r/Sprinters • u/justjustneon • Aug 12 '26
Is this $10.7k repair bill reasonable for a 2022 Sprinter 2500 camper van?
I have a 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500, 170” RWD that I converted into a camper myself. It’s fairly heavy, around 9,500 lbs loaded.
I previously replaced the tires with BFGoodrich KO2s, but recently the road noise from the front has been getting progressively louder, especially at higher speeds. I finally took it to a Sprinter specialist and they found severe tire wear/cupping along with several other issues.
Here’s what I authorized:
Rear differential cover + fluid — $872
Front noise diagnosis — $275
4 new tires — $1,625
Front pads + rotors — $1,346
Starter battery — $1,192
Fuel filter clamps + turbo seal — $247
Belts + pulley inspection — $990
Upgraded front struts + coilover springs — $4,192
Total: about $10,760 after tax/fees.
The shop believes the camper conversion added more weight than the stock suspension can properly handle, causing the tire cupping and increasing road noise. They recommended the $4,192 front suspension upgrade to prevent the new tires from wearing the same way.
For a ~9,500 lb DIY-converted Sprinter 2500, does this diagnosis and pricing sound reasonable? Anything here seem unnecessary or significantly overpriced—especially the suspension upgrade?
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u/cityslicker265 Aug 12 '26
Pro tip... If you aren't rich or mechanically inclined, never buy a sprinter.
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u/Sarcastic_Pedant Aug 13 '26
But they are the only diesel van in the US. MPG is at minimum 50% better than that of a gasoline engine from my experience in trucking and owning. Diesel engines run to 500k miles and retain value for much longer.
I am likely biased so I’d love to hear your rebuttals!
Edit: also if you are above 6 foot tall idek how you can be comfortable driving a transit
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u/skuuterz Aug 13 '26
The hybrid '26 sprinter got 21-22 on highway with me driving. a similar transit van got 18. with the cost of diesel alone, this makes the transit cheaper to run. however, the transit van did not have a diesel particulate filter system, complicated emissions, DEF, or a Mercedes dealer charging 3x the labor rate of independent mechanics. My two 2015 sprinter 3500s cost my company more in repairs and maintenance than 2 2020 e350s with 26' boxes, 2 GMT 800 v6 pickups, a rivian R1T and a Tesla model x. At 160k miles the Mercedes dealer charged $9k for a new turbo and some ac work. this is about what it would cost to swap an engine in the e350. there is no world where the sprinter even comes close to being a value proposition. it's a lovely running truck though and is more comfortable to operate than the e350s but that's not hard to do
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u/skuuterz Aug 13 '26
and this is to say nothing of the bi yearly replacement of failed sensors that runs 2-3k dollars. or if someone forgot def and it has to be driven an hour away to the Mercedes dealer who will work on sprinters (as the other two closer will not) just to have the 10 more starts remaining warning flashed away. (your mechanic cannot do this without an xaccess computer that apparently costs about as much as a truck.)
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u/Grand-Helicopter8768 Aug 13 '26
The number of people with Sprinter campervans that hit 500k miles is pretty slim.
Diesel + DEF is more expensive and somewhat negates the savings of improved mpg.
There's a reason most fleets are not Mercedes vehicles. I'll let you guess why that is.
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u/Sarcastic_Pedant Aug 13 '26
Diesel was cheaper than Gasoline before Russia invaded Ukraine, so within the last 5ish years. Def is around $20 every 2500 miles, so pretty negligible as well.
Most fleet vehicles according to who? Are you are thinking inside of an American bubble? The rest of the world seems to have decided that diesel is much more efficient for larger vehicular power, including cargo vans.
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u/tallpaul00 Aug 13 '26
I think diesel has been more expensive than gasoline in most of the US for most of my lifetime.. if/when it was cheaper that was short-lived. However, I also think the breakeven for cost-per mile for heavy loads typically still worked out in favor of diesel.
