48 Hours Living in a Custom Sprinter VAN!

[@Charlie-zl6pc]

So I go over to check out a Sprinter build and who do I see? Lo and behold it’s the Vancaskeys! Felt like meeting old friends, friendly and gracious. Bob and Hillary are good folk! Great meeting both of you. Thanks for your service, Bob!

[@Vancaskeys]

Awww it was wonderful meeting you and your family! ❤️

[@fbr65]

0:48 Bob’s excitement about driving the Sprinter is tangible lol . . . But as a Sprinter owner, I totally agree with him and still love driving our van after 3 years!

[@Vancaskeys]

Haha! Glad to hear that!

[@alexaapoe]

Hillary, get your hubby that van!!! He deserves it. Do you know how hard it is to find a good man these days, and you got one! You can see how much he loves you 😃 ❤. It's so beautiful, and you guys are such a cool, beautiful couple. That's why I enjoy watching you two so much. So just do it, you two. You both deserve it. ❤

[@jrcollings]

Bob certainly seems all gushy over this van compared to all the ones at the RV show, etc. Great to see him so excited, but impressions from here are that it has some nice features for sure, but.. like every other van there are great and not so great aspects. Thanks for sharing.

[@marsha-rf6nn]

Love Bob’s enthusiasm! You make us smile !

[@Vancaskeys]

Thanks so much Marsha!

[@blondeblue3085]

I picked up my new 2023 AWD Sprinter (custom build) two weeks ago and for sure, the drive is to die for. I’m shocked how much I love it. Being up HIGH is the best, and yup that shifter is weird and takes some getting used to. Great video!

[@tevbrannan5885]

The brake was weird too. It rides nice and all BUT it won't be so nice when you have to get service. I hated the speedometer being on the left. Must be a German/European thing.☹️ I love induction cooking, it's so fast. Enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing.

[@tevbrannan5885]

Hilary, I noticed your pillow. Is it a cooling pillow and does it work? Thanks.

[@TimGamble]

Great camping video you guys! I see a Sprinter in your future! Hillary, your eyes are so blue in this video. Stunning!

[@Vancaskeys]

Thanks so much!

[@markweiner3896]

Hey guys, glad you got to try out the Mercedes. Maybe you don't know, but, the annual maintenance on the Mercedes Benz is a lot more expensive than your RAM Promaster. It's a completely different kind of power with the diesel. For many who don't know the diesel is especially good if you're driving on mountain roads and climbing higher elevations. And, the fuel economy on the diesel is better than gasoline, but, in the end it all balances itself out. The money you save on fuel is swapped for the higher maintenance costs. Unless you're a DIY and know exactly what you're doing, the oil change on the Mercedes Benz is not like the RAM. So, enjoy your Promaster.

[@Blztrls]

I totally get what you mean by the cool factor. I’m always getting compliments on my Sprinter van. I think you guys would do much better in a 170 length Sprinter. 144 is great for off-road if but a little too small for 2 people especially with that layout. Thanks for the review it was fun watching it.

[@NewWorldOrderFilms2030]

Yeah but then parking becomes an issue in crowded cities.

[@13redwoodlaneusa7]

Alright! Cool trip. I don’t think you are stealth camping in that van at all. lol. Now you know what’s in your future for upgrades. Bob, you are cracking me up. Like a kid the night before Christmas. Nicely done guys.

[@Vancaskeys]

Agree! Definitely wasn’t stealth camping! 😂🤣

[@salawrence1]

I think you need one 😊

[@Vancaskeys]

😃😅

[@connieyoung1814]

When you cook with an induction stove put a piece of foil over the top of the stove then put your pan down and you'll have a clean stove. Hope you enjoy the van

[@Vancaskeys]

Oh great tip! Thanks!

[@brook1033]

We own a Thor sequence 20L. Also has the rear wet bath. We love it so much. Really open feeling.

[@Vancaskeys]

So awesome!

[@brook1033]

Watching your videos I’ve often thought you guys would love that layout. Check it out sometime.😁

[@truevan]

So glad you guys had a great time! Hope to see you two again in the near future 🙏🏽🔥

[@Vancaskeys]

Thanks Guys! We had a blast! Great van!

[@robertarnobit5357]

I thought you got rid of Mr lemon... I was kinda sad😔 glad Mr lemon is back 👍

[@LabRat14]

I had a 3 speed on the column (three on the tree😂). First gear was down and reverse was up and back.

