He BUILT a Custom Sprinter Campervan After Owning Several RVs That Didn’t SERVE Him

[@dkosawa]

I like the serviceability considerations. Seems like a no nonsense van that is aesthetically pleasing at the same time. I like it!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

It is definitely practical.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

It is definitely practical.

[@JeffreyChizek-g5b]

Well planed, well played 😊

[@kill1071]

Are you filming in Maryland I thought I saw your rig near my house on my way to work

[@TheRealJerseyJoe]

This guy has some really great ideas. Lovely design and build.... Kudos !

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you very much!

[@Artist222Guy]

I believe this is the best thought out self built 170 chassis van for 2 to 3 people I have seen so far. Thank You, lots of sensible solutions and ideas. The shower makes complete sense. Being from a Restaurant past, the sink and counter in stainless steel is smart and easy maintenance. Bravo to a no nonsense, keep it simple, travel able, livable van build.

[@kimprocarione5473]

I can see why he wanted to build his own! Professionals are going to be stealing so many of his ideas! Wow! Out of my price range, but so beautiful to see a tour of this beauty!

[@selisagrimes9837]

Michael you are a true Van Engineer. You are the father of a new van-born. I would like to see the van in its lived in form when Michael and family are living in a long time off grid way. Thank you.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks! It is definitely an exciting adventure!

[@timleng4404]

I used to work at a cedar mill. Less than .05% of the processed wood will be knotless. To get 6 or 8” panel takes about 3-6 months(2 shifts). Well$$$ thought out. Beautiful van.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks! That's the reality of using wood.

[@dmwi1549]

Very nice. Looks like a high quality, well thought out build. Thanks for sharing.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

I appreciate the kind words!

[@patsparks5599]

BEST design I have ever seen!

[@scrapdaddysgarage5027]

Wow beautifully built. Love the aluminum bath enclosure. Perfect for Island Beach State Park.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

We agree!

[@kathleencomyn5228]

I really like the stainless steel in this van. The design is very well thought out

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Glad you like it!

[@florasonners1635]

The stainless steel, wood and material all goes well together.

[@ASLLOVE]

Another great feature Patrick! I love seeing builds that were inspired by real life experiences. Built they way you need and want it to be.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

It really helps to have that kind of insight when designing.

[@GabeBasma]

Awesome rig! Michael is a very skilled builder!

[@suzannecranford6819]

The interior is really handsome and spacious. The wood finishes are awesome. I love the drawers. They're beautiful. I'd love to see the other van on your channel one day.Thanks for the tour.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

It is a pretty nice build. Next tour coming in January

[@suzannecranford6819]

@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures thanks. I'll watch for it.

[@annepoitrineau5650]

Very functional as well as beautiful. natural materials re always best.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Yes, thank you

[@Erin-Thor]

This is exceptional! I’m not sure about the permanently blocked rear windows though… I would have gone with magnetic covers, but that might be just me. 👍🏽👍🏾

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

It was definitely a design choice.

[@mariajhanley5172]

Just gorgeous.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@billc6283]

Some great ideas in this van, thanks for sharing!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

You bet!

[@meshamybelle]

I can see a lot of influence in the build from George of Humble Rd. Impressive van!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Yeah

[@lynnwilliams7875]

Love the slide out, great for storage!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

It’s a great addition, for sure.

[@fredzuccarelli]

Fantastic build!!!!

[@loveu2222]

All I can say,this van more than good.....love it❤

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Excellent

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

You sure thought about everything and I love how you can get at everything and anything you want or need to get at. I love what you did, good for you that you have the “smarts” required for such a job. I am certain many would love you to make a van for them.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks! It took a lot of planning and many revisions

[@bcloetta]

One of my favorites by far! If I was in the market for a new van, this would be it.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Good to hear

[@Arien17k]

I’d go for a different color pattern, add solar and no leather but the floor plan and serviceability is wonderful also the sparse use of plywood (imagine it getting mouldy/bent😱) 👍🏻

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks for sharing!

[@tbell3023]

I love this van I need to add these drawers when I get my van

[@luzbel4469]

We loved the autopsy room............

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Ah

[@Harlow...]

Fantastic!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Appreciate it!

