A lifetime of freedom, journey, and minimalism is popping up on Instagram feeds in all places beneath the hashtag #vanlife. Folks from all walks of life are buying and selling of their hire and mortgage funds for a life on the highway. With a great deal of empty cargo vans turning into tremendous cozy properties on wheels, van life is a journey and way of life pattern that’s right here to remain.
However, the place do you start if you happen to too wish to reside the #vanlife way of life? Be it full time or simply on weekends!
No matter your funds, there are choices! Once we selected attempting van life, we scoped out a ton of various van conversions. We ended up shopping for an empty Sprinter van and doing a DIY construct ourselves. Changing a van to reside in whereas customizing each a part of our camper van was nice, however it took quite a lot of analysis and arduous work. If that doesn’t fit your way of life otherwise you’re trying to hit the highway ASAP, hiring a conversion van firm is the way in which to go.
There are additionally already transformed vans on the market, however if you happen to can’t discover one that matches your wants, it’s time to go customized. Fortunately, there are campervan conversion firms everywhere in the US and Canada that create superb customized builds. Whether or not you’re searching for a rugged overlanding rig or a decked-out glamper van, these 12 greatest van conversion firms might help flip your van life dream right into a actuality.
Inside our self transformed 2008 Sprinter Van
Van Conversion Firms within the US
Beartooth Vanworks
Location: Belgrade, Montana
Value: Construct value begins round USD $65k.
Conversion Time: 10-14 weeks
Specialties: 4×4 Sprinters, Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, Nissan NV. In addition they work with low-top work vans just like the Chevy Specific and Ford E Sequence.
In case your van construct wants to carry up in rugged terrain and harsh winters, Beartooth Vanworks are the customized van builders it’s best to name. Based mostly in western Montana, these conversion van producers are the masters of four-season conversion tenting vans. They construct mountain-ready journey wagons with a specialty in 4x4s.
The corporate is employee-owned with a staff that understands the adventurous way of life as a result of they reside it. In addition they have 70 years of mixed commerce expertise, so you understand you’ll be in good fingers. Beartooth has constructed out 60+ vans since 2016 and each is totally customized.
Whereas different camper van conversion firms provide normal packages, each van constructed by Beartooth is supposed to inform the story of its proprietor.
You may get began by filling out their survey and be in your approach to “rugged liberation” very quickly.
Freedom Vans
Location: Bellingham, Washington
Value: A fundamental Part 1 conversion (insulation, photo voltaic, mattress, lighting) prices USD $25k-50k. Full conversions are USD $60k-$125k+.
Conversion Time: Relying on the scope of the mission, builds can take anyplace from 1-6 months.
Specialties: Sprinter vans and Ford Transits with a deal with photo voltaic programs.
In case you’re searching for an off-grid journey cellular, Freedom Vans is the van conversion firm for you. Their builds are all about having fun with the liberty of the highway and creating a cushty house base in your adventures.
They concentrate on putting in the good photo voltaic system in your wants so that you don’t have to fret about finding out any wiring diagrams or electrical jargon. Born from a need to share the liberty of van dwelling with others, they’ve accomplished over 55 van conversions since beginning in 2015. Working carefully with their purchasers by means of the design course of, Freedom Vans can deliver your camper van dream to life.
Logan mannequin transformed from 2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 170. Picture Credit: Freedom Vans
Sportsmobile
Location: Austin, Texas, and Huntington, Indiana
Value: Full conversions begin at USD $41k.
Conversion Time: Full conversions take 8-14 months.
Specialties: Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, Ford E Sequence, Chevy Specific, Mercedes Metris, and 4x4s.
These guys just about wrote the e book on van conversions. Sportsmobile has been round since 1961 when iconic VW buses stuffed the streets. They’ve secured their title as the most effective camper van conversion firms with many years of personalized vans beneath their belt. The corporate originated in Texas and does tons of of conversions annually. Sportsmobile works on all types of automobiles from Ford E Sequence to Mercedes Benz Sprinter.
