You’ve probably seen the numerous awe-inspiring van lifers who post their photos on Instagram. Maybe you have been considering quitting your 9-to-5 job, selling your home, and traveling the nation in a van. The first step in beginning your van life adventure is determining which camper van conversion will be the best fit for you.
So, where do you even start? There are a plethora of various roof heights, wheelbases, and models to choose from, many of which may appear to be identical. However, the advantages and disadvantages vary based on your lifestyle and requirements. You can find more articles on this site to help you be more prepared for your VanLife Journey!
Using this guide, you will learn what to look for and how to find it. Why are these considerations important while selecting the finest conversion van campers? We’ll look at some of the top vans available for sale in North America. Let’s examine what makes these vehicles so popular.
When it came to purchasing our camper van, we did a lot of research. All of these considerations aided us in determining what was most essential to us in the long run. It assisted me in comprehending how each of them contributed to the van conversion process in their own unique manner.
Related: Best Supplements For Backpacking
Important Factors To Consider When Choosing Your Camper Van Conversion
It might be difficult to find the greatest conversion van for camping when you are on the hunt. You must make certain that the van’s mechanical condition is satisfactory before using it. You must also evaluate a variety of elements that will influence your van lifestyle. Some technicians or dealerships may look at you as if you’re insane if you inquire about the possibility of placing a bed inside or whether there is enough space for a shower, but the process of choosing the best van to camper conversion begins with considering a few crucial factors.
Height of Your Camper Van Conversion
Height of your van conversion will have an impact on you in more ways than you may realize! First, you must determine whether or not you will be able to stand up in your vehicle and how significant this is to you.
“Of course I want to stand!” you might think. Although this is completely reasonable, varying roof heights provide a variety of advantages as well.
High Roof/High Top
Pros
- It is possible to get extra mental and physical space by rearranging your furniture.
- Great for full-time van lifers. It’s more ergonomically sound and makes the most of the little square space you have.
Cons
- It can make driving in severe gusts more difficult, as well as limiting your alternatives for indoor parking and drive-through services.
Standard Roof
Pros
- High top vans are permitted to park and drive everywhere a conventional vehicle is permitted, but high-top vans are deemed large in some towns and on ferries, respectively.
- This is the perfect option for those wanting to fit in a metropolitan setting or for stealth camping.
Cons
- As a result of being too low to stand indoors, full-time living might be challenging. This is something to consider especially when facing bad or cold weather
- Consider how you’ll be utilizing your van while deciding on the appropriate roof height for you and your family.
Fuel Type: Choosing Your Camper Van Conversion
When it comes to fuel, the majority of vans are either gasoline or diesel powered. What’s the difference between the two? Gas stations all over the world provide both for very equal costs, so what’s the point? The type of gasoline you use is very dependent on how you want to use your van, just as it is with roof heights.
Petrol’s primary goal is to squeeze as much performance as possible from every drop of gasoline. This makes it ideal for high-horsepower vehicles and short trips that need frequent pit stops. Because gasoline engines are far more widespread, they are also far easier to repair having more readily available and reasonably priced components. Therefore, if you plan on doing a lot of city driving and shorter distance excursions, gas is the most cost-effective option.
Diesel is designed for high torque and long distances. You should consider diesel if you plan on taking a lot of cross-country road trips or hauling a trailer. Consider the case of semi-trucks. Since they are meant to be driven over large distances at a consistent pace over time, these operate on diesel. With these powerful engines come higher repair and maintenance expenses. If used properly, a diesel engine is meant to survive for a long time. They also may provide greater fuel economy than other engines.
Wheelbase
Your wheelbase is the distance between your front and rear wheels. This has an impact on the length of your van as well as the distribution of its weight. The Mercedes Sprinter, the most popular cargo van for van conversions, is available with a wheelbase of either 144″ or 170″. There are additional extended bodies available for the 170″ wheelbase, in which the back of the van extends even farther past the rear wheels.
In order to choose which wheelbase is best for you, first determine how much inside room you require for living. Next, consider how important it is for you to be able to fit into a standard parking place. Long vans need large parking spots, which are not always available in parking lots. Keep this in mind if you want to do a lot of urban exploration. The fact that you’ll be traveling on motorways and dirt roads shouldn’t pose much of a problem for you.
Off-Road Capability
A van with 44 capabilities can be a fantastic alternative for unrestricted off-road travel, but they come at a significant cost. Incredibly versatile, a 44-van conversion for camping can take you to spectacular areas while still working admirably in snow or sandy beaches. Choosing an off-road vehicle opens the door to more challenging activities, but the advantages don’t stop there.
