Sandy Vans
The MOTHERSHIP
$450,000.00
/
Sold out
Now Building the Mothership by Sandy Vans: The most advanced luxury adventure van ever built. Mothership 6 in process, reach out today to learn more!
619-812-1903
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OVERVIEW
SOLD: Introducing Mothership 5 — the crown jewel of expedition vehicles. Built on a brand-new 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 170 Extended Dually AWD chassis in metallic black, this van represents the peak of engineering, luxury, and off-grid self-sufficiency. It comes with a 5-year / 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper extended warranty, making it ready for the long haul.
This build is the personal dream rig of Shaiden Valentine, founder of Mothership Vehicles, and took two years to complete. No expense was spared. No shortcut taken. Every inch of this van was designed and built by expert hands in San Diego, California, using aerospace-grade materials, precision CNC components, and cutting-edge technology.
This is not just a van — it’s a mobile command center. Built to thrive in the wild, entertain in luxury, and live in full autonomy. Ready for the apocalypse, or just the ultimate weekend.
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EXTERIOR FEATURES
• Rugged Designs Roof Rack
• (6) Baja Designs LP6 Pro lights
• 360° security lighting
• 13-foot matte black automatic legless awning with optional LED strip
• RoofNest rooftop tent (queen-size bed)
• 300W military-grade flexible solar
• Full-time Starlink in a custom weatherproof enclosure (usable while driving or stationary)
• Snorkel intake system – for cleaner air while offeoading and rugged aesthetics
• Backwoods Adventure Mods Front Bumper
• Bull bar, 20” LED light bar, 4 pod lights, 12,000 lb winch
• Backwoods Rear Bumper with dual reverse pod lights
• Agile Offroad RIP Kit + 6,000 lb leaf springs (handles like a 4500 chassis)
• Satin black Method dually wheels + brand-new BFGoodrich KO3 all-terrain tires
• Rugged Designs side ladder (driver side)
• OwlVans ladder + spare tire carrier combo (rear door)
• OwlVans Sherpa rack with ski/snowboard locker
• AMP Research retractable side steps on both driver and passenger sides with underlighting
• All components built with premium powder-coated aluminum, designed for extreme use
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INTERIOR LAYOUT
• Lounge
• Kitchen
• Bathroom
• Garage
• Sleeping Areas
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1. LOUNGE
The front lounge is designed to entertain, relax, or work in absolute comfort and style.
• Focal 6-channel high-fidelity surround sound
• 10” subwoofer integrated into passenger bench with unmatched performance
• 27” 4K monitor with USB-C connectivity
• Driver-side tech nook for charging and storage
• Upholstered in light gray faux suede, Alcantara headliner, and Fenix scratch-resistant laminate cabinetry
• CNC-machined cabinetry throughout
• Seats up to 10 guests — perfect for dinners or game nights
• Swivel Mercedes captain chairs
• Lounge converts to a full-size bed
• 120V and USB-C outlets throughout
• Premium magnetic blackout shades for all cab and cabin windows
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2. KITCHEN
A minimalist, luxury kitchen loaded with functionality and futuristic tech.
• Slate countertops with invisible induction cooktop (a Mothership exclusive)
• Black stainless steel sink with matte black faucet and 3-stage filtered water
• Curved overhead cabinetry with microwave and storage
• Vitrifrigo 150L fridge/freezer combo
• Full-height pantry, built-in wine cellar, and Nespresso coffee station
• Closet with hanging space and 5 spacious drawers for linens, clothing, and gear
• 120V + DC outlets throughout
• Indirect, dimmable LED lighting built into every zone
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3. BATHROOM
A full luxury wet bath that brings residential comfort to the road.
• Slate shower walls with imported teak flooring and ceiling
• Nebia by Moen showerhead and click-on/off shower wand — designed for water efficiency and comfort
• Smart tint shower window — goes from frosted to clear with the flip of a switch
• MaxxAir fan hidden in teak ceiling for stealth ventilation
• Residential frosted glass shower door — rare in van builds
• Cinderella propane incinerating toilet
• Over 100 flushes per BBQ propane tank
• Eliminates the need for black water tanks or dumping
• A one-of-a-kind solution in Mothership vehicles
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4. GARAGE
A spacious, rugged, and fully-equipped utility zone for gear and functionality.
