I really like the soft sided storage. Less loss of space. They will hold more. This van is forward thinking. Wonderful build for real living. Power and flexibility. Love it!
Very impressed with the MH1/X. It's like the Swiss Army knife of Class B vans. The 2160 amp-hour battery + 600W solar, combined with the DC heat/air components is fantastic. Bravo! Planning to go to a show in 2023 just to see this.
Good job Hank! You always make the best videos, asking all the right questions and being very informative. I’ve learned a lot from you thanks for your time and effort. I also think Lola adds her own special touch making, you two together awesome! Keep up the good work!!
Options options options. I like the idea of build to order which is overall money savings. Like what was said though once you purchase something and live with it before you know what you will use as what you want or desire.
I think no company can build the "perfect" van for everyone...however there is the perfect van for the individual person, so the more options you have on your build the better
Wow…had no idea this even existed! So innovative upgrading these for such a better experience 👌🏼. How about an incinerating toilet for this electrical system?
Hank I want to add my comments on my personal use of the Ford Transit. I work for a car service company and we have two limos,many busses and vans. We got 4 2021 full size Transit passenger vans this past Spring. We also have a 2017 Transit diesel. The 2021 hasa power sliding door. It is slow. The running board is wider. My main concern is the space between the front seats and around them. It has the brake handle on the right side of the seat. I can't get to the back because it's too tight. I did measure the space and the space in the Sprinter. The Sprinter is wider. There are many good aspects of the Transit. Runs great and good acccellaratrion.
Adding that aluminum track system (not sure what you call it) where you can add accessories to it would be awesome underneath the plates & cup area. Or building a whole cabinet system out of the same lightweight aluminum material. The way it stands now you can only put what it's designed for (plates, bowls cups as shown. Very specific IMO. Cool design with the pop-up shower. New to me. Love it.
i had an f150 2013 has the eco boost. never had any issues. it had power galore. the only issue was when i used it alot i had to let it cool down before turning off the engine because it was recommended to do so since the turbos were expensive to service so i didnt want that.
If you installed the full 2,100Ah of lithium, and that raises the floor by an inch, how does that effect the flow from the living space into the cab of the Transit? Would you end up with a one inch lip? I'm not familiar with the standard flooring levels in the Transit. Thanks!
On the Ford Transit,will all have the Ebrake? I thought it was an option to have the hand brake switched to Ebrake. It's in the way on the right of the driver's seat.
@@strangerpalooza Thanks for responding. I'll call it the emergency brake. And I'm guessing it's also called an E brake. I'll have to check online to see if it's an option to have it on the dashboard. I believe Sprinter has it switched over to the dashboard.
It's a groovy van but that fabric/felt everywhere means you can't clean food smells out of it. Who doesn't love bacon every morning? Baking or air frying fish or chicken; will it be in the van forever? Can they make it with marine vinyl walls instead?
Holding cooking smells isn't an an issue in practice. We cook in our vans all the time and with thousands of people going through them over the last 2 years for demos, nobody has mentioned cooking smells. All our materials have to pass FMVSS flame test standards so that limits what we can use.
You cut the guy off too much. Let him finish a sentence. If you wanted to do most of the talking, why include the owner or representative in the first place? Just do a tour by yourself so you can be the only one talking. smh Otherwise you make decent videos, that part is just annoying.
I like the flexibility, but need two things: a bigger fridge (like in the Coachmen Nova) and a bed that is out of the way most of the time (like this th-cam.com/video/4H33ZApTVSc/w-d-xo.html). Also still not sold on Ford vehicles because I got burned years ago with a car having to repair, replace, or deal with recalls every six weeks. Not sure if these chassis are somehow different in terms of manufacturing quality, low maintenance, and few recall issues vs. Dodge - will have to compare.
I thought about a bigger fridge, too. But, with all the space/flexibility and battery capacity, it would be very easy to add a portable fridge/freezer...in the cabin, or in the garage. I checked out that pull-down bed in the video link you provided. It was 51" x 79". Smaller than the pop-top bed in the MH1/X, and way smaller than the rear queen. 51" wide can be tough for 2 people, and the pull-down beds, while convenient, are very wobbly. If two are people are sleeping on a pull-down bed and one person shifts/moves, the other person rocks quite a bit, which can interrupt sleep.
