Mercedes Sprinter 144
OR
Ford Transit 148
Perfect for solo travelers or couples who want a compact adventure-ready van.
Seat & Sleeps
2Length
19'Shower
Exterior * * Optional Add-OnsClass B RVs, Conversion Vans & Campervans for Sale in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mercedes Sprinter 144
OR
Ford Transit 148
Perfect for solo travelers or couples who want a compact adventure-ready van.
Seat & Sleeps
2Length
19'Shower
Exterior * * Optional Add-OnsMercedes Sprinter 144
OR
Ford Transit 148
Includes a shower setup for longer trips without compromising comfort or space.
Seat & Sleeps
2Length
19'Shower
Bench * * Optional Add-OnsMercedes Sprinter 170
OR
Ford Transit 148 E
Ideal for those who want extra living space and more storage for extended adventures.
Seat & Sleeps
2Length
22'Shower
FullMercedes Sprinter 170
OR
Ford Transit 148 E
Luxury model with full amenities, extended power systems, and interior bathroom.
Seat & Sleeps
2Length
22'Shower
FullMercedes Sprinter 144
OR
Ford Transit 148
Perfect for families who want space, comfort, and functionality in a compact build.
Seat & Sleeps
4Length
19'Shower
Exterior * * Optional Add-OnsMercedes Sprinter 170
OR
Ford Transit 148 E
A larger build for families who love extended adventures and more storage.
Seat & Sleeps
4Length
22'Shower
Bench * * Optional Add-OnsMercedes Sprinter 170
OR
Ford Transit 148 E
The luxury upgrade with interior shower and full power systems for long trips.
Seat & Sleeps
4Length
22'Shower
Full
South Florida is not where most people picture a camper van, and that is exactly why it works. The Florida Keys stretch 110 miles south along a single road, with limited and often expensive lodging. The Everglades begin about 40 minutes west, with campgrounds and long stretches without nearby accommodation. The Gulf Coast is roughly two hours across Alligator Alley. A camper van gives you a place to sleep across all these trips.
Fort Lauderdale's climate brings year-round heat, humidity, and salt exposure. Summer temperatures often reach the low 90s, with high humidity, while winter nights can remain warm and damp. Salt air can contribute to corrosion on exposed vehicle components, and hurricane season runs from June through November. Effective air conditioning, ventilation, moisture management, and regular vehicle care are important considerations for South Florida travel.
The Vansmith creates Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Ford Transit camper vans in Boulder, Colorado, and delivers them across Florida. Conversion packages start at $46,950, complete vans with the chassis included start at $115,950, and pre-built Bivy models range from $119,700 to $192,570. For the statewide picture, see
camper vans in Florida
.
This is the whole specification in South Florida. A van here needs air conditioning that runs overnight off a battery bank sized for it, because campgrounds in the Everglades and parts of the Keys have no hookups and summer nights do not cool off. Insulation and a powered roof fan reduce the load; they do not replace the A/C.
Dew points in the mid 70s mean a sealed van becomes a humid box within hours. Airflow paths behind cabinets, sealed surfaces and a fan that runs continuously are what help control moisture and reduce mold risk, one of the costly problems that can affect vans in Florida's humid climate.
South Florida sun can accelerate wear on paint, seals, sealant, tires and dashboard materials. Insulated window covers, an awning and covered parking where possible can help protect the van and improve comfort during hot weather.
Boards, snorkeling gear, fishing tackle and kayaks can all come back wet and salty. A gear garage with a drain and an exterior shower help keep salt, sand and moisture out of the living space and make it easier to rinse off after a day on the water.
A 12V compressor fridge can run from the van's battery system without requiring shore power. On a Florida Keys trip, where restaurant options can be expensive or spread out between towns, carrying groceries and preparing meals in the van can help manage travel costs.
A lithium battery bank paired with an inverter provides onboard power for charging phones, cameras, laptops and other essential devices. During storm season, a properly sized electrical system can also provide a useful source of backup power, depending on its capacity and remaining charge.
Everglades and Florida Keys trips call for drinking water, insect protection, fishing equipment and outdoor gear. Dedicated storage helps keep supplies organized, especially when traveling beyond Homestead or Key Largo, where convenient shopping options may become less frequent.
