My wife and I picked up our Benchmark build a few weeks ago, and we absolutely love it. Leland and his team at Benchmark were excellent to work with and their attention to detail cant be beat.
By far one of the best van builders in America.BUT one of the most expensive ones to. If you're not making hundreds of thousands of dollars you can't afford his vans. Cant wait to see his shop.
Attention to detail here is out of this world... you guys are amazing!! We definitely are going to be contacting you guys! Thanks Jarrod for showing what these guys do!
i have read that heated tanks are good when its a bit below 0, but when it is -15 and you are driving through Montana, nothing will keep your tanks from freezing unless they are inside the van.
That's so true. Also there are many places that don't have internet connection. So you're using lanterns for light. Awesome van build . Just not for off grid or boondocking in Mt. Mountains.
Great video and presentation of high quality. When you look at class B pricing, benchmark is on par and very competitive with most of them. Thanks for the share
.....as I was going to the Benchmark website to look for the screens, you answered my question. LOL! Love their builds, I've been following them for a while now, great builder!
Love the quality and attention to detail. Enjoyed the tour love to see those tiny attention to detail items that made living/spending time in a van easier. A luxury van for sure! It's also great to see companies cooperate together to build better products.
Love this van, very cool design, love that the control panel is in one place. What an amazing job. I love the personal touches he provides to his customers and the garage storage is off the chain. This is a great video with great content. Can’t wait for the next video with him and his shop. Thanks for doing what you do Jarrod.
While most people are suffering right now there are a few who are getting rich. If you can't afford a quarter million dollars to camp out then stay home and watch them having fun on UA-cam.
Quality build but a quarter of a million dollar van and no toilet, no indoor shower , very narrow walkway.. seems ridiculous to me. Fancy laminate were I doubt regular wilsonart or nevemarv or Formica would work just as well. I think some of these van builders make it more complicated than necessary. Just my opinion
I do like listening to other opinions and I don't work for them, but I will say a few things. I thought the very same things until I started to really look into some things. The cost of everything outside really adds up and is the bulk of the price. The van itself empty is $80k easy so if you subtract that from overall price you can see what the cost of the build is. But like I said look at the price of the outside components and see what I mean with that, it's crazy. The cost of electrical, heater, that seat really add up quick too. Break it all down the labor is actually $100-150 per hour which is really really good in today's market and where the industry is. Not having a toilet and shower is mostly a decision done by the client and the builders will typically listen to what the client wants. Hope that helps understanding a few things but I'm just a middle man
@@LilyWasHereMB No one will work on it because it is an unreliable Sprinter that no one knows how to work on? But if you are talking about the conversion then the simple answer is no one wants to fix someone else's mistakes and poor workmanship. There's no quality control in this business and everyone and anyone is on the get rich quick bandwagon.
I agree, but I couldn’t see any over the stove lights. Or was it just me? Love everything, so high quality and finish! Sad that I live in Sweden, to far to get a van. 😢 Keep up the good work! Thank you so much for showing this van!
I was going to email the company to see if they would add a 5x1 Blue Sea 360 DC panel to my van, an upgrade to my existing system but Leland's response to your screen question told me that would be more waste of my time. Last month I drove 500 miles round trip to a Battle Born & Victron dealer to discuss upgrades, including 4 more batteries. There were no cars in the parking lot and only one van in the shop. was told I'd have a quote in a few days. Two weeks later I followed up by phone and email. No response. Two more weeks later, now a full month, I received an email saying they would not quote. Today I returned from a 400 mile round trip to a different Victron Battle Born dealer which I was referred to by Battle Born as a result of my negative experience with the first. Shortly after getting in the door I receive an email that said, thanks for driving all that way to let us eyeball your project (the pictures I sent weren't good enough) but, we don't want the work. Last year I drove 700 miles round trip to a van expo to talk to exhibitors for my upgrades. Parts exhibitors only sell, they don't install and will not refer. Builders only build, they don't maintain or upgrade. Jarrod, consider doing a service to your community by delving into the problem of getting custom, pro-built, vans maintained. Over the last year I've reached out to a couple of dozen builders, auto/truck, 4x4, stereo, auto alarm shops etc., and those that bother to respond at all, won't help. Seriously, where does one take a "quarter million dollar" van of the type Benchmark is known for, for service and upgrades to the coach builder's work ... Camping World? Winnebago?
