Buying your recreational vehicle from an established RV company has its benefits, for sure, but when a handful of people are building one, you know they’ve put their heart into it. Like many other entrepreneurs out there, Nick Devane came up with the idea of an RV business because he was dissatisfied with what he found on the market.
Texino | Switchback Walkthrough | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Custom Van Build
Nick traveled around California and Baja in a Vanagon before restoring and rebuilding smaller campers, based on Sprinters, Volkswagens, and Land Cruisers. In Silver Lake, Los Angeles, his company started small and eventually strayed away from vintage rentals. However, in only a couple of years, Texino has grown to be a popular name when it comes to building and renting RVs.
With two production facilities covering 40,000 square feet (3,716 square meters) in downtown Los Angeles, the young company is committed to “fabricating nearly every aspect of our vehicle conversions in-house”, and making sure that the highest quality materials and components are selected.
Texino’s newest build, the Switchback II, is meant to be a reliable and practical travel companion without unnecessary frills. This RV is an updated version of the brand’s original Switchback model. It is built on the 144” Mercedes-Benz Sprinter model, with enough room for up to four people and all the amenities required for a comfortable adventure trip.
First of all, you’re most likely to notice the high-quality materials used for this build. All the woodwork is laminated with Fenixtm, a premium laminate that’s not only durable and scratch-resistant but also easy to repair – in case of scuffs, you can just place some parchment paper over them and apply heat.
The cabinets are made of marine-grade Birch ply, with various options for the cabinet fronts, and all the wood elements inside the van are treated to prevent moisture damage. Micro-suede wall linings and Agora mattress covers add a touch of luxury, while the 3M Thinsulate layer inside the van protects against moisture and helps reduce noise levels.
Texino’s special touch is the crash-tested L-track SmartFloor system, with a natural and sustainable cork covering – all your adventure gear or additional chairs will be safely locked in, no matter how bumpy the ride gets. Speaking of bumpy rides, the Switchback II is fitted with factory Mercedes-Benz wheels and tires but can also be upgraded to Falken Wildpeak tires with Black Rhino York 17×8 rims.
A reliable companion also in terms of power, the Switchback II features a 300-amp hour Lithium battery, a second alternator charging system, and shore power connector, plus 230 W of solar power. It’s also equipped with a hot water system and features a 25-gallon (95 liters) freshwater tank, plus a 22-gallon (83 liters) grey water tank.
Another Texino “special touch” is the fully remote-controlled Murphy bed, with a custom upholstered memory foam mattress. And, for additional sleeping accommodation, it also features a high roof pop-top with an interior ladder. This way, the Switchback II provides enough room for up to four people without limiting the overall space inside the van. Moreover, the exterior shower is built into the back of the kitchen cabinets, and it comes with a privacy curtain.
Small but well-equipped, the kitchenette boasts a stainless steel sink, an induction cooktop, and a refrigerator. Thanks to the ingenious layout, there’s also plenty of storage space throughout the Switchback II. This includes cabinets with six drawers, full-length overhead storage on the driver’s side, and storage room for light gear above the front seats.
Add to that an interior three-zone dimmable LED lighting, plus exterior LED scene lighting, and you’ve got the full picture of one of the coolest, smartest, most practical vans. And, because the L.A.-based startup is all about responding to customer needs, the Switchback II can be purchased or rented, with a wide range of add-ons and color schemes.
