Recreational Vans
Passenger vans make strong candidates for a camper conversion because they arrive with windows, finished interiors, and factory mounting points. Common choices include full size vans like the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, and Ram ProMaster, plus legacy models from Chevy and Nissan. Before anything else, evaluate body height, wheelbase, and roof shape because those dimensions dictate headroom, bed orientation, and storage potential. Check payload ratings and gross vehicle weight capacity so your design stays within safe limits after batteries, water, furniture, and gear.
Legal seating matters. Factory seats and belts meet crash standards for that specific location and mount style. If you plan to retain passenger seating, ensure it remains attached to factory points and that any added seating is engineered appropriately. Windows offer natural light and visibility, but they also increase heat gain and reduce privacy. Plan for shades or insulated window covers to manage temperature and light.
Short wheelbase vans park easily and fit city life, while extended vans provide longer beds and larger galleys. Measure sleeping needs first, then choose the smallest van that meets those dimensions comfortably.
Look for maintenance records, clean underbody, and consistent tire wear. A pre purchase inspection can reveal hidden costs that eat into the build budget.
Payload drops with every added component. Weigh parts on paper during planning and leave headroom for water, bikes, and seasonal gear.
Think of the interior as a puzzle of three zones: sleep, cook, and carry. The bed often drives everything else. Across the van works for taller roofs while lengthwise beds can suit narrower vans. Convertible beds open floor space for daytime use, while fixed beds create a large garage underneath for bikes and bins. Keep the aisle wide enough for two way movement and allow doors, drawers, and fridge lids to open fully without blocking pathways.
Balance weight side to side and front to back. Batteries and water are heavy, so position them low and near the axle centerline to maintain stable handling. Place items used daily within easy reach. This reduces clutter and keeps camp setup simple.
A dinette that converts to a bed offers social seating and a clear work zone. A fixed platform bed gives consistent sleep and substantial storage, ideal for longer trips.
Decide between induction, propane, or portable stoves. Induction pairs well with larger lithium banks while propane requires sealed storage, ventilation, and gas safety planning.
Use soft overhead cabinets for light items and a rigid garage for dense cargo. Add exterior access panels where possible so wet or dirty gear stays out of living space.
Electrical, water, climate, and ventilation determine comfort more than finishes do. A dependable electrical system begins with a properly sized battery bank, a smart charging strategy, and protected distribution. Lithium iron phosphate batteries offer deep usable capacity and long life. Combine a DC to DC charger for alternator charging with a solar array sized to replenish daily draw. An inverter supports outlets and induction cooking, while a shore power charger tops up at campgrounds or a home driveway.
Water planning starts with capacity and placement. Many builds use a fresh tank in the twenty to forty gallon range with an electric pump and simple filtration. Grey water containment keeps campsites clean and compliant. For showers, an indoor wet bath is space heavy, so many use outdoor quick connect showers with heat from an on demand heater or an engine linked heat exchanger.
Ventilation and climate control keep the cabin dry and quiet. A roof fan paired with a cracked window moves moist air out while cooking or drying gear. Insulation and sound deadening tame road noise and help stabilize temperature. Choose materials that resist moisture and avoid trapping condensation against metal. Portable diesel or gasoline heaters sip fuel and provide steady heat at high altitude with proper intake and exhaust routing.
Start by estimating daily watt hours for lights, fridge, fans, devices, and cooking. Size batteries to cover at least one to two days without charging, then add charging sources to recover that energy.
A roof fan is essential. Window covers with reflective cores add day time shade and night time privacy, and they reduce radiant heat loss in cold conditions.
A simple cassette toilet or sealable portable option keeps the layout flexible. Prioritize easy cleaning surfaces in wet zones and include a small squeegee and drain access.
Use marine grade wire, proper circuit protection, and grommets where cables pass through metal. Anchor furniture to the van’s structure with rivnuts or OEM points, not thin sheet panels. Choose closed cell foam for thermal break and add vapor aware layers that allow metal to dry. For finishes, lightweight plywood, aluminum framing in high stress areas, and durable flooring create a quiet interior that resists wear. Fire extinguisher, first aid kit, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and a tire repair kit round out safety essentials.
If you prefer a turn key path, a professional shop can transform a passenger van conversion to camper with tested layouts, quiet interiors, and proven systems. Fit and finish, wiring standards, and clean plumbing separate a weekend rig from a road trip home.
At OZK Customs in Northwest Arkansas, we build full custom vans and partial upfits tailored to how you travel. Explore our adventure focused work at Explore recreational vans, see how a tailored project comes together at Custom van build process, or review finance friendly platforms at Finance friendly mainstream vans.
Share your travel style, passengers, gear, and must haves. We will design a layout that sleeps right, cooks clean, and keeps power flowing far from hookups. Tell us where you want to wake up next, and we will make the road feel like home.
Ready to skip guesswork and get a dialed adventure van? Tell us how you travel and we will design and build the right layout, systems, and finish. Start your custom or partial upfit today and drive home a camper that is quiet, comfortable, and road proven.
What we build
Complete custom vans for travel and off grid living
Partial upfits that add power, water, or interior modules
Purpose built interiors for riders, families, and remote work
Ready to skip guesswork and get a dialed adventure van? Tell us how you travel and we will design and build the right layout, systems, and finish. Start your custom or partial upfit today and drive home a camper that is quiet, comfortable, and road proven.
ADDRESS:
6159 E Huntsville Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72701
PHONE:
(479) 326-9200
EMAIL:
info@ozkvans.com