DIY Camper Van VS Professional Camper Van - Storyteller Overland Van Tour and Comparison
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- Опубліковано 23 лип 2024
- In this episode, we get the chance to experience van life in a Storyteller Overland Stealth Mode 144" Sprinter Van. We give you a complete tour of the van and compare it to our self-converted DIY sprinter van.
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Thanks for watching! Let us know what you think of this van! To be honest, we were really surprised how much we liked the 144" Sprinter.
Our Van Tour: ua-cam.com/video/XO7sBZw7Tp4/v-deo.html
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Honestly: I’d take yours.
For 170.000 a van with minimum storage, drawer space taken by cooktop, overheadcompartments slamming against the AC when opened and a table that offers space for one plate and a pan. Fold up the shower curtain wet and you won’t have much fun with it in the long turn.
Yours was thoughtfully converted for your needs.
I’m doing my own build at the moment exactly because of vans like that 170.000 van. A lot of money for no brain invested in design and practical usage.
Love yours. Would prefer it any time.
$52,000 VS $170,000. Debate over.
I LIKE 1/3 RD OF 170,000 WITH 14,000.00 LEFT OVER ! WOULD NEVER RE COUPE THAT 170,000 PUT ANOTHER $10.000 IN THE DIY VAN AND BANK THE CASH LEFT OVER ! JMO! :}
Keep in mind that they did their build out before the van craze really hit. Since then, van prices have skyrocketed, as well as, wood and construction costs. It wouldn't be a $53,000 build if they did it exactly the same today. It would be interesting to see what current private van builds are costing now. Doubt that its going to get anywhere near $170,000 though.
I completely agree with hywaywolf. We built it out before the craze and before Covid skyrocketed the price of lumber so we got very lucky. So this comparison isn't apples to apples, but no doubt ya save money doing it yourself. However it's a boat load of time and effort which if ya don't have the money to buy a new one, ya need to have the time to build one
Used 4cyl FWD van, 2 passenger, basic Mercedes cockpit, mostly free DIY labor build, small gear garage, 2-3 season, stuck in a little snow vs New 6cyl 4x4, 4 passenger, optioned out Mercedes cockpit, waged professional labor build with warranties, huge gear garage, four season capable, anywhere but the most gnarly Jeep trails. Pretty sure ST has air conditioning as standard and this more expensive model has a 27A power output for the huge 12kW bank. 144" ST seems just as roomy as their 170" since the horizontal bed and fold-down shower don't take up unnecessary space, and you have the ability to fit in any standard-size parking space. Not taking a dump on these people's sweet van, but it's not exactly apples to apples comparison.
The professional is nice BUT my husband and I agree we feel yours is much better and practical.
Thanks Rhonda! There’s pros and cons to both options for sure! We just need to take the best from both and merge them together!! …One day
We have quickly gone from Vanlife to “RV”Life. It used to be the life to build out a simple van and live life as a “dirtbag.” Then major companies like Winnebago took this concept and started to cater to rich, retired, and RV folks. Except the build quality of these so-called professionally built vans are no where near the price tag you pay. What is worse is that these people are set up for failure because they do not even know the components that their “professionally” built out vans possess. I recently read a post on a Winnebago FB page, where a solo lady didn’t even know how use a winch. As a Diyer, you are much more prepared to handle the complexities of a van because you built it yourself. You know the quality that you put into a van. And you know the challenges you will face.
Can’t argue with that! We definitely know our van like the back of our hand
Just pointing out that Winnebago's style of this van is $200k and is cheap, mass produced quality you get from them.
The storyteller van seems to be meant for people who vacation in a van not for those living in it. I'm sure you can make upgrades to your van , (like the grip tape on the ladder), that you especially like, however, your van is hands down a nicer set up and more homey.
I can agree with that! I also think it’s more for someone who wants to hit the road asap and not spend the effort building their own. Also the beauty of this is it qualifies for an RV loan which most DIY builds do not!
Hey guys, I still watch and enjoy all your videos, just haven’t commented for awhile. I was building my first van a few steps behind you so your van build episodes were very helpful. I enjoyed building the first van so much I have gone on to build four of them. I’ve been in the Rebels and Storytellers and though they have some very nice features, I love our custom builds, they are so much more functional. If you ever want to do another build I have designed a very simple and inexpensive bed lift system that raises the bed up to the ceiling during the day. No question, your van would be my choice. You guys are awesome!
