THE BUILD PHILOSPHY
Boreas is the newest van build from our shop in Aspen, Colorado: a 2024 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 144" with all-wheel drive and the four-cylinder turbo diesel. In Greek mythology, Boreas is the god of the cold north wind and winter storms. We took that name to heart and used it as inspiration for the ethos behind the build. See the full build page here.
The goal was a true four-season camper van. That meant heavy insulation, strong climate control for both winter and summer, and a build that feels rugged but refined. Boreas is just as comfortable as a daily driver as it is parked off grid at a remote trailhead.
Here's a full rundown of the exterior, the interior systems, and the feature everyone asks about: the shower hidden in the floor.
The Exterior
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires
A suspension upgrade is standard on nearly every van we build. Boreas runs the Van Compass Stage 4.3 kit with Falcon adjustable shocks, a setup that has been our go-to for years.
This is our first build on Reika Rambler wheels, and the bronze finish pops against this paint color. They're wrapped in Falken Wildpeak A/T tires, which offer great road compliance and run noticeably quieter than many all-terrain tires we've tried.
Steps, Lighting, and Awning
Most Sprinters sit high enough that a step makes life easier. We chose Owl Vans steps because they're rock solid and pet friendly, with very little chance of a paw getting caught. They take effort to install, but they've proven themselves on build after build.
Outside, Rigid amber scene lights are switched from inside the van. Amber light attracts far fewer bugs than white, and it lights up camp without being harsh.
Above the lights is a 10'1" Thule HideAway awning. We riv-nutted the awning cleats to the side of the van so any single cleat can be replaced if it ever breaks. Thule also offers a great range of accessories for walling in the awning when the weather turns.
Windows
VanSpeed capsule windows with sliding screens sit at the bunk, which allows side-to-side sleeping. They're also easier to trim out on the inside, which gives the interior a cleaner finish.
Rear Carrier and Bike Rack
Out back, the Owl Vans ladder and tire carrier holds a full-size spare that we relocated from under the van. We paired it with a Kuat Pivot XD, a heavy-duty swing-out base for a bike rack. It swings fully loaded bikes out to the side and locks at 90 or 120 degrees, clears the spare, and even acts as a bump stop if someone backs into you.
Roof Systems
Up top, a WOLFBOX Pro rear camera on an adjustable mount feeds a 4K digital rearview mirror up front. A Starlink Standard panel is powered from inside, so Wi-Fi is one switch away.
Rounding out the roof are a 225-watt solar array, a MaxxAir 7500K roof vent, and a Nomadic Cooling 48-volt air conditioner.
The Cockpit
Remote Start
A lock, unlock, lock sequence on the factory key fob triggers the Mid-City Engineering remote start. It also sets a high idle around 1,500 RPM, so the engine, heat, radio, and heated seats are ready before you climb in.
Digital Rearview Mirror
The WOLFBOX G900 Pro pairs the rear camera with a front camera. The adjustable lens and split-view option eliminate the Sprinter's blind spots.
Audio Upgrade
We added a powered subwoofer under the passenger seat, split the left and right channels to new overhead speakers behind the cab, and added a crossover to tone down the center speaker. It's a big improvement without a lot of extra components.
Seat Swivels
Factory swivels keep the pedestal low, and we program the seat memory presets so the seat slides into position for swiveling and back again with one button.
Headliner Shelf
A Van Wife Components shelf adds storage up front.
Window Covers and Bug Wall
Insulated window covers black out the van at night. The bug wall uses screen mesh with a magnetic opening and rolls out of the way when not needed. Its opening sits at the front of the step, which works well on a van like this with a galley at the door.
The Living Space
Window and Workstation
The Tern Overland window was one of the biggest challenges of this build. Its awning-style, top-up and bottom-down design is excellent, but the location we chose made installation tricky. It took time, and the result is worth it: the window opens up the whole space.
Below it, a small bench with a custom cushion works as a laptop station or a cozy dinette. A drawer underneath uses a magnetic closure so it stays shut while driving. A small overhead cabinet holds pantry items, and the Victron control unit for the power system sits just above.
Materials and Countertop
All of the furniture in Boreas is built from our ABS-laminated 12mm Baltic birch. It's strong, durable, and looks great. The galley is topped with a 1" beech countertop that Dylan finished and scribed beautifully into the C-pillar, along with a deep Tec Vanlife sink.
Storage and Controls
The galley includes a centralized switch panel with custom switch plates for lights, the water pump, and entry lighting. A small tip-out and a drawer add storage, there's room under the sink for trash and recycling, and a magnetic paper towel holder is mounted nearby.
