Class B RVs, Conversion Vans & Campervans for Sale in Ventura, CA
"We wanted a van that would make it easier to get out for a weekend without spending hours planning. Our Vansmith has been great for trips along the coast and into the mountains. We have room for our gear, and it’s comfortable enough to stay out for a few days."
— Rachel P., Ventura, CA
"We spend a lot of time outdoors, so having a van that could carry all our gear was important. Our Vansmith has plenty of storage and a comfortable setup for overnight trips. We’ve already taken it on several trips around Southern California and couldn’t be happier with how practical it is."
— Alex W., Ventura, 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
Ventura is one of the easiest places in California to own a camper van. The 101 runs straight up the coast, Los Padres National Forest starts behind town, the Channel Islands are offshore, and the weather is mild enough that a van stays usable twelve months a year. The thing that shortens a van's life here is not weather but salt air, and it works on the vehicle whether you are driving it or not.
The Vansmith builds Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Ford Transit camper vans in Boulder, Colorado, and delivers them to buyers across Ventura County. 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.
Salt air accelerates corrosion on the underbody, fasteners, brake components and any exposed metal, and it does so whether the van is parked or driven. Regular rinsing is the single most useful ownership habit here.
Marine layer humidity plus cool nights means condensation inside the van if airflow is poor. A powered roof fan running while you sleep is what prevents it.
Ventura summers are mild by California standards, but a van parked in full sun still gets far hotter than the outside air. Insulated window covers and a roof fan do most of the work.
Even in August, coastal nights run cool. A heater is worth having here, and essential the moment you head inland or up in elevation.
Constant sun is hard on exterior finishes, seals and interior materials. Insulated window covers protect the interior as well as keeping it cooler.
A trip from the beach to Los Padres can span 30 degrees in an hour. That is the argument for specifying both heating and cooling rather than choosing one.
| Technical Specification | Ford Transit | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | Why It Matters in Ventura |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Transit 148 or 148 extended | Sprinter 144 or 170 | Both take every layout we build |
| Wheelbase | 148 in or 148 extended | 144 in or 170 in | Drives turning circle and overall length |
| Overall length | Approx. 19.5 ft or 22.5 ft built | Approx. 19.5 ft or 22.5 ft built | Decides whether it fits a standard beach lot space |
| Overall width | Comparable across both | Comparable across both | Both fit a standard lane and parking space |
| Roof height | High roof, roughly 9 to 10 ft | High roof, roughly 9 to 10 ft | The binding constraint for garages and low-clearance lots |
| Interior length | Longer on extended wheelbase | Longer on the 170 | Determines whether a full interior shower fits |
| Interior height | Standing headroom in high roof form | Standing headroom in high roof form | Confirm against your own height at order |
| Drivetrain | RWD or AWD | RWD, AWD or 4x4 | AWD suits most coastal use; 4x4 helps on Los Padres roads |
| Payload | Headroom for a full build | Headroom for a full build | Confirm GVWR against final build weight for your chassis |
| Ground clearance | Similar stock clearance | Similar stock clearance | Suspension and tires matter more than platform on forest roads |
| Turning radius | 148 turns tighter than 148 extended | 144 turns tighter than 170 | Wheelbase drives this, not brand |
| Battery system | Lithium, sized to your draw | Lithium, sized to your draw | Sets what you can run at a site without hookups |
| Solar system | Sized to roof area and layout | Sized to roof area and layout | Southern California sun makes solar effective year-round |
| Alternator charging | DC-DC charging available | DC-DC charging available | Refills the bank on the drive up the coast |
| Shore power | Available on both | Available on both | Most state beach campgrounds offer hookups |
| Heating | Fuel-fired heater available | Fuel-fired heater available | Cool coastal nights and cold Sierra trips |
| Ventilation | Powered roof fan | Powered roof fan | The main defense against coastal condensation |
| Cooling | 12V air conditioning available | 12V air conditioning available | Optional on the coast, valuable for desert and inland trips |
| Fresh water | Sized to layout | Sized to layout | Sized around trip length and beach rinsing |
| Wastewater | Gray tank sized to layout | Gray tank sized to layout | Determines how you manage waste water at dispersed sites |
| Refrigeration | 12V compressor fridge | 12V compressor fridge | Ends the daily ice run |
| Sleeping capacity | 2 in DUO, 4 in FAMILY | 2 in DUO, 4 in FAMILY | Seatbelt count decides family suitability |
| Storage capacity | Gear garage, cabinets, roof racks | Gear garage, cabinets, roof racks | Boards and bikes are the real constraint here |
| Interior layout | Nine tailored layouts available | Nine tailored layouts plus Bivy | Choose around how you travel, not the badge |
| Garage clearance | Roughly 9 to 10 ft high roof | Roughly 9 to 10 ft high roof | Measure your garage door opening before ordering |
| Towing capacity | Rated to tow; confirm for your chassis | Rated to tow; confirm for your chassis | Towing changes how a loaded van handles and brakes |
| Service requirements | Any Ford dealer locally | Fewer Mercedes van centers | A real factor if the van is your daily vehicle |
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.
We build to order in Boulder and deliver anywhere in California, or you can collect the van in person. Current stock, including inspected used vans, is on our camper vans for sale page.
A Class B is a camper built on a van chassis rather than a truck frame. It parks in a standard beach lot, fits most home garages, and drives like a tall van, which is the whole point on the 101 and on narrow canyon roads. Browse our Class B RVs for sale .
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 .
Stronger resale, diesel range for long California drives, and proven AWD and 4x4 options for Los Padres forest roads. Higher purchase and service cost. Browse our Sprinter van conversion lineup and Sprinter camper for sale listings.