• Fits bikes, boards, skis, tools, and more with ease
• Waterproof floors + walls for durability
• L-Track system with D-ring mounts for cargo nets, straps, and custom setups
• Rear door storage bags for additional organization
• Hot + cold outdoor shower port
• Air compressor port in garage + secondary under the hood
• Sealed propane locker
• Ventilated electrical cabinet houses full power system
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5. SLEEPING AREAS
Comfortably sleeps six adults in three separate sleeping zones.
• Primary Bed:
• HappyJack electric lift bed (queen)
• Custom ultralight aluminum platform with 5” premium mattress
• Surrounded by Alcantara, indirect LED lighting, and an electric Arctic Tern skylight for stargazing
• Fully height adjustable — lower to cushions or raise to bunk mode
• Secondary Bed:
• Lounge converts to full-size bed
• Ideal for guests or use in bunk mode with primary bed above
• Rooftop Tent:
• RoofNest queen-size tent sleeps 2 comfortably
• Entertainment:
• Surround sound system extends to bedroom
• 27” 4K screen viewable from lounge and bed
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ONBOARD SYSTEMS
Climate & Plumbing
• Cruise N Comfort 48V air conditioner (13,000 BTU) — whisper-quiet, high-efficiency
• Rixen Hydronic Heating System
• Provides radiant heated floors, hot air, and on-demand hot water
• Integrates diesel furnace, engine heat, and electric preheat
• Controlled via lounge-mounted digital panel
• 52-gallon freshwater tank
• 27-gallon heated gray water tank with:
• Exterior plumbing heat tracing
• Remote solenoid dump valve
• Hot/cold exterior shower in garage
• All plumbing is insulated and four-season ready
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The most advanced power system ever installed in a camper van — fully redundant and self-managing.
• 15 kWh self-heating lithium battery bank (weatherproof, advanced chemistry)
• 6,500W 48V inverter/charger with integrated solar charge controller
• Victron Cerbo GX interface with:
• Battery and tank monitoring
• Touchscreen controls
• Smart engine auto-start integration
Three Redundant Charging Methods
1. 300W rooftop solar array
2. Shore power input
3. 48V auxiliary alternator — charges while driving up to 10kw
Smart Auto-Start System
• Starts the van engine automatically at 20% battery
• Shuts off at 80%
• Allows continuous A/C use, pet safety, and off-grid reliability — without any user input
Additional Features
• 48V → 12V bi-directional DC-to-DC charger keeps the starter battery topped off
• 48-gallon upgraded diesel tank
• ~600-mile driving range
• Long-term off-grid autonomy for all systems
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CONCLUSION
Mothership 5 is more than a van — it’s a self-sufficient luxury basecamp, a rolling smart home, and a survival-ready exploration machine.
This is the most advanced camper van ever built.
No corners cut. No compromises made.
A future-proof vessel built for those who demand freedom, durability, and unmatched quality.
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Price: Contact for Details
Location: San Diego, California
Available for Purchase Today!
Make & Model
2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 XD
Drivetrain
AWD
Like What You See?
Come test drive it
Typical Response Time
24 Hours
Have Something Special in Mind?
Want to build something custom or add onto an existing van? Reach out, we will get in handled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cant find the answer to your question? Send us an email
Where are we?
9393 Trade Pl
San Diego
Does SV offer financing?
Yes! Many financing options available - set up a call with a sales associate to learn more.
Base Build Pricing?
Sandy Vans sources well optioned Sprinters brand new from the dealership for builds. Our pricing is the van & build out together:
2024 Sprinter 144 RWD: $119,000*
2024 Sprinter 144 AWD: $149,000*
*before option add ons
Are you available for showings / test drives on the weekends?
For you, yes! Please get in touch and we will work on coordinating a time together.
619-812-1903
Can I bring you a van to build out?
Sandy Vans focuses on building brand new vehicles for a turn key purchase. We are happy to do one of our layout builds in your new van! (Sprinter 2019+).
How do I reserve a build slot?
Get in touch! We have a quick turn around (typically 4-6 weeks) from first deposit to van delivery.
We are able to provide you a semi-custom van to fit your specific vision & adventure!
