The Top-Tier "Manitou" Camper Van Is Loaded With Features, Now for Sale for a Pretty Penny

The price of professionally converted camper vans can range from $50,000 (€46,742) for a simple camper, maybe even lower, up to hundreds of thousands for deluxe ones. The rig I'm checking out fits into the latter category. Meet the Manitou by Rossmonster.

I've written about many Rossmonster builds here on autoevolution, both truck campers and camper vans. This Longmont, Colorado-based company specializes in mobile homes that stand out with their quality, aesthetics, and clear attention to detail.

What we have here is a 2024 AWD Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a 144" wheelbase, which is the shorter version of the Sprinter. Despite its compact interior, its layout and design allow numerous useful features to fit inside.

This van used to be Rossmonster's show van. It's now for sale – I'll provide more info about that at the end of the article.

But before we look at those, I'd like to discuss the exterior, which is also packed with accessories. Perhaps the most significant one is an Evictus 2.65" suspension kit, which takes the AWD Sprinter's already great off-roading capabilities to the next level.

The van rides on Black Rhino rims wrapped in BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires. Moreover, at the front, you'll notice an Aluminess front bumper with a brush guard and four Baja Designs lights, two clear and two ambers.

At the rear, Rossmonster installed a ladder/spare tire carrier combo, a Rotopax fuel container, and a BackPack storage kit with a Molle panel, all from Aluminess. Climb on top of the vehicle, and you'll discover an Aluminess roof rack holding a Fiamma awning, 200 W solar panels, a Baja Designs LED strip light at the front, and S2 lights on the other three sides.

You'll have to use the Aluminess side steps to enter the rig. Once inside, you'll be greeted by an aesthetically pleasing living space. Rossmonster opted for bamboo cabinetry, white Corian countertops, a grey mix-upholstered dinette, a tongue and groove ceiling, and waterproof vinyl plank flooring. What's more, you'll notice an open layout, meaning the driver's cabin isn't separated from the rest of the interior.

Dead ahead of the entrance, you'll find the seating area. It has a sizeable bench with a large drawer and a Trelino cassette toilet. Moreover, you can transform it into a bed by pulling the backrest outward. It's long enough to serve as a bed for a kid or a dog.

The two seats in the driver's cabin can also be part of the seating area, as they can be swiveled to face the interior. Regardless of where you're sitting, you'll be in reach of a decently sized Lagun table mounted between the two seats.

Above, you can store stuff in two overhead cabinets. The one closest to the driver's cabin has the rig's control panel on its door. It consists of a battery monitor, a touchscreen for the van's heating system, and another for the power system and the lights.

On the opposite side, the kitchen takes up quite a large chunk of space, from the entrance to the rear. It features a deep stainless steel sink with a cover, a built-in single-burner stove, and a small Isotherm refrigerator.

Regarding storage, you have four overhead cabinets and drawers. You'll also notice a large cabinet integrated into the kitchen counter. Open it, and you'll see the rig's AquaHot hydronic heating system, which provides both hot air and hot water. Furthermore, Rossmonster fitted a 40-gallon (151-liter) freshwater tank behind it. All the water you use drains into an under-mounted greywater tank.

Another notable feature integrated under the countertop is a Tetravan fold-out shower. It comes with a hot/cold water mixer and a showerhead, so all you have to do is attach a curtain to the ceiling using four tiny hooks, and you'll be ready to wash yourself.

By installing this type of shower instead of devising a fixed wet bathroom, Rossmonster managed to save more space. Usually, van builders create a wet bathroom right past the seating area, but in this van, that part is taken up by a floor-to-ceiling unit comprising three drawers and a closet.

While the shower does create extra room, the most significant space-saving feature inside the Manitou is a massive Murphy bed at the rear with a folding mattress. Just make sure to empty the rear part of the countertop, as the bed's panel and mattress rest on it. Moreover, a Nomadic 12 V A/C unit will keep you cool on hotter days.

Finally, the electrical system is hidden in a cabinet under the Murphy bed and provides plenty of power for worry-free off-grid adventures. Its highlights are 990 Ah lithium batteries, a 3,000 W inverter/charger, and a solar charge controller connected to the 200 W solar panels.

Overall, Rossmonster's creation is packed with features without feeling too cluttered. It looks good, provides superior comfort, and can take you deep off the beaten path for longer periods.

As I mentioned earlier, the Manitou is for sale. It currently has around 12,000 miles (19,312 km) and is offered for a hefty $220,000 (€205,892). You can learn more about its features on Rossmonster's website.