Class B RVs, Conversion Vans & Campervans for Sale in Ontario, CA
"We wanted a camper van that would work for both quick getaways and longer trips through Southern California. Our Vansmith gives us enough space for our camping gear, and the comfortable setup means we can spend a few nights away without feeling cramped."
— Jessica R., Ontario, CA
"We do a lot of spontaneous road trips, so having a van that’s easy to pack and ready to go was important to us. Our Vansmith has plenty of storage for our outdoor gear, and it’s made trips from Ontario into the desert, mountains, and along the coast much easier."
— Brandon T., Ontario, CA
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-Ons
Mercedes 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-Ons
Mercedes 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
Full
Mercedes Sprinter 170
OR
Ford Transit 148 E
Luxury model with full amenities, extended power systems, and interior bathroom.
Seat & Sleeps
2Length
22'Shower
Full
Mercedes 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-Ons
Mercedes 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-Ons
Mercedes 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
Ontario sits at a genuinely useful crossroads. Big Bear and the San Bernardino Mountains are 90 minutes north, Joshua Tree and the Mojave under two hours east, and the coast about an hour west. Few places in the country put alpine, desert and ocean that close together. What a camper van for Ontario has to handle is Inland Empire summer, where 100-degree days are routine, along with dust, freeway miles and the smoke that arrives most fire seasons.
The Vansmith builds Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Ford Transit camper vans in Boulder, Colorado, and delivers them to buyers across the Inland Empire. We have built more than 300 vans since 2016. Conversion packages on a van you already own start at $46,950, complete vans with the chassis included start at $115,950, and pre-built Bivy models run from $119,700 to $145,845 depending on trim.
Ontario runs considerably hotter than the coast an hour away. Summer highs pass 100 degrees regularly, and a dark van parked in full sun gets far hotter still. This is the single biggest factor in how the van should be specified.
Dust gets into everything on desert and forest roads. Sealed cabinetry, washable floors and a gear garage that keeps dirty equipment out of the living space make a real difference over years of use.
Smoke season now affects most years in Southern California. No van is an air purifier, but a sealed, insulated shell with controllable ventilation lets you close up, stop drawing outside air and run a portable filter off the battery bank when the air quality index climbs. Check forecasts before committing to a route, and have an alternate destination in mind.
Inland Empire life involves freeway miles. A van around 19.5 feet drives close to a full-size pickup, which is what makes it tolerable as a daily vehicle rather than a weekend-only one.
Big Bear sits above 6,700 feet and gets real snow; the Mojave runs above 100 degrees in summer. The same van needs real heating and real cooling.
The beaches are about an hour west, which means salt air exposure a few times a month for many owners. Rinsing the underbody after coastal trips is worth the habit.
| Technical Specification | Why It Matters in Ontario, CA | What We Build |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling and ventilation | 100-degree summer days are routine | 12V air conditioning options plus a powered roof fan that vents hot air through the ceiling |
| Solar power | Strong Southern California sun most of the year | Roof solar sized to your layout and daily draw |
| House battery capacity | Decides how long cooling runs off-grid | Lithium bank sized around your largest overnight load |
| Alternator charging | Long freeway drives are a charging opportunity | DC-DC charging that refills the bank while you drive |
| Shore power | The practical answer for all-night summer cooling | Onboard charger and shore connection on every build |
| Insulation | Slows heat gain and reduces cooling load | Insulation on all six sides, Havelock wool in pre-built Bivy models |
| Roof vent and ventilation | Hot air collects at the ceiling | Powered roof fan with variable speed and direction |
| Window ventilation | Cross-flow lowers interior temperature | Window configuration and insulated covers matched to the layout |
| Refrigeration | Ice does not last in Inland Empire heat | 12V compressor fridge running on battery power |
| Fresh water capacity | Desert services are far apart | Tanks sized to your realistic trip length |
| Wastewater capacity | Dispersed desert sites have no facilities | Gray tank sized to match fresh capacity |
| Electrical monitoring | Tells you what you have left | Battery monitor showing real-time state of charge |
| Interior storage | Gear is usually the real constraint | Gear garage under a raised bed, cabinets and roof racks |
| Payload capacity | A full build plus gear adds up | Confirm GVWR against final build weight for your chassis |
| Tire configuration | Heat and dust are hard on tires | Chosen around your routes; check age as well as tread |
| Ground clearance | Desert and forest access roads | Suspension and tire upgrades available where routes justify them |
| Drivetrain | Mountain snow and sandy desert roads | RWD, AWD or 4x4 depending on platform |
| Vehicle length | Standard parking and switchback roads | Approx. 19.5 ft short wheelbase or 22.5 ft extended |
| Vehicle height | Garages and parking structures | Roughly 9 to 10 ft in high roof form |
| Turning radius | Tight lots and mountain switchbacks | Shorter wheelbase turns more tightly |
| Heating system | Big Bear nights drop below freezing | Fuel-fired heater running off the vehicle's fuel tank |
| Water and plumbing protection | Freezing at elevation in winter | Routing and drain access that allow winterizing |
| Exterior materials | Sun and dust degrade finishes | Durable exterior components and properly sealed penetrations |
| Coastal-trip maintenance | Beach trips bring salt exposure | Rinse the underbody after coastal travel; we advise on this at handover |
| Air quality considerations | Smoke season affects most years | Sealed shell, controllable ventilation, battery capacity for a portable filter |
Exact figures for payload, turning radius, ground clearance and towing depend on the chassis, trim and drivetrain you choose. We confirm each against your build during the design call.
