Best 4×4 Camper Van? (8 Off-Road Favorites)

A 4×4 camper van provides perhaps the best combination of comfort and maneuverability of any type of adventure vehicle. They are big enough to feasibly travel in them for extended periods of time but also small enough to be able to drive nearly anywhere, especially with the 4×4 capability. There are many different options for 4×4 camper vans, but we’ve rounded up some of the most popular.

Here are 8 of the best 4×4 camper vans:

1. Sportsmobile Ford Transit with Quigley 4×4

Price: $85,000+

Sportsmobile has long been a leader in the recreational vehicle industry, and they bring their customary level of excellence to their 4×4 vans. They now offer the ability to order a Ford Transit with Quigley 4×4 for shipment directly to two Sportsmobile locations. Quigley is the only company that is qualified by Ford’s Special Vehicle Engineering program to add 4×4 systems on Transit vans.

As far as the van conversion itself, you can choose from a standard Sportsmobile package or choose to customize your own design. The company prides itself on offering the most options of any recreational vehicle company and you can truly customize your camper van to your exact specifications.

Pros:

• Reasonably priced
• Tons of options for customization
• Sportsmobile has over 50 years of industry experience
• Sportsmobile can order the van for you or you can order it on your own
• 5 year warranty
• Financing available through Sportsmobile

Cons:

• $2,000 non-refundable deposit
• 8-14 month timeframe

More Info: sportsmobile.com

2. TouRig Custom 4×4 Sprinter

Price: $70,000+

TouRig does not offer van purchasing, but they can advise you on OEM options that will be most suitable for a conversion. However, TouRig has partnered with Mercedes-Benz and created a training program that aligns with the manufacturer’s Master Up-Fitter program in order to provide the pinnacle of quality.

Each of their van conversions is customized to the van owner for maximum satisfaction, with emphasis on durability, functionality, and keeping the build lightweight.

The build process starts with an initial consultation in which you can discuss ideas for your dream van, get a price estimate, and receive an up-to-date timeline estimate based on TouRig’s current production schedule.

Pros:

• Each build is fully custom
• 3 year warranty
• Excellent customer service
• Industry leading off road vendor partners for best possible gear
• TouRig conversions are built to withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions

Cons:

• $3,000 deposit (fully refundable until 30 days prior to projected start date)
• 6 month lead time as of late 2020 + approximately 90 days for conversion

More Info: mytourig.com

3. Winnebago Revel 4×4

Price: $185,838+

I spoke with Jeff (@pikeventure), the proud owner of a 2020 Winnebago Revel 4×4, to get the insider scoop on this rig. I asked him how he chose a Revel over all other 4×4 vans and here’s what he shared:

“The van market is hot right now! I saved for 2.5 years and had my name in at Mercedes for a 4×4 cargo van to build out myself and still didn’t get one. I visited a few van shows to check out builders. At that time most of them were a 18-24 month wait and some serious change. My wife and I also knew we wanted a bathroom. We do lots of backpacking and camping in a roof top tent in our Land Cruiser.

The van was our way of staying out of the PNW rain and having a few camping trips without the digging of holes. Then comes along the Revel. Short wait time, 4×4, pop outs for sideway sleeping and a bathroom. Checked a lot of boxes for us. We recently worked from the van for 6 weeks while traversing the western United States and it unlocked a whole other world we would have otherwise been unable to experience!”

I also asked Jeff to share some of his favorite features of the Revel and he highlighted the fact that the van is ready to go out of the box with a truly off grid solar power system, the super-efficient diesel heater, the heat elements that wrap all plumbing components to prevent freezing, and the convenient dual indoor/outdoor shower options.

Jeff summarized his experience with this rig with the following pros and cons:

“Pros:

• Out of the box ready
• 4 season, off grid rig
• Lifting bed allows for a large garage area 
• Plenty of storage
• The 144” length allows you to park anywhere 
• Mercedes chassis and 4×4 is amazing

Cons:

• The interior is built by an RV company. With that comes RV quality. I’ve had water leaks and little gremlins, etc. Be ready for this. 
• The 3 AGM batteries only have a few years’ lifespan. They fixed this with lithium in 2021.
• Because of the bathroom it is very cramped inside. Positive and negative.”

Featured image at top of page credit: Jeff (@pikeventure)

More Info: www.winnebago.com

4. Vandoit Ford Transit with Quigley 4×4

Price: $48,800+

Vandoit takes a more modular approach to their van conversions, offering two core Ford Transit conversion packages that are customizable. These modular arrangements allow for seating of up to 11 people, or the extra seats can be removed to create more living or work space.

Vandoit also offers Quigley 4×4 for Transit vans, which conveniently does not nullify the Ford Transit Factory warranty. They offer some interesting features such as a hydraulic bed lift, removable murphy beds, folding bed leaf, a gear slide garage, skeleton track mounting system, and so forth.

Also read: 10 Best Ford Transit Van Conversion Companies

Their conversions are excellent if you want to occasionally travel in your van but also use it for hauling people, as a mobile office, or as a daily driver, but they can also be customized for full-time van travel. Vandoit vans are a bit more barebones than the previous options on this list but sometimes that’s all you need!