I'm sorry you have had some bad experiences. I will say the people I show will have warranties for their van builds like OVP, Beachmark, Nomadik, Exploration Vans, etc. I believe the next thing in Vanlife will be service shops but this is like a mechanic shop and shopping for the right one will be tough and take some time. The problem right now is there's no regulations on who can do what. If people only knew the things I know it would make a lot of people sick. Why don't I talk more about those things? Because people don't believe me and they feel I'm attacking the "content creators." However, this will change and I plan on doing videos on just this thing soon. I know Nomadik Customs is planning on opening a service center soon. Other big builders really don't have it in their means to handle that much more work over their current builds. The other issue is working on someone else work and they will all say something is wrong with someone else work.
$250K and going with the Agile ripkit? For that amount of money I would expect the best materials money can buy which's certainly not the rip-off kit. Apart from that, the van looks awesome.
Oooh she's a beauty! Out of my price range, but well worth it, I'm sure! She's so pretty I wouldn't wanna take her out of my driveway lol & HAppy Birthday week!
Wow!!! B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L!!!! What great ideas and craftsmanship! J, my big complaint about your videos! A viewer can't multi-task! Lol!!! You have to be 100% focused or you'll miss the incredible details!!!! Lol! You're the Best!
haha thank you! Honestly it upsets me when I'm editing and the video is over 20 minutes, but I can't make it shorter because there's so much good detail info. Glad you're enjoying it :)
From the inside, it looks like the window behind the driver opens, but when you were outside, he mentioned it's an imported factory window. Does it open?
Hi, I folow you from România. Can you kive me the name of the producer of the door handel of this van. That circular one...I donat find sime like this în Europe. Thank's în advance
Sorry didn’t show the fridge but it’s there and people that use these vans for adventures realize that things like a toilet are not high priority when it comes to taking up space. I’m sure they include a toilet if requested by client
I can't speak for them but as said in the video they only work on Sprinter. Sprinter does make a gas so I assume yes but you would have to reach out to them to make sure
I don't like the floor plan. It's not good use of space. If he had placed the bathroom just behind the driver's seat, it would have freed up more space for the kitchen drawers and the whole floor plan would have made more sense.
Or listening to the words would give a person a better understanding than demonstrations. Here's the thing, showing how things work or the finish is cool BUT knowing how it all works is much more important and there's no way to demonstrate that inside a finished project without using our words.
My wife and I picked up our Benchmark build a few weeks ago, and we absolutely love it. Leland and his team at Benchmark were excellent to work with and their attention to detail cant be beat.
Love to hear and see people that have companies vans I show and write beautiful things like this
These guys are building our van this winter. So fired up.
As you should be! They do great work
By far one of the best van builders in America.BUT one of the most expensive ones to. If you're not making hundreds of thousands of dollars you can't afford his vans. Cant wait to see his shop.
5 star craftmanship with 5 star quality materials in every build. I'm going to check out your website.
Attention to detail here is out of this world... you guys are amazing!! We definitely are going to be contacting you guys! Thanks Jarrod for showing what these guys do!
i have read that heated tanks are good when its a bit below 0, but when it is -15 and you are driving through Montana, nothing will keep your tanks from freezing unless they are inside the van.
That's so true. Also there are many places that don't have internet connection. So you're using lanterns for light. Awesome van build . Just not for off grid or boondocking in Mt. Mountains.
Where is the bathroom? Love the screens and counter and the other little details.
I was wondering that myself
Great video and presentation of high quality. When you look at class B pricing, benchmark is on par and very competitive with most of them. Thanks for the share
.....as I was going to the Benchmark website to look for the screens, you answered my question. LOL! Love their builds, I've been following them for a while now, great builder!
Love the quality and attention to detail. Enjoyed the tour love to see those tiny attention to detail items that made living/spending time in a van easier. A luxury van for sure! It's also great to see companies cooperate together to build better products.