They’re additionally one of many oldest 4×4 van conversion firms, having outfitted off-road-ready vans because the 70s. Sportsmobile works with sellers so you’ll be able to even order your base van instantly by means of them. They provide an limitless record of customization choices and have normal ground plans to select from as nicely. And if roof peak is your precedence, they’ll even put a pop prime in your Sprinter van!
Picture Credit: Sportsmobile Texas Fb Web page
Exterior Van
Location: Portland, Oregon
Value: Conversion prices common USD $125k
Conversion Time: About 4-5 months, relying on the complexity of the mission.
Specialties: Mercedes Sprinter
Established in 2007, Exterior Van was created by van lifers for van lifers. The founder had been outfitting browsing and snowboarding vans for 30 years when he began the corporate. With a purpose of connecting folks with nature by means of cellular dwelling, Exterior Van produces over 100 conversion vans annually. Your Exterior Van shall be winter-ready with an inside that’s all the time designed with gear storage in thoughts.
The staff of 65 expert staff has you lined by means of the whole design course of. All packages include a premium inside construct with tons of further customization choices. Exterior Van additionally provides pre-built one-off camper vans if you happen to’re trying to hit the highway ASAP.
Transformed van from a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Picture Credit: Exterior Van
El Kapitan
Location: Huntington Seaside, California
Value: All-in pricing for the van chassis and conversion is USD $155k-$190k.
Conversion Time: 8-12 weeks
Specialties: Mercedes Sprinter
El Kapitan is likely one of the oldest California van conversion firms that has been constructing customized vans on the California coast since 1984. They provide two completely different conversion packages based mostly on the size of your Sprinter van wheelbase. Vans constructed at El Kapitan are handled as artistic endeavors, with cautious consideration of each element.
During the last 30 years, they’ve crafted greater than 15,000 luxurious conversion vans and haven’t any indicators of stopping. The corporate goals to deliver innovation and high quality craftsmanship into each van inside. Their campers are equal components rugged as they’re fashionable. With many years of expertise, the carpentry, electronics, and finishes at El Kapitan are top-tier. There’s a purpose they’re the most effective Sprinter van conversion firms round.
Within a campervan transformed from Sprinter 144 WB. Picture Credit: El Kapitan
Rossmönster Vans
Location: Longmont, Colorado
Value: Customized build-outs vary from USD $50k-$125k and up.
Conversion Time: Lead time on new builds is 6-12 months out, however the construct itself takes solely 3 weeks!
Specialties: Customized store that may work with most van fashions and not too long ago launched customized truck campers to their record of choices.
Rossmönster Vans is all about marrying high quality craftsmanship with environment friendly timing and pricing. Mönster is a Swedish phrase that means “to design and create artistically, merely, and assuredly.” This idea is on the coronary heart of the corporate’s philosophy. This Colorado camper van firm has been doing van build-outs since 2010. They’ve now expanded their choices to incorporate customized composite truck camper fashions suitable with most half, three-quarter and one-ton chassis.
Rossmönster is a customized conversion firm with spectacular turnaround occasions and a dedication to craftsmanship and design. Most builds are full in simply 3 weeks so you’ll be able to choose up your customized van and hit the highway! In case you’re nonetheless determining what you need in a camper van, additionally they provide leases to offer you a style of vanlife.
Van conversion with full options. Picture credit: Rossmönster Vans
TouRig
Location: Golden, Colorado
Value: Van builds begin at USD $39k.
Conversion Time: Most builds take 6-12 weeks.
Specialties: Mercedes Sprinter or a Ford Transit conversion van
One other pioneer within the customized van sport is TouRig from Golden, CO. They began out constructing their very own camper vans in 2001 as a solution to comfy journey. They got down to create vans that could possibly be a basecamp for journey, on and off of the highway. TouRig’s builds are all about being each prime quality and excessive efficiency with an emphasis on light-weight sturdiness.
