Are there US companies that will convert a used van?

stan909 wrote:
Why not just call them and ask them. None of us heee are are sales reps for these companies.If all you want is tanks ????? Then try calling a local rv repair place?

Thanks a lot for your kind post.

In answer to your question, in my experience RV repair places do not work on non-RV vehicles. I have asked them about other issues.

Why not just call them and ask them. None of us heee are are sales reps for these companies.If all you want is tanks ????? Then try calling a local rv repair place?

mlts22 wrote:
Don't forget the upfit price. Morehead and Sportsmobile are do excellent work, but you get what you pay for, and both companies are similar in upfit price (I know... I contacted them.)

Expect to pay in the high 30s/low 40s range, depending on what you want. Their stuff isn't cheap, but the tools to do the tight curves and attach properly and safely to the van (so stuff doesn't detach and become flying missiles) is expensive. Plus, you don't want someone doing plumbing, electrical, and LP on the cheap either.

Dang, that is sooooo much money! I suppose it is like building a small apartment, though.

Can I pick and choose what is installed? E.g. no cabinets, no bed, etc.? I mainly just want the tanks.

Don't forget the upfit price. Morehead and Sportsmobile are do excellent work, but you get what you pay for, and both companies are similar in upfit price (I know... I contacted them.)

Expect to pay in the high 30s/low 40s range, depending on what you want. Their stuff isn't cheap, but the tools to do the tight curves and attach properly and safely to the van (so stuff doesn't detach and become flying missiles) is expensive. Plus, you don't want someone doing plumbing, electrical, and LP on the cheap either.

Also, RT, Winnebago, and other places use CAD/CAM, and use offshore makers, because they all have economies of scale. This is how they can do finely curved doors, overhead hatches, and other work, to maximize every inch of space, even down to custom shaped water tanks. A custom upfit place will do a decent job, but they won't be as fine-tuned as a place that has a standard floorplan mass-produced and down to a science.

Sportsmobile, Moorhead, Outside van, Colorado camper van will build on used vans that you bring them. My last van started life as a Dodge conversion van then the original owners had Sportsmobile add a poptop. They then had a carpenter or cabinet maker instal cabinets and they were nicer and lighter than Sportsmobile's. Probably cheaper as well. A propane tank and fridge were also installed at that time. I later added my own things to really get it livable and due to my wife's arthritis had to sell it to a nice young Australian couple who are touring the U.S. . I will tell you it is far simpler to buy a used class b that is ready to go than build from scratch. I just found a nice class b van for a buddy who finally realized that even with his very high carpentry skills could not come close to making a used camper van at the price he paid for his.

I'm sure there is a company that will do anything you want.

Getting them to do it for less money is where you are likely to run into issues. A custom job is likely to have more hassles for them compared to just buying a new stripped down van and converting it similar to the last dozen that have rolled off the line. Odds are they will charge a premium for that hassle and it will likely more than make up for any savings you think you might get by buying the van and taking it to them.

I believe Sportsmobile will apply any of the prices listed for the conversion part of the van to any new or used van the customer brings to them. I drive a 2004 Sportsmobile/Sprinter with 240,000 miles and have no financial interest in Sportsmobile. I bought it new from Sportsmobile, Austin, TX and they have always answered my questions truthfully. I know they purchase new vans from local dealers at a discount and list the discounted prices on their web site. I do not know if they will purchase a used van and convert it for a customer or not. You will get straight answers from them by either email or phone.

Thanks, folks :).

I forgot about Morehead!

I can't find a pricing section on Sportsmobile for bring-your-own-van, or any information about that. Only new vans. Help?

WWW.sportsmobile.com. You can go online and price your choices.

Naio wrote:
I keep looking at Class B's, new and used, online. I want the customization of new but the price of used :).

Any suggestions?

There are several companies that do this. Here's one that does good work.

http://www.moreheaddesignlab.com/id2.html

Bill