The Mercedes Metris Weekender is a Vanlife Daily Driver

[@americansmark]

Digging the off-road reviews. KZbin is sorely lacking for this sort of content and it's a nice change from the hypercars and 101 twisties.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Wish I had cameras rolling when I went up the “oh, nope. Turn around now.” Road.

[@jcangler88]

Clearly you don't watch TFL off-road or TFL truck.

[@americansmark]

@@jcangler88 clearly I do. I like their stuff, but they present things more as a comparison between A and B. It's not really my thing. I like when a reviewer focuses on one vehicle and goes in depth with it's "quirks and features" to borrow a Dougism. TFL is more news and reviews than experiences.

[@americansmark]

@@TheSmokingTire haha. Been down a few of those in my time. My in-laws live on one and even the Gator had a rough time of it. I can't imagine a minivan. Btw, did this conversion have off-road tires? I don't think you mentioned it. A set of K02s would make this thing a badass weekend pond fishing camper.

[@GarageSupra]

there are loads of Australian channels that cover off roading

[@mr.winslow7018]

This is super cool! For anyone out there watching this thinking they need all this to go car camping you are wrong. You can enjoy a camp trip right out of your SUV without breaking the bank or calling in a favor. Stay safe everyone safe travels 🙏

[@mornadu]

Zack should do more of these videos. This matches his personality really well

[@jimdandy3460]

Personality? I've seen inanimate objects with more personality

[@briankennedy6693]

Cool you can burn a grilled cheese from your car in the middle of the woods

[@jimdandy3460]

Lmao

[@TheSmokingTire]

It was delicious! - ZK

[@ArkGeo]

When your commitment to B roll is more important than your lunch. That's commitment right there

[@TheSmokingTire]

That induction system gets a lot hotter than I expected. Even level 4 is like Medium on a gas burner. First time using it. We like our toast toasted. ZK

[@jamesyoung5610]

looks good, scrape the burn off like a man and eat it

[@drakekemper]

Solid video Zack! As someone who is about to embark on a year on the road I love to see all of these different options.

[@mateo3388]

I’m pissed this doesn’t have more views, I love these videos and think Zack does a great job solo. Keep making these for as long as you can!

[@mitchellsteindler]

It just came out! Give it some time lol

[@TheSmokingTire]

Share it!

[@3silver702]

Thanks for this content. I really enjoyed this kind of video. I would love to see Zach review more camper/weekender kind of vehicles. As I've said before, the cinematic style is a really nice format.

[@jmcpeak53]

This is a cool format. Kudos for trying new stuff.

[@Benjamin15151515]

Is it just me or did Zacks reviews get a lot better?(:

[@jimdandy3460]

Definitely just you.

[@mornadu]

@@jimdandy3460 All the negative comments you leave man. How sad is your life? :( Hope things turn for the better brother

[@jnichols959]

Loved this video! He seemed so relaxed and at ease in front of the camera. Bring on more of the Zack one takes!

[@RamtheCowy]

Agreed! I'm here for more Zack reviews and more normal people/affordable cars alongside the other stuff!

[@BjCmeadows]

Great review Zack, keep em coming! This is perfect information for when in 30 years I'm too old to do real camping anymore and values have dropped to the point I can actually afford this kind of van 😂

[@gabrielgurmilan5555]

The cool counselor character merits it’s own KZbin channel Zack! Hilarious. Great format, great content. Awesome job.

[@bkf3857]

Weekender is exactly what I want! Best friend giving it to you makes me envious! 😁

[@runescapebanker]

I love the "everything else " reviews, very well done Zack!

[@davedovala2700]

Excellent review! Admittedly I'm generally a road/track car guy. That said, this content was so well mapped out and presented, I found myself watching till the end wondering if I too could try van camping! Good job.

