This Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper van conversion that can sleep 6 skyrocketed in popularity amid the pandemic — see inside the $68,900 Doc Holiday

Brittany ChangAug 30, 2020, 18:56 IST

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons.Off Highway Vans

Off Highway Van created the Doc Holiday, a customizable Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper van.
The van can accommodate up to six people, making it a good camper van for families with children, according to Off Highway Van's co-founder Seth Riddle.
The Doc Holiday has skyrocketed in popularity amid the pandemic as more families started opting for road trips instead of international travels.

Off Highway Van created the Doc Holiday, a customizable family-friendly Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper van that has seen skyrocketing interest from families since the start of the pandemic.

Doc Holiday can accommodate up to five to six people, which is done by having two separate sleeping spaces.

The first is a foldable, three-panel bed that is topped with a four-inch foam mattress. This accompanies the second sleeping space, which doubles as a seatbelt-equipped bench seat during the day. At night, this four-seater bench can unfold into a 68-inch by 73-inch bed at night.

According to Off Highway Van's co-owner Seth Riddle, this five to six-person capacity is one of Doc Holiday's biggest selling points, therefore securing its place as a family-friendly camper van and the second most popular build that the company offers.

Almost every customer who has purchased a Doc Holiday has been a parent or grandparent who wants to bring their children or grandchildren on road trips, contributing to the van's skyrocketing popularity amid the pandemic as more families started canceling international trips and opting instead for road travel around the US.

When a listing of the Doc Holiday was posted by Off Highway Van amid the pandemic, the company started receiving three to four calls a day from interested customers, amounting to 75% of its inquiries.

A 144-inch Doc Holiday van with upgrades. Off Highway Van

When a listing of the Doc Holiday was posted by Off Highway Van amid the pandemic, the company started receiving three to four calls a day from interested customers, amounting to 75% of its inquiries.

"The van sold in a heartbeat," Riddle told Business Insider. "All these families are like, 'Oh, you know what? We've been planning to do this down the road, but we've got all this time now, [so] let's commit to it.'"

An 144-inch Doc Holiday van with optional add-ons. Off Highway Van

"The van sold in a heartbeat," Riddle told Business Insider. "All these families are like, 'Oh, you know what? We've been planning to do this down the road, but we've got all this time now, [so] let's commit to it.'"

Beyond the Doc Holiday, inquiries for builds by Off Highway Van has been so high, the company is now struggling to meet demands and has a six-month waiting list as a result.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Van

Beyond the Doc Holiday, inquiries for builds by Off Highway Van has been so high, the company is now struggling to meet demands and has a six-month waiting list as a result.

"[The uptick in demand] opened our eyes," Riddle said. "There's this huge market for the family that has been ignored by the market for years, and upfitters are starting to come around to it."

A 144-inch Doc Holiday van with upgrades. Off Highway Van

"[The uptick in demand] opened our eyes," Riddle said. "There's this huge market for the family that has been ignored by the market for years, and upfitters are starting to come around to it."

There is a wide variety of possible camper van bases, but the Utah-based company went with the ever-popular Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Vans

According to Riddle, the Sprinter is in high demand because of its appearance, diesel engine, torque, and four-wheel-drive capabilities.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Vans

The van can either come as a 144-inch or 170-inch, the latter providing a larger kitchen and living area.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday van with optional add-ons. Off Highway Van

Despite this option for a longer interior, the 144-inch — which was built more for weekend vacations or short bi-annual trips — is the more popular choice.

A 144-inch Doc Holiday van with upgrades. Off Highway Van

"A lot of people love the 144...because of its versatility," Riddle said. "Some people are like, 'it's gotta be compact, fit it in a parking spot, and I want this to be the soccer mom car,' but then on the weekends, they're hitting the trails...and getting lost."

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Vans

"A lot of people love the 144...because of its versatility," Riddle said. "Some people are like, 'it's gotta be compact, fit it in a parking spot, and I want this to be the soccer mom car,' but then on the weekends, they're hitting the trails...and getting lost."

The 170-inch is a more popular choice for camper vanners interested in taking an extended trip.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Van

For example, a 170-inch Doc Holiday build is currently being used by a customer who once lived in New York, but decided to move to Wyoming amid the pandemic.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Van

This Doc Holiday owner is now using the van as a "satellite home base" for trips in conjunction with a friends' home and personal property.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Vans

The camper costs between $68,900 for the base build, but can range up to $200,000 with different add-ons.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Vans

The cabinets and walls are made by Off Highway Van's team using light aluminum and wood-less composite materials, creating a waterproof and strong structure, according to its makers.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Van

The cabinets and walls are made by Off Highway Van's team using light aluminum and wood-less composite materials, creating a waterproof and strong structure, according to its makers.

