2020 Sprinter 4x4 Upfit - Adventure Wagon, Flatline, Goal Zero, Vancompass 10k mile review

This is a longer term (10k mile) review of this 2020 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 144 4x4 Van. The van has been upfitted with an Adventure Wagon kit, has upgraded Falcon suspension by Vancompass, Goal Zero YETI 1500x power station, Flatline wheel well cubbies, Flatline cabinet, and Flatline step. Watch this and learn a bit about how the kit is holding up after many offroad miles and trips through weather 100f to -20f temps.

[@bikesbeersbeats]

Cool rig! I love how this is completely modular and you could use it for anything. I could go from camping, to kite surfing, to dirt biking, to working remotely from the beach in one day!

[@crowdtastic]

exactly

[@robertm4919]

Absolutely love your van set up. Would you be willing to cover some of the other items you have installed (like the table in back)? Again love this set up.

[@crowdtastic]

sure. What do you want to know? The table is Lagun.

[@surfmarko]

Dude keep posting videos! This is great for people that want to go more modular. Can you also share what you do for longer trips to store and cook food and water?

[@crowdtastic]

thx!. Ill be posting another one soon.

[@rickshis2756]

Great video, where did you buy your floor brackets from your crew seats?

[@StephenAldaco]

Hey amigo I am about to pull the trigger on a sprinter I am having a hard time justifying the 4 x 4 what do you think? Worth it have you used it much?

[@crowdtastic]

Its a no-brainer. These van conversions are expensive and id never want to be limited to the places I can/cannot go because I don't have 4x4. Remember, its not just a low range 4x4 but its a high range AWD which makes any rougher dirt rode that much more controlled and smoother.

[@sthcstog]

How are you keeping the Yeti charged? Driving and using the 12v only? Did you do the charge kit? Or do you have solar? If you have solar, how much solar to keep the fridge and everything else working? Thanks!

[@petraroams]

Great vids Aaron thank you, just a question as to what you have over the back windows ?

[@crowdtastic]

RB components

[@ericplante3536]

Hi Aaron, why is one end of each of the bed panel black (the one that slide in)? is it covered with a black foam (ratling)? Does the panel bends when youre on it...thickness of the panel looks like 1-1/2" (plus venneer). thx

[@crowdtastic]

The frame is wrapped in a thin layer of felt to mitigate any rub/vibration.

[@markmcclellen4195]

Andrew - Thanks for the tour of your van. We built our 2018 170" Sprinter using Adventure Wagon components and agree that they produce strong, attractive and well-engineered products. We've also just received our VanCompass suspension kit but have yet to install it. Glad you are happy with yours! We have a quick question. Where did you get your rear door pockets and insulated window covers? Yours look nice and would save me time sewing my own.

[@crowdtastic]

Great to hear the longer term review of the V1 kit. Thx for sharing. As for my rear door bags and window covering, its all RB Components. They also make an insulated maxxair fan cover which is really helpful and match all of the window coverings.

[@markmcclellen4195]

@@crowdtastic Thanks Aaron!

[@MrPdang]

How is that bed system holding up after it has been broken in? Truth please

[@crowdtastic]

Nothing to break in. It’s a solid design and is holding up as if it’s brand new. I see other beds on the market bending and flexing, loosening up and creaking. This bed is sold. Best on the market.

[@mattellis2999]

Is your bench mounted in the stock crew location? Or did you do the mod with the passenger bench rails that move it to just the back 2 bolts?

[@crowdtastic]

The rear seat is in a custom location, about 4in from what a stock passenger/crew van seat position is. This was a cargo van and did no come with the seat or mountain rails. I sourced those and installed them separately in the exact position I wanted it.

[@TrailBoundco]

are. you running a fridge? that's what drains my goal zero but I have the 400

[@crowdtastic]

I am running the domestic 45. I am not experiencing any issues as they are incredibly efficient.

[@kyleoneal6031]

Sweet van build. What are the little cubby’s just over your bed? What do you do for sleeping arrangements with the fam?

