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Moral of the story: This isn’t to say you should try to choose an ugly van, but it’s just something to think about. This way, they feel like they can park overnight in residential areas without people noticing. Since they’re built here in the U.S., RAM ProMaster cargo … Also, it may be helpful to think about how far you’d be willing to go to look at a van. That said, you will need to be a bit more mindful when driving in parking garages and any areas with height restrictions. And also consider what size vehicle you realistically feel comfortable driving. Peek under the van and look for rust in the undercarriage and wheel well. This site also has a selection of skoolies, RVs, conversions that are handicap mobility friendly, unfinished builds, etc. Some also complain of an overly complicated emissions system. But we do want to point out that there are many other great options for adventure vehicles, so be sure you consider them all before looking solely at vans. We are proof that you don’t need tens of thousands of dollars saved up before you can start. It’s great to drive, easy to maintain and – no matter which generation you go for – good looking too. If you are looking to buy new, the 2020 model will be getting a complete overhaul including new options for AWD (all-wheel drive), different engines and other high-tech features. Insider Tip: If you’re keen on getting a VW bus or Vanagon, we’d recommend researching the different years because they vary quite a bit in their features and specs. Whether you want to live in a van full-time or just want to use it as a weekend camper, #VanLife helps you get outside and start adventuring. These […] The whole point of being stealth is to not draw attention to yourself, especially when parking in a city. For our build, we were looking for a van with less than 100,000 miles. Let’s face it, the iconic models are just plain adorable! Volkswagen vehicles are another make that require more specialized service. 100+ resizeable furniture and components. Tip: If you are buying a used Mercedes Sprinter, be sure to check under the hood for signs of this! Standard: 118-inch wheelbase, 106.7 inches long, Medium: 136-inch wheelbase, 122.8 inches long, Long: 159-inch wheelbase, 146.0 inches long, Extended: 159-inch wheelbase, 160.2 inches long, Low: Maximum height from floor to ceiling: 66.3 inches, High: Maximum height from floor to ceiling: 77.1 inches, One of the most “square” vans on the market, this makes the installation of walls and cabinets easier than in the more curved cargo vans (Sprinter and Transit), American made means generally cheaper maintenance and parts, The only vehicle of its type with front-wheel drive, also has the best turning radius when compared to similar models, Wide enough to fit a stand full-size mattress width-wise, Can be tough to find quality used models with lower mileage, Low ground clearance makes for little off-road capabilities. Let’s take a look at some of the conversion kits on the market right now. We got used to it. This layout (with a fixed bed) requires a bit more square footage than a non-fixed bed, so keep that in mind if you have a lot of gear you’ll be carrying with you. ), Can be tough to find quality used models with lower milage, 3.5L Eco-Boost engine offers 20 mpg on average, Option to convert the Transit to 4x4 drive (2020 models will have the option built-in), The walls are very thick, leaving wasted space and a shorter width compared to similar models, Curves in the roof can prove tricky for some custom builds, The extended version has the longest rear overhang, easier to scrape coming down hills, even driveways, Has the longest nose on the van, compared to equal length vans you’ll get less interior length, If you convert the Transit to 4x4, you’ll also have to modify the wheel wells to add bigger tires. A Ford Transit in red. However, if comfort is important in your build, you’re probably going to want to choose a van with a high roof and may need to allocate a bit more money to your budget to make this happen. Fortunately, if you don’t need the four-wheel-drive option, there are plenty of older Sprinters available for purchase and these cars will run for hundreds of thousands of miles. They’re available in a variety of different lengths and variations which … Do all the doors open, close and lock like they should? Medium Budget: For our second conversion, we had a bit more money to work with, but we still tried our best to follow the ⅔ to ⅓ rule. However, in our opinion, we lean toward gas engines because a familiarity and accessibility. The Toyota Sienna is a popular mini camper van as its one of the only brand new vans available with All-Wheel-Drive. People are drawn to them for the throwback nostalgia connection to the Summer of Love and hippies of the 60’s and 70’s. The Vanagon is more suited to be an adventure vehicle and is more roomy. For a camper van conversion, it’s best to select a high-top or at least a medium-top. Best RV Mattress Short Queen 2021 | Top 10 Picks for RVers, Top 