Camper vans are the ultimate recreational vehicles. They combine the maneuverability of a passenger car with comforts typically reserved for travel trailers and full-blown motorhomes.
Unfortunately, some of the top camper vans in the world never come to the US. The modern equivalent of the classic VW model, tantalizingly named The California, is only sold in Europe. Meanwhile, only Aussies can snag this badass, off-roading Toyota van with Land Cruiser bits.
But #vanlife is alive and well in the US. Stateside drivers still have dozens of excellent options from major manufacturers and independent builders, alike. Here are 27 to know before your next road trip.
Adventure Wagon
- Location: Portland, OR
- Vans: Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Kits/Installation
- Starting Price: $16,000
Portland-based Adventure Wagon builds modular interior conversion kits for Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit vans. Its kits come with integrated wiring, ventilation and insulation and can be installed in a matter of days by a professional installer or as a DIY project.
Airstream
- Location: Jackson Center, Ohio
- Vans: Ram ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter
- Starting Price: $147,570
Airstream is an iconic name in camping trailers but the company also offers a range of top-of-the-line vans it calls "touring coaches" — including the Interstate Nineteen, which fits an entire motorhome of conveniences into a 19-foot van. In 2022, Airstream debuted a more affordable model called the Rangeline based on the Ram ProMaster.
Antero Adventure Motors
- Location: Colorado/Dealers
- Vans: Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversion
- Starting Price: Contact Dealers
Colorado-based Antero Adventure Motors, formerly known as Summit Adventure Vans, builds off-road-ready adventure vans. The brand currently offers a Longs Peak model van built with the Mercedes Sprinter, while its Pikes Peak is based on the Ford Transit. The brands are off-the-grid ready with 180 watts of solar power and offer full-length L-track insets for customizable floor plans.
Benchmark Vehicles
- Location: Portland, OR
- Van: Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversion
- Starting Price: Contact Dealers
Oregon-based Benchmark Vehicles promises to build your dream escape vehicle. It dropped Ford Transit conversions to focus on building custom, off-road-ready Mercedes-Benz Sprinter conversions. One unique feature is offering French-made Scopema flip and fold van seats.
Boho Camper Vans
- Location: Tempe, AZ
- Van: Ram ProMaster
- Service: Conversion/Rentals
- Starting Price: ~$41,000 (not including van)
Arizona-based Boho Camper Vans performs conversions of Ram ProMaster vans. The brand is known for its exceptional custom wood interiors. Boho Camper Vans also maintains a rental fleet and sells used vans after one year in service.
Boulder Camper Vans
- Location: Boulder, CO
- Vans: Mercedes Sprinter, Ram ProMaster, Ford Transit
- Service: Conversions/Rentals
- Starting Price: $100,000
Colorado-based Boulder Camper Vans performs custom Mercedes Sprinter, Ram ProMaster, and Ford Transit conversions — and it also rents its vehicles if you want to give #vanlife a try before buying. Interiors are hand-crafted, and vans can be outfitted for four-season use with heat, air conditioning and insulated piping.
Brooklyn Campervans
- Location: Brooklyn, NY
- Van: Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: $92,000
Brooklyn Campervans is based in — you guessed it — Brooklyn, New York. Its specializes in building what it calls "beautifully designed smart homes" out of Mercedes Sprinter vans. Its offerings feature a wide range of materials and, crucially, 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 brings the spirit of the old Volkswagen Westfalia into modern camper van builds. Its four-seater Freebird model is all-new for 2022 and based on the Ford Transit Connect. The company also does a la carte upfits for Mercedes Sprinter vans, adding 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 performs custom conversions for a wide range of camper vans. The company specializes in adding pop-top roofs to both camper vans and camping trailers; custom interiors; and 4x4 conversions for Ford vans.
El Kapitan
- Location: Newport Beach, CA
- Van: Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: Contact Dealers
Southern California-based El Kapitan builds luxurious camper vans based on short and long-wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter vans specializing in "handcrafted perfection" with metal, hardwoods, fine leather, fabrics and electronics. It offers Story Maker (Sprinter 144 inches) and Dream Weaver (Sprinter 170 inches) conversions with a range of floor plans.
Freedom Vans
- Location: Bellingham, WA
- Vans: Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: $40K (van not included)
Washington-based Freedom Vans builds cozy, comfortable and custom Sprinter and Transit conversions, whether you're looking for a family van or a commercial buildout. The brand specializes in cozy interiors and solar power systems, which can be added to other vans a la carte.
Glampervan
- Location: Oakland, CA
- Van: Ram ProMaster
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: $45,000
California-based Glampervan specializes in multi-use builds based on the Ram ProMaster that are designed to transition from two-person weekend getaway vehicles to everyday duty as a mobile office or van for hauling gear. The company also offers a stripped-down Core build for those who want to DIY their own van.
Mercedes-Benz
- Location: Stuttgart, Germany
- Van: Mercedes Metris
- Starting Price: ~$70,000
Mercedes-Benz offers a pop-top camper version of its Metris van called the Metris Getaway built by Peace Vans. It seats five, sleeps four, and can be fitted with upgrades like a roof rack, an eight-foot awning, mosquito nets and a pull-out rear kitchen. You can order one 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)
Vancouver-based Nomad Vans builds custom overland expedition vans based on the Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit that are designed to be durable and provide comfortable living in any season. Vans can include custom gear garages, pop-out compartments for extra living space and even custom upholstery.
