May Bank Holiday: 
Mercedes Vario 816D L3/H3
Mercedes Vario 816d H3/L3 2007.
4.2l – 7.5 tonne 387,685km
MOT 25/11 1 minor on last test – the horn wires had broken.
Serviced and maintained as a fleet vehicle and is in very good condition for its age.
Originally, the van was spec’d to sustain mobile life, travelling around Europe. However, since brexit, covid and current work situation, the decision must be made to hand the keys over to a new owner.
The van is ready for someone to go away in straight away!!
The conversion itself has taken the best part of two years with very little use between this time. Once all the internal racking and floor had been removed, we rebuilt from the metal up, removing all signs of rust and treating and repainting all the floor supports. Under-mounted brackets for the grey and fresh water, and LPG tank were then welded in place.
The floor was then replaced with 12mm phenolic board and 50mm cross supports to allow Ecotech insulation board and then another layer of 12mm phenolic board before boxing in the wheel arches. There are 2 access hatches for the LPG, and the regulator at the rear of the van.
The fiamma vent and skylight, low profile air vent and extractor fan were then installed using sikaflex in the roof and windows in the panels, mains wires laid in place, and water pipes run through to the desired locations.
There is a large window in the kitchen area, two windows in the living area, a round window in the shower/wet room and 1 window above the bed. The three windows in the main area have solid wood window sills.
The airvent is a Fiamma Turbo Vent Crystal 40 cool air vent in the living area and a storm hatch/ skylight towards the back, which gives great views of the sky at night. This skylight opens fully and is an access point to the roof and solar panels which are installed on a custom built rack system. The sky light is a marine storm hatch and opens fully, and locks closed and slightly ajar for air movement.
Any large areas on the side of the van had deadening matts stuck in place, then a combination of lambs wool insulation (in the sliding and rear doors), and a multifoil quilt insulation (superfoil SF19+) everywhere else, including the roof. Rightly or wrongly, I then ran wiring to the necessary areas and put the elec sockets for the mains/inverter feed in place. This was then sealed off with a vapour barrier before walls going up. The walls are tongue and groove effect 8mm ply, with lines routed out.
The ceiling was first lined with hessian, so the foil didn’t shine through, then split bamboo tied in place to cover it throughout. The bamboo was taken from several bamboo screens, sanded down, and stained before each one was individually tied in place. It was incredibly time-consuming, but the finish is so much better than expected. The ceiling lighting was installed at this point.
From here, the frame for the wet room was installed using 2×2 supports and a combination of 12mm ply, and 12mm flexible ply to make the curved wall. I installed a sloped floor under the shower for drainage before installing the pvc sheets for the walls. This was all glued in place with Sikaflex 522 adhesive sealant, and all edges were sealed. The hot and cold water supplies were then run through to the shower mixer and basin. The floor was then tiled and all sealed with flexible waterproof grout.
The kitchen has a solid oak worktop with an inset Moroccan ceramic basin, chrome britta filter mixer tap, and 2 burner Miele hob. Under the worktop are the kitchen storage units, 220v fridge freezer, drawers, and camper oven converted to use lpg. To the left of the worktop is a pull-out sliding larder cupboard. The drainage runs through a space saving trap, behind the unit and under the van to the grey water tank.
The living space has a large 3 seater sofa with storage underneath. The storage also contains a safe, a 300w subwoofer, a diesel air and water heater. The exhaust for this exits directly underneath the van via a heat shielded mounting plate and exhaust pipe positioned near the van exhaust. Above the sofa is the built in Bluetooth receiver/amplifier a small shelf and the fuse board for the 12v circuits. In the cupboard to the right of the sofa is the hot water heater and red diesel tank for the air/water heater. There are also speakers mounted above the sliding door and the floor is black wood effect lino.
The wetroom has a black wall mounted shower with direct feeds from the cold and hot water through a wall mounted mixer tap. The basin has a black waterfall effect tap with an adjustable spout. All water is directed to the floor level where it drains through to the grey water tank underneath. In the corner theres some storage for toiletries and towels and a portable toilet next to the door.
The bedroom area has a fixed double futon mattress, storage above the rear doors and a few elasticated netted pockets. The mattress can be rolled back and the center piece of the bed relocated to access the Solar equipment, main fuses, a drawer unit for tools, the fresh water filter pump and accumulator, and access panels for both lpg regulator and tank itself. This area works as a tool bench and there is another bench that pulls out from the rear once the doors are open. You can also access the solar area through a hatch built into the bed base, or by removing the bamboo screen from the main van space.
There are 220v plug sockets located in hidden spots, and plenty of usb sockets for all your charging needs.
The roof was cleaned down and both the skylight and fiamma turbo vent are sealed perfectly with no leak whatsoever. To maximise solar yield, I made a customised roof rack system using Uti-rack roofing system and legs, and an aluminium frame. The solar panels were then bolted in place and the front and rear flood lights installed. There are also cameras on the front and back which is useful when reversing.
During the work carried out the the van, most locks had to be replaced so there are now 3 keys; front doors and ignition, side door and rear door. I’ve also had to replace the rear section of exhaust recently.
All panels are in very good condition considering its age, however there are a few rust spots becoming more noticeable and will no doubt need a little tlc in the near future, but there are no major dents or scratches.
Solar specs
1000w solar panels (4x 250w)
220ah 24v Victron Sealed batteries (2x 12v)
Victron MPPT solar controller
Victron Smart shunt
Victron Power inverter for mains power
Victron 12v converter
Conversion features
Underslung LPG tank
Underslung grey water tank 75l
Underslung fresh water 100l
4x 250W solar panels (1000W)
Victron Solar MPPT 150 l 85 MC4 VE.Can
Victron Shunt
2x Victron sealed 12v 220ah batteries
Victron inverter – mains power – Pheonix 24 l 500
Victron 12v inverter – 12v circuits
Generic 12v inverter
12v LED lighting throughout
Bluetooth amp, speakers, subwoofer
USB charging points
Sureflo filter
Sureflo pump
Fiamma accumulator
3KW Chinese diesel air/water heater
45l Hot water tank heated by deisel heater
Cold filtered water
Shower wet room
Fiamma Turbo Vent Crysral 40
40cm Storm hatch skylight
Roof rack (Ulti Bar 5 Bar System)
Reversing camera and screen in cab
Flood lighting (4 front, 2 rear)
Hidden Safe
Generator
Shore hook up
I didn’t get around to installing this, but all the bits will be included.
All soft furnishings (apart from the futon and cover) will be removed for the sale.
More pictures avaialble but viewings recommeded and available on request.
Price as advertised but we would consider sensible offers. Just get in touch.
Double fixed bed at the rear
Sofa can be converted to a small single bed.
The contact details for this vehicle are no longer available because it has either sold or the listing has expired.
Insurance options are available through our partner, Ripe Insurance.
Get tips, tricks, ideas and advice for your campervan conversion, with the ultimate Quirky Campers Conversion Guide.
