How Much Do Camper Van Conversion Kits Cost? Everything You Need To Know

Regardless of whether you’ve recently gotten into the wonderful world of camper vans, or you’ve been touring new and interesting places for years in your trusty runner and you’re ready for an upgrade – then we’re sure you’ll have heard all about the benefits of a conversion camper kit.

Offering a more affordable way to hit the road, conversion camper vans have significantly grown in popularity over the past couple of years, as they offer adventure-seekers a more cost-effective alternative to spending hundreds and thousands of dollars on a brand new RV. 

Now, even though that might seem like a lot of work – it doesn’t have to be.

In order to ensure that there’s a minimum effort on your end, there are a variety of different DIY conversion kits on the market that are almost always far more affordable than hiring a team of professionals to do the job for you – and we’re here to help you learn more about them.

In this article, not only are we going to be talking you through how much you can expect a camper van conversion kit to cost, but we’re also going to be talking you through where you can buy them, what features they should include, as well as how long you can expect the process to take. So, without further ado, whenever you’re ready – just read on!

How Much Does A Conversion Kit For A Camper Van Cost?

Generally speaking, if you’re planning on converting a van yourself, then buying a conversion kit is likely going to be a little bit more expensive than buying individual parts yourself.

This is because, on top of paying for actual contents within the kit, you’ll also be paying for the convenience of having everything you need in one place, including an instruction manual and other helpful guides included by the manufacturer. 

For these reasons above, it’s not uncommon for some van conversion kits to be priced upwards of twenty thousand dollars, which is one of the main reasons as to why these kits have gained a reputation for coming along with a hefty price tag!

Needless to say, while this certainly might be the case, there are a variety of van conversion kits on the market that are far more affordable, with some of the cheaper, budget-friendly options coming in at around two thousand dollars. 

Of course, it’s also important to note that the total price that you can expect to spend on upgrading your van to a camper will ultimately depend on what type of van you have and what you’re looking to achieve – so it’s a good idea to sketch out a rough idea of your budget and your campervan goals before you start scoping out the different options available to you.

Plus, in addition to the total amount that you pay for your van, you may also find that you need to spend extra money on fixing any potential problems with the existing van, as well as if you want to customize your van with additional features at your local garage.

Nevertheless, going down the route of purchasing your own DIY kit is a great way to save yourself some money in the long run, especially as you won’t have to worry about any hefty labor fees.

What Usually Comes Inside A Camper Van Conversion Kit?

As we’re sure you might already be able to guess from what we’ve said above, what you can expect to get from a camper van conversion kit will greatly depend on what it is that you’re looking to do with your van, as well as how much you are willing to spend.

Regardless of the price, you can expect all camper van conversion kits to come with the essentials to upgrade it into a camper van, but any additional features will likely come at a much higher price. 

To give you an idea of what you can expect to get from a basic camper van conversion kit, please check out the following below:

• Tables – One of the most common components that you’ll find in a camper van conversion kit are tables that are designed to fold out into beds. This is a super convenient and space-saving feature that will give you the opportunity to be able to have a dinner table and bed all in one. 
• Solar panels – Another basic feature that you can expect to get from a camper van conversion kit are solar panels and other solar power batteries and chargers. While these often require some electrical know-how to install, they are relatively easy to set up and often come with instructions provided by the manufacturer.
• Shelves and cabinets – Inside your chosen camper van conversion kit you can also expect to get a set of shelves and cabinets that will have been specifically designed to be compatible with your van. The great thing about this is that you can decide whether you want budget-friendly plywood or something a little more premium – it’s all up to you.
• Insulation, flooring, and wall panels – Insulation, flooring, and wall panels are common features that you can expect to get inside your camper van conversion kit. Although, do keep in mind that these can sometimes come at a higher price. 
• Cooking fixtures – If you’re planning on upgrading your van into a camper van, then it only makes sense to make sure that you are going to be able to have all the facilities you need to cook inside it! While your kit will come with a cooking setup ready to be installed, you’re going to need to make sure that you’re following all the correct safety procedures to make sure that you and your family stay safe. 

As a side note, it’s also worth noting that if you’re only looking to upgrade a certain aspect or feature of your current camper van, then purchasing a conversion kit might not be the best option for you, especially if you’re looking to get the best value for your money.

Instead, we strongly suggest that you consider investing in a “specific upgrade” kit, as this will save you a lot more money, and also won’t leave you with a variety of spare parts that you don’t need!

Where Can You Get Camper Van Conversion Kits?

