Hey everyone, Joe and Emily here from The Vantastic Life! Today, we’re thrilled to give you a deep dive into our Ultimate Van Life Upgrade by Momentum Vans. This isn’t just any van tour—this is Van Tour 2.0, packed with all the features we loved from our last van, plus some fantastic upgrades. So read on for all the details!
From Passion to Precision: The Momentum Vans Story
Brian Wright, co-founder of Momentum Vans, shares a bit of his journey. After experiencing the joys of van life firsthand, he and his wife founded Momentum Vans in 2017. They’ve been helping others enjoy a mobile base camp for all their adventures—be it skiing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, or fly fishing. Brian’s team creates custom Mercedes Sprinter Vans that provide all-season comfort and functionality, and we’re beyond excited to show you what they’ve built for us.
Key Features
- Rixens heated floor
- Onboard air compressor
- Agile Offroad RIP suspension kit
Exterior Highlights: Built for Adventure
Our van’s exterior is tough and rugged, with Line-X coating on the hood, front, sides, and back to guard against road debris. It’s a 2021 4×4 Mercedes Sprinter equipped with 360-degree cameras and rain-sensing windshield wipers for added convenience. And if we encounter a bumpy road, the onboard air compressor lets us adjust tire pressure on the go—the is also perfect for when we hit the trails with our bikes and want to pop the bead on some fresh rubber.
And then, of course, there’s our “zombie apocalypse” light bar. This thing lights up the road like nobody’s business, which is perfect for those dark, remote stretches when we’re off the grid.
Style Meets Functionality
We’ve outfitted the van with Black Rhino Warlord wheels and BFGoodrich all-terrain tires—same setup as our last van because we loved it so much! To keep things private and cool, we’ve tinted all the windows, making it a cozy sanctuary wherever we park.
Inside the Van: Comfort & Convenience Redefined
One of the first things you’ll notice inside is the ROLEF bug screen. It’s super easy to use and has already proven invaluable for keeping bugs out while letting the cool air in. As you step inside, you’ll see the layout is much more open compared to our previous van. This new floor plan is fantastic, with a Corian and bamboo countertop that’s not only stylish but incredibly durable.
Our kitchen setup includes an induction stovetop, a deeper sink than we had in our first van, a 30-gallon fresh water tank, and UV water filter. We even have a built-in soap dispenser, which might sound small, but it’s those little touches that make van life easier!
Stay Cozy with Heated Floors
Winter van life is now much cozier with our custom heated floors by Momentum Vans. This new feature is a game-changer, especially when we’re parked at a ski resort in sub-zero temps. It keeps us warm and helps prevent our water systems from freezing.
Showing & Toilet
After spending 5+ years doing van life with a van that had a dedicated indoor shower/ bathroom, that 99% of the time ended up being used as storage, we opted for a different setup.
Van 2.0 has a removable indoor shower stall that drains into a dedicated gray water tank on the passenger side of the van, an inclosed outdoor shower in the rear of the van, and a Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Portable Toilet that tucks easily into storage.
*After 1.5+ years of using van 2.0, we’ve only used the indoor shower once, and the portable toilet less than 10 times. It’s almost always easier to use the outdoor shower, and it’s super easy to find bathrooms or environmentally friendly places to go to the bathroom on the road.
The Ultimate Sleep Setup
Our bed setup is a massive upgrade. Unlike the pop-top bed from our last van, this one stays in place permanently, making it so much easier to pack up and go. With flares on both sides, I fit perfectly at 6’1”, and the windows let us pull in that cool mountain air on warmer nights.
Storage Galore: Organizing the Essentials
This van is designed for those of us who like to stay organized. We’ve got bamboo cabinets for kitchen supplies, a dedicated coffee drawer (you know how important that is), and overhead storage for all our media gear. Everything has its place, which means less clutter and more room for adventure.
A Van Built for Gear
In the back, you’ll find our garage space. This is where we keep our mountain bikes, RC car gear, dumbbells, and other essentials. The mountain bike tray fits two full-size 29er bikes and has additional space for helmets, backpacks, shoes, and even snowboard gear in the winter. It’s a storage solution that lets us grab what we need quickly, so we spend less time packing and more time hitting the trails.
*We have experimented with fitting four full size mountain bikes, and it can be done if you remove the handlebars and pedals of two of the bikes (and they are facing opposite directions).
Off-Grid Power & Connectivity
With 630 amp hours of battery power and 310 watts of Zamp solar panels on the roof, we’re set for off-grid living. And thanks to our Starlink internet setup, we can stay connected no matter where we are. Momentum Vans has even configured a 150-foot cable that lets us place the Starlink dish outside of the van, ensuring optimal signal when the trees are dense.
Extra Features for Extra Freedom
At the rear, we have an Expedition Box by Owl Vans for storing tools and extra gear, plus an additional 20-gallon water tank (under the van) for those longer (summer) trips into the wild. We also have two extra 1Up bike trays for renting bikes or shuttling with friends. With all this storage and functionality, we’re prepared for any adventure that comes our way.
If you’re curious about any specific features or want to know more details, drop us a comment below. And if you enjoyed the tour, don’t forget to give us a thumbs up, subscribe, and let us know what other videos you’d like to see from us. Thanks for joining us on this ride—see you on the next adventure!
Links
- Momentum Vans – Arlington WA (let them know we sent you!)
- Van Build 1.0 – 2017 Mercedes Sprinter with Momentum Vans build and Sportsmobile pop top
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