In recent years the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van has become an increasingly popular choice for vanlife and camper van conversions. With a spacious cargo area, durable construction and the ability to be customized, it’s a great multi purpose adventure vehicle.
One of the most common questions that comes up is if it’s realistic and comfortable to have sleeping accommodations for 4 people in a Sprinter van. In this article, we’ll take a look at whether or not a group of 4 can road trip and dwell in a Sprinter campervan, looking at the feasibility, layout considerations, build options, and real world experiences.
Overview of Sprinter Van Dimensions
With that in mind, let’s first look at the interior dimensions of Sprinter vans to see if we can fit 4 sleepers at all. There are a few different configurations to consider:
- High roof models offer about 1.6 ft (50 cm) additional stand up headroom over standard roof models.
- Options for Wheelbase lengths run from 144” to 170” (365-432 cm). The model with the most interior cargo capacity is the 170”.
- Passenger vs. cargo vans – Passenger vans have rear seating and windows, while cargo vans are windowless and empty so that you can build out.
Most standard roof Sprinter vans have roughly 65-70 ft2 (6-6.5 m2) of floorspace to work with. High roof models add 4 to 5 ft2 (0.4 to 0.5 m2) of additional usable vertical space. With those baseline dimensions in hand, we can look at some variants of a layout that will fit a bunkhouse for 4.
Optimizing Sleeping Quarters for 4 Adults
When planning out a 4 person camper layout, sleeping accommodations are going to be a top priority. Unlike solo or couple builds, you’ll probably need to include more bunk style arrangements to allow for any open living space. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Padding, insulation, and privacy – Sleepers should be able to enjoy all of these for restful sleep. Recommended measurements are roughly 30” width x 6.5-7 ft length per bunk.
- Organization tools like shelves, cabinets and personal nooks are a must in a small space with 4 people and their belongings.
- Accessibility – All occupants should be able to ingress and egress all bunks, doors, aisles and common areas. Any tight arrangements could become cramped very quickly.
If all these conditions are considered while wanting comfortable multi-occupant sleeping quarters, then what are some possibilities for Sprinter van layouts?
4 Person Sprinter Camper Layout Examples
While every camper build is unique, there are some tried-and-true layouts that can work well for 4 occupants in a Sprinter.
Bunk Beds + Convertible Dinette/Bed
This is likely the most space-efficient option – accommodating 2 sleepers in a permanent bed frame bunk arrangement, 1 person on a convertible bed made from the dinette seating, and 1 final sleeper in a pop-up rooftop tent.
With smart organizational hacks like “garage storage” under the fixed bunks, removable cabinets, and mounting gear on the walls, there’s still decent living space too.
Full/Double + Queen/Full Bunk Beds
Another approach is building out a full-sized bed platform in the rear, and a second bunk lengthwise above it. Then supplementing with a convertible front dinette bed as needed.
While not as space-saving, this setup allows more standalone sleeping space for couples or families. And the dinette still enables seating for 4 people when needed.
Quad Layout With 4 Bunk Beds
The most sleeping capacity oriented layout is installing permanent twin size bunk beds on each side – similar to a train car sleeper or hostel. But the major tradeoff is very little remaining living area in the middle once four beds are accounted for.
So unless sleeping and storage are the only concerns, this setup may ultimately be too cramped for hanging out or cooking inside.
Custom Campervan Conversion Companies
Upfitting a Sprinter van to comfortably fit 4 sleepers is an ambitious camper conversion project. So for some owners, hiring a professional company to handle the design and construction is worthwhile, especially given the complexities of electrical, insulation, storage and furniture-building.
Some notable camper conversion companies that specialize in building out spacious and functional Sprinter vans for multiple occupants include:
- Adventure Wagon
- VanDoIt
- Upfit Adventure Vans
- Black Series Camper Vans
- Outside Van
Pricing can range wildly depending on amenities and quality of materials (50k-150k+), but their expertise adapting floorplans for 4+ person adventures can be invaluable.
Of course, more budget-friendly DIY builds are entirely possible too and can be just as satisfying!
Practical Constraints of 4 Occupants in a Van
While various layouts can theoretically accommodate 4 sleepers, actually dwelling and traveling for extended periods will still involve some key practical considerations too:
Storage and Organization
Clothing, gear, food, supplies etc takes up a lot of space very fast with 4 people! So well-designed storage is mandatory – it’s easy for vehicles to quickly get chaotic. Tricks like “hidden” underbed drawers, mounting cargo nets/bags on walls, and multipurpose furniture help address storage needs.
Weight Distribution and Payload
4 adults + belongings can quickly approach or exceed the vehicle’s cargo carrying capacity and influence handling. Spreading gear weight evenly helps, but upgraded heavy duty springs are often needed to improve load capacity and stability.
Comfort and Elbow Room
Despite best efforts at space planning, 4 adults in a van leaves limited wiggle room. Standing upright will likely require high roof models, and activities like cooking or working may happen in shifts. It ultimately requires some minimalism, cooperation and good attitudes from all co-dwellers!
Conclusion
At the end of the day, whether a group of 4 can reasonably occupy a Sprinter van comes down to balancing sleeping practicalities with everyday livability and comfort. With thoughtful layouts and some spatial sacrifices, a Sprinter van can serve as a viable campervan home base for 2-4 occupants. But assessing each group’s needs, priorities and comfort levels is crucial before committing. For some, trailering an extra vehicle or outdoor cooking/bathing stations eases congestion. And for others, downsizing to just 1-2 travelers or a bigger bus/RV altogether may be better options worth considering too.