We are selling our 2006 Dodge Sprinter 2500 that has been converted into a camper van. The previous owner purchased the van in 2017 and converted it. We are the first owner since the conversion and have driven it across the country several times. We currently live in Palm Springs and enjoy taking it to Joshua Tree and other nearby national parks. It currently has 194,084 miles. This van has a 140” wheel base, high roof, and is powered by a 2.17 5 cylinder turbo diesel. You can reach up to 24 mpg. It also has a 2 inch hitch that can be attached to a trailer (which we did not use). The van has cruise control and an upgraded Bluetooth head unit.
The van is insulated with reflextix, ½ in polyiso board, and expanding foam. It includes a 4,000/9,000 btu Little Buddy Propane Heater, which has kept the van warm in temperatures down to 5 degrees Farenheit. There is a carbon monoxide detector, along with a ceiling vent with a 12v fan installed for warmer days. The back of the van is split by the Sealy Memory Foam Bed, which allows for abundant storage below. The front space includes a dresser cabinet, manual pump sink, and countertop. The back and side windows are tinted quite dark and there are curtains on the back, side, and front for total privacy.
The electrical system was oversized to run high powered appliances like a toaster oven and espresso machine. The roof holds 4x 100 watt solar panels which feed a 200ah deep cycle agm battery through the 40 amp charge controller and MT-50 meter. There is also a 40 amp DC to DC charger hooked to the alternator so the battery can be charged both by the engine and through solar. The 2000 watt inverter provides 4 x 110v AC outlets. All these electronics were purchased through Renogy. The system powers a 12v 63 qt Edgestar refrigerator/freezer which is located under the bed. This unit can be used either as a refrigerator or freezer depending on where you set the temperature. The battery is about a year old and barely used. They normally last around 3 years when used heavily.
Overall, this van has been incredibly reliable. We regularly serviced the vehicle at our local Mercedes-Benz Dealer and all the scheduled maintenance has been kept up to date. Passed the smog test, etc. The only major failure we had was on our last major trip in July of 2022, when the alternator failed. The alternator was replaced at a reputable shop and there have been no problems since. There are some signs of rust around the perimeter of the vehicle, which is a common feature in similar vehicles of this age – though does not impact the performance of the van. The air-conditioning works, but needs to be recharged about once per year. The sound speakers are upgraded, but when we purchased the van noticed the bass was blown out and have not replaced or upgraded.
This van (dubbed “Art Vandelay” or “Van Diesel”) has given us great joy, and in the last year a change in our careers has prevented us from enjoying van travel as much as we had hoped. We are sad to be selling this van, but we are hopeful to find a new good home for our van with owners who will be able to take it on many new adventures.
