Next-Level Dodge Camper Van Conversions for the Ultimate Getaway

If you’re taking the leap into van life, one of your first and most important decisions is which type of van to build or buy.

There are many choices, but if you want a van you can stand in, the Dodge Promaster camper van is a top contender.

I chose a Dodge camper van for van life, and I’ll share more on my decision below. But you should know this: Dodge vans are affordable, simple to fix, and are wide enough to sleep sideways without any body flares.

So, is a Dodge Ram the campervan for you? Check out the pros and cons, plus our examples of amazing van builds for inspiration.

What are Dodge Camper Vans?

The current model Dodge van on the market is called the Ram Promaster. Known as Fiat Ducato in other parts of the world, the Ram Promaster van was introduced relatively recently in the US in 2014.

The Ram Promaster is one of the more affordable new vans for a DIY conversion. The starting price for a 2023 model is about $40,000 and goes up depending on whether you choose the low roof, high roof, or super high roof model, which wheelbase you select, if there are windows, and whether you have the gas or the diesel engine.

Used Promasters are readily available but are still priced somewhat high as the popularity of van life has driven up demand.

In terms of length, the Ram Promaster comes in a few sizes. There is the super short 118″ wheelbase, the 136″ wheelbase, the 159 wheelbase, and the 159 extended wheelbase. Typically, the 159″ and the 159″ extended are the most sought after for camper van conversions, but the 136″ is fairly common, too.

The extended version features 24 inches of more space inside, which is helpful if you plan to install a bathroom or need to create an extra storage room.

What We Like and Don’t Like About Dodge Camper Vans

Like with any vehicle, if you’re interested in a Dodge camper van, it’s important to weigh the positives and negatives to see if it’s right for you.

Pros:

Front Wheel Drive

Promaster vans have front wheel drive, which some find more helpful than rear wheel drive when navigating snow and ice. I do my best to avoid winter weather, so this was less important for me in choosing a campervan.

Easy to Fix

With the common 3.6L Pentastar gas engine, any garage should be able to repair your Dodge camper van should it need to be serviced. Parts are easy to come by and usually, this makes repairs fairly quick. This is a huge advantage to other vehicles, like the Mercedes Sprinter, which requires specific mechanics and parts and can take much longer to fix. I’ve been fortunate and the longest I’ve waited for parts to come in is about 4-5 days.

Affordability

I thought I could only afford an old, used Sprinter when considering my budget. But once I started pricing out repairs and parts, I realized that a newer, easier-to-fix model was a better choice for me. I purchased a 2018 Promaster in 2020 and felt more confident in owning a newer vehicle.

Availability

The Ram Promaster is a very common work fleet van, often used by Amazon and the United States Postal Service, so there are tons of them on the road. The search for used Promaster vans can be easier than other types of vans.

The Stealth Factor

Another bonus of a Dodge camper van resembling a work van is that you can stealth camp somewhat easily depending on the exterior of your build. Blend right in with the delivery trucks and repair vans in the city!

Cons of Dodge Promaster camper vans

While there are lots of positives that make the Dodge Promaster popular amongst van lifers, we must not forget the negatives, too!

Headlights

The stock headlights in the Promaster are not great and will likely need swapped for LEDs if you expect to be driving much at night. I often triple-check to ensure my headlights are on because they are so dim when you’re in the middle of nowhere without additional street lights.

No 4WD Options

Promaster vans are notorious for getting stuck in the sand and mud. This shouldn’t be a total dealbreaker, but expect to get stuck a time or two and have a tow rope and recovery tracks accessible! I’ve used mine many times, and I’ve even had to get a professional tow once due to sticky mud!

Not As Good for Off-Roading

There’s not a lot of space under the Ram Promaster, just 6.9″ to be exact. If you plan to drive on rough or uneven terrain, you must be extra careful and know your limits.

Different Camper Van Options on a Dodge Chassis

Depending on your price range and preferences, you have multiple routes for making a Dodge camper van your tiny home.