They intention to take design, innovation, and know-how to new heights in Sprinter and Transit vans. On prime of the lengthy record of customizable options, you’ll be able to even prime off your construct with retractable steps or a roof rack. They’ve remodeled greater than a dozen 4×4 Sprinters and are at present taking reservations for the brand new All Wheel Drive mannequin of the Ford Transit. With a price beginning at USD $89,999, TouRig is now providing absolutely built-out Ford Transit XUV conversions so you can begin your vanlife journey stress-free.
Van conversion from 2019 Sprinter 170. Picture Credit: Tourig
Conversion Van Firms in Canada
Paved to Pines
Location: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Value: Builds vary from CAD $40k-$200k.
Conversion Time: 2-4 months
Specialties: All-weather Transits, Sprinters and Ram ProMasters, and transformed college buses.
Paved to Pines is a prairie-based camper van conversion firm that doesn’t cease at vans. The tight-knit staff creates superb four-season camper vans and luxurious transformed college buses. The corporate began after the co-founders traded their motorbike for a faculty bus and transformed their first skoolie. Since then, they’ve been serving to folks everywhere in the US and Canada remodel their automobiles into properties.
Paved to Pines is all about serving to folks downsize with out compromising on consolation and comfort. They handcraft all of their rigs with journey and off-grid capabilities in thoughts. Layouts and finishes are fully customizable and their skilled builders might help information you in creating your good house. Faculty buses may even have rooftop decks! In case you’re somebody searching for an ultra-unique house, they is perhaps one of the best camper van conversion firm for you.
159″ Ext DODGE Promaster Conversion. Picture Credit: Paved to Pines
Nomad Vanz
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Value: Nomad Vanz provides pre-built modular interiors for a DIY construct beginning at USD $20k. For customized builds, costs begin at USD $50k.
Conversion Time: 3-4 months relying on the complexity of the mission.
Specialties: Mercedes Benz Sprinter
Based mostly in North Vancouver, BC, Nomad Vanz is all about journey and high-end design. After dwelling and touring in a van on three completely different continents, the founders determined to share their experience with different journey lovers. Their van builds are off-road prepared and may maintain as much as something that Canadian climate can throw at them.
Nomad Vanz does 20 conversions per 12 months and in addition provides partial and modular conversion kits from Journey Wagon. They’ve a staff of 10 folks that may customise each factor of a Sprinter van, in and out. In addition they provide an improve to a industrial aluminum gasoline tank, which might double your van’s vary. In case you’re trying to get approach off the crushed path on an overlanding journey, that is their specialty.
Newest construct: Shakadiva. Picture Courtesy by: Nomad Vanz
Newest construct: Selamiut. Picture Courtesy by: Nomad Vanz
Mannequin identify: Casablanca. Conversion from Sprinter 170. Picture Credit: Nomad Vanz
Pura Vida Vans
Location: Squamish, British Columbia
Value: Primary conversions begin at CAD $35k.
Conversion Time: 4-5 months
Specialties: Full conversions on Ford Transits and Mercedes Sprinters and partial conversions can be found on a Dodge ProMaster.
Van conversion from Sprinter 144. Picture Credit: Pura Vida Vans.
Positioned in Canada’s journey capital, Pura Vida Vans builds customized vans for vacationers and explorers. They provide all providers from full conversions to particular providers like a window or heater set up. Their van interiors range based mostly on the wants of their clients and in the event that they’ll be dwelling in it full time or utilizing it recreationally. The ground plan for full-time rigs is all about dwelling house and a cushty sleeping space. In the meantime, recreation-oriented builds deal with plenty of storage for gear and bikes.
The corporate converts a number of vans a 12 months and is constantly searching for methods to keep native. They’ve partnered with close by manufacturing firm Stoked Journey Outfitters to create high quality steel mattress frames and roof racks. Pura Vida is all about neighborhood and sharing the liberty of touring in a self-contained automobile.
Shelter Overland Van Co
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Value: Core conversions begin at CAD $25k with full conversions starting from CAD $60k-$120k
Conversion Time: A core conversion will take one month and a full conversion will take 2-3 months.
