Best Van for Van Life
You’re ready to take the plunge into van life! Congratulations 🥳️ But before you can hit the road you need to decide what the best van to live in is. The best van for van life is a very personal decision.
Here’s what you can expect from this post:
- A list of what to consider when deciding between the best vans to live in full time
- An overview of the top 5 best vans for van life and their pros and cons
- Detailed specs for each van
Personally, I travel in a high-roof Ford Transit extended wheelbase with my golden retriever, Oscar.
Now, let’s figure out what the best van for you is!
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Van for Van Life
- Roof Height
- Wheelbase
- Length
- Fuel Type
- Fuel Efficiency
- Maintenance frequency and cost
- Off-roading capabilities
- Cost
Let’s discuss…
Roof Height for Full Time Van Life
Do you want to be able to stand up inside your van? If you’re planning to spend more than a weekend here and there in your van then you’ll be much more comfortable in a high-roof van.
Having the ability to stand up in your van makes simple tasks like brushing your teeth, cooking dinner, showering and folding laundry more convenient. Additionally, rainy days can keep you “indoors” for hours at a time and it can be incredibly miserable to feel cramped and unable to stretch.
Most vans come with options for roof-height. If you’re unable to find a high-roof van you always have the option to retrofit with a fiberglass roof.
Wheelbase Options for the Best Vans to Live In
Van wheelbase refers to the distance between the front and rear axle. A majority of the best vans for van life come in several wheelbase options.
Longer wheelbases (more distance between the front and rear axle) give you more interior space (good for living in) but are trickier to park due to their length and are more prone to “bottoming out” on bumpy roads (bad for driving.)
Length Options for Full Time Van Life
Length is closely tied to wheelbase options, with a few exceptions.
For example, the Ford Transit comes in two wheelbases: 148” and 170”. However, there is also an extended option for the 170” wheelbase which provides about 3 more feet of interior beyond the standard 170” wheelbase.
Bumper-to-bumper length has a few considerations beyond drivability.
Ferry’s may have length limits, or impose additional fees for “longer” vehicles. In my experience the length is typically 22 feet, which will fit every camper van (except the Mercedes Sprinter 170” extended which is roughly 24 feet.)
Primarily, parking spaces are 16-18 feet long. Having a longer van limits options for street parking (yikes on parallel parking too!) as well as parking lots.
In my experience, most parking lots have enough space that I can find tandem spots to park in. Occasionally, lots that are full with limited options mean I circle for a while and find a perimeter spot that I can back into and have my back bumper overhand the curb.
Fuel Type for Best Van for Van Life
Gasoline or diesel? Gasoline is cheaper per gallon but has less efficiency, which makes diesel the more cost effective option from a MPG perspective.
Gasoline engines are cheaper. You’ll pay more for a diesel van. However, diesel engines tend to last much longer so sacrificing upfront cost will buy you long term cost savings.
Fuel Efficiency for Best Van for Van Life
Realistically, there isn’t a van that gets terrific gas mileage. Sorry, Charlie. These vans max out around 20 mpg, but realistically you’ll be lucky to get more than 15 mpg.
Maintenance for Best Vans to Live In
While maintenance and repairs aren’t something you want to deal with, knowing what you can expect is far better than being surprised. Consider the reliability of the vehicle and whether it has any known issues that occur at specific mileage milestones.
Additionally, be sure to factor in the accessibility of a mechanic who can repair and for the availability of parts.
Mercedes can be more difficult to find service shops for and any vehicles that are no longer being manufactured may not have parts that are easily found.
Off-Road Capabilities in the Best Van for Van Life
Chances are that you’re interested in van life because you want to explore. You won’t spend all of your time on paved roads and parking lots, so having the ability to off-road is helpful in a van.
Do you need a 4×4 van? For most van lifers the answer is no. You’ll lose fuel efficiency and most times you can handle off-road terrain with good recovery equipment like a shovel or traction tracks.
Cost of the
The cost of a camper van can vary wildly. On top of that, the post-apocolypse market has van prices all over the place due to increased demand and supply chain issues.
Brand new, your most expensive option will be Mercedes Sprinter and the most affordable option is a Ram ProMaster.
Best Van for Van Life – Mercedes Sprinter
The Mercedes Sprinter is typically what most people imagine when they hear “van life”. It’s the OG van and (in my opinion) one of the best looking vans.
Mercedes Sprinter Van for Full Time Van Life
Pros
- ✅ Will hold its value over time
- ✅ Built very well, can easily surpass 300k miles
- ✅ Available in 4×4
- ✅ Common aftermarket kits for van build
- ✅ High max payload capacity (meaning it can tow or carry more weight than other vans)
- ✅ Largest (by length) option available for van life
Cons
- ❌ Expensive upfront cost
- ❌ Expensive maintenance cost
- ❌ Can be difficult to find service shops
Available Options for Mercedes Sprinter Vans to Live In
Wheelbases: 144”, 170” and 170” extended.
Roof height: Standard and high
Drivetrain: RWD or AWD
Width at floor: 70.4”
Gas mileage: 14-17 MPG
Fuel type: Gasoline or diesel
Warranty: Limited warranty covers 3 years / 36,000 miles. Powertrain warranty covers 5 years / 60,000 miles.
