Best 12 vans for camper conversions for full-time vanlife (in 2023)

Choosing the right van for your camper conversion is a very personal decision. A campervan, by nature, is a very small and intimate space that must reflect your personal want and needs – hence the choice of van is very personal. This is even more true when you want to take your van on long-haul trips or go for full-time vanlife.

The vans listed in this article are all large vans that you can stand up in, as for long-haul trips and full-time vanlife, it is common to seek a high-top roof van.

For micro-camper and cargo van conversions, we have written dedicated blogs for each so check them out if that’s what you’re looking for.

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Van

• Size and Layout: Finding the Perfect Fit
• Budget and Affordability: Making Smart Choices
• Reliability and Durability: Ensuring Longevity
• Fuel Efficiency: Maximizing Your Travels
• Safety Features: Prioritizing Peace of Mind 

Size and Layout: Finding the Perfect Fit

When embarking on a full-time vanlife adventure, one of the most crucial factors to consider is the size and layout of the van. The van should offer enough space to accommodate your living needs comfortably. Consider the number of people, sleeping spots, storage requirements, and overall layout functionality. Take some time to plan your van conversion layout.

Whether you prefer a compact van for easy manoeuvrability or a larger one for spaciousness, finding the perfect fit will enhance your vanlife experience.

Budget and Affordability: Making Smart Choices

Budget is an important consideration when selecting a van for camper conversion. Determine your budget by setting realistic expectations that include not only the initial purchase but also the cost of conversion and ongoing maintenance. It’s essential to balance affordability and quality, making smart choices that align with your budget while providing the necessary features and durability for long-term vanlife. Use our budget planner to help you.

There are different ways to save money on your van conversion cost and just about anything is possible where vanlife is concerned, so let your mind dream and be brave to chase your dream… corny, I know, but still true.

Reliability and Durability: Ensuring Longevity

No one wants mechanical trouble when they are on holiday and off-road, bouncing up and down mountains. From our experience investing in a reliable campervan rig is vital. Few vanlifers have not experienced some mechanical malfunction when on the road… and most in foreign countries. 😄

Especially when you’re living in a van full-time, reliability and durability become paramount. Opt for vans that are known for their reliability and have a strong track record of performance. Look for vans with sturdy construction, robust components, and a reputation for longevity, and if you are buying a used second-hand van, check for rust on the chassis.

Investing in a van that can withstand the demands of full-time living will give you peace of mind and minimize the chances of unexpected breakdowns or costly repairs during your vanlife journey.

Fuel Efficiency: Maximizing Your Travels

Fuel efficiency is not only environmentally friendly but also contributes to significant cost savings during your campervan travels. Choose efficient engines and consider factors such as fuel consumption, aerodynamics, and hybrid or electric options if available (though electric tech for big vans is still pretty poor and expensive).

We looked long and hard for our vans and always picked the one with the biggest engine. Remember, a camper is fully loaded to its max capacity all the time so the engine will be working hard constantly. The better your weight to engine size ratio the more efficient you’ll be.

Safety Features: Prioritizing Peace of Mind

Safety should always be a top priority when selecting a van for van conversion. Look for vans with advanced safety features such as stability control, anti-lock brakes, airbags, and collision warning systems. Some of our top picks to add are features like rearview cameras (a MUST), blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control for enhanced safety during your journeys. Prioritizing peace of mind by choosing a van with comprehensive safety features ensures a secure and worry-free vanlife experience.

Campervan safety from break-ins and theft is also a huge topic, though most people choose their own third-party security systems.

Which van would you pick for your camper conversion

When we started looking at vans to convert we found it quite confusing to understand the differences and similarities between brands and models.

The truth is that a lot of manufacturers just copy each other’s van blueprints which means that you can have the exact same interior from different van models.

In the categories below we have already clustered the vans that share a body type.

Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter / Dodge Sprinter / Old VW Crafter

These vans all share a body type, so their interior is the same. Your camper layout would stay the same, but the cab and facelift are all different. The ‘old’ Crafter is any VW Crafter van between 2006-2017. Sprinters are the bread and butter of van conversions and by far the most common camper conversion van model out there.

