I purchased this van new from Mercedes Benz of West Covina, CA Feb 2020. Professional installation outlined below. My brother-in-law and I installed the floor, ceiling and cabinets. All other interior done by myself with conscious intent, lots of research and hours of expert advice from my dad. This van has been my home (mostly) since build completion Sept 2020 while working as a traveler on contract assignments in healthcare. It is stealthy enough to park in a security patrolled hospital lot in a big city for a month and not be noticed as well as along residential streets, and safe enough to feel comfortable on remote BLM and national forest land with no cell service. It has comfortably sustained me through a wet winter in Nor Cal, a very cold winter in Western CO and 2 summers to/ from the east coast with only a diesel heater and vented roof fan, no house AC. It was, however, mandatory to drive to elevation to sleep during the summer while in Western CO and UT. The interior build is simple, spacious and everything is easily accessed for maintenance. Thinsulate insulation in ceiling and walls, havelock wool in smaller cubbies and holes. Factory flooring covered by ¾ in birch plywood, followed by waterproof laminate, no insulation. I am just under 5’5” and sleep sideways comfortably on a full-sized mattress with ~2” shaved off to fit. Bed height is suited to accommodate Flares for taller humans. There is not room for upright peddle bikes in the ‘garage’, but my folding fat tire e bike lived there comfortably on a wood slider. 2 self heating lithium batteries located under the van power the 12v outlets and are charged by two 190w solar panels on the roof, as well as the alternator. House electric is a 12v system only. Yeti 1500 portable power station for AC power, charged by a 12v cord, provides enough battery for daily use of coffee maker, induction cook top, hair dryer, etc. Whale foot pump provides precise water control (cold water only) from a 25g tank and drains to a 2-gallon sealed container, simple to disassemble and clean. Grey water typically emptied daily. Joolca V2 portable hot water kit installed on passenger barn door for outdoor hot showers which connects to house water or outdoor water source with hose and 12v pump. Portable butane stove and induction cooktop used for cooking. Both seats have factory installed swivels with seat covers and there is a custom overhead shelf in cab. Waterproof floor mats over factory floor driver and passenger side.
I have taken exceptional care of this vehicle and aside from normal wear, a few superficial scratches on the sides from branches and one small dent on the driver barn door from a tree limb, this van and the build are in excellent condition and live in ready. Mercedes Benz financial is the lien holder.
Professional Installation by American Van Works, Stanton, CA (Feb 2020)
- Maxxair Deluxe with remote
-Go Power Overlander Solar kit 190w x2 mounted on roof
-Go Power Solar Controller
-2 12v receptacles front and rear
-Rixens Espar Airtronic S2 Diesel Heater installed under passenger seat
-CRL T-vent window driver side
Professional Installation by The Vansmith, Boulder, CO (Nov 2022)
-Victron energy DC-DC charger with VictronConnect App
-2 Renogy Smart Lithium Self Heating 12v 100Ah batteries mounted underneath the van
Professional Maintenance by Rixens Enterprises Inc, Sandy, OR (Mar 2023)
-Espar Heater cleaning with gasket replacement
Other specs/ information:
Whale GP0550 Gusher Galley Mk 3 Manual Freshwater Galley Pump New Dec 2022
Dometic Black/Gray CFX 65W 12V Electric Powered Portable Cooler (Fridge Freezer) Purchased Feb 2020
-Yeti 1500X goal zero portable power station with 12v charging cord, New Spring 2022
-15% front window and visor tint, 5% side window tint
-Orlando 15x13 stainless steel under mount sink
-Lasso Gear Spill Proof Hanging Garbage Bin 2.5g
-COSMOS Universal Mesh Cargo Net Wall Sticker Organizer Pouch Bag Storage Mesh Nets
-Sinus 6in Ultima Memory Foam Full size Mattress (bought new and covered by waterproof mattress pad)
-Grassworks Astroturf Dirt Trapper Doormat (slider door)
-First Alert Smoke and carbon monoxide detector
-Class A Customs Spouted 25g water holding tank
-3M Thinsulate Acoustic/ Thermal Insulation
-Havelock wool Insulation
-Strawfoot insulated window covers, handcrafted in Santa Cruz, CA
-GT leatherette seat covers installed upon purchase (seats are in new condition)
-Cucino 10 inch magnetic knife strip
-Thetford Porta potti with handmade wood floor attachment easily removed
-Rear brakes replaced July 2023, Front brakes 4MM life remaining
-Aluminum wheels with BF Goodrich all terrain T/A KO2 245/75/16 new July 2023
-Die Hard Platinum H6-AGM vehicle battery new Jan 2023
-Prepaid Maintenance Plan for 4 services (1 due at 80k) all done through Mercedes at regular intervals and recalls up to date
