How Much Does a Camper Van Cost?

The interior of Everest, from altCamp’s Luxury Signature Collection.

So, you’re looking at buying a van. Exciting stuff! If you’ve gone ahead and Googled “camper van for sale” or hit up Facebook Marketplace just for funsies (we’ve all been there, right?), it can be a little daunting. Jokingly, my answer to “how much does a camper van cost?” is “how much do you want to spend?” because you can probably find one in that range.

But honestly, getting a converted camper van (in the United States at least) can run anywhere from $5,000 to $300,000. You read that right—$300,000. Why such a big range and what does the price actually get you? Let’s get into it.

What affects camper van prices?

The short answer: a lot of things. Location, mileage, chassis type, features, type of conversion, and even what platform you’re buying from. There are a ton of different variables, but these are some of the most common to help you navigate what’s worth the money versus what you might compromise on.

New vs used (plus mileage)

Just like with any vehicle, brand new converted vans fetch a significantly higher price than used ones. While people often call camper vans a home on wheels, they don’t gain value over time like a house does—the older a camper van is and the more mileage it has, the more it loses value.

Chassis choice (Mercedes Sprinter, Ram ProMaster, Ford Transit)

The chassis is the van base that a camper van is built on. While there are many different van options, the most common for conversions are the Mercedes Sprinter, Ram ProMaster, and Ford Transit. There are varying sizes for each of these and a lot of variables to consider, but the general rule of thumb is this: Sprinters come with a premium price, ProMasters are often the budget pick, and Transits fit somewhere in the middle.

Related article: Sprinter vs. Transit vs. ProMaster: Which Camper Van is Right for You?

DIY conversion vs. professional build

Working with a professional builder for a van conversion typically costs more than going the DIY route because you’re not just paying for the supplies, you’re paying for the builder’s time, their expertise, and assurance that they’re doing things right. Plus, if you’re working with a Mercedes Sprinter, a professional, certified Mercedes Expert Upfitter will also ensure that upgrading your new Sprinter doesn’t void the van’s factory warranty.

Working with a professional builder to get a custom conversion will be the most convenient way to get exactly what you want, but also the most expensive. If you’re feeling more hands-on and have the time to spare, going the DIY route can definitely save you some bucks, but it’s not an easy process. Buying a used, already converted van (either professionally or DIY’d by someone else) falls somewhere in the middle of the two, depending on your level of DIY.

Click here to locate a certified Mercedes-Benz Expert Upfitter near you.

Features

What features you want in a van is also a big component to how much you should expect to pay. If you’re looking for something that’s essentially just a bed and some storage to keep a camping stove, cooler, clothes, and gear, you can probably find that at a relatively low price tag. Now, if you’re looking for an off-grid home on wheels that looks cute to boot? Expect to pay more.

Entry-level options ($5,000–$60,000)

If you’re on a tight budget, don’t lose hope. The possibility of being a true “dirtbag vanlifer” and living rent-free is still possible, even if more people have been going the more luxurious route. As long as you don’t mind keeping things minimal or having an older, high-mileage vehicle, you can still get something that’s budget-friendly. Just keep in mind that in many cases, you get what you pay for.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly

• More hands-on for DIY builds

Cons:

• More likely to have something wrong with it or need repairs

• Older/higher mileage

• Probably won’t have all the “extras”

• May take more work to build out or maintain

• Likely out of warranty

Mid-range builds ($80,000–$150,000)

This is where we start getting into bougie territory. If you’re looking for an already built-out camper van (or plan to do it well yourself) with most, if not all, the comforts of home that looks nice and has under 100k miles, this would probably be the range I’d expect to pay. These may or may not have a shower, toilet, or air conditioning. With this budget, you could probably buy a new van and work with a professional build company to get a pretty nice camper van (depending on the builder and chassis) or find some good options on the used market.

One upper-end example of this type of mid-range build would be a pre-built Winnebago Solis Pocket, which starts at $143,475.

Pros:

• Lots of options available

• Can get a reliable, professionally built-out vehicle

• Generally lower mileage and more features

Cons:

• More expensive than a budget camper van

• May have to compromise on a few details (shower, upgraded suspension, extra solar power, etc.)

Contact our friends at Vanspeed Shop, to learn more about mid to high-end custom van conversions.

High-end luxury vans ($200,000–$300,000)

If you want all the bells and whistles for your luxury home on wheels and don’t mind paying a premium for it, this is the type of conversion van you want. For this price range, you’re typically looking at a real beaut. Think: lifted, extended wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter with four-wheel drive, and all the internal and external modifications you can think of. There’s still a lot of variations in this type of van with different floor plans, amenities, and priorities, but this is top-of-the-line stuff.

As an example, altCamp’s Signature Collection vans, when new, have an MSRP in the low to mid $200,000s.

Pros:

• All the amenities you could want

• The classic Sprinter look that you see on Instagram

• Enhanced off-grid capabilities

• Comprehensive warranties on the chassis, build, and components

Cons:

• Extremely expensive

Should you rent or buy?

If you want luxury weekend getaways on the road, but your eyes just glazed over reading the $200,000 price tag, there is another option: renting.

Advantages of renting first

If you’ve never done van life before, but want to take the leap, I always recommend people rent first. Living out of a van for an extended period is a big adjustment, and honestly, it’s not for everyone. If you’re not sure, renting a camper van for a weekend or even a couple of weeks is a whole lot cheaper than a full van investment. Plus, when you rent, you can discover what features you actually use and which ones you could live without.

Personally, after renting a couple of different van styles, I found that I didn’t need a shower, but being able to fully stand up was essential.

Cost comparison for occasional vs. full-time use

If you already know that full-time isn’t for you, but love to weekend-warrior it in a van, then renting a van might be more cost-effective than buying your own. If you’re just planning a couple trips per year, the cost of owning a camper van (with insurance, registration, storage, and regular maintenance) might not be worth it.

Conclusion

I know that there are a lot of options here and I haven’t given you one hard answer for what to do. At the end of the day, no matter how much you want to spend on your rig, what matters is that you can enjoy your time exploring and getting outside. So whatever your budget, you can make the most of it and we’ll see you out there!