That’s Kevin!!! I’d love to hear more about your bed lift system that sounds awesome!!! Do you have insta or anything where you share it?
I just told my kids I wanted to post some pictures on Instagram and asked them for some help. After all the laughing and teasing subsided, we did it. You’ll have to let me know if it worked :) my Instagram is boyerdreamin
He looks like a sober Mac Miller doing van life with a pretty wife. I’m definitely subscribing! Have a feeling this channel will blow up due to the great personalities!
Haha thanks Danny! RIP Mac Miller and welcome to the channel 🤘🏻🤙🏻
Taylor and Kevin are dynamic!!
Ok, professional build for sure, my b van has wet bath and we love it, I’m not so sold on the battery / inverter energy source so we have and use our generator, now considered old school. ( it’s a 2020 Thor Sequence) would love to see you guys review/use several of the pro models , love your presentations and personnel insights. Glad to see you back on the road again..enough with the vacations ( Ha Ha ) 😎😎
Thanks Vince!!! If ya have any suggestions on other builds to tour we would love too. We would just need the manufacturer on board as well!
The battery/inverter is for sure a must for us since we depend on it so much for our laptops and work. And since we mostly wild/free camp, using a generator would make things a bit more difficult.
Haha as much as our trips may seem like vacations they are a lot of work too! They are fun though and work we enjoy doing… definitely not complaining!!!!
Wow that's some van, i think I paid like $3000 for my first van. Thanks for the tour
Ben! We’ve been following your adventures since your Hasta Alaska series and found your channel back when you were in Baja! Stoked to see ya stumbled on one of our videos. Cheers, Kevin
@@MathersOnTheMap Small world 😄
Like your van much better!!!
It's a nice van but for long term traveling I think your van is more practical. Your shower is much more practical. An ac is a must for the Southern part of the USA.
I'm a hair under 6'4" so that van would not work for me.
Your van for a win 🏆.
👍
Thanks Jackie!!! It’s an excellent weekend warrior van!! The 144 is soo convenient we liked it a lot. 6’4” may be tight! Haha
Great video !
Thank you Conrad!!
Yours is MUCH better! ♥️
Thank you!
I wonder what your van build would cost out if you did everything the same today with a new van. I'm not sure you could even get a base sprinter van for $53,000. Still, a lot less than $170,000 but a lot more than $53,000. Van prices have skyrocketed. Heck, I bet you could sell your current van for more than you have in it, even after 2 years of use.
I decided against doing my own van build, so we just bought a Winnebago Solis Pocket. Its very minimalist (no hot water or inside shower), but I am coming from a camping/backpacking background so it feels like a palace to me. I have a camplux inline water heater that I hook up between the rear doors for an outside shower. It has an AC, but the energy package isn't enough to run it unless you are on shore power. The truma heater works off propane and has 3 vents. It works like a champ and we have slept very toasty even in the 20's outside. Its only 2 agm batteries, but it has worked pretty good so far. If I were living in it I would change them out for lithiums (some people have done that already.). The purchase price for them has ranged between $72,000 and $85,000 depending on the dealer location. So you don't have to spend $170,000 to get out there in a non-private build van. And $170,000 barely even touches what van prices are now. There are plenty of them in the $250,000 range.
As an aside, and to illustrate how crazy we are, we just took the Pocket on an 8 day trip to Maine with 4 of us in it lol. it was a bit cramped, but we are family so we did it anyway.
Absolutely love this comment and you hit the nail on the head. It’s definitely not an apples to apples comparison.
Our van was bought in 2019 when prices were way cheaper, our van is a 2015 bought used, 2WD, etc.
The storyteller comes fully loaded brand spanking new with the latest and greatest tech.
Also not to mention the year of labor it took to build our own van. There’s a heck of a cost savings for a DIY but it’s a LOT of effort.
I admire the 4 in one van. 2 adults 2 kids or 4 adults? Idk if we could do 4 adults! Haha
@@MathersOnTheMap Officially its 4 adults, but my eldest child is 28 but short and light, and my youngest is 22 but has Down Syndrome and is more like a 150 lb toddler. My eldest lives in Franklin Park, NJ so we don't get to see her much so we aren't going to complain about a little sardining if they agree to go on a trip with us.
@@hywaywolf That's amazing! I tried to get my parents to try a van trip but couldn't sway them (their not really the camping type haha). But gotta cherish the time with family, love it.
You damn sure can’t get a base sprinter for under $53,000 right now. Looking new, a 144 4x4 is going for $85,000.