Let’s review the avenues available to you:

• Class B RV camper vans/motorhomes
• Professionally built Promaster camper vans
• DIY camper van builds

Class B Dodge Camper Vans

Several companies manufacture RVs and motorhomes on a Ram Promaster chassis. These are high-end van builds created for folks looking for a fully converted and ready-to-go rig.

Pleasure Way

Pleasure Way has been in the business of camper van conversions for decades. The Tofino model is manufactured on the Promaster with a manual pop-top reminiscent of the old school VW vans. This camper van has two 100AH lithium batteries and a 2000-watt inverter, meaning it’s ready to power your phones, laptops, and basic electronics. You have several upgrade options, such as adding solar panels to keep your batteries topped up.

Airstream Rangeline model

Airstream, the iconic travel trailer manufacturer, is now part of the Class B RV business. The Airstream Rangeline Touring Coach is an off-grid capable camper van, complete with an outdoor awning, patio lighting and a toilet and shower. Luxury finishes, like the sliding screen door, set this build apart. Customizable options like additional seating or a pop-top are available.

Winnebago Travato and Solis

You probably recognize the name Winnebago as a leader in the RV industry. They have a few Promaster camper van builds and we’ll highlight the two most popular ones here.

The Winnebago Travato is one of the most popular Dodge camper vans in the US and has a starting price of $175,000.

Watch a video tour of the Winnebago Travato.

The Winnebago Solis Pocket is the lowest priced Dodge Ram camper van build offered by Winnebago and starts at $140,000. It is built on the shortest Promaster with a 136″ wheelbase. Check out the features of the Winnebago Solis Pocket here.

Winnebago Promaster campers have all the bells and whistles. They include full kitchen setups, climate control, a luxury interior, built-in awnings, and flexible seating options with a removable table. These Class Bs also come with custom bug screens and window coverings.

Thor Motorcoach

Thor offers six different floorplans in their Dodge camper van fleet.

Thor Promaster camper vans have luxury features such as LED lighting, microwaves in the kitchen, and complete bathroom setups with toilet, shower, and sink. They offer flexible floorplans which can accommodate adventure gear or additional dinette table seating.

The lowest-priced Thor model is $125,000 and they range up to $140,000.

Dodge Campervan Custom Builders

There are so many campervan companies out there! Here are a few that are established Promaster builders in the industry. Check out each company’s website for more information.

Remember to do your research before jumping into working with a custom van builder. Ask for references, tour the van build facility, and thoroughly discuss warranty and repair options should something go wrong.

Dave and Matt Vans

Since beginning in 2019, Dave and Matt Vans has grown to include huge team of builders in Rifle, Colorado. They work exclusively on Dodge campervan builds and have production down to a science. These guys also sell, finance, and rent Ram Promasters on site as well. Direct-to-consumer pricing starts at $85,995.

Glampervan

The team at Glampervan has a shop located in Oakland, California. They upfit Ram Promaster camper vans starting with a base price of $45,000. They work exclusively on the 136″ wheelbase Promaster, (for now). Watch a tour of one of their rigs on Instagram.

SoCal Custom Vans

Located in San Diego, SoCal Custom Vans works on all types of vans. Their Stargazer Promaster van has an incredible skylight for viewing the night sky and bringing the outside in.

Wayfarer Vans Dodge Promaster Conversion Kits

Wayfarer vans offer simple and modular layouts. All furniture inside the van can be moved and reconfigured using only a 9/16-in socket wrench. Additionally, these conversions are installed by their team at their Colorado Springs, CO facility.

Expert installers add your selected layout and features, and you’re on the road in a day or less. They also offer a pickup and delivery program that makes it convenient to get your conversion installed without needing to be in person.

You can either bring Wayfarer your own van, or buy a new one through their dealer partners (and, you can wrap the conversion price into the vehicle loan for one easy payment).

CampnCar

Based in Port Townsend, Washington, CampnCar builds full Dodge van camper conversions and customizable furnishings for all kinds of vehicles. They also offer partial builds if you only need support for some parts of your build. Check out their YouTube videos to see their Ram Promaster camper van transformations.

