What platform would be the most suited for Camping out? Should I get a Car, a Mini-Van or a Van?
MPV or mini-Van
Though often lumped together, Mini-Van and Van are 2 separate size categories altogether! A mini-van/MPV is oriented towards owner-driven families, designed to carry more passengers in comfort. They are designed for larger families. Here in the US, buying a van has become a signal that the couple is finally "settling down" to the hum-drum of Family Life. Examples are Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey in North America or Toyota Innova and Maruti Ertiga in India.
The "mommy-car" Toyota Sienna seems to be a particularly popular platform for DIY Camper conversions. I have seen some amazing and unique Camper conversions on this platform with in-cabin Kitchens, full sized beds and even cassette Toilets! Like with Car Campers, space is still at a premium so Multi-Use spaces are still the key driver when designing the layout. But you have a lot more Living space with an MPV overall than with the 4Runner for eg.
One of the more interesting conversions with the Sienna that I have seen was in BC, Canada. She had moved the Spare Tire to a swinging Hitch at the rear and used the space for a Pantry. Another conversion I saw, used the same space to mount a diesel heater for dealing with the harsh winters. Most builds I have seen used this underfloor Spare Tire space for mounting aux "Camper Batteries". One build had 4x 100ah Deep Cycle Batteries for a full electric setup! He was using induction stoves instead of propane gas burners for cooking!
Another interesting and ludicrously simple "no build" conversion I saw, retained the middle row seats with a fold-out table attached to the back of the Driver seat. This area became her Home Office during the day with the seats folding down to make a bed at night. The roof had 400w solar panels to charge the camper battery and a mini-Starlink flat-dish for high speed internet! Absolutely Brilliant! And she spent barely $5000 for the whole conversion which took under 12 days!
See Link 🖝 Some Amazing Camper Conversions using the Toyota Sienna.
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| RAM ProMaster with High Roof |
Vans OTOH tend to be larger, boxy vehicles with spartan interiors or even empty spaces designed to carry cargo or passengers in more commercial settings. Vans are a step above MPVs in size but below Full Sized buses. Some Vans also have options of High Roof models allowing stand-up rooom for full sized adults. The most popular Vans for conversion are Mercedes Benz Sprinter 4WD, Ford Transit and RAM ProMaster series. All 3 vehicles come in 3 different lengths with further 3 options of Low Roof, Mid Roof & High Roof.
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| Mercedes Sprinter 4WD with High Roof |
The Mercedes Sprinter has part-time 4WD and is the most off-road capable design especially the Short Wheel base version. Have seen some Amazing Camper Builds both Professionally done and DIY! I have seen DIY builds costing from $5000 all the way upto $150K!
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| Ford Transit AWD with High Roof |
The Ford Transit AWD is another popular choice for Camper conversions. Anecdotal, but I have seen more Senior Citizens driving around in Ford Transit Campers while the younger lot seems to lean towards Mercedes. There are cheaper options too! I have seen older Ford Econoline Vans in good condition purchased for cheap and converted for Van Life! Lots of options!
What way should you go? Well with an MPV you have more living-space than a SUV. With a High Roof Van, you get even more Space and fit in a Full stand up Kitchen Platform, a Shower-cum-Toilet and even a full size fridge. If you are planning on going on Longer road-trips, more space is important. MPV/Van is the way to go in that case.
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| Sprinter cabin DIY build with Full Size Kitchen and Dinette cum Bed |
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| Simple DIY Cabin Build with "Riser Bed" |
The cons of up-sizing though should be kept in mind. Every time you go up one size category, you reduce the number of places you can reliably access throughout the year! I read somewhere that for every 12" increase in Wheel Base, you reduce the number of accessible places by 50%! An SUV with 4WD like the 4Runner can go ANYWHERE! An MPV/Van based camper will be limited in that sense. The High-Roof option allows for standup room but also increases the Center of Gravity which can significantly impact access to some Off-Road Camping Sites.
I have a simple test for making my decision. Can the vehicle reach my favorite camping spot in Southern India - our "secret" Jungle Hideout that we call "Switchback-19"? Its not the most difficult camping site to reach but it is a challenge. The Maruti Gypsy or Toyota 4Runner 4WD can. The Toyota Sienna cannot. The Sprinter/Transit Van most certainly cannot!
It is also a lot more difficult to go "stealth" with a Van! On a long road-trip, I can park my 4Runner at a Walmart parking or even in a side-alley, put up the Window blinds and go to sleep in the rear cabin! It wont stand out as a camper and attract unwanted attention. The solar panels and Starlink antenna are hidden under the roof rack. The only visible sign is the Awning mount of the Driver side. An MPV or Van parked at Walmart will definitely attract attention!
For the kind of use that I have in mind, an SUV like the 4Runner works best. It allows me to go anywhere and camp anywhere in complete stealth mode. When travelling alone, I use one side of the rear cabin for a single bed with the Fridge and storage boxes on the other. Comfortable even on long cross-country trips. Bit of a challenge for a couple. We have to shift the 45L ICECO Fridge and the Pantry Box to the Front Seat every night to turn the rear cabin into a Double Bed. We are also severely limited in terms of storage when travelling in 2s! But for weekend camping trips, its perfectly fine.
Would I go for a Van? No! It just doesnt fit my needs. I don't intend to live out of my ride- Full time Van life is not for me! For me, its about having a tool to access remote camping sites so a 4WD SUV works best. A 45/60 day cross-country trip E-W to SFO on Route-66 and returning on the Southern Route via Lousiana is on my bucket list however. Getting a Van would certainly improve comfort and allow me to work while on the drive! Thinking of renting a Class-B van or compact Class-C just for the trip. That works for me! Another option is to buy a second hand van, build it up, do the road trip and then flip it!
Alternately could just wing it and go solo with the 4runner!😂
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