Committing to #vanlife? Get geared up for a life overhaul. Whether you’re planning on living in a van element-time or hitting the road for the foreseeable destiny, numerous choices await. Weekend warrior van dwellers require special facilities than those going off-grid for multiple months. Before hitting the street, don’t forget your van’s configuration. Will, you DIY your construct with elbow grease, or are you seeking a professional conversion? These steps will help you decide what you’ll want, regardless of your method of having there.
Step 1: Research the Basics
Budget: Consider the base car and conversion costs one after the other. Avoid spending your finances on the base vehicle unless it’s already transformed into your desires. DIY and expert camper-van conversions range significantly. For instance, ZenVanz, a conversion company based totally in Portland, Ore., gives complete Sprinter van conversions for a kind of $164,500. It sells DIY kits for $18,000.
Size: Consider the number of passengers and the equipment you propose to carry. You’ll want masses of an area, even if you pass it alone. Compare distinctive car lengths, widths, and issues in capabilities like character ground plans, pop-up roofs, shipment containers, and accessories like rooftop tents. Familiarize yourself with the distinction between small vehicles and big vehicles.
Drivetrain: Evaluate the roads you plan to force and the environments you’ll explore. If you’ll be off-roading or driving throughout wintry weather, look for four- or all-wheel force vehicles. A wheel-drive van may be more capable and cheaper if you prefer paved roads or light off-roading.
Fuel financial system: The financial system varies by car size, engine type, and age. Attached accessories like rooftop tents and cargo containers also affect the gas financial system. Diesel vs. Gas: The U.S. Department of Energy says diesel engines can pass more or less 20 to 35 percent farther on a gallon of gasoline than comparable fuel-powered engines. That gasoline performance comes at a price, but. The 2019 Mercedes Sprinter van, with a fuel engine, costs $33,790, while the identical version with a diesel engine costs $49,590. In many regions of the U.S., Diesel gasoline is extra costly than fuel. AAA has a gas value calculator that breaks costs down via area.
Service history and mileage: A used van must be in the proper walking situation. The seller has to provide a complete provider file. And don’t rule out more recent vehicles with high mileage. Routine preservation and current vehicle tech can permit a van to run over 2 hundred 000 miles.
Step 2: Classic vs. Current
Understand the form of base camper vans before shopping. Classic automobiles from an automaker like Volkswagen vary substantially from more moderen fashions by Mercedes or Ford. Here are some of the maximum not unusual alternatives, from traditional to contemporary:
CLASSIC
Volkswagen
When Westfalia started generating Type 2 Transporter vans in the 1950s, Volkswagen created the camper van idea. The vans at the start were designed for sleeping and cooking. Since its advent, VW has launched a series of comparable cars: Volkswagen camper vehicles’ situation varies. Low-mileage fashions are tough to locate but generally hold a hefty charge tag due to their mainstream popularity. Used styles may also have a greater attractive fee; however, they frequently require costly repairs or unique parts that are difficult to acquire.
CURRENT
Cargo trucks are the maximum popular choice for camper van conversions. Manufactured for shipment or passenger transport, they vary in size from compact to extended-length models. Passenger and panel trucks are the principal varieties of cargo vehicles. Passenger vans have home windows and rows of seats, while panel alternatives typically lack windows. Both are regularly converted into camper vans because they permit conversion freedom.
