Van build planning resource

Plan the van before you build the van.

A growing, no-nonsense resource for choosing, designing, and building your camper van, built around how you actually want to travel. It starts with a deep, scored comparison of the major platforms.

Compare Van Platforms About this resource
Cutaway illustration of a fully converted camper van showing bed, kitchen, electrical and plumbing systems

Start here

Illustration of a conversion van on architectural blueprints surrounded by planning tools
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Vehicle Platform Comparison

Mercedes Sprinter vs Ford Transit vs RAM ProMaster vs Box Truck, compared across eight scored categories: cost, space, drivetrain, efficiency, reliability, conversion, livability, and off-grid, with a weighted overall ranking to match your priorities.

  • Detailed spec tables
  • 1–10 category scores
  • Weighted overall winner
Open the comparison →

Your van build, planned end to end

Most van-build research means piecing together scattered videos, conflicting forum threads, and marketing pages. Van Planning is being built to replace that with one clear, trustworthy place to make decisions, grounded in your budget, climate, travel style, and how much of the work you want to do yourself.

The vehicle comparison above is the first piece. Over time this resource will grow to cover layout and interior design, electrical and solar, plumbing and water, insulation, heating and cooling, budgeting, and long-term maintenance, each explained in the context of the platform you choose and the trips you plan to take.

Start with the platform comparison
Illustration showing the journey from blueprint sketch to a finished van conversion