Bigger vans

[soulstyledevon]

Is it same colour as that one, looks very cool

Yep.
I absolutely love the colour, and the Mercedes van interior is the best looking on the market. It’s a step above the Crafter

 

[wildslammer22]

I wonder if AWD makes more sense…?
I’ve never quite understood the 4x4 aspect with a Sprinter. Seems like the wrong tool to me…

Many of the specialist US adventure converters are rating the AWD version of the Sprinter as more capable than the 4x4. That may be partly down to it being mated to a 2l diesel engine.


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[Wondering Star]

I wonder if AWD makes more sense…?
I’ve never quite understood the 4x4 aspect with a Sprinter. Seems like the wrong tool to me…

Admittedly it's a niche market and dependent on the type of van Life you want.
Personally I didn't want the additional costs involved with 4x4 for my kind use at that time however in the future I plan to travel to more remote locations where 4x4 would a "nice to have' and offer a degree of reassurance .
AWD may be the sweet spot, however what AWD takes away is the ability to drag your self out of difficult situations.
If bogged down in a 4x4 you engage low gear / dif lock, with AWD there's no second chance option.

 

[markusschork]

The Sprinters are great vans, but as a matter of interest why do you prefer them over the Crafter?

As someone said below, I think it is the go to choice with the biggest options for accessories etc. I understand that they are very similar as developed in colab.
They also look better in my view and I did rent one two years back, which might have influenced me a little.

 

[Dasteknoviking]

Admittedly it's a niche market and dependent on the type of van Life you want.
Personally I didn't want the additional costs involved with 4x4 for my kind use at that time however in the future I plan to travel to more remote locations where 4x4 would a "nice to have' and offer a degree of reassurance .
AWD may be the sweet spot, however what AWD takes away is the ability to drag your self out of difficult situations.
If bogged down in a 4x4 you engage low gear / dif lock, with AWD there's no second chance option.

At that point just look at some offroad conversions based on a large truck.

Admittedly I would not buy anything newer and plan to drive through Africa or other places with it. I seen some older Sprinters with 4x4 tackle some heavy duty off road in Africa, Georgia etc. Fear of some emissions doo dad breaking down in middle of nowhere would have me quite nervous.

Being in the automotive business and seeing the amount of cost cutting and especially less and less rigorous testing being done.. I will stick to the older stuff.

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[soulstyledevon]

Finally made time to get down to Portsmouth today.
Absolutely stoked with the van. Lots of improved camping bits, thankfully.

But the drive, couldn’t fault it to be honest… The engine is really quiet and refined compared to the Fiat, the auto transmission is silky smooth, adaptive cruise and the dash infotainment system is brilliant.

A lovely van to spend time in.

 

[Californication69]

Finally made time to get down to Portsmouth today.
Absolutely stoked with the van. Lots of improved camping bits, thankfully.

But the drive, couldn’t fault it to be honest… The engine is really quiet and refined compared to the Fiat, the auto transmission is silky smooth, adaptive cruise and the dash infotainment system is brilliant.

A lovely van to spend time in.
View attachment 123220

Stoked for you dude.
Looks Zooper !
I’m very close to pulling the trigger on a Sven

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Stoked for you dude.
Looks Zooper !
I’m very close to pulling the trigger on a Sven

do it! if you can live with it only being a 2 berth, I think there is nothing at the price point to rival it. TBH I can't think of any larger vans at 10k more which rival it. To put the cat amongst the pigeons, I think VW should have used Westfalia for design input in the design of the Grand California....

 

[Californication69]

do it! if you can live with it only being a 2 berth, I think there is nothing at the price point to rival it. TBH I can't think of any larger vans at 10k more which rival it. To put the cat amongst the pigeons, I think VW should have used Westfalia for design input in the design of the Grand California....

The more I read about the SH, the more it looks perfect for our use. And the drivers seat is height adjustable and 4 movement on lumbar.
And I’ll get my fishing gear in garage.
And no bed to make every night.
And a shower. Heaven !
Still gets 30mpg.
Same width as Defender.
Under 5m, so can park in open car parks.
Use the defender for tip run once a year.
Grandkids will be x3 by Christmas, so they can sleep in blowup awning with the wife

 

[Winston Rumfoord]

I think the answer is no, but is anyone aware of a ‘bigger van’ where you can fit two child seats side by side on the rear bench please?

 

[The Blue Merle]

Finally made time to get down to Portsmouth today.
Absolutely stoked with the van. Lots of improved camping bits, thankfully.

But the drive, couldn’t fault it to be honest… The engine is really quiet and refined compared to the Fiat, the auto transmission is silky smooth, adaptive cruise and the dash infotainment system is brilliant.

A lovely van to spend time in.
View attachment 123220

Look great, have always thought the sprinter looks more of a beast than the crafter (in a good way).

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Completely agree, looks outstanding particularly in that colour. If money were no object I'd probably have a Hymer Sprinter conversion, but they command serious sums.......

 

[soulstyledevon]

I think the answer is no, but is anyone aware of a ‘bigger van’ where you can fit two child seats side by side on the rear bench please?

No such beast exists.
Not if you’re to be able to pass the seats…

My van has one Isofix point, I doubt we will use Isofix going forward as our lad is eight and outgrowing the Isofix seats.

I took this, though it may help visualise.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Look great, have always thought the sprinter looks more of a beast than the crafter (in a good way).