The Sprinter holds its value, its diesel engine gets more range per tank across the desert, and its AWD and 4x4 options have years of proven use on rough forest and desert roads. It costs more to buy and service. If you are shopping for a Mercedes Sprinter van in Ontario as a long-term vehicle, resale value is a real part of the calculation. Browse our Sprinter van conversion lineup and each Sprinter camper for sale we list.
Lower purchase price, cheaper routine maintenance, and Ford dealers throughout Southern California. AWD available. See our Ford Transit conversion builds and Ford camper vans for sale .
A Class B is a camper built on a van chassis rather than a truck frame. It parks in a standard space, fits most home garages, and handles freeway commuting and mountain switchbacks alike. Browse our Class B RVs for sale .
We keep a rotating selection of inspected used camper vans that ship from Boulder. Buying used saves money and gets you on the road sooner, provided you know what to check. There is a full section on that below.
Current stock is listed on our camper vans for sale page. For a build, use our van designer or call (303) 414-6834 for a fixed, itemized quote.
Insulation on all six sides, a powered roof fan, insulated window covers and air conditioning sized to the battery bank. Insulation and ventilation come first, because they decide how hard the cooling has to work and therefore how long your batteries last. See our guide on keeping an RV cool in summer and our A/C installation page.
Sealed Baltic birch cabinetry, washable flooring and durable surfaces built for frequent desert use, plus a gear garage that keeps dusty equipment separate.
A well-sealed and insulated shell with controllable ventilation, plus enough battery capacity to run a portable air filter overnight.
Proper seating, a layout that does not shift on the road, and climate control that works while you drive as well as when you are parked.
A short-wheelbase build around 19.5 feet fits standard spaces. Height, at roughly 9 to 10 feet, is what rules out most garages, so measure your door opening before ordering, and check HOA rules if you have them.
A fuel-fired heater and four-season insulation for Big Bear nights, plus appropriate tires. Chain controls are common on mountain roads during winter storms.
Water capacity sized for long gaps between services, a large battery bank for cooling, and ground clearance and tires suited to the roads you actually drive.
A gear garage beneath a raised bed for bikes, boards, skis and packs, with roof racks for anything bulky or too dusty to bring inside.
Two-person layout on a Sprinter 144 or Transit 148, about 19.5 feet, with a convertible VersaBed, full galley and gear storage. From $46,950 as a conversion.
The same short footprint with a bench shower inside. From $53,950 as a conversion.
Extended platform around 22.5 feet, with more storage and a flexible sleeping system.
The most complete two-person layout, with a full interior bathroom and extended power. From $63,950 as a conversion.
Four seatbelts and four berths on the short wheelbase. From $51,950 as a conversion.
Extended family layout with a bench shower and extra storage. From $61,950 as a conversion.
Full interior shower and full power systems for longer trips without hookups. From $68,950 as a conversion.
Pre-built on a Sprinter 144 AWD with a pop-top and four-season Havelock wool insulation, ready in 8 to 10 weeks. Classic from $119,700 with 5 kWh lithium, Plus from $145,845 with 10 kWh and a diesel cabin heater, Deluxe from $192,570 with 15 kWh, air conditioning and a hydronic heater. See our Bivy comparison .
Complete tailored vans with the chassis included start at $115,950. Browse all tailored models .
A used Class B costs less and is available sooner, but you inherit someone else's layout, wiring and maintenance habits. In Southern California specifically, heat shortens battery life and coastal trips accelerate corrosion, so both deserve close attention. Here is what to check.
Ask who built it, whether the electrical work was done professionally, and whether there is documentation. A van with a clear build record and service history is worth paying more for than one without.