Interior Dimensions

Price

• New: £38,000 – £80,000
• Used: £10,000 – £25,000

Off-Grid Option

Yes! Sprinters are a popular choice for off-road campers as they are 2WD RWD (as standard) and come in 4WD as well. The 4WD Sprinter is quite sought after and expensive, however.

Pros of Sprinter

• Great reputation. Sprinters are popular because they are built well and are easy to drive.
• Excellent build quality and longevity. Sprinters grow to be old, with 300,000+ miles on the clock and counting.
• Popularity. Many Sprinters are available on the market, so you can find one in good condition.
• Sprinter van conversions are very common, so finding good examples of layout ideas and designs is super easy.

Cons of Sprinter

• Expensive. Expect to pay at least £1000 extra for the Mercedes-Benz badge, even when buying second-hand.
• Repairs cost more as well, especially if you buy true Mercedes parts.
• Sprinter parts and knowledgeable mechanics can be hard to find depending on where you are and where you’ll travel.
• Sprinter walls curve quite a lot at the top, so they aren’t as ‘boxy’ as some other van types, which will influence your campervan layout.

Who is the van model best for?

Sprinters are excellent for DIY van conversions if you have the budget for one. Sprinters come in different sizes so that you can pick the best fit for you, and they will last a long time.

Examples Sprinter Camper Conversion →

crafter

New VW Crafter – MAN TGE

The new VW Crafter (2018 onwards) and the MAN TGE van both share the same chassis and is different from the Sprinter chassis. MAN is a well-known truck company, so they know their way around larger vehicles. The new body of the VW Crafter is much straighter than the Sprinters and (in our opinion) is much more van conversion friendly.

Interior Dimensions

*For RWD and 4WD, the internal height is 100mm (4”) lower on all models.

Price

• New: £38,000 – £60,000
• Used: £10,000 – £25,000

Off-Grid Option

Yes! Most of the new VW Crafter/MAN vans on the market are 2WD FWD, which are the worst for offroading. Recently, they released a 2WD RWD version, and a 4WD version, which means their offroading capabilities are equal to the Sprinters.

Pros of VW Crafter – MAN TGE

• Great reputation.
• Excellent build quality and longevity. Volkswagen vans grow to be old, with 300,000+ miles on the clock and counting.
• There are a lot of VW Crafters available on the market so you have find one in good condition.
• VW were the ‘original’ campervan creators, so there are a lot of campervan accessories that you can find that may fit their vehicles.
• Sprinter van conversions are fairly common, so finding good examples of layout ideas and designs is easy.

Cons of VW Crafter – MAN TGE

• Expensive, expect to pay at least £1000 extra for the VW badge, even when buying second-hand.
• Repairs cost more as well.
• VW Crafter/MAN are European-based models, so outside Europe parts have the be shipped and important, and that is very expensive.

Who is the van model best for?

VW Crafter/MAN vans are excellent for DIY van conversions, especially if you have a higher budget and live/travel in Europe. VW Crafters come in different sizes so you can pick the best fit for you.

Example VW Crafter Camper Conversion →

Peugeot Boxer – Citroen Relay – Fiat Ducato

These three vans are all exactly the same interior shell; only the cabs, facelifts and engines are different, and even then, they don’t differ by much. These vans are considered a cheaper alternative to the Sprinters and are much boxier in shape, which is preferable to some people when doing camper conversions. The most common size (L3H2) is also shorter than the Sprinter/Crafters, meaning it’s easier to park and manoeuvre.

Interior Dimensions

Price

• New: £30,000 – £50,000
• Used: £6,000 – £18,000

Off-Grid Option

No! These vans come ONLY in 2WD FWD, which is the worst for off-roading capabilities. People have managed to offroad a bit, but the chances you’ll get stuck are higher. Because it’s a front-wheel drive, the whole van clearance is dropped as it doesn’t need to accommodate a drive shaft, which means ground clearance isn’t good either.

Pros of Peugeot Boxer – Citroen Relay – Fiat Ducato

• Boxy shape. The straight walls and wider body mean you can even build a width ways bed in these types of vans, saving you valuable floor space in your campervan conversion.
• Decent build quality. Will get you from A-B, and here in the UK, this type of van is often used for emergency vehicles like ambulances.
• Low loader option. Since they are FWD, the whole van body is lower, meaning that the internal height is slightly taller, and the overall height is slightly shorter.
• Peugeot Boxer / Citroen Relay / Fiat Ducato van conversions are very common, so finding good examples of layout ideas and designs is easy.
• Cheaper to buy. Cheap to repair.

