Best Van for Van Life

There's no such thing as a universal "best van." The right van depends on your budget, how long you're traveling, what you want to carry, and what kind of driving you do. We've built conversions on all three major platforms and a few budget alternatives. Here's what we've learned.

Mercedes Sprinter

The most popular platform for full-time van life and for good reason.

The Sprinter: Pros

• Cargo space: Tall ceiling (6'3" with a high roof), narrow wheelbase means maximum usable interior width. You can actually walk around in a Sprinter.
• Aftermarket support: Most developed ecosystem of roof vents, window options, solar mounts, and third-party components. If you want an upgrade or a custom part, someone makes it.
• Reliability: The 3.0L V6 diesel is known for longevity. It's not fancy, but it's proven. Most Sprinters with proper maintenance hit 200K+ miles.
• Resale value: Sprinters hold their value better than other platforms. If you decide van life isn't for you, you can sell it without taking a huge loss.
• MPG: The diesel gets real fuel economy — 18-22 MPG depending on how aggressively you drive. That matters when you're traveling a lot.

The Sprinter: Cons

• Price: A used Sprinter is expensive. 2020+ models run $55K-$70K depending on mileage. Older models are cheaper but come with unknown maintenance history.
• Parts cost: Mercedes parts aren't cheap. Oil changes, filters, repairs — it all costs more than a Transit or ProMaster.
• Handling: A long, tall box that's rear-wheel-drive is a different driving experience than a regular vehicle. Takes some getting used to, especially in tight spaces or in snow.
• Interior width: At 70 inches, it's narrower than a ProMaster. You'll work around this when laying out a bed or kitchen.

Who It's Best For

Full-time travelers who plan to keep the van for years. People who prioritize reliability and don't want to hunt for parts. If you're serious about living in your van long-term, a Sprinter is the safest bet.

RAM ProMaster

The budget-friendly option that's gaining ground fast.

The ProMaster: Pros

• Space: Widest of the three (75 inches interior width) and a flat cargo floor. You get the most usable square footage for the price.
• Vehicle price: Used ProMasters are cheaper. $40K-$55K gets you into a newer model than you'd find with a Sprinter.
• Fuel availability: Gasoline engine means you can fill up anywhere. No hunting for diesel. Easier to work on and parts are cheaper.
• Turning radius: It's front-wheel-drive and actually easier to drive and park than a Sprinter. Better for people who don't want a big RV driving experience.
• Aftermarket growth: Not as established as the Sprinter, but the community is growing fast and more options are available each year.

The ProMaster: Cons

• Reliability history: Shorter track record than the Sprinter. The 3.6L V6 is solid, but we haven't seen as many with 250K miles yet.
• Ceiling height: At 6'1", it's lower than a Sprinter. Tall people will bump their heads. This matters more than you think if you're living full-time.
• MPG: Gasoline means worse fuel economy — typically 15-17 MPG. Over a long trip, that adds up.
• Resale: It'll hold value okay, but not as well as a Sprinter. If you decide to sell, expect a bigger hit.

Who It's Best For

People on tighter budgets who still want a quality conversion. Weekend warriors and seasonal travelers. Anyone who values interior space and doesn't need peak reliability. If you're buying used and want to keep costs down, a ProMaster is a solid choice.

Ford Transit

The jack-of-all-trades option.

The Transit: Pros

• Configurability: Ford makes a crazy number of Transit variants — different lengths, roof heights, wheelbases. You can find a configuration that fits your exact needs.
• Service network: Ford dealerships are everywhere. Getting warranty work or maintenance is easier than with a Sprinter.
• AWD availability: Want all-wheel-drive? Transit is the only standard option that offers it factory. Useful if you're serious about overlanding or winter camping.
• Payload capacity: Transit can carry more weight. If you're planning a heavy build with lots of batteries and systems, Transit's chassis is robust.
• Price: Used Transits are competitively priced, usually around $45K-$60K depending on configuration and mileage.

The Transit: Cons

• Aftermarket ecosystem: Not as developed as the Sprinter. You'll find fewer bolt-on options and have to be more creative with custom solutions.
• Interior width: At 68 inches, it's the narrowest of the three. You're working with less space to lay out a bed or kitchen.
• Driving experience: It sits pretty high off the ground and feels like you're driving a small bus. Takes adjustment if you're used to a car.
• Fuel economy: EcoBoost engine is efficient for size, but not diesel-level economy. Around 17-19 MPG is typical.

Who It's Best For

People who want flexibility and maximum capacity. Overlanders building for serious terrain. Anyone who benefits from AWD. If you want options and don't mind being a bit creative with solutions, a Transit is solid.

Budget Alternatives

If you're looking at significantly lower price points, a few other platforms exist:

Ford Econoline

Older platform (produced until 2014) but plenty are still on the market. Cheap to buy ($8K-$20K), generally cheap to fix, but you're buying used and potentially inheriting problems. Good for people who know vans and are comfortable taking a risk. Fuel economy is worse than newer options.

Chevy Express / GMC Savana

Similar situation to the Econoline. You can find them cheap, they're simple to work on, but you're buying older vehicles. Fine if you're handy and don't mind the uncertainty.

Cargo Trailers

Not technically a van, but worth mentioning: a cargo trailer conversion gives you more space per dollar than any van option, and you keep your daily vehicle. Learn more about cargo trailer conversions.

The Real Cost of Van Life

The van itself is only part of the equation. Add in the conversion work, and you're looking at:

Picking the Right One

Here's the framework we use when helping people decide:

How long are you traveling?

Short term (weekends, seasonal): ProMaster or a budget alternative. You don't need peak reliability or ceiling height.

Medium term (1-2 years): Transit or ProMaster. Both will handle it, and you get better value.

Long term (full-time, 5+ years): Sprinter. The extra reliability and resale value justify the higher up-front cost.

How much money do you have?

Tight budget: ProMaster or an older Transit. Lower vehicle cost means more budget for the build itself.

Moderate budget: Transit gives you the best all-around value.

Bigger budget: Sprinter. It's the premium option for a reason.

Where are you going?

Sticking to pavement and established campgrounds: Any of the three works fine.

Backcountry and rough terrain: Transit with AWD is your best bet.

Extreme climate travel: Sprinter. The taller ceiling handles winter gear better, and the reliability means you're not broken down in a storm.

Our Perspective

We build on all three platforms regularly. We don't have a favorite — we have what's right for your situation. Your budget, your timeline, your plans — those should drive the decision, not brand loyalty or what looks cool on Instagram.

The best van is the one that fits your actual needs, not the one you think you should want. That's what a consultation is for.