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If you’re thinking about hopping on the van life bandwagon, you’re probably wondering what it takes to build out a campervan. A DIY campervan conversion costs way less than hiring a company to build out a van, but what if you’re not handy? That’s where campervan conversion kits come in.
A campervan conversion kit is part custom build and part DIY campervan. You buy a kit from a company that includes things like the bed framing, kitchen, pull-out drawers, etc., then you do the installation on your own. Van conversion kits can run anywhere from $4,000-$20,000, or you can just buy one component, like a kitchen.
Campervan conversion kits are part DIY and part custom build.
This is way cheaper than a custom camper van build, which can go well over $100,000. To boot, a campervan conversion kit can be used on vehicles that aren’t vans, like minivans, or to build an SUV camper.
It takes some serious DIY skill to fully build out a campervan on your own, and if you’ve never built something in your life, it can all feel quite daunting. Some people get by reading articles online and watching DIY van build videos, but your finished product might not be up to the standards you hoped.
Van conversion kits for a campervan strike a happy medium between a custom build and a DIY project. Check out these top camper conversion kits so you can start living the van life right now.
Need help choosing a van? Check this out:
1) Wayfarer Vans Campervan Conversion Kits
Photo: Wayfarer Vans
Van Type: Dodge City Cargo or Dodge Promaster
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Cost: $4,696-$8,795
Wayfarer Vans helps you turn a Dodge City Cargo or a Dodge Promaster High-Top Cargo with a 136″ wheelbase into a proper campervan. The smaller kit is called the Wally Campervan Conversion kit, and the Promaster uses the Walter Camper Kit.
Both of these kits can be financed through the dealer where you buy a campervan, which is pretty awesome if you don’t have the money to pay up front.
Here are the key differences between these two kits.
Wally Campervan Conversion Kit – $4,696
If you’re converting a Dodge City Cargo van, your kit will be under $5,000. You can either install it on your own or bring it into the Wayfarer shop for free installation.
This kit includes durable insulating panels, a sturdy table that folds up against the wall, flooring, and camper boxes with cushions. At night, these cushioned camper boxes turn into your bed.
You can also purchase each component separately, then install it yourself.
Walter Campervan Conversion Kit – $8, 795
If you’re converting a larger Dodge, like a Promaster 1500 or 2500, 136″ wheelbase, high-top van, your van conversion kit will run you under $9,000.
This kit includes flooring, wall and ceiling paneling with wool insulation, perimeter shelving, a kitchen with 5-gallon fresh and grey water tanks, a sink, bed platform and privacy paneling for the sliding door and rear windows.
You can’t DIY this van conversion kit, but have to take it into the shop.
As with the Wally kit, you can order each component separately if you’re trying to build out just part of your van.
Click here to learn more about Wayfarer vans.
2) AdventureWagon Campervan Conversion Kit
Photo: Adventure Wagon
Van Type: Mercedes Sprinter
Cost: Starting at $10,000
Location: Portland, Oregon
Adventure Wagon’s camper conversion kits give you everything you need to get that Sprinter van up and running. These kits can fit either a 140″ or a 170″ wheelbase high-roof Sprinter van.
The kits can be installed in a few weekends by an exuberant DIYer, or a few days by a professional shop.
These modular campervan kits include the electrical system, ventilation, insulation, ceiling fans, molded trim, etc – basically, all the legwork of the interior build has been done for you.
Then, you can choose add-on features like a MOAB Bed, Monk Bunks, Mule Bags, etc.
Click here to learn more about Adventure Wagon.
3) Contra Vans Camper Conversion Kit
Photo: Contra Vans
Van Type: 2015 or newer Dodge City (Cargo or Wagon), and 2013 or newer Ford Transit Connect. Plus, this kit fits several other models
Cost: Base rate of $8,995
Location: Denver, Colorado
Contra Vans camper conversion kits for a smaller van make great use out of limited space. These van conversion kits come with a comfortable, full-size memory foam bed and two long, pull-out drawers. Also includes a ceiling fan and a retractable kitchen.
You can also choose from a variety of add-ons such as roof racks, floor mats, awnings, bike racks and more so you get a campervan just for you.
Contra Vans is really flexible with how they do your campervan kit, so just reach out and ask.
If you purchase a van through a dealer, you can add on the conversion kit and have the van shipped right to Contra Vans in Denver, where your van will be finished in a few days.
Want to learn more about Contravans conversion kits? Check out this post: These car camper conversion kits will change your life
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- Brand new adorable VW camper vans for sale
4) Zen Vans Campervan Conversion Kits
Photo: ZensVanz
Van Type: Mercedes Sprinter
Cost: $18,000-$22,000
Location: Portland, Oregon
ZensVans makes a DIY campervan conversion kit that’s absolutely stunning to look at, with its aluminum exoskeleton and bent bamboo panels. These components are installed in your Mercedes Sprinter van using the factory holes and can be easily removed as needed.
ZensVans campervan kits come with a kitchen with bamboo cabinetry, upper and bedside cabinets, 3-panel bed system, fold-out gear drying rack, slide out porta potty concealer and an option to add-on bamboo ceiling, door and wall panels.
If you don’t want to put any work into your build, you can also hire ZensVans to do a complete campervan conversion.
Click here to learn more about ZensVans.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Van specs!
No idea which van to choose? Here are specs for 10 popular vans, plus van buying tips!
