If you’re going to have an adventure, you’ll want to be familiar with sunk-cost bias. It’s the idea that if you’ve spent a lot of time, money, or energy trying to accomplish a goal, you’ll be inclined to keep at it even if quitting is the wiser move. You know Green Boots, the man whose frozen corpse is a landmark on the northeast route to the summit of Mount Everest? That’s about the worst possible outcome when you make the wrong decision. I’ve never been on the kind of adventure that could end with my dead body getting its own Wikipedia page, but I’ve tried to absorb the message.

Mercedes-Benz Metris Camper

Last year presented plenty of opportunities for well-considered bailing. Ahead of Thanksgiving, I spent weeks waffling over whether to attend the multifamily dinner that was in the works before deciding to err on the side of caution, coronavirus-wise. I called my mother (who was not surprised), secured the new Mercedes-Benz Metris Weekender camper van we had on hand, and started looking for the nearest place where I could count on warm, sunny weather in late November. The notion: Spend the holiday weekend hiking in the Appalachians with my dog, Lentil. I eventually decided to set course for Sarah’s Creek Campground, a spot in northeast Georgia where I hoped I would find an open campsite. I left Ann Arbor much later than planned and, after wrestling the rear seat into a bed, spent the first night of the trip in a rest-stop parking lot. I woke the next morning with grains of sand in my eyes, the result of sharing the bed with Lentil.

We’d been on the road for a few hours the next day when the low-fuel warning light came on. The night before, I’d driven 60 miles after the light came on, so I wasn’t worried. When the engine went silent and the dash lit up 40 miles later, a vision of Lentil and I trudging down the highway, lugging fuel cans, flashed in my mind’s eye. But I was only a quarter-mile from an exit that promised a gas station, so I stayed off the brakes, turned on the hazards, and crossed my fingers. I navigated the exit ramp, made a right turn, passed straight through an intersection—mercifully, the light was green—and went right again at the station entrance, coming to rest at an open pump. Momentum can work to your advantage, too.

The Metris’s ride is smooth for a van, the steering as quick as you’d ever want in a tiny RV. Acceleration from the 208-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four is, yes, a little lackluster, and the seven-speed automatic transmission stumbled once or twice over the mountains, but the Metris makes for an excellent road-trip steed. If you want a new camper van like this one, you have two choices. You can buy one from a cooperating Mercedes dealer (they call it a Getaway) or order a Weekender from Mercedes-approved upfitter Peace Vans. The base passenger version of the Metris will run you $38,335, but Peace says to budget $43,000. The Getaway option through Mercedes adds $25,719. The total cost of a conversion through Peace will depend on the features you choose, but expect to spend roughly $70,000. For a full camper with a kitchen, awning, and auxiliary heater, figure at least $90,000.

When we rolled into Sarah’s Creek just before dark, the best campsite was still free. I unfurled the bolt-on awning, realizing only after I’d done so that there was a long metal hook tucked behind the front seats that would have made the job easier. The Weekender’s pop-up roof bed comes with an intimidating set of instructions, but it only took five minutes to set up. The fabric that formed the sides of the sleeping area had a few tiny holes where it had degraded while it was stowed away. There’s no ladder, so I stood on the swiveled front seats and pulled myself up into the bed like I was climbing out of a swimming pool.

The next morning, I drove to the nearest town and located a promising hiking trail. The trailhead was several miles down an unmaintained dirt switchback that climbed to the top of a small mountain and then back part of the way down to the trail. I drove slowly and pulled over once to let an exuberant dirt biker pass. I was less than one mile from my destination when I came to a sharp left turn that coincided with a steep uphill and perhaps 50 feet of road that may as well have been purpose-built to test axle articulation.

Whenever I encounter a sticky situation while traveling, I ask myself, “What’s the worst that could happen, Green Boots?” This time, I figured the worst-case scenario was that the Metris, with its low ground clearance and long, unathletic body, would fail to navigate the bumps or the hill or the loose gravel and would get stuck or slide off the road and down the hill behind it. I hadn’t had cell signal for miles, so I would then have to abandon the car and hike down to a place where I could call for help.

Calculations made, I executed a many-point turn and drove back to the main road. I found a different trailhead half an hour away where Lentil made his Appalachian Trail debut. Our trip continued, but by this point I’d reached an understanding with the Weekender. It would give me the freedom to roam wherever I pleased and never worry about where I would lay my head at night, as long as I would stop when it said when, no matter how much I wanted to press on.

Via: Car and Driver

With Father’s Day fast approaching and summer just around the corner, it’s time to stock up on the latest gear to conquer whatever warm weather adventures await. Speaking personally, I have a summer to-do list that is a mile long, stacked with a variety of home improvement projects I need to tackle as well as several camping trips woven in to celebrate nature and time outdoors with the family.

The thing I’ve learned about summer is that it’s never long enough – there’s always something that goes unfinished or something that took far too long to complete. And so I set out this year to get everything I need planned and ready, so when the time comes, everything I need is there, ready, in my summer arsenal and at my disposal. And one of the things I’m most excited about is the Generac iQ3500 generator ($1,299). I simply can’t count the number of times I’ve been working outdoors or have been on a camping trip and had issues powering something, whether it be tools, electronics, appliances, the list is endless. So I finally splurged and bought a portable generator – something that in retrospect I should have done years ago – and something that for any of you planning to be outdoors this summer, needs to be at the top of your summer must-have list.

Generac iQ3500 Generator Side

So what is the Generac iQ3500 generator? The simplest way to describe it is as a take-anywhere power source that let’s you run a huge range of devices, whether you’re at home, on the job site or on the road. Utilizing inverter generator technology, the iQ3500 uses a different alternator than conventional generators, the result of which is ultra-clean AC power capable of powering even the most sensitive electronic devices all the way up to power hungry tools and appliances.