[@lugnut4848]

Induction is the bomb!!!

[@Vancaskeys]

It was great!

[@williamgildea8348]

The look on Bobs face at the beginning of the video was priceless. Had me smiling 😊 I was wondering why you didn’t stay at the beach overnight. I thought I seen other campers there. Until next time……..

[@Vancaskeys]

We were at the state beach and it said it closes at 10…but we realized to late maybe we could have stayed. Not sure. Their was an Rv park but it was full and $100.

[@bluezauza]

Good fun for you guys. And probably some cool ideas for Mr. Lemon in the future. It's great that you got to have such a great experience and at the same time remind yourselves why you got your van to start with, after the bad things, the many bad problems this must have felt a bit cathartic.

[@Vancaskeys]

Yes! Totally agree!

[@beck4218]

I've been waiting for this one. Trade in the Lemon!

[@Vancaskeys]

😂🤣😂

[@barbaragrazerrobinson1207]

Love the video and the sharing of your experience. Thanks. I to have grown to love Mr Lemon. Just add a little more sugar to keep him going 🎉 see ya next week ❤

[@Vancaskeys]

Thank you!!! ❤️

[@ohenrycooper]

you guys are fricken hilarious! I would love to get into these adventure vans with my wife. I love this van you just borrowed for a few days, don't love the price however!

[@Vancaskeys]

LOL! Thank you!!! Yeah it was kind of pricey!

[@patkincaid8061]

So much fun! The Mercedes vans always look so tall and skinny compared to the Promasters.

[@Vancaskeys]

Right?! Agree!

[@martykong3592]

:) THANKS MUCH for sharing! GREAT Swap, but I think Bob REALLY LIKES the Benz! Still can;t get over him saying it has more power and zip, being a Diesel and all :) Take care and Cheers! :)

[@Vancaskeys]

Right on!

[@dreidalugdug7208]

VERY NICE RIG!HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS👍

[@Vancaskeys]

Thanks 👍

[@NewWorldOrderFilms2030]

How do you find places to fill the van up with water? For example where would you go to refill in San Diego area?

[@Vancaskeys]

We would just look on the ioverlander app. It’s great at showing places to fill up with water.

[@johnthomson5730]

When is it time for Mr. Lemon to go? Hey, we just picked up our new Winnebago Ekko. Have y'all checked one out? I wanted a Ford Transit B-Van, wife wanted something bigger, so the Ekko was the compromise for to meet her need for size and my need for nimbleness.

[@Vancaskeys]

Congrats! We want to rent an Ekko to try it out. Seems like a great compromise! Enjoy😃

[@TraderChick]

Bob checking out the “bits and bobs” lol Bob: “no idea what this button does” :::pushes button::: lol 😅 cool factor in progress 😎

[@Vancaskeys]

😂😂😂

[@matt.docondor6099]

That was an interesting experience for you. I drive a 144wb rwd Sprinter 907 in Germany, and in the USA I have twice had a Promaster camper van (Thor 20L & Roadtrek) as a rental vehicle. We played drag race in USA with a Sprinter and the Promaster, which the Roadtrek Dodge Promaster won. I enjoy the good, comfortable seating position in the Mercedes Sprinter, you can stretch your legs out, which doesn't work as well in the Promaster for +6.1 Ft people. The Promaster has a lot better interior in terms of size. The European superhigh-roof is great on the Ducato, it should be available in the US in 2024 for the Promaster. The new Promaster with updatet steering wheel and 9 speed auto runs smooth and quite 😁

[@waynec2962]

looks like a nice van but the bed is just to small! It would be to hard to sleep when the other person moves around! and trying to get out of bed in the middle of the night to pee is just crazy. build on a bigger chassis and make a better bed lol. great video guys...

[@Vancaskeys]

Thanks! Bob having to crawl over me at night to use the bathroom was a deal breaker 😂

[@fbr65]

12:50 is that an RV park there right on the beach?!

[@Vancaskeys]

Yes. It was full and over $100 a night.

[@Larabees]

At 18:40, next time you are literally in my neighborhood stop by to say hello. 😁

[@Vancaskeys]

Oh bummer!!! We totally would have!

[@scotknight]

“Killer Rig Bro’!” So perfect!

[@Vancaskeys]

Haha! Made my day.

[@miss.kimpossible]

Sooooo cooooool!!!!! Buy it! Buy it! Buy it!!!!!!! ❤😂❤😂

[@Vancaskeys]

Haha! Thanks Kim!

