Once you’ve decided to take the plunge and embark on building a van, the first thing you’ll have to figure out is what kind of van you want. As you do your research, you’ll likely see loads of beautiful Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit van conversions on Instagram! Still, a Ram ProMaster Conversion is definitely worth considering.
Although ProMasters don’t get as much attention, they’re affordable, reliable, and can make great camper vans. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the ProMaster van and check out some companies that specialize in producing amazing ProMaster conversions.
We’ll also look at the pros and cons of a Ram ProMaster camper van so you’ll have a clear idea of what you might be getting into. Let’s dive in!
Check out campervan rentals by owner on Outdoorsy! These van rentals are a great way to test out a van before you buy. Test out Sprinters, Ford Transits, vintage VW and Dodge Promasters. All types of cool vans are on here. Use the coupon code wayward40 to get $40 off any van rental with Outdoorsy.
![Rent a Campervan! [$40 Off!]](https://www.thewaywardhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Sprinter-Van-Outdoorsy.jpg)
Table of Contents
Why Choose a Ram ProMaster Camper?
The Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit are both great vans, but more and more van lifers are turning to the Ram ProMaster. After all, there has to be a reason why so many Class B campers are based on the ProMaster, including the Winnebago Travato and Roadtrek Zion.
Although the largest ProMaster is substantially shorter than an equivalent Sprinter, it’s still got plenty of space inside and it’ll cost a lot less. Plus, the ProMaster’s boxy shape makes it ideal for a van conversion.
Add in the fact that you’ll average around 18 miles/gallon on the freeway, and it’s little surprise that the ProMaster is gaining in popularity.
There isn’t a 4WD Ram ProMaster, nor is there a diesel option. Still, the powerful 3.6L V6 engine has a proven track record and will last a long time.
The Ram ProMaster isn’t likely to dethrone the Sprinter as king of #vanlife on Instagram anytime soon, but we think it looks pretty cool all the same.
Later in this article, you’ll see some ProMaster conversions that might make you forget about Sprinters altogether!
As with any van, there are several different models available, and figuring out the difference between them can get pretty confusing! Let’s take a look at the dimensions of different Ram ProMaster vans:
| Model | Interior Height | Interior Width | Exterior Length | Conversion Length | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVRW) |
| 118″ Wheelbase 1500 Low Roof | 66.3″ | 75.6″ | 195″ | 106.7″ | 8,550 lbs |
| 136″ Wheelbase 1500 Low Roof | 66.3″ | 75.6″ | 213″ | 122.8″ | 8,550 lbs |
| 136″ Wheelbase 1500 High Roof | 77.1″ | 75.6″ | 213″ | 122.8″ | 8,550 lbs |
| 136″ Wheelbase 2500 High Roof | 77.1″ | 75.6″ | 213″ | 122.8″ | 8,900 lbs |
| 159″ Wheelbase 2500 High Roof | 77.1″ | 75.6″ | 236″ | 146″ | 8,900 lbs |
| 159″ Wheelbase 3500 High Roof | 77.1″ | 75.6″ | 236″ | 146″ | 9,350 lbs |
| 159″ Extended 3500 High Roof | 77.1″ | 75.6″ | 250″ | 160.2″ | 9,350 lbs |
6 Awesome Ram ProMaster Conversion Companies
Once you’ve decided on a Ram Promaster for your van life adventures, the prospect of converting it yourself can be pretty intimidating.
Even if you know exactly how you want your dream machine’s layout to look, you might not feel comfortable with the idea of working with power tools and complex electrical systems. Plus, not everyone has the space or time to convert a camper van.
Luckily, there are tons of companies that offer conversion kits, many of them specializing in ProMasters. You’ll end up spending more money than if you’d converted the van yourself, but you’ll be getting a beautiful camper van that you’ll definitely be able to rely on!