[@fiberboss2255]

Very nice build, fyi I actually reached out to Michael to see the van as it was listed for sale and he is near me in Bergen county but decided not to proceed due to the fact that it is just too much for me, as a single traveler I’m looking for standard roof short body conversion, anyway thanks Patrick for another great interview,

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

It sounds like you're on the right track to finding the perfect van!

[@bluecaroline4407]

That van is really nice. I love the wet bathroom.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

I agree, it's a great feature.

[@system_philosophy]

Its interesting that in video he and you talks like "If you have good DC to DC charger you don't need solar". I think many people who thinks about van life don't know that thing with the fact which charging battery by solar is quite slow.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

That is definitely an important distinction to make!

[@system_philosophy]

@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures Honestly I don't thought about charging speed. Logically if you put more battery in a van that will take more time. But I don't have a data like "You have both brand new AAA watt of solar and BBB Ah of CCC volt battery and DDD amp charge controller so it will take XXX hours to fully charge" but maybe there will be some data in the internet.

[@positivelyhappy.9876]

Very well thought out. I can tell he watches humble road.😊

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Humble Road is one of my favorites!

[@Pnanasnoic]

What an excellent build

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Glad you found it

[@Pnanasnoic]

@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures Only thanks to your channel, which is top notch. Cheers

[@277kne]

I like the cabinets and shower. Noticed it looks tight between the shower and galley. Would like a price range on the cabinets and shower.

[@michaelscarfi3196]

@@277kne The shower runs about 2000 without the door and then you have to decide if you want it powder coated or if you want to tile it or leave it natural. The aisle easily accommodates one person and since it will never accommodate two it’s not worth sacrificing the shower or galley size. Of course that’s my opinion. We all have different ideas as to what is important to us.

[@rvnut1133]

I like this van a lot and watched the video twice looking for a suitable place where I could set up my computer. I work remotely full-time and would need to have the computer somewhere comfortable for work. Other than that I think the build is excellent with plenty of storage space, the garage is amazing with plenty of space as well as the bed which looks to be very comfortable.

[@michaelscarfi3196]

It wasn’t set up but if you swivel the passenger seat to the rear as shown there’s a lagoon table that mounts to the galley. Patrick pointed it out in the video.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks for sharing!

[@yorotirb3941]

Nice! Great job!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@reneedickerson4489]

Cool Van tour thank you.❤❤😊😊😊

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Appreciate you watching!

[@drd2093]

That is a nice van. Serviceable, practical, and nice. One small change and I’d love that thing to death

[@michaelscarfi3196]

Why change is that?

[@JB-eg1tb]

Simple and practically designed!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

That was the goal!

[@Heinz76Harald]

this looks build very solid, i like the material choice

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Glad you like it!

[@jenniferwest3947]

Love all the drawers

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Lots of them

[@jbaby007]

Great work and very innovative! Not my style with all of the metal but I'm glad it works for him. I think more people are realizing rv's aren't worth it these days.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Rock on!

[@maryhight6030]

Wow, amazing build.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

It really is!

[@rangerhorse4613]

Lot’s to love about it, really talented. My only thought is seating is limited only to the two swivels and only having that for eating/working.

[@michaelscarfi3196]

Thanks for your feedback. This is where our own personal experiences come in. As a family we have traveled cross country and back but we don’t do more than one or two night stays in any one place. We have never stayed in a campsite more than one day and with the van being a confined space we eat our meals outdoors or in various road food spots we have researched. That’s kind of our thing. When I travel alone I eat standing up to stretch after sitting for hours driving and I don’t work in the van. My second build that Patrick will feature has the seating you mention and it cost me 50 percent of my draw space. I’m sorry I did it but for someone else it might be perfect. I hope that explains my thinking..

[@rangerhorse4613]

Your build is fantastic. Floorplans are so personal, and as you said what works for you! Really love the build.

[@mythicalnomadadventure969]

Very well thought out build. Thanks for this upload, and ... 👍 Rock on 🙂.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks! I appreciate it!

[@lawdog516]

WOW impressive GREAT job !!!!!!!!!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@InsideouttrainingWB]

Really svelt build!!!! 👍🏼👏👏👏👏

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you so much!