One of the best things about camper van conversion kits is that they’re readily available to be purchased online, and more often than not, most companies will ship your package straight to your door completely free of charge.

Alternatively, there are also a variety of manufacturers that offer an installation service, in which a qualified installer in your area will be able to come to your home and install the upgrades for you, though this will usually cost more.

Additionally, if you are planning to make an investment in a more expensive kit, then it’s worth keeping in mind that you will likely have to discuss your needs with your chosen company so that they can create your bespoke camper van kit for you, in which case you will need to negotiate a price with the company, as well as make a deposit in case you pull out for whatever reason. 

Which Manufacturers Sell Camper Van Conversion Kits?

There are plenty of different reputable companies that sell camper conversion kits. Let’s take a look at them below:

Freeway Camper Kit

First up, we have Freeway Camper Kit, which is a company that is based in Canada. If you’re on the search for a budget-friendly option, then we strongly recommend checking out their services, because they pride themselves on their affordable prices.

To give you an idea of how much you might spend, the prices start at around $1,900, and each comes with all of the essentials needed to upgrade your van into a camper, including a bed, foldable counters, a freshwater reservoir, as well as a cooler and fridge. 

Wayfarer Vans

If you’re searching high and low for convenience, then you might want to check out the Wayfarer Vans! Offering a variety of “plug and play” camper van kits equipped with boxes, tables, insulation panels, and more, you’ll be able to get your hands on a simple and easy-to-install kit starting at just over $5,000.

Adventure Wagon

Another awesome camper van conversion kit available for you to use is Adventure Wagon, which specializes in creating modular interior conversion kits for Sprinter vans. If you go with this company, you will be able to create your very own customizable kit packed with everything you need, including fans, wall panels, and more!

Happier Camper

If you’re the type that likes to switch up your interior, then Happier Camper might be the company for you. With their very own patented, Adaptiv™ System, Happier Camper creates camper design layouts that can be easily changed in order to fit in with your needs – whether that be gearing up for a yummy family dinner, or getting ready to tuck into bed for the night. 

What To Keep In Mind Prior To Making A Purchase:

Before you make your purchase, there are a few things that you should keep in mind to make sure that you’re making the right choice for you and your needs. First things first, you should make sure that you are setting out a budget so that you have a clear understanding of how much you’re willing to spend, and how much you aren’t. Alongside that, you should also consider the following:

Storage

Are you planning on traveling light or do you have a big family that likes to bring along suitcases? While some people might not need lots of storage space, other people will, so it’s important to keep this in mind when selecting a kit.

Quality

Another important factor to consider when picking a conversion kit is the quality of the materials and fabrics used. Regardless of your budget, when selecting a kit, you should make sure that the materials used are durable and are going to be able to withstand general wear and tear.

Conveniences

Besides storage space and material quality, you should also make sure that the kit that you choose includes all of the features and conveniences that you need. It’s important to make sure that your van is like a home away from home!

How Long Does It Take To Convert A Van Yourself?

If you’re planning on purchasing a camper van conversion kit and doing the upgrades yourself, then it’s worth keeping in mind that the process can take up to two months, especially if you are going to be carrying out extensive wiring or plumbing upgrades.

The length of time it will take to upgrade your van will also greatly depend on how quickly you work, how much experience you have, as well as whether or not you’re going to be assisted by friends or family members.

What Preparations Should You Make Before Hiring Professional Help?

Before you seek professional help to convert your van, there are a few preparatory steps that you should take to make sure that the upgrade process goes as smoothly as possible. Let’s take a look at them below:

• Clean – First things first, you’re going to want to make sure that your van is cleaned and in tip-top condition before sending it to a team of professionals to upgrade into a camper. You’ll also want to make sure that you’ve removed any personal belongings, too.
• Get a temporary vehicle – If your van is your only means of transportation, then you might want to consider renting a car for a week or two until you get your new and improved van back. 
• Get all your documents in order – In order for the conversion to go ahead, you’ll likely need to supply a variety of documents, including your driver’s license, information on what kit you want them to use, as well as SSNs. 

Wrapping Up

So, there we have it! Now you know everything there is to know about what you can expect to spend on a camper van conversion kit. Remember, camper van conversions vary greatly in price depending on the size of your van and what features you wish to upgrade, so it’s important to ensure that you solidify a budget prior to shopping.

By doing this, you’re going to be making sure that you’re getting the best value for your money. 

Before you go, why don’t you give this page a bookmark? That way, if you ever need to come back and refresh your knowledge on camper van conversion kits, you’ll know exactly where to find us. Thank you for reading!