Dave & Matt Vans is a campervan upfitter in Gypsum, Colorado, founded by two college friends. Like many who have experienced vanlife, Dave and Matt both found living and traveling in campervans to be a low-cost yet comfortable way to travel in the United States. Ultimately, the knowledge they gained from converting and living in their own vehicles full time laid the foundation to start their upfitting business, bringing the joys and freedom of vanlife to others.
Exclusively Upfitting the Ram ProMaster Chassis
Campervan conversions from Dave & Matt Vans are only offered on the Ram ProMaster chassis. In their own words, “We work exclusively with RAM Promasters as we feel they offer the best bang for the buck among the various vans available on the market. The combination of reliability, FWD (front-wheel drive), affordability, and ease of maintenance sets the Promaster apart from competitors.”
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Some additional benefits of working exclusively with the Dodge chassis include the widespread North American dealer network for mechanical repairs and maintenance and an optimized conversion process that lets the company perform conversions quickly and efficiently. Their claim of offering a “build time quicker than anyone else on the market” is difficult to validate. But for what it’s worth, I have a friend who purchased a campervan from Dave & Matt, and she received her completed vehicle ahead of schedule. At a time when demand for campervan upfitting services is (apparently) at an all-time high, quick build timelines are a desirable quality.
Budget-friendly Campervan Conversions
While many upfitters seem content to incorporate the most expensive components into their campervan builds, leaving no comfort of home behind, Dave & Matt have a different approach. Dave calls it designing with “everything you need and nothing you don’t.” It’s what allows them to keep complete builds as low as $53,612 (that’s including the price of a brand-new Dodge ProMaster van). This cost reflects the 136-inch wheelbase chassis, but prospective buyers should note that the 159 and 159 EXT chassis are also available and begin at base prices of $56,797 and $62,642, respectively.
Of course, these prices are a starting point, and most people who plan to use their campervans for extended travel or as full-time residences will likely want a few additional features. As I noted in our Best Campervans of 2020 article, even with the addition of a boot box/storage bench, overhead cabinet for the kitchenette, overhead cabinet above the bed, composting toilet w/ storage bench, MaxxAir vent fan, additional 160-watt solar panel, all-terrain wheels + tires upgrade, I was able to keep the total build price of the 136-inch wheelbase Promaster to $60,549. In the world of campervans, that’s downright affordable.
Try Renting Before You Buy
For anyone interested in trying vanlife, Dave & Matt Vans offers a fleet of rental vehicles that can be booked for short- or long-distance trips. “Our foremost goal is to create a positive experience for each and every customer and to ensure that they have the life-changing opportunities we’ve had through vanlife.” And for anyone who tries a rental and decides that they are ready to invest in their own vehicle, 50 percent of the rental price can be put toward a new conversion (financing is also available through their partner, LightStream lending).
The Base Build Lets You “Live More, Spend Less”
All builds begin with their “Base Build,” which consists of a living space, kitchen space, and an electrical infrastructure. Notable features included in the base price are as follows:
- Fully insulated walls, ceiling, and floor with 1- to 2-inch spray foam (R-value 6-12)
- Waterproof laminate flooring
- 2 front swivel seats
- 2 AM sliding windows with screens
- Queen-size (short) memory foam mattress (60 x 70 inches)
- LED lighting with dimmer switch
- MaxxFan deluxe roof vent
- Custom kitchenette with 5 push-lock drawers
- Full sink with electric water pump
- Indel Webasto Cruise 85 electric fridge with freezer
- 7-gallon fresh and gray water tanks
- 160-watt solar panel
- Solar charge controller with Bluetooth connectivity
- 200-amp-hour AGM deep cycle battery
- Fuse box and controllers
- Smart battery isolator
Learn more about the full range of builds offered by Dave & Matt Vans on their website.
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