8 Best RV Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Reviews, The 10 Best 4-Person Tents For Camping In 2021. Here’s our feelings about it: The negatives of this is that we had about 2 feet less space to work with as we were building. We talked to a guy who had a Mercedes Sprinter and overall he really loved the space. If you will need a new set of tires soon, this is something you could potentially negotiate into the price. If you plan to go on lots of backroads, a super big vehicle (like a huge RV or a skoolie conversion) may not be a great option. Local dealership: This is another place to check, whether you’re looking for a new or used vehicle. It might sound obvious, but the first big decision you’re going to need to make on your #vanlife journey is choosing a van. The positive thing about a smaller wheelbase is that it feels more like driving a minivan than a huge cargo van. Details: The long wait-list for new 4×4 Sprinters proves that in many ways, the Sprinter is the crème de la crème for Class B conversion vans. The two-thirds to one-third ratio isn’t by any means scientific or something you have to stick to completely. When you are looking for vans, I would not look at RWD vans because FWD vehicles make it a lot easier to pull your van out of snow, dirt or rocks rather than “push” it. Ask yourself if you want the vehicle integrated into your camper (aka a campervan, RV, skoolie), or if you’d prefer the vehicle to be separate (tow-behind options, truck camper, rooftop tent). #VanLife on a budget. If $20,000 is your absolute maximum you can spend in total, you probably don’t want to spend much more than $13,000 on the vehicle itself. Probably one of the most iconic vans for campervan conversions out there, the Mercedes Sprinter gets a lot of attention in the van life world. If you’re purchasing through a private party, you can call a nearby mechanic and ask for a quote. pros: you won’t have to do the work yourself, it’ll be ready to go adventuring as soon as you have the keys, cons: you won’t be able to fully customize the van, if it was a DIY build, you’ll have to trust that the previous owner knew what they were doing. Once you add a fan, solar panels and a bike rack, you’re not really fooling anybody about the purpose of your vehicle. The VW Transporter is perhaps the most iconic campervan base vehicle and with no surprise. Volkswagon undoubtedly has the biggest cult following of any vehicle on this list (yes, even more than Sprinters). Cost to buy: The price is going to vary significantly based on the year, condition and mileage. It was listed for $20,000, which is a bit cheaper than the Kelley Blue Book price, so we jumped in the car and drove out for a test drive because we knew this vehicle wouldn’t be on the market for long. But when we found one that had less than 30,000 miles and was just a little more expensive than the others we were looking at (with 3x the miles), we knew we had to jump on it. Read through the different options and determine which one is for you. You can see more of the Horizon Motorhomes Wattle camper van over on their website. We were absolutely broke, so the total we could spend on the vehicle AND the conversion was $3,000. Where does the propane line go? Details: The long wait-list for new 4×4 Sprinters proves that in many ways, the Sprinter is the crème de la crème for Class B conversion vans. Think about the kind of base van that you want to utilize for your campervan conversion, and discover out its interior dimensions. Toyota also gave the Sienna a leg up on other minivans by giving it AWD capabilities. If it needs to be fixed, it is typically free at your local dealership. Good to know: Depending on where in the world you are based, some of these vehicles may not be widely available. Now that our van is totally built out, we’re actually really happy we have the shorter wheelbase. Any noises from the engine? And on the other hand, it would be kind of strange to spend $35,000 on a brand new Sprinter and then only have $2,000 to turn it into a home. Does it accelerate smoothly, etc. Enter your email and we'll send this 12-page resource immediately to your inbox, absolutely FREE! For each window, you’ll likely want to buy or make window coverings to keep light (and peeping eyes!) We installed both of those windows ourselves. But don’t worry, we’re not going to leave you hanging to figure it all on your own from square one… In this article, we’re going over some of the best types of vans for conversions, along with things you’ll want to consider as you make this (very important!) A dealer should be able to provide you the link to this report for free. The bad: Having many windows can make it hard to control the temperature inside the van and will cause it to heat up in the summertime and become very cold in the winter. 