HomeOutdoorThe 4 Finest Vans for Van Life Newbies and...

The 4 Finest Vans for Van Life Newbies and Execs Alike


This text about the perfect vans for van life was delivered to you by Travellers Autobarn, essentially the most best clothing store of RV leases in San Francisco and several other different cities within the western United States.


Climbers and diverse outside adventurers have been calling vans house for years, however the introduction of social media has propelled #VanLife into the mainstream. Pictures of gloriously decked out camper vans in beautiful outside landscapes is inspiring numerous followers to promote their worldly possessions and ditch their snug properties and paychecks for the liberty of the open street.

Touring by van may be very completely different than going with an RV and there’s so much to study the best way to stay in a van. Vans are typically cheaper and smaller than RVs so that they’re simpler to park and so they don’t require all the flowery hook-ups at RV parks so there’s all the time someplace to remain. Not like RVs, most vans don’t have bogs, necessitating some creativity with regards to hygiene. Cooking will also be a problem, so studying to be ingenious with camper van utensils is a should.

The 4 Vans to Get You Residing on the Street

two people on top of a van on a peninsula

Whether or not you wish to go to full-time van residing or simply need a weekend camper, listed here are our picks for the perfect vans for van life, all of which can be found for buy new in the USA. You might also wish to contemplate a camper van rental to your subsequent street journey to check out Van Life first and see whether it is even one thing you actually wish to put money into.

1. Mercedes Sprinter

mercedes sprinter van in front of a mountain

The Mercedes Benz Sprinter is taken into account the gold normal for van lifers and for good motive.
Sprinters have been round for years so monitoring down a used one already outfitted with the van life necessities is feasible. If you wish to go along with a model new Sprinter you are able to do the camper van conversion by yourself to save cash, have a van conversion firm construct out your dream car, or buy an already decked out mannequin from a camper retailer.

The tall-roofed Sprinter Cargo Van is available in three lengths and the longest one is sort of as massive as a small RV, which means there could be room for a loo. The Sprinter can be obtainable in 4×4 making it the best choice for van-lifers who wish to spend a great deal of time off-road. The most important criticism from Sprinter house owners is their total price ticket and the excessive value of upkeep and repairs.

Price: $34,985 – $57,985

Execs

  • Very talked-about within the VanLife group.
  • Conversion layouts and suggestions for conversion are available on-line.
  • Excessive inside design versatility.
  • Obtainable in 4×4.

Cons

  • Total value and excessive upkeep prices.
  • Most repairs can solely be carried out at Mercedes sellers.
  • Elements are sometimes onerous to come back by, so repairs could also be delayed.

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2. Ford Transit

ford transit at valley of fire state park

Sprinter Vans have propelled van life into the mainstream, however they aren’t the one possibility. The Ford Transit hit the U.S. market in 2014 and simulates the look of the Sprinter, however for a fraction of the fee. Transit Cargo vans can be found in three completely different lengths with three completely different roof heights, making some Transit choices fairly a bit taller and roomier than the Sprinter.

Previous to 2020, all Ford Transits obtainable for buy within the U.S. employed rear-wheel-drive, however new in 2020, Ford is introducing an all-wheel-drive model of the van. For the reason that Transit is newer to the market, it may be more difficult to seek out used fashions on the market making shopping for new possible your solely possibility. The most effective half about Fords is that they have an inclination to have cheaper components and will be serviced by nearly any certified mechanic on the street.

Price: Beginning at $34,510

Execs

  • Rising in reputation within the VanLife group.
  • Excessive-roofed variations are less expensive than new Sprinter vans.
  • Will be repaired by nearly any mechanic.
  • Many conversion firms are starting to work with Transit vans.
  • The Ford Transit is thought for its simple maneuverability.

Cons

  • New to the US Market so not many used vans can be found.
  • 2019 and older fashions usually are not obtainable in all-wheel-drive.
  • The Transit tends to be narrower than different van choices.

3. Dodge Promaster

dodge promaster at campground

Similar to the Sprinter and Transit, the Promaster is on the market in a wide range of lengths and roof heights, making it among the many greatest vans for van life. The 159” wheelbase model is the widest conversion van available on the market, which is broad sufficient to suit a normal full-sized mattress on the passenger to driver facet dimension – a major area saving characteristic. Not like the others, the Promaster is a front-wheel-drive van, which may provide extra traction in winter and higher gasoline economic system.

Price: Beginning at $29,995

Execs

  • The Dodge Promaster is the widest van obtainable.
  • The price tends to be decrease than different vans, particularly the Sprinter.
  • Entrance-wheel-drive might carry out higher in snowy situations.

Cons

  • Solely obtainable in front-wheel-drive.
  • Low floor clearance limits off-roading skill.

4. Nissan NV Cargo

nissan nv cargo in showroom

The Nissan NV Cargo Van won’t be the most well-liked possibility, however its skill to be transformed to 4×4 makes it value contemplating in the event you’re searching for a imply off-roading machine. The Nissan NV is on the market in varied configurations and includes a spacious cabin, however much less cargo room than the rivals. If head-room is what you’re after, the high-roof possibility has the second highest ceiling out of all of the van choices.

Price: From $29,890

Execs

  • Nice for one particular person.
  • Choice to convert to 4×4.
  • Much less frequent, so demand is decrease which means you would possibly rating a deal on a used one.

Cons

  • Much less cargo room means much less residing area.
  • Ground mannequin is simply obtainable in rear-wheel-drive.

This text about the perfect vans for van life was delivered to you by Travellers Autobarn.

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