The Hutchison Van

2025

Date of Build

Mercedes Sprinter AWD

Chassis

170

Length

Build Tier

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This build is a fully custom Sprinter designed for comfortable long-term travel with strong off-grid capability and a clean, modern interior. The focus here is reliability, efficient systems, smart storage, and a layout that works day to day—not just on paper. Below is a full breakdown of the build, organized by system for clarity.


Electricity

  • 400W solar system
  • 100A DC-DC battery charger
  • 800Ah smart lithium iron phosphate battery (Battle Born)
  • 3000W pure sine wave inverter/charger
  • Four 110V outlets with USB-A & USB-C
    • Additional outlet under sink for oven and induction cooktop
  • One 110V GFCI outlet on control panel, daisy-chained before all others
    • Additional switched GFCI for Bosch appliance
  • 30A shore power hookup

Plumbing

  • 33-gallon over-wheel-well fresh water tank
    • Water level sensor
    • Heating pad
    • Havelock wool insulation under tank
  • Internal water fill port (custom placement per design)
  • Heated greywater system
  • Electric greywater dump
  • Laveo Dry Flush toilet
    • Internal battery
    • Anti-slip mat
    • Rain cover
  • Indoor shower (white FRP, no tile)
  • Quick-connect outdoor shower
  • Electric water heater

Heating & Cooling

  • Premium insulation package
    • Havelock wool throughout
    • Foam-insulated PEX lines and fittings
    • Exterior pipe insulation under van
    • RecPro tank heater pads on fresh and grey tanks
  • Maxxair Deluxe ceiling fan with remote
    • Interior trim ring painted black
  • 12V roof-mounted A/C with remote
  • Espar diesel-powered cabin heater

Kitchen

  • Acacia butcher block countertop
  • Stainless steel undermount sink with flush butcher block insert
  • Built-in double-burner induction cooktop
  • Isotherm F140 Slim refrigerator with freezer
  • Contoure all-in-one convection microwave, air fryer, and grill
  • Guzzle H2O Stealth 5 water purification system
  • Matte black WeWe faucet with 3/8” R.O. tubing (John Guest fittings only)

Aesthetic & Interior Finish

  • Wood Veneer Hub acoustic slat panel ceiling with integrated LED strip lighting
  • Slat ceiling extends down driver-side wall over bed
  • Painted shiplap wall panels
  • Luxury vinyl plank wood-style flooring
  • Two dedicated reading lights
    • Direct wired, bypassing main light switch
  • Advanced interior lighting package
    • Under-kitchen toe kick lighting
    • Garage lighting
  • Kitchen window in place of backsplash

Storage

  • Five overhead cabinets
  • Two 24” hanging storage bags with J-channel rail
  • Under-counter double-door cabinet (24”)
  • Under-counter drawer cabinet (12”)
  • Under-counter storage cabinet (12”)
  • Floor-to-ceiling closet
    • Upper shelves
    • Hanging rod below
  • Pull-out organizer drawers inside closet
  • Bed-face drawers with heavy-duty slides and grip tape steps
  • Custom bench seat with internal storage
    • Integrated 0.7 cu ft safe
  • Headliner shelf with magnetic curtain
  • Sliding door step extension with shoe cubby
  • Two heavy-duty pull-out garage trays

Miscellaneous & Exterior

  • Queen memory foam mattress (80” x 60” x 6”)
  • Vanspeed side capsules for expanded sleeping width
  • Swivel driver and passenger seats
  • Lagun adjustable swivel table
  • CO/smoke detector and fire extinguisher
  • Sliding door window with screen
  • Bunk windows (CRL half slider and awning style)
  • Rear cargo door solid glass windows
  • Safari roof rack with drop front and full deck panels
  • Electric awning with integrated LED lighting
  • All-terrain wheels and tires (set of five)
  • Van Compass Stage 4.3 suspension upgrade
  • Basic side steps
  • Front bumper with winch and D-rings
  • Auxiliary lighting and exterior perimeter lighting
  • Rear ladder and tire carrier
  • Bed liner sprayed from plastic down on both sides
  • ARB air compressor mounted under bed
  • Bug net set
  • Magnetic blackout window coverings
  • Starlink In-Motion high-performance system

Color & Finish Selections

  • Flooring: Hearthside Hickory
  • Stain (countertops, tables, trim): Chestnut
  • Slat ceiling: Natural walnut with black felt
  • Lower cabinet paint: Graceful Green
  • Fixtures and hardware: Black
  • Outlets: White
  • Door handles and pulls: Light brown leather with black knobs
  • Wheels: Arsenal matte black
  • Cushion fabric: Wild Child Soul Sister
  • Side capsules: Paint-matched to vehicle