You can spend days if not weeks picking the best van for camper conversion and it will differ depending on your conversion goals and must-haves for your van. Let’s go over the most popular vans for a camper conversion.
The Mercedes Bens Sprinter is the go-to for most van conversions, but does that make it the best van right now for a Camper Van Conversion? This post will help you decide which is the best van for your camper conversion. We will compare The Mercedes Benz Sprinter, The Ford Transit and The Ram Promaster, with everything you need to know from dimension comparisons to wheelbase options, cost comparisons and our overall likes and dislikes about each van.
One of the first questions you’re going to need to ask yourself is “Do I want to be able to stand up in my van?” If the answer is yes (highly recommended for long term or full time living) then this makes your choice a lot simpler as it cuts down the options significantly. The Mercedes Benz Sprinter, The Ford Transit and The Ram Promaster all have high roof options which is why they are the most sought after vans for camper conversions.
The second question you need to ask yourself is, “What size van do I need?”
Overall Dimensions Mercedes Sprinter Vs Ford Transit Vs Ram Promaster (FIAT Ducato)
Understanding a van’s dimensions and what each measurements means in relation to your build is a crucial part of understanding which build suits your needs. Each van has its own stand out assets and detractors that might just make or break your dream build. Below we break down 10 key measurements you should understand when choosing the right van for your camper conversion.
| Dimension | Explanation |
| A | Length – Total length from front bumper to rear bumper |
| B | Wheelbase – Distance between middle of front tyre to middle of rear tyre |
| C | Overhang – Distance from middle of rear tyre to rear bumper |
| D | Door – Full side door length |
| E | Height – Total height of vehicle from ground level |
| F | Internal Height – Standing space prior to any adjustments |
| G | Cargo Space – Distance from back of seats to the back of the van |
| H | Width – total width of vehicle including side mirrors |
| I | Width of vehicle to outside of tyre |
| J | Rear Door – Maximum width of rear door opening |
What Does the Wheelbase of a Van Mean (Dimension B)
Each of the above mentioned vans have different wheelbase options available. What is a wheelbase you ask?
The wheelbase is the distance between the centre of the front wheels and the centre of the rear wheels and it is important to remember it’s not the length of the whole vehicle. There are generally 3 wheelbases available in most van models SWB (Short Wheelbase), MWB (Medium Wheelbase) and LWB (Long Wheelbase). We will focus on MWB and LWB in this article as unless you’re a fan of extreme Jenga, SWB is probably a little too small for most van conversions. The reason wheelbase measurements are so important to understand is that the longer wheelbase the larger turning the circle, something to be mindful of if you have to navigate tights roads or city driving. On the flip side, the longer wheelbase also generally allows more useable internal space.
Let’s dive into the individual dimensions of each van.
Mercedes Benz Sprinter Vs Ford Transit Vs Ram Promaster
The Mercedes Benz Sprinter draws a lot of attention in the van conversion world due to its longevity on the market with its roots dating back to 1995. It has been the go-to for decades with a lack of consistent competition in the high roof LWB category. So what do you get when you buy a Mercedes Sprinter? Firstly, you get space! Below are all the dimensions you need to know for 3 of the top contenders in the Sprinter range: the 140″ MWB, the 170″ LWB and the 170″ LWB Extended. Each of these versions are available with a high roof option making them perfect for a camper van conversion.
