Overlanding is growing in popularity as more and more people are leaving the paved road to explore remote areas in their vehicles. When you’re overlanding, you need to be able to rely on your vehicle to carry equipment, supplies, and everything else you might need to remain comfortable until you return to the pavement and civilization. Many overlanding enthusiasts use the Mercedes Sprinter as their preferred off-road vehicle for its spacious interior, 4-wheel drive, cargo capacity, and versatility. But even this excellent overlanding vehicle might need some upgrades to give you the best experience as you venture into the unknown and unpaved. This guide covers the best overlanding upgrades for Mercedes Sprinter owners.
Roof Racks for Maximum Cargo Capacity
Storage remains one of the biggest considerations for any overland vehicle. Interior space can fill up quickly with food, water, tools, camping equipment, recovery gear, and recreational equipment. A high-quality roof rack dramatically increases your cargo space while keeping your van’s interior organized. Sprinter roof rack systems go beyond being rails and can support a number of accessories, including the following:
● Cargo boxes
● Recovery boards
● Solar panels
● Rooftop storage cases
● Kayaks
● Paddleboards
● Bikes
● Awning systems
● Utility lighting
Always keep durability in mind when choosing a roof rack. Aluminum provides excellent durability while adding a minimal amount of weight to your Sprinter. Modular designs allow you to expand or redesign your storage setup as your travel and storage needs change.
Ladders for Safer Roof Access
That roof rack isn’t going to do you much good if you can’t easily access it. A rear ladder provides secure access to your rooftop storage without requiring a portable step stool or forcing you to climb on your van’s tires. Loading gear, cleaning rooftop solar panels, checking roof-mounted equipment, and accessing storage boxes all become much easier with a ladder. Here’s what you should look for when choosing one:
● Strong aluminum construction
● Secure mounting points
● Corrosion-resistant finishes
● Comfortable climbing angles
● Compatibility with roof rack systems
A ladder can improve daily convenience while reducing unnecessary wear on doors and body panels, so don’t dismiss it out of hand because of its simplicity. Oftentimes, it’s the simplest upgrades that can make the biggest difference.
Side Steps for Better Usability
It’s not only your rooftop that can sometimes be difficult to access. Mercedes Sprinters naturally sit higher than your standard passenger vehicle, especially when they’re equipped with all-terrain tires and suspension upgrades for off-road driving. Side steps improve accessibility for the driver and the passengers, while also making it easier to load cargo inside the van. That extra step can be especially important if any of your off-roading companions are children, elderly, disabled, or otherwise struggle with very high steps.
You should look for side steps that have slip-resistant surfaces and durable powder-coated finishes. Make sure to check their weight capacity, and always buy one that offers a higher capacity than you think you’ll need. Ultimately, durability and safety are the top priorities when buying side steps for your van.
Skid Plates for Underbody Protection
Driving through remote places can really put your van’s underbody through the wringer. Rocks, ruts, exposed roots, and uneven terrain can damage vulnerable parts under the van that are expensive and difficult to repair, especially when you’ve driven far from civilization. Skid plates add a protective barrier to the underside of your Sprinter to protect things like the oil pan, transmission, fuel tank, steering components, and more.
Look for heavy-duty aluminum or steel skid plates, as these are best suited to absorbing impacts while allowing your van to slide over obstacles that would otherwise cause serious damage. This added protection is invaluable when the nearest repair shop could be hundreds of miles away.
Heavy-Duty Bumpers for Added Protection and Utility
The front bumper is often the first point of contact when you run headlong into an off-road obstacle. Factory bumpers aren’t generally built for the impacts of off-road driving. A heavy-duty replacement bumper can improve protection for your van’s front end while allowing you to add on extra accessories. Things like additional recovery points, winches, auxiliary lighting, and brush protection are all important add-ons for overlanding, but you need a durable bumper to do it, so make sure you’re looking for something that’s built for this kind of driving.
Recovery Equipment for Remote Adventures
Recovery equipment is a key tool for off-road driving. It’s vital that, should you find yourself stuck while overlanding, you have the tools needed to get yourself out. Your Sprinter should have winches, recovery boards, tow straps, built-in recovery points, and other tools for freeing yourself and others from tight spots. Having proper recovery equipment gives you a little extra security while reducing your reliance on outside assistance that might not be available in remote areas.
Tire Carriers for Easy Spare Tire Access
On a similar note, your spare tire shouldn’t be an undersized donut if you’re going to be driving off-road. But larger, all-terrain tires are usually too large for the standard spare tire locations. That’s why all overlanding builds should have a rear door tire carrier. These rear-mounted storage spaces securely hold your full-sized spare where you can easily access it when you need it, so you can get back to driving.
Utility Upgrades for Your Comfort
Finally, don’t let functionality completely overshadow the importance of comfort. Your overlanding build should have auxiliary batteries, additional lighting, and even solar integration to give you the complete overland experience. Ventilation is also important to keeping the interior of your van at a comfortable temperature, giving you the option of sleeping comfortably in your Sprinter even when the engine is off. If you plan to go on long-distance overland adventures, all of these utility upgrades can make the trip much more enjoyable.
If you would like to learn more about Mercedes Sprinter accessories to build out your own overlanding adventure rig, check out the accessories and off-roading gear available from ROAMBUILT today.