Chassis mileage and camper age are separate questions. A high-mileage chassis with a recent, well-built interior can be a better buy than a low-mileage van with a poor conversion.
Look for consistent chassis servicing and, on the camper side, evidence that the heater, water system and batteries have been maintained rather than ignored.
This is where most used-van problems hide. Look for clean, labeled, properly fused wiring, ask the age and type of the battery bank, and check that the inverter, charger and solar controller all function. Heat is hard on batteries, so ask when they were last replaced.
Test the pump, check for leaks under the sink and around tanks, and look for water stains or soft spots in the floor and walls.
Check tire age as well as tread depth, since rubber degrades in Southern California sun regardless of miles. Inspect brakes and suspension, and look at the underbody for corrosion if the van has seen regular coastal use.
Open and close every door and drawer. Cabinetry that has loosened or cracked usually points to a build that was not engineered for road vibration.
Most used vans carry no remaining warranty. Our lifetime cabinet warranty covers the original owner only, so confirm what, if anything, transfers.
Have any used van inspected before you buy, ideally by someone who understands camper systems as well as the chassis. Our used van buying checklist and used Sprinter pre-purchase checklist both cover the details.
Ninety minutes north, with alpine forest, trailheads and campgrounds above 6,000 feet where nights are cold even in summer.
Real winter snow and a genuine ski season. Chain controls are common on the mountain roads during storms.
Mojave National Preserve is about two and a half hours east, with quiet camping, sand dunes and very limited services.
Under two hours east. Hot days, cold nights and little shade, which makes ventilation, window covers and a strong battery bank matter.
About an hour west, with state beach campgrounds from Huntington south. See our Los Angeles , San Diego and Ventura pages.
Las Vegas is about four hours northeast and northern Arizona within a day. See camper vans in Nevada and Arizona .
Death Valley, Sequoia and Yosemite are all reachable on a long weekend, and Joshua Tree on a short one.
Conversion pricing covers the build only, on a van you already own. Complete-van pricing from $115,950 includes the chassis, and we can source the vehicle.
Insulation on all six sides, wall and ceiling panels, flooring, cabinetry and the interior layout.
Lithium battery bank, inverter, DC-DC alternator charging, shore power, solar, distribution and a battery monitor. See our Electrical System work and Solar Installation page.
A galley with a sink, counter space, fresh and gray water plumbing and a 12V compressor fridge.
A convertible VersaBed or fixed bed depending on layout, sleeping two in the DUO Series and four in the FAMILY Series.
Overhead cabinets, drawers and a gear garage beneath a raised bed, with roof racks available.
Fresh and gray tanks sized to layout, with exterior, bench or full interior shower options.
Air conditioning, heater specification, additional solar, larger battery capacity, roof racks, suspension upgrades and finish choices. See Heater Service and Repairs, installations, and services .
A lifetime cabinet warranty for the original owner with no mileage or year limits.
A video call with the design team to settle layout, materials and systems.
Digital build updates and clear payment milestones. A $2,500 design deposit reserves your slot, 50% is due at design approval, 25% at build launch and 25% at handover. See our process .
We arrange transport to Ontario and anywhere in the Inland Empire.
Fly into Denver and drive roughly 1,000 miles home through the Southwest.
We walk you through every system before you leave, so you know how the van works on your first night out.
| Ontario Travel Condition | Technical Priority | What We Build For It |
|---|---|---|
| 100F+ summer heat | Insulation, ventilation, then cooling | Six-sided insulation, powered roof fan, insulated window covers, 12V air conditioning |
| Desert camping | Water and power capacity | Tanks and lithium bank sized to the gaps between services |
| San Bernardino mountain trips | Heating and drivetrain | Fuel-fired heater, four-season insulation, AWD or 4x4 with appropriate tires |
| Joshua Tree and Mojave trips | Thermal control and off-grid power | Window covers, roof fan, solar and DC-DC charging for multi-day stays |
| Coastal trips | Moisture and corrosion management | Sealed penetrations, washable surfaces, underbody rinsing after beach travel |
| Long freeway drives | Comfort and charging | Secure layout, climate control on the move, alternator charging |
| Urban Ontario driving | Size and maneuverability | Short-wheelbase build around 19.5 ft that fits standard spaces |
| Outdoor gear transport | Storage planning | Gear garage under a raised bed, roof racks, washable flooring |
Ready to find the right conversion van for sale in Ontario, CA? Design your van , browse vans available now , or call (303) 414-6834. We also build for buyers in Los Angeles , San Diego and Ventura , and deliver across all 50 states .
Email: info@thevansmith.com
Text: 303-381-0740
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Call: 303-381-0740
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