Van Life – Decisions, Decisions

I’ve been watching a few different channels on converting vans into Class B style motorhomes. I’d like to think I’ll be physically able to travel when I cross over into retirement in a decade or two (fingers crossed).

I’d love to buy a fully configured Class B RV, but, well, the ones I like are easily over $100,000:

This Winnebago is amazing. The interior looks like a luxury hotel. I want it, but shy of hitting the lottery there is no way I could ever actually afford it.

So that brings me to the decision to build my own. The up front investment is much smaller, and I can slowly build and upgrade over time.

The next decision point comes down to what van to start with. Once again price is a major factor here. I’d love to build my RV on top of the Mercedes Sprinter 4×4 platform, but try to find even a used one with decent miles and you are looking at a $30,000 to $40,000 starting point. That brings the two real choices down to the Ram Promaster and the Ford Transit.

What I am currently thinking is that I’m going to go with the Ram Promaster. My reasoning comes down to two points. The first is that the Promaster is front wheel drive and drives like a minivan. (I am going to go drive both when I get closer to buy time, so I’m going on what other reviewers have said here.) The second is that the Ram has a larger area across the back, allowing you to put a bed across the back, which leaves a much larger area in the front for living space and kitchenette.

That 73.4 inches across the back means I can put a bed there, and leave the area underneath it open for storage, batteries, water tanks, whatever I want to do with it.

 

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