| Dimension | MWB (144″) | LWB (170″) | LWB (170″ Extended) |
| A | 5932mm | 6967mm | 7367mm |
| B | 3665mm | 4325mm | 4325mm |
| C | 1246mm | 1621mm | 2021mm |
| D | 1260mm | 1260mm | 1260mm |
| E | 2638mm (D03) | 2616mm (D03) | 2643mm (D03) |
| F | 2009mm | 2009mm | 2009mm |
| G | 3316mm | 4351mm | 4751mm |
| H | 2345mm | 2345mm | 2345mm |
| I | 1977mm | 1977mm | 1977mm |
| J | 1553mm | 1555mm | 1555mm |
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Long lasting motors | High repair costs |
| Well established in the conversion world | Persistent maintenance |
| More off-the-shelf conversion parts |
Ford Transit
The Ford Transit is really starting to make a name for itself as a reliable camper conversion, with cheaper running costs and generous size options available. Ford is well respected in the transport industry with Ford claiming a “44 percent market share across seven weight classes of commercial vehicles, including medium-duty chassis cabs” (Source). The Ford Transit was introduced to North America in 2015, more recently in 2020 new engine options, a long awaited AWD (All Wheel Drive) drivetrain, and other high-tech upgrades (adaptive cruise control, pre-collision assist, etc.) have been added to further improve Ford’s offering. The two Ford models that we recommend for camper conversions are the 350L and the 350E. Below are the dimensions for each version.
| Dimension | 350 L (LWB) 147″ WB | 350E (LWB) Extended 147″ WB |
| A | 5981mm | 6704mm |
| B | 3750mm | 3750mm |
| C | 1208mm | 1931mm |
| D | 1300mm | 1300mm |
| E | 2782mm | 2790mm |
| F | 2025mm | 2025mm |
| G | 3494mm | 4217mm |
| H | 2474mm | 2474mm |
| I | 2112mm | 2112mm |
| J | 1565mm | 1565mm |
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Lower maintenance costs | Roof has an earlier drop (less space on roof for solar etc.) |
| Good network of service centres | |
| Doesn’t feel like you’re driving a big van |
Ram Promaster (FIAT Ducato)
| Dimension | 2500 136″ WB (MWB) | 2500 159″ WB (LWB) | 3500 159″ WB (LWB) Extended |
| A | 5413mm | 5994mm | 6299mm |
| B | 3454mm | 4038mm | 4038mm |
| C | 1006mm | 1006mm | 1370mm |
| D | 1308mm | 1308mm | 1308mm |
| E | 2565mm | 2565mm | 2565mm |
| F | 1930mm | 1930mm | 1930mm |
| G | 3124mm | 3708mm | 4064mm |
| H | 2489mm | 2489mm | 2489mm |
| I | 2049mm | 2049mm | 2049mm |
| J | 1920mm | 1920mm | 1920mm |
The Ram Promaster (rebadged in other areas as the FIAT Ducato) has the widest cargo area of all the above mentioned vans, making it a solid candidate, especially if you opt for a side-to-side permanent bed. The square cargo area is a massive draw card for self converters as it makes fit-out that much easier. Although the Ram Promaster is a newer van to the market, initially released in 2009, its beginnings in the FIAT Ducato go back a lot further to 1981. Now, with 40 years of development, it is well refined.
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Square body (makes buildout easier) | Shortest of the vans compared |
| Reasonable service costs |
Deciding Which Van To Buy For Your Camper Conversion
| VS | Mercedes LWB 170″ | Ford Transit 350E 147″ LWB Extended | Ram Promaster 3500 159″ WB LWB Extended |
| Length | 6967mm | 6704mm | 6299mm |
| Height | 2616mm | 2790mm | 2565mm |
| Width | 2345mm | 2474mm | 2489mm |
| Motor | 4cyl 2.1 L | 4cyl 2.2L | 4cyl 2.3L |
| Price | New $55,000 to $70,000 USD | New $45,000 to $50,000 USD | New $50,000 to $55,000 USD |
Our Thoughts On The Best Van For Camper Conversion
We love both the Mercedes Sprinter and the Ford Transit for the extra length and therefore extra room you gain in your build. We really like the value for money of the Ford Transit and the Ram Promater.
If your looking to save some money on the initial buy we recommend the Ford Transit. If you want to go with the crowd and the extra length the Mercedes Benz is for you. If you want the extra width and a good price go with The Ram Promaster (Fiat Ducato).
How Much Does it Cost to Convert a Van into a Campervan
Find out in this article https://thevanlifefam.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-convert-a-van-into-a-campervan/