@@tekknoclub great points about the bed sizes and 2nd fridge! We wanted a very comfortable bed. With a fold up bed, you have to use thinner cushions with joints. Anything less than 5" thick will be a compromise on comfort and a 5" thick fold up bed won't work well. With a true queen size mattress, you can use standard bedding (such as those fancy bamboo sheets). We also like having the bed always setup. In practice, having to setup and take down your bed gets old fast.
This might seem great to most people, but the level of DIY integration with a large energy system is concerning. The cells are UL but the system as a whole is not!
love the content ... not so the camera operation... there is something about camera angles and movement that just looks cheap or amateurish. He is an amazing host. and the conversation flow is very cool... but the camera and editing. degrades the end product. just be. more aware man.
I would think that depends on where your crash is...regardless of that from what I've heard of all these modern vans even a mild crash totals the van in the eyes of the insurance co's mostly because of all the tech built into the chassis nowadays...regardless of where your batteries are if you have direct impact to them...bad things can happen
you're unlike to have to access the batteries themselves directly...what you would have to access are the control panels, inverter etc which are in the walls, as I showed in the video...where we talked about access to the batteries is in the very rare occasion you need to replace or upgrade the batteries
Your wiring is horrible, simply horrible. You have wires going through metal with no protection! Where is the little plastic insert that costs practically nothing? (We called them “gasintas” because it “goes inta” the hole) Why is nothing labeled? Wires hanging with no end protection and no identification. Scared this old electrician.
This is all nice to go lightweight and low tech ..kinda utilitarian looking BUT YOU NEED TO BRING PRICE DOWN...If I'm paying 200k I want MERCEDES LUXURY..NOT PAYING 200K for west coast hippie van..
Neither sprinter nor transit...these r gasguzzelrs,we r spoiled in the US, we want power over gas saving.... we need hybrid or diesel at 29mpg just like Europe and the rest of the world.
@strangerpalooza if my common sense comment on not being inclined to pay 200k for a West Coast Hippie van with very few amenities and that I prefer a Mercedes Benz for that same price range; makes me DUMB that can only objectively mean one of two things, you are either one of the most impressionable and gullible #vanlife youtubers in world history, or you have a personal interest in the Hippie van company and therefore it ruins your independence and as such your credibility. I think it may be a little bit of both. Buddy, You lost my respect with the very low-class attack on one of your listeners. Very SAD indeed.
The MH1 base model with AWD and 504Ah Li battery added is comparable to the STO. It costs $20k less and that includes 12V A/C, the popup top with 2nd bed, truly comfortable 2nd row modular seats that slide, swivel AND recline, and the ability to add up to 7 modular seats so the van is usable in more cases. The comparable MH1 costs $20k less, sio I'm not sure how one arrives at "very expensive for what you get" when comparing to STO Mode LT. The MH1/X battery is 26kwh vs. STO 12kwh, plus all high-efficiency DC cooling and heating and a truly integrated management system that can monitor and control the vehicle from anywhere in the world. Plus, the MH!/X has all the other MH1 advantages vs. STO. Sure, it costs more than the STO Mode LT, but you are getting a lot more (including a battery more than 2x) in return. Comparing quality is difficult. While I agree that STO has nice build quality compared with big RV manufacturers, based on what I see in the owner's groups online, I 'm not convinced that STO has a lead on quality compared with ModVans. Comparing design is also challenging, but there is no question that ModVans is pushing innovation much further than any other RV manufacturer, including STO. The STO is basically a Revel without a fixed bathroom.
