These are the best vans for a camper conversion

If you’re after a van that’ll be available in plentiful numbers, then look no further than the ever-popular Ford Transit. As one of the UK’s most successful and versatile vans, it’s a model which is commonplace on our roads and, as a result, a frequent sight in the used market too. It’s this breadth of variety which makes it a great place to start for a camper conversion, as it means you’ll be able to find a van which fits the bill right away.

Available in all manner of shapes and sizes, the Transit will provide a perfect blank canvas upon which to start your conversion. Reliable engines and a generally robust build quality ensure that the Transit will be good to drive and up to the challenge of any adventure once you’re completed with your conversion, too.

For classier campers, the Volkswagen Transporter might be the obvious starting point for a conversion. It’s always been the glossier, more refined member of the van segment, the Transporter, offering up a car-like driving experience alongside the solid build quality that you’d expect from a vehicle with a ‘VW’ badge on the nose. It has proven a real hit with the camper crowd, too, and any sunny beach spot during the height of summer will likely be strewn with examples parked up, pop-top elevated and sliding doors opened.

They do carry a premium cost-wise, too, and that desirability factor means that Transporter values remain strong year-round, but get a good example and you’ll be set for a very classy camping experience, that’s for sure.

Vauxhall has made some big moves into the van scene of late and its Vivaro has proven to be one of the most popular models it makes. Well-priced but with all the creature comforts you could want, the Vivaro is equipped with some very efficient engines which should help to make those longer-distance trips a little cheaper when it comes to fuel. However, with good dimensions and a large load area, the Vivaro will also be ideal for camper conversion.

Most versions of the Vivaro come equipped with a manual gearbox, though you can get a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic on higher-powered variants. All versions are well specified but if there isn’t one for you then check out the Peugeot Expert – it’s near-identical overall.

Like the Transporter, the Sprinter has been a van for drivers who want a little more luxury. While it is still enormously practical and very usable as a van in its own right, it features a somewhat more polished driving experience and a variety of upmarket materials which help to make it feel a little more special.

It’s another popular van for converting, too. Dependable diesel engines provide an excellent basis, while a variety of heights and lengths mean that you should be able to find a Sprinter which fits your requirements exactly. This large van is a great option if you’re looking to install more features, too, such as a shower or a proper fitted kitchen as there’s extra space to use up.

Fancy going down the electric van conversion route? Why not consider the Nissan e-NV200. It’s a compact van, but it’s one which could prove the ideal retreat for nearby adventures. Sure, it’s not going to be able to offer enough space for a whole family, but for couples or single travellers, the e-NV200 could provide a cosy snug to settle into.

An official range of 127 miles means that the e-NV200 can undertake decent journeys – though that figure will drop once you add the extra weight which comes with a conversion – and you’ll be able to pitch up in relaxing all-electric silence. Plus, the e-NV200 comes pre-installed with remote heating and cooling, so you can get the cabin to just the right temperature before you depart.

Fiat is another company which has made big inroads into the van segment, with its Ducato shaping up as a very popular option. It sits on the larger end of the van segment and as a result, will be a great platform for a roomier camper van. As with others here, it’s backed by some efficient diesel engines, but the Ducato’s powertrains are particularly efficient which should help when doing those longer adventures.

The Ducato also undercuts many others on this list but delivers impressive spaciousness and versatility. A good payload means that you should be able to equip the Ducato will all manner of creature comforts without overloading or putting too much strain on the engine, too.

If the Transporter sounds like the right Volkswagen van for you but doesn’t offer quite enough space, then the Crafter should tick the box. It’s the firm’s largest van and, as a result, gets the same polished finished as the Transporter but with a healthy dose more space inside. With a high roof, you can easily stand up inside a converted Crafter, while long-wheelbase versions provide more than enough room for extra features such as a kitchen or bathroom.

Great engines and a pleasantly refined driving experience make this one van which won’t feel like a chore to drive over longer distances. A comfortable forward cabin means that the Crafter is a relaxing place to spend time while you’re motoring along, too.

We round things out with the mid-size Peugeot Expert. Similar in shape to the Volkswagen Transporter, the Expert offers a whole lot for a price which often comes under many of its rivals. It’s a sharp-looking thing, too, with good angles and an appearance that’ll certainly help it to stand out from the camping crowd. There are three body lengths to choose from, too, with the longest variants the best choice for space-wanting converters.

Plus, if you fancy going down the electric route then there is a battery-powered version of the Expert which will bring large gains in terms of efficiency while lowering running costs. It’s got an impressive range of up to 219 miles, too.