Custom Camper Van Conversions
Custom camper vans designed for outdoor adventure and everyday comfort, handcrafted in Colorado.
Four builds. One standard.
Every path below comes out of the same Boulder shop, built by the same team, to the same standard. Pick the one that matches how you travel, then make it yours.
Bivy
Fastest route. You take the layout as built, so there is no design phase.
Sprinter Bivy Classic
Mercedes Sprinter 144
Short wheelbase, Classic trim. Ready in 8 to 10 weeks.
Duo
Proven layout. Take a layout we have already proven, so most decisions are made for you.
Sprinter Duo
Mercedes Sprinter 144
Couples, short wheelbase, bench shower. Yours in 12 to 16 weeks.
Family
Proven layout. Take a layout we have already proven, so most decisions are made for you.
Sprinter Family
Mercedes Sprinter 144
Exterior shower, available as an add-on. No interior shower at short wheelbase.
Family, short wheelbase. Yours in 12 to 16 weeks.
Custom
Fully custom. The layout is drawn around your van and how you use it.
The Foundation
Start from an empty van
Start from an empty van and draw the layout with us. Nothing about it is fixed.
Build time 18 to 22 weeks.
Shop by Lifestyle
Pick the starting point that matches how you travel. Every layout below has been built and refined across 300 vans.
Why buyers choose The Vansmith
We are a family-owned shop in Boulder, and we have built more than 300 vans since 2016. Every one of them was designed and built in-house, not outsourced to a third-party fabricator.
- Layouts proven across 300 builds, not first attempts
- Electrical designed and installed by our own team, so the people who wired your van can service it later
- Four-season systems tested through Colorado winters and desert summers
- Lifetime cabinet warranty for the original owner, with no mileage or year limits
- NOAH certified, independently inspected against RV industry build standards
Our vans are built to look like a home rather than an RV, and to hold up on Rocky Mountain passes in February. If your trips end where the pavement does, start with our 4x4 and AWD camper vans. If you want a premium interior for long trips, look at the luxury camper van collection.
Explore Our Van Builds & Inventory
We build on both every week, and neither is the wrong answer. The Sprinter conversion van holds its value better, the diesel gets more range per tank, and its AWD system has years of proven mountain use. It costs more to buy and more to service. The Transit costs less up front, the gas engine is cheaper to maintain, and any Ford dealer in the country can work on it. The EcoBoost keeps its power at altitude, which we notice here in Colorado.
How can we help
Van Builds
Full conversions on your van or ours, with solar and lithium electrical, plumbing, galley and cabinetry. 12 to 16 weeks.
Installations and Repairs
Heaters, air conditioning, solar, roof vents, windows, suspension and seating, fitted at our Boulder shop whoever built your van.
DIY kits
Cabinets, galleys and accessories for self-builders, cut to fit Sprinter and Transit vans and shipped flat-packed.
Trusted Partners
What the build process actually looks like
Our camper van conversion process runs in five steps, with payments tied to each one:
- Quote. We scope your needs and give you a fixed, itemised number.
- Design deposit, $2,500. Secures your slot and buys you time with the design team.
- Design approval, 50% due. Colours, materials and layout locked. We order parts.
- Build launches, 25% due. Your van enters the shop. Four to six weeks on the floor.
- Handover, final 25%. Pick up in Boulder or we arrange shipping.
Frequently asked questions
The questions we get asked most, answered straight.
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01
How much does a van conversion cost?
Conversion packages start at $46,950 on a van you own, or $9,970 for a Foundation shell. Turnkey builds with the van included start at $115,950. Pre-built Bivy models start at $119,700.
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02
How long does a build take?
Pre-built models take 8 to 10 weeks. Tailored and conversion-only builds take 12 to 16 weeks.
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03
Do you offer financing?
Yes. We can recommend lenders familiar with van builds, including RV and personal loan options. Try our RV loan calculator to sketch out payments.
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04
What's the best van for conversion?
The high roof Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 144 or 170 and the Ford Transit 148 or 148 extended are the top picks. We'll help you choose based on your travel style and budget.
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05
How custom can a build actually get?
Every layout we offer is a starting point. Change the galley, bed, seating, electrical and finishes, or design a build from scratch with our team in the van designer.
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06
Can I customize just the interior of my van?
Absolutely. We offer interior customization on its own, from small upgrades to a full interior redesign.
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07
What's the difference between a camper van and a conversion van?
A camper van is built for travel and living. A conversion van starts as a standard cargo van and is then customized for those uses.
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08
Do you sell vans too?
Yes. We keep a rotating selection of new models and inspected used vans. Browse our camper vans for sale.
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09
What kind of warranty do you offer?
We offer lifetime warranties on our cabinets and assist with manufacturer warranties for the parts and systems we install.
Still deciding? Tell us how you travel and we will point you at the right build.
Talk to a builderCustomer Reviews
What Our Customers Say
Start your build
Tell us how you travel and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right shop for it. No pressure, we like talking about vans.
Boulder, CO. In person or virtual consults, by appointment.
Or call (303) 414-6834
