5) QuQuQ Camping Module
Photo: QuQuQ
Van Type: Many
Cost: $3,990-$4,990
Location: New U.S. dealer in Clovis, California (brand based in Europe)
QuQuQ‘s amazing little “van-in-a-box” modules turn your van into a camper with barely any effort. The bed pulls out of the box, which also has several pull-out drawers with a stove, cooler and storage space. For real, you can turn any van into a camper in just a few minutes with this unique set-up.
QuQuQ started in Europe and is now expanding into the United States, appearing at several shows across the country in 2020.
Photo: QUQUQ
The really cool thing about the Ququq boxes is that it can turn almost any type of vehicle into a camper. Just fold down the back and middle seats, put the box in your trunk and spread open the mattress. Ququq’s website shows the box in minivans, larger vans, and even a small Jeep.
Learn more about Ququq boxes here.
6) Freeway Camper Conversion Kit
Photo: Freeway Camper Kit
Van Type: Minivans
Cost: $1,000-$3,800
Location: Quebec, Canada
Freeway Camper Kit is a Canadian company that wants to help get your car on the road – and fast. There are so many camper conversion kits to choose from on the website, it’s mind-boggling.
You can get a simple bed frame and storage system for $1,000, up to the “Sleeping Giant” conversion kit for $3,800 and it can be installed in 30 minutes.
This largest kit is suitable for all long-wheelbase minivans, including the Toyota Sienna, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town&Country, Kia Sedona, etc.
The kit comes with a kitchen counter and sink, water pump, batteries, freshwater tank, grey water tank, thermoelectric cooler, foam mattress, and much more.
You get a lot of value for the price and it’s easy to pop this right in the back of your van.
Click here to learn more about Freeway Camper Kit.
7) Campervan Kitchen Kit from Trail Kitchens
Photo: Trail Kitchens
Van Type: Any
Cost: $2,665
Location: Truckee, California
These modular kitchen kits by Trail Kitchens can go in any type of campervan. This campervan kitchen conversion kit comes with a complete water system and indoor/outdoor cooking system for a DIY campervan.
You’ll get a 14-gallon marine grade water system with a portable sink/stove unit, all put together in a space-saving, compact package. You can either cook inside your campervan or pull the entire unit outside and cook under the sky.
This DIY campervan kitchen kit has additional add-on options, including a hot water heater for hot showers and cleanup. This removable kitchen pod has places to organize your utensils and camping gear, all in one place.
This is a simple addition for a DIY campervan.
Click here to learn more about Trail Kitchens.
Rent a campervan before you buy or build
One great way to test out vans is to rent one before you jump on the buyer’s bandwagon.
Want more help building out a DIY campervan?
If you’re ready to start building your own DIY camper van conversion right now, there’s an amazing book that will help you convert your van. And despite the title, this book doesn’t only apply to Sprinter vans. I asked the author this question myself as I bought the book to help me with my Chevy Astro.
The Sprinter RV Conversion Sourcebook is 378-pages of pure conversion gold, written by Greg Keith, who is currently on his THIRD Sprinter van conversion. I’d say this guy knows what he’s talking about when it comes to camper vans.
Here’s some of what you’ll get from the book, which again, applies to any van conversion:
- An RV plumbing chapter on pipes, fittings, tanks, pumps, water heaters, toilets, you name it
- How to get internet access in your van
- The five criteria to think about when insulating your camper van
- Advice on choosing solar panels
- How to install blackwater, greywater and freshwater tanks
- Fifty pages of information on designing an electrical system and wiring your campervan conversion
- And soooo much more!
Check out the Sprinter RV Conversion Sourcebook and start working on your van right now.
Remember, so much of this info can also be used on a small camper van, or any type of van, really.
Conclusion on campervan conversion kits
If you’re trying to build a DIY campervan but need a little help, these campervan conversion kits are just what you need.
You can choose anything from an expensive interior kit for a Mercedes Sprinter van to a cheaper minivan conversion kit with just a bed frame and pull-out drawers.
These companies offer high-quality kits that can be installed in a campervan in a matter of minutes or days. You won’t have to spend hours and hours watching DIY campervan YouTube videos if you order one of these kits. They’ll help get your campervan on the road even faster.
Happy trails!
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How to do an awesome campervan conversion
12 campervan rental companies to test drive the van life
30+ ways to make money while living the van life
FREE DOWNLOAD: Van specs!
No idea which van to choose? Here are specs for 10 popular vans, plus van buying tips!
Kristin Hanes is a journalist and writer who lives on a sailboat and in a Chevy Astro van in San Francisco. She worked in radio news for 15 years before a massive layoff in 2016. Kristin has written articles about alternative living published in Good Housekeeping, Business Insider, Marie Claire, SF Gate and The Bold Italic, among others.
I personally can not see installing cabinets or the like in my van for living. It is to much extra weight and takes up to much room,where you can lust place everything in plastic tubs and slide them under the bed. This is more economical gas wise.
When living in a van, expenses and extra space are essential.
I usually go to the big box stores for recommendations and supplies. . (Home Depot, etc)
My boyfriend said the same thing! He thought these conversion kits looked too heavy. We’ll see what happens with my Chevy Astro!
Please let us know how you made out. I have a Safari van and hope I can go camping soon, but my disability has made it hard, so I’ll wait for your answer. Thanks
I am also concerned about all the weight that comes with these conversion kits and the toll they will have on the gas. however, they all look marvelous.
i worry that the availability of these super premium kits will lead to a socio-economic stratification in the van dweller community with those in sprinters with deluxe conversions looking down their noses at people who have just the basics in an old vehicle. i hope not but you know human nature.