Choosing the right van is one of the biggest decisions in a campervan build. This page breaks down the three most popular full-size vans for DIY conversions in North America — the Ford Transit, the Mercedes Sprinter, and the Ram ProMaster — covering dimensions, specs, costs, and our honest opinion.
Side-By-Side Comparison
Specs
| FORD TRANSIT | MERCEDES SPRINTER | RAM PROMASTER | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2026 cargo van) | ~$48,000 | ~$49,000 | $44,960 |
| Engines | 3.5L V6 (275 hp) or 3.5L EcoBoost (310 hp), gas | 2.0L 4-cyl diesel (168 hp / 208 hp HO) — gas version dropped in 2023 | 3.6L V6 (276 hp), gas |
| Drivetrain | RWD or AWD | RWD or AWD | FWD only |
| Interior width (max) | 70.2″ | 70.4″ | 75.6″ (widest) |
| Standing height (interior) | Low 56.9″ Med 72.0″ High 81.5″ (tallest) | Std 68″ High 79.1″ | Low 65.4″ High 76.2″ Super High (2023+) 86.6″ |
| Cargo length (at floor) | Regular (130″ WB) 126.0″ Long (148″ WB) 143.7″ Extended 172.2″ | 144″ WB 132.9″ 170″ WB 173.6″ 170″ Ext 189″ | 118″ WB 105.1″ 136″ WB 122.8″ 159″ WB 145.9″ 159″ Ext 160.3″ |
| Annual repair cost (RepairPal, 350/2500 trims) | $888 | $1,778 | $1,147 |
| Electric version | E-Transit — 89 kWh, ~159 mi, from ~$53k | eSprinter — 81/113 kWh, up to ~249 mi, from ~$64k | ProMaster EV — 110 kWh, ~162 mi, from ~$58.6k |
U.S. Sales
Manufacturer-reported U.S. sales, compiled by GoodCarBadCar and CarFigures. *Sprinter 2025 is Mercedes’ official rounded figure for its U.S. van division.
Short Version
The Transit is the easiest van to own (dealers everywhere, cheap parts, AWD available, tallest interior). The ProMaster gives the most usable space per dollar — widest body, straight walls, low floor — as long as you can live with front-wheel drive. The Sprinter wins on diesel range and badge appeal, and costs you accordingly, both at the dealer and after the warranty ends.
Ford Transit
Overview
The Transit is the best-selling full-size van in the USA. Since the 2020 overhaul it offers AWD and modern driver-assist tech, and for 2026 the engine choices are a 3.5L V6 (275 hp) or the 3.5L EcoBoost (310 hp) — the strongest in the segment — through a 10-speed automatic. If you’re ordering new, our Ford Transit Order Guide covers every option worth ticking (and the ones to skip).
Build ANd Price
Style
- Cargo Van
- Passenger Van
Length
- Regular 18.5 ft (130″ WB)
- Long 20 ft (148″ WB)
- Extended 22 ft (148″ WB)
Height
- Low Roof (83.2″)
- Medium Roof (100.8″)
- High Roof (110.2″)
Engines
- 3.5L Direct Injection (Gas)
- 3.5L EcoBoost (Gas)
Drivetrain
- RWD
- RWD LSD (Limited Slip Differential)
- AWD (All Wheel Drive)
Use the Ford.com “Build & Price” interactive tool to build your own Ford Transit (and find out the price). Try it, it’s neat:
Exterior Dimensions
Interior Cargo Dimensions
All photos credit: https://www.adriansteel.com/item/cargo-vans/dimensions/
REGULAR LENGTH (130WB)
LOW ROOF
MEDIUM ROOF
LONG LENGTH (148WB)
LOW ROOF
MEDIUM ROOF
HIGH ROOF
EXTENDED LENGTH (148WB)
HIGH ROOF
Repair & Maintenance
$888 USD ANNUAL REPAIR COST (SOURCE: REPAIRPAL.COM)
Ford, Mercedes, or Ram: regardless of makes and brands, repair and maintenance is inevitable in the long run. Sure, you might get a free espresso at the Mercedes dealer, but Ford dealers are all over the map (dealer locator), are way cheaper, and have VERY good parts availability. That’s one of the main reason to go for the Ford Transit in our opinion.
How reliable is the Ford Transit? After nearly a decade of full-time Transit ownership across two vans, we publish every dollar we spend in our maintenance log & repair journal — real numbers, not estimates.
Our Opinion
WHAT WE LIKE
- Reasonable ownership cost.
- Extensive dealership network.
- Get parts cheap and fast.
- Drives like a minivan.
- AWD + tallest interior of the three.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- Rear brakes wear fast. Keep an eye on them.
INITIAL COST: Back in 2015 we looked for a Sprinter (because that’s what everybody did), and quickly realized we could get a brand-new Ford Transit — full warranty, no previous owner, our exact options — for pretty much the price of a used Sprinter.