Oasis Campervans
- Location: Larkspur, CO
- Vans: Minivans
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: $8,100
Want a camper based on a minivan instead of a full-size one? Oasis Campervans offers custom minivan conversions for the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica with kitchen, sleeping and storage setups with hardwood finishes. It offers two conversions, Classic and Nomad, the latter aimed at campers on a budget.
Outside Van
- Location: Portland, OR
- Van: Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: Contact Dealers
Outside Van performs Mercedes Sprinter-based conversion vans for adventure enthusiasts, performing custom woodwork, metalwork and upholstery in-house. Buyers can opt for the Peak experience with a fully bespoke build or the Fusion using one of Outside Van's proven layouts.
Paved to Pines
- Location: Redwing, Saskatchewan
- Van: Ford Transit, Ram Promaster, Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: ~$30,000 (van not included)
Paved to Pines is a Canadian builder based in Saskatchewan that ships all over North America. It works with Ford Transits, Ram ProMasters and Mercedes Sprinters — not to mention school buses. The company can build four-season off-the-grid units. And it offers both custom and more affordable semi-custom layouts.
Peace Vans
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Van: Mercedes Metris
- Services: Conversion/Repair/Rentals
- Starting Price: Contact Dealers
Peace Vans performs modern conversions of Mercedes Metris vans. It offers a basic Weekender build and a Full Camper build with a fully-outfitted kitchen (42-liter refrigerator, integrated sink, two portable stoves) and custom cabinetry. Want a more vintage style? Peace Vans also repairs and does electric conversions of old VW Vanagons.
Ready.Set.Van.
- Location: Hamilton Twp, NJ
- Van: Ram ProMaster
- Services: Conversions
- Starting Price: $38,000 (van not included)
New Jersey-based Ready.Set.Van turns Ram ProMaster vans into apartments on wheels, with the help of Tesla-sourced batteries. It specializes in innovative storage solutions, including below-the-bed gear storage and off-grid power systems. Read our review of Ready.Set.Van.
Sportsmobile
- Locations: Huntington, IN/Austin, TX/Fresno, CA
- Vans: Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter
- Services: Conversions
- Starting Price: Contact (expect $150,000-plus)
Sportsmobile performs a range of conversions on Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster vans. It specializes in outfitting 4x4 vans for heavy-duty off-roading, including the Sportsmobile Ford-based Classic 4×4 and the Sprinter 4×4, with features like 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 is based in Alabama. The company produces a line of Mercedes Benz-based off-road vans including its top-of-the-line Beast Mode and a Ford Transit-based Mode LT model. Features include custom wheels with all-terrain tires and a touchscreen control system.
Sync Vans
- Location: Bellevue, ID
- Van: Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: Contact Dealers
Idaho-based Sync Vans performs "semi-custom" conversions of short and long-wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter. Buyers make their customizations using a Sync Vans suggested configuration as a template, allowing for a quicker build time than a complete custom build. Sync Vans can add custom cabinets, lighting and upholstery.
Thor Motor Coach
- Location: Elkhart, IN
- Vans: Ram ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter
- Starting Price: $112,980
Thor Motor Coach is a sibling brand of Airstream. It has a vast lineup of Class B motorhomes and Mercedes Sprinter-based camper vans and that includes the Mercedes Sprinter 4x4-based Sanctuary, which is ready to hit the trail from the factory 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)
Colorado-based TouRig performs both spec and custom Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and (newly for 2020) Ford Transit-based 4×4 adventure van conversions. It offers a range of electrical and plumbing systems for going off the grid. TouRig can also outfit vans for off-road use with suspension kits, shocks and mounts, wheels and tires.
VanCraft
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Van: Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions/Rentals
- Starting Price: $119,000
San Diego-based VanCraft performs conversion for both short and long-wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter vans. Its builds are designed to go off the grid and offer features like Oak Butcher Block Counters, four-season insulation and open-concept garage storage. VanCraft also offers rentals.
Vanlife Customs
- Location: Denver, CO
- Vans: Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter
- Service: Conversions
- Starting Price: $90,000
Denver-based Vanlife Customs can build modern or rustic conversions of Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster vans. It can also tailor them to your unique style with custom wood interiors. VanLife Customs also rents vans in Colorado, Nevada and Utah.
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Winnebago
- Location: Eden Prairie, MN
- Vans: Ram ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter
- Starting Price: $140,374
Winnebago is an iconic Iowa-based recreational vehicle manufacturer. While best known for its bus-like RVs, the company also produces a wide range of Ram ProMaster- and Mercedes Sprinter-based camper vans, from the affordable pop-top Solis and comparatively petite Solis Pocket to the off-road-ready Revel 4×4.
Factors to Consider When Building a Custom Camper Van
Amenities: How are you going to use the camper van? What features do you need to accomplish that goal? What you need for the weekend “get away from it all” trips will differ from trying to live completely off-the-grid. What sort of toilet and indoor/shower setup facilities do you need?
Build Time: Build times for a custom camper van can vary from several weeks to several months. And the most popular builders will have waitlists before they can even get to your build.
Materials: You want your camper van to be durable. Like with your physical home, that means using quality materials. That may cost more at the outset but it may end up saving you in the long run.
Size: How many people are going to be camping? Where are you going to store it? Is your HOA going to throw a fit if it doesn’t fit in a standard garage? Do you need to be able to stand inside of it?
Transparency: Building a custom camper van isn’t cheap. The van alone can cost north of $50,000. The more features, customization and craftsmanship that goes into it, the more expensive the van will be on the back end. Make sure the pricing structure is upfront, clear and itemized before committing.
