It doesn't matter if you refer to it as "van-life" or "overlanding," I've been doing it since back when it was known as "living in your car" and over the course of years and miles I've become quite familiar with what it takes to find an automobile that you can call home. If you know what you want to look for, vans pickups and SUVs can be modified to fit the road-trip lifestyle. Your life in the van will be influenced by the car you select for conversion. The comfort, the volume of cargo you'll be able to transport, the cost of your daily of living, and even whether or not you'll get rousted by cops or Karens--all depend on your choice of the chariot. If budget isn't a problem purchasing a van that is ready for life is, naturally simple. These days, many companies provide vans that are specifically designed for endless road-tripping, though they're costly. The ubiquitous Mercedes Sprinter, for example is priced at over $35,000. The sky is the limit when you purchase a brand new car. We're not talking about made-to-order overlanders. This letter is aimed at DIYers, many of whom have smaller budgets. Let's begin if this sounds like you. Shape and sizeIf you're trying to construct a home that is mobile, your primary concern is the amount of space you have. The more space you can have more space, the better. However, if you live too large then you'll spend every penny for gas to transport the heavy equipment around. The goal is to find a compromise between the space you would like and how much space you'll need. It is possible that you want a large panel van, but you also don't want your wallet being drained to the tune of 14 miles per gallon. A hatchback may be too small for longer trips than weekenders, therefore you'll need a vehicle that has more elbow room. Certain models also come with body shapes that are better suited for conversion. Although some SUVs may seem large at first, once you begin building your camper, you will find that the vehicle's narrow top and awkward angles make it difficult to design an enjoyable layout. The simpler the design, the more efficient. This is why I ended up choosing the Honda Element. Although it's theoretically the exact size as the Honda CRV or Subaru Forester It's essentially the size of a large box once you take the seats out and makes it more flexible than the majority of SUVs of a mid-sized size. Minivans have been a subject of an increase in aftermarket sales recently for the same reason. Take away all the seats that are family-friendly and you'll have plenty of room to work in. The mileage of gasGas mileage is an important consideration. It has become more essential due to the introduction of six-buck-gallons. Rent or mortgage if you're living the road lifestyle. If you get too much MPG, the lifestyle becomes outright unlivable. This is likely the reason why many are choosing to convert smaller SUVs over large vans these days. Ability and handlingIn my set-up, drove over 40,000 miles across North America last year. This includes every weather and road. Off-roading in Moab. Blizzards across Oregon, Idaho. Pavements that are bedraggled in rural Mexico. Numerous rainstorms and hairpin mountain passes have been recorded. Even one tornado that may be from Colorado. Overlanding isn't uncommon in these kinds of driving situations. A horde of conversions can be seen bouncing across the hardtop in Vegas. Additionally, they'll be driving through Pendleton snowstorms in the dead of Winter. Essentially, you want the vehicle to be capable to withstand the toughest road (or off-road) conditions you're expecting to throw at it. My Honda Element trim came with all-wheel drive, which makes it ideal for this purpose. Also, you'll see the Ford Transit and Subaru Forester, Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Toyota 4Runner among van-lifers. Reliability and conditionA car that is in good shape is the primary reason to consider a new one. However the well-maintained vehicle can be a different matter. If van-life was a popular trend prior to 2020, then the pandemic made it explode in popularity, as people searched for alternatives to travel. Van conversions were suddenly widespread, and a lot of people who aren't van owners have become accustomed to seeing vans all over. In the end, those (or the police) who may not have been bothered by anyone parking in their street to rest just a few years ago are now much more likely to rouse you with an angry knock and send you off on to the next destination. The result of this has been the increase in "stealth" van-lifing where the aim is to park in an urban or suburban area without drawing attention or anger from locals. There are a myriad of methods to achieve this but the most important thing is how your vehicle appears.