If you’re new to generators, like I was, your first question is likely why I chose the iQ3500 over the array of other generators on the market, including those from Generac, and what’s the best way to choose a new generator? I chose Generac due to their overwhelmingly positive reviews and the fact I have multiple family members and friends that all swear by the brand. Generators are something that absolutely must perform when you need them to, and everyone I spoke with had nothing but positive things to say about Generac and their outstanding, accountable performance in a variety of different circumstances.

From there, it was a case of determining which Generac fit my needs, and that’s where Generac made it easy to find the right generator for my applications. As the iQ3500’s name implies, it boasts 3,500 starting watts along with 3,000 running watts, which if you’re new to generators or power consumption needs, doesn’t mean much. So the next thing I needed to do to calculate my generator needs was to add the running watts of each device I wanted to power, and I made sure that my chosen generator could produce at minimum this wattage amount. For the iQ3500, the brochure listed a variety of items and corresponding running watts as general guidelines, which very quickly showed me that the iQ3500 was sized perfectly for what I needed it to do. I’ll talk more about how I’ve used it so far in just a bit, but to give you an example, I’ve used the iQ3500 to power numerous tools, my air compressor and a refrigerator, all without skipping a beat.

If you’re considering a generator to take on the road, as I was, the iQ3500 is ideal, as its small footprint and portability paired with its high power output make it perfect for cross-country excursions.

But before I get into usage, there’s a few other things that led me to choose the iQ3500 that I wanted to mention as well, the first of which is size. In choosing a generator I wanted something that would travel well, and with a footprint of 23.7″ x 18″ x 21.7″, I can easily fit the iQ3500 in the back of my vehicle when traveling or move it around my yard where needed without any trouble. If you’re considering a generator to take on the road, as I was, the iQ3500 is ideal, as its small footprint and portability paired with its high power output make it perfect for cross-country excursions. I’ve already taken it on two camping trips with tremendous success, satisfying everyone in the groups power needs.

The second thing that was vital for me in choosing a generator was noise level. As much as I wanted a generator, one of the things holding me back was the excessive noise typically created by generators, and in this respect, the iQ3500’s inverter technology and insulated enclosure do a superb job limiting noise output. Generac notes the IQ series is 40% quieter than the comparable Honda generator, and I can tell you firsthand the iQ3500 is surprisingly quiet, easily fading into the background when running and never requiring you to change your speech volume to try and talk over it, as required with all other generators I’ve heard. Again, for camping, when trying to enjoy the sounds of nature, tailgating or anything else with more than one person trying to hold a conversation, the iQ3500 is easily the best choice at this power level.

So now that you know why I chose the iQ3500 – ample power output, compact size and quiet operation – let’s get into some of the features the make the generator such an outstanding performer. Unboxing the iQ3500, everything you need is included, meaning you’re ready to go with just a bit of setup. The iQ3500 runs on standard pump fuel (87 octane or higher with 10% or less ethanol) along with a separate oil tank (both oil and a funnel is included). Starting the iQ3500 is done via electric start on the power dial (the battery is included), and there’s a recoil pull start as well, if you prefer a more manual approach.

Generac iQ3500 Generator Control Panel

On the control panel, you’ll find a variety of connections to power an array of devices. There’s one 120V 30A twist lock outlet, two 120V 20A duplex outlets and two USB outlets. The control panel also has a digital smart LCD, providing real time data via a digital wattage meter, run time remaining display, generator status, hour meter and fuel level. And as I’ll discuss next, the control panel is also where you choose power output, with the iQ3500 offering two power modes: full power and eco mode, depending on your required usage. And a final point worth noting – if you need more power, you can also join two iQ3500 generators together in a process called paralleling, which allows you to connect another iQ3500 unit using a Generac Parallel Kit.

Alright, so you’ve read the stats, you’re on the fence, and you want to know how the iQ3500 performs in the real world. For me, the iQ3500 has lived up to its stat sheet beautifully. What I love about the iQ3500 and inverter technology is its flexibility, meaning I can use it with my power tools for work projects just as well as my expensive computer and electronic components. For house projects, some of the things I’ve run include a portable table saw, track saws, a circular saw, drills, and even a 110V welder. I have a multiple acre yard, and it’s impossible to run extension cords if I’m working in certain areas. My only option used to be trekking back and forth to make cuts I needed, then trek back to test the fit, and so on. With the iQ3500 I can literally take my workshop with me and power everything I need, exactly where I’m working. In this respect, if this was the only thing I ever used the iQ3500 for, I’d be perfectly happy – it’s been such a massive time saver.

With the iQ3500 I can literally take my workshop with me and power everything I need, exactly where I’m working… it’s been such a massive time saver.

But on the flip side, the iQ3500s portability and clean power means it’s worked just as well on camping trips, which both me and my family love. I can power my electronic gear and work from the road, my wife loves the ability to power different cooking devices, and we’ve used it to power multiple RV appliances, and in every case it’s handled our power usage with ease. As far as run time, the iQ3500 can operate for almost 9 hours at 50% load in eco mode (or 14 hours at 25% load in eco mode), with a fuel tank capacity of 2.6 gallons.

Overall, the iQ3500 has completely changed the way I work and play for the better.

Do I recommend the Generac iQ3500? 1000% yes. It’s one of those things I didn’t know I needed until I used it, but now that I have, I can’t imagine going back to my pre-generator days. If you need mobile power, and lots of it, the iQ3500 needs to be at the top of your must-buy list this summer.

You can learn more about the Generac iQ3500 at the Generac website, and be sure to grab the iQ3500 brochure for the full rundown of specs as well.

The Marco Polo product family: identical genes, different characters

Independence and everyday practicality in a compact camper van and recreational vehicle: it is a promise the Marco Polo and the Marco Polo ACTIVITY have been living up to since 2015. In January 2017, the product family welcomed a new addition: the Marco Polo HORIZON.

Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo als stilvolle Limited Edition „Designo hyazinthrot metallic“ – Exterieur, serienmäßig in Lackfarbe hyazinthrot metallic und mit Night-Paket
Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo as stylish Limited Edition “Designo hyacinth red metallic” – Exterior, in hyacinth red metallic paint finish and with Night Package as standard

The Marco Polo ACTIVITY, based on the Vito, is above all a functional and versatile companion. Featuring an exceptionally variable interior and comfortable sleeping options for up to five people, the Marco Polo ACTIVITY is aimed at young families as well as at sports enthusiasts and outdoor fans looking for a vehicle both for everyday use and for short holidays and outdoor activities.

The Marco Polo is based on the V-Class and offers space for four people. It is equipped with a kitchenette, wardrobe, swivelling front seats, a bench/berth and roof bed. The compact camper van is the ideal companion for individualists and savourers who like to use their vehicle for longer trips whilst looking to retain as much independence as possible and enjoy familiar living comfort. They also attach importance to style and appreciate everyday practicality.

The Marco Polo HORIZON, based on the V-Class, combines the high-quality design of the Marco Polo with the maximum functionality of the Marco Polo ACTIVITY, thanks to its flexible seating configurations with up to seven seats and sleeping options for up to five people. As such it is the ideal supplement to the portfolio with appeal to additional target groups.

At Caravan Salon Düsseldorf 2017, the first edition models of the Marco Polo HORIZON and new optional equipment features celebrate their premiere.

Limited Edition “Designo hyacinth red metallic” – for a particularly stylish appearance

From September 2017, Mercedes-Benz Vans will be offering their most style-conscious customers in Europe a special limited edition of the Marco Polo HORIZON, the so called Limited Edition “Designo hyacinth red metallic”. The edition model features the elegant paint colour already familiar from certain Mercedes-Benz passenger car models – including the C-Class and E-Class. However, with the Marco Polo HORIZON it comes as standard in combination with the Night Package. The Night Package further enhances the exterior with black design highlights (for more information on the Night Package, see page 4). Additional extras – including, for example, the AMG Line – are available for the Limited Edition “Designo hyacinth red metallic” on request.

The Limited Edition “Designo hyacinth red metallic” in conjunction with the Night Package will also be available for the Marco Polo and the V-Class from September 2017.

Marco Polo HORIZON EDITION – sporty, comfortable, functional and attractively priced

With the Marco Polo HORIZON EDITION, Mercedes-Benz Vans is launching another edition model of its compact recreational vehicle for the German market, with numerous extras to give it a sporty look, additional functionality and comfort as standard and all at an attractive price of 55,750 Euro (including 19 percent VAT). The Marco Polo HORIZON EDITION will be available from September 2017.

The sporty good looks of the Marco Polo HORIZON EDITION are what set it apart from the base model. The Exterior Sports Package, together with metallic paintwork, 17-inch alloy wheels and tinted rear windows, give the vehicle a dynamic appearance. Furthermore, the edition model comes with a separately opening rear window as standard. This makes loading and unloading easier in two respects: on the one hand, it allows a second loading level; on the other – particularly in tight parking spaces – there is no need to open the large liftgate. The Marco Polo HORIZON EDITION also offers increased comfort. The 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission ensures that the vehicle handles nicely. The Parking Package with reversing camera and Active Parking Assist makes parking and reversing in tight spaces much easier. TEMPMATIC air-conditioning ensures that a pleasant temperature is always maintained – including in the rear – and infotainment comes from the on-board Audio 20 CD multimedia system featuring intuitive touchpad control.

New optional equipment features – more scope for individuality

From September 2017, a series of new optional equipment features for the Marco Polo HORIZON and Marco Polo will offer customers even more opportunity to individualise their vehicles with regard to both style and functionality.

Night Package, available for the Marco Polo HORIZON and Marco Polo: The Night Package transforms the Marco Polo HORIZON and Marco Polo models into highly distinguished travelling companions thanks to the inclusion of black design highlights such as: high-sheen black 18-inch alloy wheels, obsidian black metallic exterior mirror casings, a radiator trim with black louvres and chrome inserts and black tinted rear windows. A special highlight is the pop-up roof in black. The pop-up roof is also available on request in the same colour as the vehicle. In conjunction with the AVANTGARDE Exterior Sports Package or the AMG Line the front bumper trim is also painted in black.

Interior Design Package, available for the Marco Polo HORIZON and Marco Polo: Lugano leather seats in black, or in silk beige as an option in the Marco Polo, give the vehicle interior a particularly luxurious feel. This impression is enhanced by a choice of trim finishes including piano lacquer or wood look. A leather steering wheel and brushed aluminium sports pedals round off the Interior Design Package.

Interior Premium Package, available for the Marco Polo HORIZON: Customers opting for the Interior Premium Package for the Marco Polo HORIZON can choose from three colours of high-quality nappa leather: black, in conjunction with a grey roof liner, or either marron or silk beige with a roof liner in porcelain. A leather-covered instrument panel with decorative stitching and ambient lighting in the cockpit and rear complement the high-end interior.

New seating configuration, available for the Marco Polo HORIZON: The Marco Polo HORIZON is available with a variety of different seating configurations. Hitherto these have ranged from the standard five-seater with three-seater bench/berth in the rear and two swivelling front seats to the option of a seven-seater with three-seater bench/berth in the second rear row and two additional single seats in the first rear row. These are now supplemented by the new option of four single comfort seats in the rear.

Mercedes-Benz Vans bolsters the Marco Polo dealer network and taps into new markets

Beyond the extension of the product portfolio in regard to the Marco Polo HORIZON and Marco Polo, Mercedes-Benz Vans also reinforces its camper van expertise in the dealer network and expands its presence in the international camper van market in 2017.