1. With models dating back to the early 60’s, the Ford Econoline (also known as the Ford E-Series) vans are another popular van for conversion into campervans. Another point to add is the 4×4 option. When you’re choosing the type of van you’ll buy, think about where you’ll need to take it if and when you need work done. So you can skip this consideration and keep on reading! Does the table convert into a bed? We’ve known people who have flown to different cities around the country to scoop up a van they saw listed online. We’ve come up with a general rule of thumb that seems to make a lot of sense when determining your van build budget. If you’re planning to really deck out your conversion, you don’t want to put in all that time and effort (and money!) Luckily, our list only includes FWD, All Wheel Drive (AWD) vans. Best RV Cover Reviews For RVers: Do NOT Buy Before Reading This! The answer to this question can play a huge role in your budget and the size of vehicle you need. The 5 Best Vans For Your DIY Camper Conversion, Top 5 Sweet Camper Vans You Can Buy Right Now, Top 5 Best Travel Trailers Under 4000 Pounds. Having a mileage in mind (just like your budget) will help you choose the best van for your conversion. Privacy Policy. There are diehards on both sides, and quite honestly, they serve two very different people. The Toyota Hiace is a popular van for campervan conversion in Australia and New Zealand. We purchased a van for $20,000, and got all our conversion expenses to be right around $10,000 total. The largest of the Sprinter selections has 530.0 cu ft of cargo volume. Top 5 Best Small Motorhomes For Campgrounds! Conquest – by Jayco. RAM ProMaster. We’ve rounded up the best companies that build camper vans for under $70,000 — van and conversion included. Are you interested in joining in on vanlife? Second, on our list of the best camper vans, we have this stunning Mercedes Sprinter Van conversion from Nomad Vanz, Yin Yang. One of the newest campervan conversions on our list is this beauty from Outside Van. A cheap van might only run for a few more years, so why pump a ton of money into it? We’ll go over their specs (aka how big or small they are), as well as price tag, and pros and cons. Do you have any hobbies that require a lot of storage? ), it might be a good idea to have a certain number of miles you’re hoping to stay under. Here’s a biggie… Is it a must to have a high roof? Do vans tend to stay on the market a while, or do they disappear shortly after being listed? Insider Tip: We try not to carry any large equipment with us that we don’t use at least once a week. These should show you any notable history the vehicle has (like accidents). Ford van lovers appreciate the different length and height configurations and like that the Transit is affordable for repairs and maintenance. It had a few engine issues and in need of tires, but overall it was a pretty good deal. You can always use a camper van design app like VanSpace. If you’re not psyched about driving something huge, go for a smaller model of van (there are plenty to choose from). Ben is 6’1”, and our Ram ProMaster is just tall enough. In this world, there are so many types and types of house cars that you can see. One of the reasons they make such good campervans is their widespread availability throughout North America and the ease in finding space parts. As far as reliability goes, the Toyota Sienna is going to be the best minivan for camping. Lastly, it’s also good to know how quickly you’d be able to jump on a good van and go. Spoiler Alert: This is the van we chose for our second conversion. If you are traveling with kids or just want that extra layer of confidence on the road, you may want to consider looking for newer vehicle.s. Alternatively, Mercedes Sprinters have a more rounded shape as the walls taper in near the top. Bottom line: If you find a diesel powered van that is exactly what you are looking for, I wouldn’t let it scare you away for pursuing it. It wasn’t as bad as it sounds! This model line was replaced by the Ford Transit models in 2015, so if you are looking for a more affordable, slightly older model than the Transit, the Econoline is your go-to. And for good reason: They’re super groovy, baby! Are you sure it is a campervan you’re looking for? We tried to include a variety so that you hopefully find at least one or two on this list that are available in your region. How many people (and furry friends) will be in this vehicle at a time? Ask the owner if there are any issues you need to know about. We’ll delve into the details of each, but here’s a basic gist: The VW Bus is more nostalgic and popular with collectors. The way my dad explained it to me once was a Front Wheel Drive (FWD) “pulls” a vehicle and a Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) “pushes” a vehicle. When debating between that van and another one that we had test driven with zero windows, one of the determining factors was that we would have fewer windows to install. One big factor to keep in mind about these vans is they tend to have an overall higher cost of ownership. Not a few home cars or campers are issued by automotive companies. People love the feeling of driving these retro rigs. Now that you have a pretty good budget in mind for how much you want to spend on the vehicle alone, there are