I can’t believe how well it drives.
It’s not a million miles off the California to be honest. I was doing a fast 70mph at one point yesterday, if you know what I mean I’m sure 80 would be easy enough, roads permitting…

A few from the inside. I now need to get my kit inside and personalise it.
I will think about upgrading the seat covers. Not a fan of the Hymer offering, it’s a bit old fashioned.
Tan leather might look really good.

 

[Jimmylondon07]

I think the answer is no, but is anyone aware of a ‘bigger van’ where you can fit two child seats side by side on the rear bench please?

The Grand Cali has ISOFIX points on both bench seats, we managed to get two in on our hire one.

The Grand is actually one of the best options out there for really young kids IMO, yes it carries the ugly forehead but the height and location of that overcab bed is infinitely more practical than most campers I’ve been in, where the bed is at the top of a high and steep climb.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

They Hymer & Yukon seem to be top end of the Sprinter conversions at roughly the same price point, is there much to separate them ?

 

[soulstyledevon]

They Hymer & Yukon seem to be top end of the Sprinter conversions at roughly the same price point, is there much to separate them ?

Individual choice, I guess. Although, it’s a nice feeling sitting in the Mercedes cab.
The 2025 vans looks really good better modern interiors on the way.
Although, they won’t be cheap…

You just need to ask yourself, if you really need 4x4.

HYMER Grand Canyon S | HYMER Camper Van

Pure adventure! The HYMER Grand Canyon S combines Mercedes power, off-road capability, and ultimate comfort in one vehicle.

www.hymer.com

 

[Andya]

I can’t believe how well it drives.
It’s not a million miles off the California to be honest. I was doing a fast 70mph at one point yesterday, if you know what I mean I’m sure 80 would be easy enough, roads permitting…

A few from the inside. I now need to get my kit inside and personalise it.
I will think about upgrading the seat covers. Not a fan of the Hymer offering, it’s a bit old fashioned.
Tan leather might look really good.

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Superb van I love it

 

[The Blue Merle]

I think the answer is no, but is anyone aware of a ‘bigger van’ where you can fit two child seats side by side on the rear bench please?

Maybe the nugget as it has a massive rear bench. Cali camping family on YouTube have a hightop LWB (3kids) you would have to import if you wanted one and would be LHD have seen 2nd ones in campersales for sale before so could ask them to source.

 

[Californication69]

I can’t believe how well it drives.
It’s not a million miles off the California to be honest. I was doing a fast 70mph at one point yesterday, if you know what I mean I’m sure 80 would be easy enough, roads permitting…

A few from the inside. I now need to get my kit inside and personalise it.
I will think about upgrading the seat covers. Not a fan of the Hymer offering, it’s a bit old fashioned.
Tan leather might look really good.

View attachment 123230
View attachment 123232
View attachment 123231

Yep, tan antiqued leather I have seen on another similar combo, maybe on Autotrader at the moment.
Looks really good.
I really think I need to slow down and not just bite the bullet now.
But drive the Sven Hedin and a Hymer Free 600s
As the next one needs to have height adjustable drivers seat, and be a better position to drive in.
I’m doing more UK miles now and the Cali is killing my posture.

Like your Hymer upright fridge, no so much bending down.
Bottom drawer can hold the stuff we don’t use much.
And 2 massive drawers looks good.

Don’t have adaptive cruise ?

Also the PIA of moving a bed out and pump up and make a bed.
I just want to open the door, do my work and then have a drink.
Stand up and get into my bed.
2 berth will do us.
Grandkids in an awning. As there will be 3 of them anyway.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Adaptive cruise, lane keeping assist and blind spot monitoring. I haven’t been a fan of A/C in the past, but on a big vehicle like this which has less visibility than a car, it’s actually very helpful.
Still has physical buttons for most controls too

I posted a link the other day of a Free 600S at Southdowns, it’s now sold. They have one more, due in August. Then it’s 2025, before the next allocation.

It’s worth having a look around, you might still prefer the Sven. It’s a nice van.

 

[Billylou]

Adaptive cruise, lane keeping assist and blind spot monitoring. I haven’t been a fan of A/C in the past, but on a big vehicle like this which has less visibility than a car, it’s actually very helpful.
Still has physical buttons for most controls too

I posted a link the other day of a Free 600S at Southdowns, it’s now sold. They have one more, due in August. Then it’s 2025, before the next allocation.

It’s worth having a look around, you might still prefer the Sven. It’s a nice van.

Lovely, I‘m sure you and your family will enjoy the upgrade. Beautiful van!

 

[willwander]

Finally made time to get down to Portsmouth today.
Absolutely stoked with the van. Lots of improved camping bits, thankfully.

But the drive, couldn’t fault it to be honest… The engine is really quiet and refined compared to the Fiat, the auto transmission is silky smooth, adaptive cruise and the dash infotainment system is brilliant.

A lovely van to spend time in.
View attachment 123220

Really nice. Love the colour.
Think we'll go for one of these one day.

 

[Californication69]

Would love to rent out a Sven Hedin on the MAN platform for a week next year.
Can’t justify the cost without testing it out.
I wonder what rental companies rent them out or have them as part of their fleet?

 

[The Blue Merle]

Roseisle (Scotland) did rent westys. Had jokers and others for a few years.
I imagine your best chance is a private rental though.