The Full Stack
A full-height stack houses the refrigerator, the microwave, and a tambour-door pantry. The pantry holds the induction cooktop and pots and pans, all magnetically secured so nothing rattles on the road.
The fridge is an Isotherm Freeline 115, chosen for its large freezer.
Full-Height Closet
A full-length closet holds jackets, hanging gear, shoes, and boots, so none of it ends up cluttering the living space.
The Hidden Toilet
The toilet is built into its own compartment in the galley. The Laveo Dry Flush rides on a slide-out tray for light use in place, and it lifts off the tray to move outside or elsewhere in the van for heavier use. It's clean, odor-free, and genuinely clever technology for van use.
The C-Pillar Power Hub
The C-pillar behind the slider door is the nerve spine of this van, and all of its wiring stays accessible. Here you'll find a rechargeable Bose portable wireless speaker, USB charging, and AC power for appliances like the induction cooktop.
It also houses the Webasto Dual Top digital controller, which runs the furnace and water heater. It can be programmed to warm the van before you wake up or keep water just above freezing.
The Rear
Murphy Bed
Boreas is set up for side-to-side sleeping, made possible by the capsule windows. Dylan built the Murphy bed by hand to keep the walkway open while keeping the panel light and manageable. When it folds down, a folding mattress goes on top and you're in. Because the bed sits a little higher, we added a pull-out step with built-in storage to make climbing in easy.
Every spare inch around the bed became a drawer or open cubby. That means clothes in one spot and bike gear, helmets, and riding layers in another, so the van stays uncluttered.
Plumbing
The passenger side houses the water system. A 30-gallon fresh water tank sits over the wheel well, with plumbing and fixtures right beside it. Fresh and hot water feed both the galley sink and an exterior spray shower at the rear.
The 48-Volt Power System
The driver-side rear cabinets hold the electrical system. Behind an inscribed WRO logo panel sits a 7.2 kWh lithium battery bank. Below it are the Victron inverter, a DC-to-DC converter, and a Wakespeed alternator regulator.
Boreas charges three ways. A Nations high-output alternator rapidly charges the battery bank while driving. The 225-watt rooftop solar array feeds in through an MPPT charge controller. A shore power connection charges the batteries and supplies AC power throughout the van.
The Garage
The rear passenger side holds the water fill, the exterior hot shower, and a switch for the garage lights. The driver side adds L-track, small-item storage, a work light, and an AC outlet.
Climate, Lighting, and Comfort
Climate Control
The MaxxAir 7500K roof vent has been our go-to for years. Its extended rear shroud keeps moisture out, and it runs quietly at multiple speeds, pulling air in or pushing it out.
For summer, the Nomadic Cooling V3 48-volt air conditioner stays quiet while pushing plenty of cold air to the front or rear. Because it runs on the 48-volt system, it sips power and can run on low for hours on hot days. For Colorado winters, the Webasto Dual Top handles heat and hot water.
Lighting
We used dimmable warm LED lighting throughout, split into three overhead zones: the bed, the front cabinets, and the entry. Multicolor pathway lighting, set to red here, works as a nightlight. Small touch lights under the overhead cabinets illuminate the space beneath the bed, which is handy when you're staging gear for a ride.
Work and Entertainment
With Starlink on the roof, Boreas is ready for remote work. A small swing-arm TV doubles as a monitor and can be viewed from the bed or swung toward the front for a game or a movie.
Interior Finishes
The walls are skinned in woven vinyl fabric, and the floor is 2tec2 woven vinyl. Both are durable and soft.
The Hidden Floor Shower
A Signature Feature
Nothing beats a hot shower after a sweaty day on the trail, and a hidden floor shower has become one of our signature Sprinter van features.
Roll back the custom carpet insert and you'll find a teak mat over a recessed shower pan. We cut out part of the floor and dropped the pan in, with the gray water tank directly below. That tank collects water from both the shower and the galley sink.
Setup
Setup takes just a few minutes. Slide the splash guards into place to keep water contained, then unclip the curtain rod assembly stowed above the slider door, where a simple butterfly clasp holds it in place.
Hang the curtain, set the mixing valve to a warm temperature, and turn on the water pump. Finally, plug the shower hose into the quick-connect fitting on the side of the galley and step in.
Ready to Build Your Own Four-Season Rig?
Boreas brings together everything we've learned about building vans that work in every season: serious insulation, efficient 48-volt power, thoughtful storage, and the small details that make life on the road easier.
If you're dreaming up your own camper van or overland vehicle, we'd love to help. Start your project here to begin planning your overland build.
