New Price $115,000 (Originally $129,000)
52,000k mostly freeway miles (not a daily driver, garaged when not in use). Meticulously maintained with all scheduled maintenance done by Mercedes service center, including service B.
Barbie is up for sale! That’s right, her name is Barbie. I put well over 30k in modifications and spent years making her the capable off the grid rig that she is now, adding the comforts and performance that don’t come stock in a Revel.
I addressed all the issues that stock Revels have; Limited storage, limited battery power, limited solar, limited cold weather performance, limited refrigerator space. I also wanted a van that had flexibility for the different activities I do. Surfing, fishing, hunting, paddling.
Barbie can carry over six surfboards, including longboards, several fishing rods, including spey rods. Shot guns, bikes, kayaks, all without impeding in the living space. After spending all this time modifying her, a second puppy named Astro came into my life and a girlfriend with an untrained 70 pound one eye pitbull named Sugar. Barbie became too small and now I we are moving to a Winnabego Ekko. A couple of interesting facts. The toilet has only been used to store fruits, if you are the kind of person who likes to poop in a van you get to baptize it. The bed was only used with a 2 inch memory foam, so the bed is like new. If you are a germaphobe like I am, that should mean something. I am happy to include the momemory pad, but that’s at your own risk. If you are interested in finding out more about Barbie, read the descriptions down below with why and how. If you get to the end of the list you will get a sense of the amount of time and effort that was spent modifying this van to make it a perfect adventure mobile.
FOR A VIDEO TOUR OF THE INTERIOR MODS WATCH THIS VIDEO. For major MODS scroll down.
ROAM RIG 400amps LITHUM BATTERY UPGRADE. This upgrade was the most difficult one to justify with a price tag of 15k. However, it’s a must and expandable to 600amps, even though I never felt the necessity for 600amps.
WARN 1200 POUNDS WINCH WITH HIDDEN VAN COMPASS BUMPER WITH SYNTHETIC ROPE
ON BOARD VIAAIR 400P COMPRESSOR WITH LINES
WINTER PACKAGE: Added extra insulation and window covers for all windows. Drove to Rixen Enterprises (the builders of the furnace) in OR to replace the original heater pump with a more powerful and quiet one. The system is now more efficient and quiet allowing me to camp comfortably in below 0 temperatures.
445 Watt SOLAR (with upgraded solar controller): You can’t never have too much solar. I created a solid solar panel surface over the roof with a tiltable last panel to maximize input. The platform also doubles as roof sunshade keeping the van much cooler in the heat as it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
WINDOW REPLACEMENT: Replaced the sliding door small window with a full size window with foldable insulation cover. Not only the original widow blew up on me on a windy day (they are known for doing that) but had nearly no view to the outside. I also installed a window with a rear sliding panel for venting the stove when cooking (I use a small 12V fan on the window when cooking)
WEBOOSTER BOOSTER: If you are planning to explore areas with weak cell signal I installed a WE BOOSTER that can be turned on from the driver’s seat while driving. It’s connected to the house battery so as not to risk draining the chassis battery (it does use a lot of power). The antenna can be folded down if not in use. Also shown in the photo a roof mounted yakima rack for kayaks and longer boards.
CASCADIA 100W HOOD SOLAR PANELS FOR THE CHASSIS: The 2020 Revel comes with a motorized sliding door, which is great when you are driving around. But it will drain your battery in 2 days when camping. Also, Barbie is a smart girl and she is always thinking. Not sure about what, but she will drain your battery if you let her sit for too long. The chassis solar panel was a game changer.
ALUMINESS SIDE BAR, SIDE LADDER, SURFBORDS MOUNTS.
ALUMINESS HORIZONTAL REAR PASSENGER DOOR BIKE RACK/TIRE HOLDER. For flexibility I am using this holder a little differently from what it was meant to be. I can use it with Yakima Bike Racks to hold bikes (Which I can include) or Trasharoo Bag, to carry gear or firewood, or a surfboard rack I designed to carry up to 4 under 8 foot surfboards (Which I can also include, the rack, not the surfboards). I imagine it could carry a whitewater kayak. I love having this flexibility. I do have the tire holder that came with it for people who want to mount their tire in the back. I also have a brand new large aluminess box that I could sell.
REAR DOOR LADDER WITH BOX AND LIP FOR STORAGE.