I disagree with you. When you build fully ModVans they get pricy. Floor plans are confusing, rather than pleasing. Also STO is 4 season van that means sleep 2 adults, 2 kids(or +1 adult) INCLOSED and you can fit 2 bikes and 2 pairs of ski under the bed while you are on a ski vacation. Also STO heating comes from the fuel tank, you are not draining the battery. ModVan has no roof top. Who support ModVan battery system, no brand he didn't say. If something happens with the Volta system STO will fly a technician to you. ModVans has bad customer service. ModVans are "work in progress" is something happens, you may need to go to CA for a simple fix. STO customer service is superb. I think it's a personal choice. Having van is awesome no matter the brand I love mine.
@@vanh6194 It is clear that you love your STO and that is great, but I would like to point out some errors in your comparison. The only way you could have gotten a higher price than a STO is to spec out a build with significantly more features than a STO. ModVans customers have the ability to order an MH1 at the base price of $131k which is impossible with STO. Add AWD and a 504Ah battery and the price is around $140k. Sure, if you want the 2160Ah battery, it is going to cost more, but the battery is over twice as big! All ModVans are "4 season". You can find a FAQ that discusses winter camping specifically and the /X Series has a dedicated furnace for the popup top. Also, there are reports from customers in the owner's group of winter camping experience with the popup top. The /X Series also has plumbing and gray tank that is monitored for temperature with automatic heating. IMO, liquid furnaces like the one in the STO are not worth the hassle. They work poorly at altitude, they have tons of computer glitches and issues with cleaning/clogged jets. If your gas tank falls below a certain level, your heater will just turn off in the middle of the night and your only solution is to drive out to a gas station. I personally prefer the reliability and separate fuel supply of propane or, better still, the simplicity and reliability of truly "all electric" heating. I personally would not want to have to convert my seats into an uncomfortable looking bed that barely holds children vs. the MH1 Full XL in the popup top with a very comfortable mattress and 80" length. In the STO, even the rear bed is an "RV Queen" not a true queen size bed. I have read many reports that all STO beds are uncomfortable and there is certainly a big market in selling replacement bed cushions for STO and Revel (I've never heard of a ModVans owners replacing or even augmenting their bed cushions). There are plenty of ways to carry skis in both vans, and I personally prefer having the garage closed off from the main cabin, but if you really need it, there is a floor plan option to move the fridge to the front and have have "pass thru" storage to the garage for pets or long items like skis or surfboards. IMO, having a "roof top" is highly overrated. With the MH1, you get the option of having 600 watts of solar panels which, IMO, is much more practically useful than a roof that is too high up, ruins the van's center of gravity and would cover solar panels. Sitting on the ground in my comfy camp chairs while my solar system generates 1,000 watts total is just fine by me. The battery system is designed and manufactured by ModVans. So, yes, unlike STO, where they are dependent on Volta (who apparently has made enough mistakes that STO had to pay to fly people all over the US to fix them), ModVans has complete responsibility and control for its battery system. ModVans has customers all over the US and, just like STO doesn't require their customers to bring their vans back to Alabama, ModVans does not require that customers bring their vans back to California for service. I'm not sure where you are getting the idea that ModVans has "bad customer service" or that are a "work in progress" that requires trips to California for service. If anybody has concerns about service or quality, I suggest asking real ModVans owners about their personal experiences on the ModVans Owners Facebook group (and do the same for STO if you really want to see how the two companies compare on quality and service).
@@pjtezza You cannot sleep in a popup tent as good as in "inclosed". It's very noise when is windy or rainy and you are not stealthy as most people that use those van prefer. When is snowy, the wall gets wet somehow. I tied there is no comparison at least for me. Regarding liquid furnace in the STO, I never heard anyone having issue with it. I am not sure where you get your info. I have camped as high as 12k feet and no issue at all. It's more likely you run out of batter then fuel in the nature, but heater burns so little. The roof is a big deal for those who have it, and 'not a big deal" for those don't have it. You can not only use as the upper deck as a place to chill and enjoy sunset, but you can mount equipment, boxes, etc. ModVan has bad customer service, and I had issue when I tired it. In addition it rattles inside when driving on gravel or uneven roads. Someone the components are cheaper than STP and they feel are deigned in a rush. Maybe mine was earlier model. Nowadays all battery systems are not perfect, all of them may need service. They are complex and cannot fix any location in US as you think. It's important to know who makes them and service them. Some manufactures use Chinese components and state they make them "in house". When you have bikes and ski for $10k + you don't want to keep them outside and about the bed it's personal choice. I have no issue with the bed, it's 6'7 side to side and you can buy Roam mattress if you don't like the the one that comes from STO. It's my personal opinion from what I have experienced in nature with STO (with both Ford 22 and Mercedes 21 chassis), ModVan 21 (Midroof) and Revel 22. It's not which van is better, both are not perfect, but when I got my last van which is STO Mode TL earlier this year for a little over 153k with sync 4, adaptive cruise control, etc. appeared to me as the best option. I wish all best with your channel.
