Mercedes Sprinter 313 CDi LWB
We are only the second owner from new of this low mileage great van, and we had it professionally converted to a high-spec off-grid camper van to our own design, by Hippo Campers in Hampshire. It has a private registration plate that will stay with it and is a great British Racing Green colour. New tyres all round in December 2022 and last service July 2023. Service history from first owner and low mileage between MOT’s. MOT on 9th July 2024 so it will come with a full year’s MOT. Open to reasonable offers.
On board there is a 5 foot memory foam mattress, deeper than most for maximum comfort for sleeping. The slatted corner sofa converts into a bed easily by simply pulling the base forward and rearranging the cushions to make the mattress. Sleeping is across the width of the van. The generous kitchen area has a 3 burner gas hob, a micro-switch full size kitchen tap and a small Belfast sink, along with lots of cupboard and drawer space and an integrated fridge below the counter tops. There are open wall shelves on both sides of the kitchen with downlighters underneath. Under the sink are two 10L water canisters and the pump, as well as a high quality boiler system for hot water within minutes of parking up. There is also heating throughout. There is a separate toilet cubicle with a cassette toilet and small hand sink, as well as good storage and hooks. Whilst we chose not to put in a shower, this is possible to install at the back of the van for an outside shower (we have not done this). There is a large over-cab storage area, and the passenger seat swivels to become part of the living area – this is really handy if you don’t want to put the bed back into a sofa. There are more hooks behind the driver seat which is not a swivel seat. Lighting throughout is extensive, with three reading lights over the corner sofa and one above the passenger swivel seat; spotlights in the ceiling and in the toilet; downlighters under each kitchen wall open shelf; and courtesy lights along the kickboards of the kitchen ,both sides. There are also USB charging points throughout and one three-pin plug socket. There is wiring installed ready for adding a WiFi router if need be, for internet access on the move. Windows all have integrated fly screens and blinds, as does the roof vent. The cab does not have any screens, we simply peg a curtain across the cab at night. The van is fully insulated as you would expect, with a roof vent and the ceiling has acoustic slatted wood panels fitted above the painted t&g lined walls.
There is a solar panel on the roof and because of this, the fridge runs on electric rather than gas and can also be switched to run off the leisure battery. In practice the solar panel has provided more than enough charge to run the van for a few days without needing the electric hook up. There is a control panel and display for the heating and checking the energy supply. The van drives really well, it is an older vehicle but it has been looked after and pulls extremely well, gets along at a very comfy 70 mph and more with no problems. Reversing camera fitted and there is also a Fiamma wind out awning. Further information on the build spec is provided.
Electrics: the van’s 12V leisure system is provided by two leisure batteries which are both 100Ah AGM sealed gel batteries – they need no maintenance or venting and will not leak if there was an accident. They are connected to the main starter battery via 70A rated cable with 30A fuse. Power from the battery bank is routed via a 30A fuse and a rotary isolator switch which allows the whole output for the leisure side of the van to be turned off, to ensure zero battery drain if it is to be left for a prolonged period. The leisure batteries are charged by a state of the art CTEK, battery to battery charging system. This ensures that charging happens efficiently by the vehicle alternator when the engine is running, and battery life is maximised. There is a manual with this system. The CTEK charger also has a built in MPPT solar panel controller connected to a 150W solar panel on the roof. This will charge the leisure battery bank till its full and then provides a maintenance charge to the starter battery, ensuring the van is always ready to go. All 12V power is routed via a fuse board mounted under the side bed. Blown fuses will illuminate for ease of identification and each circuit is identified. Most habitation electrics are controlled by switches local to the device (fridge, ceiling lights, floor lights, reading lights, shelf lights, USB), or by a small switch bank above the rear worktop. In one cupboard is a battery monitor display, which can be toggled to show %battery capacity, current load, predicted battery life, voltage level etc.
240V inverter – for 240V off-grid and hot water off-grid – there is a 12V to 240V 1500W inverter which supplies 240V from the 12V batteries – ideally only used when boiling water off-grid or if essential use of a 240V appliance off-grid. Also there is 240V hook-up, providing power to the 240V sockets (for water heater and behind driver seat) and charges the leisure battery using an on-board 3 stage battery charger. This is protected by an RCD unit with 2 miniature circuit breakers. There is also a priority switch that prioritises 240V from the hook-up over the inverter (if on).
Gas hob – Thetford 900 series 3 burner gas hob fed by Campingaz 904 cylinder. The cylinder is connected to a bulkhead regulator with a test point in the supply piping, and there is a drop-out vent in the box to allow any gas spillage to vent outside the van. The hob has ignition knobs for each burner.
Sinks and hot water – the sinks are fed by a 10L water tank, routed via a 600W water heater. The fresh water tank houses a submersible pump, supplying water to either the lever-lifted tap in the hand sink or the switch pressed tap in the kitchen area. There is a second 10L fresh water tank to increase water capacity. Both sink wastes empty beneath the van.
WC – Thetford cassette C224CW.
Fridge – RV/Yacht DC Fridge, QN50, with manual. This also has a small icebox.
Eberspacher cabin diesel heater – this takes fuel from the van’s diesel tank and ignites it to heat the van interior. The fuel is fed in such a way that it will not empty the fuel tank.
Passenger swivel seat – fully tested and TUV approved.
Fiamma wind-out awning with pole. Central egg-shaped table with removable pole.
The rear corner sofa pulls out to a 5 foot wide memory foam double bed, sleeping is across either the width or the length of the van, measurements below are for width but there is extra length if sleeping the other way. The base of the bed is a pull-out slatted base with storage underneath, accessed from inside the van and also via the barn doors at the rear, providing a useful garage area.
The contact details for this vehicle are no longer available because it has either sold or the listing has expired.
Quirky loves this style means that Quirky Campers would potentially approve this vehicle for hiring. However, Quirky have not approved a Gas Safe certificate, a Weighbridge certificate, or the vehicle's electrics. Buyers must check these themselves. For some tips on what to look out for read this. If the listing has no Gas Safe certificate, no unladen weight and no electrical sign-off please proceed with caution!
Insurance options are available through our partner, Ripe Insurance.
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