Daily Times

German camper conversion module specialist VanEssa — innovator of the coolest, little Oktoberfest-grade tailgating set-up we’ve ever seen — is thinking of going big. Stepping up from small and midsize van kits, the company explores the possibility of full-size conversions for the likes of the Mercedes Sprinter and VW Crafter. To highlight what that might look like, it’s rolled out a unique adventure van concept that has a fully modular interior with a triple kitchen, plenty of all-weather gear storage, a hybrid transverse/longitudinal bed, and a removable wet bathroom that lets owners switch camper back to seven-seat extended-family shuttle.

VanEssa’s Sprinter camper van is more of a living, evolving exhibit than a finalized, road-ready camper van solution. As such, it packs more kitchen space than any van life couple or family could possibly need. That starts with a removable kitchen pod inside the sliding door, packing the usual dual-burner stove, sink and slide-out indoor/outdoor-access fridge.

On the outside of the kitchen block, a full-height cabinet door drops down to work as a countertop, bringing with it a slim-profile two-burner Primus camping stove and plenty of open space for food prep. This workspace works hand in hand with the sliding fridge, drawers above it and shelved pantry inside the cabinet, providing a simple solution for those that prefer to cook under the blue sky. That indoor/outdoor kitchen would be more than enough for the average camper van owner, but VanEssa also shows another option. The under-bed passenger side of the load area houses a full slide-out kitchen with the same style of dual-burner stove, sink with fold-down faucet and fridge. The slide also has a full array of storage drawers, and the large drawer above the kitchen provides extra storage.

On the driver side of the load area, a neatly organized gear garage includes a flat slide designed to accommodate two mountain bikes plus other outdoor gear. There’s also sidewall shelving for holding camping chairs, folding tables, skis or other long, thin items.

The bed up above the rear garage benefits from an innovative hybrid design. Instead of running either across or lengthwise, it does both. The 71 x 58-in (180 x 148 cm) transverse bed sleeps two people. For more legroom, two end cushions add on to spin the bed into a 79 x 71-in (200 x 180-cm) longitudinal double, albeit with a central cutout in the middle of the inside end. Another unique element of the build, the wet bathroom is both fully enclosed and fully removable.