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- Image Credit: Volkswagen
Camper fun on a budget
Camper vans, especially those with the classic Volkswagen Westfalia style pop-up top are really cool. They're more solid and comfortable than a tent, and more maneuverable and affordable than a full-on RV. They also project the image of being an adventurous soul.
But camper vans can get pricey, and there aren't many small- and midsize van choices in this country – vans like the Volkswagen pictured here aren't even available in America. But there are affordable options in small, convenient packages. We've rounded up a few here that range from bare bones to highly comprehensive, and there's probably one that you can work into your budget.
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- Image Credit: Recon Campers
Recon Campers Pop Top Nissan NV200
The Recon Campers Pop-Top and Seat vans are basic but also quite affordable. The Seat conversion costs $6,000, and includes a rear seat that folds into a full-size bed and a heavy-duty floor and insulation. For $1,500 more, you can get the Pop-Top that, you may have guessed, has a pop-up roof and a roof-mounted bed. These prices only include the conversion, and you'll have to provide a Nissan NV200. You can buy a new NV200 for $23,245, making the total cost of the Recon Campers Seat van $29,245, and the Pop-Top $30,745. If that's still a little steep, Recon Campers, like most of these conversion companies, will happily convert a used van that will be much cheaper.
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- Image Credit: Ursa Minor
Ursa Minor Ford Transit Connect
The Ursa Minor Ford Transit Connect is similarly basic compared with the Recon Campers Pop-Top. The conversion mainly consists of the expanding roof and roof-mounted bed. The Ursa Minor conversion also includes LED lighting in the interior. Starting price for the conversion is $6,500, and it's compatible with 2014 and newer Transit Connects with the long-wheelbase configuration and a standard-height roof without a panoramic sunroof. Both passenger and cargo models are compatible. The cheapest new Transit Connect starts at $28,140, so with the conversion, it will run you $34,640. As with Recon Campers, you can also buy a used Transit Connect for the conversion to save money.
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- Image Credit: Cascade Campers
Cascade Campers Ram Promaster City
While the Cascade Campers Ram Promaster City doesn't feature the coveted pop-top roof, it does bring along some extra features to make up for it. It has a sofa in the rear that folds out into a two-person bed, a built-in sink with five-gallon water tank, auxiliary battery, solar panel charger, four USB ports, two household electrical outlets, interior lighting, camping refrigerator, single-burner butane stove-top, curtains, ventilation fan and additional storage. All of this costs just $7,000 on top of the cost for a Ram Promaster City cargo van. The company doesn't work on the passenger wagon version. A new Promaster City cargo van starts at $25,890, so the complete package will be $32,890 unless you find a good used van to start with.
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- Image Credit: Wayfarer Vans