[@blackcatrose4257]

Would definately upgrade microwave to microwave/ convection oven/ air fryer lol.

[@jamestreanor182]

I hate the drive function on a stalk in my sprinter. Is this the new 4cyl sprinter?

[@annanoelle7083]

I love the new van, but the ram pro master has so much more room in it. And when am I gonna be able to buy that cool T-shirt that Bob weirs. Love your videos.

[@sharmon40]

so what's the advantage of this van to a Revel? Looks pretty much the same to me but the Revel is priced lower.

[@truevan]

Hi sharmon40, great question! Here are a few to list: Revel has 320Ah compared to Vision X’s 1100Ah. That means you have about a week’s worth of power offgrid without charge and can run the Coleman A/C for up to 12 hrs or a 12V A/C up to 60 hrs! Revel has 21 gallon freshwater tank while Vision X has 26 to 42 depending on the 4 or 2 person layout. You can also utilize more of your space on a Vision X whereas the Revel you can’t stand in half of the space because of the powerlift bed. The Vision X also allows for more privacy with the room divider and more space with the shower expansion adding an extra 6 inches of shoulder width space. There are countless differences in the components and versatility, but you’d also be working with a family run shop that allows customizations and can give you a better deal than going to a dealership who takes and raises the price by 20-30%. If you want to learn more, feel free to take a look at our page www.truevan.com or get in touch with one of our reps for more info!

[@heatherlucero2530]

I love camper and so I can spot one a mile away!! Lol 😂

[@Vancaskeys]

😂😂😂

[@ElvisPachi]

love this van but a little to expensive but it our dream van

[@roxannebond662]

Hi Guys and you do know u can negotiate price and check all over the country. one utuber found a class B across the country then went to all the dealers in their area and ask for price matching. U may have to ask for owner of dealership to deal with. N have u thought of used class B? U save sooo much and still can get the rig u want. upkeep on Mercedes will cost a alot more then promaster r ford. thks rox

[@mtbsavant5414]

There's an unavoidable cool factor with driving a van like that :)

[@Vancaskeys]

Haha! Agree! 😎

[@JodysJourney]

The 20K is my dream van, as a solo traveler, wouldn’t even need to pull out bed.

[@Vancaskeys]

It was such a nice van! Our first time seeing one.

[@jeffcampsall5435]

WTF…What the Fog ?! 😳 Oh, and you’re sleeping “East-West” 👍

[@Sarahbear2000]

I think dealerships should lease vans like they do cars so more people can afford them.

[@Vancaskeys]

That’s a great idea!

[@elliottk2518]

Y’all like them tacos and burritos!

[@Vancaskeys]

Haha! We do!

[@MeAndTreeRV]

So, could or would you, as a couple, go full time in a 144 MB?

[@user-vm3yd2rp7f]

I like mr. Lemon's layout better. Despite its faults😂

[@Vancaskeys]

👍🏼👍🏼❤️

[@c.p379]

❤❤❤❤

[@Vancaskeys]

❤️❤️

[@Eric12358]

Pro-tip: do NOT buy a dark colored van. In fact nothing but bright white to reflect as much heat as possible. When you're camping in hot weather you'll thank me!

[@Squarekn0t]

My daughter bought a Black 2023 Tallero 20 J (J is for Junk) I could have baked a pizza last summer and even with the air on Max it only got down to 86'. She thought it would be more stealthy. But there is nothing stealthy about a pop top beast like this. And she was out west and in Texas last summer????? 10 year Mortgage !

[@Vancaskeys]

Good tip!

[@rdrahcir7354]

Really enjoy your videos. Just a note for your van life education- It appears from the morning after-breakfast shot, that you spent the night right in front of someone's house, right next to their mailbox. You NEVER neighborhood park like that. It's right in their face, and you are supposed to be as invisible as possible to that neighborhood. Along those lines, you are NEVER EVER supposed to stick around to prepare breakfast, ESPECIALLY with the side door open to show anybody who happens to glance your way that you stayed the night and are living in the van. This just makes it harder for the next van who tries to stealth park in that neighborhood. Sorry to be debbie downer because we really do enjoy your content, but this was such an agregious violation of neighborhood stealth camp protocol that I assumed you would want to hear it from a fellow van lifer- given with love.