[@crowdtastic]

mytourig.com/product-category/storage/bunker-bag/

[@crowdtastic]

two adults and one kid fit nicly on bed. As kid gets bigger he will have his own bunk either below or above bend. Bed is height adjustable.

[@chasedrake925]

Are your rear door speakers hooked into the factory head unit?

[@crowdtastic]

yessir

[@emmet2027]

Thank you for posting these. VERY helpful. Can you let me know what upgrades you did to the flooring. Did you add any insulation layer? Did you do that work before the AW Panel installation? Thanks again.

[@crowdtastic]

The floor was done before the AW panels. The floor is 3/4in marine grade plywood with coin laminate on top, glued. I chose not to insulate the floor because I want it to breathe, and a piece of carpet over the floor is an easy way to insulate in winter. I did however put moderate amount of sound deadening mat down on floor before putting the wood down.

[@petraroams]

@@crowdtastic what advantage outside of the of the sound deadening was there to do a different floor over the factory floor

[@crowdtastic]

longevity, durability, ability to screw into, marine grade (water resistant)

[@davidburchettephotography6513]

Are the fasteners that loosened screws or bolts? If screws, do you think you could have used something like plus nuts and used bolts (and thread lock)?

[@crowdtastic]

Thx for the comment but they are screws into a rivet. It's a non-issue really. Just important on the adage kits to go re-torque after some miles. Cheers!

[@marcosrodriguez4673]

Hi Aaron. Great video and explanations. I'd like to know more about your bench seat installation in that position. I'm about to do a build using the same kits of the Adventure Wagon wall panel kit in a 2020 144 with MOAB bed in a cargo van. Can you tell me if that's the factory 2nd row bench seat position you're using to make that happen and if there's any interference of the bench seat with the bed at that height? Thanks for any details.

[@crowdtastic]

My van is a cargo but if got the measurements from Mercedes on exactly where the bench sits in a crew, and then I used it back 4 inches.

[@angelosenteio]

@@crowdtastic Hey Aaron, the van looks great. I’m getting ready to do a very similar build of my own and have the same concerns about the location, and comfort of the bench seat. Did you explore other options? Do they recline? How difficult was the installation? Etc. I would really appreciate any feedback, input you can provide. Thanks!

[@crowdtastic]

@@angelosenteio I don’t have a recline bench but wish I did. Mercedes does make them and you can find some crew vans with them, but hard to find. The reality is, I don’t spend enough time in the van to be bothered by the lack of recline in the bench seat, rather I swivel the front seats. My biggest oversight with bench seat install is that I did not put it on an adjustable track. I wish I could move the bench front to back about 8-10 inches depending on the trip and if I have my family with me. Either way, I have no complaints as is.

[@angelosenteio]

@@crowdtastic That’s great feedback. Thank you sir.

[@wes6304]

How do you like the lights that are included in the kit? Do you find it a hassle that you have to turn each individual one on/off? Thanks!

[@crowdtastic]

Its not a hassle to turn them on/off individually and they are good quality. If I designed the ceiling, I would have put them all on one switch with individual options. Again, not a hassle at all.

[@michaelhardy8589]

goal zero yeti 6000x portable power station 200W solar 3 plants goal zero test it out

[@crowdtastic]

My buddy has same set-up and loves it. He draws a lot more watts than I do by way of cooking, so he needs the 6000x.

[@mattreeves333]

did you move your crew van seats back?

[@mattreeves333]

ha...just read further down

[@crowdtastic]

This is actually a cargo but i did source a stock seat from a crew van and pushed it back 4in.

[@davidamericamorey6840]

Who makes your window coverings?

[@crowdtastic]

RB Components. Im impressed with the insulation .

[@hudma2542]

Why did you go with Falcon suspension vs Fox?

[@crowdtastic]

Adjustability and volume. Also, they are Salt Lake City local and I had the pleasure of going in and seeing the internals and materials.

[@hudma2542]

Thank you!

[@gers00764]

Get some invisa-shield for your boxes 😉

[@crowdtastic]

what boxes? do you mean the wheel well cubbys?

[@gers00764]

@@crowdtastic yes