Van Sizes Chart: Choosing the Right Campervan for Your Build

When you live in a van, it’s never about the actual van.

It’s about all you gain from the change in way of living: freedom from the boredom of 9 to 5s and the suburbs. It’s also about the gain of simple joys such as silence and fresh air. Getting into your first van can seem like a lot, if not an impossible task. Deciding what kind of van you want to convert into your dream living situation is the first step of obtaining #VanLife.

Below are key side-by-side looks at the top three models we suggest for your conversion. In all cases, we, at The Vansmith, only suggest (and build out) modern high-roof cargo vans, like the ones below, rather than small vans or city vans.

How to Read a Van Sizes Chart for Campervan Conversions

By far the most pricey, but also the sexiest. What do you expect? It’s a Mercedes. This very smooth ride and a turbo diesel engine makes the Sprinter very efficient and about as much fun as you can have driving a van. Roomy insides and a great layout save time during the conversion and ultimately make for a better van build, as proven by its popularity in the #VanLife community.

Built for more than just carrying cargo, a major plus of converting Sprinter vans are the many ready-made add-on options out there. These include ladders, roof racks, different window setups, and folding bed kits, to name a few. The Sprinter is the most advanced and further along different versions to suit various needs and ways of living for consumers – but at a cost. You need to bring it to a Mercedes dealership for major work, as their computer software is proprietary. There is often a pre-order waitlist as well.

High-Roof Cargo Vans vs. Minivans: What Really Works for Van Life

When you’re staring at a van sizes chart for the first time, it can feel like reading a foreign language. You see wheelbase, total length, inside standing height, cargo length at floor, rear door height, and so on. The trick is to turn those numbers into how you really live. For example, inside standing height is the gap between hunching over to cook every day and being able to stand up straight to make coffee.

Cargo length decides if you can run a fixed bed front to back or if you’ll need to sleep across with flares. Total length and wheelbase affect where you can park and how tight of a turn you can make on a forest road. They also decide whether your rig fits in a standard parking space. When you look at a van sizes chart, start by circling the lowest inside height you need (about at least 6' for most folks). Then note the maximum total length you’re comfortable driving.

From there, you can narrow down which models and trims really make sense for your build instead of getting lost in every option on the lot.

Each of the big three vans—Sprinter, Promaster, and Transit—comes in many lengths and roof heights. (Car and Driver) That’s where a good van sizes chart really earns its keep. A 144" wheelbase Sprinter or a low-roof Transit might be perfect for weekend warriors who want easier city parking and don’t need a full bathroom. On the other hand, a 170" long Sprinter or a long-wheelbase high-roof Promaster gives you the room for a fixed bed, full galley, gear garage, and maybe even a shower. You’ll feel that extra length on tight switchbacks and in downtown parking lots.

Promaster vans are wider, which can allow for east–west sleeping without flares for many people (Ram), freeing up floor space for a bigger kitchen or workspace. Transits offer other roof heights and AWD options (Ford), which can be a game changer if you’re chasing snow in the Rockies. Instead of asking “What’s the best van?”, use the chart to ask “What’s the smallest van that still fits my needs?”

That mindset usually leads to a rig that’s easier to drive and cheaper to build and maintain.

Once you’ve used the van sizes chart to narrow down a few choices, it helps to mock up your layout in real space. Tape out the inside size of a Sprinter 144 or a Promaster 159 in your drive or living room. Then walk through a normal day: where do you cook, work, store bikes or boards, and sleep? Can two people pass each other without always bumping hips? Does the bed length really match your height with a little room to stretch?

This simple drill often reveals whether you truly need the longest wheelbase. It also shows if a mid-length van will do the job with less hassle on the road. At The Vansmith, we’ve built in just about every common size and have seen plenty of folks shocked by how easy to live in a “smaller” high-roof cargo van can be when the layout is dialed.

Let the numbers on the chart guide you, but let your daily habits and comfort level make the final call.

By far the most budget-friendly option, this van gets it done. Coming in both diesel and gas options, this front-drive tank does oddly well in snow and wet weather because of this bad boy’s heft.

Dodge built this rig to be a cargo van, and thus it's a simple, strong beast. Though the Promaster can be a bit bouncy and a little louder, we're often adding bigger tires and lifts to them. These give them a really badass look and feel and a slightly smoother ride. The gas option (stock), which does not come with a turbo, is plenty strong for most people.

You can also go with the diesel option if you want more power, but all in all, it doesn’t compare to the other options out there. The fuel mileage is just okay. Still, Promasters are crazy solid rigs that can be fixed just about any place by anyone. The parts are super budget-friendly and easy to find. We chose to focus on Promasters for our Legacy Bivy van conversions for all of the reasons above.

Mercedes Sprinter Van Sizes and Features: Is “The Boss” Right for You?

While Ford has been selling cargo vans for years, the Transit is Ford's newest answer to Ram and Mercedes. Though Transits can offer a smoother ride and more features than the Ram Promaster, once you get to a similar build as the Mercedes Sprinter, the price ends up similar too. We do like the fact that parts are easy to replace and you can get maintenance done at most garages.

But, in all truth, if you're going for a rig with a bit more comfort, go with the Mercedes Sprinter. Sprinters are tough as nails and hold their value very well. Not to mention, they look great, even more so with a Vansmith living space.

Ram Promaster and Ford Transit Dimensions: Comparing Practical Van Sizes

Check out to below for a quick spec side-by-side, and as always don’t wait to reach out (info@thevansmith.com) or comment below!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use a van sizes chart to choose the right campervan?

Start by matching the numbers to how you actually live. Focus first on inside standing height (so you can stand to cook and move around), then total length and wheelbase (for parking, turning, and driving comfort), and finally cargo length (to see if you can run a fixed bed front to back or need to sleep sideways with flares).

What’s the difference between high-roof cargo vans and minivans for van life?

High-roof cargo vans let most people stand up inside, which makes daily life—cooking, changing clothes, working—much more comfortable. Minivans and small city vans are easier to park but don’t offer the same interior height or layout flexibility for a full-time or long-term build.

Why does inside standing height matter so much on a van sizes chart?

Inside standing height is the difference between hunching over to cook every day and being able to stand up straight to make coffee. Over time, that extra headroom makes a big impact on comfort, especially if you’re living or traveling in the van for more than just weekends.

What are the pros and cons of a Mercedes Sprinter for a campervan conversion?

The Sprinter is pricey but offers a smooth ride, efficient turbo diesel engine, roomy interior, and tons of ready-made add-ons like ladders, roof racks, and bed kits. The tradeoffs are higher cost, the need to use Mercedes dealerships for major work due to proprietary software, and the possibility of pre-order waitlists.

How do wheelbase and total length affect my van build and driving experience?

Wheelbase and total length determine how tight of a turn you can make on forest roads and how easy the van is to park in town. They also decide whether your rig fits in a standard parking space, which matters if you plan to use it as a daily driver as well as a camper.