Adventure Van -> Truck Camper -> DIY.Roamer

Update:

The van went into Limp Home Mode yesterday.

LHM is a reduced power mode when the Van detects something wrong. The van does it to protect itself from being damaged but it is kind of cool in that it lets you get to where you need to be as opposed to just "breaking down" and needing to be towed. It was showing a 150200 code.

I took it to the dealer this morning and it turns out a $22 silicon coupler between the turbo and the airbox had started to leak. Of course with Mercedes diagnostics and shop rates it is now a $205 coupler

I have a Zurich platinum extended warranty on the thing so it was $100 out of pocket for the deductible.



The good news is it is fixed because I'm out of here on Saturday for 4 days of mountain biking in Crested Butte

I guess the blessing is this happened on the way home yesterday and not half way up a mountain pass this weekend!

This weekend we are hoping to camp at Oh Be Joyful again.

Here's a photo from our camping trip there earlier this summer:

Awesome, awesome build!

I don't get it... It looks like a FedEx van to me

Do you have a paper route or something?

What's your address so I can overnight you a fed ex box full of shit?




Ps ill be on the teamspeak server in the next hour.

.mobile

I don't handle my emotions well.. Overwhelming jealousy turns into sarcasm.

Great van, the besty tanker...What CAN'T you do Ed!

I believe the standard reply is, "Geek sucks!"

Mr Greek,

So did you buy a spare coupler for $22 or decide to spend more later?

Looks like you have plenty of room for a custom $45 (+ labor) 80/20 rack to hold it!

P.S. How much did that Zurich platinum extended warranty cost? Coverage till? seriously

I did not buy a spare because I'm hoping it was kind of a fluke that it went out.

That said, I think I might add a "replace all the rubber bits" to my list of "things to do" before the thing is out of warranty.

er... that is if I still own it by then.

The dealer said the 4WD version of the Sprinter should be here next year

Sounds like good planning - probably take a year to "replace all them rubber bits", oughta be ready just in time.

P.S. The $22 was the sales tax on the coupler, right? (I once owned a sprinter, had to sell my kids and dog to keep it running)

Amazingly enough the coupler was only $22.

Perhaps it is a part that is failing often and they did a mass production run of them and it brought the cost down?




OSV just finished a real beauty

Hmmm, must have been made in China to design it, pay for the mold fab, mold it, package it, throw on a boat, get to Broomfield's MB dealer and figure in a profit for them to sell it...must have learned something from BMW

Hey Geek, were you guys parked on a turn out on Hwy 24 just below Leadville this last Monday morning? I saw a Sprinter with a KTM sticker on the back....

I couldn't pay for this. It looks like a modular fitment, from an RV catalog. Your setup appears way more efficient and built with purpose.

Nope.. wasn't us.
My KTM sticker is on my hitch - beside an ADV and Yeti sticker

The more I look at it.. the more I think you are right. Their choice of cabinet material in that particular build especially looks like the "cheap particle board shit" you get in RVs. That said, some of the details (like how their window blinds work and the stainless counter top) are inspiring. Many of OSVs setups are modular so the modules can be removed for versatility. I think this particular build was a setup for 4 people as it has sleeping space for 4 in the back as well (perhaps a couple with children).

I think of all their builds.. CozyTown is currently my favorite.

If the 4WD hits and we decide to move to won - I think this we will shoot for a setup something like this (Cheryl really likes the idea of the bathroom with shower)

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2ur9a8-HBZA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That's pretty slick, How much $$ & what's the tow rating?
Wow, $189K :eek1

NOW you see why I'm building my own

not to get things too off track, but I passed one of these the other day on my commute:



A BMW Vixen. Never heard of one before. It was spectacularly ugly. Layout inside isn't too bad, but no rear doors like the sprinter.

Looks like the van from Damnation Alley.