Sportsmobile
Sportsmobile is a trusted company that’s been specializing in van conversions since 1961. These guys have years of experience and really know what they’re doing! Sportsmobile will convert just about any van and offer a wide range of services for Ram ProMasters.
You can choose from numerous standard packages, all of which come equipped with van life essentials like a sink with a pull-out faucet, propane stove, and Norcold 12-volt fridge.
You also have the option to design your own floor plan, using an online design tool, and you’re free to choose from almost endless add-ons, including insulated panels for windows and doors, hot water heaters, and even a toilet/shower compartment.
One of Sportsmobile’s signature features is its pop-top roof, which is ideal for low roof ProMasters. The pop-top raises full-level, rather than on a slant, and includes LED lighting, a comfy campervan mattress, and side windows for ventilation.
Cascade Custom Vans
Based in Bend, Oregon, Cascade Custom Vans is known to produce some of the prettiest and most Instagrammable van conversions around. That’s not to say their vans are all style over substance, though – you’ll have everything you need for van life in a beautiful yet well-designed package.
Cascade Custom Vans can convert your Ram ProMaster in as little as six weeks, but they’re usually booked out at least a year in advance. You can expect to pay around $55,000 for a 136″ wheelbase van or upwards of $65,000 for a 159″ wheelbase.
That said, you really get what you pay for. The company uses high-end materials and finishes and will stay in touch with updates throughout the conversion process.
A standard conversion package includes wood cabinets and ceilings, a 2-burner stovetop, fridge, solar panels, wiring, and much more. You can also completely customize your van to your heart’s desire.
Vanworks
Fort Collins, Colorado-based Vanworks has been in business since 1978 and has converted thousands of vans, so you know you’re in good hands.
Depending on your conversion, turnaround times can be pretty quick, so this could be a great option if you’re desperate to get out on the road as quickly as possible! You can provide your own vehicle or choose from one of the company’s brand new ProMasters.
Vanworks offers a popular conversion package for the Ram ProMaster called Base Camp, which comes fully loaded with tons of awesome features. You’ll get Thinsulate insulation throughout, LED lighting, and a 36″ aluminum kitchen galley with a manual pump faucet and beautiful bamboo countertops.
A removable platform bed also comes a standard, as well as a Goal Zero Yeti solar generator and ample storage compartments. As you’d expect, there are endless add-ons including a diesel heater, campervan awning, and swivel seats.
Glampervan
If you’re looking for a company that specializes in Ram ProMaster conversions, Glampervan could be the way to go. This Oakland, California-based outfit only works on the 136″ wheelbase High Roof ProMaster from 2014 onward, and aims to produce high-quality, affordable conversions by offering set designs.
Glampervan’s MUV conversion is a two-person “multi-use vehicle” that’s designed to be used as either a camper or a hauler. The Murphy bed can be stowed, providing plenty of cargo space, which could be a fantastic solution for part-time van dwellers who want to be able to use their van when they aren’t living in it.
There are three MUV options, ranging from a Core build to a Deluxe build, and you can expect to pay between $40,000 and $80,000. All Glampervan conversions include a large memory foam mattress, 3-layer insulation, cassette toilet, and fantastic LED lighting. You’ll also get a kitchen, an electrical system, and much more.
Van Specialities
Based in Tualatin, Oregon, Van Specialities is another awesome company that’s been in the van conversion business for a long time. They’ve been converting vans for adventurers and businesses since 1973 and can work on just about any vehicle, including the Ram ProMaster.
Van Specialities will work with you to design a van conversion that’s exactly what you want, and the company offers just about any feature you can think of.
For the van’s exterior, you can choose from a range of windows, ladders, and roof racks, and they’ll even add unique graphics if that’s your thing.
When it comes to the van’s interior, there’s a staggering array of options for campervan beds, storage, heating, and batteries. The best place to start is the Van Specialities website, which has a cool quote generator tool. This will help you get an idea of what you’ll be getting into financially before you start committing to a conversion.
