The Ford E-350 offers rugged durability and high payload, while modern vans deliver brighter interiors and smoother comfort. The right choice depends on whether you value classic strength or modern livability for your adventures.
Beginner’s Guide to Vanlife by The Vansmith
What Is a Class B Camper Van? A Comprehensive Guide to Class B RVs
What Is a Class B Camper Van? If you've ever asked, “What is a Class B camper?” you’re not alone. Class B camper vans are the smallest motorized RVs on...
Van Roof Vent Installation Guide 2026: Best Options for Your Van
One of the first changes many people ask about is van roof airflow. Good airflow changes how good a van feels during warm weather, cooking, or humid nights. Over the...
Best Overlanding Fridges & Freezers in 2026
Find the best overlanding fridge for your van build. Compare top 12V fridges, dual-zone freezers, and rugged options tested on real road trips.
The Ultimate RV Maintenance Checklist: Monthly & Annual Tips
RV Maintenance checklist covering tire pressure/wear, roof seals, brakes, batteries, propane detectors, slide-outs, and regular inspections to prevent costly RV repair.
RV Wiring Guide: Understanding RV Electrical Systems
RV electrical guide: 12V DC & 120V AC systems, wiring diagram, RV batteries in series/parallel, solar & portable power, and safe 30/50-amp campground hookups.
RV Classes Guide: Different RV Types Explained
Explore different RV types—Class A, B, and C motorhomes. Learn what makes Class A the largest, bus-style RV, plus Class B vans and Class C over-cab models.
Sprinter vs Transit: 9 Van Conversion Red Flags to Never Ignore
Protect your investment by spotting red flags in a conversion company—high upfront cash requests, unrealistically low quotes, and unclear contracts.
RV Kitchen Essentials: What to Pack for Easy Cooking on the Road
When people ask about rv kitchen must-haves, they often picture a long checklist. In practice, cooking in an RV works best when the list is short and simple on purpose....
Van Conversion Warranties: What Good Conversion Companies Should Offer
Learn what warranties good conversion companies offer and how the best conversion warranties provide long-term protection and value.
Pop Up Camper With Toilet: Mercedes 4x4 Buyer’s Guide
Are you in the market for a solid and ready van? Finding the perfect 4x4 camper van for sale can be daunting with so many choices out there. Whether you...
Van Conversion Certifications: What Your Builder Must Have
Make sure your conversion company has proper certification compliance, including a valid EPA Certificate of Conformity issued for the conversion system.
Top Picks for Offroad Vans: Find the Best Used Sprinter RV
Explore the best 4x4 camper van for sale options with expert insights on types, manufacturers like The Vansmith, conversions, and buying used vs new.
Off Road Sprinter Van Guide: Choosing the Right Mercedes Benz Van Size
If you crave trips beyond paved roads, an off road sprinter van offers range and toughness. It can handle a wide range of terrains while giving comfort and reliable results....
4 Wheel Drive Vans: What Vans Actually Have Real Off-Road Traction
One of the most common questions we hear is what vans have 4-wheel drive, and the reason is simple. Travel plans change fast in the mountains. The weather turns. Roads...
Affordable Campervans and Motorhomes: A Budget Buyer's Guide
Affordable campervans and motorhomes compared: real 2026 prices for towable trailers, DIY conversions, used Class B campervans, and entry-level new factory models, so you know what each option actually costs.
Transit Interior Water Damage: What RV Insurance Covers and What It Doesn’t
Understand RV insurance water damage coverage, what’s excluded, and how to protect your camper or van before you file a claim.
Best Travel Trailers for Couples in 2026 Under 30 Feet
Most couples do best with a travel trailer or fifth wheel under 26 to 30 feet: models like the Grand Design Imagine, Rockwood Mini Lite, Keystone Cougar, and small Grand...
Best 4x4 Camper Vans & Off-Road RVs in 2026: A Builder's Honest Guide
Explore the best 4×4 campervans, including Winnebago Revel, Storyteller Overland, Outside Van, and Hymer—off-road, off-grid RVs built for adventure.
