Mercedes RV Camper Conversions Make Family Trips Breezy
Whether you prefer short fishing trips, or transcontinental expeditions, there’s a Mercedes RV for you.
Now that the weather has warmed up we’ve started thinking about camping. When we saw this compilation of the “10 Best Camping Vehicles and Off-Road Expedition Trucks” by YouTube’s Automotive Territory we had to take a look. We expected at least a few Mercedes, but we were shocked when half of their choices were wearing a pointed star. From Sprinters to Unimogs, the Mercedes stable is well represented here.
Money no object, we’d choose something to “overland” in. When you combine diesel engines, luxurious accommodations, and Mercedes off-road competence, you get one capable rig.
Bixmobile Ex435
The first Mercedes in the compilation is a Unimog-based one, the Bimobil Ex435. It has a 5.1-liter turbodiesel I-4 that makes 231 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Starting price? $451,000. This one falls directly into the overland category, with the proven reliability of the Unimog platform underpinning it, and what the manufacturer claims is a stable and lightweight cabin.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
Next is #6, the Mercedes Benz X-Class, the pickup that the automaker is coming out with. The X-Class, thanks to some work from Tischer, does a more luxurious take on the familiar classic: the camper unit mounted in the bed. The X-Class wouldn’t be as roomy as some of the others, but the price should be quite a bit more palatable.
Winnebego Revel
After the pickup the first of the Sprinter choices is revealed: the Winnebago Revel. The Revel is based on the Sprinter 4×4, and the video claims it’s the first 4×4 RV in America. Some brief Googling revealed that no, this is not the first “4×4 RV in America” but it’s definitely one that should be on your list. The others are full-size pickup-based units, with the fuel economy to match.
Bliss Mobile Expedition Vehicle
After that they feature an expedition vehicle based on the Mercedes Zetros 6×6. The Bliss Mobile Expedition Vehicle is primarily the living quarters you see on the back of the Zetros. The big Mercedes is a heavy truck often used for military applications, but also for rescue and relief efforts. With nearly 1,000 lb-ft of torque from the factory, it’s got the power to haul the whole family and their junk too.
Valhalla 4×4 Camper
Finishing off the video is the Valhalla 4×4 Camper, based on a Mercedes Sprinter of course. The company, Outside Van, builds a huge assortment of conversion vans. They range from the Valhalla which is more of a sleeper/gear hauler, to dedicated overland rigs.
Which Mercedes platform would you start with for the kind of off-highway adventures you prefer? Join us in the forums and let us know!
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