ADDED AN ADDITIONAL MAXXAIR. I removed the A.C. and replaced it with a 2nd MAXXAIR fan. I know some of you may start screaming at this mod but please stay with me. Having close to 100 pounds of weight on top of a narrow 10 foot van is a very bad idea. It creates what I call the hammer effect. Removing that weight up high makes it drive so much better on any dirt road but even going over speed bumps or driveways. It doesn’t swing nearly as much. Also, I have experienced the recent 100+ degree weather with it and two fans created so much airflow that even in those temperatures it was bearable. In anything below 90 degrees it’s 100% comfortable. And if you are still skeptical, all the wiring was installed by RoamRig to run an A.C. from there and it would be an easy swap as the opening hasn’t changed. But I highly discourage it. Some might say, why don’t you upgrade the suspension? I am very opposed to upgrading suspensions after coming from a Sportmobile with a top of the line 8 inch lift and suspension. Performance off-road suspension stiffens up the vehicles and puts a lot of stress on the camper part of the rig. So much broke on that Sportsmobile and I was very happy to see her go. Truth is, you are not buying a vehicle to go off-roading. You are buying a rig to go on dirt roads. My motto is, go slow, if you need to, crack a beer and turn on some tunes. You’ll get there.
MATCHING SPARE TIRE/RIM. As crazy as it may sound but 2020 Revels didn’t come with a spare tire. Because the battery system was too heavy. Between the AGM battery removal and A.C. I took out close to 300 pounds.
GALLEY MODIFICATION: I modified the galley so that the stove is removable and a very large storage area can be used under the stove. In the photo you can see all of my pots and pans. 5 to be exact including one large 8 quart pot. There is space left.
PREPPING TABLE: I am italian and like to cook and the revel doesn’t have enough space for prepping a proper meal. I built a table that comes out behind the seat to use as a prep/work station.
SHOE STORAGE: Unfortunately this is one of my most recent additions because it’s a another game changer. I made a shoe box right in between the two chairs that is low enough to allow chairs to swing and it turns into a side table when camping. Makes it a little more challenging to go in and out from the front but well worth it.
GARAGE MODIFICATION: I added a lounge/storage system that combined with a padded refrigerator that doubles as a seat and dog pad, works as an office space/eating area and dog hang out. Everything fits like a puzzle and can be easily removed to the original garage or partially removed. The dog bed also doubles as a bed platform for the front seat as it was designed to fit over the seat into the glove compartment. For extra storage I added a floor storage compartment for my Dyson Vacuum cleaner, other accessories and a charging station. Please don’t judge me, I like my space clean. In front of the lounge area there is a storage solution with pockets including a pocket for a laptop and ipad and a charging strip nearby for safe charging while driving.
SHELF ADDITIONS: I added one shelf in the shower and 2 in the side pantry. Shower was only used as a storage for food.
STORAGE NETS ALL THROUGHOUT: I added several strategic nets for storing everything from hoses, to cell phones, to charging cables, books.
MANY MORE ADDITIONS: There are many more little additions but I can’t list them all. Like bungee cords on the cabinets, so that your coffee cup doesn’t fall on your glass stove and crack it when you open it. Yes, it has happened. Or a strapping system for your cab shades over the cab, or in the bedroom for your guns (if you are one of those people) or fly rods (if you are that other kind). Or the modified bed with bins under the mattress to fit your first aid kit, meds and recovery kits. Knife magnet (only when camped, please) and paper towel holder. Everything in this van has been thought out to the most minute detail to maximize comfort and storage.
STANDARD FEATURES THAT COME WITH A REVEL
44E 4X4 Sprinter Mercedes Turbo Diesel. Fully Featured Four Wheel Drive Mercedes Chassis, 3.0L 6-Cylinder, 188-hp, Diesel Engine, 7G-Tronic Automatic Transmission, 220-amp. Alternator
On-demand 4WD w/Low Range Electronic Stability, and Traction Control.
4-Wheel ABS Brakes
Solar Panel/Battery Chargers
2,000 watts AC/DC Inverter ChargerRear Bedroom with Power Lift Bed Flex Bed System
Flexible Showerhead
Wet Bath 31’x26′ w/2 Removable Shelves Convert to Wet Storage Cabinet, Removable Clothes Hanger, Swiveling Cassette Toilet
Induction Stove Top
Larger 3.0 cu. ft. Compressor Driven Refrigerator/Freezer
Pantry
Fold-Down Exterior Table Design
Pedestal Dining Table With 3 Point Seat Belt
Tinted Dual-Pane Euro Acrylic Windows
Radio/Rearview Monitor System
10′ LCD Color Touch Screen
Bluetooth/Nav/Apps/Media
Color Rear Camera
Chassis/Coach Battery Radio Power Switch
Cab Seats Slide/Swivel/Recline
Dual Airbags, Cruise Control
12-volt Powerpoints
Folding Privacy Screens For Cab Door Windows
Keyless Entry with Remote,
Trailer Hitch 5,000-lb. Drawbar/500-lb. Maximum Vertical Tongue Weight
Side Screen Door
Rear Screen Door
Powered Patio Awning With Bluetooth Controls
Porch Light with Interior Switch
Running Boards with Ground Effect Lighting
Hydronic Heating System
Heated Gray Water Holding Tank
Insulated/Heated Fresh Water Tank
Method Wheels
Where are you located?
Montana