Mercedes Sprinter NEW Van Conversion! Fitting Bonded Windows + Roof Vent

[@GregVirgoe]

Hello mate, it’s awesome that you are starting a new van build and a very clean sprinter too. Thank you for the mention and you’re looking good in the T shirt.

[@HughTube]

haha well we just need to get you down here soon!

[@GregVirgoe]

HughTube I’d love to come down, meet again and check out the workshop.

[@Rehanchowdhuryisgreat]

@@GregVirgoe llffflf7 Z%qqS. S. Sca. ry

[@naziaiqbal335]

no

[@GS04WAL]

Awesome to see you back on a fresh van build. Was going to save up a few episodes before watching but couldn't resist.

[@HughTube]

haha I will try to release as regularly as possible!

[@toyesteve]

Great to have you back. Looking forward to seeing another nice build.

[@HughTube]

Thanks Steve!

[@peteredwards9147]

You make fitting the windows look really easy, well done

[@HughTube]

Thanks Peter

[@chatteyj]

A new build and a sprinter too cool! But dude I'm nervous about the roof fan install in terms of potential leaking I would recommend using mastic tape especially at the front to level and build it up in between the ribs.

[@slev8871]

Loving the detail, really good work.

[@NomaddUK]

Hi Hugh. This cannot be a very professional build out as I have watched loads of Mel's videos and yours do not have a single builders crack :o)

[@HughTube]

I will be sure to loosen my belt!

[@NomaddUK]

@@HughTube I think Mel just has a larger boot.

[@jakecross-bancroft3304]

Hi Hugh, love the videos and you’ve given me a lot of inspiration to pick up a van soon to convert. One of my questions is what you look for when picking up a van? I’m pretty set on the LWB sprinter like you’ve got here but not sure what to look out for and looking for a little help! Keep the videos coming!

[@HughTube]

Hey matey, to be honest I need to do a video on this as I get asked this a lot. I would say it depends on a few things. With your budget I would say try and put as much of that towards the van to get a van in as best condition as possible. Mechanical stuff can cost A LOT and I would rather have a partly converted van that I can add to over a longer time than a quickly converted van in worse condition. (If you're UK based) Unless you plan to live in full time I would get a van that is max length 6m. This will allow you to still, at a push, fit in most car parking spaces. Don't worry about going high roof, as soon as you put a roof rack on a low roof van it can't fit under most of the height restrictions anyway. When checking a van look around for rust and a big giveaway is what looks like bubbling under the paint (check around wheel arches). Theres more but I should prob do a video

[@markhowells1231]

Great videos and the inspiration for our sprinter van conversion. Where did you get the window kits from, I see lots of different ones around and not sure on the difference.

[@HughTube]

You can get different qualities of glass but I got mine from Van Demon, never had any issues

[@vinnieatkinson7227]

Hey Hugh, great video as usual bud. I might have left the bulkhead in to protect the seats while you cut the metal with a grinder or cover the seats 😃👍🏼

[@HughTube]

Hey Vinnie, yeah good call. The owners do plan to change them to captain chairs in the near future but you are right

[@GoranMilici]

So you can cut the roof bar and it doesnt affect the strength of the van? I just installed a rooftop ac unit towers the back of the van and the ac of bigger than the space between them and now I have the back end on the beam and front end I put some stuff between the roof and aac control panel. But even with trying to insulate it there is air getting in and out where it shouldn't be. I would rather cut the beam if I could. So your dying cutting one of these a little bit is not a big deal?

[@HughTube]

Hi Goran, we didn’t cut a rib in the the van only a roof rack bar. As the roof rack isn’t part of the original van it wouldn’t lose any strength.

[@grahamhardyvanlife5704]

And you got s**t to do. love that song LOL.

[@afordbabblecampervan7555]

Exciting new project. I thought you might stick your head through the hole in the roof like Greg.

[@HughTube]

haha I really wish I had now!

[@onemanandhisdog9]

What height roof is that sprinter and how tall are you? Looks tight before you raise the floor with insulation and put a roof in.

