10 Best Sprinter Van Conversion Companies (2023)

FAQs

10 Best Sprinter Van Conversion Companies? ›

Devon achieved two gold awards at the Owner Satisfaction Awards 2023, thanks to scores of 90.5% and 85.65% in the best van converter – new manufacturer and best van converter – used manufacturer categories respectively.

Devon achieved two gold awards at the Owner Satisfaction Awards 2023, thanks to scores of 90.5% and 85.65% in the best van converter – new manufacturer and best van converter – used manufacturer categories respectively.

The Sprinter 170 is a good choice for a conversion if you are looking to fit more inside the van. For example, if you get an interior wet bath in your van, we would recommend the 170″ over the 144″ so that you have enough space.

On average, a Mercedes Benz Sprinter van conversion costs between $50,000 and $100,000. The price you spend might depend on whether you intend to do full-time vanlife, or just need a part-time camping rig.

This is usually enough to build a comfortable DIY campervan with basic home-like comforts. Again, this is not including the cost of the van or the cost of labor. The most expensive item is usually the electrical, it's common to spend at least $1,500-$4,000 for a decent-sized off-grid solar power setup.

Cost of a Van Conversion Done Professionally

A professional van conversion typically starts right around $30,000 for a minimal interior build. That does not include the price of the van. Typically, a professional van conversion company will charge $100,000+ plus for their campervan buildouts.

1. Ford Transit. The Ford Transit is a versatile and popular cargo van that offers an excellent balance of performance, reliability, and affordability. With three roof heights and three body lengths, it provides ample options for customization to suit the specific needs of any delivery company.

Despite its high center of gravity, the Sprinter does not roll over, thanks to outriggers on both sides.

Once your van has started production, the conversion takes less than 3 months. As soon as it's ready for delivery, we'll lead you through an in-person walkthrough and tutorial before handing over the keys.

The extended model is 290” in length versus the 170” at 274”. The increased length contributes to quite a bit of additional cargo space within the extended model as well. The 2022 Sprinter 2500 170” extended version has 533 cubic feet of storage space compared to 488 cubic feet in the standard 170” wheelbase.

Is it cheaper to buy or convert a van? ›

Although the upfront costs might still raise some eyebrows, buying a van and converting it should be much cheaper than buying a ready-made campervan. To make sure you don't spend over the odds, set yourself a clear budget.

Expensive Accessories

Sprinters don't get mass-produced like other RVs. The manufacturers that make Sprinter camper vans tend to be luxury or those focused on off-road or overlanding vehicles. The accessories and detail inside a Sprinter van trend toward luxury and tech, both of which come at a price.

Unsurprisingly, Sprinters also hold their value extremely well when compared with other vans. Purchasing any new vehicle with excellent resale value is a great security blanket for your investment, should you need or want to sell it in the future.

So whether you own a handicap accessible van or a passenger conversion van, the book value is only one data point in finding the true market value, which conversion vans do tend to hold relatively well.

Thankfully, there are a bunch of dealers out there that sell both new and used conversion vans. Some prominent brands that offer conversion-friendly vans are RAM, Chrysler, Ford, GMC, and Chevrolet, among others.

The reason why converting a campervan is so expensive in 2021 is ultimately just plain old supply and demand. Nearly every facet of buying and converting a van is suffering from decreased supply and increased demand. What is this?

While most van builds will take between three and 12 months, this is just an estimate; for some owners, it can take up to two or even three years.

Conversion costs include direct labor and overhead expenses incurred as a result of the transformation of raw materials into finished products.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has won the Most Reliable Van award in the 2021 FN50 reliability survey for the seventh year running. The awards, based on data from the leasing and contract hire industry, were presented at the annual FN50 dinner, staged by Fleet News.

What are the most reliable Sprinter vans? ›

The van we most highly recommend for heavy-duty work is the Mercedes Benz Sprinter. It might be on the expensive side, but you get a big loading capacity, good mileage, and loads of features with this diesel van. Keep in mid, maintenance costs can run high.

The vans with the lowest consumer ratings, calculated from consumer review sites Parkers and Auto Express, were the Nissan Primastar, the Fiat Scudo and the Nissan NV200, all reporting a combined rating of 3/5.

How much does a Sprinter Van Owner Operator make in California? As of May 31, 2023, the average annual pay for a Sprinter Van Owner Operator in California is $86,115 a year.

Do Sprinter vans have toilets? For those wondering how they'll shower during van life or if Sprinter Vans have toilets, you'll be relieved to know that Sanctuary and Tranquility floor plans come with a fully enclosed wet bath. There's a sink, medicine cabinet, cassette toilet and shower in the center of the motorhome.

VIPs and celebrities pick Sprinter Rentals for good reasons

The ride is so smooth that you barely feel it, because the state-of-the-art German engineering behaves impeccably, compensating for difficult, long-distance driving and uneven surfaces.