Class B RV Guide: Building a Transit 250 Van for Van Life
The Instagram photos make van life look like a trip that never stops - waking up to mountain views, cooking breakfast by clear lakes, and living free from the limits...
Diesel vs Gas RVs: Complete Guide to Motorhomes
Diesel RVs offer superior torque for mountain driving and towing, better fuel efficiency, and a smoother, quieter ride with a rear-engine design and higher overall power.
Discover the Best Class B Camper Vans: Transit AWD Guide
TL;DR The best Class B camper van brand depends on how you actually travel. For full-time living, Pleasure-Way and Leisure Travel Vans (both on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis) lead on...
Best Class B+ RV: How mercedes sprinter van colors Shape Your Build
Intro Finding the best class b+ r means looking beyond size and into comfort, strength, and how well an RV supports real travel. Class b plus rvs sit between van-style...
Best Van for Full-Time Living: Top Vans for Life on the Road
Finding the best vans for living full-time starts with knowing how space, comfort, and dependability work as one on the road. Whether you are chasing powder in the Rockies or...
Best Motorhome Brands for Life on the Road
What is the best RV brand for life on the road? It depends on how you travel, where you roam, and what comfort means to you. For van folks and...
Easiest Camper Van to Drive: Best RVs for Confident, Stress-Free Travel
Choosing the Easiest RV to drive can shape your entire trip. For van folks, travelers, and first-time RV drivers, trust behind the wheel matters. After years on mountain roads, desert...
Best Camper for Full-Time Living
Living on the road full-time demands more than weekend comfort. The best camper for full-time living supports daily habits, changing weather, remote work, and long stretches off the grid. At...
Best Free Overnight RV Parking & Mercedes Benz Limo Sprinter Guide
Find free overnight RV parking at Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Cabela’s, casinos, truck stops, and public lands like BLM areas and state or national forests.
Ford Transit Reliability: What Vanlifers Should Know Before You Buy
If you've spent time around van people, you've likely heard the question: Are Ford Transit vans dependable? The short answer: yes, the Ford Transit is generally considered a reliable, highly...
Class B RVs with Slide Outs: Pros, Cons, and What to Know
Discover how class b rvs with slide outs work, their pros and cons, and smarter layout alternatives to maximize space in a compact camper van.
Class B RV Bathroom Guide: Do These Camper Vans Have Showers?
If you're shopping for a Class B RV with a bathroom, you might be wondering - do these smaller rigs really include toilets and showers? The short answer: yes. Most...
Storyteller Overland Alternatives: Why The Vansmith Gives You More
Explore Storyteller Overland alternatives with The Vansmith: custom Sprinter builds, higher quality, and better value for your adventure van.
Ford Transit Seating Guide: How Many Seats Does Each Model Have?
Ford Transit Passenger Van seats 8–15 passengers with flexible 2, 5, 8, 12, or 15-seat options. A versatile high-roof or low-roof van with 3 rows and rear cargo space.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van Dimensions, Height & Features: How Tall is it?
The Sprinter van dimensions are one of the main reasons this platform is so popular among travelers and vanlifers. If you’ve ever wondered how tall is a Sprinter van or...
What’s the Best Van for Vanlife?
Choosing the best van for van life depends on how you plan to use it. A solo traveler taking weekend trips needs something different from a couple living on the...
Cargo Van Comparison: Passenger Vans and Box Trucks Explained
Learn the difference between cargo vans, passenger vans, and box trucks—designed for transporting goods, bulky items, tools, or people, and ideal for conversions.
Best Camping Van and Vehicle Options for Adventures in 2026
TL;DR SUVs, trucks, and minivans can all work for camping, but a van is the only option that gives you standing headroom, a real kitchen, and enough space to actually...
Living in a Van: A Practical Guide to Starting Full-Time Van Life
Discover full-time van life with The Vansmith— resources for beginners, van types, layouts, costs, and tips on minimalism, cooking, power, and more.
Best Vans for Camper Conversion in 2026: Top Platforms Compared
Picking the right van for a camper conversion comes down to four trade-offs: price, interior standing height, drivetrain capability, and how long the platform holds up. This guide compares the...