For a build, use our van designer or call (303) 414-6834 for a fixed, itemized quote.
Emma Wood, McGrath, Carpinteria and Refugio are all within a short drive, and California state beach campgrounds book out months ahead, so reserve early.
Boards, wetsuits and sandy everything need somewhere that is not the bed. A gear garage beneath a raised bed plus roof racks handles it, and an exterior shower for rinsing salt and sand is one of the most requested options from coastal buyers.
Ojai and Los Padres put real riding and hiking 20 minutes from the coast. Interior storage plus a rear or roof rack covers most setups.
The Sierra is five hours northeast via US-395, and the San Bernardinos are three hours east. Nights at elevation get cold enough to want a heater even from a mild coastal base.
Big Sur, the redwoods, Death Valley and Joshua Tree are all reachable from here. Read How to Plan the Ultimate California Campervan Road Trip .
A DUO with a raised bed and gear garage, plus an exterior shower and roof racks for boards.
The short-wheelbase DUO or FAMILY, which stay easy to park and store between trips.
The DUO Series in four versions, from the short DUO to the DUO XLS with a full interior bathroom. See camper vans for couples .
The FAMILY Series seats and sleeps four, with four seatbelts and four berths. See family van conversions .
Extended XL and XLS layouts around 22.5 feet, with larger water tanks, more storage and a full interior shower.
Any layout with an upsized lithium bank, additional solar and DC-DC alternator charging, sized around how long you stay out.
For most Ventura buyers who stay on pavement and state beach routes, the Transit is the better value: lower purchase price, cheaper maintenance, and dealers everywhere in Southern California. The Sprinter earns its premium on long California trips, where diesel range matters, on Los Padres forest roads where 4x4 helps, and at resale. Both take the same layouts and systems, so the decision is about cost and service rather than capability. Read our Sprinter vs. Transit guide .
| Ventura Requirement | Specification to Evaluate | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal climate | Insulation coverage and ventilation | Marine layer humidity and cool nights drive condensation inside the van |
| Salt-air exposure | Exterior sealing, fastener and underbody care | Salt accelerates corrosion whether the van is driven or parked |
| Warm weather | Roof fan, insulated window covers, cooling capacity | A parked van gets far hotter than the outside air |
| Surf trips | Gear garage, exterior shower, washable flooring | Keeps boards, wetsuits and sand out of the living space |
| Bike travel | Interior storage plus rear or roof rack | Determines whether bikes live inside or outside |
| Mountain trips | Heater output, insulation, drivetrain | A coastal base does not mean you can skip heating |
| Off-grid camping | Battery capacity, solar, alternator charging | Sets how long you can stay out without hookups |
| Long California trips | Fresh and gray water, refrigeration, storage | Sized around the longest gap between services on your route |
| Coastal parking | Overall length and roof height | Standard beach lots and low-clearance structures |
| Weekend trips | Short wheelbase, permanent storage layout | Leaving takes minutes when the van stays stocked |
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 for you.
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.
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.
Air conditioning, heater specification, additional solar, larger battery capacity, exterior shower, roof racks, suspension upgrades and finish choices.
A lifetime cabinet warranty for the original owner with no mileage or year limits, plus support with manufacturer warranties on installed components.
Conversion packages start at $46,950 for the DUO, $53,950 for the DUO S, $63,950 for the DUO XLS, $51,950 for the FAMILY, $61,950 for the FAMILY XL and $68,950 for the FAMILY XLS. Complete vans with the chassis included start at $115,950, and pre-built Bivy models run $119,700, $145,845 and $192,570 by trim. A Foundation shell starts at $9,970. Estimate payments with our Financing calculator.
A new build gives you a layout designed around your travel, systems you understand and a lifetime cabinet warranty. A used van costs less and is available sooner, but you inherit someone else's layout and wiring. On the coast specifically, inspect the underbody, fasteners and brake components for salt corrosion, and check around roof fans and windows for water intrusion. We keep a rotating selection of inspected used camper vans , and our used van buying checklist covers private listings.
Surf weekends, family trips or extended California travel each point to a different layout.
Sprinter or Transit, your van or one we source for you.
Side by side in our van designer .
Battery capacity, solar, cooling, heating, water and storage.
A fixed, itemized quote before any build work starts.
$2,500 design deposit, 50% at design approval, 25% at build launch, 25% at handover. See our process .
A video call with the design team to settle layout, materials and systems.
Digital build updates and clear payment milestones from quote to handover.
We arrange transport to Ventura.
Fly into Denver and drive roughly 1,100 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.
Service, upgrades and warranty work at our Boulder shop, whether or not we built the van.
Nine tailored layouts, three pre-built Bivy trims and a Foundation shell for self-builders.
Both platforms every week, with honest guidance rather than a sales pitch.
Battery, solar, charging, water and climate specified as one system.
A gear garage beneath a raised bed, built for boards, bikes and wet gear.
A family-owned Boulder shop with more than 300 vans built since 2016, all designed and built in-house.
Every system installed by our own team, so the people who wired your van can service it later.
A lifetime cabinet warranty for the original owner, plus service and upgrades.
Ready to find the right camper van for sale in Ventura? Design your van , browse vans available now , or call (303) 414-6834. We also build for buyers in Los Angeles , San Diego and San Francisco , and deliver across all 50 states .
Email: info@thevansmith.com
Text: 303-381-0740
Form: Tell us what you need
Call: 303-381-0740
Book a call:
(We are currently not booking any new service work while we revamp our service department.)
Visit us (by appointment):