Cons of Peugeot Boxer – Citroen Relay – Fiat Ducato

• Less reliable. Mechanical issues are more common, which means their longevity suffers because of this.
• The engines aren’t as powerful, which means there is more stain on the engine when you have the vehicle fully loaded all the time, and it will wear things out faster.
• Peugeot Boxer / Citroen Relay / Fiat Ducato are European-based models, so outside Europe, parts have to be shipped and imported, which is very expensive.
• Only FWD. These vans come ONLY in FWD, which is the worst for offroading capabilities. Ground clearance isn’t good either.

Who is the van model best for?

• Peugeot Boxer / Citroen Relay / Fiat Ducato van conversions are great for budget DIY camper conversions. Their boxier shape allows for more efficient use of their entire space, and if you are a novice van converter, then it might be an easier vehicle to start on.

Example Peugeot Boxer / Citroen Relay / Fiat Ducato Camper Conversion →

RAM Promaster

The RAM Promaster is similar to the European Fiat Ducato chassis but differs in a few small areas since it is built in the USA. These vans are seen as a cheaper alternative to the Sprinters and are much boxier in shape, which is preferable to some people when doing camper conversions. The most common size (LWB high roof) is also shorter than the Sprinter/Crafters, meaning it’s easier to park and manoeuvre.

Interior Dimensions

Price

• New: £35,000 – £55,000
• Used: £6,000 – £20,000

Off-Grid Option

No! These vans come ONLY in 2WD FWD, which is the worst for off-roading capabilities. People have managed to offroad a bit, but the chances you’ll get stuck are higher. Because it’s a front-wheel drive, the whole van clearance is dropped as it doesn’t need to accommodate a drive shaft, which means ground clearance isn’t good either.

Pros of RAM Promaster

• Boxy shape. The straight walls and wider body means you can even build a width ways bed in these types of vans, saving you valuable floor space in your campervan conversion.
• Low loader option. Since they are FWD, the whole van body is lower, meaning that the internal height is slightly taller, and the overall height is slightly shorter.
• RAM Promaster van conversions are very common in the Americas, so finding good examples of layout ideas and designs is easy.
• Cheaper to buy. Cheap to repair.

Cons of RAM Promaster

• RAM Promaster are a USA-based model, so parts have to be shipped and imported outside the Americas, which is very expensive.
• Only FWD. These vans come ONLY in FWD, which is the worst for offroading capabilities. Ground clearance isn’t good either.

Who is the van model best for?

• RAM Promaster van conversions are great for budget DIY camper conversions. Their boxier shape allows for more efficient use of their entire space, and if you’re in America, it is cheaper than a Sprinter.

Example RAM Promaster Camper Conversion →

Ford Transit

Ford Transit Mk8

Ford Transit are a worldwide van model, making them great van conversions for cross-continent travel. They also recently released a new 4WD model, so are a serious competitor for a camper conversion.

Interior Dimensions

*For RWD and 4WD, the internal height is 100mm (4”) lower on all models.

Price

• New: £32,000 – £50,000
• Used: £8,000 – £20,000

Off-Grid Option

Yes! Ford transits can come in 2WD (FWD and RWD) and, recently a 4WD model. Most second-hand Ford Transits will only be 2WD, but even these RWD models will be good offroad.

Pros of Ford Transit

• Worldwide. Ford Transits are sold and repaired all over the world, so no matter where you buy one or travel, you can always find a garage that can fix them.
• Repairability. Ford Transits are often easy to repair, and parts are easy to get anywhere in the world.
• Ford Transit van conversions are common, so finding good examples of layout ideas and designs is easy.

Cons of Ford Transit

• Mechanically muddled. Ford Transits don’t have the best track record for reliability, so you may find this van breaks down more often than other models.
• They rust a lot. Ford Transits are known for being rusty, especially the older models. If you are buying one second-hand, you need to make sure you have one rust-free.
• Ford Transit walls curve quite a lot at the top, so they aren’t as ‘boxy’ as some other van types, which will influence your campervan layout.