DIY all the way!
Ill take the expensive nicer van any day especially in hot locations storyteller makes quality and backs their build nice job and keep on going dont let the negative comments bug you most are just jealous
Your van is way better than the professional one 👍🏻
You did a Great job on this but a 144 is a bit short.
Storyteller is nice but I would rather build my own Storyteller. Good video!
Thank you!!!
You mentioned that the gray water was underneath,but neglected to say how you access it to dump it...
Check out our upcoming video on Tuesday …😉
So a 170 sprinter 4x4 sell for 90k and that before you put anything in it. So good luck doing anything for 57
It’s hard to hear y’all
Which brand of tires were those and what size?
Not sure on size but BFG K02s they’re the best! We have them on our van and love them
Built my van on a budget. $10,000iah. I’ve loved in it for a year and a half. Took off on an epic road trip feb 6th and have done around 15,000 miles so far, currently in the middle of Canada working my way up to Alaska. Would a 50K or 160K van be an improvement on my adventure??? Maybe a little but that’s a HUGE price jump.
Sounds like a blast, where was your favorite spot so far?
@@MathersOnTheMap City of Rocks, New Mexico. Imagine 2-3 story tall boulders scattered in grouping around the desert floor. You can park and walk amongst them. It’s also one of the darkest regions in the world so clear night sky’s are stellar.
хорошая камера , приятная девушка) что еще нужно для удачного видео )
When we meet up Taylor can do my van tour.
170k is an obscene amount of money for what is offered. You guys could make bank charging that amount and it would turn out better aswell.
What are the insurance consequences of not having a fixed shower or a fix stove in the van?
That’s a great question, not too sure but would like to know
The Storyteller seems well thought out and equipped for what it is, but I can't imagine dropping full on motorhome money on it? Your van is definitely a better deal if you have the skills to make it happen (I do not).
It is a great build! I think our van would cost probably 15-30k more if we built it today, trying to find used vans these days is toughhhh!!!
Nice rig but I definitely prefer yours!! And the difference in price is crazy
Thank you Sarah!!! There’s pros and cons for sure.
Ours is 6 years older 2WD and bought used so it’s not really apples to apples but definitely interesting! The upgrades to the storyteller are so good I wish we had it’s electrical / heating system!
i wish you had tested the van in snowy conditions or in a mosquito humid area. It would have been more testing, the video came across as a van commercial. I have been living in Oregon for the last 30 years. In Oregon, you can easily tent camp from April to October. You do not need AC unless we are having a climate change 117 degree day.
Wait until next episode for snowy conditions in the van ep 113! We turned the AC when we hiked in shorts and a tshirt (hiking to the first waterfall in our most recent episode ep 112, it was hot the 84°F day, April 8 or 9th can’t remember)
We don’t have an Ac in our van but would love to put one in to tolerate hot humid areas.
ooh that's a nice compact van! not sure about that shower though...it's hard to wash when you're wrapped in clingy plastic ;)
It really is! We’re not the biggest fan of the curtain, but the hot water circulator is amazing!!!!
I'm in a Class C with a bathroom but seldom use the shower- it simply isn't a good use of water. I sponge bath in the sink or visit showers in parks, etc. If I had a van I'd go for the gym membership for shower usage.
The pro van is so stark and cold. Not cozy at all. I’d take your van for sure.
Love the tech and the cockpit of this thing. Other than that, not much honestly…
Pro build is a little nicer but not worth an additional 118,000 Your build is very nice and would be great for all but the pickiest campers.
Thank you Steve!
The pricing isn’t apples to apples to be fair. I built the van in 2019-2020 before the lumber shortage and massive spike it demand and got the van used dirt cheap, only 35k!!! 4 year old van with 15,000 miles on it. Super lucky on timing!
They are both nice vans honestly. But professional builds have a pretty steep price specially when it comes to lithium builds most I've seen are anywhere between 130-200k.
Absolutely, they don't cheap out on the electrical or heating systems!!!
🤟🏾
I like the van you are testing but it doesn’t feel As homey as your homemade van. The tech and heater though are major upgrades. I can’t believe it’s 169k though!!! That seems like an awful lot.
I hear ya! I was surprised by the sticker price too before getting in the van but then learned how expensive a 12KW battery bank is as well as the heating system. The upgrades on this van are really nice and I wish we had them in our van!
