Traveling with a dog is hassle. Traveling with a dog in a van is considerably less hassle than doing it in a car. Here are some of the things we’ve done to make life easier for ourselves and our dog.
Traveling with a dog in a conversion van
Using the Autel MaxiDiag Elite MD802 Code Reader on a Sprinter
The Autel MaxiDiag MD802 will read and reset OBDII diagnostic codes on Sprinters. The “All systems” version will reset ABS and SRS warnings and can help you do a brake bleed too.
Although this reader can’t change values like the more expensive Mercedes STAR system can, it is still a useful tool for diagnosing and understanding Sprinter issues.
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Showing km/h on the dash of a USA Sprinter
If you ever drive “North of the border” into Canada with your US-specced Sprinter van, you’ll soon start to curse Mercedes’ decision not to put kilometer per hour markings on the speedometer.
Luckily, if you have the highline dash display (steering wheel with buttons) there’s a fix that lets you see your speed in Km/h in the status bar section in the lower half of the display, where you normally see the temperature.
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Deactivating automatic door locking
New vans come with a feature where all the doors lock as soon as the vehicle gets up to speed. You can turn that feature off if you don’t want it.
Tire pressure monitor reset procedure
The 2500 Sprinters come with tire pressure monitors in all four wheels. They’re normally set for the recommended tire pressures, so if you’re driving an empty van and lower the pressure for a softer ride, the pressure monitor is likely to shout at you. Here’s how to calm it down.
Got an alarm? Got a dog? Get some tape!
The optional alarm in a Sprinter is OK, but it’s hard to remember to turn off the motion sensor each time you lock the van. If your dog is asleep in the van, it’ll wake up and stretch while you’re away, making you unpopular with everyone around you.
The answer’s pretty simple – electrical tape over the motion sensors.
How tall are we? How long are we?
Sadly it seems we’re not going to be able to use the McDonalds drive-through. We’re just too tall. I’ll never get to experience the delights of a Big Mac. Because, I mean, who’d actually walk into a restaurant?
More seriously, if you catch the ferry in Washington state, they need to know how long your van is so they charge you the correct fare. If you want to know (rather than guessing) whether you’ll fit into a parking garage or under a low bridge, you’ll need to remember how tall your van is.
The answer is super-simple, inconspicuous, and cheap.
Watching your engine stats on your phone
You can turn your cell phone into an engine monitor with just a $20 gadget and a $5 app. This will tell you pretty much everything that a ScanGauge or Ultragauge will, and will also allow you to read and reset generic engine codes.
How to remember important things before you drive off
When I was a kid, my grandparents used to say “tie a knot in your handkerchief so you remember.” The thing is, I haven’t carried a handkerchief since I was maybe four years old.
Camping in a van means you’ll have things scattered around outside. You might be plugged in to shore power. You might have your energy-hogging hot water tank turned on. How will you remember to sort everything out before you drive away? Velcro cable ties to the rescue!
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Non-slip rattle reducing drawer liner
If the image that comes to mind when you think of “drawer liner” is that tatty vinyl stuff that Grandma used to use, then it’s time to get updated. There are some great products on the market that make your drawer contents stay put and shut up.