[@Vancaskeys]

Thanks for caring. Just know we completely understand and agree…and we wouldn’t have done that without permission. It was all good. It’s hard because we only showed 22 minutes of a 2 day trip. Thanks for enjoying our videos ❤️ we appreciate you.

[@doclee-z5l]

You guys were smiling like a Donkey eating stickers in that Van!

[@Vancaskeys]

😂🤣😂

[@markniblett4857]

So basically you two went and had an affair. Found out that the other side is way cool BUT. Came home (Mr Lemon) for the time being. Hillary I told you to take him for a long run before you let him any where near this camper. Thanks guys great video. Bob hang tough.

[@Vancaskeys]

😂😂😂

[@rvnut1133]

Guys make a video about what you liked and didn’t like about the Sprinter.

[@Vancaskeys]

We did film that but it made the video 40 minutes long 😂 so it didn’t make the cut but we were thinking of doing a Live where people could ask questions. Not sure if people would be interested in it but we could ask.

[@rvnut1133]

You guys are cool so a 40 minute video wouldn’t be a big deal. The Sprinter is my favorite and I am thinking about going for it with the 170” so I am checking out reviews etc. Would definitely ask you guys questions.

[@nlswh]

I love watching your channel. So, has this experience made any definitive decisions for you, regarding future RV plans? I am still laughing at the "Driving of the cliff" joke. Also, I have to mention and it's a good thing I checked, for some weird reason, I was no longer subscribed to you channel. Corrected.

[@Vancaskeys]

Haha! 🚐🏔️🤣 oh wow thanks for checking! KZbin does that sometimes I think. Thanks for being a subscriber ❤️

[@markniblett4857]

HAHAHAHAHA. Oh this is going to be good. I'm only 1 minute in.

[@Vancaskeys]

😂😂😂

[@toycarcollector]

You walked right by what looked to be RV parking at the beach and did not say anything about it. Take a look at long wheel base Mercedes vans. Ok yes these are beautiful but who can afford one? It would be interesting to look at resell for custom vans versus stock manufacture vans. My spider senses tend to tell me that custom vans would not have the best resell.

[@Vancaskeys]

It was full for the weekend. Also over $100 a night.

[@Erica_Brenda]

So, you miss Mr. Lemon? You miss nothing going wrong? giggles

[@Vancaskeys]

😂🤣😅🚐🍋

[@Rjhaack]

I looked at some class B's at an RV show and I found them to be too small. How do you guys manage to live in a class B? Also what happens if Bob needs the restroom in the middle of the night, do both of you then wake up?

[@sflscott11]

"Subscribers" :) Stealth camping is a myth, unless you are in a car, suv, or other completely nondescript vehicle. Just my OP

[@Vancaskeys]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@deanngardyszewski7058]

You shouldn’t take up half the handicap spot with your stuff. Yes I know it wasn’t busy but still….

[@johnnierisper]

Get rid of Mr.Lemon, it is time to get a different van. The Sprinter was made for you two, we think you two are afraid of new and improve. See you to hopefully in the future, good luck.

[@chrishamilton1189]

Apology offered. Shower looks tall enough

[@Vancaskeys]

Accepted! ❤️

[@laurieschmid5916]

Idk if i would feel comfortable campi g in front of someones house. I dont think Id like someone camping in front of my house either. Weird

[@stanmarcusgtv]

Thors are cheap but you pay more for them - because they're cheap - It's Buffett and his "duopoly" - even Airstream has declined precipitously

[@countchrisco6090]

??

[@davidjones2059]

Do you like struggling to find a place to stay? I have become turned off by the fact that campsites are hard to come by. RV parks are like trailer parks. I can stay in nice hotels much cheaper for 10 yrs than the upfront cost of a good $150k B Van. I have a truck with a bed tent to camp out. I have a 12v fridge with a Lithium battery pack that will work for muliple days. I just can’t pull the trigger on a Class B at that expense when I can do a lot more for the money. I love watching you guys and some others on KZbin, but can’t see how a Class B would be a value. Depreciating asset(liability). Experience is worth it if stress free. Campgrounds are overcrowded and hard to get, so where is the joy?

[@doughalldorson8663]

Well said ,I struggle with the same feelings

[@Lt184]

lol the video was fantastic, not too sure it’s stealth camping these sprinters are well known and don’t really hide the rv ability. But it’s urban camping 🏕️ for sure. 👍🏽

[@Vancaskeys]

Thanks! Yeah have to agree. Urban camping at its finest 😃