The Florida Keys, Everglades, Gulf Coast, Biscayne National Park and Space Coast offer different landscapes and activities for extended van travel. Winter is a popular season for exploring South Florida, when much of the rest of the country is dealing with colder weather. A camper van provides a flexible base for moving between destinations.
| Specification | Why It Matters in Fort Lauderdale | What Buyers Should Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioning | The system the whole van depends on here, used most of the year | Cooling capacity against usable battery capacity, and genuine overnight runtime |
| Ventilation | Dew points in the mid 70s turn a sealed van into a humid box in hours | Fan placement, variable speed, and reversible direction for intake or exhaust |
| Insulation | Keeps heat out and reduces the load on the A/C by a large margin | Coverage on all six sides, and a material that tolerates constant humidity |
| House Battery | Everglades and some Keys sites have no hookups, and you still need cooling | Usable capacity rather than nominal; this is where to spend first in Florida |
| Solar System | Strong year-round, though summer storms and cloud cut output in the afternoon | Panel wattage against roof area; solar supports the bank, it does not replace it |
| Alternator Charging | Recovers the bank on the drive between Keys stops | DC-DC charger output, and what it replaces on an hour of driving |
| Shore Power | Many Florida RV parks have full hookups, which changes the calculation | Onboard charger rating and the input connection fitted |
| Fresh Water | Keys and Everglades sites may have limited potable water, and heat drives use up | Capacity against your route, plus a plan for where you refill |
| Wastewater | Everglades and dispersed sites have no dump facilities | Gray capacity matched to fresh, with accessible drain points |
| Refrigeration | Year-round heat means the fridge works harder than it would up north | Capacity and power draw; a 12V compressor fridge runs on battery alone |
| Sleeping Capacity | Hot afternoons mean more time inside than in a dry climate | DUO layouts for two, FAMILY layouts for four; living space matters here |
| Storage Capacity | Boards, snorkeling, fishing and paddling gear, all of it wet and salty | Gear garage volume with a drain, rear door access, and an exterior rinse point |
| Vehicle Height | Fort Lauderdale and Miami parking structures often post under 8 ft | Roughly 9 to 10 ft in high-roof form; check posted clearance before entering |
| Vehicle Length | Keys parking, dense coastal streets and Everglades campground limits | Approx. 19.5 ft short wheelbase is the easier South Florida vehicle |
| Payload Capacity | Water, batteries, A/C and gear add up faster than people expect | Chassis payload rating against your realistic loaded weight; worked out per build |
| Tires | Constant heat, heavy summer rain and standing water on the roads | Heat and UV age tires faster here; check date codes, not just tread depth |
| Brakes | Flat driving, but wet stopping distances and heavy traffic | Condition and service history; salt air corrodes brake hardware |
| Suspension | Comfort and control when loaded, on generally good pavement | Setup matched to your load; upgrades rarely needed for Florida roads alone |
| Ground Clearance | Everglades access roads and the occasional flooded street | Modest requirements here compared with mountain states |
| Electrical Monitoring | Running A/C overnight off grid, you need to know what is left | A battery monitor showing real state of charge, not a voltage gauge |
| Moisture Management | Mold is the most common expensive fault in a Florida van | Airflow behind cabinets, sealed surfaces, and a fan that runs continuously |
| Corrosion Protection | Salt air reaches well inland and never stops | Fastener and bracket materials, sealed electrical connections, and a rinse routine |
| Temperature Management | Heat is constant rather than seasonal, unlike almost anywhere else we deliver | Insulation, window covers, fan and A/C sized as one system, not individually |
Exact figures for payload, ground clearance, tire sizing and vehicle dimensions depend on the chassis, trim and drivetrain you choose. We confirm each against your build during the design call.
Nine tailored layouts across the two-person DUO Series and the four-person FAMILY Series, on Sprinter 144 and 170 wheelbases and Transit 148 and 148 extended, plus three pre-built Bivy trims. Browse all tailored models.
A Class B RV is a camper built inside a van body rather than on a truck chassis. It parks in a standard space, fits most garages, and crosses the Keys bridges and the Everglades park roads without the width and length problems a larger motorhome brings. Browse our Class B RVs for sale.
Our full current stock, including inspected used vans, is on the camper vans for sale page.