Contrary to what you might think, the 170″ does fit in a standard-sized parking space, as long as you pull all the way in. However, if you find yourself in a very tight parking lot, you might also find yourself sweating a little bit.

Basic models have a payload capacity of around 3,600 pounds, and beefier models are shy of 6,000 pounds. When you properly equip it, the maximum towing capacity of the Sprinter 4500 is 7,500 pounds. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has a spacious and comfortable cabin for passengers or additional cargo.

It's Ultimately About the Freedom of the Open Road

We love conversion vans, and we think they're a great option for anyone choosing to live a nomadic lifestyle. But you may have different needs and priorities that make something else a better option for you.

For the DIY Van Builders looking for “what not to do”, this one's for you… Listen, Van Conversions are hard. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Mix that in with the fact that they're time-consuming and relatively expensive, you're bound to make some decisions you'll later regret.

What to know before buying a van to live in? ›

Dodge Promaster Vans

The Dodge Promaster is the most economical of the panel-style vans, so it's a great option for those on a budget. In contrast to the 2wd Transit and Sprinter, the Promaster is front-wheel drive which provides more traction but isn't as nimble or responsive as rear-wheel drive.

A Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will cost about $18,634 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for luxury full size van models by $1,802. There is also a 56.68% chance that a Sprinter will require a major repair during that time.

Power and Performance. The Mercedes Sprinter has more powerful engine options and can tow more weight than the Ford Transit. For 2023, Sprinter Vans have options of 168 or 208 hp turbodiesels. All wheel drive is available on the Sprinter Van, but you can also choose a 50-50 bias power distribution.

The Sprinter utilizes a German-built engine, which can come in either a gasoline or diesel-powered configuration. The engines get great gas mileage considering the size and weight of the vehicle, and the diesel engines in particular are known to run well over 400,000 miles.

Leasing the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger Van can be a good option through a variety of lease deals, options, and packages. The average lease payment for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger Van is $897/mo with $2,000 due at signing for a 36-month term with 12,000 annual mileage limit.

Mercedes Sprinter Van MPG. The Mercedes Sprinter van boasts an impressive 14-17 MPG.

The issue with conversion vans is that they are cheaper when you initially buy them, but you will now have to spend money on the conversion process. There are always ways to save money, but you'll have to remember that the price of the van is only one cost you'll have to consider.

In short, the answer to whether wheelchair van conversions void the van's original equipment manufacturer (OEM) warranty is no.

Yes, new conversion vans are still being produced and manufactured. You might just not hear about them as much because they aren't as widely used as they once were.

What is a good van to convert? ›

The Sprinter Van is by far the most popular van for camper van conversions. Sprinter vans are durable, versatile, and most are built as cargo vans so their interiors are highly customizable.

Consumers simply gravitated away from them, choosing to purchase vehicles that are more affordable with many of the same features. Couples who want to take road trips with their children can easily find a more affordable, safer, and feature-packed version in comparison to conversion vans.

But at the extremes, some high-end companies can exceed $150,000, and some super-budget conversions can be as low as $5,000. If you want a top-of-the-line build-out with the best appliances, real wood, & all the amenities, etc then the build will cost closer to $50,000-$100,000.

The Sprinter Van is by far the most popular van for camper van conversions. Sprinter vans are durable, versatile, and most are built as cargo vans so their interiors are highly customizable.

As America's #1 conversion van dealer, Classic Vans specializes in selling new custom conversion vans built to each customer's exact specifications, down to the color, chassis, roof height, and luxurious features.

Cargo Vans Gas Mileage Comparison

Ford Transit Connect has the best MPG for work vans as it boasts the best in class fuel economy at 25.5 MPG. Unsurprisingly, the compact cargo vans scored the best MPG with Ford Transit Connect, Nissan NV200, RAM Promaster City, and Mercedes-Benz Metris topping the list.

The issue with conversion vans is that they are cheaper when you initially buy them, but you will now have to spend money on the conversion process. There are always ways to save money, but you'll have to remember that the price of the van is only one cost you'll have to consider.

Quite possibly the best value in the used car market, used conversion vans have so much to offer potential buyers. Since the original owners of these vehicles have put so much thought into their customizations, they are often maintained with a very high degree of care.

Generally, a class B RV is the easiest to drive if you're new to RVing. Most aren't much longer than a pickup truck and can easily maneuver into parking spaces and gas stations. If you're looking for the easiest transition into RV driving, choose a class B camper.

Which vans last the longest? ›

At the same time, the supply of essential materials like lumber and copper is not enough to meet demands, which drives up prices. These materials, along with solar power and appliances with microchips, are commonly used in converted vans. When their prices increase, so do the prices of campervans and van conversions.

A conversion van is a full-sized cargo van that is sent to third-party companies to be outfitted with various luxuries for road trips and camping. It can also mean a full-size passenger van in which the rear seating have been rearranged for taxis, school buses, shuttle buses, and limo purposes in place of a family van.