The ceiling is lined with vinyl fabric, while the walls are tweed fabric.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday van with optional add-ons. Off Highway Vans

The van, which comes insulated, has a roof fan and several windows, such as awning windows with screens by both sides of the bed.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Vans

When it's dark out, the interior can be brightened up with its eight LED lights.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Van

Its interior is powered in part by its 2,000-watt inverter charger, 200-watt solar panels, and a 224-amp hour battery system.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Vans

These power systems also supply the energy needed for the van's USB, 12-volt, and 110-volt outlets.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Van

For family meals on the road, the kitchen has a 22-inch by 20-inch butcher block countertop, refrigerator, and freezer ...

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Vans

... and a sink that accompanies the 15-gallon fresh water tank and five-gallon grey water tank.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Van

The main bed platform sits 37 inches above the floor, making room for accessories, such as mountain bikes, in the cargo area.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Van

The cargo garage space also has an L-track mounted onto the floor to help keep gear in place.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday with add-ons. Off Highway Vans

Other amenities, such as an exterior shower, air conditioner, and roof rack, come at additional costs.

An 144-inch Doc Holiday van with optional add-ons. Off Highway Vans

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This Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper van conversion that can sleep 6 skyrocketed in popularity amid the pandemic — see inside the $68,900 Doc Holiday

When a listing of the Doc Holiday was posted by Off Highway Van amid the pandemic, the company started receiving three to four calls a day from interested customers, amounting to 75% of its inquiries.

"The van sold in a heartbeat," Riddle told Business Insider. "All these families are like, 'Oh, you know what? We've been planning to do this down the road, but we've got all this time now, [so] let's commit to it.'"

Beyond the Doc Holiday, inquiries for builds by Off Highway Van has been so high, the company is now struggling to meet demands and has a six-month waiting list as a result.

"[The uptick in demand] opened our eyes," Riddle said. "There's this huge market for the family that has been ignored by the market for years, and upfitters are starting to come around to it."

There is a wide variety of possible camper van bases, but the Utah-based company went with the ever-popular Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

According to Riddle, the Sprinter is in high demand because of its appearance, diesel engine, torque, and four-wheel-drive capabilities.

The van can either come as a 144-inch or 170-inch, the latter providing a larger kitchen and living area.

Despite this option for a longer interior, the 144-inch — which was built more for weekend vacations or short bi-annual trips — is the more popular choice.

"A lot of people love the 144...because of its versatility," Riddle said. "Some people are like, 'it's gotta be compact, fit it in a parking spot, and I want this to be the soccer mom car,' but then on the weekends, they're hitting the trails...and getting lost."

The 170-inch is a more popular choice for camper vanners interested in taking an extended trip.

For example, a 170-inch Doc Holiday build is currently being used by a customer who once lived in New York, but decided to move to Wyoming amid the pandemic.

This Doc Holiday owner is now using the van as a "satellite home base" for trips in conjunction with a friends' home and personal property.

The camper costs between $68,900 for the base build, but can range up to $200,000 with different add-ons.

The cabinets and walls are made by Off Highway Van's team using light aluminum and wood-less composite materials, creating a waterproof and strong structure, according to its makers.

The ceiling is lined with vinyl fabric, while the walls are tweed fabric.

The van, which comes insulated, has a roof fan and several windows, such as awning windows with screens by both sides of the bed.

When it's dark out, the interior can be brightened up with its eight LED lights.

Its interior is powered in part by its 2,000-watt inverter charger, 200-watt solar panels, and a 224-amp hour battery system.

These power systems also supply the energy needed for the van's USB, 12-volt, and 110-volt outlets.

For family meals on the road, the kitchen has a 22-inch by 20-inch butcher block countertop, refrigerator, and freezer ...

... and a sink that accompanies the 15-gallon fresh water tank and five-gallon grey water tank.

The main bed platform sits 37 inches above the floor, making room for accessories, such as mountain bikes, in the cargo area.

The cargo garage space also has an L-track mounted onto the floor to help keep gear in place.

Other amenities, such as an exterior shower, air conditioner, and roof rack, come at additional costs.