Whether you’re planning a weekend camper, a mobile office, or a full-time home on wheels, picking the right base vehicle is your most important decision. The van you choose affects everything from interior space to reliability to resale value years down the road. Luckily, today’s market offers more options than ever for DIY builders and professional conversion shops alike.
- The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ram ProMaster remain the top three choices for full-size conversions.
- DIY conversions can start around $5,000 to $10,000, while professional builds range from $45,000 to over $150,000.
- Your ideal vehicle depends on factors like budget, planned usage, off-road needs, and how much headroom you require.
The Big Three for Full-Size Conversions
For camper van conversions, three vans dominate the conversation: the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ram ProMaster. Each offers distinct advantages, and understanding their strengths helps you make the right call.
The mid-roof models work well for weekenders, while the high-roof options provide genuine standing room for long-term travel. The Sprinter remains the king of long-term builds. It’s tall, spacious, and built for heavy interior layouts.
The Sprinter ranks among the best vehicles for custom conversions for those who want a premium, reliable vehicle with excellent off-road capabilities. It’s top-tier quality, which means it comes with a top-tier price tag. But for those willing to make the investment, it’s a solid option. The Sprinter offers rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, multiple lengths, heights, and configurations, diesel and gasoline engine choices, and towing capacity up to 7,500 lbs.
Why the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Earns Its Reputation
The Mercedes Sprinter van gets a lot of attention in the vanlife world. And there’s good reason for that reputation. More than any other van in the category, Sprinter vans retain their value over time, so when it’s time to upgrade, you’ll get the most for your investment. No van upfits like a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.
High-quality conversions often retain 60 to 70 percent of their value after five years, far better than traditional RVs. Sprinters come in 144″, 170″, and 170″ extended wheelbases, giving you flexibility to match your space needs.
Mercedes Sprinters can be converted to accommodate a wide range of uses. Custom Sprinters commonly function as full-sized wheelchair accessible vans, commercial vans, business/office vans, shuttles, limousines, campervans, and recreation vehicles.
Budget-Friendly Alternatives That Get the Job Done
The Ford Transit is the best van for a camper conversion for those seeking a versatile, mid-priced van that balances power with affordability. With a Transit, there are plenty of customization options, and it hits that middle ground between luxury and budget-friendly.
The Ford Transit is known for its reliable performance and driving comfort, offering a smooth ride and easy handling, even in the larger models. Its straightforward design and widespread popularity mean there’s a wealth of customization options available, both for DIY enthusiasts and professional conversions.
The Ram ProMaster shines with a front-wheel-driven system that has a lower floor height and more interior space. This makes it easier to move around inside the van while creative storage solutions can be added. It is also square in shape and wide for the purpose of making installation of furniture and appliances easier.
The ProMaster also has a wide cargo space, one of the widest on the market, which allows you to comfortably fit a standard full-size mattress side-to-side across the back.
Smaller Options for Solo Adventurers
On the smaller end, the Ford Transit Connect, Nissan NV200, and Ram Promaster City are compact and efficient. They are ideal for solo travelers or couples who want an affordable weekend getaway vehicle. Small vans have a cheaper price tag and provide ease of driving and parking, but have limited interior space for the conversion.
The Volkswagen Caddy is compact, reliable, and decently spacious for a micro camper conversion. It’s ideal for solo travellers or those who prefer a more stealthy vehicle, and both diesel and petrol options offer good fuel economy.
What Should You Consider Before Buying?
When choosing the right van for you, consider how you plan to use the van 80% of the time, the number of people and pets traveling with you, the climates you will encounter, and the terrain where you intend to take it.
Costs largely depend on how much work you’re willing to do yourself and the materials you choose. A basic DIY conversion can start as low as $5,000 to $10,000, covering basic necessities using budget materials and simple designs. More advanced DIY projects with higher-end finishes and more complex systems can range from $15,000 to $25,000.
Full van conversions built out in an empty cargo van run between $80,000 and $160,000 depending on how many amenities and features you want. Whereas a small car camper setup can be as low as a couple thousand dollars. The price all depends on the complexity of the project.
Finding Your Perfect Match
There’s no single best vehicle for custom conversions. Your perfect van depends on your budget, travel style, and how you plan to use it most often. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter offers premium quality and strong resale value for those who can stretch their budget. The Ford Transit hits that sweet spot between capability and affordability. And the Ram ProMaster gives you maximum interior space for the money.
Take time to sit in different models, measure the interior dimensions, and think honestly about your typical trips. The right van will serve you well for hundreds of thousands of miles, turning every road into a potential adventure.
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Stacy Wilson