Best van for a RV conversion: a comparison

These are the most commonly used vans for RV conversion: Fiat Ducato / Citroën Relay / Peugeot Boxer (sold as Ram ProMaster in the US) — by far the most popular in Europe. Good value for money, lots of second-hand options, large ecosystem of parts and knowledge. Available in L2H2, L3H2, L3H3 and L4H3. Mercedes Sprinter — premium quality, stable handling, excellent build quality. More expensive to buy and maintain. Available in various sizes. Popular in both the US and Europe. Volkswagen Crafter / MAN TGE — comparable to the Sprinter but with VW dealer network. Good quality. Not available in the US. Ford Transit — popular in the US and UK, increasingly in Europe. Good engine, modern interior. Renault Master / Vauxhall Movano / Nissan NV400 — cheaper alternative, less popular with converters but a solid base. Not available in the US. Ram ProMaster — the US version of the Fiat Ducato platform, one of the most popular vans for US van conversions. Ford Transit (US) — available in multiple lengths and roof heights, the most popular US conversion platform alongside the ProMaster.

The size of your van depends on how you plan to use the camper: L2H2 (approx. 5.4m long, 1.90m standing height): compact enough for the city, but tight for two people. Suitable for solo travelers or weekend use. L3H2 (approx. 6.0m long, 1.90m standing height): the most popular size. Enough room for a fixed bed, kitchen and seating area. Still manageable in the city. L3H3 / L4H3 (6.0-6.4m long, 2.10m standing height): maximum interior space. You can build a raised bed with storage underneath. Note: may not fit in all parking garages. Tip: always measure the interior dimensions yourself. Factory specs are exterior measurements. After insulation you lose 5-10 cm on each side.

Many converters forget to check the payload until it's too late. A fully built RV easily weighs 1,100–1,760 lbs (500–800 kg) more than the empty base vehicle. Keep this in mind: • Insulation + cladding: 220–440 lbs (100–200 kg) • Electrical (batteries, panels, cables): 110–220 lbs (50–100 kg) • Kitchen + water system: 110–176 lbs (50–80 kg) • Furniture: 220–440 lbs (100–200 kg) • Water (full): 176–264 lbs (80–120 kg) • Personal belongings: 110–220 lbs (50–100 kg) A Fiat Ducato L3H2 (similar to Ram ProMaster in the US) typically has a payload of 2,645–3,307 lbs (1,200–1,500 kg). After conversion, often only 440–880 lbs (200–400 kg) remains for passengers and luggage. Choose a van with a high GVW (7,716 lbs / 3,500 kg or more) to avoid problems.

New: you get a warranty, choose exactly the specs you want and start with a clean slate. Downside: expensive (€25,000-€45,000 for a bare van) and it hurts to drill the first holes. Young used (3-5 years, 50-100,000 km): the sweet spot for many converters. Significantly cheaper than new, still modern and reliable. Check service history and rust. Old (10+ years): budget option, but expect higher maintenance costs and potential rust issues. Check chassis, brakes and turbo carefully. A good old Ducato is fine, but a bad one is a money pit.