Camper vans are everywhere these days as people jump on the van life trend. If you’re lusting over van life but don’t want to build out your own DIY camper van….you’re in luck.
Two custom van build companies are now offering Ram Promaster campers that are more affordable than some other custom builds, which can easily get up over $100,000.
These custom Dodge camper van companies do all the heavy lifting.
They figure out the woodwork, solar power, the electrical system and the campervan kitchen for your Ram Promaster camper so you can buy and start adventuring immediately.
Both are using the new Dodge Ram Promaster, which starts around $27,000.
Then, the builds range from $25,000-$50,000 depending on how many bells and whistles you want for your Dodge camper van conversion.
Check out these van conversion ideas for your new camper van build.
Rent a campervan before you buy ($40 off!)
Renting a campervan before you buy is a great way to try out a van. Use the coupon code wayward40 to get $40 off any van rental with Outdoorsy. (Click here to browse campervan rentals near you)
This is a great way to see exactly what you need in your camper van conversion and what length and type of van you need. It’s way cheaper than buying a van you regret!
Glampervan builds you a custom Ram Promaster camper with a rooftop deck
Glampervan is based out of San Francisco, California, and is the brainchild of Robert Novotny. He used to rent out Dodge Ram Promaster camper vans and then decided to start selling the Dodge Promaster 136 High Roof vans as a custom van build. This is the medium size model in the lineup of Promaster vans.
“One thing I learned from my rental business is that people appreciate small camper vans,” Novotny said. “They care about driveability and stealthiness, not a big RV footprint. I decided on the Dodge Promaster camper van because you can still stand up inside, it has a great turning radius, and you can sleep sideways in it.”
Two cool features of Novotny’s Dodge campervan builds is that they come with a queen-sized memory foam Murphy bed, plus a rooftop “deck” for hanging out.
The Dodge Promaster vans also come with a full campervan kitchen, including a 12-volt fridge, stainless steel sink, cabinets and drawers. There’s no installed camping stove, though, so you’ll have to provide your own.
Also, the Dodge camper van comes with plenty of storage space, including your very own “garage” under the bed, where you can store gear you don’t use on a regular basis.
“We’re not trying to be everything, just to include what you need,” said Novotny. “So many RVs and the bigger, luxury vans are trying to do it all, we’re trying to compete with your car camping days, your tent camping days.”
So how about paying for this Dodge camper van conversion?
“What you can do is finance the Promaster van with the dealership, put the conversion amount on a credit card, then refinance the entire amount and reclassify the van as an RV. That way, you can get a long-term, low-interest loan so it becomes really affordable,” said Novotny.
Off-Grid Adventure Vans builds an eco-friendly Dodge camper van
Off Grid Adventure Vans is located near Washington, DC, and is committed to creating a budget-friendly Dodge Promaster camper van that’s also good to the environment.
On its website, OGAVans says: “All of the wood in our vans is harvested from stable local forests and processed from a Mennonite mill just an hour away from our manufacturing facility. Our vans come standard with 115w of solar power on the roof so you can live comfortably with minimal use of fossil fuels.”
These Dodge camper vans are constructed by a team of experienced outdoor enthusiasts who are carpenters, electricians and designers.
“We strive to maintain the highest environmental standard possible and as such go out of our way to use products that do not give off volatile organic compounds,” said owner Aaron Fensterheim.
Off-Grid Adventure vans offers FOUR different options for standard campervan conversions. Both of these Dodge camper conversions utilize the 159′ wheelbase.
Here’s some of what you’ll get in the base model of their standard conversions:
- Full size Murphy bed
- Storage benches and cabinets
- Removable table
- Solid natural wood walls
- Solar setup
- Full kitchen
Keep in mind that some of the photos and videos of these Dodge camper vans below do contain upgrades.
Upgrades include an outdoor shower, hot water, a composting toilet, spray foam insulation, and much, much more.
You can do more research at Off Grid Adventures Vans.
Here are some of the standard conversions they offer, which are much more affordable than custom Dodge camper vans.
The Rambler Standard Conversion
OGAVans Rambler Dodge camper van conversion starts at $34,000. This van comes with a fold-down Murphy bed to utilize space in the back for things like bikes, surfboards, dog crates, you name it.
