet the owner.
I have a few pics that I will post later but I was curious to see if you have seen other conversion and heard feedback about it?

Thanks.

Christian

 

[GhettoBago]

Damn, wish i had known, I live 5 minutes from that event but alas it's now the 29th! Next year I suppose!