I love that so many rigs in these videos are described as “the best”.
Why do you love it so much?
I was thinking the same thing, how are all the best, lol?
Nice, love the built. That brick on the wall is everything. This guy is a riot. Hopefully I will bump into you on the road. True inspiration.
Love this van, very cool design, love that the control panel is in one place. What an amazing job. I love the personal touches he provides to his customers and the garage storage is off the chain. This is a great video with great content. Can’t wait for the next video with him and his shop. Thanks for doing what you do Jarrod.
I missed the bathroom area?
To me these legit van builds are too legit lol like the cost are through the roof and it doesn’t give you the same experience
Been looking at alot of these van builders for a rig, These guys look to be a potential buy for me.
Awesome van for sure. But at $255,000 they are really limiting their customers.
Booked out 2 years so I think they are ok
While most people are suffering right now there are a few who are getting rich. If you can't afford a quarter million dollars to camp out then stay home and watch them having fun on UA-cam.
Jarrod at his best- positive disposition doing another great interview.
☺️
I love how he shakes his head with enthusiasm just before his logo intro clip. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
A JT video on my 51st birthday? Works for me. Happy Birthday from one Taurus to another!
Pretty freaking hot van too!
Happy birthday!
Very nice!! Thank you for sharing!! Much love to ya!!!❤☺
Quality build but a quarter of a million dollar van and no toilet, no indoor shower , very narrow walkway.. seems ridiculous to me. Fancy laminate were I doubt regular wilsonart or nevemarv or Formica would work just as well. I think some of these van builders make it more complicated than necessary. Just my opinion
AGREED!
(and I have one that no one will work on)
I do like listening to other opinions and I don't work for them, but I will say a few things. I thought the very same things until I started to really look into some things. The cost of everything outside really adds up and is the bulk of the price. The van itself empty is $80k easy so if you subtract that from overall price you can see what the cost of the build is. But like I said look at the price of the outside components and see what I mean with that, it's crazy. The cost of electrical, heater, that seat really add up quick too. Break it all down the labor is actually $100-150 per hour which is really really good in today's market and where the industry is. Not having a toilet and shower is mostly a decision done by the client and the builders will typically listen to what the client wants. Hope that helps understanding a few things but I'm just a middle man
@@LilyWasHereMB No one will work on it because it is an unreliable Sprinter that no one knows how to work on? But if you are talking about the conversion then the simple answer is no one wants to fix someone else's mistakes and poor workmanship. There's no quality control in this business and everyone and anyone is on the get rich quick bandwagon.
Wow. Amazing attention to detail!
I agree, but I couldn’t see any over the stove lights. Or was it just me? Love everything, so high quality and finish! Sad that I live in Sweden, to far to get a van. 😢
Keep up the good work! Thank you so much for showing this van!
Amazing built👏👏👏 with a Wet Bath and Toilet (for older aged) it would be a Super Amazing Build 🥇🥇🥇.
Anyone know what the name of that wireless dimmer wall pad is?
Very nice. Only comment is not enough kitchen counter space - stove too large?
Where’s the toilet?
I was going to email the company to see if they would add a 5x1 Blue Sea 360 DC panel to my van, an upgrade to my existing system but Leland's response to your screen question told me that would be more waste of my time.
Last month I drove 500 miles round trip to a Battle Born & Victron dealer to discuss upgrades, including 4 more batteries. There were no cars in the parking lot and only one van in the shop. was told I'd have a quote in a few days.
Two weeks later I followed up by phone and email. No response. Two more weeks later, now a full month, I received an email saying they would not quote.
Today I returned from a 400 mile round trip to a different Victron Battle Born dealer which I was referred to by Battle Born as a result of my negative experience with the first. Shortly after getting in the door I receive an email that said, thanks for driving all that way to let us eyeball your project (the pictures I sent weren't good enough) but, we don't want the work.
Last year I drove 700 miles round trip to a van expo to talk to exhibitors for my upgrades. Parts exhibitors only sell, they don't install and will not refer. Builders only build, they don't maintain or upgrade.