Creative Mobile Interiors
If you want a gorgeous, high-end Ram ProMaster conversion, Creative Mobile Interiors could be your best bet. Based in Grove City, Ohio, this company offers no set designs, preferring to tailor each conversion to the customer’s specific needs.
The team of artisans, engineers, and craftsmen have decades of experience and build almost every element of your ProMaster conversion from scratch. Creative Mobile Interiors uses high-quality plywood and cabinetry that’s engineered to minimize weight while maintaining structural integrity.
All fuel tanks, plumbing, and electrical systems are incorporated to provide safe and easy access, and the company specializes in adding extra seating for van life families.
Turnaround time for a Creative Mobile Interiors conversion is between two and four months and they’ll even help you find a vehicle.
8 Cool DIY ProMaster Conversions
Although space is limited inside a camper van, there are endless ways to configure your conversion.
One of the best things to do when you’re perfecting your camper van design is to spend time checking out other people’s vans on Instagram and Pinterest. You might not love everything about a particular design, but there’s bound to be one feature that’ll grab your attention.
We’ve found some beautiful and inspiring Ram ProMaster conversions to help get your creative juices flowing!
LivingInAdvance
Sarah and Brandon live in their beautiful ProMaster 3500 Extended conversion with their three dogs Kissy, Ziggy, and Koi.
Their van is super-cozy inside, with recessed LED lights on a fader switch, a table with comfy seating, and a fixed bed at the rear. There’s an awesome kitchen in the passenger side, with a deep sink, stovetop, and extra counter space that folds down. We love the tile backsplash above the big fridge on the other side.
There’s loads of storage inside the van as well as outside storage under the bed. The outdoor van life shower is a great addition that’s ideal for cleaning dogs and humans! Sarah and Brandon also installed solar panels on the roof as well as a wonderful deck.
Acrovan Adventures
Chris and Jessie spent a year converting their 2019 ProMaster 159″ Wheel Base High Roof Extended van. This awesome conversion boasts 600 watts of solar, a 12.2-gallon propane tank, and a 42-gallon water tank, so it’s ideal for off-grid adventures.
The couple spent a long time designing their layout before starting to build, and it definitely shows. The beautiful kitchen has wooden counters, an oven, and propane burners hidden under a wooden cover. There’s tons of storage inside, including a hidden wine rack, as well as an amazing wet bath with a sliding door. Our favorite feature is the hammock that attaches to the van’s roof!
The Hunters Vanlife
Ethan and Katelynn sold everything to pursue their van life dreams. They converted a 2018 Ram ProMaster 3500 Extended High Roof van, and the results are truly gorgeous.
The passenger side kitchen features a 3-burner cooktop, wood counters, and plenty of storage. There’s a great wet bath with a sliding door behind the driver’s seat and recessed LED lights throughout. What we really love is the elevated U-shaped dinette at the rear of the van.
The couple cut a green tea-infused memory foam campervan mattress to make the seating cushions, and the dinette converts to a comfy bed with loads of storage underneath. With a pair of 300-watt Renogy solar panels on the roof, this van is fully equipped for off-grid living.
Enweille Dans Van
Em and Antho spent $16,700 on their ProMaster conversion, and the results are stunning. This ProMaster 2500 High Roof has everything you could possibly want in a van, including a shower, toilet, and loads of well-designed storage.
There’s even a ceiling-mounted projector for movie nights! The amazing kitchen has plenty of wooden countertop space, with an oven on one side of the van and a sink and induction cooktop on the other. At the rear of the van, a comfy and spacious dinette area converts to a comfy bed, and wood paneling throughout keeps things cozy.
Allison Bove
Allison Bove’s Ram ProMaster conversion is proof that you don’t have to spend outrageous amounts of money on your van. Allison’s conversion cost just $4,372 and she completed the whole thing herself, with a little help from family and friends.
The conversion features a beautiful kitchen with a tile backsplash, wooden countertops, and a large sink. We love the cozy vibe inside – there’s a wood ceiling, rugs, and curtains to keep things feeling homey.
