Hey there! As avid adventurers, people often ask us about our van wherever we go. We’re always happy to share our experiences and connect with others in the RVing community. One of our goals was to keep our van as stealthy as possible, and we’ve achieved this with a MB Tenorite gray paint job, black rims, and ceramic-tinted blackout windows. But among RV enthusiasts, the American Coach Patriot is a well-known and highly respected name. In this post, we’ll delve deeper into the features of our American Coach Patriot and 2019 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 4×4 3500xd 170 standard, including their impressive fuel economy, parkability, towing capabilities, advanced electrical systems, and redundant systems.
Van Fuel Efficiency
We absolutely love the fuel efficiency of our Sprinter van. Depending on the terrain and driving conditions, we usually average between 14.5-18.9 mph. This makes it easy for us to enjoy long road trips without worrying too much about the fuel expenses.
American Coach Patriot Package
The American Coach Patriot package has everything we need for a comfortable and enjoyable trip. We have a fully-equipped kitchen with a fridge, a microwave, a sink, and a custom kitchenette with drawers and cabinets. The van’s amenities include a bathroom with a shower, a toilet, and a sink, a bedroom area with a comfortable bed, and a living area with a sofa and a dining table. We love the luxurious and comfortable interior of the conversion, with premium leather seats and high-end amenities.
High-tech Entertainment System
The Patriot conversion comes with a high-tech entertainment system that includes a 24-inch LED Smart TV and a JBL sound system. We can easily control the system using a mobile app, which makes it easy for us to enjoy our favorite movies and TV shows while on the road.
Efficient Air Conditioning and Heating
The Patriot conversion also comes with a highly efficient air conditioning and heating system that keeps the interior temperature comfortable, regardless of the weather outside. It includes a 13,500 BTU air conditioner and a 16,000 BTU furnace. We’re currently in the process of converting our AGM battery to lithium batteries and a larger inverter, which will allow us to run the air conditioner for 2-3 hours off the lithium batteries alone. This is a huge deal for us, as we can monitor the temperature remotely from an app and leave our dog in the van while making 2-3 hour stops at parks, restaurants or while sightseeing.
Advanced Safety Features on the Van
The Patriot conversion comes with advanced safety features, including a rearview camera, lane departure warning, collision prevention assist, and blind-spot monitoring. We love the peace of mind that these safety features provide, especially when driving on unfamiliar roads.
Parkability (is that even a word?)
The compact size of our Mercedes Benz Sprinter 4×4 3500xd 170 standard makes it easy to park in most city streets and parking lot spots. This means we can easily explore new cities without worrying about finding a place to park. With the Yakima Exo Gear System, which is mounted on the roof of our van, we have the flexibility to take all of our favorite outdoor gear with us, such as bikes, kayaks, and more, without sacrificing our van’s parkability. Without the Yakima Exo Gear System, our van is about 22 feet in length, allowing us to park almost anywhere. And if we do need to park in a tight spot, the van’s backup camera and parking assist feature make it easy to maneuver. Overall, the parkability of our Sprinter van gives us the freedom to explore cities and parks without worrying about finding a suitable parking spot.
Ample Storage Space
Despite the van’s compact size, we have ample storage space to store all our travel needs. We have overhead cabinets, under-bed storage, and a wardrobe closet to keep our gear organized and easily accessible.
Towing Capacity
The Sprinter van is equipped with a powerful diesel engine that gives it an impressive towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, making it easy for us to bring along our favorite outdoor gear like bikes, kayaks, and more mounted onto our Yakima Exo Gear System. Our 170 STD (standard) van is about 22 feet in length, and with the Yakima Exo Gear System, we can park almost anywhere.
Redundant Systems of the Van
Our van is equipped with redundant systems, including solar panels, a battery, a propane generator, and a diesel-powered alternator. This means we can enjoy all our favorite amenities even when we’re off the grid, without worrying about running out of power.
Happy Trails
In conclusion, our American Coach Patriot and Mercedes Benz Sprinter 4×4 3500xd 170 standard setup has proven to be the perfect adventure vehicle for our travels. From its fuel efficiency to its towing capabilities, advanced electrical systems, and ample storage space, we’ve been able to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of life on the road without sacrificing comfort or convenience. If you’re considering a Sprinter van for your own adventures, we highly recommend it. And if you have any questions about our setup or want to share your own Sprinter conversion tips, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We love connecting with fellow RVers and are always happy to share our knowledge and experiences. Happy travels!