Also with the limited supply and high demand for vans right now it’s just crazy! I’m curious what we could get for our own van if we sold it right now. (Probably a lot more than $52k!)
Definitely custom...this way you can use what you want as well as configure it the way you want it. Your's is the way you like it...why get a cookie cutter van, do it right....have it your way
Thanks Tony! Pros and cons to every situation, I think the Storyteller makes sense for someone looking for a quality van, who doesn’t want to wait to build or for someone to build it custom. A big positive to this is that you can get an RV loan which is quite difficult on custom builds. Thanks for watching!!
Your van is much better! I hate the "bathroom"....
I would rather have your van. So, you got stuck in a snowstorm in the Green Mountains, Welcome to New England. Ya got a got pair of snow tires and you're ready to go. So now with a bit more awareness your two-wheel drive van will make it as long as you don't try going off road. And the oil line on the heater you installed froze up on an extremely cold night. You installed it, you know how to fix it, and you did. I like your kitchen better than the pro-built model and I would guess the chief Cook likes it better as well. The induction plate is nice, but it takes a strong electrical system to power it unless you are willing to start the vehicle engine to charge the battery if you decide to stay at a camping spot for a few days. The extra panels on your build come in handy. And viewers remember, not all cooking pots work on the induction plate. Induction compatible pots are heavy.
I would not like to worry about drying the plastic shower curtain carefully before putting it away each time to avoid mold or mildew. Because "you built it you know how to fix it". That comes in handy.
I do not wish to say negative things about the Storyteller Overland Stealth model van you have borrowed. I am sure they have done a fine job and as you have pointed out, some very innovative features in their van. Some which you may want to incorporate in your own van someday. Due to the nature of the size and price of recreational vans, they need to be very custom and designed with the specific owners in mind. I am only 5'10" and very used to sleeping in a small space. Having lost my wife, I no longer need a queen size bed or ever a double, though I wish I did. A cot size mattress across the back is all I will ever need, and the extra space can be available for everyday use for when I would be awake rather than for sleeping. The Pro van It is a very nice well-built van, but I still like "your van", with a smaller bed. Do enjoy it while you have it and enjoy your trip.
Alan, these are all great points! I try to recommend people who are looking to buy a used diy camper to build there own because of the “you built it you know how to fix it” (unless you buy our van you get 45 episode build series outlining every detail of the van 🙃)
Sorry about your wife hope you’re doing alright, I think going with a twin bed is a great way to save space for your van!
We did enjoy the time in the van, pros and cons of course but it was a nice change experiencing the new van, the smaller 144” and the upgraded features
professional vans are for weekend campers. they need to impress buyers and visitors. I doubt they're suitable for any long term Van life person.
170k?
i hate when things are not permanent
like sofa turns into bed. no have bed and sofa, theres plenty of space
Honestly, I don't like the new expensive van much. The shower/toilet for one, the extra seating to me takes away from valuable space these vans have. I like your build much better. The only thing is it's 2 wheels drive. That can be fixed. lol.
I hear ya!! There are pros and cons for sure!
So yours is more cozy, bells and whistles r nice but they can be in a self built for a few bucks and extra effort. The back seat is big for insurance. The roll up shower confuses. You roll that s#$% up wet and get mildew in the cabs? Also 4x4 cool for mtn bikers and gear transport but is it smart to off road you home with all your s#$% plus the inevitable loose connections. I vote self for price
Ya definitely save money for the DIY but it’s definitely a lot of labor. I actually came to like the shower although since it’s a curtain you have to be level or the curtain hangs to the y level side which we learned the hard way. We let the curtain dry overnight but I’m guessing you could just wipe it down with a towel if ya were in a hurry.
We are so jealous of the 4x4 which is nearly impossible to get these days especially since MB is moving to AWD for the 2023 model which is a bummer. So the fact that these are 4x4 drives up the price too
@@MathersOnTheMap rarity makes for desirability. Can i ask since yous are WELL van traveled in all conditions (be honest) have you ever been in a situation where all wheel wouldnt cut it? My build is coming and i need direction.
@@antza7954 I think it will perform just fine in snow, heck my 2wd heavy van with chains and k02's made it out of Grand Targhee parking lot on a powder day faster than a 4wd suburban (no chains though). But 4WD would be a must for beaches in Baja if you wanted to go to some of the more secluded spots to camp. But other than that, I can't think of any.
