Are you ready to embrace van life? This popular way of living has taken off, but before you hit the road, you need to start with the right vehicle for your needs and budget. There are a lot of options on the market, but good news — this guide will help. We explore the best vehicles for living your best van life. Plus you’ll discover tips and advice on how to personalize your exciting new space. Buckle up!
How to Choose the Best Vans for Van Life
Vehicle Customizations for Van Life
What is Van Life?
Van life refers to the part-time or full-time lifestyle of living in a van, camper, or RV-type vehicle. Van life typically embraces the concepts of sustainability and minimalist living.
A 2021 New York Times article about the popularity of van life — which has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic — references this statistic from the U.S Census Bureau: An estimated 140,000 people were living in vans, recreational vehicles, or boats in 2019, which is a 38 percent increase from the previous three years.
The VanLife USA Facebook group has more than 46,000 members, and popular vloggers on YouTube have chronicled their #vanlife journeys, amassing millions of views.
Why Van Life?
There are a number of reasons why you might be considering van life. In many cases, it offers a more sustainable, minimalist lifestyle that allows you to save money. While cargo vans are roomy, space is limited, which means you must be selective about what you bring.
This lifestyle also provides a unique office environment if you’re interested in taking your business or personal brand on the road. Plus, van life allows you to travel around the country and explore new areas in an exciting, non-traditional way.
6 Best Vans for Van Life
It’s important to note that these vehicles are not ranked in any way, and price estimates are for pre-owned models. The cost will vary by model, trim, mileage, and overall condition of the vehicle.
Mercedes Sprinter
The Mercedes Sprinter is one of the most popular choices for van life — and for good reason. The Sprinter offers four-wheel drive, a comfortable interior, and ample space compared to its competitors, which is all the more important when you’re living on the road. Need more headroom? You can select a model with a high roof.
The features on pre-owned Sprinters will vary by year and configuration. For example, the 2021 Sprinter comes standard with automatic emergency braking, power-adjustable exterior side mirrors, and cruise control. You can also choose between gas and diesel models.
One of the biggest drawbacks to the Sprinter is the price tag. This van is typically more expensive than its competitors, and the warranty requires maintenance from either a Mercedes-Benz dealership or a Sprinter-certified technician.
Price: $35,000-$65,000
Ford Transit
The Transit is another popular choice due to the trusted Ford name and roomy interior. It’s available in three models — 150, 250, and 350 — with the main differences being suspension capacity and gross vehicle weight rating. You may also come across the Ford Transit Connect, which is a more compact version with seating for anywhere from 5–7 passengers.
Ford Transit vans come with either a low, medium or high roof. Models include diesel, flex fuel, or gas; 4-, 6, or 8-cylinder engines; and front-wheel, all-wheel, or rear-wheel drive. Depending on the model and trim, features may include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, automatic climate control, emergency brake assist, a power tailgate, leather seats, wireless phone charging, and a rearview camera.
Price: $30,000–$70,000
Dodge Ram ProMaster
This full-size van is known for its versatility and heavy-duty suspension that lets you carry a hefty payload. The low cargo floor and high roof allow for plenty of room and easier loading and unloading. Safety features include low tire pressure warning, rearview cameras, and dual stage-side mounted airbags to keep you safe — no matter where you’re traveling.
The ProMaster is typically less expensive than other vans and is wider than the Ford Transit and Sprinter. This boxy-shaped interior allows you to make the most out of your space.
Price: $30,000–$60,000
Chevrolet Express
The Chevrolet Express is a popular commercial vehicle that’s known for its dependability. Choose between two wheelbases, four engine types, and a number of available features, including navigation systems, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, and tire pressure monitoring systems.
These cargo vans are available with ½ ton, ¾ ton, and 1-ton options and can carry loads up to 2,000 pounds. Plus, with a 31-gallon fuel tank, the Express has the highest fuel capacity on our list, along with the GMC Savana.
Price: $25,000–$35,000
GMC Savana
Featuring excellent towing and payload capacity, GMC vans are dependable workhorses with an easily customizable cargo area. They are a solid choice offering numerous important features, including hill start assist, rear park assist, and an emergency communication system. The GMC Savanna’s ladder-type frame resembles GMC’s pickup trucks, providing the same high degree of durability and dependability. While they don’t drive as “car-like” as some other vans, the Savanna’s reliability and potential are unmatched.
Price: $21,000–$30,000
Freightliner Sprinter
A full-size cargo van with an impressive cargo capacity, this vehicle offers two wheelbases (144” or 170”) and two roof sizes (standard or tall). Available with a gas or diesel engine, the latest Sprinter models include safety features such as active brake assist, 360° camera, attention assist, and traffic sign assist.
Additional features include a passenger-side sliding door with an extended track, comfortable supportive seating, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and AC and heat insulating glass.
Price: $50,000–$60,000
Another option is to choose a classic van. If your style is more old-school, consider a VW Vanagon, VW T1, or Mercedes 407D. Just keep in mind that they may be harder to find and may need additional repairs and maintenance depending on their mileage and condition.
