7 Questions Future Camper Van Owners Should Ask Before Hiring a Camper Van Conversion Company
7 Questions Future Camper Van Owners Should Ask Before Hiring a Camper Van Conversion Company
As the #vanlife movement continues to gain momentum, thousands of people across the U.S. are looking to buy a converted camper van. Hiring a professional camper van building company is becoming a popular option for people who don’t want to take on a DIY camper van build.
Of course, there are lots of new camper van builders looking to capitalize on this growing trend. It’s not hard to find a conversion company that can build a functional and durable camper van, but you shouldn’t stop searching there.
A camper van conversion is a big investment, and you should take the time to make sure that the company you hire can meet your needs without making too many major sacrifices. Use this article to learn some questions you can ask that will help you find the right camper van conversion company!
1. How Will You Use Your Camper Van?
This is one of the first questions you should ask yourself about your camper van conversion. Are you looking to live in the van full-time, or just use it for short getaways? Will you be driving in snow or on rough roads?
Smaller questions like these can help you answer the bigger question: what is this van for, and how will it be used? Once you have a clear idea of how you will be using your camper van, you can begin to narrow down features that are must-haves for you.
2. How Custom Do You Want Your Camper Van?
One major consideration is how much influence you want to have on your final build. When asked this question, a lot of people will say that they want a fully custom conversion, without really understanding what that means.
While a fully custom van conversion does allow you to control more about your build, it also comes with the following drawbacks:
- More expensive: Of course, custom builds mean much more design and fabrication time for conversion companies. You should be prepared to pay top dollar to work with a company on a fully custom build.
- Time-consuming: A lot of people choose to hire a van conversion company instead of taking on a DIY van build because they simply don’t have the time. If you want a fully custom build, you should be prepared to work with a van conversion company extensively to make decisions about your van.
- Usually not necessary: While a fully custom build might seem attractive at first, the juice is usually not worth the squeeze. Some conversion companies offer partially-custom builds, which helps you capitalize on their extensive design experience while still allowing for personal touches. Here at Muse & Co. Outdoors, for example, we offer two standard layouts, with many opportunities to add features and customize the look and feel of your van. The result is a more affordable, stress-free camper van buying experience without compromising on quality.
3. What’s Your Budget?
This is something you should be clear about before choosing a van conversion company. Having a budget doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a fixed price you are willing to pay for a camper van conversion. Instead, you might have a budget range that fluctuates a bit depending on how many of your preferences a conversion company is able to provide you.
4. What are Your Camper Van Must-Haves?
A van is a small space, and although conversion companies are pretty amazing at packing in lots of features, you’ll still inevitably have to live without some things while you’re out on the road.
This is why it’s essential to have a shortlist of must-have features in your van. Do you need a queen-size bed? A fridge? How about off-grid charging capabilities? As you research Sprinter van features, compiling a list of your must-haves can save you time and energy when you start searching for a conversion company.
5. What’s Your Style?
As you dive into the world of converted Sprinter vans, you will quickly learn that style and aesthetics vary greatly. From stripped-down, super-rugged off road builds, to luxury builds with lavishly detailed woodwork, there’s something for everyone when it comes to van conversions.
Most people naturally gravitate towards certain aesthetics. You’ll be spending a lot of time in the van, so go with a style that speaks to you. Lastly, remember that the choice isn’t entirely superficial—a van’s aesthetic can say a lot about the build quality and craftsmanship of the conversion.
6. What’s Your Timeframe?
You’re not the only one looking for a Sprinter van conversion! Many van building companies are backed up for months right now due to high demand.
Before you commit to a certain company, be sure to check their current wait times and ask about how long their builds take. If you are looking to travel in the next few months, you might have fewer options than you had originally thought.
7. What Camper Van Base Do You Want?
There are a few popular options out there for cargo vans that can be professionally converted into campers. Each has some specific pros and cons, but if you can afford it, the Mercedes Sprinter is widely regarded as the top choice for camper van conversions. If you do choose to go with a Sprinter, make sure that your van conversion company can build upon that platform.
Are you ready to hire a Bay Area Sprinter conversion company? Muse & Co. Outdoors is here for you.
Why You Should Reconsider a DIY Camper Van Conversion
Few trends have exploded in recent years like the world of converted camper vans. Sprinter van conversions have quickly gone from fringe lifestyle to mainstream craze.