In January 2016 Mercedes-Benz Vans introduced a specialist camper van service at selected dealerships. At the end of 2016 there were 57 sites with special Marco Polo expertise in Germany. This year will see the addition of seven more, with plans to roll out the scheme across other European countries. Along with specially trained sales staff – the so called Marco Polo Experts – the specialist dealerships have Marco Polo models in their showrooms for demonstration purposes and test drives.

The Marco Polo family also adds its own contribution to the “Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global” growth strategy this year. A right-hand-drive Marco Polo has been launched in Great Britain in May 2017. The Marco Polo ACTIVITY celebrated its market premiere in Australia in June 2017. This is the first time a Marco Polo model from the current model series is available overseas.

Entire Marco Polo family with TÜV test mark for “certified occupant protection”

In an accident scenario defined by TÜV Rhineland in 2015, the Marco Polo was the first camper van to have proven in a crash test, over and beyond the conventional testing regime, how well the occupants are protected from the vehicle’s load as well as the stability of the vehicle’s fitted furniture. In this test, the vehicle structure absorbed all the forces generated in a collision at a speed of 56 km/h without any particular deformation in the interior. The built-in units remained intact and the furniture doors closed. In 2017 the Marco Polo HORIZON and the Marco Polo ACTIVITY have likewise received the “certified occupant protection” test mark from TÜV Rhineland.

Further camper van body and conversion solutions based on Mercedes-Benz vans

From the big Sprinter and compact Vito and V-Class to the small Citan, the entire Mercedes-Benz Vans range is a big hit among leading camper van body and conversion specialists.

At this year’s Caravan Salon Düsseldorf, Mercedes-Benz Vans is showcasing a Grand Canyon S from the body manufacturer specialist HYMER and an Independent from CS-Reisemobile on its stand, both based on a Sprinter with all-wheel drive. With the Sprinter 4×4 as a platform vehicle these camper vans can cope easily on unsurfaced or snow-covered roads. Moreover, the brand bearing the three-pointed star shows how the Citan can be transformed into a fully fledged camper van in next to no time with a conversion solution featuring a sleeping module/kitchen module from VanEssa. The sleeping module as well as the kitchen module can be fastened to the existing lashing eyelets in the luggage compartment in a matter of minutes – and once the holiday is over, the camper van can just as quickly be converted back into a normal city car for everyday use.

At the International Exhibition for Caravanning, Motoring and Tourism (CMT) 2016, Mercedes-Benz Vans is presenting a range of new features to enhance the appeal of their popular vehicles for further target groups. From spring 2016, the new AMG Line for the V-Class will also be available for the Marco Polo. The striking AMG bodystyling with redesigned front and rear aprons, 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels and expressive spoiler lip brings a hitherto unknown element of sporty design to the compact camper van segment. The Marco Polo AMG Line can be ordered from February. Another novelty: the Marco Polo is available with customised ex-factory solutions for people with restricted mobility. These solutions range from a knob for turning the steering wheel and hand-control units for accelerating and braking through to the relocation of the accelerator pedal. Mercedes-Benz Vans is also continuing to extend its efforts in the market for individual camper van bodies. The rear-opening SCA pop-up roof is now available for both the V-Class and Vito. It opens up new opportunities for converters and bodybuilders to create individualised layouts.

“The new features allow us to set individual highlights and reach out to further target groups”, according to Jochen Dimter, Head of Sales Mercedes-Benz Vans Germany. “The new Marco Polo was successfully launched last year and has significantly exceeded our expectations. The same is also true of the V-Class and Vito, which continue to grow in popularity as base vehicles for individual conversions and bodies. Over the course of 2015 a further twelve conversion and bodybuilder companies around the world have opted to use the V-Class or Vito – the presence of our midsize vans in the camper van market has never been as varied or as international in scope as it is today.”

Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo ACTIVITY 220 CDI, interior, crystal grey santiago fabric, swivelling front seats, folding table with a scratch-resistant surface, bottle holder and two cup holders

Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo ACTIVITY 220 CDI, interior, crystal grey santiago fabric, swivelling front seats, folding table with a scratch-resistant surface, bottle holder and two cup holders

The new Marco Polo AMG Line – sporty and individual

The Marco Polo AMG Line exudes sportiness and dynamism at first sight. The expressive bodystyling elements of the performance and sports car brand Mercedes-AMG reinforce the progressive design of the compact camper van. The front apron with its prominent air inlets, diamond-pattern mesh and chrome trim, the expressive spoiler lip and the diffuser-look rear apron emphasise the muscular character of the Marco Polo. 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a seven-twin-spoke design round off the sporty appearance. The Marco Polo AMG Line – just as the V-Class AMG Line – furthermore features a 17-inch braking system, brake callipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering and a sports suspension lowered by 15 millimetres with a taut spring and damper setup. The AGILITY CONTROL suspension with frequency-dependent variable damping is available as an option.

The interior, too, reveals signature AMG traits. These include air vents in silver chrome, brushed aluminium sports pedals and carbon-fibre-look trim. The AMG Line is available for all three engine variants (100 kW/136 hp, 120 kW/163 hp and 140 kW/190 hp) as well as for the 4MATIC variants of the Marco Polo.

In addition, the first six months of 2016 will bring a range of further new features that add extra individual flair and enhance the already high-class appeal of the Marco Polo even more. The removable awning, for instance, will in future also be available in anthracite, while the cockpit can be fitted as an option with the ambient lighting feature already familiar from the V-Class. The subtle LED illumination can be dimmed in five stages and, with three different colour tones, allows the setting of an individual lighting mood: neutral (white), solar (amber) and polar (ice blue).

Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo 250 BlueTEC, Exterior, indium grey metallic, EASY UP pop-up roof

Customized driving and mobility aids for the Marco Polo available for the first time ex factory

For the first time, Mercedes-Benz offers a comprehensive range of driving and mobility aids for the Marco Polo ex factory. These make the popular camper van the ideal vehicle for people with physical handicaps or age-related restrictions. The installation of these driving and mobility aids is undertaken at the Car Modification Center within the Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen plant. They are also available for the V-Class.

Various solutions are offered to accommodate operation of the steering, accelerator and brake pedal. A rotating knob on the left or right-hand side of the steering wheel, for instance, allows steering with one hand. Further control devices enable one-handed acceleration or braking. With the “Classic” model, turning the knob accelerates the vehicle, pushing it forward applies the brakes. With the “Easy Speed” hand control unit, the same effect is obtained by pulling and pushing the lever. The conventional accelerator and brake pedals remain usable for drivers without limitations. If need be a pedal cover is available in conjunction with the hand control unit to prevent unintentional operation of the pedals. Another option: upon request the control stalk and cruise control stalk can be operated from the right-hand side of the steering wheel, by means of additional levers.

Also available is the ergonomically shaped “MFD Touch” multifunction knob. This is fitted to the left or right-hand side of the steering wheel and serves as a steering wheel turning knob with additional radio remote control for low beam, high beam, indicators, horn and windscreen wipers. All functions can be performed with one hand, without the driver needing to let go of the steering wheel. At the CMT Mercedes-Benz is presenting a Marco Polo with the “Easy Speed” hand control unit for the accelerator and brakes, an accelerator pedal relocated to the left and a pedal cover.
More extensive modifications to meet individual customer requirements are undertaken by specialist companies that are affiliated to Mercedes-Benz Vans through the so called VanPartner programme (www.vanpartner.com). “VanPartner by Mercedes-Benz” is an international platform established by Mercedes-Benz for a wide variety of van body solutions. The participants in this programme are body manufacturers who meet the high quality requirements of Mercedes-Benz Vans and are correspondingly certified.

Exemplary safety with the TÜV test mark “certified occupant protection”

The Marco Polo succeeds in fusing maximum functionality with aesthetic appeal, style and safety. The compact Mercedes-Benz camper van offers its occupants a standard of protection which goes beyond the statutory requirements for passenger cars – as attested by the test mark “certified occupant protection” awarded by the TÜV Rheinland technical inspection organisation. The Marco Polo is the first camper van to have proved in a crash test, over and beyond the conventional testing regime, how well the occupants are protected from the vehicle’s load as well as the stability of the vehicle’s fitted furniture in the event of an accident. In a collision at a speed of 56 km/h, the vehicle structure absorbed all the forces generated without any particular deformation in the interior. All the built-in units remained intact and the furniture doors closed, so ensuring that no pots, pans or other items fell out. As well as a kitchen area with a sink, double-burner gas stove, refrigerator box, drawers and a cupboard, the Marco Polo is furnished with a wardrobe, swivelling front seats, a folding table, an adjustable bench seat/bed and a bed in the roof.

The active safety of the Marco Polo is similarly exemplary, the aim being to prevent accidents. The compact camper van comes as standard with ATTENTION ASSIST, which can warn of inattention and fatigue, as well as Crosswind Assist. Further driver assistance systems are available as options – for example COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, Lane Keeping Assist or Active Parking Assist, with which parking the camper van is as straightforward and easy as with a compact car.

Marco Polo experts with specially trained sales staff in selected dealerships

In order to ensure that its customers receive the most detailed and expert advice in relation to its camper vans, Mercedes-Benz is now able to offer the services of Marco Polo experts, as they are known. These are distribution partners within the Mercedes-Benz Vans network specialising in offering support to customers who consider buying a Marco Polo. The sales staff has received specific training with respect to recreational vehicles and camper vans. Mercedes-Benz is thus able to cater better than ever to the very individual needs of camper van customers and to meet their high expectations. As well as having trained sales staff, these selected commercial vehicle dealers have a Marco Polo in their showrooms for demonstration purposes and are able to provide vehicles for test drives. Since January 2016, customers in Germany have been able to call upon 56 dealerships as Marco Polo experts. All specialist distribution partners are marked out as Marco Polo experts on the Mercedes-Benz website (www.mercedes-benz.de/marco-polo-experten).

Marco Polo once again wins reader’s choice award as “Compact Camper Van of the Year”

The popularity of the Marco Polo is also reflected in the outcome of the annual reader’s poll conducted by the German trade journal “promobil”. For the second time in a row, the magazine’s readers put the Marco Polo in first place in the “Compact Camper Van” category with 34 percent of the vote, so bestowing it the title “Compact Camper Van of the Year 2016”. The award ceremony will take place on 16 January 2016 during the CMT in Stuttgart.

Rear-opening SCA pop-up roof for Mercedes-Benz V-Class and Vito

New rear-opening SCA pop-up roof for V-Class and Vito

With the front-opening SCA 152 pop-up roof from C.F. Maier the V-Class and Vito were successfully introduced as base vehicles into the market for individual camper van conversions and bodies last year. A rear-opening version of this convenient pop-up roof is now also available with immediate effect, so extending the options for individual layouts for the V-Class and Vito.

The new rear-opening pop-up roof, with the designation SCA 153, is on offer for the V-Class and Vito models with a length of 5.14 metres. It is made up of a glass-fibre-reinforced plastic (GFRP) shell and rigid foam insulation. The inside is lined in addition with a cosy crushed velour fabric. This combination of materials is both light in weight and rigid and it ensures optimum heat and noise insulation. A bed with a surface area of 2.00 x 1.15 metres is installed as standard under the roof shell. The high scissor mechanism ensures plenty of legroom. If the bed is not in use while the roof is open, it can also be folded upwards with the help of two gas-filled struts. This function allows for a spacious interior with good headroom. The high-quality fabric roof bellows has three semicircular windows, each fitted with a double zip fastener. A useful folding mechanism with sewn-in plastic rods automatically retracts the fabric bellows when the pop-up roof is closed. This prevents it from becoming trapped between the vehicle body and the roof.

