CHEAP CAMPER VANS
Cheap to buy. Cheaper to own.
Cheap camper vans that do not feel cheap. A Vansmith Class B costs less to build and less to own than a big motorhome, from our $8,970 Foundation to complete, off-grid Sprinter vans. Financing available, hand-built in Boulder, Colorado.
Cheap camper vans that do not feel cheap. A Vansmith Class B costs less to build and less to own than a big motorhome, from our $8,970 Foundation to complete, off-grid Sprinter vans. Financing available, hand-built in Boulder, Colorado.
What cheap really means at The Vansmith
To us, cheap is about total cost, not cut corners. A Vansmith Class B is cheaper to buy than most motorhomes, and cheaper to own: it drives like an SUV, sips fuel, parks at home, and runs off-grid with no campground hookups or storage-lot fees. You get a hand-built, high-quality van that competes with rigs costing far more, and holds its value for years. Start with The Foundation from $8,970, bring your own van, or go fully built.
Why a Vansmith costs less
Cheap is not just the sticker price. It is what you pay to buy your van, to drive it, and to keep it on the road for years.
Lower cost to build
From $8,970Start with The Foundation, bring your own Sprinter or Transit, or choose a complete van. Pay for what you need now and add the rest later.
Lower cost to operate
Off-grid power with solar means no campground hookups. No black tank, no sewer, and a van small enough to keep at home with no storage-lot fees.
Drives like an SUV
A Sprinter Class B sips fuel next to a Class A or Class C motorhome, fits a standard parking spot, and works as your everyday vehicle between trips.
Holds its value
Hand-crafted bamboo cabinetry, four-season insulation, and a lifetime cabinet warranty for the original owner keep a Vansmith worth owning, and worth reselling.
See how a Class B camper van compares with the big motorhomes below.
A cheaper way to own an RV
A Class B camper van is the most affordable RV class to own. Here is how a Vansmith Sprinter compares with a Class C and a Class A motorhome on the costs that add up over the years.
| Cost factor | Class B van | Class C | Class A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday driver | Yes | Hard | No |
| Fuel economy | Excellent | Fair | Poor |
| Parks at home | Yes | Often no | No |
| Campground hookups | Not needed, off-grid | Usually | Usually |
| Storage-lot fees | Rarely | Often | Often |
| Upkeep cost | Lower | Higher | Highest |
A cheap Class B RV is not just a lower price up front. It is lower fuel, lower upkeep, and no storage or hookup fees, so a Vansmith keeps costing you less long after you drive it home.
Compare the complete vans
Every complete, ready-to-drive Vansmith on this page. Each price includes the van, the build, and an off-grid power system.
| Model | Starting price | Sleeps | Bathroom & shower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duo | $114,450 | 2 to 3 | Bathroom-ready (add later) |
| Bivy Classic | $118,200 | 2 | Bathroom-ready bench (add later) |
| Bivy XL Classic | $152,200 | 2 to 4 | Bathroom-ready bench (add later) |
Want the cheapest way in? The Foundation starts at $8,970 as a conversion-only build, then grows with you over time.
Cheap to buy, not cheaply made
Cheap should describe the price, never the build. Every Vansmith uses the same hand-crafted bamboo cabinetry, quality materials, and four-season insulation as our top-tier vans, so a lower price still buys a warm, durable interior that holds up to years on the road.
The cheapest way in: The Foundation
The Foundation is our entry-level build, from $8,970, and it is made to grow with you. We insulate the walls with 3M Thinsulate, lay Coindot flooring, finish the walls and ceiling in prefinished birch, and add mounting brackets, a clean, finished shell you can start using right away. You do not have to build it all at once: add a bed, electrical, windows, cabinets, and the comforts you want over time, on your budget and your schedule. It is the perfect starting point for a DIYer who wants a professional base to build on, installed by the same team behind 300+ full conversions. Conversion only: bring your own Sprinter or Transit, or we can source one for you.
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Cheap camper vans, built to last
At The Vansmith, a cheap camper van does not mean a cheap build. We build custom Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit Class B camper vans at a range of price points, from our $8,970 Foundation to complete, off-grid adventure vans, so you can get on the road at a budget that works for you. These are some of the cheapest camper vans for sale that are still hand-built rather than pulled off a lot.
Based in Boulder, Colorado, we have completed more than 300 conversions since 2016. Every build, even the cheapest, uses the same hand-crafted bamboo cabinetry, four-season insulation, and lifetime cabinet warranty, so your van holds its value for the long haul.
