A couple converted a sprinter van into a tiny home, and use it to travel around Canada and foster vulnerable dogs

Armani SyedOct 17, 2021, 16:23 IST

Nick Bollen and Sabrina Mazzotta's Mercedes Sprinter van that they converted into a tiny home on wheels.Nick Bollen and Sabrina Mazzotta (@livingonbreeze)

A couple spent $20,000 on a second-hand Mercedes Sprinter van and converted it into a tiny home.
Sabrina Mazzotta and Nick Bollen run a web design business remotely and travel around Canada.

Sabrina Mazzotta and Nick Bollen are a van life couple living in Canada who purchased their Mercedes Sprinter in 2020 for $25,000 CAD, or around $20,200.

Mazzotta and Bollen in their Mercedes Sprinter van with one of their foster dogs. Sabrina Mazzotta

The couple said they first lived in a van during a 2018 vacation in New Zealand, but it wasn't until they realized how expensive it was to buy a property in Toronto that they considered doing it full-time.

Sabrina Mazzotta and Nick Bollen's Mercedes Sprinter van was purchased in 2020. Sabrina Mazzotta (@livingonbreeze).

The couple said they first lived in a van during a 2018 vacation in New Zealand, but it wasn't until they realized how expensive it was to buy a property in Toronto that they considered doing it full-time.

The couple were frequently traveling between Mazzotta's hometown in Canada and Bollen's in Australia, so they were used to keeping personal possessions to a minimum.

A plan used by Mazzotta and Bollen to map out the van's interiors. Sabrina Mazzotta (@livingonbreeze).

Converting the van into a home took Mazzotta and Bollen seven and a half months, but they were living in it part-time after the first five months.

The inside of Mazzotta and Bollen's van after it was stripped out for renovation. Sabrina Mazzotta (@livingonbreeze).

The couple said they were certain they wanted a Mercedes Sprinter because they are "reliable, run on diesel, and can undertake a lot of mileage."

The van's interior after walls and a wooden floor had been applied. Sabrina Mazzotta (@livingonbreeze).

The couple, who have traveled around Canada in their van, said they were able to pursue a nomadic lifestyle because they were both working from home.

The van's kitchen and dining area partway through the conversion process. Sabrina Mazzotta (@livingonbreeze).

Mazzotta and Bollen have plans to use their Mercedes Sprinter to travel the world once borders allow them to do so.

A view from the lounge area of the van after the majority of the conversion was completed. Sabrina Mazzotta (@livingonbreeze).

"When people build the vans, they either prioritize storage or living space," said Mazzotta, who added they opted to maximize space in their van which is 19 feet 5 inches long, and 7 feet 11 inches wide.

The van's completed fully functional kitchen and dining area. Sabrina Mazzotta (@livingonbreeze).

"When people build the vans, they either prioritize storage or living space," said Mazzotta, who added they opted to maximize space in their van which is 19 feet 5 inches long, and 7 feet 11 inches wide.

The couple said they became plant-based two years ago, and this inspired them to live a more sustainable lifestyle in general.

The sink area in Sabrina and Nick's kitchen. Sabrina Mazzotta (@livingonbreeze).

Bollen said another great way for the van life community to be environmentally conscious is to consistently use local recycling facilities in each area they visit.

A view of the space inside the van from above. Sabrina Mazzotta (@livingonbreeze).

Mazzotta and Bollen said energy usage is one thing they wish they were more aware of before they moved into the van.

Sabrina and Nick's bed where they also project movies on to the wall. Sabrina Mazzotta (@livingonbreeze).

Despite having limited space, Mazzotta and Bollen have opened their tiny home to foster dogs.

One of Mazzotta and Bollen's foster dogs making use of the lounge area in the van. Sabrina Mazzotta (@livingonbreeze).

While the couple initially worried about not having enough space for a dog, they made it work and have since been a temporary home for five dogs and counting.

One of five dogs that Mazzotta and Bollen have fostered from their van. Sabrina Mazzotta (@livingonbreeze).

Despite having to be more spatially savvy, the couple agreed that a minimalist lifestyle suits them best.

An exterior view of Sabrina and Nick's van featuring one of their foster dogs. Sabrina Mazzotta (@livingonbreeze).

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A couple converted a sprinter van into a tiny home, and use it to travel around Canada and foster vulnerable dogs

Sabrina Mazzotta and Nick Bollen are a van life couple living in Canada who purchased their Mercedes Sprinter in 2020 for $25,000 CAD, or around $20,200.

The couple said they first lived in a van during a 2018 vacation in New Zealand, but it wasn't until they realized how expensive it was to buy a property in Toronto that they considered doing it full-time.

The couple were frequently traveling between Mazzotta's hometown in Canada and Bollen's in Australia, so they were used to keeping personal possessions to a minimum.

Converting the van into a home took Mazzotta and Bollen seven and a half months, but they were living in it part-time after the first five months.

The couple said they were certain they wanted a Mercedes Sprinter because they are "reliable, run on diesel, and can undertake a lot of mileage."

The couple, who have traveled around Canada in their van, said they were able to pursue a nomadic lifestyle because they were both working from home.

Mazzotta and Bollen have plans to use their Mercedes Sprinter to travel the world once borders allow them to do so.

"When people build the vans, they either prioritize storage or living space," said Mazzotta, who added they opted to maximize space in their van which is 19 feet 5 inches long, and 7 feet 11 inches wide.

The couple said they became plant-based two years ago, and this inspired them to live a more sustainable lifestyle in general.

Bollen said another great way for the van life community to be environmentally conscious is to consistently use local recycling facilities in each area they visit.

Mazzotta and Bollen said energy usage is one thing they wish they were more aware of before they moved into the van.

Despite having limited space, Mazzotta and Bollen have opened their tiny home to foster dogs.

While the couple initially worried about not having enough space for a dog, they made it work and have since been a temporary home for five dogs and counting.

Despite having to be more spatially savvy, the couple agreed that a minimalist lifestyle suits them best.