Van life can be a weekend hobby or a lifestyle—and it’s a global trend that doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Everyone from around-the-world overlanders to weekend adventurers have discovered the flexibility and convenience of owning a customizable camper van. If you’re interesting in joining their ranks, we can point you to the top 7 best camper van conversion companies and help you decide if a custom build is right for you.
When it comes to buying a camper van, there are several options. First, if you’re just testing the waters or don’t want to spend the time and money on a custom job, you can buy a used pre-built camper van.
But if you’re ready to make a bigger investment or have a specific design in mind, you’ll want to do the van build yourself or hire a company to do it for you. Let’s compare the two options.
DIY Camper Van Build
Many people go the DIY route. They start with a van (such as a Sprinter or Transit) and build the interior exactly the way they want it.
Pros
- You have complete creative control over the design and build.
- It usually costs less than hiring a camper van conversion company.
- Repairs will be easier since you’ll be familiar with how everything is put together.
- A van build can be a great long-term project for couples, families, or friends.
- It’s easy to find tutorials on YouTube and other sites to guide you through the process.
Cons
- The process may be slower if you have to learn construction and DIY skills along the way.
- Depending on your day job and lifestyle, it could be difficult to find the time to work on it consistently.
- It’s harder to get RV insurance with DIY van builds.
- You’ll need a garage or dedicated workshop space.
Hiring a Professional
There are a lot of companies who specialize in camper van conversions. Most of them offer pre-designed layouts or will work with you to develop a one-of-a-kind interior.
Pros
- You’ll save time because you won’t have to learn the necessary construction skills.
- It’s easier to get RV insurance when the work is done by a reputable company.
- The resale value is higher for professionally converted vans.
- You won’t need to provide a garage or workshop space.
Cons
- It’s more expensive than a DIY van build.
- Future repairs may be more expensive because you’ll likely have to pay someone (or the original builders) to do it.
How to Choose a Camper Van Conversion Company
First, resist the temptation to choose a company based solely on social media posts or impressive photos. It takes a little time, but make sure to do your homework and assess the company’s experience, knowledge, and the quality of their work. After all, you want to hire someone who not only can build a camper van that looks good, it needs to be functional and durable. (That’s why electrical and plumbing experience is a must if those components are part of your build.)
Here are some things to consider when choosing a company to do your van build:
- How long has the company been in business?
- Do the employees have personal experience camping, living, or traveling in camper vans? (This is a definite plus!)
- How many van builds has the company completed?
- Can you get in touch with past customers to hear about their experience with the company?
- Can you see their work or past projects in person?
- What’s the turnaround time?
- Do they work on all types of vans or only specific models?
Best Camper Van Conversion Companies
Photo credit: Vansmith
Vansmith
A few years ago, cousins Aaron Haack and Roberto Gutierrez joined forces and founded Vansmith. Haack is a master van builder and master mechanic who lives in his own tiny house—so he understands the benefits and challenges of small space living. Vansmith offers three pre-designed van layouts or will work with you to design the camper van of your dreams.
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Starting price (van not included): $25,000 (for the Bivvy layout)
Advanture Co.
This California-based company offers custom van builds and sometimes sells ready-to-go camper vans. Start with their base package (including tri-fold bed and LED lighting) and choose from a lengthy list of upgrades (such as solar power, shower, and heating options). Or work with Advanture Co. staff to come up with a completely custom design for a one-of-a-kind camper van.
Location: Placerville, CA
Starting price (van not included): $36,000
Photo credit: Vanlife Customs
Vanlife Customs
Military veteran Dave Walsh spent a year living and traveling in his own custom camper van before starting Vanlife Customs. Today the company operates out of a small studio in Denver with a six-person staff of varied expertise including two military veterans, an architect, and a mechanical engineer. Vanlife Customs does full custom van builds, but they also offer consulting and planning services to customers who are doing DIY builds.
Location: Denver, CO
Starting price (van not included): $60,000
Sportsmobile
Sportsmobile has been specializing in van conversions longer than any company on our list—since the 1960s! Most customers buy the vans for their builds through Sportsmobile, but that’s not a requirement. You can choose one of their designs or work with Sportsmobile to create a custom build. They also have experience building ADA-accessible camper vans.
Location: Austin, Texas and Huntington, Indiana
Starting price: Available upon request
Campo Vans
The owners of Santa Barbara’s Campo Vans have been embracing van life since before it became a hashtag. Byron and Robyn Beck first began using camper vans in the ’80s as parents of young children. In the early 2000s, Byron put his 35+ years of carpentry experience into creating his first custom build-out of a Sprinter. Today the couple and their Campo Vans team offer custom builds, products (like a fully-assembled galley cabinet), and DIY advice.
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Starting price: Available upon request
Photo credit: Tommy Camper Vans
Tommy Camper Vans
Phoenix-based Tommy Camper Vans has been doing custom van builds for 15 years. They’ll help source the van for your build (inventory permitting) or do a custom interior build on a van you already own. (Check out their online photo gallery to get a peek at their incredible craftsmanship.) The company will also soon be offering camper van rentals so you can test-drive van life.
Location: Phoenix, Arizona (With a Chicago location coming soon.)
Starting price (van not included): $19,500
Contravans
Contravans offers more than custom camper van builds. They also offer box truck conversions (into tiny homes) and camper conversions for the Toyota Sienna! For customers who don’t want to wait for a custom build, Contravans offers turnkey camper van conversions that can be completed in a week.
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Starting price: Available upon request