What makes a Vansmith cheaper to own
Cheap is not just the price on the window. The real cost of a camper van is what you pay to keep it running, and that is where a Class B wins:
- Cheaper to drive: a Sprinter Class B gets far better fuel economy than a Class A or Class C motorhome, and it doubles as your everyday vehicle.
- Cheaper to keep: small enough to park in a driveway, so you skip the monthly storage-lot fees a big RV needs.
- Cheaper to camp: off-grid power with solar means no campground hookups, no black tank, and no sewer, so you can camp for free instead of paying RV-park rates.
- Cheaper over time: hand-built quality and a lifetime cabinet warranty mean lower upkeep and stronger resale.
That is why a cheap Class B RV from The Vansmith can cost less to own than a motorhome that looked cheaper on day one.
Cheap Class B RVs and motorhomes, done right
If you are shopping for cheap Class B motorhomes, it pays to compare more than the sticker. A bargain rig with poor insulation, a thirsty engine, and a flimsy interior can cost more in fuel, repairs, and lost value than a well-built van. A Vansmith Class B is priced to compete, and built to outlast, the cheaper options in other RV classes.
Ways to keep the cost down: start with The Foundation and build up over time, bring your own Sprinter or Transit for a conversion-only price, choose a complete Duo or Bivy Classic, or finance the build into monthly payments. Because every build is modular and made to order, you are never locked out of the features you want later.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest Vansmith camper van?
The Foundation is our cheapest option, starting at $8,970. It is an entry-level conversion that insulates, floors, and panels your van and adds mounting brackets, so you can add a bed, electrical, and cabinets later. Among our complete vans, the Duo is the cheapest full van and build, from $114,450.
How much does a cheap camper van cost?
It ranges widely. The Foundation starts at $8,970, a complete Duo van and build from $114,450, and a fully built Bivy Classic from $118,200. Conversion-only builds, where you supply the van, cost less than complete vans that include the vehicle. Browse the cheap camper vans for sale above for current pricing.
Why is a Class B camper van cheaper than a motorhome?
A Class B van is cheaper to own across the board. It gets better fuel economy than a Class A or Class C motorhome, parks at home so you skip storage-lot fees, and runs off-grid with solar so you avoid campground hookup costs. It also doubles as an everyday vehicle, so you may not need a second car.
Do you have cheap Class B RVs or motorhomes?
Yes. Every Vansmith is a Class B RV, and we build them at a range of prices, from the $8,970 Foundation to complete off-grid vans. We think a cheap Class B RV should still be hand-built and high quality, so it costs less to own and holds its value, not just a low price up front.
Are your cheap camper vans for sale or made to order?
Both. Every Vansmith is a Class B RV made to order, and every cheap camper van for sale above is a real configuration you can build from. Start with the Duo or a Bivy Classic, supply your own van for a conversion-only price, or finance the build into monthly payments.
Is a cheap camper van still good quality?
Yes. Every build, even the cheapest, uses the same hand-crafted bamboo cabinetry, four-season insulation, and our lifetime cabinet warranty for the original owner, and is built by a team that has completed more than 300 conversions. A cheap Vansmith holds its value and its quality.
What makes a Vansmith cheaper to own than a big RV?
Lower running costs. Better fuel economy than a Class A or Class C, no storage-lot fees because it fits at home, no campground hookups thanks to off-grid solar power, and lower upkeep with stronger resale. The total cost of ownership is what makes a Class B the cheap RV class.
Can I finance a cheap camper van?
Yes. We offer RV financing so you can spread the cost into monthly payments rather than paying all at once. It is a common way buyers get into a build sooner.
Do I have to provide my own van?
It depends on the build. Conversion-only builds and The Foundation are priced for you to supply the Sprinter or Transit (or we can source one for you), which keeps the cost down. Complete vans include the vehicle in the price.
What is The Foundation?
The Foundation is our entry-level build, from $8,970. We insulate the walls with 3M Thinsulate, install Coindot flooring, finish the walls and ceiling in prefinished birch, and add mounting brackets for future cabinets, professionally installed in our Boulder shop. It is a smarter alternative to a DIY kit, and you can add bed systems, electrical, windows, and more whenever you are ready.
Can I add features later?
Yes. Our builds are modular and made to order, so you can start with The Foundation or a complete Classic van and add a bed system, electrical upgrades, windows, a shower, or a toilet down the road as your budget allows.
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Our team in Boulder is ready to help you design the perfect van for your lifestyle.
Or call us at (303) 414-6834 · info@thevansmith.com