Learn More About ModVans In This Factory Tour Video - th-cam.com/video/I_3FvDLBkK4/w-d-xo.html
I like this van a lot I just with the hanging cabinets came in different colors. Maybe the same colors as the counters.
I really like the soft sided storage. Less loss of space. They will hold more. This van is forward thinking. Wonderful build for real living. Power and flexibility. Love it!
I loved that Van. All their tech and fabric storage lockers. Fantastic engineering!
Lola & Hank bring a variety of Van Builders with great stuff. One day soon I must have one.
Thanks MizzC our goal is to highlight how many different options folks have out there
Very impressed with the MH1/X. It's like the Swiss Army knife of Class B vans. The 2160 amp-hour battery + 600W solar, combined with the DC heat/air components is fantastic. Bravo!
Planning to go to a show in 2023 just to see this.
Same
Good job Hank! You always make the best videos, asking all the right questions and being very informative. I’ve learned a lot from you thanks for your time and effort. I also think Lola adds her own special touch making, you two together awesome! Keep up the good work!!
Thanks, we try 😁
Options options options. I like the idea of build to order which is overall money savings. Like what was said though once you purchase something and live with it before you know what you will use as what you want or desire.
I think no company can build the "perfect" van for everyone...however there is the perfect van for the individual person, so the more options you have on your build the better
Wow…had no idea this even existed! So innovative upgrading these for such a better experience 👌🏼. How about an incinerating toilet for this electrical system?
Hank I want to add my comments on my personal use of the Ford Transit.
I work for a car service company and we have two limos,many busses and vans.
We got 4 2021 full size Transit passenger vans this past Spring. We also have a 2017 Transit diesel. The 2021 hasa power sliding door. It is slow. The running board is wider.
My main concern is the space between the front seats and around them. It has the brake handle on the right side of the seat. I can't get to the back because it's too tight.
I did measure the space and the space in the Sprinter. The Sprinter is wider.
There are many good aspects of the Transit.
Runs great and good acccellaratrion.
Adding that aluminum track system (not sure what you call it) where you can add accessories to it would be awesome underneath the plates & cup area. Or building a whole cabinet system out of the same lightweight aluminum material. The way it stands now you can only put what it's designed for (plates, bowls cups as shown. Very specific IMO. Cool design with the pop-up shower. New to me. Love it.
Nice 👍..it's different !
Thanks.. Hank and Lola great video 🤗😁😊
YW Diane we appreciate the support
i had an f150 2013 has the eco boost. never had any issues. it had power galore. the only issue was when i used it alot i had to let it cool down before turning off the engine because it was recommended to do so since the turbos were expensive to service so i didnt want that.
The battery floor fantastic idea very cool van !
If you installed the full 2,100Ah of lithium, and that raises the floor by an inch, how does that effect the flow from the living space into the cab of the Transit? Would you end up with a one inch lip? I'm not familiar with the standard flooring levels in the Transit. Thanks!
Needs more dedicated pizza storage
🤣🤣🤣 Good One Dan
Cool Van and design.
Thank you Hank!
On the Ford Transit,will all have the Ebrake? I thought it was an option to have the hand brake switched to Ebrake. It's in the way on the right of the driver's seat.