Van With Best Gas Mileage: Most Fuel-Efficient Vans of 2026 With Real US MPG Numbers
Quick answer: If fuel economy is your top priority, the most efficient camper base you can buy new in the US in 2026 is the Toyota Sienna Hybrid (EPA-rated 36...
RV vs Camper: What’s the Real Difference for Your Road Trips?
Compare rv vs camper types, costs, and comfort so you can choose the right rig for your travel style and budget. Get expert tips from van builders.
RV Storage Cost Guide 2026: How Much Does It Cost to Store an RV?
If you’re an RV owner, sooner or later you’ll ask: how much does it cost to store an RV? Whether you’re a full-time vanlifer taking a break from the road,...
How to Choose the Best 4x4 Camper Van for Remote Adventures
Find the best 4x4 camper van for remote travel, from chassis to layout and off-grid systems. Compare options and get tips before you build or buy.
Sprinter Van Cost in 2026: Mercedes-Benz Van Prices and Conversion
If you've been dreaming of hitting the open road in style, you've likely asked yourself: How much does a Sprinter van cost? The answer depends on whether you buy new...
How Much Does a Camper Van Cost? Average Monthly Van Life Costs Explained
Monthly living expenses in Colorado for van life typically range between $800 and $3,000+, depending on lifestyle and travel habits.
Best Van for Mobile Office: How to Choose the Right Work Van
By Eugene, CEO and Owner Choosing the right platform for mobile office van conversion shapes long-term output and work success. Other van models offer clear upsides for workspace design, tech...
Choosing the Best DIY Van Conversion Kits for Your Adventure
Learn how to select the perfect DIY van conversion kit—match your van type, skill level, and budget for a seamless build and better long-term results.
Murphy Bed for Vans: Slide-Out or Lift? Pros & Cons
By Santiago, Head of Design Choosing the right slide-out bed system dramatically impacts your van's functionality and comfort. Each bed style offers - The Vansmith
Camper Van Financing: How to Make Your Dream Conversion Affordable
Discover camper van finance options to make your dream conversion affordable. Start your van life journey with flexible financing solutions today!
The History of Camper Vans- From Trendy to Timeless
Van life began in the 1960s–70s counterculture and has evolved into a mainstream lifestyle embraced by digital nomads, adventurers, and freedom-seekers today.
Vansmith’s Expert Guide to Buying a Mercedes Sprinter for Van Life
Considering buying a new Mercedes Sprinter? Explore models, cargo/passenger options, features, and custom upfitting to create your ideal van build layout.
Campervan Insurance Cost: What You’ll Really Pay to Insure Your Rig
Campervan insurance runs $500–$1,600/year ($40–$135+/month) on average. Compare costs by van type, coverage level, and top providers before you buy.
Sprinter vs Transit: Which Van Is Right for Your Van Life Build?
Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit & Ram ProMaster are top cargo vans—Sprinter leads in luxury, Transit in reliability, and ProMaster in space & value.
Winnebago Revel Review: A Colorado Builder's Honest Take
Honest winnebago revel review from a Colorado van builder—real-world pros, cons, and better alternatives for serious off-road travel.
2026 Guide to the Best Vans for Conversion into a Camper
Explore top vans for camper conversion like the Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit. Choose based on your budget, needs, and van life lifestyle goals.
Scott Turpin’s Family Van Conversion: From DIY to Dialed-In Adventure
From solo DIY build to family-ready home on wheels—discover how Scott Turpin upgraded his adventure van into a practical, comfortable mobile base
2026 Ford Transit Trail Conversion: The Ultimate Van Build Platform
When it comes to creating the best conversion van, the choice of base vehicle is key. Among the many options out there, the Ford Transit Trail stands out as a...
Van Sizes Chart: Choosing the Right Campervan for Your Build
Compare Sprinter, ProMaster, and Ford Transit cargo vans side by side with a real van size comparison chart, wheelbase, height, width, and engine specs, to find the right fit for your build.
Buying a Used Van vs. New for Van Life: Pros and Cons
Compare new vs. used camper vans: new offers tech and reliability, while used vans are more affordable, customizable, and avoid rapid depreciation.
