Family life can sometimes be challenging regardless of where you live. You might think it's even more difficult if you're a full-time van lifer. Moreover, if your kid or one of your kids is a newborn, some might say a family mobile lifestyle is impossible. However, some people not only make it work, but they make it enjoyable, as proved by the couple I'm writing about today. They live full-time in a camper van together with their newborn.
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Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Tiny Home Tours
Meet Mariajose and Chase and their newborn, Isla. The couple has been living nomadically for more than five years, three of which have been in the rig I'm checking out today: a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.
Before Isla came into this world, Mariajose and Chase wanted to devise a new interior for their beloved Sprinter van to accommodate their new needs as a family of three. But before we check out this mobile home's inside, let me tell you more about the exterior.
On the outside, the rig is finished in white paint all around, with three color strips on the sides. It's quite stealthy, with no indicators of its camper DNA. Other notable exterior features are light pods on the sides and at the front of the vehicle. Furthermore, the van didn't come with any windows, so the couple installed two on the sides and two at the rear.
Pop open the main door, and you'll discover a warm and earthy interior. The couple took inspiration from the desert when it comes to aesthetics, giving the interior a bohemian look with many interesting elements, such as terracotta-colored textured walls and rattan inserts paired with wood tones for the cabinetry and countertops.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Tiny Home Tours
Mariajose and Chase opted for an open layout, meaning there isn't anything separating the driver's cabin from the living space. Above the driver's cabin, there's a small cabinet.
Dead ahead of the entrance, you'll find one part of the kitchen, which is split into two. It features a farmhouse-style sink (big enough to fit a newborn), a water filtration system in a cabinet underneath connected to a separate faucet, a 12 V fridge with a tiny freezer compartment, a massive overhead cabinet, and a drawer. There's one more cool feature by the sink: an enormous floor-to-ceiling pull-out pantry.
The other part of the kitchen is on the opposite side, covering part of the entrance. It boasts more counter space, another overhead cabinet, a dual-burner induction, and seven large drawers. These features all add up to create a well-equipped kitchen fit for cooking meals for a family.
The next part of this camper van's interior is the wet bathroom. It consists of a self-cleaning Nautilus sliding door, a shower, a waterproof toilet roll holder, and a modified Nature's Head composting toilet that drains into a tank underneath the vehicle.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Tiny Home Tours
Regarding design, the couple installed two types of tiles: small round ones and subway tiles, both white. By the way, a 46-gallon (174-liter) freshwater tank provides water inside this rig.
The rear part of the bus serves multiple purposes - it's a working, lounging, and sleeping space. You'll find an L-shaped couch, a swivel table, and two overhead cabinets. The space underneath the sofa is used for storage and is also where you'll find the freshwater tank.
Since the tank is inside the camper van, it's protected from the cold – that means the family can venture into colder environments without worrying about their water freezing. Furthermore, Mariajose and Chase use a diesel heater to keep the interior nice and toasty, while two Maxxair fans ensure proper air circulation.
When the couple wants to work or watch a movie, they can use a TV/monitor integrated into the driver-side wall. Well, actually, it looks like a wall, but it's, in fact, a Murphy bed. Whenever they want to lie down or go to sleep, they can pull it down. It's large enough for the couple to sleep comfortably with their newborn, and it helps create a lot more room when it's raised.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Tiny Home Tours
There's a bunch of storage space accessible once you lower the bed via multiple cabinets. Furthermore, the space underneath the Murphy bed is where you'll discover the electrical system. Its highlights are 600 Ah batteries, a solar charge controller connected to 600 W solar panels, and a DC-DC charger allowing the system to charge while the vehicle is running.
And finally, if you open the two rear doors, you'll find a small section that covers the back of the couch. The rear panel integrated a freshwater fill for the tank, an outdoor shower, and a flip-up table, perfect for working outside or enjoying a meal.
All in all, this family's tiny home on wheels is cleverly designed and aesthetically pleasing. It comes with many of the features you'd need to enjoy a comfortable mobile lifestyle, even with a youngling onboard.
