SprinterWild, a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4x4

[montanawild]

Hello! My name is Leslie Gaines and I'm a documentary film producer and Goal Zero Solar sales representative. Over the years I've built and travelled around North America and Mexico in several different campers. In the late 70's I owned a Holiday Rambler travel trailer, a few Airstreams from the 60's and 70's, a barely used Unimog 140L that I custom built, a Ford F-250 diesel with a Four-Wheel Camper Keystone, a 2012 Toyota Tundra with the same Four-Wheel Camper, a 2006 E-350 Sportsmobile van and now finally my dream van, a 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4x4 that I'm currently building into my full time home on the open road.

Today, I'm embarking on my new adventure--sharing the story of my van build and some of the people I've met along the back roads of the United States and Mexico. This van has been a dream of mine for a long time and it's now a reality. I hope readers will learn something from my mistakes and experiences and be inspired to build their dream camper.

Here is a picture of me sorting out too much stuff at my cottage in Montana and a shot of the first night camped in the van on the Clark Fork River in Montana.

 

[socalctcamper]

Looking forward to your story and pics...Please post the pic you mentioned. Thanks.

 

[Healeyjet]

Leslie, I am looking forward to your story.
You may have to have a certain number of posts under your belt to post pictures or links.
I am sure someone with more knowledge about that will be along shortly.

Ward

 

[montanawild]

I am new to this and a Mac user. Posting here doesn't seem very intuitive. Sorry that the photos I wanted to post are not able to be posted until I have twenty posts. I have no idea how to open a "photo bucket."

 

[Healeyjet]

Leslie send me a private message. I can post them for you.

Ward

 

[montanawild]

Picking the best van

Picking the Right Van

In 2014 I was able to find a great deal on a barely used 2006 Ford E-350 Sportsmobile van. I located the van on the used section of the Sportsmobile West web site. The folks at Sportsmobile were helpful in setting up the purchase and very diligent. I drove to Bellingham, WA and picked up the van. For a year I enjoyed camping in this van and drove it about 25,000 miles and eventually to Florida and back to Montana where I have a cottage near the Yellowstone River. I’m 6’1” tall and I always was crawling around like a blue crab so I longed for a Sprinter where I could stand up.

 

[socalctcamper]

I am a MAC user as well. Don't change it, LOL...I am sure the pics will come.

 

[tarditi]

Welcome aboard - looking forward to the posts. While I whole-heartedly recommend using this forum, for your adventures and professional work I recommend starting a blog and just keeping us informed on the forum how your tale is unfolding.

Goal0 - love me some goal0!

 

[montanawild]

As soon as I get to 20 posts I'll start adding some photos. I'm planning to add a 35 gallon water tank from West Marine and want to add a hot water heater. Would love to hear ideas on this.

 

[montanawild]

Thanks for your interest. I have started a SprinterWild Facebook page and you can find photos I post on Instagram.

 

[montanawild]

If I had to use a PC I'd just shoot myself. Love the MacBook Pro. Will be documenting the wild folks I meet with a Sony FS-7 4K camera system. You can find me at SprinterWild on Facebook and Instagram.

 

[CurtStyler]

Awesome story, can't wait to see how the van build turns out! I'm so excited to see what people do with the 4x4 Sprinters.

 

[montanawild]

I didn't see the van build section and probably need to move my thread to the van build section. As soon as I hit 20 posts I'd like to do that and move the whole build sequence.
Is is hard to move the thread?

 

[Healeyjet]

I would just start a new one over there.

Ward

 

[lactic]

Thanks for your interest. I have started a SprinterWild Facebook page and you can find photos I post on Instagram.

Following on both. Looking forward to hearing the story of your build and following your Sprinter adventures!