quite a few other factors to consider... Now you need to think about the size of your vehicle… A lot of makes have several models, and in order to choose you need to consider a few things: Are you going to be living in the van full-time or using it for shorter road trips? This adventure gear is the perfect addition to vanlife, but the trade-off is you’ll need to allocate quite a bit of space for storage. So you’ve found a van online and set a time to meet up with the seller, but what do you look for once you get to the van? To boot, the Toyota Sienna is bigger than some of the top cargo vans we mentioned above. Vehicles known as the “Vanagon” in the US are actually the third generation in the line of Volkswagon Type 2s that came out in 1979, following the first and second generation “Busses”. For example, a Dodge or Ford van will be able to be fixed at pretty much any auto shop, whereas a Mercedes (or Volkswagen) needs to go to a specialized mechanic. However, if you’re only looking at used vehicles (hello, us too! Standard: 96.9-inch wheelbase, 179.9 inches long, Standard: Maximum height from floor to ceiling: 51.7 inches, Larger in size and interior space than the Bus, so you’ll have more room for a conversion, More practical than the minibus for general transportation, Slightly higher maintenance costs than their minibus predecessors, Vanagons come with windows already installed, which can give lots of natural light but will make it hard to control the temperature inside the van. If driving a vehicle larger than an SUV scares you, be sure you don’t just push away those feelings. Originally used as work trucks, these big, boxy vans can provide a blank slate for all your DIY VanLife dreams. Related: Find out just how much a campervan actually costs, from budget to luxury builds with our detailed breakdown. But an alternative would be to build an outdoor kitchen so you can stand fully. And if you do end up finding a van that is perfect for your needs but isn’t the most studly, that might not be such a bad thing, would it? The van is a versatile road vehicle for transportation of supplies or other people. The good: Windows bring in lots of natural light & can provide nice views. Our vehicle had a very minor recall, so we just called to have it taken care of. Make sure you insulate your van properly by following these steps. Cost to buy: There are plenty of models available under $15,000, and some under $10,000. Another question we get asked a lot is, “Where should I start looking for a vehicle for my campervan conversion?”, Craigslist: This is personally where we’ve found both of our vehicles. Outdoorfact.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. To give you an idea of typical price points, we’re sharing the current buy new MSRP costs (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) for the base models of each of the vans we’re suggesting below. Even if you’re not ready to purchase a van right now, begin your search ASAP! Rust: Are there major rust spots? Just one more thing to think about as you make this big purchasing decision. Just a little glimpse into what you might have to deal with if you only pay $2,000 for a van like we did. While you might find a great rig, consider the travel involved in seeing it as well as registering the plates in your home state. High school sweethearts from Minnesota, USA. Ambulance or old food truck conversion (we’ve seen some really cool ones! Its popularity in part comes from the fact that this van model has been on the market long before the ProMaster or Transit were around, so there are a lot of them out there. Available in either a standard roof or the much taller high roof models, the Sprinter can also be customized with a 144” or 170” wheelbase, two powertrain options, and the super popular four-wheel-drive options. The good news is, there is a large community to support the upkeep of these vehicles, plenty of aftermarket additions and variations to explore. They even offer a special “motorhome base” that includes a wider rear track, special tires, a lower chassis and portals for water tank installation. Some years are known for being really sought-after, while other years are known for have a less safe design. We created curtains for each of the 6 windows (for privacy), but it made the van pretty hot during the summer months. The option for an aftermarket 4x4 conversion and larger tires without modifying the wheel wells makes it the best off-road van life vehicle. To give you a benchmark, ours was a 1994 and we bought it for just $2,000 (in 2017) and it had just under 80,000 miles. Our first van had no AC and lemme tell ya, our summer road trip was hot (especially in places like Utah! Read more: Best RV Mattress Short Queen 2018. If you’re tall, we’d suggest looking into a Ford Transit, as it is the tallest cargo vehicle on the market and will be your best bet for a comfortable height. We’ve known of lots of vanlifers who bought a pre-built vehicle only to have systems break down with no knowledge of how to fix them. It’s also now made in the USA. However, not all gas stations carry diesel so you may need to search harder when you need to fill up. It wasn’t ideal, but we lived in that van for 3 months and could have stayed in it longer. Does it have good brakes? We have TONS of resources on converting your own campervan and living the #vanlife. That said, it often doesn’t take much more than glancing curtains on the windows to know that someone very well could be inside. Do you want to purchase a van that has already been converted by the previous owner? Both options have pros and cons. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Van Life for all the answers to your most burning questions, or read some of our favorite articles below. This means that finding a well-maintained VW Minibus in good working condition can cost you a pretty penny, unless you get very lucky! What model should I buy? That way you won’t be lured in by a seemingly great price when the vehicle won’t actually run very long. If that sounds like something you’d be able to do, you could try widening your search. Van life is not for everyone. But not everyone can afford pricey custom builds from companies like Outside Van or Sportsmobile, especially when price tags run well over $100,000. Up next: Check out our Vanlife Homepage for all things #vanlife from building your own campervan to how to plan an epic road trip! It became a “must” on our list when searching for a vehicle. This full-size passenger van has been around for nearly four decades, and is available in 1500, 2500, and 3500 versions. You should expect to spend about two-thirds of your total budget on the vehicle, and around one-third on the conversion costs. There are a lot of things to consider when deciding which van to go with, and the best van for us might not be the best van for you. This camper van is built for those who love the outdoors and have no limits as to where they may go. You need a vehicle that matches your camping requirements, budget and vehicle maintenance skill level. Even if you already have a van in mind, it might be a good idea to go through this checklist to make sure it’s the best model for you. Check the oil: Is it at the correct level? Top 5 Best Fifth Wheels for Full Time Living! Do you plan to carry mountain bikes? If there has been a recall, ensure that the previous owner has had it taken care of (there should be paper documentation for this, or you can check with the VIN number). During our last search, we hardly found any vans for sale through regular people. Having a vehicle that is stealth is something that is often discussed in van build Facebook groups, and people have varying opinions about what it is exactly and how important it is. The cost of buying the van itself is just one part of turning it into a home. (Aka one where you can stand up completely inside your van?). The Transit offers the highest floor to ceiling height on the market, making it perfect for tall van-lifers. Standard: 144-inch wheelbase, 132.9 inches long, Long: 170-inch wheelbase, 173.6 inches long, Extended: 170-inch wheelbase, 189.4 inches long, Low: Maximum height from floor to ceiling: 76.7 inches, High: Maximum height from floor to ceiling: 79.1 inches, Plenty of space for luxury builds in the larger models, Higher cost of ownership in general (explained above), Limited qualified mechanics to work on these specialty vehicles makes traveling in remote areas more risky and complicated. We’ve broken this article into sections, so feel free to jump around to get to what you’re looking for. More info: Check out this list of tips if you're interested in learning more about RV Living. Yin Yang is a van that brings together opposites to create total harmony: work and play, eat and sleep, near and far. Bottom line: If you have the option to and are willing to pay for it, AWD vans are the best for climbing mountain roads and handling in snow, but it will cost you a bit more. If your campervan will be your house essentially, you’ll probably want a bit more space and have more money to spend than someone who is only looking to take it on an occasional getaway. I’ve made no secret of the fact that I love small RVs, and one of my favourite RV types is the camper van. Do you want to do the conversion entirely on your own? Long: 126.4-inch wheelbase, 207.3 inches long, Super Long: 152-inch wheelbase, 232.9 inches long, Standard: Maximum height from floor to ceiling: 78.3 inches, High: Maximum height from floor to ceiling: 89.8 inches, The sixth-generation comes with a major boost in safety ratings receiving a full 5 starts from ANCAP safety review, The new semi-bonneted design allows for greater driver/passenger comfort, Older generations (1-5) have a cab-over-engine design which is less aerodynamic and harder to perform maintenance, Alternative to the Toyota Hiace: Nissan Vanette. The Essential Camping Gear for Van Life While traveling in our converted minivan, we have found a few travel accessories that we think are must-haves for any van or car camper. That said, we always talked about how our second conversion would definitely have a high