@@MathersOnTheMap cool, thank you. Prob just gonna usa it. Mine arent as brassy as yours to go beachin south of the border. Theyre more like a soft aluminum. Man i hope this is kevin if not excuse my language. 😬
IDK; there are plenty of professionally kitted vans under 120k. 170k is just a bit high, imho. In your set up..I think I'd make inexpensive mods based on ideas in the Storyteller. I'm sure you already have a list of them to work on soon... but you are right; this van is not for the capable DIYer. It's for those, like me, with zero building skill set.
If I can build a van so can you!!! I think it’s for those who want convenience and don’t want to wait to build their own. The ability to get an RV loan for it is definitely a major plus as well. The van is a beast just not as homey as ours (in our opinion)
I would choose your van any and everyday, I'm sorry but I could not justify 170k for that professional one nothing there screams worth 170k to me personally
Shaking = lady's cleaning 🤣
Hahaha seriously! 🧼🫧
For that much money, this van is kind of disappointing, IMO. The internal design is lazy.
Something being better in a commercial van than in a DIY conversion only means the self made solution has been pretty poorly thought and/or done and has received no upgrade. To get close to perfection a van has to be DIY because such a small space has to be completely adapted to each owner's specific needs, witch can only happen if people know how to modify it.
It's not a matter of price (although it is insane to pay so much more to get way less), it's just a matter of building process. You can't get exactly what you really want out of a design done to satisfy most people.
This being said it is pretty sure there are quite a bunch of poorly made DIY vans out there that are even worse than a basic commercial product. And when it comes to designs there are also a lot of people just copying other's interiors, and reproducing same mistakes again and again. Like this boring tradition of having beds when you can get suspended systems like hammocks that are as comfortable, cooler or warmer at will, way lighter (also meaning more fuel efficient), way smaller once packed, and also less expensive.
You guys have no AC blimey i guess you run from the heat.
We can manage if it’s 72 at night… if it’s 75 we can handle ok for one night
One word: nope.
For that kind of money and the bathroom is a complete joke. For 174k I could buy several small houses in my area. What a colossal waste of money.
I don't know why you UA-camrs are sucking up the storyteller. There vans are built nice but it's just a glorified camper on wheels at a extremely high cost. The only advantages of companies like storyteller is you can get a true RV loan for the extremely pricey van . Being a small custom van builder it's all cash baby. But for dollar to dollar you gotta get a true custom built van for all your needs.Your 170 sprinter is a perfect van for you guys. I do have a 170 extended 4x4 van if you're interested in a custom built?? Lol
I didn’t even think about the RV loan, that’s a good point. I’m definitely interested in your 4x4 van, if you’re serious…what year is it?
its brand new 2021 ext. 3500. its huge. But i do have as 2020 4x4 144 sprinter to. i bought it with 4000 miles on it. Both Vans would be sold with a custom build maybe we could work out something.
@@thebenson1983 damn you have two 4x4’s?! Smart man.
Unfortunately, we’re only interested in a shell to do our own van build, especially since it would be great to do another build series on the channel
$150k? tell them to go seat on highway
Looks like $170k will buy you a facepalm on wheels
Who is dumb enough to spend 170k on a van?
Ask that to the people spending 750k on an Earth Roamer 🤣🤣 for me 75k would be my limit but I'd expect my van to be cooking me fresh meals when I get out of bed
Someone who had their heart set on the STRADA ION TOUR but can't afford it so they go slumming with the $170,000 vans. ;)
People smart enough to earn 7 figures a year and make it a tax write off? Which begs the question, who’s dumb enough to let them get away with it ;)
bathroom and bed room 👎 for the 170k van
if you didint tell me, i would think the professional is the DIY.
the so called ;pro, its like they grab things and throw them inside include lame colors
Keep your self built van and figure out how to install a 4x4 system for your future off grid adventures. These custom built vans are so not cool for my wallet
Recession, inflation, closing campgrounds, fuel costs. Van life gone! all these companies. Gone. Give ya $500 now! Few short months! Grab your ankles. Pennies in dollar. Over saturated market! Lol!
Both ridiculously expensive. 🙄
Dildo fells down at minute 6 😅: 24
Waste the time. Yeah, professional built of course is better if you can get one without paying for it.
not impressed given the price
what waste of space inside the so called pro van
not worth $170k. Bye, let s go back to your van
You have to be the biggest idiot to spend 170k on a van that doesn’t have a practical toilet or shower. Is a big NO 👎 for me
the professional build is just plain ugly i dont like the set up at all and just so much grey fabric not worth the money at all