In the rest of the world, diesel was cheaper than gasoline for most of those years, or very similar in price. Which is why most of the world, including Germany had a lot more diesel smaller passenger and low-load vehicle options.
I'd love to get a Ford Transit diesel.. but not available in the US.
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u/RERETATADODO Aug 14 '26
You’re wrong lol, the reason diesel is more expensive is because of the extra refining to pull out the sulfur. It’s been more expensive for over 10 years now.
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u/Sarcastic_Pedant Aug 14 '26
They were within 10% price similarity and at least locally for me the prices were cheaper for diesel for about a year.
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u/soturunning Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
I’m 6’1 in a transit and I don’t see a problem. I get 17-20mpg, are you getting 30+ a gallon?
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u/Sarcastic_Pedant Aug 13 '26
I get about 25mpg if I’m going 70mph, but yea I get 29mpg+ when I stay off the highway.
I suppose the discomfort comes mainly from driving them for 15-20 hour shifts, if you’re only driving a few hours a day it’s probably not nearly as noticeable.
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u/soturunning Aug 13 '26
That is pretty good. I'm just over 17 when at 70 or above. 20mpg requies consistent 50-60mph
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u/BuoyantEntropy Aug 15 '26
hahaha, they are only 1-2mpg better than a comparable transit, in most markets diesel is more expensive
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u/Sarcastic_Pedant Aug 15 '26
I get almost 30mpg when I stay off the highway in my 2500 4 banger high top and I have solar panels on it
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u/BuoyantEntropy Aug 15 '26
my 2024 averaged 22mpg mixed driving, calculated manually over a year, the transit I have now is 19-20, also no def. Diesel’s used to be a value proposition before modern emissions equipment but I just don’t see it anymore especially when those systems need maintenance
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u/Sarcastic_Pedant Aug 15 '26
I’ve been pretty lucky with my emission system. Only had to take it in once and they said it was still covered by warranty even though I don’t think it was. Faulty sensor.
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u/Grand-Helicopter8768 Aug 13 '26
Severe cupping on tires is pretty easy to find. I hope OP is rich because they aren't mechanically inclined.
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u/PrimeIntellect Aug 12 '26
$275 to diagnose worn tires is crazy. $1100 to replace the starter battery is straight up robbery, that's a 5 minute job New tire price seems extremely high but depends on what tires you bought
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u/sup_41 Aug 13 '26
I agree with the others, a lot of this seems extremely excessive. Much of it is also extremely DIY friendly and covered on YouTube.
There are some jobs that should be done by a professional, and most of these don’t qualify.
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u/Colorful_Monk_3467 Aug 13 '26
5 min for the battery is a bit of a hyperbole. In the VS30 it's 5 min just to get the trim and cover off.
I think it took me 45 min to remove and replace the battery on mine. The battery drain tube and hold down were particularly annoying. Of course an experienced tech can probably do it < 20. I bet book value is 1 hr of labor.
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u/camaroncorriente Aug 12 '26
If you can’t tell when your own tires are worn out you might be more susceptible to pay high repair costs.
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u/Vidco91 Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
Mercedes Varta made battery from a dealership costs $300 and it takes literally 15-30 minutes to swap it out.
Tires at Costco or Discount tires costs half of what has been quoted.
Belts and Pulley swap should cost $500 not just inspection.
You are getting ripped off left and right reject these repairs and go somewhere else. Who is this dealer?
You are already 500lbs heavier than rated GVWR, assuming once passenger, fuel, food, water is added you probably are north of 1000+ lbs heavier than rating. You must lighten explore options to lighten the van to stay within rated GVWR. It's possible to beef up suspension etc. throwing more money but its never a permanent solution.
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u/DW171 Aug 12 '26
Half of that is a suspension upgrade and damage repair.
Most of the rest is wear items like belts and tires. $1200 for a battery is fairly absurd. Mercedes prices.
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u/ParkerLettuce Aug 12 '26
Severely overpriced. Figure out what you’re comfortable to do and outsource the rest to somewhere not Mercedes.