Pros:

• Affordable
• Modular design
• Van can be used for multiple purposes
• Can seat up to 11 people
• Tons of add-ons available

Cons:

• No permanent indoor toilet/shower option – outdoor shower and removable toilet only
• Only two core designs to choose from
• Not as optimized for luxurious full-time travel

More Info: www.vandoit.com

5. Storyteller Overland MODE Series 4×4 Sprinter

Price: $150,000+

Storyteller Overland offers three different packages in their MODE series: Classic, Stealth, and Beast. Each of these three come with different options, although the overarching theme is thoughtful, uncluttered, intuitive designs that allow you to seamlessly shift between adventure modes (see what they did there?). 

The base model Classic MODE comes with a large counter space and sink, a 56” wide bed, a sonic wedge for less air resistance, a hot water recirculation system, plenty of USB outlets, bug screens, and super efficient air conditioning. The Stealth and Beast MODES come with varying levels of upgrades that include things like beefier rims, a full-size spare tire, fender kits, spoilers, graphics, and so on.

Pros:

• Three options to choose from
• Pre-designed so you don’t have to make tons of decisions
• Super clean interiors
• Rugged outdoor options on higher packages

Cons:

• Not very customizable
• No designated bathroom space
• Expensive for non-customized designs

More Info: www.storytelleroverland.com

6. Outside Van Custom 4×4 Sprinter

Price: ~$100,000+ (based on third party reports)

Outside Van offers both custom van builds as well as some one-of-a-kind builds that are ready to roll immediately. You can opt to buy a Sprinter through Outside Van or have them convert a van that you already own. For custom builds, the options are nearly endless.

Each van includes their premium interior package of insulation, sound dampening, wall and ceiling finishing, flooring, overhead lighting, safety devices, and an exterior vinyl wrap that protects the lower panels from scratches and damage.

From there, you can choose to upgrade or add just about anything: power systems, water and plumbing, extra lights, heating and cooling options, windows, a kitchen unit, extra sleeping areas and bunks, various seating and table options, cabinetry, an indoor or outdoor shower, a removable toilet, window coverings, bug screens, extra walls, and audio system upgrades.

Also read: 10 Best Sprinter Van Conversion Companies

You can also add extra goodies to the outside of your van like a roof top tent, roof box, gear racks, upgraded bumpers, ladders, light bars, steps, wheel and tire upgrades, and so forth.

Pros:

• Extremely customizable
• Both custom and pre-built vans available depending on your timeframe
• In-house handcrafted woodworking and metalworking
• Modular builds that are purpose-built for hardcore adventuring
• Enclosed indoor shower option

Cons:

• Prices aren’t listed on website – must contact them for any kind of estimate
• Only has a porta potty option

More Info: www.outsidevan.com

7. Off Highway Van 4×4 Sprinter

Price: $135,000+

Off Highway Van offers a few different conversion packages for 4×4 Sprinter vans, with both customized and preset build plans available. The custom build option has a few base packages to choose from with additional options and upgrades available.

Some packages are optimized for different lengths of Sprinter wheelbases while some are designed for accommodating the most people possible – some options can sleep 7 people!

If you choose to go with a preset option, you can enjoy faster delivery, controlled costs, optimized feature sets for your needs, and custom palette options. Conversely with a totally custom build, it will take longer and likely cost more, but you can control every aspect of the build with more models to choose from and more available options.

Pros:

• Both preset and fully custom options available
• Can sleep up to 7 people
• Several base plans to choose from to give you a starting point for custom builds

Cons:

• Only small water system available as an add-on (15 gallons fresh/5 gallons gray)
• Outdoor shower option only – also only available as an add-on
• No toilet options

More Info: www.offhighwayvan.com

8. Colorado Camper Van with 4×4 Conversion

Price: $38,000+ (does not include cost of a van)

Colorado Camper Van does not sell any vans so you must provide your own, but they do have a few different interior packages and they specialize in adding pop tops to nearly any type of van for extra head room and sleeping space. Their interiors are quite minimalistic but very functional and can sleep and seat up to 4 people.

These basic builds include beds, small kitchenettes, and seating areas, and not much else. However, you can choose to add-on an outdoor shower and a porta potty to make your camper van more practical for long-term travel.

You don’t see pop tops on Sprinters and Transits every day, but the folks at Colorado Camper Van are some of the most experienced in installing them. A pop top will give your van the feel of a vaulted ceiling – a true luxury in the vanlife world!

Pros:

• Pop top option as well as interior conversions
• Minimalistic designs

Cons:

• Relatively few options for interior conversions
• Must supply your own van

More Info: www.coloradocampervan.com

My Final Thoughts

If price was not a consideration for me and I was looking for true 4×4 off road performance, I would personally probably select either a TouRig custom build or a Winnebago Revel for the ruggedness and comfort.

However, considering that I currently travel full-time in a 22-foot non-4×4 school bus conversion, any one of the vans on this list would open up a whole new world for me in terms of off road performance and the places that I could access. I am also in favor of pop tops on van conversions – they provide a whole separate room and a cozy rooftop nest!

 

Up Next In Camper Vans:

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