This Mercedes Sprinter has been converted into every mountain biker's dream camper van
Is this the ultimate camper van for serious mountain biking adventures?
Outside Van, van customization specialists owned by Fox Factory, recently converted this 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 144 into a stunning off-road camper van, packing it with everything a mountain biker could possibly wish for. Named 'Tails' the van has everything an MTBer needs for weekends away or fully self-sufficient trips into the wild.
Tails has the capacity to carry six bikes – two stored inside on a rear pull-out platform, and four more outside on the rear doors. It also carries a full tool chest on a pull-out platform accessed from the rear, an air compressor, a workstand, a rear flip-down tool-tray, and more.
As well as having everything you could need to look after your bike, Tails is not short on rider comforts either. As well as a full-width double and a convertible sofa/small bed, there's a roof-mounted 12v air conditioning unit, hot and cold water from a 20-gallon tank supplying the galley sink and rear shower system, an air heating system, and a pull-out toilet.
The kitchen area comprises an induction hob, under-mount sink with pull-down sprayer faucet, overhead cabinets, microwave, Isotherm stainless steel refrigerator, plus multiple 110V, USB-C/USB, and 12V outlets.
Wherever you roam, you're highly unlikely to ever run out of power with a 140W Zamp solar panel, three Lithionics 945AH lithium batteries, and a 2000w inverter that will enable you to run whatever you need, including recharging e-MTB batteries.
A two-way Midland MTX500 Micromobile radio helps you stay in communication with the outside world if you're out of mobile phone range, while the stock audio has been upgraded to a thumping six-speaker JL Audio sound system.
Suspension is a vital consideration when exploring on dirt roads, so Tails has been upgraded with front and rear Fox Factory Performance 2.0 shocks and more robust leaf springs. Everything rolls on 17in Yellowstone wheels and an Updownair four-tire inflation system has been fitted if you need to easily make tire pressure adjustments when hitting/coming off rough roads,
There's a plenty of exterior lighting too with a 50in Rigid Industries front lightbar, rear, side, scene and wheel lights.
We'd love a test drive, but as things stand Tails is a concept vehicle. You can contact Outside Van and check out loads more images of Tails over on their website.
Rich Owen joined the BikePerfect team as editor in 2021. He's worked as a journalist and editor for over 24 years, with 12 years specializing in cycling media. Rich bought his first mountain bike (a rigid Scott Tampico) in 1995 and has been riding MTB for almost 30 years.
Current rides: Merida One-Forty 6000, Banshee Paradox, YT Jeffsy Core 3, Saracen Ariel 30 Pro
Height: 175cm
Weight: 69kg
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