With its flat contours the pop-up roof blends perfectly into the silhouette of the V-Class and Vito. A roof spoiler – also of GFRP – above the windscreen ensures an optimum visual appearance with good aerodynamics. The roof is painted in arctic white as standard. A paint finish in the vehicle colour is possible on request. The roof is raised by a scissor mechanism at the front and a gas-filled strut to either side. The completely preassembled pop-up roof makes it easier for camper van bodybuilders to adapt it to the base vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo ACTIVITY 220 CDI, exterior, brilliant silver metallic (left) and Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo 250 BlueTEC, exterior, indium grey metallic (right)

Sprinter doubles sales in the European camper van market

The Sprinter, too, successfully extends its presence in the camper van market. Already the number-one model for comfortable, luxury-class motorhomes, it continues to grow in popularity as the base vehicle for partially and fully integrated camper vans. Its great versatility, high efficiency and exemplary safety, in particular, make it an increasingly attractive option for camper van manufacturers. The Sprinter, for example, is the only van that even as a base vehicle for camper vans is equipped with Crosswind Assist as standard. Sales of this popular van in the European camper van market doubled last year. The Sprinter is proving similarly successful in the US camper van market. A third of all Sprinter sold in the US are converted to campers. All in all, 30 conversion and bodybuilding companies around the world rely on the Sprinter.

Of all the equipment necessary to endure the many rigors of the outdoors, there is nothing more important than a quality, bombproof tent.  There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of a rainstorm only to find your tent isn’t watertight, or being in a windstorm only to have your tent collapse around you.  If there’s one area to splurge when undertaking an outdoor excursion, it’s on your tent, and there’s no tent better to splurge on than the Mountain Hardwear Trango 3.1.  Designed as a four seasons expedition tent, the Trango 3.1 is capable of withstanding hurricane force winds, torrential downpours and raging snow storms, all while keeping you safe, dry and protected.

In truth, there isn’t really any area in which the Trango 3.1 doesn’t excel.  Featuring Mountain Hardwear’s proprietary Evolution Tension Arch technology with four Atlas Scandium XL poles, the Trango is rock solid in conditions that bring other, lesser tents feebly to their knees.  On a recent excursion, my wife and I were hit with 70+ mph winds, and the Trango shrugged them off like they were nothing.  And while it is rock solid, the Trango’s setup is a breeze.  Four poles provide support for the Trango’s canopy, while a fifth pole provides support when the Trango’s fly is in place.  From a sizing standpoint, the Trango 3.1 is an exceptionally versatile tent.  For two people, the interior of the tent provides an ample amount of storage for two plus gear next to you, or it sleeps three comfortably.  The Trango does come in 2 and 4 person sizes as well, so depending on your specific needs, you can get the same rock solid stability in various sizes.  In addition to interior room of the main tent, once the fly is in place, you gain additional, covered protection for your gear in both the front and back vestibules, and there’s a variety of other storage pockets to stow your gear while you sleep.  As for specific dimensions, the Mountain Hardwear Trango 3.1 offers a floor area of 48 sq. feet, vestibule areas of 18 sq. feet and 5 sq. feet, and an interior height of 48 inches.  It’s a spacious tent, and it keeps you supremely comfortable in any less than ideal weather conditions.  Weight wise, the Trango 3.1 weighs in at 11 lbs. 6 oz., making it a little heavier than some other expedition tents.  The added weight, however, is more than offset by the added space, as the Trango 3.1 is really as comfortable as you’ll get in an expedition-ready, rock solid tent.

Aside from its ingenious pole system, the second defining element of the Trango 3.1 is its guaranteed watertight construction.  Featuring a fully taped fly, a taped perimeter seam, welded corners and welded guy clip anchors, the Trango is designed to stay dry amidst the worst of torrential downpours, and has been rain room tested to withstand 1,200″ of rain over a 24-hour period.  Helping keep out the elements, the Trango 3.1 features a tent floor constructed from  70D Nylon Taffeta 3000mm PE, a canopy constructed from 20D Nylon Knit Mesh and 40D Nylon Ripstop DWR, a fly constructed from 70D Nylon Taffeta 1500mm PU/SIL, and a  75D Polyester SD Ripstop 600mm PE reinforcement.  Despite its leakproof construction, the Trango 3.1 is ideal for any weather conditions you can throw at it.  During the high temperatures of the summer, the two door design allows superb airflow, keeping you as cool as possible.  You can also opt for setting up just the fly and footprint (sold separately), as a lightweight ,warm weather option.  In the winter, heat in the Trango is retained incredibly well, and as I discovered during a seemingly never ending snowstorm in which three foot drifts accumulated on the side of my Trango, it’s easy to forget how bad conditions are around you while you’re inside it.  It is, quite simply, a mobile fortress, capable of protecting you from the worst Mother Nature can throw at you.