How to Choose the Best Vans for Van Life
Ready to start researching? Keep these helpful tips in mind:
- Figure out your budget and what you can afford. This is the first step in any vehicle-buying process. Don’t forget to factor in routine maintenance; insurance; gas, diesel, or flex fuel cost; and any type of customization and upfits.
- Find a van that’s reliable and dependable. Your van will serve as both your transportation and home, which means you need a vehicle that’s built to last. Do your research, read reviews, and seek out other van life enthusiasts for suggestions. You can also contact dealerships for recommendations.
- Estimate the amount of space you’ll need. This might be hard if you haven’t stepped foot in a van, but think about how much room you will need in your new temporary (or permanent) home. Are you looking for the biggest van on the market? Do you need extra headroom? Vans come in various sizes and many offer low, medium, and high roof heights.
- Keep your timeline and terrain in mind. Are you traveling for an undetermined amount of time? Only hitting the road for 3 months or on weekends? Will you be off-roading or sticking to highways and side streets? Approximately how many miles will you be traveling? (if you know, of course). These are all important questions to ask while conducting van life research.
- Consider the intended purpose of your van. Yes, the van will serve as both your home and mode of transportation, but are you taking your business or brand on the road? Do you need a Wi-Fi hotspot, shelving, additional storage units, or wraps and decals?
- Explore new vs. pre-owned options. Pre-owned vehicles are often a more budget-friendly investment. Look at the overall condition of the vehicle and find one in good mechanical shape. Consider purchasing from a reputable dealership as opposed to an individual seller since dealerships will thoroughly inspect and repair the vehicles (if necessary) prior to resale.
- If shopping pre-owned, pay attention to the mileage. A used van can have anywhere from 5,000 to 100,000+ miles, and typically the price tag will correlate with the mileage. (In general, the higher the mileage, the lower the price, and vice versa.)
- Remember your short-and long-term goals and needs. The van you purchase and customize may look different if you’re planning a 1-month road trip versus a complete switch to the nomadic life. For example, if you’ve decided to make van life your new way of living and you want your new investment to last, you’d likely look for a van with fewer miles. Plus, you want to make sure your van has enough room for everything (and everyone) you plan to transport.
- Weigh the pros and cons of gas vs. diesel. Fuel is one of the major expenses of van life, so it’s important to explore all options. In general, diesel-equipped vans have a higher acquisition cost, but you also need to consider the total cost of ownership, which includes total fuel, maintenance, depreciation, and financial spend over the vehicle’s lifecycle. Diesel engines, when properly maintained, typically have a longer service life compared to gasoline-powered vans and can tow heavier loads.
Gas vans, however, are less expensive in terms of initial acquisition, fuel costs, and repairs. If your diesel engine needs work, you need a mechanic who is capable of handling that specific type of maintenance, which may be harder to find if you’re on the road.
- Think about the safety features you may need. There are many out there — automatic high beams, emergency brake assist, lane departure warning, rearview cameras, and more. Van upfitting services can also provide enhanced safety improvements such as alarm systems, partitions, lights, ramps, anti-slip flooring, and lift gates.
- Decide whether you’d like a pre-built van or a DIY project. Some vans come ready to roll while others will require customizations and enhancements. If you opt for the latter, you can specify what you need.
Vehicle Customizations for Van Life
The options to customize your van are almost endless. Here are some of the most common:
Electric Systems
What will you need to plug in? What kind of voltage do you need? Where will you get your power from? These are important questions to ask. Consider these power sources:
- Solar power — Although essentially free to use, the initial setup can be expensive.
- Alternator — Mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy when you’re driving. This is a must if you plan to live full-time in the van. This is probably not as important in the summer since solar power is an option, but you will need this in the winter and perhaps in the off-season.
- Shore power – This is a good option if you plan on spending an extended period of time at a campground, or if you’d like to use your van in the winter.
Wraps, Branding, and Decals
Looking to advertise your business or elevate your personal brand with stylish graphics and bold colors? A high-quality wrap allows you to turn your van into an Instagram-worthy piece of transportation. Plus, wraps are specifically made for long-term outdoor use, providing extra protection from scratches and dings.
Common Upfits
There are many outfits that will take your van life to the next level, but here are some of the most common:
- Refrigerators
- Stovetops
- Appliances
- Entertainment systems
- Cargo floors
- Partitions
- Anti-slip flooring
- Lift gates
- Drawer units
- Additional seats
- Fold-away shelving
- Floor and bed mats
- GPS systems
- Alarm systems
- Storage
Embrace Your Creativity!
A van is the perfect canvas to express yourself. Personalize your new home by investing in a fun yet functional decor that adds color and style without taking up a lot of space. Think colorful pillows, blankets, twinkling lights, mirrors, curtains, and hanging plants.
At the end of the day, you need to consider what’s important to you. Budget, headroom, how many people you need to accommodate, customization — it’s all part of the van life process. But it starts with the right vehicle, and that’s where we can help.
Please contact us if you have any questions about which cargo van might be the right fit for you, or browse our online inventory to see what we have in stock. Our sales professionals are ready to help!
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