Mercedes-Benz is no stranger to the overlanding world; the Sprinter AWD chassis is the preferred option for many a camper van outfitter. But the Sprinter AWD capability pales compared to the ultimate Mercedes overlanding vehicle, the G-Wagen. And there’s now a way to get most of that camper van functionality in the more compact G-Wagen frame.
German builder Terracamper — as spotted by New Atlas — now offers a Tecrawl conversion package for the G-Wagen ( the current generation, buily from 2018 onward). It provides a solid camping setup for three that works within the existing G-Class bodywork, saving a massive amount of money versus a custom shell. That's important, since a base G-Wagen starts at around $140,000.
Space in the G-Wagen is limited, but the Tecrawl conversion makes the most of it. Two passengers sleep in a hard-sided rooftop tent. A third can sleep on a convertible sofa on the passenger side of the cabin. The driver’s slide features a slide-out kitchen (out the passenger door) with a dual-burner stove, pantry and a workspace.
There’s also a 31-liter fridge box in the driver’s side trunk and a pressurized water system with a 20-liter tank. Buyers can also add options like an Xtreme Pott dry toilet and a solar power setup.
According to New Atlas, Terracamper’s Tecrawl conversion package starts at $11,900, which is pretty reasonable by both camper and G-Wagen standards. The rub is that Terracamper's installation facility is in Germany, which will likely preclude installing it on your U.S. spec G-class. If you're European-based, Terracamper also offers more extensive build-outs with pop-top roofs based on the Volkswagen Transporter.
