Campervan Curious? You're in the right place.

Which size and model of van do you really need?

Long wheelbase? Short wheelbase? Ford? Mercedes? It can feel overwhelming when you're campervan curious and every brand is throwing different specs at you. Let's break down what actually matters.

Short wheelbase (the Waypoint) is easier to park, a bit more stealthy, and best for traveling couples, maybe a third little traveler or a four-legged companion. Cozy, but still plenty of room to stretch out in bed and cook a real meal.

Long wheelbase (Waypoint XL and Allterra) gives you more space for more travelers. Up to 6 seatbelts, room for an indoor wet bath or extra kitchen and storage space. Same garage, water storage, and solar capacity as the short wheelbase.

VanCraft builds exclusively on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis because of long-term value retention and reliability. We've tried every platform out there. The Sprinter is the best option, full stop.

Should you go DIY, garage-built, or manufacturer?

Let's be honest. You're super handy. You built that IKEA kitchen all by yourself. But van builds get very, very complicated and pricey. And dicey. You'll feel a particular kind of regret when you hit a pothole and something shifts. Plus, the guy building out of his garage can't meet the safety requirements that protect the people you love most.

Look for a van with RVIA Certification and DOT-approved seating to make sure you and your crew are safe and comfortable. Your family deserves better than "probably fine."

Be careful with RV dealerships too. It's a serious hassle to get service or warranty support, and you'll pay dealership markups on top. A trustworthy direct-to-consumer manufacturer like VanCraft gets you the best of both worlds: build quality, safety certification, and a real person who answers the phone when you need help.

Get everything you need and nothing you don't.

Let's face it. You can't fit everything in a campervan. There's no room for a swimming pool. You'll have to balance space with features, and you don't need a $200k+ van to get everything that actually matters for the memories you want to make.

Get a well-designed interior that doesn't cramp your style, gives you dedicated space for adventure gear, and still has room for cozy nights where you wake up genuinely excited about the day ahead. If you want to conquer that adventure, you need seriously good sleep. Watch out for short beds and side flares that sacrifice insulation.

Skip gimmicks like elevators that turn your garage into a kitchen and eat up dedicated storage space. More parts means more things that can break. As momma used to say, keep it simple.

Is it really off-grid ready?

You want a van with a serious amount of water. 15 gallons won't get you far. If you want to actually unplug and be present with the people you're with, look for a van with a 40-gallon tank so you're not counting every drop.

Same goes for solar. You don't want to run out of juice in the middle of your adventure. Get a robust solar system and battery bank that can power all your gadgets for days on end without anxiety.

Induction stovetops are another advantage. Propane can run out mid-trip leaving you scrambling for a refill. VanCraft uses induction, powered by the same battery system that runs everything else. Safer, cleaner, and one less thing standing between you and that sunrise breakfast you've been dreaming about.

Don't overpay.

Gone are the days where you'd have to pay $250k+ to get a road-ready Sprinter campervan. But beware: if it's a screaming deal, there's a good reason. Cheap builds cut corners on insulation, seating safety, and electrical reliability. You'll feel it on the first cold night, and that's a terrible way to end a campervan curious chapter.

VanCraft campervans are designed to be that perfect balance so you can start your adventure without overpaying for things you don't need. We have 10 years of experience and hundreds of vans on the road to prove it. We cut out the fluff so you get a price that makes sense and a van that actually holds its value.