Automotive

Boat building techniques transform Mercedes Sprinter into dream motor home

Boat building techniques transform Mercedes Sprinter into dream motor home
The Jubel Explorer is stylish, comfortable and packed with all the desired features for traveling
The Jubel Explorer is stylish, comfortable and packed with all the desired features for traveling
View 43 Images
The layout of the sleeping area was inspired by old inland watercraft found in England
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The layout of the sleeping area was inspired by old inland watercraft found in England
Interior of the Jubel Explorer by This Moving House
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Interior of the Jubel Explorer by This Moving House
Completed in March 2019 the Jubel Explorer is built on a long wheel base Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316
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Completed in March 2019 the Jubel Explorer is built on a long wheel base Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316
The heart of the motor home features bespoke mini kitchen and sleeping quarters
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The heart of the motor home features bespoke mini kitchen and sleeping quarters
The arched roof lines and open space give the impression of more room
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The arched roof lines and open space give the impression of more room
The kitchen features this beautiful custom made lightweight basin
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The kitchen features this beautiful custom made lightweight basin
The stacked beds and open plan are both cosy and liveable at the same time
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The stacked beds and open plan are both cosy and liveable at the same time
Cute kitchen has everthing one needs for living on the go
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Cute kitchen has everthing one needs for living on the go
Kitchen with LPG double stove top, custom made light weight basin and 50 liter fridge
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Kitchen with LPG double stove top, custom made light weight basin and 50 liter fridge
The Jubel Explorer is stylish, comfortable and packed with all the desired features for traveling
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The Jubel Explorer is stylish, comfortable and packed with all the desired features for traveling
Special touches and attention to details in the kitchen
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Special touches and attention to details in the kitchen
Steps lead up to the first bunk pod
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Steps lead up to the first bunk pod
Storage is also found beneath the bed
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Storage is also found beneath the bed
Stepping inside this van is like stepping into a home not a camper
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Stepping inside this van is like stepping into a home not a camper
Pop up table creates a casual dining area
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Pop up table creates a casual dining area
Front seats of the van swivel 180 degrees to face the passenger seats
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Front seats of the van swivel 180 degrees to face the passenger seats
A pop up table creates a casual dining area or workspace
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A pop up table creates a casual dining area or workspace
View into the dining quarters
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View into the dining quarters
Overhead view above the sink
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Overhead view above the sink
Additional bench spaces slides out
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Additional bench spaces slides out
Mini fridge is hidden beneath the sink
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Mini fridge is hidden beneath the sink
Drawers as deep as the double bed
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Drawers as deep as the double bed
Lots of room for storage here
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Lots of room for storage here
Space saving drawers make room for clothes and shoes
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Space saving drawers make room for clothes and shoes
The drawers easily slide out
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The drawers easily slide out
More storage hidden in the steps
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More storage hidden in the steps
Jubel Explorer has so many hidden treasures
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Jubel Explorer has so many hidden treasures
View out the window from the kitchen is a classic tiny house touch
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View out the window from the kitchen is a classic tiny house touch
Night time light feature sets the ambience
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Night time light feature sets the ambience 
The fixed beds are the standout feature of the van
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The fixed beds are the standout feature of the van
Extra storage in the kitchen is perfect for food staples
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Extra storage in the kitchen is perfect for food staples
The bunks can double as private spaces for the kids to play
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The bunks can double as private spaces for the kids to play
The layout of the sleeping area was inspired by old inland watercraft found in England
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The layout of the sleeping area was inspired by old inland watercraft found in England
Rear storage and nice design touches
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Rear storage and nice design touches
Plenty more hidden storage here
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Plenty more hidden storage here
The passengers seats make a cosy lounge substitute
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The passengers seats make a cosy lounge substitute
The added bonus of this specific conversions is its creative stacked pod beds, allowing the mobile home to sleep up to four adults comfortably
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The added bonus of this specific conversions is its creative stacked pod beds, allowing the mobile home to sleep up to four adults comfortably
The vertical matchboard styling is a classic interior design trick to give the illusion of additional headroom
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The vertical matchboard styling is a classic interior design trick to give the illusion of additional headroom
Jubel Explorer boasts an interior design that was inspired from boat buildingtechniques
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Jubel Explorer boasts an interior design that was inspired from boat buildingtechniques 
Keeping the color schemes fresh, the camper is filled with light and space
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Keeping the color schemes fresh, the camper is filled with light and space
Stepping inside the Jubel Explorer, the mobile home is stylish, comfortable and jammed packed with all the desired features for travelling
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Stepping inside the Jubel Explorer, the mobile home is stylish, comfortable and jammed packed with all the desired features for travelling
Access to the top bunk is via the main double bed
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Access to the top bunk is via the main double bed
The vertical matchboard styling is a classic interior design trick to give the illusion of additional headroom
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The vertical matchboard styling is a classic interior design trick to give the illusion of additional headroom
View gallery - 43 images