[@HughTube]

I am 6'2" and after fitting ceiling and floor I could still fully stand but it was close

[@onemanandhisdog9]

@@HughTube I'm the same height, is it a high roof sprinter or standard? I want a shower!

[@catherinewinterburn1043]

Great video:-) we have just bought a sprinter LWB and will also have to fit same about of people and dog so 👍. Quick question why is your wood blue?

[@HughTube]

I think the colours are down to different grades but I could be wrong

[@BeyondYourDoorstep]

Hey Hugh. My wife and I have just recently found your videos and we love them. We have a small travel KZbin channel, and we've just decided to buy a van and kit it out. Will be a few months before we do so, but we've started planning and budgeting. We're trying to decide between a Sprinter or a Transit. Both LWB high roof. Do you have any recommendations? We're looking to spend between £5K and £7K on it. I think we can get a newer Transit, but everyone seems to go for the Sprinters. I think Transit maintenance and parts are cheaper too. Do you know if there's any reason everyone goes for the Sprinter vans? We would LOVE to live in our van, so reliability and cost is really important. Hope you can help, cheers for all the great videos 👍

[@errolmagill1611]

The Sprinters tend to be stronger mechanically, keep rust under control and they will last. But your right, they are more expensive to buy. They also taper in towards the roof, the Transits and Boxers etc are more square.

[@HughTube]

Errol Magill nailed this question! The sprinters are lovely to drive and I have driven some that have covered 300,000 to 450,000 miles!! Just keep on top of rust. I am sure the transit would do you very well, maybe find someone with one and get their hands on opinion

[@toyesteve]

Hey Beyond Your Doorstep... nice channel. Subscribed. Looking forward to seeing your potential van purchase/build.

[@theadventuresofbruceleeand4701]

I'm having a raised bed in my high top custom and my fiamma fan is about in the same position. I can't wait to be lying in bed and having cool air blowing on me 😁

[@David_11111]

yay

[@dearliza1365]

i wished you would do more videos. I miss seeing them... just saying....

[@GregVirgoe]

Elizabeth LaCroix I do put a video out every week. Only miss that occasionally. It takes a lot of time to put together the technical ones.

[@tristenkeatley6483]

DdèrFte3a

[@tristenkeatley6483]

@@GregVirgoe apslskskk

[@RemusKingOfRome]

That Sprinter interior height doesn't seem that high. Once you add the floor and ceiling, will the new owners be banging their heads ? Also , please water test that new air vent, it doesn't look totally water proof from heavy driving rain .

[@chatteyj]

The roof vent is unlikely to hold up over time to leakages for sure imo.

[@HughTube]

We checked the roof vent by constantly pouring a bucket of water over it for a prolonged time. No issues whatsoever. The height is less than my boxer, I am 6'2" and after it was done I could still just about walk around but it was close.

[@HughTube]

fitted it in the exact same way as my boxer and mine is now 3 years on and going strong

[@CarlJones14]

I can't believe just how narrow these Sprinters are on the inside. No way could my layout work in a Sprinter. Mine is a Relay. Screws in the roof!😱

[@HughTube]

Are there really screws going through the roof?

[@dantheman321]

Nice to see a new project Hugh, just abit of advice, you would have been better using mastic tape or idl tape for the roof vent mate, sikaflex is OK but after awhile the sikaflex will separate from the plastic and leak unless you have used a plastic primer. Just speaking from experience buddy. Great video though👍

[@HughTube]

Cheers Dan! Will take that on board!

[@BadManNoFear]

wow H u like talk ay

[@EnglishVeteran]

Build quality of Sprinters really is appalling, rotting away at a great rate of knots.

[@HughTube]

You say this but I feel its very hit and miss, I have seen some old ones that are very rusty but then I have seen others that are fine and smashing along well into the 200-300,000 mile mark

[@EnglishVeteran]

Yoz Travels “All the best van conversions are Sprinters”. HaHa! Really? You get around a lot then? HaHa!!

[@EnglishVeteran]

HughTube I must have missed both of them!