Family Travel: Sprinter Van Layouts
When it comes to family travel, more and more people are discovering the incredible benefits of Sprinter vans. These versatile vehicles offer a unique combination of comfort, flexibility, and adventure, making them an ideal choice for families looking to explore the great outdoors. Choosing the right layout for a sprinter van for a family of 4 is essential to ensure that everyone has a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
In recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift towards outdoor recreational travel. Families who typically take one or two vacations a year are now booking more frequent local and domestic trips. This change has made camper vans an increasingly popular option.
With a camper van, you always have a vehicle ready to load up the entire family for a weekend at a local campsite, a spontaneous trip to BLM land, or even an extended road trip across states. Here’s what makes them so appealing.
Why Choose a Sprinter Van for Family Travel?
The Ultimate Family Camper Van Experience
A family camper passenger van is more than just a mode of transportation or a mobile home; it’s a gateway to the outdoors. Imagine a vehicle that can bring so much joy and adventure into your family’s life. Here’s a deeper look at the advantages of having a camper van for your family travels.
- Bonding Opportunities: Create lasting memories with shared experiences, whether it’s stargazing from the rooftop of your campervan, cooking meals together in the van, or even outdoor adventures like hiking, fishing, or paddle boarding together.
- Flexible Travel Plans: Feel like taking a detour or staying an extra day? No problem! With a campervan, you can change plans on the fly without stressing about hotel reservations. It’s all about the freedom to explore wherever the road takes you.
Multi-Purpose Use
One of the most significant advantages of a Sprinter family van is its versatility. It can serve as both a comfortable travel vehicle and a “home on wheels.” Whether you’re planning weekend getaways, long road trips, or even just running daily errands, a Sprinter van fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
- Seamless Transitions: Easily switch from a day of adventure to a cozy night in without the hassle of setting up tents or finding hotels.
- Adaptable Spaces: Tailor the inside of your campervan to fit your needs. Turn it into an entertainment center for streaming your favorite movies, then easily switch it to a dining area during the day for art projects or even a workspace.
Comfortable Living Quarters
When you’re on the road, comfort is key. Mercedes Benz Sprinter family campervans are equipped with all the amenities you need to feel at home, even when you’re miles away. From cozy beds and seating areas to fully functional bathrooms, these vans provide the home-like comfort that ensures your family can relax and enjoy the journey.
Flexibility in Travel Plans
One of the biggest perks of traveling in a Sprinter van is the flexibility it offers. You can travel at your own pace without the need to book accommodations in advance. This means you can be spontaneous with your travel plans, allowing you to explore new destinations on a whim and stay as long as you like in each spot.
Here’s a few of our favorite 3-day itineraries for a campervan road trip:
- 3-Day Getaway in Big Sur, CA
- 3-Day Getaway in the Olympic Peninsula
- 3-Day Getaway in Joshua Tree National Park
- 3-Day Getaway in the Grand Canyon
Closer to Nature
There’s something magical about waking up surrounded by nature. With a camper van, you can stay in scenic locations like national parks, beaches, and mountains, bringing your family closer to the beauty of the natural world. The ability to immerse yourself in such environments is an experience hotels simply can’t match.
Outdoor Activities
For families who love outdoor activities, a Sprinter camper van is a dream come true. You can easily transport gear for hiking, biking, fishing, and more, ensuring that you have everything you need for your adventures. The ample storage space in these vans means you don’t have to leave anything behind.
Here’s a great article we wrote about – How To Design A Camper Van Around Your Lifestyle.
Key Features to Look for in a Family Sprinter Van Layout
When traveling with a family in a camper van, it’s essential to ensure the vehicle has everything you need to be comfortable, safe, and ready for any adventure. Each family van conversion can be unique, but it’s important to outline exactly what you and your family need.
Sleeping Arrangements
- Bunk Beds: Both fixed (platform beds) and electrical options provide convenient and space-saving solutions for kids.
- Convertible Beds: These can be dinettes that transform into a full size bed or Murphy-style beds that fold down when needed.
- Separate Sleeping Areas for Parents and Kids: Having separate spaces for parents and kids is a game-changer, especially when little ones need to go to bed earlier. You can choose options like cab bunks, Luno Air Cab mattresses, or pop-top roofs to create completely separate sleeping sections, giving everyone their own cozy spot.
Kitchen and Dining Area
- Fully Equipped Kitchen: If you plan to cook your own meals, ensure the van has a spacious cooking area with essential appliances like a stove and microwave.
- Dining Space for Family Meals: While outdoor dining is wonderful, having an indoor dining area is essential for bad weather days or locations where outdoor seating isn’t feasible.
Bathroom Facilities
- Shower and Toilet: There are numerous options, from full macerating toilets to portable potties. The choice depends on your preferences and needs.
Storage Solutions
Storage is a critical aspect of van life. Consider what you plan to bring and ensure your van has ample storage to accommodate everything. Exterior storage options like roof racks or external cabinets can provide additional space.
Layouts For Sprinter Van Conversion For Family of 4
Choosing the best van conversion for your family involves considering different layouts and chassis sizes. Here are some top Sprinter van layouts that could work for you, but remember, the best van conversion is the one designed specifically for your needs.
Sprinter 144 Van Conversion for Families of Four
Layout 1: The Classic Bunk Bed Setup
Bunk beds are a fantastic option for family travel, offering two beds—one for the adults and one for the kids—in a compact space. Our Amy Van Conversion is a great example of this, designed with simplicity and comfort in mind. It’s perfect for seating and sleeping a family of four. The bunk beds in this setup not only maximize space but also provide a cozy and practical solution for everyone to sleep comfortably.
Layout 2: The Convertible Bed Arrangement
We originally designed and built this campervan for an adventurous couple who loved backpacking, camping, and exploring the country. Since then, their family has grown with the addition of two kids, and we’ve adapted the van to suit their new needs. The dinette bed now provides a comfortable sleeping space for the parents, while the cab bunk up front offers two cozy spots for the kids, making it a perfect setup for a family of four. This is called the Sowewent Conversion.
Layout 3: The Rear Lounge Layout
If you’re looking for two full-sized beds without a cab bunk system or pop-top, the Summit Seeker Van Conversion is perfect for you. This setup features a dinette bed below with a drop-down bed above it, allowing up to four people to sleep comfortably in this smaller chassis. It’s a great solution for those who want ample sleeping space without sacrificing comfort.
Layout 4: The Family Suite
Now, let me introduce the ultimate Sprinter 144 van conversion, packed with features for maximum comfort and utility. It’s the perfect choice for families who need extra space and functionality. This is the Nestor Van Conversion, designed to seat and sleep a family of four comfortably.
Sprinter 170 Van Conversion for Families of Four
Layout 1: The Classic Bunk Bed Setup
Now, let’s take a look at the Sprinter 170 chassis. The Nick Campervan is our most basic and straightforward conversion for a family of four, focusing primarily on beds and seats. While it doesn’t have a lot of extra features, it offers plenty of room for movement and sleep, making it a spacious and comfortable option for family travel.
Layout 2: The Convertible Bed Arrangement
Here are two van conversions with different second bed options. Both feature our standard dinette bed, but with unique twists. The Raven Conversion includes a drop-down Murphy-style bed that doubles as a backrest in dinette mode or as an extra bunk. The Stitch offers a smaller bunk bed in the back that can be stored up and out of the way when not in use. These setups provide flexible sleeping solutions to suit your family’s needs.
Layout 4: Four Different Bed Setups
Our client dubbed this van the “Speedway Chalet” and it truly is the ultimate family campervan. This conversion offers four different bed setups, with enough seating for 11 and sleeping space for up to 8 people. We’ve included every bed imaginable—from the classic dinette with a drop-down bed above it, to a cab bunk up front for the little ones, and even a huge queen size bed in the pop-top. It’s a versatile and spacious setup designed to accommodate the whole family comfortably.
Customizing Your Sprinter Van for a Family of 4
You might have seen a layout you like but want to tweak it or add features from other conversions. This is exactly what you should be doing—finding what will make van life for your family more conducive, easier, and more enjoyable.