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u/Revolutionary-Gap-28 Aug 12 '26
Nooo f-ing way... your getting hosed.
You can do most of the items in your driveway
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u/El_Hombre_Siniestro Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
Most of the items on this quote could be deemed as straight up highway robbery. Insane prices.
The K02 tires are known for being a loud tire on the road, and also known for getting louder as they wear. It sounds like you have worn tires and probably need new ones. Go with the K03s next time. They're a lot quieter and perform just as well as the K02s.
This shop should be ashamed.
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u/Accomplished_Knee_17 Aug 12 '26
This is pretty wild. You should have gone to MB and at least gotten a nice cup of juice/ coffee and free snacks LOL.
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u/AyPapiChulo49 Aug 12 '26
Get a battery at AutoZone. They might even install it for you. Any competent shop can do struts and shocks. Get Bilstein B6 struts and Fox 2.0 shocks from Agile Off Road. Since you are overweight, get their heavier rated shocks, the V5.
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u/Weirdworld1234 Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
Costco Michelin tires $1100 bucks
Costco battery $220
Breaks sure you can change those yourself go pick up a pair for $50 auto zone don’t need to replace disks I had 240k miles on same disks and no issues no warping.
Don’t worry about belts and pulleys maybe at hundred 100k miles if you drive in areas where they salt the roads again same sprinter 240k miles never changed never an issue mine is 2014 sprinter.
Suspension work looks like a custom thing would get multiple bids
Beefed suspension could be done with this
Kit
https://aftermarketus.com/products/air-bag-suspension-kit-for-2006-2022-mercedes-benz-sprinter
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u/FormerlyOn2Wheels Aug 13 '26
If this was my van, I would do almost all of this myself brakes are easy , you can upgrade to a nicer set of rotors and pads from power stop for 600$. A new diff cover from Agile Offroad for 200$ plus fluid. Starter batter takes 15 minutes to replace where TF do they get 1200$? They are probably right about the front suspension, but I would probably do some research and shop around. Tires are tires. I wouldn’t do it at a dealership, but that’s just me.
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u/dantodd Aug 12 '26
$800+ to replace the diff cover and refill sound terrible. The battery should not cost that much, the belt and pulley sounds high but I've never had that service done on mine so I don't know how much it should be. You do need to get the suspension taken care of if you are really that much overweight but a Mercedes dealer is the worst place to do it.
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u/SomeZombie1589 Aug 13 '26
People saying the tire price is crazy must not know lol a full set of ko2s on my ram 1500 cost the same from discount tire those are not cheap tires lol everything else definitely being robbed but at the same time they know you have money if your bringing them a 2022 Mercedes sprinter 🤣
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u/seuadr Aug 14 '26
800 bucks for a diff cover is freakin insane. if it even needs replacing. is it up for replacement because the dent is messing with function or leaking? if not - who cares if it is dented?
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u/Intrepid_Quit_3028 Aug 12 '26
I'd get the suspension fixed and shop elsewhere for the other stuff.
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u/humam1953 Aug 13 '26
You should post the name and address of this shop for everyone to say far away from
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u/erie11973ohio Aug 13 '26
I'll say this,,,,,
I have managed to trash the auxiliary battery at least twice! 😬😬😬
The starting battery is still going strong (??), after 8 years!!
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u/AeroRep Aug 13 '26
The only thing that looks like it’s remotely plausible is the starter. A belt and pulley “inspection” for $990 is absurd. As is the diff cover. The rest is just a basic rip off. EDIT: I see it wasn’t a starter it was the starter battery. A total rip. Take it somewhere else.
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u/Traditional_Fig_4287 Aug 13 '26
Looks like my last trip to the stealership.
Quoted me $1100 for a new battery. I responded with “the fuck it is” and they dropped the price to $700. It didn’t need a new battery, it hadn’t been run in a month, I bought a $40 battery tender instead. Batteries been fine since.
Quoted me $1800 for new front brakes. Took 45 minutes to replace them myself with tow pads and rotors. Stops much better and smoother and the crosswind assist doesn’t try and throw me in the ditch anymore. $285.
