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MERCEDES SPRINTER RV not a conventional conversion

Cu2
Explorer
Explorer
Not conventional, well my idea is. To Build an RV to live in but also make a separate food van to trade out of as well. I am a female so I want to keep it small as possible but have everything in it - plus build it myself and all that on a Mid wheel base.
92 REPLIES 92

DeepLiquid
Explorer
Explorer
Holy COW!! Fantastic thread!

What amazing work you've done, and can't tell you how much I appreciate the detailed pics. It's let me know that I really don't have the skill set to do a proper build. Wish my dad were still alive, he would have enjoyed showing me how.

Cu2
Explorer
Explorer


Well well, finally the real thing. After many months of decisions, instructions etc, it still wasn't ready for print. So ended up finalizing the lot myself, saved a far few bucks that way to. The whole lot cost $850 shipping, illustrations, design, print on high quality car wrap Avery but very very time consuming back and forth with everyone. Few.
Still one little sign for the top right, the back, and other side to stick on yet.

What are your first impressions? - Would you like to eat here? Or are you turned off from pink or other? Need feedback.

Cu2
Explorer
Explorer
CrusinSusan wrote:
I didn't have the admin delete your finger pics.

But I will admit, I don't miss them! lol


Lol Perhaps admin saw your comment, it's not important, me not knowing that it may offend some.. The links are better anyway.

- FANTASTIC FAN -
Just as I think I know how the fantastic fans remote works, it goes strange on me. On auto it goes full blast and never changes. Clicking on arrows doesn't change a thing. On manual it doesn't always react. It's rained and not closed with rain sensor on.

CrusinSusan
Explorer
Explorer
I didn't have the admin delete your finger pics.

But I will admit, I don't miss them! lol
Why? Because at my age, I have maybe 40 more chances to see flowers bloom.
CrusinSusan's Blog!!


Cu2
Explorer
Explorer
So here is an update on my nail. (Injured whilst installing an RV window) A warning though I think this looks much worse than the previous photo's, its pretty ugly.
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/131/06xx.jpg

Cu2
Explorer
Explorer
Hi Cruzensusan,
Seeing though you had admin delete photo's of my injured nail. I put a link in its place so you don't have to look at them. But slowly it is changing, I mean slowly still who knows how it will turn out.

Cu2
Explorer
Explorer
Hi guys, Gee thanks didnt think I would get such a responce. I am the one who is humbled.

Dad seems to be coping well for his age still.
I wish I could say the same for my dogs. Balou at 13 his eye lens fell out into the front of the eye, a specialist littraly jiggled it into place again. Now he is on eye drops to keep the pupil small for the rest of his life. Then Artur, Balous son is biting himself constantly has to wear a soft collar, have been treating him with frontline plus which still hasnt solved the problem completely.


I was able to swindle my way into 2 big events the last 2 week-ends. By offering myself to go anywhere away from the main areas. Well I did ok, much better than a market day but still not what I am use to - being run of my feet all day. Nevertheless I am supprised with getting so much for doing so little. Can only hope that eventually I am able to get a better spot in the future now I have a foot in the door.

Show 2 Saturday, Dog show - I stocked up with 80 hot dogs - I sold 6. Why because I was told they had no food. But low and behold they setup a huge tent and illegally sold hamburgers, hot chips, drinks, sausages etc. I had no chance.

But the day turned out nice and sunny and I sold 11 frozen yogurts. Yep a bad spot indeed.

Targa
Explorer
Explorer
One of the best threads I have seen on a forum. Congratulations on your accomplishment, looks great !!!

CrusinSusan
Explorer
Explorer
WOW! What a job! What a project!

I have to say I admire what you've done here so much. I myself had planned on converting a van to a camper, but even before I got started, the research on what was necessary changed my mind.

I'm about to pull the trigger on a class b van, and began reading here again, found this thread and ...well...WOW! Very cool!

