Wait, you guys live in a van?
We decided that the benefits of a camper van based on the Mercedes Sprinter would be worth the trade off of less space than a big RV. We figured we could make the tiny living space work for us to live and travel and work in. And so far (for a month), we've been right!
Yes, it's all about the Van Shuffle: coordinating movements, reconfiguring stuff, and reoccupying the space depending on the mode of operation (cooking mode, sleeping mode, one person working inside, two people working inside, etc.).
The short length (22 feet, 9 inches) allows us on more roads and in more campgrounds.
The fact that it's self-contained makes it more sturdy, more secure, and more stealth.
The Specs
Our home is a 2016 RoadTrek CS Adventurous. Here are her vital statistics.
Inside:
- 7 cu. ft. refrigerator (12V DC/120V AC)
- Two burner propane gas stove
- 1.0 cubic foot microwave + convection oven
- 3.0 quart instant pot (120V AC)
- 16,000 BTU/hour furnace (propane/120V AC)
- 3 gal. on-demand water heater
- Two 5 gal. (20 L) military spec "jerry can" containers made of food-grade BPA-free plastic for drinking water
Outside:
- 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter chassis
- 600 W solar
- 800 Ah Lithium battery
- Under-hood generator (GU)
- 11,000 BTU air conditioner (120V AC)
- 30 gal. (113 L) fresh water tank
- 21 gal. (79 L) gray water tank
- 10 gal. (38 L) black water tank
- 16 gal. (61 L) propane tank (12.8 gal. at 80%)
White Planetary World-Bridger
A long time – like two decades – ago, Joe went to an online website that purported to identify (supposedly drawing on many frameworks and methodologies and on and on) one's purpose in life. As if you could know one's soul's calling based on one's birthday, interests, self-reported tendencies, habits, political affiliations, current/previous/dream job, probably favorite color (which incidentally wasn't white), and who knows what other factors may have been considered, including but not limited to one's web browser version and plugins and operating system software platform.
Anyway, Joe's purpose in life according to some website in the 1990's was "White Planetary World-Bridger".
We thought it was a more appropriate name for a recreational vehicle.
Additional details follow. Photo gallery coming soon!
Outfitted for desert
The reflective foam insulation on the outside of the windows helps keep the inside of the van cool even under the hot desert sun. The white color helps too.
With air filters over the screens of both rear windows, we tilt the windows open and run the exhaust fan on the roof to circulate cooler, filtered air in from outside.
We run the 11,000 BTU air conditioning a few hours each day if we're inside during the hottest part of the day or sleeping into the late morning (at a festival). The A/C requires running our inverter and draws a fair amount of 120V AC power.
Stocked with Supplies
The 7 cu. ft. refrigerator has ample cold food storage for a week of groceries. The 30 U.S. gal. (113 L) fresh water tank holds plenty of water for washing and cleaning purposes. Two 20L military spec containers (made of food-grade BPA-free plastic) dedicated to holding our drinking water, expand our water capacity.
We use the two burner gas stove mainly to cook breakfast. We don't expect to use the 1.0 cubic foot microwave oven much but it will be nice to have the built-in convection oven.
Santa gave us a 3.0 quart instant pot, which runs on 120V AC (standard household power) provided by our inverter. We imagine preparing many one-pot meals, letting them cook while we drive!
We're thinking that a rear hitch-mounted storage container will be necessary to expand overall storage capacity and allow us to carry folding bikes among other things. The ability to carry extra fuel and water would be welcome as well.