Every layout is available as a camper van for sale in Fort Lauderdale. Pre-built Bivy models are ready in 8 to 10 weeks; tailored layouts typically run 12 to 16 weeks. Use our van designer or call (303) 414-6834 for a fixed, itemized quote.
Our entry two-person layout, from $46,950 as a conversion package. Fixed bed, galley, and the standard electrical, water and heating systems.
From $53,950. Adds capacity and finish over the DUO within the same two-person footprint.
Built on the longer wheelbase for more interior room and a larger gear garage. Call for current pricing.
From $63,950. The fully specified two-person layout on the extended wheelbase.
From $51,950. Sleeps four with a convertible seating and sleeping arrangement.
From $61,950. The four-person layout on the extended wheelbase.
From $68,950. Our most fully specified family layout.
Three pre-built trims on the Sprinter 144 AWD with a pop-top and Havelock wool insulation, ready in 8 to 10 weeks. Bivy Classic is $119,700 with a 5 kWh system. Bivy Plus is $145,845 with 10 kWh, a diesel cabin heater and an exterior shower. Bivy Deluxe is $192,570 with 15 kWh, air conditioning, a Rixen hydronic heater and a secondary alternator. Bivy XL starts at $153,700. See the Bivy comparison. For South Florida, the Deluxe is the only trim we would recommend without modification, because its 15 kWh system and factory-fitted air conditioning are suited to overnight cooling in the Everglades.
Boards, snorkels, fins and paddles. A gear garage with a drain, rinsed with fresh water after every saltwater trip.
Chairs, shade, bug screens and stoves. Shade and bug protection are two Florida-specific items many travelers forget.
The Everglades, Big Cypress and the Florida Trail call for lightweight gear and plenty of water.
The A1A corridor and the Everglades levee roads offer cycling options. Bikes can go inside a gear garage, on a rear rack or on the roof. Salt air can affect a bike left on an exterior rack, so interior storage may be preferable.
Dry storage should be sized to your trip length. Keys and Everglades resupply can be limited and expensive, so plan supplies before leaving larger towns.
A 12V compressor fridge running on battery power is useful in Florida's heat.
Avoid storing wet or salty gear in a sealed compartment in this climate. A drainable area that can be rinsed, dried and ventilated helps keep moisture out of the living space.
The gear garage beneath a raised bed is reached from the rear doors. In Florida, consider specifying a drain for wet equipment.
About 40 minutes south. Miami parking and garage clearances can be tighter than in Fort Lauderdale, so check posted restrictions before entering parking structures.
Key Largo is about 90 minutes away, and Key West is roughly three and a half hours away, depending on traffic. US-1 is a single road with heavy seasonal traffic, limited parking in popular towns and expensive lodging, which is one reason a van can be useful. State park campgrounds in the Keys, including Bahia Honda and John Pennekamp, book up early. Plan months ahead.
About 40 minutes to the Homestead entrance. Flamingo and Long Pine Key have campgrounds, and Flamingo has some hookup sites. Winter is generally the more comfortable season; summer brings heat, storms and mosquitoes.
About an hour south. Much of the park is water, and island camping requires boat access, but the mainland visitor center and shoreline are worth a day trip.
About an hour north along A1A, with beaches, state parks and parking options that may be easier than in Broward or Miami-Dade.
About an hour north and a gateway to Lake Okeechobee and Florida's interior.
About two hours west across Alligator Alley, with access to Collier-Seminole, Big Cypress and the Ten Thousand Islands.
About two and a half to four hours away, from Naples through Sanibel and Fort Myers to Tampa. The Gulf side offers sunsets, calmer water in many areas and different beach and campground options along the coast.
Orlando is about three and a half hours away; Melbourne and the Space Coast are about three hours away, and Wildwood and the I-75 corridor are roughly four hours away.
Savannah is about seven hours away, the Smokies about eleven, and the Florida Panhandle's Gulf Coast roughly eight hours away. Florida distances can be longer than expected, so plan a northbound trip as a multi-day drive rather than a single push.
Supply your own Sprinter or Transit, or buy a complete van with the chassis included from $115,950. If sourcing your own, read new vs. used vans first.