Specialties: Mercedes Sprinters van conversion and retrofitted Airstreams
Traditions are altering and Shelter Overland Van Co desires the brand new household cabin to be a camper van. Their focus is on constructing adventure-ready rigs with an emphasis on sturdy and eco-conscious supplies. They wish to encourage folks to get outdoors whereas creating cozy dwelling areas to come back house to.
The corporate began in 2017 and is dedicated to contributing to social and environmental causes. Their ethos is all about selling outside journey for everybody, no matter race, gender, or talents. Not like different Sprinter conversion firms, they even do industrial modifications for cellular dentists or tradespeople. And it doesn’t cease there—they do lust-worthy Airstream remodels too. You’ll be able to keep in a single at Mackenzie Seaside Resort in Tofino, BC.
Picture Credit: Shelter Overland Fb Web page
Ray Outfitted
Location: Tay, Ontario
Value: With a fundamental value beginning at simply CAD $20k, builds can vary as much as $120k.
Conversion Time: 2-5 months
Specialties: Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter conversion and RV/camper van upgrades.
Based in 2018, Ray Outfitted is an Ontario-based customized van builder devoted to off-the-grid dwelling. With so many BC-based firms, Ray Outfitted is likely one of the few firms that convert vans to campers on the east coast. Along with constructing vans from the bottom up, additionally they provide improve choices for current RVs and camper vans. They will do the whole lot from wiring electrical elements to cold-weather outfitting.
Ray Outfitted has transformed over 100 vans in Canada and consulted on DIY builds for van lifers globally. Their purpose is to create properties for lives that individuals don’t want a trip from. This philosophy reveals of their automobiles with considerate layouts and loads of storage areas for gear. Since dwelling in their very own Sprinter van, the founders share their automotive and electrical expertise with different nomads throughout the nation.
Ray Outfitted throughout the conversion course of from a Sprinter van. Picture Credit: Ray Outfitted
Selecting the Finest Van Conversion Firm
Location apart, one of the simplest ways to get began is by contacting the camper conversion firms that match your purpose. Seek for camper van conversion firms close to me, try their web site, and pop them an electronic mail with any questions you’ve got. Their processes are all about assessing your wants and constructing the van round what options matter most to you. When you’ve chosen your base automobile, they might help you design the inside with storage and one of the best use of house in thoughts.
As you’ll be able to inform from these firms’ van specialties, Ford Transits, Dodge ProMasters, and Mercedes Sprinter are among the greatest vans for conversion. However, there are nonetheless loads of choices for customized van conversion firms that work on different fashions too! A few of the greatest low-cost vans for conversion are simply empty cargo vans ready to be personalized.
How a lot does it value to transform a van? Costs are all based mostly on the extent of your construct and the elements and finishes you select. Anticipate to pay at the least USD $30k for a fundamental construct and the sky’s the restrict from there!
Inquiries to Ask
Selecting the best van conversion firm may be nerve-wracking! You wish to just remember to’re working with one of the best staff that aligns along with your wants and funds. To assist navigate the choice course of, listed below are a few questions to contemplate when discussing your potential mission.
- Will I’ve a wide range of premade format choices to select from?
- Can my construct be fully customized and designed from scratch?
- Do I’ve choices for further options for my particular gear/photo voltaic wants? Or are a lot of the elements from pre-selected manufacturers?
- How concerned can I be within the course of?
- Will I get a run-through of how the whole lot works or will there be manuals included?
- Are there materials choices based mostly on my local weather (i.e. heavier insulation for colder climates, mould-resistant for damp climates)?
- Is my construct date assured?
- Does the construct embody guarantee or repairs assist?
- Do you’ve got a showroom the place I can take a look at out sure layouts or options?
- Can I provide any of my very own supplies (i.e. I’ve a faucet I’d actually like to make use of or cloth I’d like to repurpose)?