As you scroll through the millions of #vanlife photos and videos on social media, you’ll likely see images of people enjoying luxurious vans off-grid in beautiful, remote locations. Without a doubt, traveling the world in a camper van has major appeal, especially during a time when many of us are feeling trapped at home.
As the trend has grown, so has the number of people who try to take on the project of converting a van themselves. Taking on a DIY van conversion might seem like a fun and rewarding project at first, but many people end up in over their heads.
Fortunately, the #vanlife craze has also spawned hundreds of new van conversion companies, many of which can help you realize your dream adventures without the headache of a DIY build.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important things you need to know about converting your own camper van. These are the pointers that so many aspiring van lifers wish they had known before starting on their own custom Sprinter van conversion.
It’s Not as Cheap as You Think
If there is a single reason why many people choose to take on a DIY van conversion, it’s money. Most people think that they can cut costs by building out a high roof van such as a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit van, or Ram Promaster.
A lot of people start by mapping out a budget for their custom van build. You try to think of every component and all the materials that will go into building out your van. You factor in your composting toilet, your roof racks, solar panels, and even the components of your water system and electrical system. At this stage, you’re probably feeling pretty good about how much this project is going to cost.
As you dive in on the build, however, you’re likely to quickly realize just how many hidden costs are associated with a custom Sprinter van conversion.
There is always going to be specialized fasteners, adhesives, and other materials that you just can’t account for when you are planning your build – not to mention the costs associated with making mistakes and having to do things twice. These expenses add up fast, and can result in thousands of unplanned dollars spent by the time you have finished the project.
It’s Not as Easy as You Think
When all you’re seeing on social media are images of beautifully completed van builds, it’s easy to get sucked into wanting the finished product without considering how much work it takes to get there. Building an adventure van is a full-time job that requires a lot of expertise.
There are a lot of aspects of building out a camper van that are easily overlooked but very important to consider. One prime example is the challenge of building in a space that is not square. The interior walls of cargo vans are curved and irregular, with metal support beams all over the place and not a single right angle in sight.
Building a clean-looking and structurally sound camper conversion is an entirely different task than building something similar in a home or another square space.
The reality of building a camper van conversion is a lot less romantic than the idea of doing it. Unless you are one of the few people with the money, time, and skill to pull it off, you’re probably better off using a professional conversion company.
Safety is Critical
This brings us to our next point, and it’s a crucial one: It’s one thing to build a camper van that looks good and has good functionality. It’s another thing entirely to build one that is truly safe on the road.
Safety in a custom Sprinter van comes down to two main aspects: securing materials, and onboard systems.
Everything in the living area of your van build must be completely secure and structurally sound enough to stay put, even in the case of a crash. If items go flying during an accident, they could pose an extreme safety hazard to any passengers.
Additionally, all onboard systems need to be built in accordance with the highest safety standards. This includes any electrical components as well as any propane hoses and appliances.
Simply knowing that you should build your van out safely is not enough – you need to have the skills and knowledge required to follow through. An easy way to ruin a road trip is to stop suddenly when a deer crosses the road in front of you, only to have an overhead cabinet come flying off its fasteners!
What About Using a Professional Camper Van Builder?
If we haven’t yet scared you off from the world of camper vans altogether, you might be wondering how you can still take part in this attractive lifestyle without the burden of converting your own camper van.
Hiring a professional camper van conversion company is a great option for many people. You can work with conversion experts to get the van of your dreams.
Of course, all conversion companies are not created equal. Here at Muse & Co. Outdoors, we pride ourselves on the ability to offer our customers the following:
Safety first
Our vans are built to meet stringent safety standards.
Top-quality materials
A lot of conversion companies try to cut costs by using inferior materials. Our vans are built to last, using the most eco-friendly, sustainable and high-quality materials throughout.
Expert design work
We’re different from a lot of camper van builders in that we offer a small line of pre-designed builds. We’ve poured our heart and soul into each of our models, and we’re confident in their ability. Plus, you still get plenty of opportunities to customize your van. Once you choose your model and options, you can relax while we build your dream rig.
A rolling asset
Camper vans hold their value extremely well, but like anything, they must be built to last. While you may be looking at a higher cost upfront when compared with trying to take on a DIY conversion, you should understand that a well-done professional build will hold its value far better than most DIY builds. Our vans utilize top-of-the-line materials and components, and are designed with rugged durability in mind.
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