I had a converted Ford 15 passenger van that had 4x4 and had a sleeping shelf and some other homemade camping features, nothing special. It was nice but I also duck hunt and loading decoys, dead muddy ducks, and wet dogs kind of turned the inside into a mess.
What about a canopy shell that has the top up tent on top like a "Super Pacific"?

 

I am on this journey right now and I think I have decided on the Transit High roof 148 AWD with the 3.5 eco boost.

At the end of the day, I think Ford will be cheaper to run, cheaper to repair and are just as customizable.

I have 230k on my 3.5 eco boost motor in my F150 and it is still running strong.

I hope you find what you are looking for...at 55, I am getting tired of leaving for fishing/duck hunting at 3.30 am.

 

Currently reading this from Grouse camp, which is my Sprinter van parked in a remote, scenic location in northern Washington. I love hunting from my van. I like hunting on the move - never set up a base camp that I come back to each night. For years I did this out of the back of my truck. I’ve evolved to appreciate comfort I guess.

I’ve got a 2020 4WD Mercedes 144 high roof. I bought it mostly complete, but have made several upgrades myself. They’re like building ARs - a million different options and all pretty easy to do yourself if you have the time. There are far more options available for Mercedes than Ford or Dodge from what I’ve seen.

I don’t have a built in toilet, shower, or hot water. I do have a water pump and rear outdoor shower which is nice (maybe not super nice in the winter). I work remote, so added Starlink (makes it possible to hunt grouse during a work week - and watch MNF while I write this far from cell reception). My van has upgraded suspension (Agile RIP Kit) and oversized tires. One of my biggest surprises was how capable of a 4WD it is - way more confident driving it off-road than my Ford F-350.

I haven’t pulled my boat with it yet, but with the beefed up suspension I don’t think it would be an issue aside from being a little underpowered. I found out 2 weeks ago that it will easily accommodate an elk!

There are lots of builders in Portland and the PNW. They’re pretty proud of them and their prices reflect that. I broadened my search and found one down in Arizona. It would have cost $20K+ more in Portland. Check out VanLife Trader.

i live in Wilsonville - would be happy to meet up sometime.

Chris

 

My sister and BIL chose the Ford due to all the horror stories on the Sprinter. It's been in the conversion shop for nearly a year! Lots of excuses for the slow build out. They now hope to get it by the end of the year.

 

Horror stories? I thought Fords gas engines had more than the Mercedes diesels. ???

 

I know a couple guys with them, they all seem to like them.

 

I had a tow hitch on a mini-van about 20yrs ago. I used it to tow a 17ft Alumaweld Driftboat. It worked great for towing, but I had trouble getting out of some boat launches with it. Especially one on the Sixes River. If I were doing the van thing, and planned to fish a variety of places, I would want 4 wheel drive. Some launches are steep/slick. I can't specifically recall, but I think I've had to use 4wd to get my truck out of a couple too.

 

I use a Sprinter Van 4x4 (Storyteller) for hunting and towing my Ranger VX1888 over to the Snake river all the time. Love it being able to sleep, hunt, and fish out of a rig!

 

Driving off road is the same as driving in Portland.

 

I just finished a build, I got a 25 transit 148 tall awd, took a lot of work but set it up like your talking about, I have a bed, refrigerator and a power source, only have taken a couple trips, took it over to look for antelope and some real bad roads and did real good for what it is.