Allison installed a 100-watt solar panel as well as a GoWise Power 1500W pure sine wave inverter, so she can use her electrical system to run household appliances. There’s a fixed bed with interior and exterior storage underneath, and a wonderful roof deck for 360-degree views.
The Darling Dirtbag
Sarah Wallace and her dog Banjo live in Vanna White, her entirely self-converted Ram ProMaster 2500. We love how much thought went into this Ram ProMaster conversion – Sarah obviously did a lot of planning and research.
There are two zones of LED lights on dimmer switches, and two Maxxair rooftop fans, as well as vent windows that keep things nice and fresh inside. Sarah used spruce for the ceilings and countertops, and the super-deep kitchen sink has an extendable faucet that can be used as a shower.
There’s a fixed bed at the rear of the van, as well as tons of overhead storage cabinets. For power, the van has 400 watts of solar, as well as a 2500W inverter.
Always the Adventure
Amber McDaniel is a writer and rock climber who lives in her self-converted 159″ Wheelbase Ram ProMaster 3500.
This cool ProMaster conversion features huge exterior storage space with an amazing shoe rack and plenty of room for her Amber’s climbing gear. We really like the rustic look she’s created in this camper van. All the wooden cabinet doors make this look like a cozy cabin on wheels!
There’s a double kitchen sink on the passenger side with plenty of storage and huge water tanks underneath. On the opposite side, a Dometic fridge slides out from a neat compartment and there’s a stovetop with loads of counter space. As with most Ram ProMaster conversions, the fixed bed is set up so Amber can sleep across the width of the van.
Exploring in a Van
Chelsea and Scott are a husband and wife team who converted their Ram ProMaster 3500 and hit the road in 2019.
Affectionately referred to as “Nellie,” this Ram ProMaster conversion has an incredible 610 watts of solar on the roof, as well as a pair of 100 amp-hour lithium batteries. The couple also installed an under-mount propane tank for their stove, furnace, and hot water heater.
The van conversion is beautiful, with wooden counters, clean lines, and atmospheric lighting all adding to the homey vibe. The interior layout features a huge sink and a 2-burner cooktop, as well as plenty of intelligent storage.
There’s also a neat foldaway table with a padded seat and a wet bath. What more could you ask for?!
Ram ProMaster Conversion Kits
DIY camper van conversion kits are growing in popularity, and for good reason. A conversion kit offers the ideal middle ground between doing absolutely everything yourself and having to pay a premium for a company to do the work.
Although there aren’t as many options for a Ram ProMaster van as there are for a Ford Transit or Sprinter, you can expect that to change as the ProMaster continues to rise in popularity.
Wayfarer Vans
Wayfarer Vans is a really cool company based in Colorado and Nevada. They specialize in producing fully modular conversions involving minimal permanent alterations to the van, and offer a number of options, mainly for Ram ProMasters.
If you’re planning on a simple, minimalist approach, Wayfarer Vans offers an affordable DIY kit for the Ram ProMaster City Cargo van. This well-designed modular kit only takes a few hours to install, and there are helpful videos if you get stuck.
The kit costs around $5,000 and includes durable insulation panels, flooring, storage boxes with seat cushions, and a sturdy table that folds up against the interior wall. Designed for two people, the boxes transform into a bed platform that couldn’t be easier to put together.
Trail Kitchens
Based in Truckee, California, Trail Kitchens specializes in camp kitchens, storage boxes, portable showers, and much more. The company produces really well-made gear that’s ideal for van life and offers a growing collection of lightweight, fully modular DIY conversion kits.
The focus here is on your van’s kitchen, plumbing, and storage and the kit can be an excellent way to start your ProMaster conversion. The Van Kitchen costs $2,665 and includes a 14-gallon water system, sink, stove, and sprayer/faucet. There’s also the option to add a water heater for comfortable showering.
