I have a client who makes pretty good money as an interior designer. I've done some good work for her, she seems to think I'm a hot item (man, have I got her fooled), pics at bottom of a couple of large planters I built for her deck at her SF loft. 10' long, 3' wide, 22" tall, not counting feet.

She suggested I get into doing van conversions. Are apparently selling like hotcakes now. Said she'd invest in it, make it happen.

Have never even ridden in a Sprinter. Looks like the 144" wheelbase is the more popular, I'm guessing the 3.0 V6 diesel is the way to go. Some good kits available for conversion, would make it quicker, making all of that stuff from scratch would be time and $$ steep.

Anybody have any great advice for me?

She already had two smaller models of this planter, we copied the style, 2x10 PT wrapped with perforated steel sheeting, rusts into a lovely patina. Here's a cool optical effect, for those easily entertained anyway:

https://youtu.be/TWLD8XFl6fk

https://youtu.be/L-CClTGNYd0

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

If you can do that level of work and keep it lightweight youll do well. Aircraft interiors and limited space design is what I researched for ideas when I was messing with retired sprinters from work. These were the high top long wheelbase versions but sold them when life got in the way. I got a lot of good ideas from enclosed trailers conversions to campers as well. Including full rooftop solar (except where the AC went).

Pretty sure I'll be exploring kits. I've seen some that look pretty good. The stuff is a good combo of lightweight and attaractive. I can fantacize about lightweight shelves, cabinets, etc. - largely aluminum frame fiberglass face with wood veneer over, but making that stuff would be something to hold off on. Who knows, if I take off with it I could explore it but got to walk before I can run.

I've been looking for used units locally, there's a commercial truck rental place near Palo Alto that also does sales, they have two Freightliner 144" wb models with 2.1 turbo diesels.

I didn't realize that Freightliner was just a rebadged Mercedes, not sure what's up with that. Seems the Mercedes star would add some cachet, I would rather go that route.

https://www.htrucks.com/sales_cargovans_detail.php?ID=15052

These 2 units are almost identical, 66k miles $36,000. This place has a really good reputation for used vehicles. Everything that matters has been checked out and/or renewed. These are refrigerated, no big, that comes out, could probably sell it, would need to remove the sepearator. I'll keep looking. Not sure how well the 2.1 diesel does. I guess the smaller motor comes with a 9 speed tranny. Would rather go with the 3.0 I think.

Here's one kit that looks pretty good:

https://www.curbed.com/2018/6/8/17427036/camper-van-for-sale-vanlife-diy-kit

This link has a lot of photos on one page from a manufacturer - not a kit - good food for thought:

https://www.businessinsider.com/vansmith-new-camper-van-mercedes-benz-sprinter-2020-5#theres-also-a-garage-space-underneath-the-bed-to-store-larger-belongings-such-as-gear-and-equipment-8

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

The thoroughness of the kits will matter a lot.

My dad worked in a travel trailer factory in Elkhart In when he was young. It is different from working in a building in a couple of ways.....first you cannot use a level because the trailer is on wheels instead of a foundation. I suspect this is easily solved by leveling the chassis to start with but apparently they did not do it that way where dad worked. Second it was back when they were using plywood for the inside. Every piece had to fit together perfectly because there was no drywall mud and tape to cover mistakes.

If the kits are good I imagine it might be a pretty good gig if you are good at doing puzzles.

Having a personal relationship with your business partner might make it tricky though.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

That would be a problem. There was some heat when I first started working for her, maybe a year ago. I gathered she was separating from her hubby - they are both Indian - red dot, not bow and arrow. She's pretty cool, sort of a hottie but then I started seeing her husband around more. Cool guy. I can't cheat on a guy when I know him and like him. I think adultery is a bad idea anyway. If they were actually separated would be different. I don't know what they're doing. They seem to get along just fine. Long story, but no romance between us. Just as well. We can tell we like each other but we're going to keep it platonic.

To the other, I've done a bit of this before, not too much. You can get levels that you set at what degree you want to be level. Would be a lot of challenges. I'm more versatile than the average carpenter, used to make stringed instruments. Helps with fancy finishes.

My BiL is telling me that people are really buying these things right now in a big way. The Sprinter is much nicer to drive and park that a huge RV.

Got to strike while the iron is hot.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

The virus has boosted the market because folks don't feel safe to fly places any more.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

There are a lot of van conversion videos on YouTube that might provide ideas on the level of effort and sophistication going on out there. Mostly rambling build video series by attractive young couples, but once you sort through the fluff there should be some value.

What price point are you guys thinking? You can buy a new Winnebago Travato (B class camper van in a Ram Promaster body shell) for perhaps $90K. It includes running hot/cold water, kitchen, wet bath, ac, generator, solar, etc. Might put an upper bound on what you can get for a kit conversion and hence limit the available margin.

Wow, this sounds interesting to me .

Be sure to ask the Ca. DMV what they think of changing the class of vehicle from commercial to house car ~ this can be done , I did it to a used VW panel truck once, it wasn't difficult, the lazy DMV clerks didn't want to do it though .

I see lots of Sprinter campers out there now so look at the current used prices too .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

The 'camper' world intrigues me, but not in a good way.
If you are young, can earn a living from the internets - go ahead, have a good time...

...I have yet to find anyone raising children in a 'vanlife' or a 'tiny house'.

I always thought that as we (generally) got older, the more we wanted a stationary place to rest, free from drama, maybe with room to pursue hobbies.
I understand that not everyone is like this, and living with no mortage payment (do you have $90k in case for a Travata ?) has appeal, but Ive always seen the 'vanlife' scene as a 'youthful idealist' market only.

that being said - perhaps the answer is for you (cmac) to create just one - how fast does it sell ? do you have inside(?) shop space and tools to make it work ? most importantly - do you like making Vanlifes more than you enjoy your current vocation ? only by making one can you tell.

-Boring Suburban Dad

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

Well, from Carl's posts last year or so he is getting to the age where physical wear and tear of house carpentering gets to be a lot to endure. These van parts would be pretty light weight and his lifetime of carpentering savvy will be priceless.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

anytime you are looking at a business opportunity, best to seriously check out the competition. Airrstream, Coach House RV, Winnebago View and Dynamax Corp. Most people who are thinking "Mercedes" aren't thinking "Volkswagen grade DIY camper van".

https://www.airstream.com/touring-coaches/

https://www.coachhouserv.com/

https://www.winnebago.com/models/product/motorhomes-and-towables/motorhomes/class-c/view

https://www.dynamaxcorp.com/class-c-motorhomes/isata-3

If I have learned anything in this life it is this; there is a vast difference between a "business" and a "hobby" and a "hobby business". I've seen many a good man or woman start something because they were passionate about the product/service. After a short period of time, it became apparent they were more into a hobby rather than a business.

Nothing wrong with a hobby just as long as you realize you likely won't make the serious $$$$ you thought you would make.

The big time Mercedes Sprinter RV people have invested thousands and thousands of dollars into tooling plus training for their workers. It isn't impossible to succeed but let's just say it might be difficult acquiring the necessary resources, i.e. money, tooling, trained workers, factory, etc. to compete with those guys.

Expeditionportal.com

More overland oriented but definitely your best place to start. I am in the planning stage of converting my van to point-to-point use (i.e. still has some stuff but im fine in a tent)

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Carl you would want to do "one offs" for select customers. It would be hard to compete with the commercial offerings.

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Jim

I've always wondered if you can get your Mercedes Sprinter serviced at the dealership if you purchase an RV based on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis. Does anyone know? Would it be serviced under warranty?