This Mercedes Sprinter Camper Van Is Like a Tiny Home on Wheels, Fails To Sell for $95,000

Yes, they make for great cargo vans too, but we’re here to talk about something more leisurely. They have this uncanny ability to transform into excellent homes away from home. All it takes is a talented aftermarket specialist and you’re set for an amazing life on the road.This particular Sprinter 2500 4×4 is a 2022 model that was outfitted as a camper by Backroad Innovations (a specialist out of New Hampshire). It was up for grabs at auction until yesterday, when it failed to sell. The top bid only went as far as $95,000, and we know that this thing originally cost $70,000 (minus the conversion).

Let’s go through the specs, starting with the exterior. We’re dealing with an extended-height Pebble Gray body, featuring black trim, custom bumper, C.R. Laurence side windows, additional LED lighting, a custom Fiamma awning, rear bumper step, an Owl Vans Sherpa rack and cargo box, Backroad Innovations side ladder, a roof rack, paddle board carrier, a 200-watt solar panel (on the roof), plus an outdoor shower with a soft-sided enclosure.

Then there are the Black Rhino wheels, measuring 17” in diameter and fitted with 275/70 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A tires.

This has also been connected for shore power, fresh water, and wastewater disposal. It’s a serious piece of kit, as far as camper vans are concerned.

Interior amenities include the power-adjustable black vinyl swiveling seats, black trim, power windows and locks, automatic climate control, a surround view camera, a touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav, Distronic cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a bunch of modern active safety tech such as Lane Keeping, Traffic Sign Assist and the Parking Package with the 360-degree camera.

In terms of living quarters, highlights include the LED lighting, woven vinyl flooring, tweed-style wall coverings, custom cabinets, bamboo countertops, residential-style power outlets, a stainless steel sink, a refrigerator, Porta Potti cassette toilet (underneath the bench seat), and plenty of space for sleeping – you get a foam mattress, reading lamps with integrated USB ports, a ceiling-mounted air conditioner, custom heating, and lots more.

As for performance, not that this is a performance vehicle, but you can rely on a 3.0-liter BlueTec turbodiesel V6 unit, with a factory rating of 188 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. Everything gets sent to either the rear or all four wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission. It’s not a very powerful camper, but the torque figure is somewhat decent for getting around over long distances and rough terrain.