The great British staycation has been all the rage in recent years, with the pandemic officially shifting the focus from abroad to holidays at home.
While overseas travel has been back on the menu for some time, the staycation remains an affordable alternative for people from all walks of life, including families, couples, solo travellers and friend groups. Last year, 50% of travellers chose to take a staycation rather than travel abroad due to the cost of living according to this research, and one of the best ways to explore on home turf is by camper van.
People enjoy travelling by camper so much that more and more are looking to convert vans into their very own homes on wheels. But, where do you even start when taking on camper conversion? With the right van of course!
Can any van be converted?
So many van makes and models are made for conversion. The Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, Citroen Relay, Volkswagen Transporter, Volkswagen Crafter and Ford Transit are popular options for camper van conversion, but not the best – more on that later!
When converting any van into a camper, it has to provide the flexibility, efficiency, mobility and mileage that we’re all looking for when travelling on the road and off. In theory, converting a van should be cheaper than purchasing a motorhome, giving you the freedom to roam anywhere and everywhere, whenever the mood takes you.
Selecting the right van for conversion delivers something an ‘off-the-shelf’ motorhome can’t – the chance to personalise your setup to your exact needs and well within budget.
What’s the best van for conversion?
The best van for camper conversion has to be the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. As a top choice for ‘van life’ enthusiasts, its size, reliability, customisation options and modern features make it the ideal blank canvas. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is particularly popular for camper conversions that need to accommodate larger parties, and not just because of the space on offer, as VanDimensions details:
“The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models have a variety of different lengths to choose from and numerous load size options and height variations. If you’re traveling with children or teenagers, you will likely want an uber-safe van conversion. Fortunately, the Mercedes-Benz models come with various high-tech features that include exception safety features. These models definitely offer the best safety on the market.”
Another reason the Sprinter is a favourite for camper conversions is its fuel efficiency, especially when compared to other large vans. Diesel-powered Sprinters are known for their long range and economical fuel consumption, which of course makes them perfect for extended road trips.
The Sprinter’s all-wheel-drive option adds to its appeal, providing extra traction and control when driving on snow, mud or other challenging terrains.
Which conversion upgrades should you buy?
If you want to make your Sprinter even better, either pre- or post-conversion, you must check out our Mercedes-Benz Sprinter upgrades.
No Sprinter conversion would be complete without the addition of Koni Active or Special Shock Absorbers. Koni dampers are made with the Sprinter in mind, improving ride and handling for a more comfortable and predictable experience on the toughest terrains. Opt for Koni Active dampers if you want to enjoy all the perks of automatic adjustment or choose Special dampers for an off-car user adjustable system. You can read more about the differences between Koni Active and Special dampers here.
N4 is another brand to browse when upgrading your Sprinter, with their underbody protection products and hidden winch mounts bestsellers amongst Sprinter converters. Warn winches, EVC throttle controllers and ARB compressors are also must-explores for those looking to get the most out of their Mercedes-Benz Sprinter conversion.
