Sprinter Urban Camper

After spending some time in a VW Westfalia camper in Maui, I was determined to have one of my own, but with more power.  With our foot to the floor, grinding up the mountains of Maui, unsure of when forward progress would end and we would start rolling backwards, Sprinter shuttle buses loaded with passengers would pass us at full speed.  Screw the VW, we need one of those, and it’s diesel!  Diesel VW Westfalias are quite rare.

I searched around for a Westy camper when I returned.  I didn’t realize how expensive they are.  A late 80’s model in good shape is easily $15,000.  But used Sprinter’s were also expensive, and camper conversion new Sprinters are insane, costing as much as $120,000, and averaging about $80,000 depending on how thick the gold plating on the sink is.  I almost gave up the search when I came upon a DHL contractor who was liquidating his inventory of 2006 Sprinters at half the cost I was seeing them sell for used.  I managed to grab the last one.  It had relatively low miles, 71k, and other than some dings due to the load shifting around with the interior liner removed, it was in excellent condition.

I almost wish it still had the DHL logo on the side.  When I arrive somewhere, people always think that their getting a delivery.   Other than being bright yellow, it’s a stealth camper because it appears as a utility/delivery vehicle.  There’s only one window in the sliding door, and the rear doors have windows.  I don’t plan on installing anymore windows, because the more windows, the more it gives itself away as a camper.  Anyways, the visibility upfront is excellent, and I don’t plan on chilling in the camper during the day when I should be outside biking or something.  The passengers in the rear just won’t have much to see.