The best vans for a camper conversion

A self-build or commissioned camper van can offer more freedom and bespoke details than a factory unit. These are the best vans to base your design on.

Camper vans are big business in the UK and it’s easy to understand their appeal. After all, once you’ve paid your initial investment, holidays become staggeringly cheap. Even staying on the most luxurious of campsites costs pennies compared with a night in a hotel room, while those equipped with on-board water tanks, bathroom facilities and leisure batteries can even handle a few nights of ‘wild’ camping or rallying. The UK is awash with independent firms who specialise in converting vans into campers. Some mainstream manufacturers have got in on act game, too – just look at Volkswagen’s California. However, it’s also possible to home-build your camper if you’ve got the time. Guides online are plentiful and easy to follow, and it can prove far cheaper than going for a third-party conversion. Plus, you’re able to specify the van to your liking. But before you start a conversion, you need a van – and these are our top five.

Fiat Ducato

The Ducato is a great choice for a motorhome conversion, and around two-thirds of motorhomes in Europe, whether coach-built or van conversion, are based on the Ducato. They are just the right size for most, offering

enough headroom for an adult to stand without having too large a footprint. If you’re ordering directly from the factory, Fiat offers a specific motorhome base, with specialised tyres, a wider rear track, lower chassis and space to install water tanks.

Volkswagen Transporter

The VW Camper was iconic once the rear-engined ‘splitties’ became an image of California surfer culture, and though the modern T6 is a totally different beast it still has that vibe nailed. It’s possible to buy your Transporter van in cool two-tone colour schemes or with retro alloy wheels. VW also offers a petrol engine – a rarity in this class.

Ford Transit Custom

The Ford Transit has plenty going for it, and is the best-driving panel van you’ll ever find. A range of efficient diesel engines provide motive power, and few vans have such a car-like driving environment – there’s even a premium stereo and smartphone connectivity.

Renault Trafic

When Renault updated the Trafic, it made sure that the interior dimensions were identical to the old model. This means that if you’re kitting out a brand-new Trafic – or its sister vans, the Fiat Talento, Nissan NV300 or Vauxhall Vivaro – you’ll be able to draw on eighteen years of camper fittings, diagrams and designs with which to fit your van out. Renault’s range of 1.6-litre diesel engines is superbly efficient, very smooth and decently powerful.

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Mercedes Sprinter

One of the safest vans on offer thanks to high-tech safety gear, this big brute comes in a variety of wheelbase and roof height variations so you can get the camper size you desire. It has the most premium cabin on the market, with controls and displays from Mercedes’ passenger car range. And there’s a three-pointed star on the bonnet. What could be better?