[@BigDrinkTEA]

Top of the line everything but the diesel heater. Eberspacher is my go to imo

[@michaelscarfi3196]

You’re 100 percent correct. It’s the first thing I tell prospective purchasers and offer to change it. I wasn’t sure what I wanted permanently so For 140 dollars I figured I could throw it in the garbage with no guilt, however it has worked so well for 4 years I never bothered changing it.

[@tomchan2901]

Who created the Stainless Steel sink and countertop?

[@Ms.Frankenbuilder]

Love your video

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you 🙏

[@MichaelWilliams-ro9bm]

A couple things I'd change ( after you carefully thinking this out) I'd put the diesel heater under the passenger seat. More room for clothes in the drawers. I would put a 400 watt panel on the roof as if you ever, ever sit for a while, it'll slowly keep the batteries charged. You can't be driving 100% of the time 😉 Do you sleep front to back or side to side? Seem to tall for side to side. Your gray water dump. Can you go into more detail?? Is there a tank at all? Do you manually have to open a valve or electronically dump? Thx!!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

I appreciate your thoughts! It’s all about personal preference though.

[@michaelscarfi3196]

Thanks for the feedback . The heater is below the draws in the toe kick so you really don’t lose much space and it enables better circulation of heat from the center of the van. I sleep front to back, your right, a sprinter is too narrow for side to side and I am not a fan of flare space especially for 2 people. The dump valve is in the driver seat pedestal so you can dump while driving or parked and don’t have to leave the seat.

[@MichaelWilliams-ro9bm]

@@michaelscarfi3196 we too have a electronic dump on the dash coming off a 10 gal holding tank. Dumps through a 3/8" hose going down the road! In fact our sprinter is a 2019 170" identical to yours. Same color! Our ac is more in the middle of the van rather than the rear. ( A Dometic 12 volt) We also have a dining table where your shower and drawers are. We bought ours in 2022 75% complete. We increase power from 300 ams to 500. Travel all over the southwest. A lot of the van builds are what one feels that works for them. Yours works! Great build!

[@justjudy7320]

@@michaelscarfi3196 I'm assuming since we have the same van that your grey water tanks one would be behind the driver seat and the other in front of the passenger wheel well. I'm just in the final stages of completing the build-out all of the electrical was done by a Victorian dealer who happens to be an architect that started a van build out company. Thankfully the guy has the patience of Job and is happy to allow his clients to do whatever part of the builds they want and hire him to do whatever it is they want him to. It is my plan to put a Jerry can gray water tank under the sink with a splitter valve that will allow me to direct the gray water to the interior can during freezing and cold temperatures. I mentioned the cloth walls earlier because I am going to be doing a lot of cooking one of my favorite features of the van is a Blackstone griddle with a side burner.😁 in addition to the stir fry that I adore and the fact that my dogs eat raw food and cooked vegetables there will certainly be lots of aromaz circulating through my van.😉 it's hard for me to believe myself that I'm literally going to be a rolling Snowbird full-time two weeks from now🥰 I purchased the Sprinter knowing that they're built to be work horses and as fuel efficient as possible for long travels. I'd be curious to know how much your van weighs and what kind of mileage you get. My van build a guy has got a 156 that weighs close to 10000 lb and he says between 55 and 60 he can get upwards of 23 to 24 MPG.

[@michaelscarfi3196]

@ I only have one tank which is on the drivers side. There is a crossover pipe for the sink. I’m not sure if I would do the Jerry can because of the space but everyone has their own needs. I use so little at the sink that in freezing temperatures I just let it dump as I’m using it. The van weighs about 9000 pounds and gets about 18 highway miles. I’m assuming the 156 is a gas engine ford ? It’s not a Mercedes length. Enjoy your new adventure. Thanks for commenting.

[@cw-ji8vs]

Lux!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Absolutely

[@jackplowman2103]

How long is the bed from the back doors? AFAIK a queen is 160x200cm? A sprinter is 187 wide I think.

[@elizabethrufener7280]

Unique build! Is there room for an e-bike to be carried inside?