Starting Price: $45,795
Best Van for Van Life – Ford Transit
Another one of the best vans to live in is a Ford Transit. This also happens to be my favorite and personal choice for full time van living. Don’t just take my word for it though, Car and Driver also rated the Ford Transit #1.
Ford Transit Van for Full Time Van Life
Pros
- ✅ Reasonably priced
- ✅ Parts are affordable and easily available
- ✅ Easy to find a service shop
- ✅ Easy to drive
- ✅ Quieter interior than alternative vans
- ✅ Highest roof available
Cons
- ❌ A curvy interior can make a van build more complicated
Available Options for Ford Transit Vans to Live In
Wheelbases: 148”, 170” and 170” extended.
Roof height: Standard, medium and high
Drivetrain: RWD or AWD
Width at floor: 54” (extends to 70” mid-height)
Gas mileage: 14-19 MPG
Fuel type: Gasoline or diesel
Warranty: Limited warranty covers 3 years / 36,000 miles. Powertrain warranty covers 5 years / 60,000 miles.
Starting Price: $45,350
Best Van for Van Life – Ram ProMaster
If your van life plans include a lot of city dwelling then the Ram ProMaster may be the best van for van life. Largely, the downfalls of the ProMaster revolve around its ability (or lack thereof) to maneuver off-roading well. Great news for anyone who doesn’t plan to do much overlanding because the ProMaster is one of the most affordable options.
Ram ProMaster Van for Full Time Van Life
Pros
- ✅ Widest van on the market (good for beds going side-to-side)
- ✅ Boxy design makes a van build easier
- ✅ Comes with lots of standard equipment
- ✅ Low clearance makes getting in and out easier
- ✅ Great gas mileage compared to other vans
- ✅ Tight turning radius
Cons
- ❌ Noisy cabin compared to other vans
- ❌ Only available in front-wheel drive
- ❌ Most uncomfortable van to drive
- ❌ Shortest height in vans to live in
Available Options for Ram ProMaster Vans to Live In
Wheelbases: 118”, 136”, 159” and 159” Ext
Roof height: Standard, high and super high
Drivetrain: FWD
Width at floor: 75”
Gas mileage: 17-20 MPG
Fuel type: Gasoline or diesel
Warranty: Limited warranty covers 3 years / 36,000 miles. Powertrain warranty covers 5 years / 60,000 miles.
Starting Price: $43,085
Best Van for Van Life – Ford Econoline
The Ford Econoline (also known as the Ford E-Series) is no longer manufactured as a van.
In 2015 Ford replaced the Econoline with the Transit. Since then Ford has only offered the Ford Econoline as a cutaway or stripped chassis, not as a van. This means you cannot buy a new Ford Econoline van today.
Ford E-Series Van for Full Time Van Life
Pros
- ✅ Handles heavy loads
- ✅ Affordably priced used option
Cons
- ❌ Can only purchased used
- ❌ Smaller van compared to alternatives
- ❌ Poor gas mileage
- ❌ Parts may be difficult to find as these vans are no longer in production
Best Van for Van Life – Nissan NV
You probably haven’t seen many of these on the road. That’s because Nissan only produced these from 2011 through 2021.
Although they’ve been discontinued you can still find these vans reasonably priced on the used market.
Nissan NV Van for Full Time Van Life
Pros
- ✅ Easy to drive
- ✅ Great gas mileage
- ✅ Affordably priced used option
Cons
- ❌ Can only purchased used
- ❌ Smaller van compared to alternatives
- ❌ Parts may be difficult to find as these vans are no longer in production
Best Van for Van Life – Ford Transit Trail
Starting in 2023, Ford released a new version of the Transit which is marketed towards the overlanding community as the Transit Trail.
The Transit Trail takes your standard Transit and upgrades it with upgrades like front swivel seats, an onboard AC inverter and built-in fuse panel, as well as a more rugged style, all-terrain tires and standard all-wheel drive.
Ford Transit Trail Van for Full Time Van Life
Pros
- ✅ Expedite the build process with manufacturer installed upgrades
- ✅ 3.5” body lift
Cons
❌ Expensive considering the added value compared to the standard Transit
Available Options for Ford Transit Trail Vans to Live In
Wheelbases: 148”, 170” and 170” extended
Roof height: Medium and high
Drivetrain: AWD
Width at floor: 54” (extends to 70” mid-height)
Gas mileage: 14-19 MPG
Fuel type: Gasoline
Warranty: Limited warranty covers 3 years / 36,000 miles. Powertrain warranty covers 5 years / 60,000 miles.
Starting Price: $67,770
Conclusion
The Best Van for Van Life: Ram ProMaster vs Ford Transit vs Sprinter Conversion Van
When comparing Ram ProMaster vs Ford Transit vs Sprinter Conversion Van which one is the best van for van life?
Overall, Ford Transit is the best van for van life. It’s a fairly affordable price with low maintenance costs. Additionally, the Ford Transit has many options for roof height, length and drivetrain- including AWD since 2020.
If you’re looking for a budget option, or you plan to spend most of your time on paved surfaces then the Ram ProMaster is the best van for van life.