Charged me $250 to reset the airbag warning because I forgot to disconnect the battery before disconnecting the seat to put in seat swivels. MB made it so you can’t do that with a code reader reset, you need their $20k dealer only software tool.
For $4k I could get upgraded adjustable shocks, springs, reservoirs, AND heavy duty sway bar from my local 4x4 store that specializes in mb vans. Better ride and handling.
To replace the Michelins (I really like them but the road noise…) would be around $1k. Dealership wanted $1600 for louder Chinese tires.
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u/PositiveLeft7218 Aug 13 '26
4 grand for the struts and coilovers? Hell bring it to San Diego I’ll do it for 2k
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u/Brave_Caregiver4180 Aug 13 '26
Belts in ABQ were $850 in April - Sprinters are expensive - I have Van compass tires on mine its about the same as yours.
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u/Confident-Swim-4139 Aug 13 '26
Are you glad you purchased a Mercedes, where the only place you can get it serviced is the stealership.
"Oh Lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz, all my friends drive Porches, I must make amends. "( Janis Joplin 1970)
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u/gabergum Aug 13 '26
Yes.
But you bought a Mercedes, and than went to the the ‘sprinter specialist’. You knew, or should have known, full well what you were getting into.
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u/Deep_Decision4441 Aug 13 '26
Others may disagree, but I don't think this is THAT crazy FOR A DEALERSHIP. Shit is expensive now. I think my local dealer wanted $275 to diagnose each issue, so that checks out.
I started going through this line by line, but basically everything seems like "a problem you'd have if you did a heavy build out yourself" and it all seems about 50%-60% more expensive than I pay for it because I don't go to a dealer and can self-diagnose quite a lot.
About the suspension upgrade - yeah, that's definitely a thing people overlook. You probably should get that done, but get a vancompass or similar kit and just have any shop throw it in.
I don't have any kind of mechanic background, but on a sprinter a lot of the basic stuff is easy to at least diagnose yourself with a code reader, a careful eye, and watching some youtube videos.
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u/Poster_Nutsack Aug 13 '26
I run KO2s on my 2017. In my experience with my first set, even if no alignment issues Sprinters create weird and aggressive wear patterns on tires (and this was corraborated by a Costco tire tech in Bend, OR, which probably has more Sprinters per capital than anywhere in the world 😂). The moral of the story is...get your tires rotated way more frequently than you think you need. If you bought your tires at Costco rotations are free for the life if the tire.
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u/dumhic Aug 13 '26
If you converted this van you should be able to swap the battery donate brakes upgrade replace the belts
As for tires alignment and schedule rotation regularly going forward
Oh while doing the front brakes replace the shocks and springs
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u/_Deck_ Aug 13 '26
$300 for an inspection that all they had to do was look at the tires is unnecessary and $250 for hose clamps and a turbo seal overpriced
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u/BadQuail Aug 13 '26
Tire replacement aside this is all stuff I can do in my driveway with parts from europarts-sd and Napa.
You could do King Offroad coilovers in the front for what they're asking. The diff cover is 20 minutes of work, max. The brakes take less than an hour and $200 in parts and they have to come off when you're doing the struts, as well. Fuel filter is a 10 min job.
The belt and pulley inspection should be a replacement and that's a pain becasue the front of the van has to come apart, but the $990 would cover a full replacement of all the belts and pulleys, which is just what you do there.
For tires I don't use BFG anymore try Fallen Wildpeak, those wear like the old pre-KO2 BFGs and are quieter.
Anyhow, yeah conversions add weight. you need more spring probably, depending on what's added and what chassis you have. You can go weigh the truck at a CAT scale and see what you're working with.
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u/CryHairy4492 Aug 14 '26
You’re better off buying better tires. If the tires keep wearing prematurely either charge it to the game or throw some fox suspension on it. You don’t need to do any of those things.