Good question the 2022’s and up I believe have an e-brake switch instead of physical handbrake…from what I’ve seen
@@strangerpalooza Thanks for responding. I'll call it the emergency brake. And I'm guessing it's also called an E brake. I'll have to check online to see if it's an option to have it on the dashboard. I believe Sprinter has it switched over to the dashboard.
It's a groovy van but that fabric/felt everywhere means you can't clean food smells out of it. Who doesn't love bacon every morning? Baking or air frying fish or chicken; will it be in the van forever? Can they make it with marine vinyl walls instead?
Holding cooking smells isn't an an issue in practice. We cook in our vans all the time and with thousands of people going through them over the last 2 years for demos, nobody has mentioned cooking smells. All our materials have to pass FMVSS flame test standards so that limits what we can use.
Really impressed with that rear window bump out thing. i want to know how they did it!
Yeah, I agree, I’ll see if I can find that answer for you my friend 😁👍🏾
Incinerator toilet would work with all that power. No need for black tanks.
See All Our Discount Codes : strangerpalooza.com/gear/ + Check Out Our Amazon Gear Store : amzn.to/3eBtZ1O . Thank you for Watching 🙏 🚐💨
Excuse my ignorance everyone, but what if something goes wrong with the battery?
Does anything ever go wrong or happen to them?
Soooo Modvans or Vandoit? What's your dream van @strangerpalooza? Modular and light weight on is the way to go
You cut the guy off too much. Let him finish a sentence. If you wanted to do most of the talking, why include the owner or representative in the first place? Just do a tour by yourself so you can be the only one talking. smh Otherwise you make decent videos, that part is just annoying.
Very nice
They are doing They are doing the same thing in Japan with the modular components
I like the flexibility, but need two things: a bigger fridge (like in the Coachmen Nova) and a bed that is out of the way most of the time (like this th-cam.com/video/4H33ZApTVSc/w-d-xo.html). Also still not sold on Ford vehicles because I got burned years ago with a car having to repair, replace, or deal with recalls every six weeks. Not sure if these chassis are somehow different in terms of manufacturing quality, low maintenance, and few recall issues vs. Dodge - will have to compare.
Understood Max, thanks for watching 😁
I thought about a bigger fridge, too. But, with all the space/flexibility and battery capacity, it would be very easy to add a portable fridge/freezer...in the cabin, or in the garage.
I checked out that pull-down bed in the video link you provided. It was 51" x 79". Smaller than the pop-top bed in the MH1/X, and way smaller than the rear queen. 51" wide can be tough for 2 people, and the pull-down beds, while convenient, are very wobbly. If two are people are sleeping on a pull-down bed and one person shifts/moves, the other person rocks quite a bit, which can interrupt sleep.
@@tekknoclub great points about the bed sizes and 2nd fridge! We wanted a very comfortable bed. With a fold up bed, you have to use thinner cushions with joints. Anything less than 5" thick will be a compromise on comfort and a 5" thick fold up bed won't work well. With a true queen size mattress, you can use standard bedding (such as those fancy bamboo sheets). We also like having the bed always setup. In practice, having to setup and take down your bed gets old fast.
This might seem great to most people, but the level of DIY integration with a large energy system is concerning. The cells are UL but the system as a whole is not!
I want one!
The other toilet option, Ogo. With that much power it should be great. Not an incinerator, like cinderella.
Sprinter will no longer have 4X4 they will all be all wheel drive from now on.
love the content ... not so the camera operation... there is something about camera angles and movement that just looks cheap or amateurish. He is an amazing host. and the conversation flow is very cool... but the camera and editing. degrades the end product. just be. more aware man.
What happens with that FLOOR OF BATTERIES if you crash?
I would think that depends on where your crash is...regardless of that from what I've heard of all these modern vans even a mild crash totals the van in the eyes of the insurance co's mostly because of all the tech built into the chassis nowadays...regardless of where your batteries are if you have direct impact to them...bad things can happen
The battery can be opened, inspected and serviced. We highly recommend an inspection on the battery after any accident.
Combustible toilet!