Cabinetry, bed platform, galley, seating and finished surfaces are installed in our Boulder shop. Cabinets carry a lifetime warranty to the original owner.
A lithium house battery, roof solar, DC-DC alternator charging, shore power input, an inverter and a battery monitor showing real state of charge. In Florida, this is one of the most important systems to plan carefully.
A 12V compressor fridge running on battery power, a sink with a pressurized water system, and a cooktop.
A fixed or convertible bed depending on layout, with insulated window covers. Bivy models add a pop-top for standing room and a second sleeping level.
Upper cabinets, galley storage and a gear garage beneath the bed platform with rear-door access on most layouts. Roof racks are available.
Fresh and gray tanks sized to your layout and trip length, a pressurized pump, and accessible drain points. An exterior shower is available and standard on Bivy Plus and Deluxe; in South Florida, it can be especially useful for rinsing off salt and sand.
A fuel-fired air heater runs from the vehicle's own fuel tank, and a powered roof fan offers variable speed and reversible direction. Ventilation will likely be used daily in South Florida. A heater may be used less often, though a winter cold front can still make it useful.
Air conditioning, additional solar, larger battery banks, exterior showers, awnings, roof racks, bike mounts, fine-mesh insect screening and tire packages. See repairs, installations and services.
Lifetime warranty on cabinetry to the original owner, with no mileage or year limit. Appliance warranties come from their manufacturers. The Vansmith is NOAH certified, which may be relevant when discussing insurance and financing.
Nine tailored layouts plus three pre-built Bivy trims, configured around how you travel rather than around what fits a dealer lot.
More than 300 vans have been built since 2016 across both platforms and multiple wheelbases.
The lithium bank, solar, DC-DC charging, shore power, inverter and monitoring are designed as one system. For a Florida buyer, overnight cooling off grid depends on matching the A/C load to usable battery capacity.
Gear garages with drains and rear-door access, exterior showers, roof racks and interior tie-downs are useful for wet and salty equipment.
Systems are installed by our own team in our own shop, keeping one company accountable for the overall van.
The Vansmith is a Boulder family business. Buyers work with the people responsible for their van throughout the process.
Experience designing for intense sun and changing temperatures informs our approach to insulation and electrical systems. Off-grid capability is particularly relevant for Everglades and Keys camping.
Video design calls, build photos throughout the process and staged payments support buyers purchasing from out of state.
Boulder to Fort Lauderdale is about 2,000 miles, and transport can be arranged as part of the purchase.
The original owner receives a lifetime cabinet warranty with no mileage or year limit.
Conversion packages start at $46,950 for the DUO and run to $68,950 for the FAMILY XLS, fitted to a vehicle you supply.
A complete van with the chassis included starts at $115,950.
Sprinter builds are priced according to wheelbase, drivetrain and the layout you choose. Because the chassis is a significant part of the total, use the van designer or call for a current quote. Pre-built Bivy models on the Sprinter 144 AWD are $119,700 for Classic, $145,845 for Plus and $192,570 for Deluxe, with Bivy XL from $153,700.
If you buy the chassis yourself, its cost is separate from the conversion package. Our cost breakdown with real examples explains the components of the total.
Air conditioning, additional solar and a larger battery bank are three options to consider for South Florida. Each is priced individually so the quote can be itemized.
Boulder is about 2,000 miles from Fort Lauderdale. Transport can be arranged as part of the purchase. Use our RV loan calculator and read how to finance a camper van conversion.
Check camper vans for sale and used vans.
Start with camper vans for sale to see what is currently available.
Compare cost, service access and drivetrain. Our comparison guide covers the main differences.
Nine tailored layouts plus three Bivy trims. The van designer lets you explore the options first.
Prioritize battery capacity and cooling, then ventilation, insulation, water capacity and corrosion-resistant hardware.
Conversion packages start at $46,950, and complete vans start at $115,950. Call (303) 414-6834 for a fixed, itemized quote.
Chassis availability varies by platform, drivetrain and model year, and it can affect your timeline.
Design calls take place over video, with build photos throughout and a staged payment schedule: a $2,500 design deposit, 50% at design approval, 25% at build launch and 25% at handover. See our process.
Ready to start? Use the van designer, browse camper vans for sale, or call (303) 414-6834. For the statewide view, see camper vans in Florida.