Exterior – Live Like Pete

Flatline Van Co Ladder Install & Review

Pete — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:34:35 +0000

Over the many years of camping and exploring in our Sprinter van, I have found what works with our setup and what doesn’t. If you’ve been following this blog since the beginning of our van build, you probably remember my post about our Surco ladder installation. While that ladder was initially an inexpensive and very easy solution for a rear ladder, we found out that cheap and easy won’t always...

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Sprinter Step Bumper Removal & Hitch Install with Trailer Wiring

Pete — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 03:54:06 +0000

Our 2016 Sprinter did not come with a factory hitch or any trailer wiring. It did, however, have this nice step bumper that often comes in handy. The only dilemma with that style bumper is that our ground clearance in the rear will be significantly reduced when I want to add a hitch. So my plan is to ditch the step bumper, add a hitch for a factory no-step bumper and then just slide in a hitch...

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Sprinter Van Surco Ladder Installation

Pete — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 03:49:37 +0000

In preparation for our roof rack/ deck project, we first needed a ladder to access our roof. There are many options out there for ladders when it comes to Sprinters. A few companies are making side mounts while others make their own rear door mount version. One thing I noticed when it comes to Sprinter Van ladders is they are extremely expensive for what they are. Most of them start around $500...

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DIY Exterior Van Light: Solar, Magnetic & Motion Detected!

Pete — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 17:41:18 +0000

When building a van, certain little things never even cross your mind…things you never even think of until you actually go out and use it. The first camping trip in our Sprinter van was on a very dark night and it made me realize we would have to add some sort of exterior light. The biggest problem was the installation? I didn’t want to run more wires after already completing the walls...

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Installing CR Laurence Windows in Our Sprinter Van

Pete — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 22:01:01 +0000

Our van started as a cargo van, meaning it had no windows in the back. The privacy is nice, but there is very little ventilation and feels very small and claustrophobic, not to mention looks like a bit of a creeper van. We decided it was time to cut two giant holes in the van and add some CR Laurence vent style windows. One would go in the slider door and another in the driver’s side.

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Installing Sprinter Van RTS523 Rhino-Rack Roof Rails

Pete — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 19:31:23 +0000

In order to mount things like solar or a roof rack, your Sprinter van must have roof rails. Some vans come with them from the factory, but many do not. Ours did not have any so I shopped around for the best option. Factory rails are upwards of $300-400. VanTech makes a nice set for about $250. After some research, I received some great input from a guy on the Sprinter Buildout FB group who happens...

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Upgraded Sprinter Van Wheels: Method Wheels & Nitto ATs

Pete — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 00:49:28 +0000

The one thing that had to go immediately on our 2016 Sprinter 144 2WD van was those stock wheels and tires. They not only make it look like an ugly delivery van, but the highway tires won’t do us any good once we start venturing off-road. We wanted a tire that would give us more traction in loose conditions, but also be quiet and last long on the highway. We went with the Method MR301 wheels made...

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