Vanlife by Mikey

Planning a Sprinter or Similar Campervan Conversion? Learn From My £40k Build — Whatever Your Budget.

I spent two years researching, planning and building my own Mercedes Sprinter XLWB campervan. Now I'm sharing the equipment, layout decisions, suppliers, costs and lessons I learned to help you plan your own conversion — whether you're working with a modest budget or creating a fully equipped off-grid campervan.

  • Two years building & researching
  • Real Mercedes Sprinter XLWB H3 conversion
Free · emailed to you immediately
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Mikey's Mercedes Sprinter XLWB H3 campervan conversion with the awning out My Sprinter · XLWB H3
You Don't Need £40,000 to Build a Great Campervan

That's what I chose to invest in my own high-spec conversion, but every build is different. Whether you're working with a modest budget or planning a premium off-grid setup, the key is knowing where to spend, where to save and which features really matter to you.

The Guide · Coming soon

My Build. My Choices. Your Van. Your Budget.

Learn how to prioritise the essentials, judge which upgrades are worth it and understand real costs — without copying my spec. Both products are in development.

Essential £39 — learn what I built and why.
Complete £79 — extra resources to plan your own conversion.
Coming soon

Essential Conversion Guide

Based on my Mercedes Sprinter XLWB H3 build
£39
  • My conversion journey
  • Vehicle selection and planning
  • Layout and design
  • Budget decisions
  • Electrical system overview
  • Heating, LPG, water and plumbing
  • Electric bed lift
  • Wheels, tyres, suspension and lift kit
7 more topics
  • Insulation and interior preparation
  • Interior storage and cabinetry
  • Upholstery suppliers for cushions and van seats
  • Connectivity
  • Component and supplier information
  • Actual documented costs
  • Lessons learned
Get Early Access — £39
Most completeComing soon

Complete Build Bundle

For anyone actively planning their own build
£79
  • Everything in the Essential Guide
  • Editable budget spreadsheet
  • Expanded component and supplier directory
  • Planning checklists and layout resources
  • Recommended tools list
  • Video walkthroughs
2 more resources
  • Additional photographs
  • Exterior upgrade specifications

Planned contents — being created now and may change before launch.

Join the Bundle Early-Access List

Built around my Mercedes Sprinter XLWB H3, with practical insights that can also help people planning other Sprinter sizes and similar campervan conversions.

Prefer to talk it through?

1-to-1 Campervan Conversion Planning Call With Mikey

£99 · 60 minutes

A private video call about your plans — vehicle, layout, budget priorities, equipment, storage, bed lifts, wheels and suspension, suppliers and lessons learned. Sprinters are my speciality, but much of it helps with similar campervans too.

  • 60-min Zoom or Google Meet
  • Short pre-call questionnaire
  • Personalised to your plans
  • Follow-up email with resources
Book a 1-to-1 Call With MikeyBookings open soon — join the list to hear first

I share personal build experience — not certified electrical, gas, structural or mechanical engineering advice.

My Sprinter build

Two Years in the Making. One Incredible Sprinter. Plenty of Lessons Learned.

I built my van over two years, researching every detail carefully as I went. I wanted a premium off-grid van built for real family adventures — a lounge, a proper kitchen, a wet room, and an electric bed lift so the three of us don't live on top of each other.

I went with a rear-wheel-drive Mercedes Sprinter XLWB H3 for the space and headroom, brought in specialists where it mattered, and upgraded the exterior and suspension so it copes with the places we actually want to go. I'm not a conversion company — this is my own build, shared honestly.

Sprinter XLWB H3RWDGlide-Rite rear air suspension24V · 280Ah lithiumTruma VarioHeat70L / 52L waterElectric bed liftStarlink Mini

~£40,000 conversion spend, excluding the base vehicle — my choice, not a requirement.

Empty Mercedes Sprinter cargo bay before the campervan conversion
Before
Mercedes Sprinter XLWB on standard wheels before the suspension and tyre upgrades
Before · stock
Finished Sprinter campervan interior with bunk, lounge seating and slide-out kitchen
After · lived in
Inside the build
Rear seating area inside the Sprinter conversion with a plant wall, tiled window and storage under the bench
Lounge seating, table and kitchen with open shelving and LED ceiling lights inside the Sprinter conversion
View down the Sprinter conversion between kitchen units towards the wet room
Kitchen in the Sprinter conversion with oven, gas hob, plywood cabinets and open shelving
Mikey from Vanlife by Mikey
70,000+social followers

What followers say about the build — Instagram comments

“Perfection.. wouldn't change one thing if it was mine .love everything about it”
“This is one of the best van builds I have ever seen 👌”
“That's incredible, you can see all the hard work that's gone into it, it's an absolute credit to you. Enjoy the rewards from your hard work. 👌”

Follow the build

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Mikey and his family on the road in their converted Mercedes Sprinter
About Mikey

Built by Me. Shared With You.

