Frequently Asked Questions

An Outside Van is a specially designed and outfitted full-size van that has been converted into a mobile living space capable of pursuing a wide range of adventures. Our vans are equipped with amenities such as sleeping quarters, kitchenettes, storage solutions, and include special off-road modifications to make them ideal for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking something more.

Outside Van is located in Portland, Oregon.

Chassis selection is dependent on the intended uses of the van. We specialize in building on all sizes of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. We have found the Sprinter to be the ideal foundation for an adventure van.

Yes. Most of our conversions are on a 4-Wheel Drive (4WD) or All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Sprinter chassis. However, if a Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) chassis is preferred we are able to build on those as well!

Choosing a chassis depends on how many people you want to bring with you, as well as how much gear you need to bring. If it’s only you and one other person without a lot of bulky equipment, a 144 is perfect. If you need to seat and sleep up to five people and/or you have gear that requires a significant amount of space, then a 170 or 170 EXT would be better suited for your needs. If you find yourself still needing more space, we can always add more storage by installing a roof rack or external storage, too.

Check out our TRAIL NOTES: CHOOSING A VAN SIZE for a more in-depth look at the different chassis sizes.

Short answer is yes, we can.

The longer answer is we specialize in building adventure vans with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and most of our design and building processes are centered around this chassis. If you would prefer a Transit or Promaster, we will certainly work with you to build your dream van on these chassis but will need a more in-depth initial consultation to make sure we can adhere to our standards.

The cost of a custom Sprinter van conversion depends on your needs and can scale up or down depending on where you land with your design. Our model vans start in the mid $200,000 range.

Check out our TRAIL NOTES: HOW MUCH DOES AN OUTSIDE VAN COST? for more in-depth information on the costs involved with building a custom Outside Van.

Yes. We currently offer two “model vans” that are the perfect all-rounder builds for people who like to go on various types of adventures. Approach was built to comfortably haul up to 4 people and their gear, and Syncline was designed as a high performance build for adventure-seeking duos. If you want a camper van capable of taking on a wider range of excursions rather than something designed to excel at one use case in particular, these are great options.

Our custom shop also routinely builds demo vans that are ready to go and available on our Vans for Sale page.

We sure do! We offer pre-owned custom Outside Vans that have been traded in through our Customer Assisted Marketing Program (CAMP). Check out our used custom Sprinters for sale here.

Our custom Sprinter camper vans stand out for their meticulous attention to detail, quality craftsmanship, and innovative designs. Each custom van is tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of the client, ensuring a personalized and functional living space for a life of adventure. Whether you’re looking to go on remote overlanding trips, cross-country road cycling excursions, or overnight camping trips with the family, we can build the perfect van for you.

We offer a wide range of customization options for our bespoke adventure vans, including layout configurations, interior finishes, appliances, solar power systems, off-road modifications, storage systems, and more. When you build a custom Outside Van, you are paired with a designer who will work with you step-by-step through the entire build process.

It all starts with a phone call or an email. Once you reach out, we can schedule a time for you to visit our headquarters and speak with one of our consultants about designing your ideal adventure van. A $2,000 deposit is required to officially begin the design process. We will walk through your vision for your bespoke dream van and how we can achieve it together. We will discuss amenities, appliances, storage solutions, and what kind of modifications we can make to help you go on the adventures you’ve always dreamed of. Once we’ve gone over every detail, we take it to the shop floor and our skilled technicians and craftspeople begin building from a brand new Sprinter chassis.

Yes, we offer financing options to help clients afford their dream van. Those terms are discussed during the consultation and vary depending on a variety of factors.

Pricing for custom Sprinter camper vans varies depending on factors such as the chosen features, materials, and level of customization. Outside Van provides transparent pricing estimates based on the your preferences and budget, with options for additional upgrades and accessories available.

The timeframe for building a custom van varies depending on the complexity of the project and current production schedules. Generally, it takes several months from the initial design consultation to the completion of the build. We work closely with clients to provide realistic timelines and updates throughout the process.

Our model vans are the product of years of research and development through building hundreds of unique custom builds. We have taken this knowledge and condensed it down into two proven layouts that we are able to produce repeatedly and at scale. This enables us to produce vans in bulk and sell them through a nationwide network of dealerships. The same quality and performance standards that set Outside Van apart are also applied to our model vans, while being able to be purchased and used immediately, circumventing the build time that is part of our custom process.

Our two current model Vans, the 144-Based Syncline, and the 170- based Approach, are available nationwide through our network of trusted dealerships.

We currently only service and upfit vans built by Outside Van. However, we love to talk about vans and are always open to having a conversation.