This quick Instagram video tour shows CampnCar’s hidden toilet, storage drawers, and the pull-out outdoor sink!

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A post shared by CAMP N CAR | Car & Van Camping (@campncar)

Drifter Vans

Drifter Vans out of Detroit has some talented designers on their team that help transform their creations into beautiful builds that ooze class and style. Check out the vans they have for sale, including both new and used vans, or book a consultation for a custom build.

Professional Builder Points to Consider

Several professional camper van builders offer partial builds in addition to their full build-out services. This can allow you to control some of the building, but leave certain tasks to the pros. For example, if you feel confident doing the carpentry of the cabinets, bed, and counters, but need some support with electrical, you can reach out to a professional conversion company and see what your options are.

Many professional builders have a waitlist or book out months to years in advance. If you plan to use a professional van building business, include the timeframe in your questions as you search.

DIY Ram Promaster Van Builds

A quick search of the #promastercampervan hashtag will show you just how popular this rig is for DIY conversions. They are known for being the most “square” of the popular cargo vans used for camper vans, which means they can be slightly simpler to build out than other vans with more rounded walls.

Dodge Cargo Vans are an affordable option, and a variety of used Promaster vans are available since they are common fleet vehicles.

A benefit to a DIY build is that you can design the space how you want it. You can break the conventional camper van mold and opt to put the kitchen in the rear or eliminate a bathroom if you would rather have more storage.

YouTube is a DIYers best friend! Many YouTube videos help guide your build or teach you new skills to create the van of your dreams. Or, you can check out Nate Murphy’s DIY Van build course, which also includes an electrical consultation and support:

Let’s check out a few sweet DIY Dodge Ram camper vans out on the road right now!

Crux and Beta Ram Promaster

Jess and Shawn, known on Instagram as @cruxandbeta have a beautifully built Dodge camper van with a gorgeous custom wood interior. They’ve also created a mobile van build and repair business and will travel to clients to help with partial van builds!

Skip and Jazz Ram Promaster

Skip and Jazz (@skipandjazz) are currently living in their second van build. Their van, named Fran, has an earth tone color scheme and the leather pulls on the drawers and cabinets match perfectly! Skip and Jazz dialed in their storage and design in this van after learning what their previous build was lacking. They also upgraded from the 136″ wheelbase to the 159″ and added a skylight.

Living in Advance Ram Promaster

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A post shared by Brandon & Sarah | Vanlife (@livinginadvance)

Brandon and Sarah (@livinginadvance) live in their Ram Promaster with their three, yes THREE, dogs! The interior is a bohemian motif and exudes peaceful vibes. These DIY pros are a lot of fun! With two people and multiple animals, they have discovered lots of places to sit and hang out in the van, even if it they weren’t built as seats.

The Hunters Van Life

The Hunters (@thehuntersvanlife) are a DIY van building couple that have completed a few builds for other nomads as well. They have a light and airy aesthetic that makes their Ram Promasters feel spacious and clean. The shower tiles add a pop of color and elegance, and the removable table and convertible dinette area quickly transform the rear of their van from day to night.

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A post shared by Ethan & Katelynn (@thehuntersvanlife)

The Hunters’ latest Dodge camper van conversion for Emily and Adam Hendren (@hendrenvanlife) is an awesome adventure rig with all the features, including a full bathroom, kitchen with an oven, and an arched bedroom entryway! Check out this video to see their vision come to life from an empty Ram Promaster cargo van to a luxury home on wheels!

DIY Dodge Camper Van Points to Consider

As you can see, there’s a lot of room for creativity with Dodge Ram camper vans.

The square-ish walls let you maximize the interior space and there’s plenty of room for storage whether you choose a fixed bed or a convertible dinette.

Adding a swivel seat automatically opens up the van and makes it feel bigger, too!

DIY is the best route if you have the time, the skills (or are willing to learn them), and the space.

Dodge Camper Van Review

A Ram camper van is an affordable and safe bet to get you on the road. Decide how much work you want to do, if any, and then consider your budget. Ram Promaster vans are solid choices, no matter if you choose a Class B, a professional build, or a DIY conversion.