[@van_mod1]

I really enjoyed this vid...super honest and at times laugh out loud funny. I think the van shown has a small lift (1.5"), but not sure. There are definitely options out there (twin monotube and lifting springs) that can gain clearance and enhance off road manners. Was not aware of Santa Cruz Campers previously, but happy to add them to my list of pop top upfitter potentials along with Keystone (closer to me) and GTRV. Love the simplicity of the design, the use of lithium batteries, but I wouldn't set off into the woods for even a weekend without a decent-sized fresh water tank (doing dishes uses water) and water pump. So galley, pantry storage, and an interior pivoting table (the van in this vid is actually set up with a Lagun-like, Westyish bent tube table and you can see the pivoting bottom mount and table leg in a few of the shots...Zack just chose not to show the table installed inside) are all important bits for me. The more vids like this I see, the more I am convinced that the Metris is the best modern Westy option...and even better with that second sliding door.

[@jonotwist]

Was not down by a river. 1/5 stars for missed opportunity. Good review.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Now young man, what do you want to do with your life?!

[@Trendyflute]

"Oaked wood and smoked walnut" - Zack's impression of luxury haha 😁 Enjoyed the review, made me want to go camping (though I'm still partial to a tent on the ground!)

[@TheSmokingTire]

I like a tent as well. I've found virtues in both.

[@gavinsullivan9015]

Great review - it’s just the cost as always. Soon as the kids are out and I’m able to go part time I’d love one of these with an MTB rack. you’re a good reviewer and good on film Zac - keep it up👍

[@scotth5503]

These are actually very reasonable (albeit much smaller) compared to a sprinter. Prices on some of those fully converted sprinters are approaching 911 turbo territory.

[@souphiane10]

more of these types of videos please, watching the newest sportscars on youtube kinda gets boring overtime :)

[@Mamo878]

Good thing camp food tastes better than normal food.

[@RAZGR1Z]

I hope you guys keep these camping videos coming.

[@mbclk65amg]

Oh I love off roading in Lake Tahoe! Excellent review Zack.

[@xxxpkersxxx]

7:45 when you say you could tow a Miata on a trailer, I definitely can confirm that it works well for that. I hauled a Miata 10 hours on a Uhaul trailer with a Metris Cargo and it went flawlessly.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Nice! Seems like a good way to camp/race your way around. ZK

[@DDMSteveB]

Happy to see a steady diet of government cheese is keeping Z well fed. It’s awesome having Zack on the TST payroll full time.

[@SuperReviews4you]

I like everything about that rig other than the ground clearance and capability. The sprinter seems like a much better option.

[@mitchellsteindler]

For a much larger price

[@mikeritchie492]

Not kidding this is all I need in my life.

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

@Timo Koeppen sorry to destroy your illusion, but there definetly IS a family van thing in Europe, it's not like this would be popular only in the US. I listed you like 2 dozen different family vans from numerous different brands available on the European market at the current time. As you stated the Sprinter is cheaper than the Mercedes, I'm sorry I have to tell you the Sprinter IS a Mercedes-Benz. All three versions of the Vito / Mixto / V-Class were sold under the very same name Metris in the US. It's likely that they didn't offer the range of options they do in Germany. Options concerning wheelbase, roofline, trim levels, engines, seat configurations etc. Unfortunately we can't check that as MB USA doesn't offer the Metris any longer and you can't have a detailed look at it on their homepage and can't configurate one. The Toyota ProAce Verso at the highest possible trim level comes out at 68k here, and you can't even choose different versions of the interior design. Sure Toyota can totally keep up with Mercedes at that point. You came up with the Toyota Sienna then, but it's neither available in Europe nor in Japan where Toyota comes from as it's made for the American market only. Also the Odyssey isn't available here, in general Honda isn't very popular here It's funny how you just can't accept some basic facts and keep deleating your own comment over and over again, hoping that I won't reply onto yours

[@septopus3516]

Casually drops "Gnarly!" Like it's nothing 😂😂09:02

[@BorisBidjanSaberi11]

Perfect review, if I were to be a car you tuber, it would be purely camping and off-road related

[@myd4980]

I wish Volkswagen would sell the new California in the US...

[@juelsokoo]

How are they mechanically? Like a breakdown in the woods could it be fixed by a mobile mechanic?

[@Faceless_Chat]

Quality review. Good job.

[@timbarito5586]

i was like NOOO WAY MATT MADE THAT GRILLED CHEESE 😂

[@meenam300zx]

Unfortunately these go for $85k or more from Las Vegas all the way to CA and Seattle, not worth the money. You are better off staying in a top notch resort for 30 days a year for the next 15 years. This thing will depreciate really quick too.