roof. Standard: 138-inch wheelbase, 216.7 inches long, Extended: 138-inch wheelbase, 236.7 inches long, Cargo Van Exterior Height: 82.4 inches, interior height at 55.3 Inches, Passenger Van Exterior Height: 82.1 inches, interior height at 51.9 inches, Widespread availability of affordable used models, Plenty of affordable spare parts available, Known to last as long as 250,000-300,000 miles with proper maintenance, They will likely have high mileage as they’ve been out of production for a number of years. This is a great option for a solo van-lifer who doesn’t need as much interior space, but wants to take their van off the grid. You probably already know whether you’re looking for a new or used vehicle. Camper van conversion brands. If so, you may need to factor in a bit more time for your search. Ideally, we would have chosen a different color (think slate grey or dusty blue! She has traveled through 48 US states and writes about van life, camping and RV living. It’s here that Colorado Camper Van creates some of the coolest Ford Transit camper conversions you’ll ever see. Seatbelt: Are there tears in it? This is the kitchen set-up in our second campervan build, which was done on a much larger budget than our first. One thing to remember as you’re searching this site is that it shows you vehicles from all over the United States. You have successfully joined our #vanlife subscriber list. Some cargo vehicles on the market actually keep truckin’ well into the 300k or even 400k while others aren’t known for longevity. We cooked while sitting down and we learned how to change our clothes while laying on the bed (an acquired skill indeed!). The Transit offers something for everyone with three body lengths, two wheelbases, three roof heights, and three different engines. Pretty straightforward… If you’re traveling solo, you’ll need a lot less space than a family of 4 with dogs. Comment below and let us know! That said, it isn’t exactly a cheap project. The truly best types of “stealth” vans are those that could just be a passenger vehicle, like a minivan. The standard 2500 has a wheelbase of 159” WB. Tip: One way to think about it is to look at the Kelly Blue Book price of the vehicle to see what it is worth on its own. Check the tires: see how worn down the treads are. Kelley Blue Book is always a good site to check before purchasing a used vehicle, however, during our search we found that oftentimes dealers were actually selling for a bit more than the suggested KBB price because the demand for these types of vehicles is on the rise. What about skis or snowboards? This is one of the best camper vans to take boondocking as you won’t have to worry so much about sand, snow and mud. It’s going to be a super nice vehicle but a pretty basic conversion. Thankfully, this is how we snagged our most recent van. It just doesn’t make sense in the long run for us to carry our (large) SUPs if we only use them once a month. Not only is it spacious with plenty of … 15 Best Van Conversion Companies To Match Any Budget So here are the 15 best camper van conversion companies that can custom builds Ram Promaster, Ford Transit, and Mercedes Sprinter camper van conversions to make your van life dreams a reality. And like pretty much every other decision in your van build journey, there’s no correct one-size-fits-all answer. And obviously if you go with new, you don’t have to worry about the milage on the van. My Week in New York : … ), but unless we were willing to wait around or purchase new, it just didn’t seem like it was going to happen. So you’ll likely be seeing more Transits getting converted into campervans in the future. One thing that might slip your mind as you’re looking for vehicles is your feeling on windows. The Volkswagen Transporter is one of the best-known vans for camper conversion. All Rights Reserved. Interesting idea… If you’re really concerned about making sure your vehicle doesn’t look like a campervan, we’ve heard of some people who created a sticker with the logo of a fake company (think pest control or cleaning… something that people wouldn’t want to break into for expensive tools). Climbing equipment? The name Vanagon was coined by VW to signify the vehicle has the roomy feel of a van, but drives like a station wagon. The 8 Best Vans For Your DIY Camper Conversion 1. The smaller of the cargo vans without a lot of options, the Nissan NV is built more like a truck than a van. Standard: 118.1-inch wheelbase, 105.1 inches long, Medium: 135.8-inch wheelbase, 122.8 inches long, Long: 149.6-inch wheelbase, 145.9 inches long, Extended: 158.9-inch wheelbase, 160.2 inches long, Low: Maximum height from floor to ceiling: 65.4 inches, Medium: Maximum height from floor to ceiling: 76.1 inches, High: Maximum height from floor to ceiling: 85.5 inches, Offers a motorhome specific base when ordering direct from the factory, A large service network throughout Europe, A tighter turning radius than similar commercial vehicles, Finding vehicle services outside of Europe may be challenging.

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