First off, size does matter when it comes to selecting your van. You'll need to strike a balance between comfort and maneuverability. Larger vans offer more space for living areas, storage, and those must-have amenities, but they can be a challenge to park and navigate through narrow paths. Smaller vans, on the other hand, promise easier handling and access to those tucked-away spots but require a minimalist approach to packing and design. Consider your travel style, destinations, and whether city parking or remote wilderness spots will be part of your journey.

Think of your ideal van lifestyle and take all things into consideration before falling in love with a specific model. Some factors may seem small, but can actually make or break how much you enjoy life on the road. Do you need a high roof to stand up inside, or are you okay with a more compact space? How important is fuel efficiency to you? Will you be traveling solo or with a partner or pet? Each van model comes with its pros and cons. For instance, the Mercedes Sprinter is a favorite for its reliability, while the Ram Promaster offers a spacious interior and is suitable for lower budget builds.

Key Features: Front-wheel drive, spacious interior, and tight turning radius

Ideal For: DIY enthusiasts who prioritize interior customization and cost efficiency

The Goods: The Ram ProMaster is a front-wheel-drive system, offering a lower floor height for easier loading and accessibility. This feature also contributes to its impressive maneuverability, especially in tight spots and during urban explorations. It's also worth noting that the ProMaster comes with a wider body, allowing for a more spacious interior setup—perfect for tall individuals or those looking to maximize their living area without going up in size. You can also increase the width of your sleeping space even more by adding Flares. The walls play a big part in this beings as they are built straight instead of curved inward like the Sprinter - making the interior feel much more spacious. 

The Quirks: While the ProMaster offers a more cost efficient option, its capability, payload and towing capacity might not reach the heights of its competitors. Because it is front-wheel-drive and relatively low ground clearance, it doesn’t have the same capabilities to get as far off-road as the Transit or Sprinter. It also has far less upfitting/aftermarket products available on the market making it more difficult to “beef up” or customize.

Key Features: Superior build quality, all wheel and four-wheel drive options (in older models), high-roof options

Ideal For:  Long-term travelers looking for comfort, reliability, and off-road capabilities

The Goods: The Mercedes Sprinter is often seen as the “the van” of van conversions, offering superior engineering, comfort, and performance. The Sprinter has recently moved to an AWD platform, making it just as capable, if not more, than the older 4x4 models.  The Sprinter is also known for its longevity and higher resale value, an important consideration for those looking at their van conversion as a long-term investment. The Sprinter has the most upfitting and aftermarket products available compared to any other van, making it easier to customize both the interior and exterior. From front Brushguards and rear cargo racks to custom mattresses and rad, matte black wheels, the Sprinter has by far the most products offered on the market. Shop all Flarespace Sprinter products here. 

The Quirks: All these premium features come at a price, making the Sprinter the most expensive option. Additionally, maintenance and repairs can be pricier, given its German engineering. Another con to consider is the interior width. Sleeping sideways can be a bit difficult for taller people without the addition of Flares. Thankfully, adding Flares is an easy modification to increase sleeping space.

Key Features: Ecoboost engine, AWD, and impressive payload capacity

Ideal For: A balance of performance and comfort, suitable for both city driving and off-road adventures

The Goods: The Ford Transit is celebrated for its versatility and capability, while also being a more affordable option than the Sprinter and offering an intellegent AWD option. The Transit is also generally easier and more affordable to get serviced. With the rise in popularity of the Ford Transit, more aftermarket products are coming available - like our bronze Transit wheels. Shop all of our Transit products here. 

The Quirks: While the Transit is a strong contender in many areas, its interior width is slightly narrower than the ProMaster’s (that one inch can make a huge difference!), which could affect layout plans. Additionally, its standard height options are taller, which may not suit everyone’s needs or parking space limitations.