What are the benefits of off-grid camping in my Metris?

Off-grid camping is a style of camping where people travel to remote areas with no access to classic amenities found at campgrounds. In Washington State, getting reservations at established campgrounds can be tricky, sometimes making off-grid camping on places like forestry roads the way to go. There are many benefits to off-grid camping:

• Connection with nature

• Solitude and privacy

• Cost savings

• Exploration of new territory

When camping off-grid, it’s important to leave no trace and follow the rules and regulations created by the US Forest Service. These include not staying in one place for more than two weeks, not creating new fire pits, not cutting vegetation, and ensuring all trash and other items are cleaned up.

The Mercedes Metris is a small-footprint, pop-up camper van, so at first glance, it may not seem like the ideal dispersed camping rig. However, Peace Vans has many add-on options that make it the perfect choice for your off-grid camping adventures: suspension lift, all-terrain tires, Dometic toilet, roof racks, rinse kit, battery upgrade, and a Webasto heater. Continue reading to learn more about these features and how they elevate your off-grid camping experience.

*Note: Some add-ons can be shipped to your door, while others are installed in Seattle by our team—shippable accessories linked under the description.

Suspension Lift

Installing a suspension lift on your van is the first step to off-grid camping. It offers many benefits, including:

• Increased ground clearance

• Improved off-road capabilities 

• Allows space for off-road tires

• Enhanced visibility

These four benefits are crucial when driving up rough forestry roads to reach your off-grid camping destination. Our NEW performance suspension lift kit completely overhauls the van's shocks and springs. It uses a time-tested kit from our parts at the Twin-Monotube-Projekt company in Germany, which engineers and manufactures performance upgrades for many vehicles. This kit will lift your van 1.5 inches, and you will immediately notice a dramatic increase in performance.

*Can be shipped and installed by a team near you or installed by Peace Vans!

A friend of ours, Kevin Ranker, recently tried out his new suspension lift in Baja California Sur. Here’s what he had to say:

“The new suspension is amazing!  It is literally a totally different vehicle - on Mex 1 with random creator-sized potholes and off-road in bumps and soft sand with tires at 13PSI. I’m about 650 miles south and just turning off-road for the next weeks… with one stop first. The fun begins!”

All-Terrain Tires

After we’ve installed your suspension lift, the next step for turning your pop-up camper van into the ultimate off-grid camping rig is to add all-terrain tires. We spec the Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 in the 225/65 r17 size, which is about one inch larger in diameter than the stock tires, giving you a bit of additional ground clearance. 

These versatile tires perform well on any driving surface, from pavement to dirt trails. They provide better traction to drive over rough terrain and are incredibly durable, making them more resistant to punctures from sharp rocks, branches, or debris. These tires also allow for all-season camping, performing well in rain, snow, and mud. We can install these on your van with the stock suspension, but we highly recommend pairing them with the lift kit to get the complete off-roading package.

Dometic Toilet

One common amenity found at established campgrounds is restrooms. Unlike full-size RVs, the Metris camper van does not come with a bathroom. Fortunately, we carry the Dometic 972 portable toilet. This toilet is compact and lightweight and easily fits inside your van. Its simple design makes it easy to clean and transport, and it is often used by boaters and tent campers. With this accessory, you’ll enjoy the comfort of “restroom access” while still being able to camp off-grid.

Rinse Kit

Another amenity that is found at established campgrounds is showers. With the Rinse Kit Pro, you won’t have to sacrifice this luxury when camping in the wilderness. This accessory has so many great uses:

• Rinsing off after a long day of hiking before entering your van

• Rinsing dirt off your gear before packing it up (paddle boards, bikes, etc.)

• Cleaning off muddy paws or giving your pet a quick rinse

• Supplying backup water for emergencies

This 3.5-gallon rinse kit boasts a high-pressure spray that lasts up to 7.5 minutes. When rationed correctly, this can last you multiple days in the backcountry.

Solar Panels

If you’re traveling off-grid for a long period of time and are worried about not having a place to plug in your van, then our Overland Bugout 130 Solar Panels are the perfect solution. When you get to camp, set out your solar panels, and your auxiliary battery will begin to charge.

The panels are made in the USA and best in class. This portable solar kit generates enough power for most small camper applications, putting up to 7 amps per hour into the battery. The Bugout 130 is all-weather power when you need to charge much more than phones, tablets, and the GPS. The kit includes a 20-foot extension cable with SB50 and SAE connectors to plug into your camper solar plug, Dometic PLB40 Battery Pack, and other common portable battery systems.

Roof Racks

The Mercedes Metris is known for being a small camper van, so it doesn’t have as much storage as a large rig like an RV. However, there’s a solution for this: a roof rack system. Our system is compatible with Yakima and Thule crossbars and accessories. The tracks are professionally mounted by our Seattle team and sit inset in the pop top, so they do not add height. We also recommend installing the optional stronger struts. 

You can use this system to hold kayak carriers, cargo boxes, roof baskets, and more. By storing extra items in a roof rack box, you’ll create more living space inside your van. It’s also the ideal substitute for towing an extra storage container. We highly recommend this add-on for increased space if you plan to camp off-grid for a few nights. 

Battery Upgrade

Do you prefer to camp for days at a time when exploring the backcountry? Then, our 150AH Lithium Battery upgrade is the perfect addition to your Metris. It offers over three times the useable capacity of the standard AGM Auxiliary Battery. So, you can leave your fridge on, charge your devices, run your heater, or do whatever else for three times as long before you have to think about recharging. It also fits in the stock battery location, so you won’t sacrifice any storage space.

Rather than spending your trip worrying about recharging your battery, you can rest assured that this upgrade will keep everything running for days.

Webasto Heater

In the Pacific Northwest, we deal with cold weather most of the year–but that shouldn’t stop you from adventuring in your small camper van! We install the Webasto Airtop 2000 STC camping heater–the best in the business. We use the gasoline model and tie it to the van’s fuel tank, so there’s no need to worry about running out of heater fuel. But don’t worry–even on high, the heater burns only 0.07 gallons of fuel per hour. The heater is a game changer for off-season camping, allowing you to stay warm and toasty whatever the weather.

You’ll also save storage space inside your van, as you won’t have to pack extra blankets, sleeping bags, and layers to stay warm at night. The heater is one of our most popular upgrades, and for good reason!

How can I order a Metris for my off-grid camping adventures?

We have less than 50 Metris vans left, so we recommend filling out an order form as soon as possible! With the Metris being discontinued, this is your last chance to purchase one of the best small camper van conversions on the market. Rather than taking a bulky RV or basic truck on your off-grid adventures, order a pop-up camper van: it has everything you could need in the backcountry.

Already have a van, but are you interested in installing one of the above upgrades? Contact modern@peacevans.com.