These days are something of a golden era for camper vans. Buyers can choose from a broader range of vehicles and builds than ever before, ranging from minimalist minivans to fully-loaded mini-buses that rival full-blown RVs. But if you’re looking for a van that could truly double as a residence for just about anyone, yet still retains the proportions of a regular full-size van…you’d be hard-pressed to outdo the Alphavan.
The Alphavan — which, somewhat confusingly, seems to be both the name of the brand and the name of the model, so far as we can tell — is a new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter build, brought to our attention by the good camper van-obsessed crew at New Atlas. It’s based on the biggest Sprinter you can buy; this might seem unnecessary, considering how well camper van makers package their interiors, until you discover this choice gives the Alphavan a stunning six-feet-nine-inches of headroom inside the vehicle.
Up front lies a pair of captain’s chairs that spin around to face a table that also features a small couch, which has seatbelts so it can double as a place to abide when the vehicle is in motion. On the other side of the van lies a small kitchen with a single-cats countertop that features curved edges, to cut down on the pain of any impacts in the small living quarters; it packs a flush-mounted two-burner Thetford induction stove, a 90-liter Dometic fridge and, of course, a sink, as well as plentiful storage.
Move a little further back, and you’ll hit the wet bath, which elegantly integrates the toilet in a way that gives you more room to stand in the shower and packs a pull-out sink and a waterproof storage bin. Built into the back of the bathroom sit two more storage areas, as well.
Behind that lies a ladder that leads up to the master bedroom, so to speak. (Alphavan calls it the “Relax Area,” for what it’s worth.) A roughly queen-sized sleeping area lies between windows on both flanks of the van, as well as a ceiling one that offers both added airflow and a way to gaze at the stars on clear nights. The 22-inch TV swivels so that it can be seen from either the bed or the living area, should the book being illuminated by the LED reading lights not prove scintillating.