SMALL CAMPER VANS
Easy to drive. Easy to park. Ready to go.
Small camper vans built on the short Mercedes Sprinter 144 and Ford Transit 148. Nimble enough for everyday life, complete enough to live in. Hand-built in Boulder, Colorado.
Easy to drive. Easy to park. Ready to go.
Small camper vans built on the short Mercedes Sprinter 144 and Ford Transit 148. Nimble enough for everyday life, complete enough to live in. Hand-built in Boulder, Colorado.
Small on the outside, big on adventure
A small camper van is built on the short Mercedes Sprinter 144 or Ford Transit 148 wheelbase, about 19 to 20 feet long. That makes it far easier to drive, park, and live with day to day than the longer 170 inch and extended builds, without giving up a real bed, galley, water, and power. New custom builds are listed first below, with ready-to-go used vans at the bottom.
Why choose a small camper van
A shorter van is the most maneuverable, easiest-to-own way to get on the road. Here is what the smaller footprint gives you.
Easy to drive & park
Easiest to driveAt about 19 to 20 feet long, a small camper van handles much like a full-size truck or SUV. Slip into normal parking spots, work through tight city streets, and reach trailhead lots the longer builds cannot.
Goes more places
A shorter wheelbase means a tighter turning radius and better maneuverability on narrow forest roads and switchbacks, so you can get farther off pavement and closer to camp.
Better efficiency, lower cost
Less length means less weight, better fuel economy than the longer 170 inch and extended builds, and a lower starting price, so more of your budget goes into the build itself.
Easier to live with
A smaller van is simpler to store, friendlier for first-time van owners, and an easy daily driver between trips, all without giving up a real bed, galley, water, and power.
Want more interior room for a family or a full enclosed shower? Our 170 inch and extended builds add length when you need it.
Compare our small camper vans
Three of our model lines are built on the short Sprinter 144 and Ford Transit 148. Here is how they compare.
| Model line | Sleeps | Starts at | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bivy | 2 | $118,200 | Couples who want a premium, fully finished build with a big rear gear garage. |
| Duo | 2 (3 with a bunk) | $43,950 | Couples who want a flexible layout at the best value, from conversion-only to turnkey. |
| Family | 3 to 4 | $50,450 | Families and groups traveling with kids who still want a nimble footprint. |
Both platforms are offered with all-wheel drive: the Sprinter 144 with 4x4 diesel, the Ford Transit 148 with AWD gas.
Small on the outside, complete on the inside
A shorter van does not mean roughing it. Every small Vansmith build still has a full, comfortable bed, a real galley with a sink and fridge, fresh and gray water, house power, heat, and storage designed around how you travel. We fit a complete home into the most maneuverable footprint we make, so you give up length, not livability. Want to add a shower? A convertible bench shower tucks into a small van without taking over the floor plan.
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Small camper vans, built in Boulder, Colorado
At The Vansmith, we have been hand-building custom camper vans since 2016. Our small camper vans are built on the short Mercedes Sprinter 144 and Ford Transit 148, the most agile, easiest-to-own platforms we offer. As skiers, bikers, hikers, and climbers ourselves, we know how much easier the right-sized van makes everyday life, from the grocery run to the trailhead.
What counts as a small camper van?
We build our small vans on two short-wheelbase platforms:
- Mercedes Sprinter 144: the short-wheelbase Sprinter, about 19 and a half feet long, available with 4x4 diesel.
- Ford Transit 148: the standard-length Transit, about 19 and a half feet long, available with all-wheel drive gas.
By comparison, our longer builds on the 170 inch Sprinter and the extended ("148 long") Transit run roughly 22 to 24 feet. A small van is two to four feet shorter, which makes a real difference when you are parking downtown, threading a forest road, or storing the van at home. Our Bivy, Duo, and Family lines are all available on the small platform.
New builds and used vans
New custom builds: made to order on the Sprinter 144 or Transit 148 around your layout, finishes, and features, and backed by our lifetime cabinet warranty for the original owner. The new vans are listed first above.
Used and consignment vans: a rotating selection of pre-owned small vans, inspected and ready to drive away today, usually at a lower price than a new build. You will find these at the bottom of the listings.
Not sure which way to go? If you want it exactly your way, build new. If you want to get on the road sooner and spend less, a used van is a great option.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a small camper van?
A small camper van is a fully built camper on a short-wheelbase chassis, about 19 to 20 feet long. We build ours on the Mercedes Sprinter 144 and the standard Ford Transit 148, so they are easy to drive and park while still having a real bed, galley, water, and power inside.
What is the difference between a 144 and a 170 or extended van?
It comes down to length. The Sprinter 144 and Transit 148 are about 19 and a half feet long, while the 170 inch Sprinter and extended Transit run roughly 22 to 24 feet. The shorter vans are easier to drive, park, and store; the longer vans trade some of that for extra interior room, bunks, and space for a full enclosed shower.
Are small camper vans easier to drive and park?
Yes. A small van handles much like a full-size truck or SUV, with a tighter turning radius and a footprint that fits normal parking spots and tight trailhead lots. It is the easiest van to live with day to day, especially for first-time van owners.
How many people can a small camper van sleep?
Our Bivy and Duo builds on the small platform sleep two on a full king or queen bed, and a Duo can add a bunk for occasional extra sleeping. Our small Family builds sleep three to four with bunk beds and a kids hammock.
Can a small camper van still have a shower or toilet?
Yes. A convertible bench shower and a dry-flush or cassette toilet both fit a small van without taking over the floor plan. If you want a fully enclosed interior shower, that usually calls for one of our longer 170 inch or extended builds.
Do small camper vans get better gas mileage?
Generally yes. A shorter van weighs less than the longer 170 inch and extended builds, which helps fuel economy. Exact mileage depends on the chassis, drivetrain, and how you drive and load the van.
Will a small camper van fit in my garage?
Most of our builds are high-roof vans, which are too tall for a standard residential garage even though the length fits. The footprint parks like a full-size truck, so it is easy to store outside or in a driveway. If garage height matters to you, ask us about lower-roof options and we will check the exact dimensions.
Which is the most affordable small camper van?
Our Duo line is the best value on the small platform, starting at $43,950 as a conversion-only build. From there you can add finishes and features, or step up to a fully turnkey Sprinter or Transit build.
Can I get 4x4 or all-wheel drive in a small van?
Yes. The Mercedes Sprinter 144 is available with 4x4 diesel, and the Ford Transit 148 is available with all-wheel drive gas, so you can have a capable small van for snow, dirt, and forest roads.
Should I buy a new or used small camper van?
New builds are made to order and fully customizable, backed by our lifetime cabinet warranty for the original owner. Used vans cost less and are ready now. If you want it exactly your way, go new; if you want to hit the road sooner for less, a used small van is a great option.
How much does a small camper van cost?
New small vans start at $43,950 for a conversion-only Duo and rise with finishes, features, and fully turnkey builds. Used small vans are priced individually. Browse the listings above for current pricing, or start a build for a custom quote.
Ready to Start Your Build?
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