TEST-DRIVE: We test-drove both. The Transit felt like a minivan (nimble, predictable); the Sprinter felt like a full-size cargo van.
COMMON SENSE: “If we had to buy a car, would we buy a Mercedes or a Ford?” We’d rather spend the difference on mountain biking gear and adventures than on a badge.
We bought a brand-new Transit in 2016, then did it again in 2021 for FarOutVan 2. That’s our review in one sentence.
Resources
MODIFICATIONS & OEM GUIDELINES
ONLINE COMMUNITIES
Mercedes Sprinter
Overview
The Sprinter is the original camper-van icon, and the current generation got a meaningful update: since the 2024 model year every Sprinter runs a 2.0L 4-cylinder diesel (168 hp standard, 208 hp high-output) through a 9-speed automatic — the gas engine and the old V6 are gone. The legendary 4×4 was replaced by a proper AWD system in 2023. It still offers the best fuel economy of the three and the longest options list, and it’s still the most expensive to buy, service, and repair.
Build ANd Price
Style
- Cargo Van
- Passenger Van
Length
- Standard 19.5 ft (144″ WB)
- Long 22.8 ft (170″ WB)
- Extended 24.15 ft (170″ WB)
Height
- Standard Roof (96.3″)
- High Roof (110″)
- Super-High Roof (120.1″)
Engines
- 2.0L Turbo (Gas)
Drivetrain
- RWD
- AWD
Exterior Dimensions
Camper-relevant configs: 144″ WB High Roof (132.9″ cargo length), 170″ WB High Roof (173.6″), and 170″ Ext High Roof (189″). Interior width 70.4″, standing height 79.1″.
Interior Cargo Dimensions
All photos credit: https://www.adriansteel.com/item/cargo-vans/dimensions/
STANDARD LENGTH (144WB),
LOW ROOF:
LONG LENGTH (170WB),
HIGH ROOF:
EXTENDED LENGTH (170WB), HIGH ROOF:
Repair & Maintenance
$1,778 USD ANNUAL REPAIR COST (SOURCE: REPAIRPAL.COM)
Sprinters are great until things go wrong. Dealers are concentrated in major cities, parts & labor are costly, and parts availability can take time. The 4-cylinder simplification may help long-term, but a diesel with modern emissions equipment (DEF, DPF, EGR) is never the cheap option to keep healthy out of warranty.
Our Opinion
WHAT WE LIKE
- Good Mileage.
- Free espresso at the dealer.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- High ownership cost.
- High risk of turning into a money pit on wheels.
Resources
MODIFICATIONS & OEM GUIDELINES
Body And Equipment Guidelines (BEG) :
ONLINE COMMUNITIES
Ram ProMaster
Overview
The ProMaster got a real refresh in 2023: new front end, updated interior, a 9-speed automatic behind the 3.6L V6 (276 hp), and a new Super High Roof option for standing height the others can’t match. It remains the budget-friendly choice — and the box is the best in the business: the widest interior (75.6″), nearly vertical walls, and the lowest load floor (~21″). If maximizing build space per dollar is the goal, this is the van. One thing hasn’t changed: it’s still front-wheel drive only — no AWD option.
Build And Price
Style
- Cargo Van
- “Window” Van
Length
- 136″ WB 17.75 ft
- 159″ WB 19.75 ft
- 159″ WB Extended 20.85 ft
Height
- Low Roof (88″)
- High Roof (99″)
Engines
- 3.6L Pentastar (Gas)
Drivetrain
- FWD
Use the RamTrucks.com “Build Your Van” interactive tool to build your own ProMaster van:
Exterior Dimensions
Interior Cargo Dimensions
All photos credit: https://www.adriansteel.com/item/cargo-vans/dimensions/
136″ WHEELBASE
LOW ROOF:
HIGH ROOF:
159″ WHEELBASE,
HIGH ROOF:
159″ WHEELBASE EXTENDED,
HIGH ROOF:
Repair & Maintenance
$1,147 USD ANNUAL REPAIR COST (SOURCE: REPAIRPAL.COM)
Mechanically it shares plenty with the wider Stellantis parts bin (the 3.6L Pentastar is everywhere), so ownership costs stay reasonable and most shops can work on it.
Our Opinion
WHAT WE LIKE
- With its “square” cargo area, the ProMaster is the widest of all vans, and straight walls are easier to build in.
- Reasonable ownership cost.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- Front Wheel Drive (thumbs down, that’s right). A converted van has more weight on its rear axle, which means more traction on the rear wheels. Here in British-Columbia, we frequently have to go up very steep 4WD high-clearance roads to get access to our favorite mountain-biking trails or backcountry skiing zones; a front wheel drive doesn’t have enough traction to do this. Seeing the astonished reaction of people when we arrive on top of what’s considered a rough 4WD road doesn’t get old 🙂 “Is that van four wheel drive?
Knowing that MORE WEIGHT = MORE TRACTION, we’re glad our van is RWD!
We get more traction when climbing a steep incline, because there is even more weight on the rear axle!