Trail Kitchens offers all kinds of optional extras, including a slider-mounted fridge and wheel well storage solutions.
Inner Space
Inner Space is a camper van conversion company based in Atlanta. The company offers standard and custom builds, and their work is truly beautiful.
Inner Space has recently started producing DIY kits, and although they’re still in the testing phase you can get on the list! There’s a 2-person kit for the 136-inch wheelbase ProMaster, and a 4-person kit for the 159-inch wheelbase ProMaster, each of which features an intelligent modular design. Everything can be modified, but the kit iOS is based on a tried-and-tested layout.
You’ll get a fixed bed, pull-out dining table, and cushioned storage benches. There’s also an awesome kitchen with a tile backsplash and a 2-burner propane cooktop. Additional options include an awning, heater, net fans, and hot shower.
Pros and Cons of a Ram ProMaster Conversion Camper
When it comes to choosing a camper van, everyone has different needs. You’ll not only need to decide on the size of your van, but you’ll also have to ask yourself whether you need to be able to stand in your van, whether you’re going to need a 4×4 drivetrain, and what kind of fuel you’d prefer to use. And that’s before you even start thinking about your interior layout! Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of a Ram ProMaster for van life.
Pros of a Ram ProMaster Camper
- Relatively affordable. Compared with a Sprinter or Ford Transit van, a Ram ProMaster is a much more affordable option. You’ll pay thousands of dollars less, especially if you buy a used van. Not only that, you’re more likely to actually find a used ProMaster, seeing as they aren’t as popular as other vans.
- Cheap and plentiful parts. This is huge for the budget-conscious traveler. ProMaster parts are cheap and readily available, seeing as they’re also used in Jeeps, Chryslers, and Ram trucks. Unlike Sprinters, you won’t need to find a dealership if something goes wrong – a ProMaster is much easier to work on.
- Square shape. Many folks see the ProMaster as the ultimate van for conversions. That’s because it’s near-vertical walls maximize interior space. Best of all, the ProMaster is much wider than a Sprinter or Transit, so you can sleep comfortably across the van.
- Roof Space. Thanks to that square shape and generous dimensions, you’ve got a ton of roof space to play with. There’s more than enough room for solar panels, vent fans, and a sweet roof deck.
- Front-wheel drive. Although you can’t get a 4WD Ram ProMaster, there’s a lot to be said for this front-wheel drive van. With the right tires, you can go just about anywhere in a ProMaster. Plus, this van will handle really well in snowy conditions, seeing as the majority of the vehicle’s weight sits over the front tires.
Cons of a Ram ProMaster Conversion Camper
- Low resale value. This might not be too much of a concern for many people. However, your ProMaster definitely won’t hold its value like a Sprinter.
- Parts are cheaply made. This is the flip side of cheap and readily available parts. You’ll most likely have to deal with small things breaking or rattling, and the sliding door is notoriously noisy and hard to close.
- Uncomfortable driver’s seat. The driver’s seat wasn’t designed with van lifers in mind! It’s notoriously uncomfortable and offers no lumbar support.
- Few customization options. As we’ve seen, companies are starting to produce custom products for ProMaster conversions, but you’ll have a hard time finding lots of custom-designed gear that Sprinter owners take for granted.
Conclusion on Ram ProMaster Conversion Campers
A Ram ProMaster is a great choice for budget-conscious van lifers who want a van that’s affordable and easy to convert. As we’ve seen, you can create a beautiful van conversion with a ProMaster that’ll be the toast of Instagram!
If you’re looking for a van that has plenty of space and is wide enough to install a fixed bed at the rear, the Ram ProMaster could definitely be the way to go. It’s a basic and dependable vehicle with a powerful engine, although there are no frills involved and it might rattle a bit. Still, with the right tires, a Ram ProMaster will get you just about anywhere you want to go.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article on Ram ProMaster Conversion campers! Feel free to leave any questions in the comments section below.
Leave a Reply