4×4 Mercedes Expedition Truck Is Home to a Family of Four, Features a Lovely Living Space

Meet Michael and Fleur and their two kids, Given and Julie, who travel full-time in “Manfred,” their Mercedes-Benz 1722 overlander expedition truck. Of course, it sports a 4×4 drivetrain, and it’s equipped with a V6 diesel engine outputting 220 hp. According to the couple, the vehicle gets about 25 L/100km (9.4 MPG).After Michael and Fleur purchased the truck, they spent one year converting it – the building process took about two years, finishing at the end of 2019. Moreover, they employed Twiga Travel Cars, a Dutch company specializing in building custom expedition trucks, to build their camper pod, which serves as the living space. Together, they designed the structure, design, and more.

The camper pod measures 17 feet (5.2 meters) in length, 7.7 feet (2.3 meters) in width, and 6.5 feet (2 meters) in height. Before we check it out inside, let’s see what exterior accessories this rig has.

The first thing I noticed about this expedition vehicle was its beautiful matte beige/sand grey finish. On the roof, you’ll find solar panels with a whopping 1,200 W capacity, as well as a sizeable skylight. Above the driver’s cabin, there’s a custom-made roof rack.

On the passenger’s side of the rig, you’ll discover two spacious storage boxes holding outdoor kitchen equipment, a table, and chairs. Above them, an outdoor shower is integrated into the camper pod.

As you soon see, this rig is very well-lit because of the multiple windows integrated into its sides. Furthermore, the two windows that lead into the kids’ bedroom are both made from real glass.

At the rear, you’ll find two spare tires up top held into place by straps and a metal rack. Under it, you’ll notice a set of sand ladders and a flip-up bumper.

Step inside, and you’ll be surrounded by a beautifully designed interior with a modern and clean look. It offers 128 square feet (11.9 square meters) of space – even if it doesn’t sound like a lot considering four people are staying inside, Michael and Fleur came up with an efficient and space-saving layout that makes their mobile lifestyle enjoyable.

You’ll discover the kitchen on the passenger side. It features many drawers and cabinets, a black sink, a decently sized countertop, a massive apartment-size fridge/freezer, and a three-burner stove. I love that there’s an enormous openable window behind the kitchen, which lets plenty of natural light shine inside. The skylight right above also helps with that.

Opposite the kitchen, you’ll find the rig’s wet bathroom. It’s decently sized, comprising a 3-kg (6.6-lb.) washing machine mounted above, a toilet, and a shower. It’s quite simple, but it does the job. I bet that washing machine is a lifesaver, especially when traveling with kids.

The rear part of the camper pod is occupied by the kids’ bunk bedrooms. They’re pretty much identical, boasting a window on one side and a cupboard for toys on the other. What’s more, both bedroom entrances have a lockable sliding door.

No, the parents don’t lock the kids away when they misbehave, but they used to use the doors to make sure the children didn’t fall out when they were younger. Now that they’ve grown, Given and Julie like using the door themselves.

Next to the bathroom, Michael and Fleur devised a storage spot consisting of four large closets – the arrangement is very simple, with each closet belonging to one family member.

Above the fridge, you’ll find the rig’s control panel. It comes with switches for the water pump, boiler, and more. What’s more, it integrates a Webasto diesel heater controller and a Victron battery management system.

I love this mobile home’s living room. It’s a layout and setup I’ve seen before, and it’s a good one. The living room comprises a huge U-shaped lounge with a massive table in the middle. It’s where the family enjoys meals, works, does homework, and more – basically, it’s the heart of their home.

It has two long windows, one on each side, as well as another one toward the front. Moreover, there’s a passthrough leading to the driver’s cabin. Another notable detail is that the spaces underneath the benches are used for storage.

At the press of a button, Michael and Fleur can lower the elevator bed above the living room, instantly turning it into a master bedroom. It’s spacious and looks very comfy, and it enables them to take in the beautiful view in the comfort of their own bed.

Before I end things, let me tell you more about the rig’s utility systems. Given how far off-road and off-grid the family goes, they wanted to fit proper systems. So, they installed four AGM batteries (we don’t know their capacity) paired with the 1,200 W solar panels on the roof, two greywater tanks, and a 350-liter (92-gallon) freshwater tank.

All in all, what’s there not to love about this expedition truck? It looks amazing inside out, it’s extremely practical and comfortable, and it can go where many other campers can’t.