This van has been sold, however, we are offering van build consulting services if you are looking for assistance with your build or electrical system (from a mechanical engineer). Please contact us on Instagram @lifepothesis.
This 170" high-top Sprinter is LOADED with features built specifically to make it the perfect 4-season, full-time home and adventure vehicle. It was designed and constructed by an engineer and project manager team who built it for longevity and safety while paying attention to every design detail to make it feel like a modern home. Many mechanical components have been recently replaced, including the turbo, exhaust, and emissions systems, and there is a 4-year extended warranty on engine, exhaust, and emissions components. With proper maintenance, these diesel engines have been known to run well over 500,000 miles.
Want a quick overview? Go here: https://lifepothesis.com/forsale/
Watch a short video tour (39 secs) here: https://youtu.be/bcxoVKx2OCQ
FEATURE OVERVIEW:
· Lengthwise, Queen-Width Bed Platform
· Large Kitchen With 2-Burner Gas Stove & Full-Sized Sink
· Off-Grid Capable 400-Watt Electrical System & 20 lb Propane Tank System
· Designed & Built By An Engineer
· Huge Garage Under Bed With Interior Access, Space For Bikes, Skis & Snowboards
· Couch Storage Bench & Slide Out Table
· 4-Season Foam Insulation For Comfort From -10 to 100+ Degrees Fahrenheit
· Steel Bulkhead Door For Privacy, Safety & A “Studio Apartment” Feel
BED & GARAGE & BATHROOM
The van features a lengthwise, queen-width (64″ W x 72.5″ L) bed platform perfect for taller folks. Beneath the bed platform is a garage space big enough to store bikes, skis, and all your adventure gear. The garage is accessible from an interior door, which you can open to pull out the 5-gallon Dometic chemical toilet. The outdoor shower with a 7-gallon water tank is located in the garage.
KITCHEN & WATER
Cook delicious meals in the large kitchen with a two-burner gas stove, spacious 3.2 cubic foot mini-fridge, and hidden microwave! The concrete-look countertop and real ceramic subway tile backsplash are easy to clean. The full-sized sink and 21-gallon freshwater/7-gallon greywater setup with foot pump makes washing dishes a breeze and helps you conserve water so you only need to fill up once a week. Since the water system is portable, you don’t need to worry about finding a water fill spot close enough to reach with a hose or a spigot with threads. We’ve filled up using water bottle filling stations and far-away spigots.
4-SEASON COMFORT & INSULATION
Enjoy this van at temperatures from -10 to 100+ degrees Fahrenheit thanks to the insulation, heater, and fan/windows. Stay cozy in the winter with the propane heater that connects to the 20 lb propane tank (in a vented locker in the garage). Stay cool in the summer with the MaxxAir fan (with rain shield) and 2 bunk windows with screens above the bed, as well as two large windows with screens in the living space that open wide. Every last inch of the van was insulated with foam board, spray foam, and reflectix (on thermal bridges) and the van includes custom-made reflectix window covers for every window, even the cab and windshield.
COUCH & STORAGE
The comfortable couch, with 5-inch base foam cushions and angled 3-6 inch back cushions has removable, washable covers. It can also serve as a guest bed (as tested by our 6’4” tall friend!) and contains two enormous storage compartments. The couch doubles as the eating area by pulling out the slide-out table that seamlessly stows away underneath the bed platform. This table can be slid out partway to serve as additional counter space when cooking. Additional storage includes a tall pantry cabinet that will fit months’ worth of food (including one shelf that holds over 50 x 16oz cans!). You could even convert part of the pantry to a hanging closet. There are 4 large and 1 small overhead cabinets perfect for storing clothing, food, and toiletry items, plus a small bookshelf over the bed.
LIGHTING
The van is lit by LED puck lights along the ceiling, under-cabinet lights in the kitchen, and an LED upwash lighting strip that changes color. All lights are remote and switch operated, and the upwash lights can also be controlled using an app. The lights in the bedroom can be switched off while the main living area lights are still on. The van also features 5 x 120V household outlets, including one in the cab for charging while driving. There is also a DC outlet with USB ports on each side of the bed.
SOLAR & ELECTRICAL
The off-grid capable 400-watt solar system contains 3 x 87-amp hour Duracell AGM batteries, a Renogy 2000-watt inverter, a Renogy 40-amp DC-DC battery to battery charger, and a Samlex 12-volt 15-amp battery charger. This means that the van can be charged 3 ways: through solar while driving or parked, through the alternator while driving, and through shore power (such as an extension cord) while parked. You can monitor the electrical system using the Renogy Bluetooth module and phone app or the ammeter display module mounted inside the pantry cabinet. The solar system was designed and installed by an engineer who has worked in electrical engineering.
SAFETY & SECURITY
Several security features were added to the van, including a dual-purpose backup camera and dashcam that can show you a live feed of the outside of the van (front and back) while inside, and can continuously record or be set to record in the case of an impact (such as a break-in or getting hit in a parking lot). There is a Slick Lock slam lock installed on the rear doors. We’ve installed a smoke/CO detector in the living space, another CO detector above the bed, and a propane detector near the floor. There are two fire extinguishers, one in the cab and one in the garage space.
DESIGN & FINISHES & FINAL TOUCHES
The van is finished with white nickel-gap shiplap and durable vinyl plank floors. We paid attention to every design detail, including adding shiplap to all of our doors so that the entirety of the metal is covered and the walls and doors are practically seamless. The steel bulkhead door helps immensely with insulation, as well as privacy and security. As an added bonus, when the door is closed the van looks like a studio apartment!
Next to the sliding door, there is space to hang backpacks, jackets, hats, and more. We’ve also installed hooks above the door for drying items like swimsuits and towels. In the entryway, you’ll find two shelves for small plants and a mirror for getting ready.
You can check the outside and inside temperature and humidity using the weather station mounted in the bed space.
MAINTENANCE
Several maintenance items have been completed recently, and the van has always been maintained on the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. There is a 4-year extended warranty on engine, exhaust, and emissions components. The turbo was replaced at 161,000 miles. New Goodyear Wrangler LT tires were installed at 170,000 miles. And a fresh oil change with an oil filter was done at 173,000 miles. An entirely new exhaust system, DEF system, diesel particulate filter, and air filter were installed at 173,000 miles. Detailed maintenance records and receipts for the work performed are available upon request.
ABOUT THE BUILDERS
Hey, we’re Becky and Austin, and we built this van in late 2020 and took it on a road trip to see all of the National Parks in the United States in 2021. Becky is a project manager and Austin is a mechanical engineer with experience in electrical construction. During our road trip, we put this van build to the test and we can say with pride that it has performed beautifully. It is a truly functional layout with plenty of storage and useful features. We love to cook so the big kitchen was a must, and we’re both over 5’9” so we needed the lengthwise bed. And we really wanted it to feel like a modern home, which is why we chose to install a lot of windows, and use light and bright design features to really open up the space. We’ve finished our road trip and while we’re sad to part with our first van, we are so excited to see what adventures it can take you on!
BUY THE VAN
Email us with any questions or to schedule a tour of the van in Central NJ.
Delivery available for a fee.
Serious inquiries only please.
