Choosing Your Van
Choosing your van is the first big step toward starting VanLife — and it’s one of the most exciting! It can be a big decision deciding what type of van you’re going to convert, live, and travel in, but don’t fret. We’ve categorized some of the most popular models below to help you decide which van is perfect for your life on the road.
We’ve broken different vans into three categories: the modern (Sprinters, Transits, and Promasters), the budget-friendly (low-roof Econolines and Expresses), and the classics (Volkswagens and Westfalias).
Table of Contents
The Modern Vans
We’re categorizing the modern vans as three of the most popular vans for VanLife these days that all have low- and high-roof options: the Mercedes Sprinter, the Ram ProMaster, and the Ford Transit. All three are reputable, quality vans that will serve you well for VanLife.
Mercedes Sprinter
Mercedes SprinterSprinters are one of the most popular vans to to live in for a good reason — they’re reliable, they’re flexible, and they’ve got a great track record for putting a lot of miles on. Because they’re so popular, you’ll be able to find one relatively easily at dealerships, used car lots, or Craigslist. Plus, they’ve been making them for a long time, which means if you’re looking for a used, high-mileage van, this is your best bet.
There are a variety of different sizes and wheelbases (144”, 170”, and 170” extended) so that you can find a size that works best for you. They have a low roof (interior height: 5’4”) and a high roof (6’3”). You can get a 5-speed diesel (3.0L V6) or a 7-speed diesel (2.1L I-4).
There are two negatives we see with Sprinters. The first is minor and subjective: we think that Sprinters can be minorly overpriced due to their popularity (though that may be worth it for their good reputation). The second con with Sprinters is that they can be expensive to maintain. They’re made by Mercedes after all (yes, even the ones made by Dodge or Freightliner) – so the parts can be more expensive. Another thing to keep in mind is that it might be harder to find a mechanic that can work on a Sprinter and order the part quickly if you’re vanning in the middle of nowhere.
That being said, if you can afford the potentially-more-expensive maintenance that Sprinters have, you’ll be rewarded with a large living space, a solid van that’ll hold its financial value, and a track record that’ll keep you on the road for years. Seriously, these things are built to last, and they’re phenomenal vans.
Ram ProMaster
The PM is a relatively new van that started getting built by Dodge Ram in 2014 and is based on the Fiat Ducato, a popular Euro van. The ProMaster is another popular, modern option because it has flexibility for your conversion — it has high-roof (interior height: 6’5”) and low-roof (5’4”) options as well as a 136”, 159” and 159” extended sizes.
A notable size difference compared to the other two modern vans is that it’s a bit wider — you can sleep sideways in the van easily. Both gas and diesel options are available.
ProMasters are relatively cheaper than either the Sprinter or the Transit, and servicing it is relatively easy. Another perk is that it’s interior is more square than the others. The walls are nearly vertical, which is great for conversion.
Since it’s a relatively new van, time will tell if its reliability has a good or bad track record. From what we’ve read on the Ram ProMaster forum, many folks have driven them above 300k and 400k with no noticeable problems relative to other cargo vans. It does has a lower clearance than other vans.
Ford Transit
Ford Transits are another solid van choice that have a great track record and also drive the most like a car compared to other vans. One of the biggest perks is that it’s made by Ford — which means servicing it is easy and cheaper than the PM (Fiat) or the Sprinter (Mercedes). They’re a quality van, come with either a gas and diesel engine, and are easy to find used on the market thanks to their popularity as commercial vehicles.
They come in 130”, 148”, and 148” extended wheel base / lengths, and have a low roof (interior height: 4’), medium roof (5’11”), and a high roof (6’5”). If you’re looking for a van that won’t give you sticker shock when it’s serviced, this is the one to choose. They’re a bit wider than the Sprinters, but not as wide as the ProMasters.
Sure, they do cost some serious cash up front and can be more expensive in the used market since they haven’t been making them in the U.S. for too long, but this is a great van that’ll have low (and easier to find) maintenance than the other two modern van options.
The Budget-Friendly Vans
We’re categorizing the budget-friendly vans as low-roof, readily available vans that can be found with higher mileages on the used market. These are vans like the Ford Econoline, Chevy Express, Dodge Ram van, and they’re easy to find, cheap to maintain and repair, and are considerably cheaper than their high-roof counterparts. Their main downside is their size: unless you convert it to a high-roof, you won’t be able to stand up in it. You will also have a lot less storage space compared to high-roof vans.
The great thing about these vans is their low barrier to entry — you can easily find one at an affordable price and hit the road. You can find some beautiful builds in these low-roof vans, but they’re also great for dirtbagging – living a VanLife that’s focused less on convenience and more on the experience of the open road. If you want to start van life quickly and can’t wait to start traveling, these are a great option to get you on the road as soon as possible.
Another bonus for low-roof vans is that they’re ultra-stealthy. Most folks think they’re a work vans since a lot of home maintenance businesses use these low-roof vans. They especially don’t look out of place in residential areas, which is great if you need a quick place to sleep.
The Classics
The classic vans are retro, tried-and-true vans that are still out on the open road. Volkswagen vans, especially the VW bus, are probably the most classic van you can get. We’re also including Westfalia, which isn’t a make/model of van but rather a camper van contractor that converts a lot of classic vans, including VWs. They’re not stealthy, but boy are they cool.
Volkswagen
The Volkswagen Bus is the most quintessential van for the van life: the hippie vehicle of choice that embodies a carefree lifestyle on the road. You can get high and low roofs, and most of the vans on the market are already converted for the road.
The big downside with a VW is that they’re an old vehicle, which means two things. First, many of the vans on the market might require some serious repairs up-front, so be sure to get a pre-purchase inspection on it before you buy it so that you get a fair price and know what you’re getting into. Second, they’re more likely to break down on the road than modern-day vans. On the plus side, if you ever decide to sell one, you’ll likely have buyers interested — it’s a classic, after all!
Aside from their breakdowns and low-stealth, they’re definitely a great option if you’re looking for a van with a classic, retro look. I mean, just look at them! Rad.
Westfalia (Camper Van Contractor)
Westfalia van conversions have been around since VW’s, and today they’ve expanded to making conversions for other vans as well. They’re well-known for their “Westy,” the VW buses that have a pop-top roof.
If you’re looking to start van life but don’t want to convert the van yourself, Westfalia is a great company to look into. Think about it like purchasing an RV – one even smaller than a Class B. It gives you all the freedom and self-reliance of VanLife, but you still get to park in regular parking spots and can easily travel in cities.
Bonus Van: Earth Roamer
If you’ve looked through all these vans and found yourself thinking “you know, these vans all look great, but they’re just not *expensive* enough,” then do we have the perfect van for you! Or should I say, luxury expedition vehicle.
Coming in at a cool $490,000, you could find yourself cruising down dirt roads in an Earth Roamer XV-LTS. Four-wheel drive, turbo diesel, solar and battery on-board, air ride suspension, and humongous fuel (95 gallons) and fresh water tanks are all on board this Ford F-550 chassis (yes, they make them that big).
If you want a van that won’t just get you down almost non-existent dirt roads, but one that can do it during the zombie apocalypse, then this is the one for you! If you’re rushing to the phone to order a custom-made LTS now, please consider sending an annual national park pass or gas gift card to yours truly as a finder’s fee.
