Custom camper-van conversion company Benchmark Vehicles created the Leithaus camper while business was booming during the coronavirus pandemic.
The pop-top 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper van — built for a doctor — has two beds, a passenger bench that can turn into another bed, a kitchen, two tables, and a garage, to name a few elements.
All of these premium bells and whistles bring the total cost of the van to $275,000, including the price of the 170-inch Sprinter chassis.
Benchmark Vehicles expanded its floor space twice during the coronavirus pandemic to increase production output, Leland Gilmore, founder and owner of Benchmark Vehicles, told Business Insider in an email interview.
Like many camper-van companies right now, Benchmark Vehicles has been so popular, the van conversion company is booked out for 2021 and already has a 30-person waitlist for its 2022 build schedule.
Custom camper-van conversion company Benchmark Vehicles created the Leithaus camper van on a 170-inch 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter while its business was booming during the coronavirus pandemic.
Like other camper-van conversion companies, Benchmark Vehicles saw a surge in public interest during the coronavirus pandemic, starting in May. Since then, the company's numbers have been incredible. According to Gilmore, the business boosted 300% in 2020 compared to 2019. And this growth has stayed resilient throughout the year: Benchmark went from a six-month lead time in June, to an 18-month lead time in October.
To meet the demands of the camper-van boom that has rippled across the industry, Benchmark Vehicles had to expand its floor space twice during the coronavirus pandemic. However, every additional "build slot" the company posted as a result of its expansion has already been filled.
As a result, Benchmark Vehicles now has a fully booked 2021 schedule, as well as a potentially busy 2022.
"The waitlist for 2022 builds is already over 30 people long, even with the understanding that we will not be able to begin their build for a minimum of 18 months," Gilmore told Business Insider in an email interview.
This 30-person waitlist is already more than the company can accommodate in 2022, and it's the first time Benchmark has needed to keep a waitlist for new clients, according to Gilmore.
Despite this already robust wait time, Gilmore predicts the business will only continue to grow in 2021 and 2022.
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
"With travel across borders becoming limited this year, and likely staying limited in 2021, we've seen a large increase in those who want to spend more time traveling safely and independently in the US," Gilmore wrote. "Vans are their escape now, more than ever."
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
Unlike the immediate demand for prebuilt camper vans at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Gilmore says their customers are okay with waiting over a year for a van.
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
Now, back to Leithaus, which has a price tag of $275,000 including the cost of the 170-inch four-by-four 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van chassis.
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
The build was officially completed in September for a doctor who wanted a camper to use while adventuring and spending time with his family, according to Gilmore.
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
To meet the doctor's requests, the Leithaus is off-grid and four-seasons capable and can sleep at least four people.
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
The tiny home's four-seasons capability comes from its wool insulation, insulated window covers, heating system, air conditioner, and roof fan.
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
In terms of the van's layout, the passenger bench seat, table, and shower are toward the front of the van …
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
The van's sleeping spaces include a pop-top roof bed accessible with a ladder, and a removable bed platform with a memory foam mattress top.
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
Storage throughout the camper van includes the aforementioned under-bed garage and cabinets, several of which can be found in the kitchen.
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
Meals prepared in the kitchen can be eaten at one of the van's two tables. One tabletop is toward the front of the van by the passenger bench, and the second is located by the rear bed.
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
The driver and front passenger seats can also swivel back to face the seat bench and table for a family meal.
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
If eating by the bed is more preferable, van occupants can sit on either side of the rear table atop two cushioned seats.
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
To clean off after outdoor activities, the van is equipped with an exterior shower and an interior mudroom area with a hidden pop-up shower.
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
The kitchen sink and showers' source water comes from the 35-gallon water tank and water-filtration system.
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
All of these amenities are powered by Leithaus' 630-amp hour battery system, alternator, and 3,000-watt inverter.
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
Like the interior, the four-by-four's exterior has a whole list of upgrades, including a skid plate, improved suspension package, and power steps for easier access into the tiny home on wheels.
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
The camper also has a bike and ski rack to accommodate any outdoor toys. And that concludes the Leithaus tour!
The Leithaus camper van by Benchmark Vehicles.
Comments
Post a Comment