What does overlanding look like to you? To most, it means throwing a tent on top of the vehicle they use, maybe every day. Some chunky tires and a solid roof to climb on top of. It’s the act of taking your vehicle anywhere you’d want to go, as long as it has the ability to get there. Often, it will take many to remote areas with little to no direction. Overlanders are wanderers, naturally. It’s a simple concept, but there are those who have decided to push the envelope on what an overlanding vehicle can, and maybe, should, be. Storyteller Overland thinks a dedicated vehicle in the direction of van life is the way to go, and I might be inclined to agree.
To me, Storyteller’s Beast Mode XO offers a pretty wild answer that is anything but basic. It houses a solution for, seemingly, every camping situation imaginable. It’s all so intense, well-thought-out, but also very simple. There are massive juxtapositions happening all at once. On one hand, you’re becoming one with nature, letting go of your connection with technology. On the other hand, in the Beast Mode XO, you’re using some of the best technology available to make the experience an elevated one. This is overlanding luxury.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Mercedes and storytelleroverland.com. All images were captured using the Z6III mirrorless camera provided by Nikon.
Everything Just Works
It Drives As You’d Expect It To
The Beast Mode XO drives largely like the diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz van that it’s based on. This, plus some height and weight, but otherwise, it’s a fairly drama-free experience. I love not “needing” an RV-designated camping spot for most places, but the Beast Mode can definitely make the most if you did have one reserved. The ride is incredibly smooth, and the vehicle is dynamic enough to drive more or less like you would any other large vehicle. Power is adequate, and although it’s not a punchy thing, there are various tow hitches available, as the Beast Mode XO can tow some weight with it. The GVWR is 9,050 pounds.
Making Camping An Easy Task
The Storyteller van conversions make the best of their available space. With the sliding side door under the power-retractable awning, it beautifully blends the indoor camper vibe with the surrounding exterior. Because the suspension is properly compliant, it’s pretty easy to find a level enough surface to keep the Beast Mode flat. The built-in seating makes for a comfy “living room.” Cooking and cleaning are tasks easily handled with the fold-open table swinging down to meet you at ground level. You can either use it as a prep area or pull up camp chairs to use it as a dining table. When it’s time to go, you just put your things in the cargo area, retract the awning, put up the fold-away table, and just drive away. I kept thinking I was forgetting something. Surely there were more steps involved. But it really is that easy. This is the beauty of the overlanding way.
Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads
Taking It Easy
My goal for the trip with the Storyteller Beast Mode XO wasn’t as extreme as its balls-to-the-wall name might suggest. Instead, I wanted a peaceful few days off the grid in one of the most beautiful places I could find. On day two of my journey with the Beast Mode, I found just that. Minimal off-roading was done to get there, although the few trails I did take it on were absolute cake walks for it. Eventually, I found a gorgeous beach-side camping area in a location that I was sworn to secrecy.
The best way to describe it is northwest of Santa Barbara, but southwest of Santa Maria. Do with that information what you will, but this beach and palisades landscape is desolate, isolated, almost creepy, and one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in the State of California. Not only was the beach immaculate, but the sharp, raised mountains and natural springs/wetlands that meet the sand all created a dreamlike landscape. It was 24 hours of peace. I was absolutely ecstatic to have experienced it in the luxury of the Storyteller Beast Mode XO. One fantastic overnight in this magical place. I was ready to have an effortless night of hot dog grilling and s’mores building.
The Best Stargazing Companion
The LED-lined awning provides a perfect amount of light without being annoying to either neighbors or to my own eyes. I didn’t have to turn them off to take advantage of the Milky Way Galaxy up above. There were no tents to build, as the bed was already set for when I’d eventually get sleepy and simply step into the van and want to call it a night. I shut the main slider door, and I was now ready to end the night in a sheltered, elevated fortress. I felt immediately safer from the elements than in a normal tent or even a rooftop tent situation. It was the perfect end to a truly blissful day. It makes sense why they call it Storyteller. I can now share the story of how a lifted van brought me to a place I had been so curious about for so long.
