Video summary

I Can’t Believe How Much Fits In This Sprinter

Main summary

Key takeaways

Lifestyle

Sprinter van design & lifestyle tips (organization + comfort)

  • Prioritized easy access: storage is designed so you can reach essentials without moving lots of items.
  • Curtains/blinds lower so everything has “its place,” enabling daily routines without relocating belongings:
    • You can use the bathroom without moving stuff.
    • You can shower without clearing the area.
  • Morning/evening routine:
    • After lowering blinds, they raise them as part of a daily rhythm.
  • Maximized living space:
    • Large headroom and an interior layout that supports standing and moving easily.
    • Modular TV/storage/sleep zones so the van feels open at different times of day.
  • “Diner” setup:
    • A built-in pull-out dining table/area for eating, cards, and relaxing—including breakfast while watching the outdoors when it’s too cold to go outside.

Travel highlights & notable build features

  • Vehicle: Mercedes Sprinter (2023), extended to 170, tall/high-roof, and all-wheel drive (4x4)—ideal for New Zealand’s winding roads and off-the-way destinations.
  • Naming story:
    • Initially called “Julie” (play on “twin wheels”).
    • Renamed to “Iceberg” after Iceberg roses, connected to their love of swimming in cold water and health-minded routines.
  • Interior built for extreme conditions:
    • Frequent use of cold-water swimming (down to -9°C) with warm recovery systems.
  • Safety/backup systems:
    • Includes an extinguisher/fire blanket.
    • Tools and emergency/maintenance access compartments are integrated throughout the build.

Health & cold-water routine (cold recovery)

  • Cold swimming culture:
    • They swim in sea/river/lakes/waterfalls, and even some showers are cold (with hot water elsewhere).
    • Cold exposure is framed as “for health reasons.”
  • Comfort recovery features:
    • Heated towel rails and under-floor heating in the shower area (plus heating pads under tanks).
    • Heated/extra-warm “toasty feet” setups (heating outlets near the couch and in the shower zone).

Kitchen & cooking setup

  • Cooking station highlights:
    • A pull-out table that can host an induction cooker (socket built nearby).
    • Designed for serving plates directly, and for quick “barbecue-style” setups.
  • Insect control:
    • A zip-up insect screen system helps keep bugs out when cooking/venting.
  • Dishwashing convenience:
    • A six-section Midea dishwasher, used 2–3 times per day (they emphasize it as “this is glamping”).
  • Sink design:
    • Double sink: one large for washing, one smaller for hands/rinsing tasks.
  • Coffee:
    • Espresso machine/coffee setup integrated into cabinet space.
  • Aromatherapy:
    • Organic aromatherapy oils and small supplies kept within easy reach.
  • Food/phone storage:
    • A dedicated phone area for recipes and quick reference.

Bathroom & water systems (extreme-climate plumbing)

  • Compost toilet:
    • Separate composting toilet and urine separation system with a 20-gallon urine tank.
  • Water capacities (as stated):
    • 60 gallons fresh water (~230 liters)
    • 62 gallons gray water (~237 liters)
    • Urine tank: 20 gallons (~75 liters)
  • Heating strategy:
    • Tanks are separated so that in very cold areas, they can use inside tanks, while external tanks have heating elements.
    • Heating pads under the shower floor and in external tank areas.
  • Shower design:
    • Opposite door panels help reduce leaks; shower head is kept inside when closed.
    • Includes a small niche for practical tasks (e.g., shaving).

Electrical/solar & tech highlights (off-grid capability)

  • Power system overview:
    • 3000W MultiPlus inverter/charger
    • Three 330Ah lithium batteries
    • Solar charge controllers and DC charging while driving
  • Solar:
    • Total stated solar: 645W across roof panels (including hood solar panels and roof SunPower panels).
    • Panels described as shade tolerant.
  • Monitoring & control:
    • A “command center” (Victron-related) shows water levels, waste, and charging loads in/out.
    • Multiple connectivity points: USB-C, USB-A, standard outlets, plus TV/conditioning controls.
  • Climate control:
    • Diesel heater controller and an air conditioning unit.
  • Exterior cameras/lighting:
    • Multiple cameras (including panoramic/side/rear views) and extensive outdoor lighting.

Storage & “must-haves” for full-time van living

  • Extensive labeled compartments and drawer systems for clothes, electronics, kitchenware, and personal items.
  • “Under-sink high alert” design:
    • Plumbing access visible through a hatch; they emphasize living on alert for water/electric issues.
  • Dedicated storage for small daily items:
    • Cleaning wipes, tissues, remotes, glasses-care supplies.
  • External storage & gear:
    • BBQ table/storage system, outdoor shower, MaxTrax accessories, and a dedicated bike rack area (repurposed after selling electric bikes).

Outdoor & adventure gear

  • Outdoor shower:
    • Hidden behind/outside storage; used for rinsing after swimming.
  • Leveling system:
    • Marvey hydraulic leveling mentioned for stability.
  • Awning:
    • Fiamma awning (4.5 m).
  • BBQ/utility table:
    • Specialized “Sold on Adventure” MaxTrax-style holder/table used multiple times daily.
  • Roof rack:
    • Custom rack due to fiberglass extra-high roof limitations; engineered legs for safe load support.
  • Exterior cameras + doorbell camera:
    • For views, monitoring, and capturing “cute smiles.”
  • Safety/water filtration:
    • Three-stage ClearSource water filter routes all water (shower/sink/outside faucet) through it.

Notable locations, products, and speakers

  • People/speakers: Kelly and Louise (New Zealand accents), plus Jared (RV tour channel host).
  • Van/model: Mercedes Sprinter 2023, extended 170, 4x4; van named Iceberg.
  • Products/brands mentioned:
    • Dometic fridge/freezer
    • Victron power system
    • MultiPlus inverter/charger
    • SunPower solar panels
    • Midea dishwasher
    • ClearSource filter
    • Reolink cameras
    • Marvey hydraulic leveling
    • Fiamma awning
    • Mission 4x4 (Australia)
    • Van Essentials (caps/vent components)
    • MaxTrax
    • Cascadia 4x4 spotlights / solar hood panels
  • Tools/gear:
    • “Ridge Line” insect screen
    • Outdoor BBQ table/holder
    • Ranger skylight
    • Sirocco fan
    • Isotemp 40L hot water system

Original video