When it comes to choosing a vehicle for van life, there are a variety of options available, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the best type of vehicle for van life will depend on individual preferences, needs, and budget. Therefore there is no one vehicle that can be considered the ‘best’ for vanlife, as everyone’s situation will differ. There are a few main categories of vehicles that people use for vanlife, general traveling or a nomad lifestyle:
Camper / Conversion / Cargo Vans: Camper vans are vans that have been converted into small living spaces with basic amenities such as a bed, kitchen, and bathroom. They are compact and easy to maneuver, making them a popular choice for van life. Camper vans come in different sizes, from small vans such as the Volkswagen Transporter to larger vans such as the Mercedes Sprinter.
RVs: Recreational vehicles or RVs are larger motorhomes that typically have more pre-built amenities and space than a camper van. They can range from small, towable trailers to large, luxury motorhomes. RVs are often used for extended road trips or for full-time living.
School Buses: School buses, also known as skoolies, are often converted into mobile homes for van or nomad life. They offer plenty of space for customization and are relatively inexpensive compared to other options. However, they can be difficult to maneuver, repair and may require a special license to drive.
Truck Campers: Truck campers are small living spaces that are mounted onto the bed of a pickup truck. They are compact and easy to maneuver, but often lack the amenities and space of larger RVs.
SUVs or mini-vans: SUVs can also be used for van or nomad life, especially for those who prefer a more minimalist lifestyle. Some SUVs are designed specifically for camping and include features such as a foldable bed and storage space.
Box trucks, ambulances, and more: Beyond the above categories, people have converted just about anything with four wheels into a camper. Box trucks, ambulances, military vehicles and more are not out of the question to be seen on the road. Each has its own pros and cons, as do the above categories.
Given these categories, a few vehicles are especially common as conversions into campervans:
The Ford Transit is a popular choice for vanlifers due to its affordability relative to other vans, versatility, and customization options. It comes in three different lengths and three different heights with a variety of engine options, and its cargo space can be easily customized to fit specific needs. The Ford Transit also has a range of upfitting options, and is known to efficiently repaired given the frequency of Ford-capable mechanics and parts. As Transits are incredibly popular for nomads, a wide range of resources, tips and guides are available online for straightforward instructions to convert every step of the way.
The Mercedes Sprinter is a popular van model for vanlife and van conversions due to its spacious interior, reliability, and strong build quality among other factors. It comes in a range of sizes, from the 144-inch wheelbase to the 170-inch extended wheelbase, with varying height options for added headroom. The vehicle also has a variety of engine options, including diesel and gasoline engines, and a range of upfitting options for customization. The Sprinter is often known to be more expensive in terms of up-front cost, and repairs as they come up, but anecdotally yields a high resale value and long lifetime. Similar to the Transit and ProMaster, the van is quite popular which means abundant resources, guides, tutorials, etc. are available online for step-by-step conversion instructions.
The Ram Promaster is another popular model for vanlife and van conversions due to its affordability, fuel efficiency, and spacious interior. The ProMaster's low upfront pricetag relative to other van models makes it an attractive option for many nomads. Further, the box-shaped interior allows for a more straightforward build process compared to other van models. The interior is sizable, and a major advantage for many nomads is the width, which often enables a horizontal bed setup. It comes in three different lengths: the 118-inch wheelbase, the 136-inch wheelbase, and the 159-inch wheelbase, with a varying roof options for added headroom. The vehicle also has a variety of engine options, including a 3.6-liter V6 and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel, and it has a front-wheel drive system that offers better handling and maneuverability. In past years, the ProMaster has in some cases received criticism based on its reliability and ease of repair relative to other van models, but this is dependent on the individual ProMaster model in consideration.