Sounds like a pain in the arse with those batteries having to pull all the cabinets and floor off to service.
you're unlike to have to access the batteries themselves directly...what you would have to access are the control panels, inverter etc which are in the walls, as I showed in the video...where we talked about access to the batteries is in the very rare occasion you need to replace or upgrade the batteries
The battery is designed to last 20-30 years and is maintenance free.
You’re an electrician ~ design a van with an incinerating toilet!
Your wiring is horrible, simply horrible. You have wires going through metal with no protection! Where is the little plastic insert that costs practically nothing? (We called them “gasintas” because it “goes inta” the hole) Why is nothing labeled? Wires hanging with no end protection and no identification. Scared this old electrician.
This is all nice to go lightweight and low tech ..kinda utilitarian looking BUT YOU NEED TO BRING PRICE DOWN...If I'm paying 200k I want MERCEDES LUXURY..NOT PAYING 200K for west coast hippie van..
that's one of the dumbest comments I've ever seen on my channel, congratulations you're obviously an idiot
Go get a Mercedes and let everyone know how much you pay for your oil change
Neither sprinter nor transit...these r gasguzzelrs,we r spoiled in the US, we want power over gas saving.... we need hybrid or diesel at 29mpg just like Europe and the rest of the world.
@@y62rig21 $250 every 10-12k miles. That's cheaper than $80-100 every 3k miles for gas LOL
@strangerpalooza if my common sense comment on not being inclined to pay 200k for a West Coast Hippie van with very few amenities and that I prefer a Mercedes Benz for that same price range; makes me DUMB that can only objectively mean one of two things, you are either one of the most impressionable and gullible #vanlife youtubers in world history, or you have a personal interest in the Hippie van company and therefore it ruins your independence and as such your credibility. I think it may be a little bit of both. Buddy, You lost my respect with the very low-class attack on one of your listeners. Very SAD indeed.
This van is very expensive for what you get. Quality and design is questionable. STO Mode TL is still best for the money/quality on the market.
The MH1 base model with AWD and 504Ah Li battery added is comparable to the STO. It costs $20k less and that includes 12V A/C, the popup top with 2nd bed, truly comfortable 2nd row modular seats that slide, swivel AND recline, and the ability to add up to 7 modular seats so the van is usable in more cases. The comparable MH1 costs $20k less, sio I'm not sure how one arrives at "very expensive for what you get" when comparing to STO Mode LT. The MH1/X battery is 26kwh vs. STO 12kwh, plus all high-efficiency DC cooling and heating and a truly integrated management system that can monitor and control the vehicle from anywhere in the world. Plus, the MH!/X has all the other MH1 advantages vs. STO. Sure, it costs more than the STO Mode LT, but you are getting a lot more (including a battery more than 2x) in return. Comparing quality is difficult. While I agree that STO has nice build quality compared with big RV manufacturers, based on what I see in the owner's groups online, I 'm not convinced that STO has a lead on quality compared with ModVans. Comparing design is also challenging, but there is no question that ModVans is pushing innovation much further than any other RV manufacturer, including STO. The STO is basically a Revel without a fixed bathroom.
I disagree with you. When you build fully ModVans they get pricy. Floor plans are confusing, rather than pleasing. Also STO is 4 season van that means sleep 2 adults, 2 kids(or +1 adult) INCLOSED and you can fit 2 bikes and 2 pairs of ski under the bed while you are on a ski vacation. Also STO heating comes from the fuel tank, you are not draining the battery. ModVan has no roof top. Who support ModVan battery system, no brand he didn't say. If something happens with the Volta system STO will fly a technician to you. ModVans has bad customer service. ModVans are "work in progress" is something happens, you may need to go to CA for a simple fix. STO customer service is superb. I think it's a personal choice. Having van is awesome no matter the brand I love mine.
@@vanh6194 It is clear that you love your STO and that is great, but I would like to point out some errors in your comparison.
The only way you could have gotten a higher price than a STO is to spec out a build with significantly more features than a STO. ModVans customers have the ability to order an MH1 at the base price of $131k which is impossible with STO. Add AWD and a 504Ah battery and the price is around $140k. Sure, if you want the 2160Ah battery, it is going to cost more, but the battery is over twice as big!
