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8 Minutes
Introduction: Tailor-Made Camper Van for Tall Travelers
Camper van travel is synonymous with freedom, flexibility, and the excitement of road trips. However, anyone over average height knows that standard van interiors can feel uncomfortably cramped. Enter the custom-built Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper van designed by Tim, an engineer and outdoor enthusiast known as TimTheEngineer, and his partner Tara. This vehicle is a game-changer for tall people looking to maximize interior space, enjoy off-grid adventures, and experience unparalleled comfort while touring Canada or anywhere the open road leads.
Base Vehicle and Specifications: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 170" Wheelbase
The Chosen Platform
This impressive DIY camper van conversion starts with a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter featuring a long 170-inch wheelbase—a well-regarded foundation for camper van conversions due to its spacious cargo area, robust powertrain, and reputable reliability. Tim sourced a gently used Sprinter previously part of Amazon's fleet, scored as the tech giant rotates its inventory toward electrified vans. Boasting minimal wear, the only mechanical tweak required was an alternator replacement—a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s reliability in commercial and recreational applications.
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Exterior Upgrades
Originally a cargo hauler with basic entry steps, Tim and Tara engineered substantial enhancements. They installed two AMAuto windows—one on the sliding door and one opposite—both tinted and outfitted with integrated bug and sliding screens to ensure privacy and comfort. The roof hosts functional upgrades, including a skylight, a high-efficiency vent fan for interior air quality, and a trio of 200W solar panels, feeding ample off-grid power into the electrical system.
Interior Layout: Open, Airy, and Optimized for Tall People
Open-Concept Living
Stepping inside, you're greeted by a surprisingly spacious and modern interior, the result of a deliberate open-plan layout. Rather than sectioning off the cab with a wall, Tim and Tara opted for continuous flow between the driving and living areas, making the van feel much larger than its footprint suggests. Although this sacrifices some insulation and privacy, they cleverly solved these issues with IKEA blinds, custom window covers, and Thinsulate lining over the cab to boost thermal efficiency and privacy on demand.
Interior Finishes & Design Choices
The visual ambiance is warm and inviting, featuring cabinetry crafted from Baltic birch plywood sealed with a clear finish, a harmoniously matched ceiling, luxurious walnut countertops, wood-look vinyl flooring, and a classic white tile backsplash. This elegant yet functional design provides a cozy, residential feel, making the van as much a home as a vehicle.
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Multi-Function Spaces: Seating, Cooking, Relaxing
Flexible Seating & Dining Solutions
Not only does the open concept maximize space, but it also allows the cabin to double as a lounge area when parked. Both captain’s chairs swivel to face the living area, and a sturdy table mount attached to the B-pillar and a countertop extension craft a welcoming spot for meals, work, or socializing after a day on the road.
Kitchen Area: Practical and Spacious
The heart of the living area is the split-unit kitchen. Outfitted with a high-quality Dometic fridge (with freezer), a large stainless steel sink, and a dual-burner induction cooktop, it provides all the amenities home cooks need. Generous overhead cabinets with sliding doors and several lower cabinets ensure organized, accessible storage for cookware and ingredients, with an extra cabinet stowed beneath the elevated bed platform.
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Innovative Bathroom Integration
Beneath the expansive passenger-side countertop, a hinged panel reveals the hidden bathroom. Ingeniously, instead of a shallow shower pan, the duo installed a deep sink pan with tall sides and waterproofed walls—a smart space-saving solution. The bathroom houses a portable composting toilet, and setting up the shower is quick and easy: simply move the toilet, attach a curtain using ceiling magnets, and connect the showerhead to the nearby sink faucet. Overhead, a Maxxair vent fan efficiently pulls moisture and odors outside, keeping the space comfortable and fresh.
Sleeping Area: Full XL Bed and Clever Storage for Tall People
Accommodating Tall Sleepers
One of the most remarkable adaptations in this camper van is its accommodation for Tim’s 6’3” (193 cm) height. Tim and Tara skipped wall and ceiling subframes, mounting paneling directly to the van’s metal shell. This innovative approach maximized every inch, allowing installation of a north-south full XL bed measuring 203 cm (80 in) long and 137 cm (54 in) wide—an uncommon luxury for tall adventurers in a van. Access is eased by a slide-out step beneath the counter.
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Wardrobe and Utility Integration
Foregoing traditional over-bed cabinets, Tim and Tara designed a substantial wardrobe beside the bed, featuring a broad sliding door and multiple compartments for organized clothing storage. This area also conveniently integrates the control panel for essential systems: water tank gauge, battery monitor, and heated floor switch. A strategic skylight above the bed ensures natural light, offers stargazing opportunities at night, and doubles as access to the roof for roof-top lounging or maintenance.
Utility Garage: Organized, Accessible, and Space-Efficient
Beneath the raised bed lies the "garage"—a large under-bed storage area that dwarfs many found in factory-built Class B camper vans. Despite housing much of the rig’s electrical and plumbing hardware, this compartment is spacious enough to store adventure gear, tools, and bulky supplies for extended off-grid trips.
Off-Grid Power and Performance
Energy System
Designed for true off-grid living, the camper van boasts a robust 500Ah battery setup, paired with a 2,000W inverter. Adventurers can recharge via solar panels, shore power at campgrounds, or alternator charging while driving—ensuring uninterrupted electricity for lighting, refrigeration, induction cooking, and device charging wherever the journey leads.
Plumbing and Water
Water needs are handled by a 36-gallon (136-liter) fresh water tank, a seven-gallon (26-liter) water heater, and a conveniently located underbody greywater tank. This setup supports both extended off-grid adventures and comfortable daily living.
Market Positioning: How Does This DIY Sprinter Compare?
While many commercial camper vans like Winnebago Revel, Airstream Interstate, or Hymer Grand Canyon offer luxury, they seldom match the space efficiency and tailored features seen here—especially for tall users. This custom Sprinter prioritizes sleeping comfort, open living space, DIY ingenuity, and genuine off-grid readiness, often at a fraction of the cost of high-end conversions. Its unique layout, smart material choices, and system integrations make it stand out in the expanding camper van market, proving that great design can rival (or outpace) factory offerings when it comes to flexibility, comfort, and price-to-value balance.
Conclusion: DIY Masterpiece for the Modern Nomad
In just three months, Tim and Tara have created a professional-grade camper van that meets the demands of discerning road trippers and tall travelers alike. Their innovative approach demonstrates that, with proper planning and a creative mindset, a DIY van conversion can compete with—and even surpass—factory models for comfort, efficiency, and year-round usability. Whether you’re seeking a full-time mobile home or a weekend adventure rig, this Sprinter camper van conversion stands as an inspiration for anyone looking to hit the road without compromise.
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