Even with low ground clearance, the majority of 2WD vans are able to navigate some quite challenging roads. The correct tires and recovery equipment, may still be used to go through snow, mud, and sand. These items should be included in any van conversion. Cargo vans, in contrast to vehicles, have rear-wheel drive rather than front-wheel drive. This improves their power and hauling capabilities. The reduction in weight on the front tires also results in improved gas mileage.
Although a 4×4 may appear to be the more appealing, a 2WD vehicle is overall still a good option overall. The 2WD vehicles are also far more easily accessible than the 4WD variants.
Stealth: Choosing Your Camper Van Conversion
Having the ability to fit in with ordinary non-vehicle living vans is what is referred to as “stealth,” as we discussed in some of the points above! For those who plan on living mainly in nature under the stars, stealth isn’t something you should be too concerned about. It’s a good idea to consider getting a van that doesn’t scream “I live in this” if you intend on only exploring the city.
When stealth is a concern, ideal vans for converting are ordinary cargo vans such as the Mercedes Sprinter or the Chevrolet Express. Luckily, they are both available at affordable price points. These vans are normally plain white with no windows. They may pass for a repair or delivery vehicle, which is not the sort of van that most people would associate with a residence. Note that many of the features that make van life more pleasant, such as roof vents and solar panels, are also dead giveaways that the vehicle is a camper van.
Depending on the importance of stealth, you will have to make certain sacrifices in order to not give away your location.
Price of Your Camper Van Conversion
Considering that every van lifer has a different budget, there really is something for everyone out there. It goes without saying that the larger your budget, the more options you have. There are also plenty of secondhand cargo vans available that are just ready for camper-van conversion.
It’s important to keep in mind that the cost of your van is totally independent from the cost of your conversion. If you spend your whole money on a luxurious 4×4, you’ll have to scrimp on the interior design of your living area. On the other hand, you might find a great bargain on a secondhand vehicle and use the extra money to upgrade the interior. For example, you would be able to use the extra funds to upgrade your solar power system.
The Best Vans In North America
North America is brimming with new and secondhand cargo vans of all sizes, capabilities, and prices to choose from. If you live in the United States or Canada and are searching for a van to convert into a camper, these models are ideal starting points.
Ford Transit
In addition to being available in a variety of sizes and at a far cheaper price than some of its competitors, the Ford Transit is an ideal contender for best van for camper conversion since it comes in many different configurations. The Transit van, which replaced Ford’s previous E-Series vans in 2014, caused a stir in the Sprinter van-dominated world of campervan conversions by upending the status quo.
In contrast to earlier Ford Transit models, which were entirely rear-wheel-drive, the new 2020 model is available in an all-wheel-drive configuration. This could prove useful in snowy and harsher terrains.
Mercedes Benz Sprinter
The Mercedes Sprinter van, without a doubt, is the most popular vehicle for converting into a camper van. As seen by its many appearances in Instagram feeds across the world, this German-designed cargo van is widely regarded as one of the greatest vans for van life. This is due to its size and dependability. It is available in a variety of configurations, making it a versatile blank canvas for anybody interested in completing a DIY camper conversion.
While contemporary Sprinters are completely branded with Mercedes, some Dodge-branded Sprinters were produced between 2003 and 2009. This was during a brief period of Chrysler-based distribution in the United States. With the exception of the logo and a few styling features, these Sprinter vans are practically identical, and both would make good choices for a mobile home.
Ram ProMaster
After discontinuing Dodge-branded Sprinters in 2009, Chrysler no longer supplied any cargo vans as part of their product offering. The Ram ProMaster emerged. This extra-wide van has a lower floor. This allows the inside to remain tall while the outside is almost a full foot shorter than a raised roof Sprinter.
Similar to the Sprinter, the Ram ProMaster is available in three different lengths and two different wheelbases. It also has two different roof heights to choose from. Front-wheel drive is a significant distinction between the ProMaster and other similar vehicles. This might be useful in snowy conditions and when it comes to fuel economy.
Nissan NV
The Nissan NV features a distinctive snout that nearly resembles a truck. It is available in a variety of length and height variants, as well as in a 44 configuration. These features are also available at a lesser cost than those offered by some of the rivals. A smaller cargo area in exchange for a larger cab is a fair trade-off in this case. The Nissan NV is an excellent choice if you want to put comfort above performance when traveling long distances.
As you can see, there are so many factors that go into finding the right camper van conversion! I hope this blog helped you narrow down your decision making process! See you on the road!
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