Storyteller Overland is an adventure van manufacturer based in Birmingham, Alabama. They are building 4×4 camper van conversions on the Sprinter and Transit chassis with a power system that can keep you off-grid for days.
We tested the Mode 4×4 adventure van prototype on the Transit platform and the production model on the Sprinter 4×4 platform. This is a round up of our experiences.
In this post you’ll find:
- How we ended up in a Storyteller Overland
- Full van tour
- Van specs
- Essential Gears & Gadgets for van life
- Van Life in a Mode 4×4
- Additional Resources
Storyteller Overland Mode 4×4
“Live Free. Explore Endlessly. Tell Better Stories.” – That’s the ethos behind each Storyteller Overland Mode 4×4 rolling out of the factory in Birmingham, Alabama.
Learn more about Storyteller Overland’s story and purpose at https://storytelleroverland.com/ourstory/
The Mode 4×4 on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis is the first production model by Storyteller Overland. These are sold through a dealer network across the United States with a price lock guarantee.
Note: the Mode 4×4 prototype and production model used and referenced in this post was on loan to us to test and provide feedback on. No one told us what to write or say. All of the opinions are our own, 100%.
How We Ended Up in a Storyteller Overland
We learned about Storyteller Overland at an industry RV Show where we were shopping for our next camper. You can watch that video below.
A chance meeting a few weeks later lead to us breaking bread with the founder of Storyteller Overland and their head of business development. All good things happen over a great meal right?
Since we are interested in a camper built on the Ford Transit chassis, we jumped at the opportunity to test out the Transit Mode 4×4 prototype.
The Transit Mode 4×4 camper van was on loan to us for two months where we were able to put it through its paces. In that time, we drove over 7,000 miles around the United States.
We carried a motorcycle on the hitch the entire time. Charley the yellow Labrador Retriever also joined us for the first month so we could get a feel of what it’s like to travel with a dog in the Mode 4×4.
When the Mode 4×4 on the Mercedes Sprinter became available we also traveled and lived out of that for a few weeks.
Check out the “Van Life in a Mode 4×4” section of this post to see what it’s like living out of a 4×4 off-grid adventure van.
Mode 4×4 Transit Adventure Van Tour
Watch the full van tour below. Keep in mind this Ford Transit custom camper is a prototype and some features may be different in the production model.
Mode 4×4 Adventure Van Specs
Below are highlights of features in the production model of the Storyteller Overland Mode 4×4.
- Living area: seating for four: two on bench seat, two on swivel front seats
- Kitchen: stainless steel sink, induction stove top, microwave, AC/DC fridge.
- Bedroom: non-standard size bed, flares on driver and passenger side of the van to increase bed length to 77″ (east/west). Be can be lifted and stowed out of the way.
- Bathroom: fold out shower and portable cassette toilet system
- Tank sizes: 21 gallon fresh water tank, 21 gallon gray water tank\
- Hot Water & Heat: diesel or gas water heater and furnace
- A/C: Roof mounted A/C unit that can be powered without shore power
- Safety: smoke detector, CO2 detector and fire extinguisher
- Solar: 90 watts of solar, wired for max of 600 watts
- Battery: 12,000 watt hours/1,000 ah lithium batteries, part of the Volta Power System
- Inverter: 3,600 watt
- Secondary Alternator: 8,000 watt charging system
- Storage: overhead cabinets throughout the van, garage area underneath the platform bed
Essential Gears & Gadgets
This is a list of all the gears and gadgets we found essential for van life.
- Water Hose – Lead free and compact
- Cell Signal Booster – To get the best cell connection available
- Instant Pot – We cook most meals in this electric pressure cooker. Kait is working on the cookbook, in the meantime here are some IP Recipes.
- Essential Tools – All the tools we carried in the van
- Motorcycle Carrier – hitch receiver mounted carrier
For camping gear and other items we use and love, head over to Our Store.
Van Life in a Storyteller Overland
To get a better feel of what it’s like to live full time out of a Storyteller Overland Mode 4×4 Transit camper van, watch the videos below.
Traveling in a Mode 4×4 with a Puppy
Taking a Transit 4×4 Off-Road
Road-trips in an Off-grid Class B RV
First stop: South Dakota
Second stop: Yellowstone National Park
Living in a Van Down by the River
Our final destination in the Transit Mode 4×4 took us to one of our favorite cities: Bend, Oregon. At the beginning of this video I share some thoughts on finding community on the road.
Moving in to the Sprinter Mode 4×4
Going to an Adventure Van Gathering
Dealing with Emergencies While Traveling in a Van
Beach Camping in a Sprinter Camper Van
A Day in the Life of Living in a Mode 4×4
Additional Resources
Reach the Storyteller Overland Team – call, e-mail, or schedule an appointment to check out their HQ in sweet home Alabama.
Check Out a Mode 4×4 at an Overland Event or RV Show.
Class B RV Manufacturers – complete list of Class B manufacturers
Cost of Full Time RV Living – Monthly breakdowns for Class A RV Living and Class B Van Life
Frequently Asked Questions About Van Life – answers to popular questions about van life
Try It Before You Buy It – All types of Class B RVs are available for rent in the U.S. and Canada. You can even rent a camper in Hawaii.
Get $50 off your rental with discount code RUSSOS50
Pros and cons of the Sprinter 4×4 Mode versus the Ford Transit 4×4 Mode? Do you know if Storyteller is going to build the Quigley 4×4 Mode or are they going with the Ford Transit all wheel drive Mode? With my research on Class B RVs by other companies, I am concerned with the Sprinter diesel performance in the cold and high altitude. I am thinking the Ford Transit gas Storyteller 4×4 Mode would be a better choice for me.
The Benz has the most comfortable cab of any van tested. We liked the gas engine on the Transit a lot. Honestly, it’s really a personal choice and deciding what fits your needs the best. I don’t know what Storyteller Overland plans to do with the Transit chassis. I know they were waiting for the 2020 AWD’s to see what they thought and how they would work with them.
I’ve been wondering which of the Storyteller Mode chassis you preferred and why.
They’re both quite different. We like the Ford because it’s gas and we want to go into central and south America where its VERY difficult to find the right kind of diesel for the modern engines. That said, the Benz has the most comfy seating. It’s really a personal preference and you’d have to drive both to see what you think.
What are you going to buy?
I want a 4×4 quigly high roof transit with eco boost engine with storyland lay out.
Pull a small trailer for sailing kayak,
The price tag of $150k is daunting, any recommendation for buying just 4×4 transit with diy shops to curb costs? Your thoughts?
Hey Van! We’re still shopping and trying to figure out what our next camper will be. The Transit 4×4 prototype by Storyteller Overland was awesome and we loved taking it off-road. As for figuring out which camper is right for you, there are so many options and you have to figure out what works best for your budget and the way you want to travel. Have you checked out all the van manufacturers and builders on this page?