Best Van for DIY Camper Conversion (Adventure Van Build)
Van conversions have become super popular the past few years and for good reason. Advancements in technology and the availability of components and supplies have made converting them much more feasible. The vans today are even constructed in ways that make most of the the process pretty friendly.
[Mercedes Sprinter, 6 Cylinder Diesel 4x4 High Roof Cargo Van, half converted enjoying its first camping trip adventure!]
The first step in the van build process is identifying the purpose of the Van. There is a lot of crossover of course, and most builds will work for most purposes, but to really tailor the design to the build you need to clearly understand your intent and needs. Is your van for full time living or part time adventures? How many people will you be traveling with? How many does it need to sleep? Bathroom or no bathroom? Will there be pets? These are all factors that can really change the direction of the build and at this step, which base model van you choose to build from.
The theme of my van build is “Adventure Van”. I want to be able to load up toys and gear for different adventures and activities and be able to go play and explore! My Adventures include: Paramotoring, Dirt Biking, Skiing, Backpacking, Kayaking, Photography & Videography, Prospecting, Fossil hunting, and more. Because most of these activities are best with friends, I want my van to be able to accommodate 3 person travel. I’m not necessarily planning to sleep in it on every adventure, and for road trips would prefer the comforts of a hotel when feasible, but would like the ability to sleep 2 if needed. Speaking of road trips, as I plan for it to be on the road a lot, I place a high priority on comfort!
High Roof vs Standard
The high roof models allow standing. For some this isn’t a big concern, for others its a necessity. If your planning to build a formal bathroom or some type of shower option, then the High Roof models are a must have. The higher roof also allows for upper storage cabinets which is huge for bringing along extra supplies. When building an adventure van, or converting a van for living, I don’t think the roof is really a consideration. High roof or bust.
4x4 vs 2x4
Mercedes is the only one currently who makes the 4x4, and it only comes in Diesel. If 4x4 is a must have option for you, then that is settled. After I gave this some consideration, I realized that I really only use 4x4 when I get stuck. This happens from time to time in our Montana winters, but the times and situations it has I would not likely be in the van. Also worth considering is whether traction pads, a winch, etc. would be sufficient in those rare situations. In my former public service careers I had the opportunity to run a respectable amount of time out of a 170 wheel base, 2x2 Sprinter Ambulance and can not think of a time that we had an issue. For standard adventuring and road trips 4x4 is not needed. For frequent off-roading and use on primitive roads and trails it's worth considering, but such areas don't usually lend themselves well to vehicles the size of vans, so how often would it really be needed? The big question here to ask yourself is what kind of places are you planning to go? In my case, I didn’t necessarily put a high priority on 4x4 but if the opportunity presented itself I was happy to take it!
Gas vs Diesel
If you determined that 4x4 is needed, then you're only option here is to go diesel as Mercedes is the only one who offers 4x4, and it is only available in Diesel. If not set on 4x4, then both Gas and Diesel models are in play.
The Diesel models don’t allegedly charge the system as well at idle as their gas counterparts, and are’nt the best for city driving where frequent starting and stopping is necessary. Diesel engines also do not like to sit for long periods of time and of course, do not like extreme cold as the Diesel may gel up. For frequent use and mostly cruising it's a great option. Gas is probably better for more all around use and city driving, or if frequenting extreme cold such as maybe parking at a ski hill for the day. Diesel may gel up by the time the fun is over and it's time to leave.
Gas mileage is supposedly about the same, and both are supposedly getting about the same longevity though I would be forced to believe the Diesel has an edge here. Maintenance on the Diesel will typically cost more and can be harder to get parts as they are less common than the gas models.
Diesel models do have a Def system which is an added routine cost, and can be annoying.
Mercedes Sprinter vs Dodge Promaster vs Ford Transit
If you decided on Diesel, or 4x4, then Mercedes Sprinter it is. If not, then it may come down more to personal preference between the Dodge Ram Promaster, the Ford Transit Van, and the Mercedes Sprinters. Model for model the prices don’t vary much. Maintenance on Mercedes is less accessible than Dodge and Ford, and tends to run much higher. Many debates exist regarding reliability between brands. There are good and bad stories on all sides so its tough to really say one way or another.
6 cylinder vs 4 cylinder
If you are leaning toward the Mercedes you may have to decide between 6 cylinder and 4 cylinder. If you are set on 4x4, then 6 cylinder is your only choice. Otherwise, you will probably be pretty happy either way here. 6 cylinder is more powerful and noticeable on inclines, but the 4 cylinder is more efficient. For the Gas models, 4 cylinder seams to be the more popular and desirable option.
[Mercedes Cargo Sprinter Van after installing T-Window, Side Ladder, & the Roof Rack]
Passenger Vs Crew Vs Cargo
Any of these options will work well, but here are the differences. Passenger vans have windows all the way around, and typically have interior panels already in place. They also usually include rows of seating. Crew vans have windows in the middle section of the van, and no windows or metal paneling in the rear. These models usually do not have rear. Cargo vans are usually a fully blank canvas rear of the cab with no windows, paneling or seating. At first glance, the Cargo van option seam daunting, but is a commonly favored option as it leaves you the most choices for your build especially in regards to windows. Windows can be bought and installed aftermarket. There are a ton of options and configurations available and installation is surprisingly very simply. Cargo vans are also the most common however they are primarily built and intended for utility purposes so the cabs are commonly lacking the higher end luxury features so you may have to do some hard searching to find the right one for you.
Wheel Base
Todays popular panel vans are offered in different wheel bases giving you options depending on your intended use. For the Mercedes Sprinter vans, these options are the 144, the 170, and the 170 extended. For reference, the 170 is a few extra feet than the 144 which in most builds is the difference between a formal dedicated bathroom, and not having one. Note: A dedicated bathroom can still be achieved in a 144 van if you are not planning to have a third seat or extended lounge option. The 170 or longer models are a bit more cumbersome to drive, but the added length is most noticeable of course when parking. The extra length also lends itself well for a second bed option though this can be achieved in creative ways in the shorter models. The 144 length Sprinter and its counterparts are fine for most adventure build applications. Being creative with the space is the key. Everything should be able to be converted or used for multiple purposes to get the most out of it. For longer term stays, or van life applications, the longer wheel base models are more appropriate.
Conclusion
For my adventure build, I settled on the Mercedes Sprinter 144 6 cylinder Diesel 4x4 Cargo Van. Some of this was luck as this van popped up at the right time. As an adventure van I intend to be out on the go and most likely hit different climates and terrain so I was not against the 4x4 Diesel option. I actually placed more value on luxuries and features in the cab such as heated swivel seats, blind spot awareness, navigation, etc. I chose the 144 wheel base as I felt it was enough for toy hauling, camping, and road-tripping. I wont be doing a dedicated bathroom as I am going with a third passenger seat, but can still tuck in some bathroom features as needed such as a built in shower pan/ pop up shower.
I started a Van Build Video series on my YouTube Channel to show the build process. If you’re interested in seeing how its coming together or a behind the scenes look at some of the thoughts and ideas behind specific options, feel free to check it out!
[The first video in my Van Build video series outlining the entire build plan. This should be fun to compare at the end!]