Inside our self transformed 2008 Sprinter Van
What to Take into account When Selecting a Van Conversion Firm
Looking an organization’s web site and scrolling by means of images of fantastically designed vans is tremendous enjoyable and thrilling. However, it’s simple to miss among the nitty-gritty stuff that performs an enormous position within the success of your construct. Hold the next issues in thoughts when deciding on the appropriate van conversion firm in your mission.
Base Mannequin of Your Van
Taking the time to analysis which van is greatest in your camper conversion is an important first step (trace: use our useful information!). When you’ve figured that out, you’ll be able to slim down how firms sync vans to their builds. For instance, a ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter, or Ford Transit have much more inside house than a Westfalia. It is advisable work out the bones you’ll be working with earlier than you bounce into the design course of.
Worth
Do not forget that the worth of your construct is an extra value to the price of your van so that you’ll must funds accordingly. That stated, what’s included in a $100k construct is considerably completely different than what’s included in a $30k construct. In order for you all top-of-the-line supplies and plenty of customization, it should have the worth tag to match. Take into account how a lot you’ll be able to realistically afford and what your financing choices are earlier than signing any contracts.
Having fun with a comfy day contained in the van on a wet day
Location
In case you’re searching for van or RV conversion firms on the east coast and preserve seeing “Location: Los Angeles, California” or “Location: Loveland, Colorado,” be ready to journey. Do you’ve got the time and funds to journey throughout the nation to drop off and choose up your van? Or are you comfy doing the method nearly till it’s accomplished? The situation of the store can add further prices to your funds which might be price factoring in.
High quality
Chances are high that you simply’re going to pay extra for a van conversion firm than a DIY construct. And there’s good purpose for that—they’re professionals. Working with a good firm means you’ll be able to anticipate high-quality work that’s carried out correctly.
Specializations and Additional Options
You probably have particular options in thoughts like a pop-top or 4×4 modification, let this information your analysis. For instance, Mercedes Sprinter camper conversion firms are specialists at Sprinters however may not have expertise with a skoolie. In case you’re searching for a winter-ready off-road rig, look for an organization that makes a speciality of rugged 4-season builds.
Lead Occasions
Is van life a few years out or are you trying to hit the highway ASAP? Some outlets would possibly have the ability to begin your construct straight away whereas others have a lengthy ready record. You’ll want to determine a life like time-frame and decide in case your dream store is well worth the wait.
Stage of Involvement
Some persons are pleased to decide on a pre-designed format whereas others wish to add extra customization. Working with smaller, extra native firms is an effective way to be extra concerned within the course of if that’s vital to you. In the meantime, if you happen to’d desire to choose a design and be fully hands-off, that’s positively doable too.
Easy methods to Evaluate Van Life Conversion Firms
When you’ve researched your choices, think about these elements to slim down your selections:
- Worth – “You get what you pay for” is certainly true in relation to van conversions. Selecting a good firm and good supplies will guarantee a top quality construct.
- Time Body – Your time-frame performs an enormous position by which firms you’ll be able to work with. Keep in mind, this contains the store’s lead time + construct time.
- Location – Whether or not you’re keen to journey or wish to keep native may even slim down the search.
- Specialties – You wouldn’t go to an eye fixed physician to get your tooth cleaned. You probably have particular wants, select a store that has expertise in that space.
- Guarantee – Some outlets might provide a guaranty on elements or the construct itself. Decide if this can be a deciding issue in your peace of thoughts.
- Fashion – Some builders use supplies and finishes that you simply would possibly love whereas others aren’t actually your style. Relying on the extent of customization, you might wish to go for a camper van conversion firm that shares your aesthetic.
Max and Oksana’s Van Life
In abstract, selecting the best van conversion firm ought to be a thorough however thrilling course of! Doing analysis to determine what’s vital to you and your funds will make issues a lot simpler to navigate. All of those firms are specialists of their subject and may absolutely reply any questions you will have. Give them a name and begin turning your #vanlife goals into actuality!