British campervan and tiny house enthusiast Jack Richens from This Moving House has recently converted a Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316 into a stunning mobile home. Following the success of his Culinatour Van, this new conversion is jam-packed with space-saving features. Dubbed Jubel Explorer, the bespoke campervan boasts an interior design that was inspired from boat building techniques and maritime themes. The added bonus of this specific conversion is its creative stacked pod beds, allowing the mobile home to sleep up to four adults comfortably.

"The styling of the interior takes quite a few cues from watercraft and other nautical themes," Richens tells New Atlas. "The overall color scheme and furnishings of this van is the best yet. It's come together so nicely and we're all really impressed with how well the various elements of paint schemes, fabrics and wood finished complemented one another."

The added bonus of this specific conversions is its creative stacked pod beds, allowing the mobile home to sleep up to four adults comfortably
The added bonus of this specific conversions is its creative stacked pod beds, allowing the mobile home to sleep up to four adults comfortably

Richens chose to convert the Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316 for its overall space, reliability and the possibility to achieve his desired modifications. He was able to create an interior living space of 14 sq m (150 sq ft), from the workable rear of the van which measured 4.4 m (14.4 ft) long and 1.7 m (5.6 ft) wide.

"I've been driving Sprinters for many years and found them to be very reliable and well documented vehicles," says Richens. "Some of the other commercial vehicle manufacturers keep the details of parts and systems confidential which can make modification work very hard. Mercedes seems to be a bit more open with its documentation. Also, Sprinters look really quite nice. They've put some effort into the aesthetics of the bodywork."

Stepping inside the Jubel Explorer, the mobile home is stylish, comfortable and packed with all the desired features for traveling. Keeping the color schemes fresh, the camper is filled with light and space, while the vertical matchboard styling is a classic interior design trick to give the illusion of additional headroom.

"By keeping the roof curved and avoiding edges and storage above elbow height the interior space flows and opens up," Richens explains. "A lot of campervans use storage lockers at head height which really encroaches on space, great if that's what you need. But we try to keep the top of the conversion clear and develop storage space low down to maintain the open area of the van."

Additional bench spaces slides out
Additional bench spaces slides out

The complete conversion boasts a fixed double bed at the rear of the van; two elevated sleeping pods which can accommodate adults as well as kids; a mini kitchen with LPG double stove top, custom made light weight basin and 50 liter (13 gal) fridge; 12 V electrics throughout; 110 Ah battery and charging systems; 240 V electrical hook up; 80 liter (21 gal) of freshwater tanks; Eberspacher diesel heater; porta-potti toilet; removable rear passenger seat and swivel captains seats in the front cab; plus an abundance of storage space throughout the van. Furthermore, the front seats of the van swivel 180 degrees to face the passenger seats, where a pop up table creates a casual dining area or workspace.

The fixed beds are the standout feature of the van
The fixed beds are the standout feature of the van

The fixed beds are the standout feature of the van. As there is no need to set them up or fold them away, the bunks can double as private spaces for the kids to play. The main bed can also be used as a large, comfy lounge or retreat area during the day.

"The layout of the sleeping area was inspired by old inland watercraft that you would find in England, they used a lot of smart space saving techniques and we adopted some of those to create the stacked bed bunks," says Richens. "Each area feels separate and you do get the impression that you're in a small apartment with an element of privacy in each, which is unusual for a campervan."

Space saving drawers make room for clothes and shoes
Space saving drawers make room for clothes and shoes

To maximize storage space, Richens included large slide out drawers beneath the bed, in addition to a pair of drawers that slide out from the front of the van for extra storage. More storage can also be found under the steps and beneath the porta-potti toilet.

The Jubel Explorer took four months to complete, with the total conversion costing £24,000 (about US$ 31,385) to build. It was commissioned for a family of four who are currently traveling around Europe in it in true van life style.

Source: This Moving House

View gallery - 43 images
3 comments
3 comments
ChairmanLMAO
haha moneybags. how long does he think family of 4 is gonna be able to live in that? i know someone who wants it when they are done:) ME!!!
Tony Loro
Daddy I have to pee. Honey we will find a place soon. Really? This is a cruiser Without a bathroom and a shower what a waste
bullfrog84
Boats typically have bathrooms, but still something I've been wanting to do.