Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
The Jackson 144 is the most popular short-wheelbase floor plan from Activan, a camper van builder in Reno, Nevada. It packs a galley kitchen, a bench seat, a tiled shower, and a queen bed into a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 144 AWD, the shortest Sprinter you can get. Activan just listed a 2026 build on Vanlife Trader, so it’s a good time to take a closer look.
Why a 144 Wheelbase?
Most luxury van builds today sit on the long 170-inch Sprinter. The 144 is almost two and a half feet shorter, which makes it much easier to park in a city, fit into a normal parking spot, and squeeze down narrow forest roads. The tradeoff is less room inside, so the layout has to work hard. That’s where the Jackson 144 gets interesting.
Outside, this build has aftermarket wheels and tires, a hitch, a roof rack and ladder, an awning, extra lighting, and exterior storage. Body flares on the sides add a few inches of width inside, which matters most for the bed.
A Warm, Modern Interior
Inside, Activan pairs wood slat walls and ceiling with matte black cabinets and light wood floors. It’s a clean, modern look, and the slats break up the long walls so the van doesn’t feel like a tunnel. Behind the driver, there’s a cushioned bench seat under a framed window. Above it are a microwave and the control panel for the electrical system, and a tall black cabinet hides the bathroom.
A Galley Kitchen with Induction Cooking
The galley sits right by the sliding door, so you can cook with the door open and the outdoors as your dining room. It has a deep black sink with a matte black faucet, a two-burner induction cooktop, a refrigerator, and drawers and cabinets with black hardware. The end of the counter is wrapped in wood, which looks nice and protects the corner you bump every time you climb in.
Induction is a smart pick for an off-grid van. With no propane on board, there’s one less system to maintain, and the big lithium battery bank can handle the cooktop and microwave.
A Queen Bed Across the Back
The bed runs sideways across the back of the van. Activan offers optional Vanspeed Capsules, which are bump-out panels that make room for a sideways queen in the narrow Sprinter body. A sideways bed takes up much less length than one running front to back, so it leaves more room for the kitchen and seating in a 144.
Under the bed is a garage you can reach from the back doors, with room for bikes, skis, or camping gear. Want room for more people? Activan says an optional rooftop tent brings sleeping up to four, and extra captain’s chairs or removable jump seats can be added.
A Tiled Shower in a Short Van
A full indoor shower is rare in a 144. This one has white subway tile, a black handheld shower head, and a teak floor mat. It shares the bathroom with a dry-flush toilet, so there’s no black tank to empty, and wastewater goes to a gray tank.
Design Details
- Builder: Activan, Reno, Nevada (Mercedes-Benz Expert Upfitter)
- Floor plan: Jackson 144
- Base vehicle: 2026 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 144 AWD, high roof
- Seats / sleeps: 2 seatbelts, sleeps 2 (up to 4 with an optional rooftop tent)
- Kitchen: Sink, refrigerator, induction cooktop, microwave
- Bathroom: Built-in tiled shower, dry-flush toilet
- Water: 30-gallon fresh tank, gray water tank, electric water heater
- Power: 600Ah 12V lithium (7.2 kWh), 3,000-watt inverter, 300 watts of solar
- Climate: Electric heater, roof fan
- Exterior: Aftermarket wheels and tires, hitch, roof rack, ladder, awning, extra lighting, exterior storage
- Options: Finishes, paint, Vanspeed Capsules, rooftop tent, extra seating
- Lead time: 4 to 6 months
- Price: Listed at $150,000. Activan says the Jackson 144 on this chassis runs about $150,000 to over $200,000, depending on options
What Makes This Van Special
- It fits a full kitchen, bench seat, indoor shower, and queen bed into the shortest Sprinter
- All-electric systems (induction, electric heat and hot water) mean no propane to refill
- A 7.2 kWh battery bank gives it real off-grid range
- Buyers choose their own finishes, and the layout can be adjusted for families or remote work
- AWD and the short wheelbase make it easy to drive in town and capable on dirt roads
Learn More
Listing and contact form: Activan Jackson 144 on Vanlife Trader
Builder: Activan
Instagram: @the.activ
Video Tour
Activan’s own video tours a similar Sprinter 144 build with a white oak interior.
Highlights
- Activan’s most popular 144 floor plan, built in Reno, Nevada
- 2026 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 144 AWD, high roof
- Galley kitchen with induction, sideways queen bed, and tiled shower
- 600Ah lithium, 3,000W inverter, and 300W of solar
- Listed at $150,000, with a 4 to 6 month lead time
Explore More
- Outside Van Approach: A 170 AWD Sprinter
- A Sprinter Camper Van by Tommy Camper Vans With Just 1 Mile On It
- Titan Vans in Boulder: Sprinter and Transit Conversions
- The Zeppelin: A Custom 170″ Sprinter AWD Van
- Winnebago’s Solis Pocket 36A on a Ram ProMaster
Would you pick a short 144 van for easy parking, or go big with a 170? Tell us in the comments.
If you enjoyed this you’ll LOVE our Free Daily Tiny House Newsletter with even more!
You can also join our Small House Newsletter!
Also, try our Tiny Houses For Sale Newsletter! Thank you!
More Like This: Van Life | Van Conversions For Sale
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Alex
Latest posts by Alex (see all)
- Activan Jackson 144: A Short AWD Sprinter Camper Van with a Queen Bed and Tiled Shower - October 16, 2026
- He Built a $6,500 Mini Camper From a Cargo Trailer While Road-Tripping 8 States - October 16, 2026
- Alaskan HS 640: A Lighter Hard-Sided Pop-Up Truck Camper That Fits Many Half-Ton Pickups - October 16, 2026