Reality Check
We reached out to a friend who lived in his Sprinter van for 4 years and just switched to a ProMaster (full time as well). Keeping the same habits, he says that he got stuck as much in 3 months as he did in 4 years in his Sprinter. So while we have nothing against the ProMaster (we have absolutely no affiliation with any brand), it might not be the best vehicle to take on the back roads.
Resources
BUILD & PRICE YOUR OWN RAM PROMASTER
MODIFICATIONS & OEM GUIDELINES
Design Recommendation
Frame Alterations
Wiring
Etc.
ONLINE COMMUNITIES
What About Electric? (E-Transit vs eSprinter vs ProMaster EV)
All three vans now exist in electric form, so the question comes up a lot. The honest engineering answer for 2026: not yet for full-time travel, plausible for regional weekenders.
- Ford E-Transit — 89 kWh battery, ~159 miles of rated range, from ~$53,000.
- Mercedes eSprinter — up to 113 kWh and ~249 miles, the range champ, from ~$64,000.
- Ram ProMaster EV — 110 kWh, ~162 miles (city-biased rating), from $58,590.
Those are empty-van ratings. Add 2,000+ lbs of conversion (see our weight breakdown), a roof full of gear, winter temperatures, and highway speeds, and real-world range shrinks fast — and the chargers are rarely where the good trailheads are. We’re watching this space; we’re just not betting our home on it yet.
Best Van for Campervan Build: Our Humble Opinion
We’ve put our money where our mouth is twice now: a brand-new Transit in 2016, and another one in 2021. For how we travel — full-time, four seasons, up rough forest roads to trailheads — the Transit’s combination of ownership cost, dealer coverage, AWD, and the tallest interior is still the right answer in 2026.
But “best” depends on how you travel. If you stay on pavement and want maximum living space for minimum money, the ProMaster’s wide, square, low-floor box is a legitimately better building platform. Pick the van that fits your build and your roads — then check out our build journals to see what comes next:
THAT’S IT FOLKS, HOPE THAT HELPS!
Good stuff, you two. Keep it up, very enjoyable.
Just thought you’d want to correct a typo I saw:
“the Ford Transit is got an overhaul. . .”
While the Sprinter draws a lot of attention in the campervan world, the Ford Transit dominates the commercial van market with close to 26% of total sales in the USA (source). Introduced in 2015 in North America, the Ford Transit is got an overhaul in 2020 with new engine options, a long awaited AWD (All Wheel Drive) drivetrain, and other high-tech upgrades (adaptive cruise control, pre-collision assist, etc.).
Fixed, much appreciated! 🙂
Very informative! Thank you. I have pretty much settled on a Transit. Did you end up with an AWD? I am a 68 yo single woman. I’m not intending to go off roading, but I do love the adventures and I always want to see whats around the next bend! My dream is to go to Alaska. I currently have a F150 with on-demand four wheel drive and I pull a trailer. My plan is to switch to a van for at least the Alaska trip because I simply don’t want to drag a trailer across the country and I would like to take the ferry system in one direction or the other. Do I need AWD?
Thank you.
I don’t think AWD is mandatory to go to Alaska. In fact many people do this trip on regular RV’s, you’ll see a ton over there!
We went to Yukon with our 2wd van and it was great! https://faroutride.com/yukon/
Cheers,
Antoine
Good morning Isabelle and Antoine. I just wanted to let you know how helpful your website is! Also, thank you for the link to Curious CamperVans. Taylor is an amazing resource and is working on my van as we speak. Installing roof air, skylight and heater! Ticking off some of the boxes that I would rather have a pro do. I would highly recommend them to anyone who is in Western Canada! Cheers! Aron.
I followed you guys a few years back and I’m wondering are you guys still living in the van ? And thank you for making such a wonderful website that’s easy to navigate and loaded with great information . I hope you’re still out there having a good time.
Thanks again,
Ray
Hi!
No, we’ve been sedentary for a few years now while we’re working on our second van (https://faroutride.com/van-2/).
But we’re hoping to hit the road again after the project is complete… https://faroutride.com/europe/
All the best,
antoine
Just wanted to say thanks for the very helpful and informative page on van comparisons! Appreciate it
I have to agree with you about the ProMaster being front wheel drive not being a good thing. However, I looked and looked for a Ford Transit van that was already sold as a camper van (as opposed to DYI), and I just couldn’t find one that had 2 front facing seats with shoulder belts that were not front seats to accommodate my 2 young kids. I know about the Ekko and some others, but they were too expensive for me, and I wanted something standard van width rather than wider than the factory van width. So, I bought a ProMaster camper van. I just have to live with the limitations. Such is life I guess.
Your interior dimensions for the Transit appear to be incorrect. For example, you list the cargo area of the 148 WB regular body as being 144″ long. Not sure where you sourced your info from, but it is actually 126″. That’s a huge error and could set someone up for buying the wrong van. Another commenter noted your cargo length for the 148 WB extended body is also incorrect.