In addition to the features I’ve already mentioned, here’s a quick rundown of all the Mountain Hardwear Trango 3.1 has to offer:

• Guaranteed watertight construction with fully taped fly, taped perimeter seam, welded corners and welded guy clip anchors. Rain room tested with 1200″ of rain in 24 hours.
• Atlas Scandium XL poles
• Proprietary Evolution Tension Arch™ stabilizes tent using fewer poles
• Pitch Light™ configuration allows user to set up a superlight shelter using only the tent fly, poles and footprint (sold separately)
• 2 dry entry vestibules
• 2 dual canopy and mesh doors
• 2 Tension Shelves
• SVX window for a brighter interior and visibility of exterior conditions
• Welded guy clip anchors
• Internal guy system
• Reflective guy-out loops, starter point and zipper pulls for easy set-up at night
• Welded zipper flap construction is lighter and drier than a sewn flap
• Watertight door zippers
• Reflective zipper pulls
• Mesh storage pockets
• Mesh and canopy zippered thru-vent
• Superlight 1/4″ buckles and webbing reduce tent weight
• Reflective starter point
• Gear can be stored off the floor using canopy pockets or a accessory gear lofts (sold separately)
• Minimum Weight: 10 lb. 8 oz. / 4.76 kg.
• Packed Weight:  11 lb. 6 oz. / 5.15 kg.
• Packed Diameter:  8 in / 22 cm
• Packed Length:  24 in / 61 cm
• Pitch Light Weight:  7 lb. 13 oz. / 3.53 kg

The Mountain Hardwear Trango 3.1 is, in no simpler terms, an absolutely incredible expedition-ready four seasons tent.  Having used mine extensively over the past year, I’ve yet to find fault with it, despite the multitude of extreme conditions I’ve subjected it to.  As I said at the beginning of the article, if there’s only one thing you’re going to splurge on to conquer the great outdoors, your tent is it.  With an MSRP of $625, however, the Trango 3.1 isn’t overly pricey, and in terms of quality for your money, you won’t find better.  It’s waterproof, windproof and snow proof, and after a long days hike or climb, you really can’t put a price on a good night’s sleep.

To learn more about the Moutain Hardwear Trango 3.1 and the full lineup of Mountain Hardwear tents, head over to MountainHardwear.com for more details or buy now from Amazon.com
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Whether you’re planning to climb Everest, trek across Antarctica or are simply anticipating the arrival of the next ice age, the Marmot CWM MemBrain is without question the only sleeping bag that will keep you wishing for more cold.  As the most extreme sleeping bag in the Marmot lineup, the CWM MemBrain can withstand temperature drops as low as –40°F in the harshest alpine environments, keeping you warm, toasty and sleeping like a baby, no matter how frigid it may get around you.

Making the magic happen, the Marmot CWM MemBrain is loaded with Marmot’s 800+ fill goose down, carefully selected to provide the most efficient insulation possible.  As connoisseurs of down, Marmot relies on a series of guidelines to ensure optimum insulating.  Down comes from geese, not ducks, due to goose down’s higher quality; down comes from larger, more mature birds, due to the mature bird down’s larger filament clusters; and down must be properly sorted, washed and dried, to adequately prepare the filament clusters.  All of this adds up to down that boasts a higher loft, better insulation, lighter weight and greater durability, meaning your sleeping bag does exactly what it says it does (which in this case, amounts to keeping you alive and happy at –40°F).  Marmot doesn’t just talk about their down quality, they guarantee that every sleeping bag they sell has at minimum the down content listed, and they guarantee that your bag will perform exactly as it should, for the life of the product.

Of course, down alone does not a sleeping bag make.  Keeping the down in place, and ensuring unpleasant drafts are eliminated, the Marmot CWM MemBrain is over-engineered with reinforced linings, countless baffles and MemBrain waterproof/breathable fabric.  Specifically, there’s a 9-baffle chest section that runs vertically, ensuring that as you roll from side to side, the down stays perfectly in place.  There’s an 11-baffle foot box that runs vertically to keep your feet warm.  There’s a down-filled draft tube that eliminates cold leaks through the zipper.  There’s a 6-baffle hood that insulates your head with 6 chambers of down and an easy access hood cord.  I could quite literally, go on and on and on about how well the Marmot CWM is insulated.  But what it all boils down to is this:  the Marmot CWM MemBrain Sleeping Bag is the most rugged, well-designed sleeping bag you’re going to get.  I’ve used it in some supremely intense conditions, and I can say without question this thing can handle any weather conditions you can throw at it.  It’s exceptionally warm; drafts are non-existent; the multitude of baffles keep the down perfectly in place; and at 4 1/2 pounds, it packs up extremely well.  There is no better extreme temperature sleeping bag on the market.

In addition to the features I’ve already detailed, here’s a lengthier rundown of all the Marmot CWM MemBrain’s attributes:

• Filled and Finished in Santa Rosa, California

• Certified 800+ Fill Power Goose Down – Independently Tested and Certified by International Down and Feather Laboratory in Salt Lake City, Utah. Retested at Fill Time in Santa Rosa to Ensure 800 Fill Power Every Time. If the Down Does Not Meet Our In-House Test, We Send It Back

• Marmot MemBrain® Waterproof/Breathable Fabric – Marmot MemBrain, Waterproof/Breathable Fabric

• 9-Baffle Chest Section – Baffles Run Vertically in Core for Maximum Down Control. Rolling from Side-to-Side Won’t Shift the Down

• Reinforced Foot Box Lining – To Handle the Extra Abuse of Boot Liners and Water Bottles

• “Feely” Draw Cords – Ease Nighttime Cord Fumbling

• 11-Baffle Foot Box – Baffles are Vertical to Keep Down Around Your Feet

• Down-Filled Draft Tube – Eliminates Cold Leaks Through the Zipper

• Ground-Level Side Seams – Eliminates Drafts

• Hidden Draft Tube Pocket – Inverts Into Draft Tube and Used to Store Watch or Alarm and Stay Out of Our Face

• Nautilus 6-Baffle Hood – 6 Chambers of Down Around Head for Better Down Control and Fit, Hood Cord is Positioned for Easy Access

• Stretch Tricot Baffles – Provide Ultimate Strength, Durability and Bag Life

• Stuff and Storage Sack Included – Store and Pack Just Like Your Sleeping Bag

• Velcro®-free Down-filled Collar – Keeps Warm Air Trapped in Your Bag; Collar is a Full 6-inch Baffle Width Integrated with the Draft Tube

• Velcro®-free Face Muff – Keeps the Drawcord and Zipper Away from Your Face

• Zipper Guards – Help Repel Biting Zipper Coils
• 6-foot height; also available in sizing up to 6’6″

Pricing for the Marmot CWM MemBrain sleeping bag is set at $679 – a steal considering this is likely the last sleeping bag you’ll every buy for extreme conditions.  To learn more about the Marmot CWM MemBrain as well as the full lineup of other fantastic Marmot sleeping bags (I own 2 other Marmots for warmer temperatures that I love equally as much), head over to Marmot.com or buy now from Amazon.com
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Based on Primus’ award-winning, supremely fuel efficient Eta burner and heat exchanger technology, the EtaSolo takes compact, single person cook systems to the next level. Its high efficiency rate assures fast boiling times and lower fuel consumption. Stable in windy conditions, lightweight (13.8-ounces), and extremely compact, the EtaSolo is quick and easy to assemble thanks to its robust quick-click locking mechanism. The 0.9L pot comes with a removable wrap-around heat resistant cover and sure-grip handle. The pot’s lid has a special opening for sipping hot brews. The burner and a 100-gram gas cartridge can all be securely stowed in the pot. Putting out 5120 BTUs per hour, the EtaSolo will boil 0.5 liters of water in just over 2 minutes.  Comes with a stand, suspension kit, and an adapter to accommodate any pot.

Click here to view the full lineup of Primus stoves or buy now from Amazon.com.

An expedition camper based on the Mercedes-Benz Unimog – the dream of every bona fide globetrotter. At this year’s “Abenteuer & Allrad”, Europe’s largest off-road vehicle show, the expedition camper will be on display in Bad Kissingen from 3 to 6 June 2010.

Michael Bocklet from Koblenz and his team have built a fully fledged go-anywhere vehicle based on the UniversalMotorGerät (Universal Motorized Unit), to give the Unimog its full name. The distinctive Unimog U 4000 with its Bocklet body is the archetypal expedition vehicle – the consummate solution for even the most ardent adventurer.

The U 4000 is the perfect expedition vehicle thanks to its absolutely unique chassis concept. Portal axles deliver excellent ground clearance and ensure constant road contact of all four wheels. The suspension with torque tube, transverse links and coil springs allows long spring travel and superb axle articulation – supporting diagonal axle articulation of up to 30 degrees. In conjunction with the short frame overhangs, the Unimog also effortlessly takes difficult obstacles, hilltops, slopes or embankments in its stride. Waterproof major assemblies and an air intake pipe level with the cabin roof ensure a fording capability of 1.20 metres. The Unimog comes with single tyres (as opposed to the twin tyres on an all-wheel-drive truck), thus offering high traction with low rolling resistance. The tirecontrol tyre pressure monitoring system can be used to reduce the tyre pressure conveniently from the driver’s seat while on the move and so ensure the wheels do not get bogged down on soft ground. This technical feature improves traction and power delivery.

Trouble-free driving with the go-anywhere vehicle

The 4249-cc four-cylinder diesel unit produces 160 kW (218 hp). The permissible gross vehicle weight of the all-wheel-drive vehicle (wheelbase 3850 mm) is 7490 or 8500 kilograms respectively. In conjunction with the all-wheel drive and differential locks on the front and rear axle, the Unimog is the ideal solution for a superlative off-road expedition vehicle. Should it – in the very unlikely event – get stuck, the Unimog can use its hydraulic seven-tonne front winch to pull itself out of the quagmire with its “own hair” à la Baron Munchausen. However, you are much more likely to find it using the winch to pull out other vehicles from difficult situations. A diesel tank with a capacity of 290 litres (plus two 20-litre reserve canisters) also makes longer journeys less nerve-racking where refuelling is not an option. The comfort seats in the cab provide an ideal fatigue-free solution for these arduous stages.

The rear of the Bocklet accommodation module is tapered at an angle to retain the Unimog’s full off-road capabilities. The inside of the module measures 4.35 metres long and 2.20 metres wide (standing height 1.95 metres). The roof and walls of the three-point mounted, thermal bridge-free fibreglass-reinforced plastic box are 50 mm thick, standing on a 60-mm-thick floor. All the walls are finished with a 2-mm-thick fabric-reinforced outer layer. The hatches and doors all come with hollow rubber seals and multi-point locks, which help protect the stowage compartments against the ingress of dust or water.

Behind the driver’s seat is the accommodation module washroom, fitted out with a cassette toilet, wash basin and shower. Hot water is provided by a combined Truma gas/electric boiler with a capacity of 10 litres. The corner kitchen is fitted towards the rear and comes with a two-burner gas stove, sink and drainer.

A (lockable) passage leads to the cab, with a wardrobe fitted on the right behind the co-passenger seat. The 110-litre compressor fridge occupies the space up to the entrance door.

Benches arranged longitudinally to the direction of travel provide two seats with exquisite Alcantara® upholstery. Tanks and additional stowage space are housed under the dinette in the false floor. The Unimog carries around 300 litres of fresh water on-board, along with a waste tank holding 200 litres. The entire rear area is home to a 200 x 135-cm double bed. Additional stowage space, which can be accessed from outside, is provided under the bed.

A diesel-powered Eberspächer hot air heater ensures a comfortable night’s sleep in colder climes or during the winter months. To ensure sufficient ‘juice’, Bocklet has installed 220 Ah of battery capacity, backed up by 260-W solar panels, an automatic charger (24 V / 50 A) and a 1.2-kW inverter. A control panel with an ampere-hour metre monitors the power system; minimal energy consumption comes courtesy of the low-energy lights and LED spots fitted in the interior. There is a TFT television plus satellite dish and a DVD player for entertainment and information during the expedition, no matter how far away from home you venture. The 6.85-metre-long, 2.35-metre-wide and 3.50-metre-high expedition camper based on the Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 4000 costs EUR 248,300.