All ModVans are "4 season". You can find a FAQ that discusses winter camping specifically and the /X Series has a dedicated furnace for the popup top. Also, there are reports from customers in the owner's group of winter camping experience with the popup top. The /X Series also has plumbing and gray tank that is monitored for temperature with automatic heating.
IMO, liquid furnaces like the one in the STO are not worth the hassle. They work poorly at altitude, they have tons of computer glitches and issues with cleaning/clogged jets. If your gas tank falls below a certain level, your heater will just turn off in the middle of the night and your only solution is to drive out to a gas station. I personally prefer the reliability and separate fuel supply of propane or, better still, the simplicity and reliability of truly "all electric" heating.
I personally would not want to have to convert my seats into an uncomfortable looking bed that barely holds children vs. the MH1 Full XL in the popup top with a very comfortable mattress and 80" length. In the STO, even the rear bed is an "RV Queen" not a true queen size bed. I have read many reports that all STO beds are uncomfortable and there is certainly a big market in selling replacement bed cushions for STO and Revel (I've never heard of a ModVans owners replacing or even augmenting their bed cushions).
There are plenty of ways to carry skis in both vans, and I personally prefer having the garage closed off from the main cabin, but if you really need it, there is a floor plan option to move the fridge to the front and have have "pass thru" storage to the garage for pets or long items like skis or surfboards.
IMO, having a "roof top" is highly overrated. With the MH1, you get the option of having 600 watts of solar panels which, IMO, is much more practically useful than a roof that is too high up, ruins the van's center of gravity and would cover solar panels. Sitting on the ground in my comfy camp chairs while my solar system generates 1,000 watts total is just fine by me.
The battery system is designed and manufactured by ModVans. So, yes, unlike STO, where they are dependent on Volta (who apparently has made enough mistakes that STO had to pay to fly people all over the US to fix them), ModVans has complete responsibility and control for its battery system. ModVans has customers all over the US and, just like STO doesn't require their customers to bring their vans back to Alabama, ModVans does not require that customers bring their vans back to California for service.
I'm not sure where you are getting the idea that ModVans has "bad customer service" or that are a "work in progress" that requires trips to California for service. If anybody has concerns about service or quality, I suggest asking real ModVans owners about their personal experiences on the ModVans Owners Facebook group (and do the same for STO if you really want to see how the two companies compare on quality and service).
@@pjtezza
You cannot sleep in a popup tent as good as in "inclosed". It's very noise when is windy or rainy and you are not stealthy as most people that use those van prefer. When is snowy, the wall gets wet somehow. I tied there is no comparison at least for me.
Regarding liquid furnace in the STO, I never heard anyone having issue with it. I am not sure where you get your info. I have camped as high as 12k feet and no issue at all. It's more likely you run out of batter then fuel in the nature, but heater burns so little.
The roof is a big deal for those who have it, and 'not a big deal" for those don't have it. You can not only use as the upper deck as a place to chill and enjoy sunset, but you can mount equipment, boxes, etc.
ModVan has bad customer service, and I had issue when I tired it. In addition it rattles inside when driving on gravel or uneven roads. Someone the components are cheaper than STP and they feel are deigned in a rush. Maybe mine was earlier model.
Nowadays all battery systems are not perfect, all of them may need service. They are complex and cannot fix any location in US as you think. It's important to know who makes them and service them. Some manufactures use Chinese components and state they make them "in house".
When you have bikes and ski for $10k + you don't want to keep them outside and about the bed it's personal choice. I have no issue with the bed, it's 6'7 side to side and you can buy Roam mattress if you don't like the the one that comes from STO.
It's my personal opinion from what I have experienced in nature with STO (with both Ford 22 and Mercedes 21 chassis), ModVan 21 (Midroof) and Revel 22. It's not which van is better, both are not perfect, but when I got my last van which is STO Mode TL earlier this year for a little over 153k with sync 4, adaptive cruise control, etc. appeared to me as the best option.
I wish all best with your channel.