I researched and built my own Sprinter, and we use it for family adventures. I've spent a lot of time on equipment and suppliers — and I share our travels with around 70,000 followers. I want to help you make confident decisions for your own build.

Explore my build

What's Inside My Sprinter

24V · 280AhVictron · Cerbo GX
01

Off-Grid Electrical

24V lithium, Victron throughout, 3,000W inverter, solar, shore power and two DC-DC chargers — designed with Nohma.

Why Nohma →
TrumaVarioHeat Comfort Plus
02

Heating & LPG

Truma VarioHeat Comfort Plus on an underslung LPG tank, with frost protection — warm all year.

70L / 52LFresh · Grey
03

Water & Plumbing

70L fresh and 52L grey tanks with a Shurflo pump — enough for a family weekend off-grid.

Interior & Storage on Mikey's Mercedes Sprinter conversion
04

Interior & Storage

Custom cabinetry, a proper kitchen with fridge and microwave, and storage planned for three of us.

Plan your layout in 3D →
Electric Bed Lift on Mikey's Mercedes Sprinter conversion
05

Electric Bed Lift

Up at the roof by day, down at night — the decision that unlocked the whole layout.

See the bed lift →
Starlink MiniOff-grid internet
06

Connectivity & Tech

Starlink Mini beyond mobile signal, a projector for film nights, two MaxxFans and a skylight.

My Starlink setup →
Wheels, Tyres, Suspension & Lift Kit on Mikey's Mercedes Sprinter conversion
07

Wheels, Tyres, Suspension & Lift Kit

The exterior upgrades that let the van reach the places we want to park, with Glide-Rite rear air suspension to handle the weight of a full build.

What's on my van
  • Suspension: Glide-Rite rear air suspension
  • Lift kit: Rhode Vans lift kit
  • Tyres: BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres
  • Wheels, sizes, ride height and costs: to be confirmed — full details in the guide

Check axle loads, tyre load and speed ratings, suspension compatibility, insurance and any legal requirements before changing wheels, tyres, suspension or ride height.

Trusted suppliers

The Partners Behind My Build

Affiliate disclosure: these are affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend kit and tools I've used for my own van.

Design in 3DPlan the layout before you spend
Layout · VanSpace 3D

Design It in 3D First

Layout is the decision everything else hangs off. VanSpace 3D lets you drag and drop a van interior in 3D — no design skills needed — before you spend a penny.

Then mock it up in cardboard inside the van before cutting any ply.

VanSpace 3D link coming soon
24V · 280AhPhoto of my Victron install coming soon
Electrical · Nohma

Why I Chose Nohma

Electrics are the easiest part of a build to get expensively — or dangerously — wrong. Nohma designed my system and supplied the parts; I built it with their guidance.

  • 24V, 280Ah lithium battery
  • Victron kit with Cerbo GX
  • 3,000W inverter
  • Solar, shore power, two DC-DC chargers

No wiring diagrams or cable sizing here — get your system professionally designed.

Explore Nohma Electrical Systems →Affiliate link
Compact Innovations electric bed lift lowered in Mikey's Sprinter
Bed lift · Compact Innovations

One Room, Two Uses

By day the bed sits at the roof and we have a full lounge underneath; at night it comes down. It's not a feature — it's the floor plan.

Plan it in early: roof height and supporting structure must suit it. Check compatibility for your van.

Explore Compact Innovations Bed Lifts →Affiliate link
What you'll learn

Everything You'll Want to Know Before You Build

The real decisions from a finished build — so you can make better ones for your own van.

01

Choosing Your Van & Planning the Build

Which van, wheelbase and roof height suit how you'll use it — and what to decide before buying anything.

02

Layout, Design & Budgeting

Setting a realistic budget, separating essentials from upgrades, and a layout built around your life.

03

Electrical, Heating & Water Systems

What I chose, why, and the questions to take to specialists before you spend.