The Off-Road Additions
Suspended Higher
To overland, or to travel by vehicle over minimally touched terrain, and then be able to stop anywhere you please to set up camp, requires significant ground clearance. To solve this problem, Storyteller developed their own special suspension system. It’s called Evictus, and it’s manufactured by none other than Bilstein. I was worried the van would be overly stiff to compensate for its height, but was pleasantly surprised to find it very plush for a vehicle such as this. The extra ride height made me feel like I was towering over absolutely everything else on the road, but also gave more than enough clearance when off-road (10.5 inches).
Lights, Bumpers, Tires, Action!
The rest of the Beast Mode model’s off-road ability comes from the large BFG All-Terrain tires, more aggressive bumpers, and a series of off-road-specific lights to brighten the path ahead. All-Terrains have long remained an industry standard. If you want to go off-road, a proper set of dirt tires is key. Think of these in the off-road world as Michelin’s PS4S are to on-road driving. They are perfectly grippy in most situations, incredibly strong, and make off-roading simple. Storyteller has outfitted the Beast Mode with 10 off-road KC lights, bright enough (and hot enough) to melt their own covers.
A Clever Interior
The Essentials And Then Some
The Beast Mode isn’t just about the rough ‘n’ tough exterior. The inside of the once-meager Sprinter has become a camper’s dream. No detail was left untouched. The interior of the Storyteller is brilliant. There is a full working kitchen with a sink and a foldable table that reaches outside. There’s a portable hot plate that acts as a stove. A microwave is located overhead, as is plenty of pantry space. There are outlets and USB/C plugs everywhere. The bathroom acts as a closet when not being used as a shower.
A dedicated air conditioner unit located above the bed area can be used to supplement the AC from the van itself. There are locking drawers to keep utensils and permanently stored items secure. Behind the driver and passenger seats are two more seats with a movable table that can act as a work station or dinner table. Speaking of the driver and passenger seats, they both swivel to make a four-person living area. Its bed folds into two stow-away parts, leaving a huge, rugged rear cargo area.
One of my favorite features, which I would find very convenient for extended trips, is the front- and rear-mounted air compressor outlets. Lastly, an outdoor shower located in the rear of the vehicle is extremely helpful in so many situations out in the wild. It’s incredibly versatile and seamless.
The Tech
Every major electrically powered feature within the Beast Mode XO (of which there are many) can be controlled within the touchscreen. This isn’t an infotainment screen, but rather a control panel for functionality only. The van’s fresh water/water heater can be monitored and controlled here, along with all the interior lighting.
There is also a ventilation function that can be accessed on screen. Besides the main control panel, there are also “all on” lighting controls side-mounted on the kitchen counter. Another “all on” switch is located near the driver’s seat. There’s even a portable Bluetooth speaker, which is mounted on a panel next to the microwave. A 16.8 kWh battery system fed by a solar panel roof provides over a week of off-grid power.
A Solid Foundation
The Best Or Nothing
Of course, none of this could be possible without a solid vehicle serving as the foundation on which Storyteller bases their overland-focused builds. For that, they chose the very competent Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van. It’s a more refined platform than many other camper vans, and that fact reveals itself in the way it drives. It’s also one of the sleekest designed for this type of use. The driving position is more relaxed daily-driver than it is upright truck, which makes traveling long distances a breeze. There aren’t any rattles or overly excessive NVH issues due to the van itself. A sore point in some camper conversions is the excessive noise coming from behind the driver. This isn’t as much of a problem with the Storyteller van.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Having driven campers of all shapes and sizes, I can confidently say the Class B size or van conversion is definitely the most convenient way to go. Out of the competition, including other much more expensive classes, it drives the most like a normal vehicle, and often times you can literally just park wherever you want, negating the need for a designated “RV” spot. What’s more, it fits in normal parking spots if needed, as shown in the photo of it at the local grocery store. It may be slightly more cramped inside without pop-outs, but the layout, specifically within the Beast Mode XO, makes the most of the available space.