[@mjremy2605]

Patrick, excellent videography! You are a master at this. Showed us all the details down to the small glimpse of the van flooring at 7:32. Nice work! This is a smart van. I think Michael did a superb job of thinking this out. Love the huge extension tray in garage for tools, and the second bed area. Kids love being in a Fort hidden somewhere or a loft. The fact that he can remove bed, second bed, and use the van to transport plywood sheets, is very clever design. So are the Rivnuts! A van has to be modular because sooner or later everything needs to be cleaned, maintained, replaced. I like the design aesthetic too. The bed looks like a rug, and you have this gorgeous wood panel cabinets, very austere countertop in steel with a steel sink and low profile bank of drawers. Warm wood tones contrasted with grey fabric walls. Really lovely. I like that countertop and sink very much. Nothing fussy. Extra chair clamps is genius! I've always wanted to have that option. Bathroom is another level, wow. I love this van, truly beautiful build and lots of power. Great job, Michael! Thanks for the tour guys!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

I am very happy you liked this one. Appreciate all the support and additional information

[@bunkertons]

14:24 dad rant! 😂

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Ha

[@turkishpro1]

I always wonder if aluminum hinders cell service or internet signals. Any insight is welcome

[@Trish-j2y]

His saying he couldn’t build the drawers had me laughing.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Why?

[@Connecting.the.Dots.797]

He mentioned that he didn’t have time to build the drawers

[@mikecleverly7021]

I can't understand not installing any Solar. Its free energy once it installed, and you'll end up burning less diesel, unless I'm wrong, and the engine is loaded by the generator whether you use the power or not? I'd definitely stick some solar up there!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

The DC the DC Chargers rapidly charged the battery and most people that use vans like this aren’t sitting around days on and they’re starting the engine and driving places during the day which charges the battery quickly. The amount of space that’s on the roof for the van is very limited and the solar is like breathing through a straw.

[@mikecleverly7021]

@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures Thanks for the explanation!

[@justjudy7320]

I never understand cloth walls. How does one get the cooking smells out? How does one get dog slobber out? How does one get moisture out? How does one clean them. pretty build and I used rivnuts on everything As well.

[@michaelscarfi3196]

I see your point. I happen to like the fabric look. We all use our vans differently. I wouldn’t cook anything particularly Smokey or smelly inside the van anyway and I don’t have a dog. If my lifestyle changed I would pull the panels off in 30 minutes and drop them at the upholster to cover them in vinyl I suppose. Thanks for your feedback.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Appreciate the reply Michael. Great to have you on the show.

[@denisephillips9269]

Always great vans but I say the real magic is a van that is decent quality and affordable. These are all "spare no cost" builds.

[@ShaonS]

Humble road would be my first choice to build my van, love the ingenuity and attention to detail. Fantastic work!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks for watching! I agree, Humble Road does great work too.

[@user-yz8jj2gu7h]

What is the cost of this built camper, everything (new camper, etc.) included?

[@TheJello359]

Is this van for sale Patrick let me know when the comments

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

There is a video description for this

[@rchwha]

Great job you have done. May I ask what height is the van ?

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Estimating 9’8 with the racks, lift and bigger tires

[@michaelscarfi3196]

@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventuresyou know your vans Patrick. It’s 9’6

[@charlevoix418]

Thermostat right over an heater vent outlet?

[@michaelscarfi3196]

The vent blows out fairly strongly so it’s not an issue but I can totally understand your thinking. Fortunately it’s somewhat centered in the van and it works well. After your comment I gave it more thought and can’t really think of a better place to put it anyway. Thanks for your feedback.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Appreciate the reply

[@horizon42q]

Nice

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Very nice

[@catgotyourtongue8279]

So you don't really need solar panels for power?? I've been asking this question for so long!!! Help??!!

[@michaelscarfi3196]

Of course there are a lot of things to consider. It really depends on how you will use your van. It depends on how much power you have. It my case as most people we keep moving and don’t need it at all.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

There are other more efficient ways to change a battery bank.

[@rael.5967]

Seems well made but that much metal everywhere just gives me prison vibes 😮

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Never been

[@michaelrice5830]

How much $500k?

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Not even close

[@richbowie76]

#201 👍

[@spellmadam2947]

Excellent build

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Agreed

[@stevemartin8994]

Beautiful build!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you, I appreciate it!