Minivan campersIf you’re looking for a small campervan, you may want to check out the Toyota Sienna camper. Some van lifers are raving over these little vans thanks to their AWD (all-wheel-drive) capabilities and comfortable ride.
Minivan campers are easier to park and maneuver and get better gas mileage than their larger counterparts. But, in the United States, it’s hard to find really awesome small van builds.
Sometimes it seems like Europe gets all the cool vans, like these brand new VW camper vans.
Oasis campervans is trying to shake things up by offering affordable build-outs for the Toyota Sienna. The Colorado-based company is currently offering full and partial builds, the most expensive hitting $8,500.
Not bad for a minivan camper that sleeps two and includes an outdoor kitchen.
We’re going to tell you more about the Toyota Sienna campervan and all the bells and whistles of an Oasis van.
How is the Toyota Sienna camper’s size?
We just love how the memory foam bed folds up to reveal a chair for working or eating. Photo: Oasis campervans
While a minivan camper might seem too small to live in full-time, many would argue otherwise. My boyfriend Tom and I often live in our AWD Chevy Astro van, and I wouldn’t hesitate to add the Toyota Sienna to the list.
Amazingly enough, the Toyota Sienna and the Mercedes Sprinter camper vans are the only American vans to offer AWD, with the next iteration of the Ford Transit hopping on the bandwagon.
So, how does the Toyota Sienna minivan camper compare to other small camping vans?
Here’s how this van compares to smaller vans on the market like the Ford Transit Connect and the Ram Promaster City.
The Toyota Sienna is 16′, 8″ long and 6.5′ wide.
The Ford Transit Connect is 14′, 5″ long and 7′ wide.
The Ram Promaster City is 15′,5″ long and 6′ wide.
As you can see the Toyota Sienna is bigger than other small cargo vans popular amongst van lifer.
Oasis took advantage of this extra space and created a wonderful little van that sleeps two people. It also converts into a workspace, dining area and kitchen.
Check out these van rentals from Outdoorsy (plus a coupon)
Want to rent before you buy? Check out this selection of Outdoorsy vans. Use the coupon code wayward40 to get $40 off!
Oasis campervan’s full conversion
The folding bed and chair inside the Oasis Toyota Sienna camper
Oasis calls its full minivan campervan conversion the “Ein Gedi”, or 5-star hotel room on wheels. This build includes a full campervan kitchen, running water, a full-size bed, built-in chair, dining table and storage space.
This is also the most expensive conversion at $8,500, which is a steal when you think about the cost of a customer Sprinter van camper.
What’s really cool about this camper conversion is the memory foam bed folds up to make room during the day for hanging out, eating or working. A custom swivel table is a great spot for a laptop or a plate of food.
The outdoor kitchen is revealed with a pop of the back hatch, where you’ll find everything you need for cooking. There’s a little stainless steel sink and room for 1.5 gallons of water plus a gray water container. There’s also room for your portable 12-volt refrigerator or cooler.
If you’re not looking for a permanent camper, you can easily take out this conversion and put the original seats back in.
The Toyota Sienna camper partial conversion
The outdoor kitchen by Oasis is a creative use of space. Photo: Oasis campervans
Another option offered by Oasis campervans is its partial campervan conversion. This $5,000 Toyota Sienna camper conversion is built on the same platform as the Ein Gedi, with fewer add-ons.
This conversion, called the Crescent Lake, provides a kitchen, bed platform and storage space.
Just as with the full Toyota Sienna camper conversion, you’ll get the same outdoor kitchen for whipping up delicious campground meals.
With this version, you won’t get the robust living room the Ein Gedi offers. Instead, you’ll get storage cabinets and drawers.
You’ll get the bed and a bed platform, but no chair.
This version of a Toyota Sienna camper is perfect for someone on a budget or who wants to touch up their van with DIY campervan skills.
Oasis wants to build more minivan campers
The Toyota Sienna camper isn’t the only van Oasis has its eye on. The company started offering Dodge caravan camper conversions recently and is looking for people with Honda Odysseys, Chrystler Pacificas and Kia Sedonas.
If you’re looking for a small campervan that gets great gas mileage and is nimble, you might want to consider a minivan camper.
The Sienna gets up to 27 miles per gallon on the highway, with a combined gas mileage hitting about 22.
This van is perfect for up to two people, but would be cramped for a family.
Check out Oasis campervans here.
Other stories you’ll love:
- This pop-top van is the modern take on a VW camper
- How to build a DIY campervan
- The Free Bird Nissan NV200 camper is as cute as can be
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.
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