04

Interior Design, Storage & Bed Lift

Cabinetry, storage, upholstery for cushions and seats, and the bed lift — making a family space work in a van.

05

Wheels, Tyres, Suspension & Exterior

The upgrades I made and what to check for your own vehicle.

06

Components, Suppliers, Costs & Lessons

My actual documented costs, the suppliers I used, and what I'd change.

My Top Lessons Learned

  • 1. Layout decides everything. The bed lift set my roof height, framing and everything underneath. Design it in 3D, then mock it up in cardboard before you cut anything.
  • 2. The van is your foundation. Put around 40% of the total budget into the base vehicle — and get it inspected within 48 hours of delivery. Mine found undisclosed issues and I got £1,000 back.
  • 3. Bring in specialists where it matters. Electrics and gas are where mistakes get expensive or dangerous. Getting my system professionally designed was money well spent.
  • 4. Build for how you'll actually travel. If you'll mostly be on hook-up, scale back the off-grid electrics and full kitchen first.
  • 5. Space is the one thing you can't add later. You can always use less; you can never create more.

Every van is different — adapt the equipment, budget and layout to your own needs.

FAQ
Why did you choose a Mercedes Sprinter for your campervan conversion?

For me, the Mercedes Sprinter offered the best combination of space, build quality and versatility. It's a proven commercial vehicle with strong aftermarket support and plenty of conversion options. I chose the XLWB H3 for the extra space and height, giving me room for a kitchen, lounge, wet room and electric bed lift. The rear-wheel-drive platform also suited my plans. After researching every option carefully, it was the best fit for what I wanted to build.

Do I need £40,000 to convert a campervan?

Absolutely not. That's approximately what I chose to invest in my own premium conversion, with plenty of optional extras. You can create a great campervan for less depending on your needs, skills and equipment choices. My guide isn't about copying my budget — it's about understanding your options and knowing where to spend and where you can save.

Is this guide only for a Mercedes Sprinter XLWB H3?

No. My guide is based on my own XLWB H3, but much of the planning, budgeting, layout thinking and component selection applies to other Sprinter wheelbases and roof heights. You'll need to adapt measurements and equipment choices to your particular van.

Can the guide help if I'm converting a different van?

Yes. Although it's based on my Mercedes Sprinter, many principles are useful for VW Crafter, MAN TGE, Ford Transit, Fiat Ducato and similar conversions. Planning, budgeting, equipment selection and lessons learned are widely relevant, but vehicle-specific measurements and compatibility will vary.

Does the guide include electrical wiring instructions?

No. I worked with Nohma for specialist electrical design and support. I share the equipment I chose and why, but recommend professional electrical design for your own requirements rather than relying on generic wiring instructions.

Does it cover wheels, tyres, suspension and lift kit upgrades?

Yes. I'll cover the modifications made to my Sprinter, the equipment selected, actual documented costs and my experience using them. Vehicle-specific fitment and compatibility must always be checked.

Does the guide include real costs and suppliers?

Yes. I'll share actual documented build costs, the components I selected and supplier information, clearly identifying any figures that are approximate or unavailable.

Can I book a personal call to discuss my conversion?

Yes! I offer one-to-one video calls where we can chat through your plans, budget, layout and equipment choices. I'll share what I've learned from my own Sprinter build to help you make informed decisions. A 60-minute session costs £99.

When can I buy the guide?

The Essential Guide and Complete Bundle are currently in development. Join the early-access list to hear when they're ready and get my free conversion planning checklist emailed to you straight away.

100% Free · No card needed
Free checklist · Emailed to you

FREE Campervan Conversion Planning Checklist

Planning a Sprinter or similar campervan conversion? Get my free checklist covering the decisions worth making before you start spending money on components.

  • Vehicle selection
  • Wheelbase and roof height
  • Layout planning
  • Budget priorities
  • Electrical requirements
  • Heating and water
  • Ventilation
  • Bed layout
  • Wheels and suspension
  • Equipment suppliers
  • Build sequence

It’s completely free and emailed to you immediately: just confirm your email address and your checklist arrives in your inbox. Nothing to pay. Want a personal call instead? Tick the 1-to-1 call below and I'll email you when bookings open.

What are you interested in? (tick any)

You don't need to copy my van or my budget. Learn from my experience and make better decisions for yours.

Questions? WhatsApp me · @vanlifebymikey