When you’re shopping for a camper van, it’s easy to focus on cabinetry, lighting, and solar — the stuff you see inside. But the real difference between a van that just looks good and one that lasts thousands of miles starts with the foundation: the chassis.
Most builders take whatever Mercedes Sprinter chassis is available and start building. The issue? Stock vans often lack the features that make long-term travel safe and comfortable.
At Geotrek, we don’t settle. Our Bear Peak and Flatiron models start on custom-ordered Mercedes chassis built specifically for van life. By locking in comfort, tech, and driver-assist features at the factory, these vans offer smoother performance, greater consistency, and a higher baseline of quality before the interior build even begins.
Here’s what really separates a great Sprinter van chassis from a standard one — and how Geotrek stacks up.
What Makes a “Best” Sprinter Build
Here are the criteria that define a top-tier Sprinter van — the things you should look for if you want the best foundation for van life.
- The Right Specs from the Start
A Sprinter chassis sets the tone for everything that follows. If the base van is under-equipped, you’ll be chasing upgrades later.Geotrek avoids that trap by custom-ordering every chassis with the right specs locked in from day one. - Powertrain That Matches the Mission
Long climbs, snow, rough roads — they expose any weakness in drivetrain or engine choice.That’s why the Geotrek Bear Peak and Flatiron run Mercedes’ AWD system with the high-output engine, matched to the wheelbase that balances interior comfort with road handling. - Safety That’s Baked In
Big vans demand confidence behind the wheel. 360° cameras, adaptive cruise, blind-spot assist, lane keeping — these are the tools that make a Sprinter safe to drive, not just convenient.Geotrek specifies them from the factory so owners aren’t left retrofitting later. - Comfort That Holds Up Over Miles
Ergonomics matter as much as cabinetry. Leather seating, lumbar support, thigh extensions, and swivels make daily driving sustainable instead of exhausting.That’s why Geotrek’s Comfort Package is standard — comfort is built in, not treated as luxury. - Consistency Across Every Build
One-off vans can be a gamble. Starting from the same base spec ensures consistency in performance, maintenance, and resale.
With Geotrek, buyers know exactly what they’re getting — no surprises from one build to the next.
How Geotrek Builds Fit the “Best” Standard
At Geotrek, we don’t just take what Mercedes offers — we work directly with them to design a custom chassis built for van life.
That means every Bear Peak and Flatiron starts with the same factory-ordered foundation, already equipped with the comfort, tech, and safety features that make long-term travel better.
Here’s what we include from day one:
Comfort Package
Factory-upgraded leather seats with added padding, thigh extension, lumbar support, and full adjustability — plus Mercedes factory swivels. Long drives don’t have to feel long.
Driver’s Convenience Package
Four keys (not two), extra USB-C outlets, dash storage lids, and a 12V outlet. Smart details that make daily use easier — and save you $1,000 a key if you ever lose one.
MBUX Package
A big touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and steering wheel controls. Without it, you’re stuck with a tiny, outdated display. With it, connectivity feels modern — and resale value skyrockets.
Drive Assist Bundle
360° parking cameras, parking sensors, blind spot assist, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise, and a digital rearview mirror. Big van, small stress.
Winter Plus Package
Heated passenger seat, heated steering wheel, and a leather steering wheel. The driver’s seat heater is already standard on 2025 Sprinters, but this takes comfort further.
Exterior Lighting Package
LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights. Stock halogens make night driving tough — LEDs cut through dark and bad weather with ease.
Trailer Hitch & Black Wheels
Every van comes standard with a 2-inch hitch and step (5,000 lb tow capacity), plus factory black wheels. Function meets style.
See It in Action
In this quick video, Trevor walks through every package we custom-ordered with Mercedes for our Bear Peak and Flatiron vans. Watch here to see how the right chassis makes all the difference.
What the Competitive Landscape Looks Like
Most van builders start with whatever stock Sprinter they can get and focus on interiors. Safety tech, comfort, and usability features get piecemealed in later — if at all. Even among respected upfitters, the chassis itself is rarely treated as a true differentiator.
That’s where Geotrek stands apart. We don’t just build on the Mercedes Sprinter — we specify it from the start. Every Bear Peak and Flatiron begins on a custom-ordered chassis with the features that make long-term travel safer, more comfortable, and more consistent across every build.
Final Thoughts
When you see beautiful cabinetry, clean design, solar arrays — those are the finishing touches. But the chassis is what carries it all.
By starting with a custom-ordered, feature-rich Sprinter base, Geotrek ensures every Bear Peak and Flatiron drives, performs, and feels like a premium van.
These vans aren’t just built to look good — they’re built on the best chassis you can get. And right now, only a handful of Bear Peak and Flatiron vans are left in 2025.
Don’t wait until they’re gone:
