We’ve put together this list of the least expensive and budget-friendly camper vans on the market today. Below are some great warehouse stock options to check out.
Camper vans are a great way to get out and enjoy an adventurous life on the open road. But, buying one can cost you a significant chunk of change if you don’t know where to look.
The 8 least expensive camper vans on the market today:
1. Caravan Outfitter’s Free Bird
Image via Caravan Outfitters
- Base Vehicle: Nissan NV200
- Starting Price: $37,665
The Caravan Outfitters Free Bird is perhaps the most affordable option on the market today. It’s built on a Nissan NV200 base, which provides a good mix of functionality and value.
With enough space to fit two people, the Free Bird is a multi-functional camper designed for everyday use. It comes stocked with Caravan Outfitter’s Slide and Glide floor, which allows you to quickly install all of your van’s components in just minutes. This makes it possible to completely empty out your van for use as a cargo transporter when you’re not living on the road.
As far as livability goes, the Free Bird comes outfitted with full electrical wiring, including LED lighting, USB charging ports, and a 31-quart fridge. There is also a portable butane stove and plenty of storage space in the kitchen to give you the perfect place to cook up a gourmet meal.
The spacious dinette sleeping area quickly converts into a full-size bed at night. Plus, the side windows in the Free Bird have mesh screen nets, so you can open them up for some airflow on warm nights without letting the bugs in.
Optional add-ons include a Batwing awning for ample outdoor living space and a rooftop storage pod for all your outdoor gear.
More info at: caravanoutfitter.com
2. Peace Vans Modern Pop Top
Image via Peace Vans Modern
- Base Vehicle: Mercedes Metris
- Starting Price: $45,995
Peace Vans Modern offers a number of different camper vans, but their Pop Top is by far the most affordable. The company works closely with its local Mercedes dealer to help you through the entire camper van purchasing process.
With Peace Vans Modern, you can choose between a cargo or passenger Mercedes Metris as your base vehicle. With the passenger Metris option, you get a full 7-seat van, plus a pop top, which serves as your sleeping area.
Should you opt for the cargo van option, you get two front seats and the pop top sleeping area without any rear passenger seats. However, for cost-conscious buyers, the cargo option is the most affordable.
Moreover, with the cargo van option, you can choose to later convert your vehicle using Peace Van Moderns’ “Full Camper” option down the line. Alternatively, with the passenger van option, you can later choose to further convert your vehicle using the company’s “Metris Weekender” configuration, which provides a good mix of functionality as a regular car and livability on weekend camping trips.
We particularly like Peace Vans Modern’s offerings because they allow you to get on the road now with an affordable camper van option. Plus, you can always further upgrade and convert your vehicle in the future, should you decide that you want a fully-featured adventure rig.
Learn more at: peacevansmodern.com
3. VanDOit LIV
Image via VanDOit
- Base Vehicle: Ford Transit
- Starting Price: $59,800
VanDOit is a Kansas City-based camper van company that offers two standard van packages: the LIV and the DO. The LIV is particularly great for outdoor adventures because it has a completely modular design that allows it to be used as a standard 8 passenger van in town or as a fully kitted camper when you’re on a road trip.
One of the most unique features of this model is its hydraulic bed lift. With the push of a button, you can adjust the height of your queen-sized bed to create more gear storage underneath.
All of the LIV vans come with a roof rack, awning, and a solar power off-grid system. The company offers a list of different modular components, such as storage cabinets, kitchenettes, and furnaces. You can also choose to add-on a shower system for longer trips on the road.
The VanDOit Liv is a great choice for people who need a van that can handle day to day tasks at home while also being functional enough for big adventures. Its fully modular system allows it to serve multiple functions as both your primary vehicle and road trip companion.
More info at: vandoit.com
4. Glampervan Promaster MUV
Image via Glampervan
- Base Vehicle: RAM Promaster 136 High Roof
- Starting Price: $60,000
Glampervan’s MUV (Multi-use Vehicle) is designed to be a budget-friendly option for travelers that need full functionality in their camping vehicle. Built on a RAM Promaster 136 High Roof chassis, the MUV has a queen-size bed that’s perfectly oriented to provide more living space inside your vehicle.
The kitchen in this van has a large 65-liter fridge/freezer combo as well as a sink and prep area. Plus, the front seats swivel backward and nestle perfectly around a table for convenient dining.
This van is fully insulated and can come with a gas-powered space heater if you plan to do a lot of cold weather camping. It also has a retractable awning with porch lights that more than doubles your living space.
Unlike most other vans for this price point, the Glampervan MUV also comes with a portable toilet. It can be quickly hidden away in a floor-level cabinet and then retrieved whenever you need it most.
Overall, the MUV is a solid choice for campers that need one van to use mostly for road trips or vanlife but that functions well as a general-use vehicle in an urban situation.
More info at: glampervan.us
5. Sportsmobile Transit
Image via Sportsmobile
- Base Vehicle: Ford Transit
- Starting Price: $79,555
Sportsmobile offers a number of different affordable camper vans on a Ford Transit chassis. They have 22 unique floor plans to choose from so you can get the camper van that meets your needs.
