TL;DR: our 2022 Mercedes Sprinter Van 3500XD seats 6 and sleeps 4 comfortably (or up to 6). It’s fully off-grid capable, with rooftop solar, a robust battery system, diesel heat, hot & cold running water (spring to fall only), and a Dometic electric fridge/freezer—no hookups required. Designed for all-season adventure, it features a fully equipped kitchen with induction cooktop, premium Hest mattresses, blackout shades, flannel sheets, and down duvets for genuinely great sleep. Tech-forward and road-trip ready with Apple CarPlay, multiple charging ports, and advanced safety features, plus ample interior storage and a rear gear box ideal for bikes, skis, or camping gear. Comfortable, capable, and built to explore the West in any season.
Full Details:
Love an epic adventure, but hate sacrificing the comforts of home?
Same here!
And so for 5 years, we rented and tested out different Sprinters and Adventure Vans, until we found one that offered the ultimate mixtape of amenities that truly matter, from off-grid capability and 'choose your own adventure' readiness, to incredible eating and seriously deep sleeps.
Meet 'Wendy,' our 2022 Mercedes Sprinter 3500xd, a true adventure van that was born to run, to hit the open road, and to wander the west. With an extended wheelbase (170 inches) dually wheels in the back, and cushy suspension, Wendy rolls smooth and confidently, with seating for 6, comfortable sleeping arrangements for 4, and the option to sleep up to 6 (albeit a little less comfortably).
Specifically, here is what you'll find on Wendy's mixtape:
* Off-Grid Freedom: fully self-sufficient and ready to roam. An internal battery system—topped up by driving or by solar panels on the roof—powers all the things, including electrical, heating and cooling, and water. A Dometic fridge/freezer (electric) keeps provisions fresh while eliminating ice runs, diesel heat (under the front passenger seat) keeps you warm during brisk nights, phones stay topped up with charging ports aplenty (USB and regular), and hot & cold running water (12v pump, 30 gallon clean water tank, 7 gallon gray water tank) sets the stage for great cooking. No hookups, no generator? No problem. Get further off the grid, and stay for longer--without compromise.
* Premium Bedding, Elevated Sleeping: big days demand deep sleeps, and our van delivers. Wendy features blackout window shades, pillow-soft mattresses (Hest brand, including a double mattress up top + two singles below), cozy flannel sheets, and luxurious down comforters with duvet covers. No joke, we typically sleep better in the van than we do at home. Sleeps 4 comfortably, but could expand to 6 if you don't mind being extra cozy, with 4 on the top bunk (4 kids or 2 kids and 2 adults).
* Fully Equipped Kitchen, Built for Great Meals: if camping or van life has you thinking ramen, Mac n' cheese, or dehydrated meals, think again. With a fully equipped kitchen (cutlery, cups, pots & pans, knives, cutting board, strainer, etc,), hot and cold running water, a plug-in induction cooktop, ample counter space, and plenty of room for groceries in the Dometic, our van will have you eating pretty dang close to home, or maybe even better. Plus: we stock an Aeropress XL coffee maker, Black & Decker bean grinder, and a bag of Utah-roasted medium-dark beans.
* Tech-Enabled, Safe & Connected: from Apple Carplay to numerous charging ports and plugs, rearview camera with 3 angles to high wattage fog lights (yellow and white light), reading lights on the top bunk to blind spot monitoring, Wendy will keep you safe, connected, and fully topped up. And if you'd rather disconnect? That's cool too.
* Ample Storage, Flexible Layout: Wendy seats up to six passengers, with 2 seats up front (driver, passenger), and a modular second row that seats up to four (comes with two single seats and one double seat, which can be mounted in various configurations). Front to back, there is storage aplenty, including: 'mini gloveboxes' on top of the dash, bulkhead storage over the front seats including a towel rack, Adventure Wagon Mule Bags with 175L of storage for clothing and personal affects (roughly two suitcases worth of space--enough for two adults for 7+ days, or for a family for 3-5 days), and even more storage under each of the lower bunks. Out back, Wendy features a Sandy Vans Starboard Rack and Boost Box, which is ideal for skis and boards in the winter, and camping or biking gear in the summer. The box is 71.5" tall x 19" wide x 16" deep.
* Adventure-Ready Add-Ons: need a 2x or 4x Kuat NV 2.0 bike rack? Camp chairs? Binoculars? We have it all, available for rent for a daily fee.
* Built for the West: from the red rocks of Southern Utah to the steep canyons of the Wasatch, the alpine terrain of Jackson Hole to the sweeping meadows of Yellowstone, Wendy is a “choose your own adventure” vehicle. Hiking and biking? Skiing and climbing? Paddling and camping? Check, check, and check. This van has furthered our hobbies, pushed us to go further, and deepened our love of the West. We hope it'll do the same for and your crew, wherever Wendy might take you.
