On the Sprinter yes please keep that in mine. They do run for a long time but when I was traveling from Arizona to Minnesota, I had a check engine light. The van had slowed down, but I made it to a Mercedes dealership in Lincoln. Only to find out they do not service Sprinter Vans. So, I set off to Omaha but by the time I made it there the van started running better and all the indicator lights had gone out. At least with RAM and Ford there are dealerships everywhere in the states, not so much for Merecedes.
Brilliant video Erica! Really enjoyed everything about it :) If possible in the future, could you do a video revving up your van? So we can hear how it sounds! 😁
LOVE your new channel name! LOL I'm too early in my nomadic journey to feel cramped in my van. I think I felt more cramped initially, then started realizing that my old paradigm of buying in bulk didn't make sense in here, along with about a quarter of the stuff I brought being unnecessary. After a couple of rounds of purging, I'm good for now. Upsizing your van sounds like an adventure alright. Only thing I've heard about Skoolies, since that was one idea you posed, is that they are the biggest maintenance nightmare of all, and I'd have to wonder if you could still get to all the places you like to go. B+ maybe? C? But I know you will make the best decision for you and those 'bad' dogs, lol.
Haha thank you! I mainly want more floor space for the dogs. We are INSIDE the van so much more than I expected. If it was just me, the space would be plenty!
Happy to have your little family complete again. Love your vids and the way you tell your story. I understand the need for change, once it is said, something will come up. The ideal solution. Until then, an idea that may work for some of the time, if it fits…? Put the bed higher, with the bottom legs under your mattress, not the top legs. It will block the window (also keep out the heat) but for daily things you can then still open one back door for example and get to the dog food. In the evening, you can put it away like you have it now. But I can’t see if that would fit, and if it would interfere with other things. Anyway, just a thought.
Give a box truck a thought, I had a van before but my 12 ft box is an order of magnitude larger and much, much easier to build out as it's square (no curved walls). RVs are so poorly made, they don't stand up to the road life we lead. Uhaul is an option and I have an old ('18) Penske.
A longer wheelbase like the MB 170 extended or the Transit 148 extended. I originally had my mind set to the Transit 148 ext, ended up getting just the regular 148 (great price won out). Now, as I build (and watch you maneuver with Penny and Charlie for tips) I think Bella and I will be fine, but I've tweaked the layout repeatedly. Kinda wishing I'd got that 41" behind the wheel well instead of 13! Makes a huge difference with the bed platform. I have a 54x75 full size bed planned out and it would've stayed mainly toward the back with lots of living space. I was living in my Ford Expedition so right now this is total upgrade but we'll see if I get the build right! Thanks for sharing your candid view of van life and not just the shiny, pretty, fun side. We live and work full time in these vehicles and still live life with all the things, so it's not always sunshine and rainbows...sigh. ****Welcome home Penny***🤩
Thanks for sharing! I think what I miss having (for the dogs) is floor space. Charlie weighs 85 pounds and the only place in the van he can actually stretch out is on the bed 😔
@@girland2vandogs Exactly! Bella is 105lb GSD and I plan on a narrow kitchen galley and cabinets so she can stretch out, she loves the floor. We need at least the floor space we had in the 17ft travel trailer. Wasn't much and still stepped over her, but we didn't feel cramped!
so happy she is back with you and i got a little emotional seeing you putting the familiar pink collar on her neck ... but you did not show much of her in this video ... maybe you do need a bigger space, not only for your sake but also for your two cutie babies!
Glad to see you have Penny back. As far as a different van I will throw in my 2 cents. I had a 2019 Mercedes Sprinter 3500XD high top and extended. I loved the van but what led me to selling it was the cost or maintenance. The dealer charge 180.00 plus in my area per hour which is 200 miles one way. My service A (20000 miles) was almost 700.00 dollars and Service B was almost 1800.00 (which includes Service A at 40000 miles). For warranty you must have Service A and Service B done on time. Does not have to be at a Mercedes Dealer. On what I can find online the repair and maintenance cost during the first 10 years is $18,000.00 to $19,000.00. I also had a front diff seal start to leak. I thought a new seal, no they had to replace the whole front differential at a cost over 6000.00 but glad it was under warranty. So If I was going to do a van again I would do the Ford Transit. Just my 2 cents. I found no one online that talked about the exorbitant cost of owning a Mercedes Sprinter. Have a great week.