Jarrod, consider doing a service to your community by delving into the problem of getting custom, pro-built, vans maintained. Over the last year I've reached out to a couple of dozen builders, auto/truck, 4x4, stereo, auto alarm shops etc., and those that bother to respond at all, won't help.
Seriously, where does one take a "quarter million dollar" van of the type Benchmark is known for, for service and upgrades to the coach builder's work ... Camping World? Winnebago?
I'm sorry you have had some bad experiences. I will say the people I show will have warranties for their van builds like OVP, Beachmark, Nomadik, Exploration Vans, etc.
I believe the next thing in Vanlife will be service shops but this is like a mechanic shop and shopping for the right one will be tough and take some time. The problem right now is there's no regulations on who can do what. If people only knew the things I know it would make a lot of people sick. Why don't I talk more about those things? Because people don't believe me and they feel I'm attacking the "content creators." However, this will change and I plan on doing videos on just this thing soon.
I know Nomadik Customs is planning on opening a service center soon. Other big builders really don't have it in their means to handle that much more work over their current builds. The other issue is working on someone else work and they will all say something is wrong with someone else work.
$250K and going with the Agile ripkit? For that amount of money I would expect the best materials money can buy which's certainly not the rip-off kit. Apart from that, the van looks awesome.
I love this and haven't even seen the inside as yet
OMG I off this van and the beardedvan guy design
Oooh she's a beauty! Out of my price range, but well worth it, I'm sure! She's so pretty I wouldn't wanna take her out of my driveway lol & HAppy Birthday week!
Wow!!! B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L!!!!
What great ideas and craftsmanship!
J, my big complaint about your videos! A viewer can't multi-task! Lol!!! You have to be 100% focused or you'll miss the incredible details!!!! Lol!
You're the Best!
haha thank you! Honestly it upsets me when I'm editing and the video is over 20 minutes, but I can't make it shorter because there's so much good detail info. Glad you're enjoying it :)
I want to see his 170!
Very nice. How do you bolt the bed?
No shower????? Ummmm
WOW-that’s the only thing I can say!
What kind of license do you for this one
Great video! Thank you
From the inside, it looks like the window behind the driver opens, but when you were outside, he mentioned it's an imported factory window. Does it open?
(Late to the party here…) but yes. It is a factory Mercedes window. The portion in the front that opens, recesses and slides backwards.
What are the seats called sorry?
Like the big screen
Impressive build.
Top notch.
Gosh with this set up all I'd need is a street legal honday monkey bike and a nice raft with a trailer
Yay I’m first! Now let’s check this van out
You may be first, but I'm in the best position - I'm NEXT.
Perfect builds
Hi, I folow you from România. Can you kive me the name of the producer of the door handel of this van. That circular one...I donat find sime like this în Europe. Thank's în advance
Topo is cute. It means gopher in Spanish
Where is refrigerator or toilet
Sorry didn’t show the fridge but it’s there and people that use these vans for adventures realize that things like a toilet are not high priority when it comes to taking up space. I’m sure they include a toilet if requested by client
Are they doing any gas builds over diesel?
I can't speak for them but as said in the video they only work on Sprinter. Sprinter does make a gas so I assume yes but you would have to reach out to them to make sure
How much ? Please talk prices
That’s a big garage area
I don't like the floor plan. It's not good use of space.
If he had placed the bathroom just behind the driver's seat, it would have freed up more space for the kitchen drawers and the whole floor plan would have made more sense.
Cute puppers.
No bathroom?
could not see any of the indoor footage too dark
That LADDER is patented! Jesus Christ. Great argument against bullshit patent laws for sure!
Where is the 🚽 and 🚿???🤔
I think we went over that
DUIs? You mean DIYs?
No shower and no toilet 🙁
🌀💚🌀
Dude with camera super disrespectful. What is the problem?? (Trump supporter?)
I am not thrilled with the design, it looks cluttered and tight, great quality materials though.
what a horrible design !
You should design one
Too many words instead of good demonstrations
Or listening to the words would give a person a better understanding than demonstrations. Here's the thing, showing how things work or the finish is cool BUT knowing how it all works is much more important and there's no way to demonstrate that inside a finished project without using our words.