Who is the van model best for?

• Ford Transit van conversions are best suited for those who wish to travel a lot and are even looking for a cheaper 4WD alternative to the Sprinter/Crafter.

Example Ford Transit Camper Conversion →

Iveco Daily

Iveco is a well know and established truck maker in Europe and has branched out to make large cargo vans in Europe, Australia and Central America. Their build quality is solid, and some of their van models are MASSIVE!

Interior Dimensions

Price

• New: £40,000 – £80,000
• Used: £10,000 – £30,000

Off-Grid Option

Yes! Iveco Daily’s can come in 2WD (FWD and RWD) and a 4WD model. The 4WD models are much rarer, so chances are second-hand models will be RWD, but the 4WD is a beast!

Pros of Iveco Daily

• Biggest space. The Iveco Daily offer some of the largest rear space to build your camper conversion out of any other van manufacturer on the market.
• Family-friendly. Due to the larger space offered, these vans are commonly used for family conversions since you have the space to fit multiple beds and more storage.
• Best for offroading. The 4WD Iveco Daily chassis is arguably the best van chassis for offroading, so if you plan to be on the dirt, this might be best suited for you.

Cons of Iveco Daily

• Costly. Iveco Daily’s are often more expensive than most other van models due to their build quality and the fact they are sought after, especially the 4WD models.
• Not the easiest to drive. Due to the fact Iveco is a truck maker, they don’t drive like a car, unlike some other models. They drive more like a truck, which might be a problem for some.

Who is the van model best for?

• Iveco Daily van conversions are best suited for those looking for a lot of space to work with and want a solidly built van to last them years and take them anywhere.

Example Iveco Daily Camper Conversion →

Renault Master – Nissan NV400 – Vauxhall Movano

These vans are all exactly the same interior shell; only the cabs, facelifts and engines are different. On all three models, the walls are very straight and easy to build in, making them an excellent van conversion option.

Interior Dimensions

*For RWD and 4WD, the internal height is 100mm (4”) lower on all models.

Price

• New: £35,000 – £50,000
• Used: £6,000 – £20,000

Off-Grid Option

Yes! Although rare, all these three vans can come in 4WD. However, most are FWD only, meaning their offroad capabilities are not great.

Pros of Renault Master – Nissan NV400 – Vauxhall Movano

• Straight lines. These vans are the boxiest of any van, aside from a Luton Box Van, so they are one of the easiest to build furniture inside.
• Cheap and cheerful. These vans are also some of the cheapest to buy up front, and second-hand deals are common too. Great news for budget camper conversions.

Cons of Renault Master – Nissan NV400 – Vauxhall Movano

• In the middle. Mechanical health is not great, but not terrible. Rust issues are not common but not rare. Everything about these vans is very average.
• Not common. Examples of conversions and custom furniture for these vans might be harder to find as the vans aren’t as common as other models.
• No long version. There aren’t any L4 versions of these vans yet.

Who is the van model best for?

• Renault Master / Nissan NV400 / Vauxhall Movano van conversions are best suited for those looking for an easier build and budget DIY van converters willing to wait for a great deal to jump in and convert a van.

Example Renault Master / Nissan NV400 / Vauxhall Movano Camper Conversion →

Which is the best van for camper conversion?

The best van for a camper conversion is all down to personal choice and personal circumstance. If your budget is lower, then a cheaper van is what you’ll be after.

If you have a larger budget, your options are more open, so it then falls down to which space is best suited to your layout.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What length/height of van do you need for your layout to fit?
• Will you actually require 4WD, or is 2WD enough?
• When (not if) you break down, how easy are parts to get where you’ll be going?
• Do you want custom furniture for your vehicle? If so, how easy is this to get?

Something to bear in mind is how these vehicles are also like to drive. Many people forget to do this research when choosing their vehicle. You must test drive any contenders before picking your base vehicle for your van conversion.

At the end of the day, no “best” vehicle exists. As long as you do your research and make sure you have the optional extras you require (AC, Sat Nav, heated seats etc…), then your choice will be the best fit for your conversion.

Be sure to use our van buying checklist and common sense before buying a used van for your campervan conversion.