The Summit Dodge Promaster Camper
The Summit Dodge camper van conversion starts art $35,000 and is different from the Rambler in that it has a full platform bed.
It includes the same off-grid technology as the Rambler, including solar panels, an inverter, a kitchen, propane tank, etc.
The Vagabond Ram Promaster Camper Conversion
The Vagabond Standard Conversion is built using the 159′ Extended Dodge Ram Promaster.
It includes a platform campervan bed with garage space underneath. You’ll also get lots of storage cabinets, a 26-gallon freshwater tank, a full solar setup and a large 80-liter fridge.
The Sandstone Standard Conversion
The Sandstone Dodge Ram Promaster campervan conversion is a gorgeous build with an extra-large convertible bed. Do your work at the table during the day, then stretch out in comfort at night.
This Dodge camper van build starts at $38,000 and is great for people looking for a little more space in their vans.
You’ll get eight custom cushions, tons of storage space, a removable table, kitchen and solar setup.
Custom Dodge Camper Van Conversions
If you want to go above and beyond a standard conversion, you can also order a custom van from OGAVans.
These vans typically cost $5,000-$10,000 more than a standard conversion. Customers work directly with the team to design and layout a Dodge campervan that suits their every need.
If you’re interested, these conversions can also be applied to a Ford Transit or Mercedes Sprinter.
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Why Dodge Ram Promaster camper conversions?
Dodge Promaster campervans are a popular for a couple reasons. One big deciding factor is they are much more affordable than their high-top van cousins.
Here’s why OGAVans started out with Dodge Promaster campers:
“There are two primary reasons we went with the Ram Promaster as our primary vehicle,” said Fensterheim. “The Dodge Promaster is the only front-wheel-drive van on the market; and the Dodge Promaster is a quality van that is considerably less in both the initial purchase price and overall cost of ownership than the Sprinter camper van, the other van we have investigated.”
Still too expensie? It is possible to finance the entire Dodge van conversion from the van dealership OGVans works with, called DARCARS.
Don’t want a full Promaster camper van custom build?
Wayfarer vans sells a Dodge Promaster campervan kit that’s less expensive than a full campervan build-out. The Walter campervan conversion kit is meant for the 136″ wheelbase Dodge Ram Promaster.
Here’s what you’ll get with the Wayfarer vans Dodge Ram Promaster camper kit, which costs $8,795
- Flooring
- Integrated cargo management tracks
- wall and ceiling paneling with wool insulation
- perimeter shelving
- a kitchen galley with 5-gallon fresh and grey water tanks
- sink and hand pump
- bed platform
- privacy paneling
Read more about Wayfarer vans here. The company also offers a campervan conversion kit for a Dodge Promaster City, if you’re looking for a small camper van.
Get started with your DIY Promaster van build right now
If you’re ready to start building your own DIY Promaster 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 van.
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:
- 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.
Good luck with your build, whether you do it yourself or get a custom van build.
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- Specifications for 10 popular vans
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Kristin Hanes is a journalist who founded The Wayward Home as a place to learn about alternative living. She currently lives on a sailboat and in a Chevy Astro van, and has written articles about alternative living published in Good Housekeeping, Business Insider, Marie Claire and SF Gate. Read more about Kristin here.
Timothy Gillespie says
Just bought my first Dodge Ram Promaster 2500 High Roof 159WB at 63 Years old and looking forward to many adventures. I will follow your page a swell.
Ginny says
I am 61 and thinking about doing it also! Trying to decide exactly what I need to make my van customized for me.
Kristin says
That’s exciting, Ginny! Good luck!
TEFL-consulting services says
Thanks for finally talking about >Ram Promaster Camper Vans:
Two custom builds for $60,000 <Loved it!
Edward A DeAvila says
We have sold all in the us (Oakland). Now live in México. Want to be able to visit family on both coasts as well as in Mexico. We’ll need a wet bath. Planning to be in Bay Area soon. Liked your set up.
Ed de avila says
Sold all in the Bay Area. Now live in México (the other San Francisco). Want to b able to visit family on bh casts as well as in Mexico. Middle/high range van seems like a good idea. Do not plan to live in vehicle except during travel. P o buy something on the west coast.