All of their plans offer an eat-in dinette and a kitchenette with a stove, sink, and refrigerator so you can cook meals on the road. They also come stock with a freshwater system for off-grid living.
As far as gear storage space goes, Sportsmobile’s vans have a number of different cabinet options and many come with full closet wardrobes. For sleeping, you can choose between bunk beds, sofa beds, queen-sized beds, and even a pop top sleep station.
Finally, you have the option to install a marine-grade toilet in your van for longer off-grid camping. You can also upgrade to swivel cab sets or add in tables and extra seating options for more comfort on the road.
More info at: sportsmobile.com
6. Van Craft Sprinter
Image via Van Craft
- Base Vehicle: Mercedes Sprinter 144″
- Starting Price: $80,000
Van Craft Sprinter is one of the industry-leading camper van manufacturers when it comes to combining comfort and affordability. They offer one van package built on a Mercedes Sprinter 144″ van which can sleep up to 3 adults.
Inside the van, you get a Wilsonart laminate paneling that looks sleek and beautiful in your living space. The vehicle comes with a full kitchenette with a stove, sink, and fridge, as well as oak butcher block countertops. When your van’s sliding doors are open, you also have access to a flip-down table for outdoor eating.
Additionally, the van is outfitted with vinyl flooring and maple ceilings for a cozy, modern look. Each Van Craft Sprinter comes with an upgraded sound system, a charging station, and swivel cab seats.
There’s also ample storage inside the van, thanks to its oversized kitchen drawers, built-in cabinets, and under bed storage space. Van Craft also managed to fit a full-size memory foam bed inside their vehicles for added comfort.
To ensure that you get the most use out of your vehicle as possible, all Van Craft vans have Airtronic diesel heaters and roof vent fans to keep your living space fully climate-controlled, as well as all-season tires for winter use.
More info at: van-craft.com
Related articles:
Why Are Vanlifers Choosing The Sprinter Camper Van?
10 Best Sprinter Van Conversion Companies
7. Winnebago Solis
Image via Winnebago
- Base Vehicle: RAM Promaster
- Starting Price: $101,717
The Winnebago Solis is the famed RV company’s first foray into the world of camper vans. With this first vanlife-friendly model, Winnebago used the RAM Promaster as a chassis, which provides 19’9″ of length and can sleep up to 4 people.
Inside the van, you get a pop top bed area, plus either a Murphy bed or sofa bed that can sleep an additional two campers. It also includes a wet bath, which is unique among camper vans.
For added livability, the Solis comes with a spacious living room with two comfortable leather seats. These leather seats also have seat belts, so they can be used to transport friends and family. The front seats also swivel backward to create a dining room area around the central folding table.
Other great features in the Solis include a full kitchenette and ample below floor storage. The rear door of the van also comes with a mesh bug net so you can keep the doors open for airflow without allowing the bugs inside.
Although it’s on the pricier end of the affordability spectrum, the Winnebago Solis is a good option for camping families and others that want a fully-featured adventure mobile that’s ready to roll right out of the factory.
More info at: winnebago.com
8. Airstream Interstate 19
Image via Airstream
- Base Vehicle: Mercedes Sprinter
- Starting Price: $161,099
Airstream’s Interstate 19 is a bit on the pricier side of the affordability spectrum, but if you want a luxury camper van, it’s hard to beat. Built on a Mercedes Sprinter base, the Interstate 19 has enough room to seat four and sleep 2 adults, making it a versatile option for people that want just one vehicle that can do it all.
Inside the Interstate, you get two full swivel cab seats, as well as four seating benches, all of which are covered in premium leather. Airstream built this van with their classic wood features, which include a kitchenette with stainless steel fixtures.
For relaxation, the Interstate also comes with a flat-screen TV, an upgraded sound system, and an intuitive control system that lets you quickly adjust lighting, blinds, and the power awning.
This van is outfitted with a Truma furnace and water heater, which provides unlimited hot water on the go. It also has a full, spacious bathroom that includes a shower, toilet, sink, and a clothesline for maximum comfort.
Oh, and the Interstate has a massive sofa that converts into a large bed with the push of a button. The front seats also quickly convert into an extra sleeping space with Airstream’s “Cockpit Bed Kit” if you’re on the road with friends.
More info at: airstream.com
The Camper Van I Would Choose
So, what is the least expensive camper van that I would ultimately choose? All these vans would make an awesome choice for an adventure vehicle. But, if I had to choose just one, I’d probably opt for the Van Craft Sprinter!
While it’s neither the most affordable nor the most expensive model in our list, it provides an excellent mix of quality and functionality for an impressively low price point on a Mercedes Sprinter conversion.
Up Next In Camper Vans:
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David is an accomplished mountain endurance athlete who has completed over 25 ultra marathon races (follow on Strava). He is most proud of his finish at The Drift 100 – a high elevation, 100 mile winter foot race that zigzags along the Continental Divide in Wyoming. In the future he hopes to compete in the ITI 350 and ultimately the full 1,000 mile Iditarod Trail Invitational that follows the same path as the historic dog sled race.
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