The Ford Econoline, also known as the Ford E-Series, is a popular full-size van that has been used for van life and conversions for decades. One of the advantages of the Econoline for van life and conversions is its availability in a variety of configurations. It can be purchased as a cargo van, a passenger van, or even a cutaway chassis, making it easy to customize to specific needs. Additionally, the Econoline is known for its reliability, durability and longevity. In terms of dimensions, the Econoline typically measures between 17 and 20 feet in length, with some variation in height - plenty of room for customization. The van's gas mileage isn't known to be amazing, but you'll find it to be widely available on the used market, typically for pretty cheap relative to other van models.
Similar to the Ford Econoline, the Chevy Express is an attractive option for budget-conscious van builders, while offering notable interio size, reasonable fuel efficiency and widespread availability on the used market. It's known to be relatively dependable and cost-effective to maintain in terms of repairs. Similar to the Ford Econoline, it's a common choice for nomads seeking a stealth lifestyle - although many still design it without stealth camping in mind. A limitation may be the headroom depending on your purposes, but its certainly a van to consider and popular for a reason.
The GMC Savana offers many similar benefits to the Chevy Express and Ford Econoline, such as inconspicuous design, reasonable fuel efficiency and reliability. It’s typically relatively cost effective to maintain, with widespread replacement parts and maintenance services available. With a lower roof, it’s often used for stealth conversions, and is typically on the cheaper side in the used market compared to many other models.
The Ford Transit Connect is an increasingly popular choice for individuals seeking a compact and dependable mini-camper. Its sleek design and agility amongst nomads in recent years. The small and square appearance makes it ideal for mini conversions, while boasting strong fuel economy and easy, affordable maintenance. While used for a range of conversions, the small size of the Transit Connect has become popular for weekend warriors, solo travelers, and capable minimalists.
The Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan that is a strong choice for camper conversions based on the spacious cabin, good fuel efficiency and upgrade options. It’s known to be quite capable on variable terrain, and is generally considered reliable/durable. It’s become popular for off-grid, and traveling lifestyles, yielding a wide range of aftermarket parts and kits. As a common standard vehicle, this has been a popular choice for stealth living and is typically found at an affordable entry point.
The Toyota Sienna has become a popular choice for many nomads and travelers due to the widespread availability, durability, fuel efficancy and ability to use as a standard vehicle. Many temporary travelers will insert removable or dynamic builds, such that they can use the van for short trips, and function as a normal vehicle otherwise. With the rise in popularity has come a range of aftermarket kits and upgrades available (ex. AWD). Given how common the Sienna is, it makes a good choice for stealth camping, and is generally on the more affordable side relative to other van models.
This list isn’t exhaustive! There are numerous models that are still great options, not to mention car campers, different types of buses, RVs, and more. That said, the above models are a few of the most common that you’ll see on the road.
In addition to the type of vehicle, some factors to consider when choosing a vehicle for van life include size, fuel efficiency, reliability, and maintenance costs.
Size: The size of the vehicle should be suitable for the number of people living in it, as well as the amount of gear and supplies that will be carried. A larger vehicle may provide more space for living, but it can also be more difficult to maneuver and park. Many people choose a van based on the interior space required for their hobbies and travel purposes; for instance, nomads planning to live near a beach for surfing may design the van to accommodate hanging a longboard.
Fuel Efficiency: Fuel costs can be a significant expense when living in a van. Therefore, a vehicle with good fuel efficiency can help to keep expenses manageable over time.
Maintenance: It is important to choose a vehicle that is reliable and easy to maintain, especially if you plan to travel long distances or live in the van full-time. At the very least, consideration of accessibility for repairs is necessary given the region you plan to travel in.
Customization: Most van life enthusiasts choose to customize their vehicles to suit their specific needs, hobbies and preferences. Therefore, a vehicle that is easy to customize can be a good option.
Cost: The cost of the vehicle and any necessary modifications will be a major factor when choosing a van. Further, the used market can be volatile in pricing, with substantial differences based on manufacturer, mileage and year of production.
It's important to carefully research and evaluate different options before making a purchase (including a mechanic’s evaluation), as the right vehicle can make all the difference in creating a comfortable and enjoyable living space on the road.
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