You go girl! Hope your Dad is doing okay, and your finger too! (But please, no more finger pics...I can't take it!)

WOW! again. I'm humbled.
Why? Because at my age, I have maybe 40 more chances to see flowers bloom.
CrusinSusan's Blog!!


RobertRyan
Explorer
Explorer
snerf wrote:
No doubt Toyota will be doing something similar on the Tundra chassis, as will Chevy/GM just to stay competitive.

No they have have their HiAce Vans which sell very well outside the US.

Cu2
Explorer
Explorer
I hope you like it. It is now just a matter of getting it ready to print to scale.

I have had quotes just to print it from $750 to $1500 here in Australia just for 1 side. That works out to $165 including tax PER METER !!!!!
Now I maybe going to USA a company called mega prints anyone dealt with them before?

Cu2
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the complement. But unfortunately I don't feel my finish is professional enough to be in this profession. Not to mention that I don't have normal strength suffering from chronic fatigue, so I do much suffering during and after. Bummer. Also this work takes sooo many modifications for just about everything you do, it takes more time than you ever imagined, more money than than all that. It's really no wonder that getting others to do something like putting in a window would be hard to get under $1000 for the labor.

Right now making a cooperate signage is important. I have been working via internet and its just about done now. Like to see?

snerf
Explorer
Explorer
I have got to say that that is the most astounding DIY project I have ever seen. I'm sure I speak for many who are silently thinking: why are you bothering with the vending business when you should be in the DIY RV business?

Here in the US, Nissan has brought out a van to compete with the Sprinter, and Ford has their full size Transit van coming in by the end of the year. No doubt Toyota will be doing something similar on the Tundra chassis, as will Chevy/GM just to stay competitive.

The full size class B market is going to get a whole lot more interesting, primarily because these full size vans don't require any roof modifications, including the addition of fiberglass shells, pop-up sections, in order to stand full upright.

With so many options, the market should naturally fill in econ-medium range models to compete with the high-end RoadTrek Sprinters. And here you are, with all this real-world experience that could save potential DIYers thousands of $ and hundreds of hours.

Cu2
Explorer
Explorer
Update on cut of finger. Yuck! sorry but it's interesting to me how the healing works. If you don't like 2 see then dont, your choice.
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/6122/phuw.jpg


My new trailer for Geni. Do you recall I wanted to fit geni in van? Well right now, I was not so happy to take up much of my private space within the van with vents, flu and geni no space left and more holes. So I bought a trailer and got a box made for it.

Doubles up as a dog box when geni is not in use & a little storage 2. But is it a pain to park etc.

Cu2
Explorer
Explorer
Ok it's out of season. So in winter heading North. No festivals available, only markets. Markets are sad news, can't sell coffee as vendors are everywhere. Overflow as everyone thinks it's an easy way to make money and most do not do there home work. With plenty of big talkers trying to sell there businesses off.

These are facts - First market $150, 2nd market $82 now that is just a plan waste of time and money. But guess what unfortunately all of the markets I have tried are under the $150 no matter where it is.
The really good ones - you can't get into.
Thank goodness I have established festivals which I go flat chat the whole day with coffee but I have had them since 2005 when I first started. Finding anything now is a very difficult task indeed and could take a good 6 months to get just 1 to try out. Applications must be in 3 to 6 months in advance then if there good again you won't get in.

So right now I am in a showground camping and open for coffee but no signs only word of mouth and sofar have sold 2 coffees. ๐Ÿ™‚ not many coffee lovers here, and or campers for that matter. for frozen yogurt too no good unless your busy because you need to make 6 liters for that big machine.

Camping place in Dayboro show ground. Plus another 10 vans is not enough to make my rent.


Oh and I just bought a Jura x9 coffee automate (Mc cafe machine) to make my coffee quality and speed increase, so now I am happy to do those festivals in this new van as a coffee specialist to then. A slight adjustment to the signage putting a big coffee banner up.