Hi Penny great to have you back home with mom and Charlie 💐 Maybe time to look for stick and bricks in Montana and keep the van for weekend trips because the bigger the rig the bigger the expense’s don’t rush into
Oh gosh no! Haha. I’m definitely not done on the road yet and when I am, I know it won’t be in Montana. Pros and cons to all rigs, just need to figure out which will have the least cons for our lifestyle 😀
Another great video Erica. I travel in a 29ft fifth wheel and i still feel like it isn't big enough. We take for granted all the things we "need" as if you are still living at home and cant live without but the other side of our brain says where am I going to put all this stuff and begin to ponder......I need to get something bigger. I'm glad I'm not the only one that is come to that crossroads!! lol
I imagine it's hard to account for every eventuality when building something and there's less flexibility to allow for any changes. But huge plus is that you have a bunch of lessons learned you can use for the next rig. It's an exciting process! And another stellar sunset to add to the collection.
@@girland2vandogs considering you started with a blank slate, i'd say you did quite well! It'll be cool to see how your experiences and knowledge you've gained since will inform what you choose in the next rig.
So happy to see the 3 of you together. I personally looking at skoolies, but maybe a box truck would be the way to go. Either way take your time in making the next step to make sure it is what you want, and not what someone else is making you do it.
Curious how the training worked out. I travel in the winters with my two dogs and the platform beds are helpful. They provide a “time out/ rest” space and keep the dogs off the dirt (which means less in my bed) 😆! My Promaster is the 3500 155 extended and I removed passenger seat for a dog space. Still feels smallish but I have storage to hide stuff away which helps. Good luck!
second video I've watched of yours Erica and it's pretty therapeutic to say the very least :) Just so chilled, down to earth and easy going, PERFECT !
that actually works perfect for the training bed. it makes the back look cleaner, tidier
We LOVE our Travato K!!
Yeah Penny! Welcome back!
She says thank you (in her own penny way) haha
On the Sprinter yes please keep that in mine. They do run for a long time but when I was traveling from Arizona to Minnesota, I had a check engine light. The van had slowed down, but I made it to a Mercedes dealership in Lincoln. Only to find out they do not service Sprinter Vans. So, I set off to Omaha but by the time I made it there the van started running better and all the indicator lights had gone out. At least with RAM and Ford there are dealerships everywhere in the states, not so much for Merecedes.
Yep! If I do get another van, I think it will be either transit or promaster extended!
Brilliant video Erica! Really enjoyed everything about it :) If possible in the future, could you do a video revving up your van? So we can hear how it sounds! 😁
Just so you know, I live in my van too. I would not would not would not take that bed apart either. lol I understand the set up and take down.
So completely understandable! Your van is definitely very small. The right choice will present itself.
That’s what I’m hoping. Trusting the process and that I’ll just know!
LOVE your new channel name! LOL
I'm too early in my nomadic journey to feel cramped in my van. I think I felt more cramped initially, then started realizing that my old paradigm of buying in bulk didn't make sense in here, along with about a quarter of the stuff I brought being unnecessary. After a couple of rounds of purging, I'm good for now. Upsizing your van sounds like an adventure alright. Only thing I've heard about Skoolies, since that was one idea you posed, is that they are the biggest maintenance nightmare of all, and I'd have to wonder if you could still get to all the places you like to go. B+ maybe? C? But I know you will make the best decision for you and those 'bad' dogs, lol.
Haha thank you! I mainly want more floor space for the dogs. We are INSIDE the van so much more than I expected. If it was just me, the space would be plenty!
Happy to have your little family complete again. Love your vids and the way you tell your story.
I understand the need for change, once it is said, something will come up. The ideal solution.
Until then, an idea that may work for some of the time, if it fits…?
Put the bed higher, with the bottom legs under your mattress, not the top legs.
It will block the window (also keep out the heat) but for daily things you can then still open one back door for example and get to the dog food.
In the evening, you can put it away like you have it now.
But I can’t see if that would fit, and if it would interfere with other things.
Anyway, just a thought.
That’s a really good idea. Not sure if it will fit but I’m definitely going to try it!
Give a box truck a thought, I had a van before but my 12 ft box is an order of magnitude larger and much, much easier to build out as it's square (no curved walls). RVs are so poorly made, they don't stand up to the road life we lead. Uhaul is an option and I have an old ('18) Penske.
Definitely something to consider but I’m not sure I want to do another build.
A longer wheelbase like the MB 170 extended or the Transit 148 extended. I originally had my mind set to the Transit 148 ext, ended up getting just the regular 148 (great price won out). Now, as I build (and watch you maneuver with Penny and Charlie for tips) I think Bella and I will be fine, but I've tweaked the layout repeatedly. Kinda wishing I'd got that 41" behind the wheel well instead of 13! Makes a huge difference with the bed platform. I have a 54x75 full size bed planned out and it would've stayed mainly toward the back with lots of living space. I was living in my Ford Expedition so right now this is total upgrade but we'll see if I get the build right! Thanks for sharing your candid view of van life and not just the shiny, pretty, fun side. We live and work full time in these vehicles and still live life with all the things, so it's not always sunshine and rainbows...sigh. ****Welcome home Penny***🤩
Thanks for sharing! I think what I miss having (for the dogs) is floor space. Charlie weighs 85 pounds and the only place in the van he can actually stretch out is on the bed 😔
@@girland2vandogs Exactly! Bella is 105lb GSD and I plan on a narrow kitchen galley and cabinets so she can stretch out, she loves the floor. We need at least the floor space we had in the 17ft travel trailer. Wasn't much and still stepped over her, but we didn't feel cramped!
