Best Small Camper Van

A small camper van built for two, handbuilt by The Vansmith in Boulder, Colorado

This small camper van is the two-person floor plan our Boulder shop has refined across hundreds of builds. It's a compact Sprinter or Transit conversion designed around one simple idea: two people should be able to cook, sleep, and carry their gear without the van ever feeling crowded.

A small camper van layout that makes every inch count

Most camper vans force a trade-off between living space and garage space. This small camper van avoids that by making the bed do the work. It sits at near-queen size for everyday travel, extends toward near-king when you want to stretch out, and lifts out entirely when the trip calls for bikes, skis, or lumber instead of sleep. Underneath, the wheel-well boxes house the electrical and water systems while staying ready to anchor a bunk.

Up front, a swiveling captain seat turns the cab into part of the living room. Along the driver's side, a full-length upper cabinet and a five-foot galley with sink, faucet, and an 80-liter fridge handle kitchen duty, with 20 gallons of fresh water on board. Across the aisle, a storage bench leaves room for a future toilet or bench shower. Every surface you touch is real wood: prefinished birch walls and ceiling and a countertop shaped by hand in our shop.

Four-season comfort in a compact camper van

Every small camper van leaves Boulder insulated for true four-season use and wired with a 2kWh lithium smart electrical system fed three ways: 260 watts of rooftop solar, shore power, and charging from the engine's alternator. A ceiling vent fan, layered LED lighting, and USB/12V/110V outlets throughout are all standard. Colder climates can add a gas or diesel cabin heater, hot ones can step up to air conditioning, and full-time travelers can grow the battery bank to 5 or 10kWh.

Customize your small camper van

Because this small camper van is a platform rather than a fixed package, it grows with you. Traveling with a little one? A Cabbunk hammock over the cab adds a third sleeper. Want to rinse off after the trail? Choose a bench shower system with undermounted gray tank or an exterior shower. Cooking more seriously? Add an induction stove and a marine table. From window covers and bug screens to suspension upgrades, Starlink, and an awning, the options list covers what real owners actually ask for and skips what they don't.

Small camper van at a glance

• Built on a Mercedes Sprinter 144 or Ford Transit 148
• Seats and sleeps 2, expandable to 3
• Convertible near-queen bed (extends toward near-king, fully removable)
• Custom-cut memory foam mattress
• 60" galley with sink and 80L fridge; 20-gallon fresh water
• Prefinished birch interior with handcrafted countertops
• 4-season insulation and 2kWh lithium power (solar, shore, and alternator charging)
• Shower-ready and toilet-ready storage bench

Built in Boulder, backed for life

Every small camper van is handbuilt by The Vansmith in Boulder, Colorado, and our cabinetry carries a lifetime warranty for the original owner. We have been building and refining this layout longer than any other in our lineup, and it remains the van we recommend most often to couples starting van life.

Small camper van FAQ

What is the best small camper van for couples?

For most couples, the best small camper van balances a real bed, a usable kitchen, and gear storage in a vehicle that still parks like a car. This layout does that with an open floor plan and a convertible bed instead of fixed furniture, which keeps it lighter and more flexible than larger family-oriented builds.

Is a small camper van good for full-time van life?

Yes. With four-season insulation, off-grid lithium power, and 20 gallons of fresh water standard, many owners live in this small camper van for months at a time. Full-timers usually add a cabin heater and a larger battery bank.

Can the bed really come out?

It can. The bed platform is designed to be removable, so the same small camper van that sleeps two on a weekend can haul a full cargo load on Monday.

Where is this small camper van built?

Every van is built at The Vansmith's shop in Boulder, Colorado by our in-house team, with no outsourced cabinetry and a lifetime warranty on the cabinets we build.

Does the price include the van?

No. The price shown is for the conversion only. A typical Sprinter or Transit base van costs around $68,000, and we can help you source one as a complete van and build package.