If easy driving, simpler parking and a lower price matter most, and two people will travel, the Sprinter 144 is usually the better fit. If you need an indoor bathroom, a third sleeping spot, four seat belts or a real workspace, the extra length of the 170 is what makes room for it.
At Beachside Custom Vans, that choice maps directly onto the 2027 lineup. The Drifter is built on the Sprinter 144 AWD and starts at $140,000. The Oasis and the Gamer Van are built on the Sprinter 170 AWD and start at $195,000. Both prices include the new van.
The factory numbers
These figures are Mercedes-Benz's own for the 2026 Sprinter high roof with all-wheel drive, before any conversion work.
| Sprinter 144 high roof AWD | Sprinter 170 high roof AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 234 in (19 ft 6 in) | 274 in (22 ft 10 in) |
| Wheelbase | 144 in | 170 in |
| Turning diameter, curb to curb | 45 ft | 52 ft |
| Overall height | 111 in | 111 in |
| Interior standing height (empty van) | 77 in | 77 in |
Source: Mercedes-Benz Vans, Sprinter specifications.
Two things stand out. The 170 is 40 inches longer, and it needs about 7 more feet to turn around. Both vans start at the same roof height, so garage and drive-through clearance comes down to what goes on the roof.
What the extra 40 inches holds
In a camper van, length is floor plan. Here is how Beachside uses each one in the 2027 models.
| Drifter (144) | Oasis (170) | Gamer Van (170) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | About 19 ft | About 22 ft | About 22 ft |
| Seat belts | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Sleeps | 2 adults | 2 to 3 adults | 2 adults |
| Bed | Fixed bed, always made | Motorized elevator bed over an L-shaped lounge | Motorized elevator bed |
| Bathroom | Cassette toilet in the closet, outdoor rear shower | Indoor shower and dry-flush toilet | Dry-flush toilet inside, hot outdoor rear shower |
| Workspace | None in the standard layout | Swivel tables | Dedicated desk with monitor mounts and power |
| Lithium battery and solar | 400Ah, 200W | 600Ah, 400W | 600Ah, 400W |
| Fresh water | 35 gal | 32 gal | 32 gal |
| Starting price, van included | $140,000 | $195,000 | $195,000 |
The Drifter puts its fixed bed over a rear garage that holds the water and electrical systems plus your gear. A partition wall under the bed separates the garage and doubles as a step. In the 170, the elevator bed rises out of the way during the day, which frees the floor for a lounge with a bathroom beside it (Oasis) or a desk (Gamer Van).
Driving, parking and campsites
The 144 is the easier van to live with in town. It overhangs a parking space less, backs into driveways and campsites more easily, and the tighter turning circle shows up in parking lots, fuel stations and narrow campground loops.
The 170 asks for more planning at the destination. If you have campgrounds, ferries or a home driveway in mind, check their length limits before you choose.
All three 2027 models are all-wheel drive, so traction on wet grass, sand and gravel roads is the same on both lengths.
Bathroom and sleeping: where the decision usually gets made
In Beachside's conversations with buyers this year, an indoor shower was one of the most common requests. Among the 2027 models, only the Oasis has one, and the 170's extra length is what makes that possible without giving up the bed or the lounge.
Sleeping works the same way. The Drifter sleeps two adults on a fixed bed that never needs to be made up. The Oasis sleeps two to three adults and has four seat belts. Its elevator bed measures 78 by 56 inches, and with the bed raised there is a little over 5 feet of clearance underneath. If you plan to travel with children in car seats, bring it up on your consultation call, because seat and belt locations decide what will work.
Power and time off grid
The Drifter's 400Ah Victron lithium system is built with boondocking in mind. In the shop's experience, runtime depends on use: roughly 3 to 4 days without running the air conditioner, and roughly 8 to 10 hours with the A/C on full cold. The 170 models carry 600Ah and twice the solar, which suits longer stays and heavier loads such as the Gamer Van's computer setup.
A quick way to decide
Choose the Sprinter 144 (Drifter) if:
- Two people will travel, and a bed that stays made matters to you
- You'll drive the van in town, park it at home or use tight campsites
- An outdoor shower and a closet toilet cover your needs
- You want the lower starting price, or a finished van available now
Choose the Sprinter 170 (Oasis or Gamer Van) if:
- You want an indoor shower, or you're planning long stretches on the road
- You need four seat belts or a third sleeper
- You'll work from the van every day
- You want the larger battery bank and solar array
What the starting price includes
Every 2027 model starts with a brand-new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter AWD with the 4-cylinder turbo diesel, a Victron electrical system, a Dometic fridge and freezer, diesel heat and 12V air conditioning. Finishes such as cabinetry, countertops, flooring and colors are chosen at the design meeting and are included. Upgrades such as larger electrical systems, suspension, wheels and tires are priced at that meeting.
A $5,000 nonrefundable deposit reserves a build slot. Model vans take 6 to 10 weeks to build, with weekly updates, and carry a 2-year builder warranty. If you'd rather drive a 144 now, Koa, a finished 2026 Drifter, is on the vans for sale page.
See both lengths before you decide
The quickest way to settle this is to stand in both vans. The Atlantic Beach shop, near Jacksonville, shows vans by appointment Monday to Friday, and video walkthroughs are available if you're out of state. Request a consultation and tell the shop how you plan to travel; the team will tell you which length fits.