[@Mamo878]

Cool vid bro

[@Nord_Mann]

Utility is always 😎

[@NormalKatastrof]

Its weird that Mercedes renamed Vito as Metris in US 🤔

[@NormalKatastrof]

Thats more Van than camper. Vito Marco Polo is lot more camper like.

[@Benjamin15151515]

Cause Vito is a bad name anyways

[@hovnojede010101]

@@NormalKatastrof Yeah, the Marco Polo V-Klasse comes with a kitchenette, too

[@motorvatorv888]

Corleone connection?

[@hovnojede010101]

@@motorvatorv888 I think it's got to do with the location of the production plant. Vitoria, Spain

[@Mr1wd]

A little pricey at 80k...why can't Mercedes just bring the Marco Polo here?

[@evalonious]

Man it's from Santa Cruz. It need espresso machine. Otherwise its teetering on greatness. Bad ass van.

[@breakdncer007]

It seems like the cheapest way to do this is to bring Santa Cruz campers the 2 passenger version of the van, because they supply a custom second row bench anyways right?

[@TheSmokingTire]

Correct. They order the second row and install the sliders and everything else. - ZK

[@Jafromobile]

I thought they'd call it the Standis when they brought it to America? Metris sounded too intimidating?

[@MrLifeissomething]

There must be a joke here but I don't get it. Metris sounds too close to metrosexual, which is probably part of the reason why they don't sell well as work vans.

[@Jafromobile]

@@MrLifeissomething Any KZbinr who makes videos using standard US measurements gets shredded by Europeans and everyone else who uses the Metric system. We get blamed for "fearing the metric system". Super-nerdy, I know... but including your point, I suppose there's 2 strikes against that name?

[@komamix]

Drugs in nature is the best drug.....

[@gungfuriceboy]

you mentioned the Metris in Europe is available with AWD! is ihis system 'sufficient' enough for the 'back trails'..during wet/light snow conditions ( 4 season ..'light duty' Overlander )? Will Mercedes ever Get 'Serious' & just put a REAL 4X4 system in their Metris...like the Sprinter? then Maybe ...just maybe i'd consider 'Purchasing One'!! cheers from Canada!

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

well Mercedes doesn't really have a reason to make the Vito / Viano / Metris real offroad worthy. It's a van which is primarily purchased by families, contractors and emergency services; The better offroad worthy choice in that range of vehicle size would be the Volkswagen T6. Of course the Sprinter offers a wider range of variations concerning wheelbase, roofline, FWD / 4x4 / conversion to 6x6 etc

[@c0c0asauce]

I honestly thought it would be more expensive.

[@tinyyogini]

FYI: squatting is not bad for your back. Its actually much better for your back than sitting in a chair.

[@vdubster]

Crazy that you don’t get the VW Transporter over there. They’ve been doing a California model for years which is a factory supplied camper.

[@hovnojede010101]

US did get the T4 renamed as the Eurovan

[@vdubster]

@@hovnojede010101 yeah I meant the T5 onwards.

[@hovnojede010101]

@@vdubster VW USA is in shambles. I'd bet the T6 would sell in the US better than the Arteon lol

[@AA-yx2kf]

Jeez! It's called "grilled cheese" not "burned cheese"

[@eclectictomboy6873]

There's no bumper! If you tap anything or they tap you, you're buying a new door! It's still love to the ground. Not much clearance.

[@aivo3091]

I wonder why they chose the base model to be a Vito instead of a V Class. And isn't the engine 2.1 Liters?

[@vvevvevvvv]

Murica gets 2.0 turb0 petrol egnine. Not 2.1 turbo diesel.

[@horsterer77]

Just a little off-topic : are those Merrel Moab boots you are wearing - and would you recommend them ?

[@TheSmokingTire]

They are Oboz Sawtooth (I think. The label has worn off.). I have a 10.5E foot and like them a lot. Get them 1/2 size down from your normal shoe.

[@horsterer77]

@@TheSmokingTire Thanks, will check them out !

[@stevescramo592]

3.8 ground clearance. That won't get you too far off road

[@GarageSupra]

hey kids scene 😂

[@kristibuescher7085]

Who was in charge of not burning that sandwich?

[@stanleykwok4210]

How much is it?

[@gerrynightingale9045]

*How about focusing on THE VEHICLE ITSELF and not having a 'Pal' be 'center-screen yakkity-yak' damn near ALL the time???* ___________ *I still know almost nothing about the 'Metris' after nearly 20-minutes!* *Is there provisional space inside for a 'Thetford' does the 'upper-bunk' have a 'Frohlie' system support?* *What kind of heat is there?* *What provisions are there for cooling...like a 'Maxx-Air' in the roof?* *Is there anywhere inside that one of the 4 or 5 gal. water-totes can fit so I can put a 'Collapsible Shower' in front and some provision for heated water inside?* ____________ *How about some REAL information...like what do I get besides a 'Pop-Top Sleeper' for 30 or $40K and a 'cook-top?'*

[@Ze-Germanzuk]

Are VW Transporters not really a thing in the U.S?

[@TheSmokingTire]

They don't sell them in the U.S.

[@DenisKudlik]

that infotainment system looks more 2002 than 2012

[@colecampagna6302]

Tahoe ❤️

[@buckbossier5709]

would buy one today if it were AWD

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

you can get an AWD Metris but as I think it's not available on the US market you'll have to order it abroad and ship it

[@hexgraphica]

Are your sunglasses rough?

[@davidsteinhour5562]

Dillon Optics

[@hman0007]

Looks like a quality product. Nice job. Your S.O. could use some more camera time.

[@Yourlocalandy]

zack fuckin rules

[@BigGroupHug]

Depreciate faster than a Maybach that fell into the ocean 🤣

[@JoseLopez-vp8vu]

Brokezackmountain

[@soverycarrie8834]

AKA: Metris Getaway

[@RumblestripDotNet]

I really wish this was AWD rather than FWD. RWD van in a Michigan winter, even with good tires is not fun.

[@phillipberk5767]

ya lack of awd or 4wd is why I would never own one. RWD even with all terrains is just not something I would trust off road. big let down.

[@scotth5503]

@@phillipberk5767 With the ground clearance this Metris has, the drivetrain is probably not the limiting factor. My wife used to have a scion tc and that thing could handle some surprisingly rough roads getting to trail heads. In dry conditions obviously. 2wd can be a shit show when things get slippery.

[@Scratch-athon]

That sandwich from Satan, lol enjoy

[@jimdandy3460]

Synagogue of satan.

[@henryhill3778]

IF you can't get it in DIESEL, why bother?

[@jeffreyrichardson]

dave graves carpentry regals moon roofs nicety banks variety

[@user-ff8ld3ef3u]

Rear wheel drive is where you lost me. And this guy acting as if that’s a plus and not a major negative made me lose all confidence in this reviewer.

[@jamesonpace726]

Tell ye sumpin, youngin, enjoy yer toy camper now while ye can still bend yer hips 'n knees. THAT's why us old farts drive mammoth RVs.

[@burnzy3210]

americans call this a "mini" van, no it's just a normal van

[@myownsite]

And according to Doug this is the worst car one can buy.

[@amazingjason455]

We have four teens and outgrew the Odyssey. The Metris has 8 adult sized seats, higher weight capacity, and can tow the Samurai too. It has been perfectly reliable. It is nice enough to drive.

[@myownsite]

@@amazingjason455 yeah and its utilitarian design has its perks

[@canabox7112]

I heard it’s a total POS

[@BobSmith-wc4hr]

Wow, the most boring Smoking Tire episode I've ever seen...

[@jimdandy3460]

He has good hair. He sucks as a KZbin car guy though. I feel like hes more boring than if I read a magazine with his exact words in it. I feel like I just had a light session of chemo after watching the videos hes in.

[@Fr0dders]

if you have nothing nice or constructive to say, don't say it. Just because it's the internet doesn't give you license to talk shit about people.

[@jimdandy3460]

@@Fr0dders yeah well suck it. My opinion is just as valid as a positive comment.