The Ultimate Adventure Machines: Top Camper Vans and Conversions
Camper vans represent the ultimate in recreational vehicles, skillfully blending the maneuverability of a car with amenities typically found in travel trailers and full-sized motorhomes. While some of the most sought-after models, such as the European-exclusive VW California and the off-roading Toyota van with Land Cruiser components only available in Australia, may not reach US shores, the #vanlife movement is thriving stateside. Numerous excellent options abound from both established manufacturers and independent builders. Here’s a rundown of the brands you should know before your next road trip.
Adventure Wagon
- Location: Portland, OR
- Vans: Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter
- Starting Price: $16,000
Adventure Wagon, based in Portland, specializes in modular interior conversion kits compatible with Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit vans. These kits are designed with integrated wiring, ventilation, and insulation and can be installed professionally or as a DIY project, typically within a few days.
Airstream
- Location: Jackson Center, OH
- Vans: Ram ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter
- Starting Price: $147,570
Airstream, an iconic name in camping trailers, offers a premium line of vans they call “touring coaches.” This range includes the Interstate 19, which packs a complete motorhome’s worth of features into a 19-foot van. A more affordable model, the Rangeline, based on the Ram ProMaster, debuted in 2022.
Antero Adventure Motors
- Location: Colorado
- Vans: Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversion
- Starting Price: Contact Dealers
Antero Adventure Motors, formerly Summit Adventure Vans, is based in Colorado and builds adventure-ready, off-road vans. The company offers the Longs Peak model built on the Mercedes Sprinter and the Pikes Peak based on the Ford Transit. These vans are designed for off-grid living, complete with 180 watts of solar power and full-length L-track insets for a customizable floor plan.
Benchmark Vehicles
- Location: Portland, OR
- Van: Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversion
- Starting Price: Contact Dealers
Located in Oregon, Benchmark Vehicles focuses on building custom, off-road-ready Mercedes-Benz Sprinter conversions. They distinguished themselves by offering French-made Scopema flip and fold seats, setting them apart from the competition.
Boho Camper Vans
- Location: Tempe, AZ
- Van: Ram ProMaster
- Service: Conversion/Rentals
- Starting Price: ~$41,000 (not including van)
Boho Camper Vans, situated in Arizona, specializes in converting Ram ProMaster vans, known for their custom wood interiors. They also operate a rental fleet, selling used vans after a year of service.
Boulder Camper Vans
- Location: Boulder, CO
- Vans: Mercedes Sprinter, Ram ProMaster, Ford Transit
- Service: Conversions/Rentals
- Starting Price: $100,000
Boulder Camper Vans, based in Colorado, offers custom conversions for Mercedes Sprinter, Ram ProMaster, and Ford Transit vans. They also provide rentals, allowing potential buyers to experience #vanlife before committing to a purchase. Their interiors are handcrafted, capable of four-season use, featuring heating, air conditioning and insulated piping.
Brooklyn Campervans
- Location: Brooklyn, NY
- Van: Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: $92,000
Located in Brooklyn, New York, Brooklyn Campervans specializes in crafting what they term “beautifully designed smart homes” from Mercedes Sprinter vans. Their offerings feature a variety of materials and, notably, include indoor showers.
Caravan Outfitter
- Location: Everett, WA
- Vans: Ford Transit Connect, Mercedes Metris, Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions/Upfits/Rentals
- Starting Price: $49,810 (Free Bird)
Caravan Outfitter reinterprets the spirit of the classic Volkswagen Westfalia in modern camper van builds. Their new Freebird model, introduced in 2022, is based on the Ford Transit Connect and features four seats. They also offer a la carte upfits for Mercedes Sprinter vans, providing features like a pop-top roof and diesel heater.
Colorado Camper Van
- Location: Loveland, CO
- Vans: Any
- Services: Conversions (Interior and Pop Top)
- Starting Price: Varies
Colorado Camper Van provides custom conversions for a wide range of camper vans, with a particular focus on adding pop-top roofs to vans and camping trailers, custom interiors, and 4×4 conversions for Ford vans.
El Kapitan
- Location: Newport Beach, CA
- Van: Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: Contact Dealers
El Kapitan, based in Southern California produces luxury camper vans based on short and long-wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter vans. They bring “handcrafted perfection” utilising metal, hardwoods, fine leather, fabrics, and electronics. They have the Story Maker (Sprinter 144 inches) and Dream Weaver (Sprinter 170 inches) models, providing numerous floor plans.
Freedom Vans
- Location: Bellingham, WA
- Vans: Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: $40K (van not included)
Freedom Vans, located in Washington, builds custom and comfortable Sprinter and Transit conversions. They offer options whether you are looking for a family van or for a commercial buildout and are known for cozy interiors and solar power systems that can be added a la carte.
Glampervan
- Location: Oakland, CA
- Van: Ram ProMaster
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: $45,000
Glampervan, based in California, specializes in versatile builds using the Ram ProMaster. These vans are designed to transition easily from recreational vehicles for weekend getaways to everyday use as a mobile office or for hauling gear. They also offer a stripped-down Core build for those who prefer DIY projects.
Mercedes-Benz
- Location: Germany
- Van: Mercedes Metris
- Starting Price: ~$70,000
Mercedes-Benz offers a pop-top camper version of its Metris van. The Metris Getaway is built by Peace Vans and can seat up to five people and sleep four. Additions include a roof rack an eight-foot awning, mosquito nets, and a pull-out rear kitchen. These can all be ordered through a Mercedes dealership, with a full factory warranty.
