Video summary

Tour Mode or Crew Mode? Choosing Your Storyteller Overland 170 Sprinter

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product Reviewed

A comparison of two 2027 Storyteller Overland 170 Sprinter van variants:

  • Storyteller Overland “Crew Mode XL”
  • Storyteller Overland “Tour Mode XL”

Key Points About Both Vans (Shared “Bones”)

  • Same base platform: 170 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter on a dual-rear-wheel setup.
  • Same drivetrain/stance: All-wheel drive, high roof, similar/same ground clearance and overall dimensions.
  • Same off-road look/tires: All-terrain tires and custom wheels.
  • Same core interior concept/layout:
    • Sofa / workspace / convertible bed
    • Tru Lounge converts to an RV queen
    • Galaxy Gear sliding storage tray under the interior
      • Storage capacity stated: up to 300 lb
      • Accessible from inside or outside
    • Front: Cosmic Shift “love seat” (second-row seating, includes seat belts)
    • Rear: Boom Box full bath
      • Wet/dry bath
      • Cassette toilet
    • Exterior shower
    • Kitchen/galley similarities:
      • Stainless steel sink
      • Refrigerator/freezer opening both ways
    • Mode Com system present in both, with minor configuration differences

Main Differences (What Defines Each Mode)

1) Roof System / Sleeping Strategy (Biggest Differentiator)

Tour Mode XL

  • Roof rack: Invader roof rack
  • Powered awning with dimmable LEDs
  • Includes ladder and full rack system
  • Awning extends to create an “outdoor room” for frequent use while parked

Crew Mode XL

  • Roofline: Lunar Loft
  • Described as a powered, hard-sided, four-season rooftop loft
    • When down: “almost invisible”
    • When up: provides an RV full-size bed
  • Includes its own:
    • Ventilation
    • Windows
    • Mode Com touchscreen control panel inside the loft enclosure
  • Sleeps in a dedicated above-bed space with personal climate/lighting control

2) Mode Com Software Features

  • Crew Mode: Mode Com includes operation protocols/tabs for Lunar Loft
  • Tour Mode: Mode Com does not include the Lunar Loft control functions

3) Seating Capacity and Layout Flexibility

  • Both use the Cosmic Shift love seat, but Crew Mode includes additional seating:
    • Crew Mode seats: up to 5 total with seat belts
      • 3 in the back
      • 2 in the front
    • Uses Cosmic Shift love seat + Van Solo removable single seat
  • Tour Mode is implied to be optimized for fewer people (the emphasis is “couple” / maximum interior flexibility without the loft taking up that role)

4) Solar Power (And Why It Matters)

  • Crew Mode: 345 watts of solar
    • The video states this is more than double the Tour’s 150 watts
    • Rationale: with more people/electrical loads, higher capacity makes sense
  • Tour Mode: 150 watts solar, described as expandable

Pros / Cons Implied by the Design Choice

Crew Mode: Advantages (From the Video)

  • Built for group trips
  • More seating: 5 seat belts
  • More sleeping flexibility/privacy: sleeps “two adults comfortably in two separate places”
    • Example: one couple in the Tru Lounge and another couple in the loft
    • Family/kids can sleep with more flexibility (“stick them wherever”)
  • More solar capacity: 345W, better for extra occupants and power needs
  • Defined sleeping spaces via the Lunar Loft, helping provide privacy after trail days

Crew Mode: Tradeoff (Implied)

  • Uses roof real estate for the Lunar Loft instead of prioritizing an outdoor living area (like Tour’s awning/roof rack setup)

Tour Mode: Advantages (From the Video)

  • Built for couples and longer stays
  • Optimized as a base camp where you can “rig it however you want”
  • Emphasis on maximum interior flexibility and a more streamlined feel
  • Outdoor room convenience when parked:
    • Powered awning with dimmable LEDs
    • Roof rack setup (including ladder and full rack system)

Tour Mode: Tradeoff (Implied)

  • Less designed for larger groups due to:
    • Lack of Crew’s extra seat count
    • Lack of roof sleeping space
  • Solar is lower (150W, expandable), so the video suggests Crew’s extra solar fits groups better

Price / Weight Comparison

  • Tour Mode is about $18,000 lighter than the Crew Mode (as stated in the video).

User Experience / Real-World Framing (Reviewer’s Take)

  • Crew Mode answers: “How many people can we bring with us?”
  • Tour Mode answers: “How long can we stay out?”
  • Neither is presented as universally “better”—the choice depends on the kind of adventure you want.

Unique Points (Consolidated)

  • Same platform/drivetrain/dimensions/tires and similar interior foundation
  • Roofline difference:
    • Tour: Invader roof rack + powered awning with dimmable LEDs
    • Crew: Lunar Loft hard-sided powered four-season rooftop bed + loft ventilation/windows + loft-side Mode Com controls
  • Mode Com differences:
    • Crew includes Lunar Loft operation tab/protocols; Tour does not
  • Seating:
    • Crew totals 5 seats with seat belts (3 rear, 2 front) using removable Van Solo seat
  • Sleeping:
    • Crew sleeps two adults comfortably in two separate places (loft + main conversion)
  • Solar:
    • Crew 345W, Tour 150W expandable
  • Storage:
    • Both have Galaxy Gear sliding tray holding up to 300 lb, accessible inside or outside
  • Bath and kitchen:
    • Both have Boom Box wet/dry bath with cassette toilet + exterior shower + similar galley components
  • Pricing/weight (as stated):
    • Tour is about $18,000 lighter than Crew
  • Decision framework:
    • Crew: more people
    • Tour: staying out longer / streamlined couple travel

Speaker Views (Listed by Speaker)

  • Harrison (main presenter/reviewer):
    • Provides the full comparison and the “who it’s for” framing (group vs couple/long-trip)
    • Emphasizes: Lunar Loft vs roof rack/awning, seating count, solar differences, and the $18k lighter statement

Overall Verdict / Recommendation

  • Choose Crew Mode XL if you want:

    • More seats (5 with belts)
    • Two separate sleeping areas with privacy
    • Higher solar (345W) for group/family or multi-couple trips

  • Choose Tour Mode XL if you are:

    • A couple (or want maximum interior flexibility)
    • Prefer a roof-rack + powered awning “outdoor room” setup
    • And want the benefit of being about $18,000 lighter (per the video)

Original video