😂😂😂love the bloopers
Happy to share ☺️
Props to you! My dogs keep me from van life/
Beautifull !!
so happy she is back with you and i got a little emotional seeing you putting the familiar pink collar on her neck ... but you did not show much of her in this video ... maybe you do need a bigger space, not only for your sake but also for your two cutie babies!
That’s exactly my thinking. I have plenty of space for me. But I’m not sure they do.
Glad to see you have Penny back.
As far as a different van I will throw in my 2 cents. I had a 2019 Mercedes Sprinter 3500XD high top and extended. I loved the van but what led me to selling it was the cost or maintenance. The dealer charge 180.00 plus in my area per hour which is 200 miles one way. My service A (20000 miles) was almost 700.00 dollars and Service B was almost 1800.00 (which includes Service A at 40000 miles). For warranty you must have Service A and Service B done on time. Does not have to be at a Mercedes Dealer.
On what I can find online the repair and maintenance cost during the first 10 years is $18,000.00 to $19,000.00. I also had a front diff seal start to leak. I thought a new seal, no they had to replace the whole front differential at a cost over 6000.00 but glad it was under warranty.
So If I was going to do a van again I would do the Ford Transit. Just my 2 cents. I found no one online that talked about the exorbitant cost of owning a Mercedes Sprinter.
Have a great week.
Thanks for sharing. I have heard that sprinters will run forever, but at the expense of crazy maintenance. Definitely something to keep in mind!
Got your dogs back that good i hope you get a rv you get more room if you have 2 dogs
It’s on the list! I know I have enough space, but I want them to be more comfortable
Sooo awesome and good luck
Thanks!!
So glad Penny is back. We just surplussed and sold two older school buses. I’m sure you could have made them look great. See you next Sunday.
I'm glad that you're all back together! Have a great week ahead. 😊
Thank you! You too!
Good video!
Thank you!!
Hi Penny great to have you back home with mom and Charlie 💐
Maybe time to look for stick and bricks in Montana and keep the van for weekend trips because the bigger the rig the bigger the expense’s don’t rush into
Oh gosh no! Haha. I’m definitely not done on the road yet and when I am, I know it won’t be in Montana. Pros and cons to all rigs, just need to figure out which will have the least cons for our lifestyle 😀
Another great video Erica. I travel in a 29ft fifth wheel and i still feel like it isn't big enough. We take for granted all the things we "need" as if you are still living at home and cant live without but the other side of our brain says where am I going to put all this stuff and begin to ponder......I need to get something bigger. I'm glad I'm not the only one that is come to that crossroads!! lol
Exactly! It’s not that I want to collect “things” but as we are on the road longer, our needs change. And I should have room for a freakin notebook! 😂
I imagine it's hard to account for every eventuality when building something and there's less flexibility to allow for any changes. But huge plus is that you have a bunch of lessons learned you can use for the next rig. It's an exciting process! And another stellar sunset to add to the collection.
Oh gosh yes! Absolutely no regrets with this van. I did the best I could and researched so much. But my needs have changed!
@@girland2vandogs considering you started with a blank slate, i'd say you did quite well! It'll be cool to see how your experiences and knowledge you've gained since will inform what you choose in the next rig.
Happy to see your girl back, you have a lot of thinking to do. I know you’ll make the right decision for your dogs. Oh and I enjoyed the bloopers ❤
Thank you! Happy to share them 😃
So happy to see the 3 of you together. I personally looking at skoolies, but maybe a box truck would be the way to go. Either way take your time in making the next step to make sure it is what you want, and not what someone else is making you do it.
Oh yes we will spend a lot of time stewing and stressing over it haha
Curious how the training worked out. I travel in the winters with my two dogs and the platform beds are helpful. They provide a “time out/ rest” space and keep the dogs off the dirt (which means less in my bed) 😆! My Promaster is the 3500 155 extended and I removed passenger seat for a dog space. Still feels smallish but I have storage to hide stuff away which helps. Good luck!
…I’m still deciding. We have one more lesson at the end of September and then I plan to give my honest thoughts.
What are you training your dogs for?
💕❌⭕️💖🐾🐾