Nomad Vanz
- Location: Vancouver, Canada
- Vans: Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: $120,000-plus (bespoke build)
Nomad Vans, based in Vancouver, builds custom overland expedition vans from the Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit. These are designed to be durable and provide comfort any time of year. Vans can include custom gear garages, compartments for extra living space, and custom upholstery.
Oasis Campervans
- Location: Larkspur, CO
- Vans: Minivans
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: $8,100
Oasis Campervans offers custom conversions based on minivans rather than full-size vans. This includes the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica with kitchen, sleeping, and storage setups that include hardwood finishes. Oasis offers two conversions: Classic and Nomad, the latter designed for those on a budget.
Outside Van
- Location: Portland, OR
- Van: Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: Contact Dealers
Outside Van specializes in Mercedes Sprinter based conversion vans designed for adventure enthusiasts, performing custom woodwork, metalwork and upholstery in-house. Buyers can select the Peak experience that offers a bespoke build or the Fusion layout using one of Outside Van’s reliable layouts.
Paved to Pines
- Location: Redwing, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Van: Ford Transit, Ram Promaster, Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: ~$30,000
Paved to Pines, a Canadian builder located in Saskatchewan, ships throughout North America. They work with Ford Transits, Ram ProMasters and Mercedes Sprinters, as well as school buses. The company can build off-the-grid units for all four seasons and offers both custom and semi-custom layouts to fit a range of needs.
Peace Vans
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Van: Mercedes Metris
- Services: Conversion/Repair/Rentals
- Starting Price: Contact Dealers
Peace Vans creates modern conversions of Mercedes Metris vans. They have a basic option (Weekender) or can install a Full Camper build with a fully-equipped kitchen (42-liter refrigerator and a two portable stoves) and custom cabinetry. If the vintage aesthetic is more your style, Peace Vans will provide repairs and electric conversions of older VW Vanagons.
Ready.Set.Van.
- Location: Hamilton Twp, NJ
- Van: Ram ProMaster
- Services: Conversions
- Starting Price: $38,000 (van not included)
Ready.Set.Van., based in New Jersey, transforms Ram ProMaster vans into apartments on wheels, incorporating Tesla-sourced batteries. Storage innovation is their specialty, offering solutions such as below-the-bed gear storage and off-grid power systems.
Sportsmobile
- Location(s): Huntington, IN, Austin, TX, Fresno, CA
- Vans: Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter
- Services: Conversions
- Starting Price: Contact (expect $150,000-plus)
Sportsmobile performs conversions across the Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ram ProMaster vans. They are experts in outfitting 4×4 vans for heavy-duty off-roading, including the Sportsmobile Ford-based Classic 4×4 and the Sprinter 4×4, featuring locking differentials, Fox Shocks, and a sway bar disconnect.
Storyteller Overland
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Vans: Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: $171,429
Storyteller Overland, based in Alabama, produces an off-road line of Mercedes-Benz vans, including their top-of-the-line Beast Mode and a Ford Transit-based Mode LT model. Features include custom all-terrain tires and a touchscreen control system.
Sync Vans
- Location: Bellevue, ID
- Van: Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: Contact Dealers
Sync Vans, located in Idaho, offers “semi-custom” conversions on short and long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinters. Customers can use a Sync Vans suggested configuration as a template, allowing them to customize with custom cabinets, lighting, and upholstery, but with quicker build times than fully custom conversions.
Thor Motor Coach
- Location: Elkhart, IN
- Vans: Ram ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter
- Starting Price: $112,980
A sibling brand of Airstream, Thor Motor Coach offers a wide variety of Class B motorhomes and Mercedes Sprinter camper vans. This includes the Mercedes Sprinter 4×4 based Sanctuary, which is ready for the trail with optional off-road tires and a roof-mounted solar panel.
TouRig
- Location: Golden, CO
- Vans: Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: $225,000 (vehicle included)
TouRig, based in Colorado, offers both custom and spec Mercedes-Benz Sprinter conversions as well as 4×4 adventure van conversions based on the Ford Transit. Electrical and plumbing systems are available for off-the-grid use. TouRig can outfit vans for off-road use with suspension kits, shocks, mounts, wheels and tires.
VanCraft
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Van: Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions/Rentals
- Starting Price: $119,000
VanCraft, situated in San Diego, converts both short- and long-wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter vans. These builds are designed for off-grid adventures with features such as Oak Butcher Block Counters, four-season insulation, and open-concept garage storage. VanCraft also provides rentals.
Vanlife Customs
- Location: Denver, CO
- Vans: Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: $90,000
Vanlife Customs, located in Denver, builds modern or rustic conversions from Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ram ProMaster vans. They can be personalized to your unique style with custom wood interiors. VanLife Customs also rents vans in Colorado, Nevada, and Utah.
Winnebago
- Location: Eden Prairie, MN
- Vans: Ram ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter
- Starting Price: $140,374
Winnebago, a well-known recreational vehicle manufacturer based in Iowa, also produces a range of camper vans based on the Ram ProMaster and Mercedes Sprinter. These include affordable pop-top versions like the Solis and Solis Pocket to off-road-ready Revel 4×4 models.
