Go camping this weekend in this fully built Mercedes Metris! A full queen-sized bed sleeps 2 comfortably, and with the fully insulated cabin and diesel heater running, winter camping is totally comfortable. A Goal Zero Yeti 1500X power station runs the Iceco 20L refrigerator/freezer and has a built in 2000W inverter to run an electric kettle or induction cooktop for your morning coffee. A Maxx Air 7500 MaxxFan in the roof provides plenty of ventilation, and the sliding window and screen on the sliding door, or the cracked front windows with Weather Tech rain guards allows a fresh cross breeze. Dimmable LED lighting in the cabin provide plenty of light, and two bedside USB chargers power small USB fans and/or charge your phone while you sleep. Adventure Van Co. custom-sized window insulating panels cover all of the windows in the van, blocking out light while sleeping and keeping heat in or out, depending on the season.
The layout we chose to build in this van is unique, and provides for a sectional sofa like seating arrangement with a small bench across from a Lagun table mount from the main bench. Perfect for having dinner for two, or playing a board game. The sofa slides out and the cushions all fit into place to form a queen-sized bed. A Dometic cassette toilet is tucked under the small bench, which folds open to reveal it for use, and completely covers it when not needed.
The portion of the bench directly behind the driver's and passenger's seats is affectionately called 'the garage' and is accessible from the outside of the van via a sliding door and is lit for easy locating of a fire extinguisher, your camp stove, chairs or any other campsite essentials. An included Moon Shade awning can be magnetically attached to the side or rear of the van, and a second mount for the Lagun table is on the side of the cabinet out back, which allows for standing, covered cooking outside the van. A small roof basket joins the two 100 Watt solar panels on the roof, and a large zippered cargo bag is included, which fits perfectly in the basket to keep your cargo out of the elements while traveling.
One of the two cabinets in the back of the van houses a sink with 10 gallons of fresh water, which is plumbed through a Waterdrop under sink filter. The sink drains into a 4 gallon grey water tank which can easily be removed for draining. The Lagun table mount is attached to the side of the cabinet and can swivel freely to the best height and location needed in the van. The other cabinet houses the refrigerator/freezer in a slide-out drawer, as well as a second drawer that holds plates, cups, silverware and other necessities.
Four cubbies are located under the benches which all have baskets/bins in them that are easily removed for packing inside the house, and allow quick access to dry food, a first aid kit or clothing while in the van.
The van's stereo has been replaced with an Alpine head unit that has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto built in. Black Rhino wheels and Falken WildPeak all-terrain tires join the TerraWagen hood deflector and fender flares on the exterior of the vehicle for a much more rugged and capable look.
This van has been a joy to own, and has taken us from Pennsylvania to all corners of the country. From Washington state, to Big Sur, to Acadia National Park and everywhere in between. The best part of all, despite being a rare 135 extended wheelbase model, the van easily fits in standard parking spaces and home garages! The HOA will never even know you're keeping your camper at home. We'd love to keep this van for years more, but we have our first child on the way and with no way to safely seat and transport a third person on the road, it's sadly time to let this one go and contemplate something bigger. We sincerely hope you enjoy this van as much as we did building and using it.
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions. We absolutely love our van and are happy to Face Time, provide more photos or information as requested, or let you come check it out in person.