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You're thinking about converting your van and aren't certain if you should go for the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, or the Ram Promaster. Below we do a deep review of the essential information you should be aware of prior to embarking on this never-ending van conversion adventure. We've got some excellent information to help you save a lot of time and effort, whether a van conversion business such as ours create a custom sprinter converted vans conversion or are doing the work yourself. What is the sum of this journal? The PROS & CONS of Sprinter van conversions, Ford Transit van conversions, and Ram Promaster van conversions. We compare the most well-known van chassis' against one using specs, knowledge and advice from other individuals who work in the van conversion field to assist you in making an informed decision about buying your new van! You'll soon realize that van conversions can be an entire world of custom-designed projects, tutorials for DIY, tours offered by conversion companies, and many other fascinating things. You might find that you've lost track of the clock, and it's 3 am when you read this. Take out your notebook and buckle in as we embark to have an adventure! This is a brief overview of how to buy the van conversion. Overview & dimensions of a Mercedes Sprinter Pros and Pros and Mercedes Sprinter van conversion The dimensions and overview of a Ford Transit Pros and Cons of an Ford Transit van conversion The overview and dimensions of the Dodge Promaster Conversion of the Dodge Promaster van to a Dodge Promaster: Pros and Cons A comparison of the most popular conversion vans 4x4 Vs. 2WD Gas vs Diesel Mercedes Sprinter Van Conversion Sprinter van conversion details:Ah , the ever-popular custom sprinter van conversion! The Sprinter van has earned its sterling reputation in the van conversion field thanks to its stylish design and a powerful diesel engine and its sought-after 4x4 option and is set to change to the latest design AWD option in 2023. Sprinter vans are among the most stylish cargo vans available. They also have the largest selection of aftermarket parts, including accessories for van conversions made by Aluminess. The three different wheelbase options for the Sprinter van are: 144" 170" 170" EXT Sprinter vans offer the largest interior cargo space leaving you plenty of space for additional amenities and activities when creating your van conversions layout. With 170" wheelbase, a family of four can fit four people and have all the features you would need in an adventure vehicle. There's plenty of sitting height in the Sprinter too, and we'll break down the dimensions below. The biggest knock for getting a sprinter van conversion is the price. It's easily the most expensive alternative to purchase from the factory. You're paying for the luxury design and name of Mercedes. Ford Transit van conversion detailsYou may be wondering to yourself... I thought Ford made cargo vans that were shorter and boxier. You'd be right. They used to make the E series of vans, which are sometimes referred to as Ford Econoline. These Ford Transit cargo vans have replaced the fuel-guzzling, turning as tank-type vans. The Ford Transit van conversion is becoming popular with vanlifers, especially in the last few years, particularly after 2020 when it was released with the AWD cargo van that is designed to compete with the Sprinter van with 4x4 capability. Aftermarket parts are becoming more sought-after due to this. Companies such as Aluminuss, Flat Line Van Co, Backwoods Adventure Mods, and more, are quickly making amazing aftermarket Ford Transit van conversion parts. There are three possibilities for the Ford Transit van's wheelbase: 130" 148" 148" EXT For the majority of conversions, we stick to the 148-inch wheelbase in extended and regular for all our vehicles. This van is big enough for two full-time adventurers, with plenty of space. But, we've also made Ford Transit van conversions to seat and sleep 4! We love the fact that Ford Transits are much more affordable than Mercedes Sprinters and still come with an intelligent AWD option for tougher terrains like we have up here during Canadian winters. Additionally, Fords can be fixed in any location at any time by any mechanic. Ram Promaster van conversion detailsThere was indeed the Dodge Sprinter. It's now the Mercedes Sprinter, and the Dodge Ram Promaster. Isn't that confusing? These vans aren't really the same. In fact, they have quite a few differences. Similar to the Ford Transit, Promaster vans are much cheaper than the Sprinter van. Promaster vans are more affordable than the Ford Transit. Ram Promaster is the most affordable van you buy for your van conversion. If you're a tight-budget van DIYer, this will be an easy decision. The major benefit of Promaster van conversion, besides being the most affordable is that it has the biggest van chassis, allowing the sleeper to lie sideways without having flares (depending on your height). The three options for wheelbase for the Ram Promaster van conversion are: 136" 159" 159" EXT We typically stick to the 159" WB for our Promasters van conversions for the additional space. If you don't need much and would prefer to have a smaller size van We've seen some fantastic Promaster van conversions made on the 136" WB. Our customers love that Dodge and Ford are less expensive than the Mercedes Sprinters. The straight walls and width are other advantages. The most significant issue with the Promasters is their aesthetics. it looks like a cute little bug on wheels. Most people are finding Promaster van conversions to be Promaster van conversion difficult to use because it doesn't have AWD or 4x4 options. A few 4x4 conversion companies have informed me that the Promaster vans can't be converted into a 4x4 van, even though they could. This is due to the style of the chassis. They're the most bare-bones cargo van you could convert out of the three. In this case you're getting what you paid for. |
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