For those seeking memorable travel experiences without breaking the bank, camper vans have been a popular choice for decades. Today’s camper vans are marvels of engineering, packing the comforts of a studio apartment into a mobile package. However, the price tag often rivals that of a house, making them inaccessible for many. I’ve found a possible solution: the Ford Transit Connect DLM Mini T Campervan, billed as one of the most affordable new camper vans in America.
This camper van drives like a car and fits in a standard garage, making it suitable even for neighborhoods with homeowner association (HOA) restrictions. The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a renewed interest in outdoor recreation, leading to a surge in camper van popularity. Even automakers like Ford got involved with the Transit Trail, although that model is no longer available.
The Class B motorhome segment, comprising the smallest and most maneuverable RVs, remains strong, although many units are costly. I’ve come across camper vans priced at over $300,000—the same price as my brother’s multi-story house mortgage. Even “cheap” options, such as the Thor Freedom, start above $80,000.
DLM Distribution
The Mini-T Campervan by DLM Distribution seems like a well-priced alternative. At a base price of $55,500, it’s surprisingly affordable in the RV market—less than you’d spend on a base Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. However, there’s a catch.
DLM Distribution, a small business based in Lake Crystal, Minnesota, has been operating since 2006 and focuses on building and selling affordable camper vans. They primarily advertise on platforms like Craigslist and don’t attend major RV shows. DLM Distribution’s founders, Dave and Cindy Mellon, share their story:
Our genesis was fueled by our personal passion for camping and traversing the spectacular landscapes of National Parks across our great nation. Our guiding vision is simple yet profound – to craft memories, joy, and boundless opportunities for adventure. We endeavor to accomplish this by providing you with our ingeniously crafted, cost-effective, and easy-to-navigate Ford Transit Connect Mini-T campervans, and Chrysler Pacifica AWD Campervans (AWD All-Wheel-Drive Camper Vans) designed to fit snugly into your garage, ready for the next spontaneous journey.
Their team is veteran and woman-owned, with Master Certifications (ASE) and FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licenses, providing a high level of automotive, trucking, and aircraft production expertise.
According to the Mellons, their camper vans are designed to function equally well as daily drivers and camping vehicles, promoting stealth camping. They work to ensure the vehicles don’t obviously stand out. The use of compact vans, such as the Ford Transit Connect, means the Mini-T can enter a garage and handle like a car or crossover, making it suitable for grocery runs or cross-country trips.
DLM Distribution’s signature product is the Mini-T Campervan, which has been built on the Ford Transit Connect for several years and is currently transitioning to the Chrysler Pacifica minivan. Although the Transit Connect ended production for the 2023 model year, DLM still has a few new 2023 Transit Connect builds available. These builds usually start with an upper-trim model, like the XLT Premium, and include features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, dual-zone climate control, leather power seating, alloy wheels, and unique paint colors.
The Ford Transit Connect is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, providing 162 HP and 144 lb-ft of torque, connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It delivers a respectable EPA rating of 24 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The DLM conversions are known for their simplicity; they typically include a futon, a shelving unit with a microwave, sink, and 25L refrigerator, and a TV/DVD combo unit. Storage space is available under the bed, where you’ll also find a cassette toilet.
Additional features of the DLM Mini-T include dual house batteries, discreet solar panels, USB ports, a roof fan, and a shore power plug. It also comes with a trailer hitch that can tow up to 2,000 pounds. The design emphasizes easy access to all components, ensuring simple repairs. The stealthy nature of these vans is a significant selling point, allowing parking in most locations without drawing attention, making it both a camper and a daily driver.
DLM claims the Mini-T is available for around $55,500, a bargain in the camper van market. However, there’s a drawback. Given that the Transit Connect has been discontinued for a couple of years, used models are becoming increasingly affordable on sites like Autotrader. You can find Transit Connects with very low mileage for far less than the price of a new DLM Mini-T Campervan. For example, a 2023 Ford Transit Connect XLT with less than 1,000 miles could be found for around $28,000. Given this, the question is whether DLM’s conversion work is worth around $30,000. The cost for the typical conversion components such as a futon, shelves, a powered cooler, and a residential microwave unit, wouldn’t be significant. A DIY enthusiast might be able to accomplish the work for closer to $5,000.
The Chrysler Pacifica-based version is better, with a lower price difference between the base Pacifica ($42,450) and the DLM versions (starting at $65,000). But that doesn’t account for a functionally different build. In conclusion, the DLM Distribution Mini-T Campervan is a great concept: a small, fuel-efficient van that does well as a daily driver as well as a camper. It’s stealthy, affordable, and caters to the low end of the market.
It’s great to see companies targeting these budget-friendly segments of the market. RVing should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their budget. With that in mind, the DLM Mini-T might be worth your consideration.