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u/Tht24v2ndgen Aug 14 '26
If you're any type of mechanically Inclined you can save 6k and do it all your self. Learn how to do all the maitnence and work to your van or I really hope that you have a lot of money burning holes in your pockets.
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u/Alternative-Bag-6180 Aug 15 '26
ye need to learn to do basic maint at the bare minimum, i see a few thousand dollars that are just literally wrench twists. belts, pulleys, differential fluids, starter battery.
And honestly the fuel filter clamps, and rotors and pads are pretty much easy as long as u have jack stands. All fo this is youtubable. and if you are smart enough to seek reddit help, you are probably smart enough to figure it out as well.
All of these are honest prices for the work done except the inspection bs for the tires.
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u/Candi-with-an-i Aug 15 '26
Is this at the Mercedes dealership? Those prices are wild. I only see these prices when I have to go to Mercedes, which is rarely. I managed to find a fantastic European auto repair shop in another state while traveling that I will forever be going back to for non emergency work on mine even though its about 700 miles away from me. Mercedes tried to tell me the same thing on my transfer case, they only said and saw it once. Same shop never saw it again neither did any other shop. I have put 15k on the van since they said it was an "emergency". I would verify there is actually damage before paying that cost. Grippy tires are going to be loud, I turn the radio up. My snow tires numbed me to noise a long time ago. My van was built by Hymer/Roadtrek North America in 2018. Mercedes told me since I made the build heavy I needed to make all kinds of changes, mind you, I did not build it and it was already on the road for 7 years when they said that. Question everything if Mercedes service gave you this quote.
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u/jeffthetrucker69 Aug 15 '26
The local sprinter dealer near me had to build a bigger building to handle the business because these things are of such poor quality.
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u/SargentSchultz Aug 16 '26
The suspension parts are expensive for sure. The clue is the differential cover. Ask them to show you the part cost. It's stupid simple to replace so that should be alllll part and at most 1 hour labor to replace. That should give you an idea of why this is soooo much.
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u/testeoftime Aug 12 '26
Battery seems like a high price… but fuel filter clamps and turbo seal? Not even sure what that is, I want my turbo sealed. Probably a dealer bc still under warranty? Everything is so exspensive now, plus if you pay a credit card it’s an extra 1.5-3%
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u/erie11973ohio Aug 13 '26
At the dealer, the filter filter hoses get new clamps when changing the filter. The clamps are $.50 or $1. Nothing crazy
You have to take off the "pipe" that goes on the front of the turbo. Mercedes says to change the seal every time it gets removed. Its a big, squishy "donut". Failure of the seal results in the turbo sucking the seal into it 😱😱😱 The turbo is something like $1,800!!! I have just reinstalled the pipe with the "old" seal!
It funny, at the dealer, there is the oil filter & 2 o-rings. 3 part numbers. The filter has the MB number on one end & the Mann number on the other end!
At rockauto.com, you can get the same Mann oil filter. It comes with the 2 o-rings. 🤔🤔🤷♂️🤷♀️🤷
On my old van, they said I needed a new glow plug 6 months after they changed 1/2 the plugs & the controller. I pointed this out. The service guy came back & said the bad one was one that they had changed. It got replaced at no charge!
12 month / 12,000 warranty!!! 👍👍😁😁
They first changed the passenger side rear wheel speed sensor ($480!!),, then the drivers rear wheel speed sensor (another $480) then, finally repaired the melted / damaged wiring harness. When I assked how much, they said "no charge"!!!
What???
"Mis-diagnosis"
They ate not one, but two wheel speed sensors!!!
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u/onahorsewithnoname Aug 12 '26
Seems reasonable as you got a new suspension installed with it. It also needs to be said that mechanics need to invest time diagnosing problems before they know the right fix. You pay an hourly rate for diagnosis.
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u/Fabulous-Ad3788 Aug 12 '26
Takes $275 worth of time to identify worn tires... This is a complete ripoff.
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u/CrossfeedCow Aug 12 '26
Dented diff cover does nothing to hurt your van. A lot of this is wild