Conversion Van

For those who need more amenities than a mere car can provide, a conversion van can be the best option. For travelers, executives or those in specific service industries, a conversion van can offer the features that make their journey a productive and/or enjoyable one.

But what is a conversion van? In basic terms, a conversion van is a regular, full-sized van that has been fitted with non-factory standard equipment to make it suitable for a specific purpose. For instance, a recreational conversion van may be fitted with a foldout bed, a sink and stove, and a retractable dining table.

A conversion van designed for executives may include plasma screen television sets with satellite reception or laptop ports with wi-fi connectivity. A conversion van intended for medical use may have special hospital monitors installed to record a patient’s condition, or special lifts for handicapped patients confined in a wheelchair.

The installation of any of these special features, ordinarily not found in a van right off the assembly line, classifies a van as a conversion van. Additionally, vans that have been modified by individual owners as a do-it-yourself project also qualify as a conversion van, since it has been modified from its original form.

As stated, conversion vans usually begin as simple full-size cargo vans, either half-ton or three-quarter ton. The most common models are the Dodge Sprinter, the Ford E-Series or the Chevy Express/GMC Savana van. These vehicles are usually stripped down models, most times containing only the most basic of interiors, leaving them free to be customized in any number of ways. While many auto manufacturers produce vans these days that come directly off the assembly line with features that used to be reserved only for post-production modified vans, there are specific companies that specialize in van conversion and work closely with the original manufacturers to be in agreement on certain specifications.

For instance, the Conversion Van Marketing Association has partnered with General Motors to work solely with GM and Chevy vans. And there are a select few companies that are officially authorized to convert Dodge Sprinter vans, such as the Midwest Automotive Designs Corporation in Elkhart, Indiana.

This does not mean that there are not other companies that work in the conversion van field. There are any number of private companies that work on vans brought in by individuals and customize them to the customer’s specifications, creating one-of-a-kind designs that reflect the personality of the owner.

But in the beginning, most vans slated for conversion are clean slates, with only the most necessary of interior details: driver’s seat, passenger’s seat and steering wheel, and even these features may soon be modified. From this blank canvas the required special features are added, along with the requisite wiring and body modifications. And as this conversion progresses, the van begins to take shape into the desired function.

Conversion vans can have different purposes. Medical, business or recreation, the conversion van can be configured to provide accommodations for a variety of needs.

Outdoor enthusiasts are naturally drawn to campervans, which include such welcome features as toilets, refrigerators, sinks, sofa beds and a microwave over or stove. Some models may include a canvas top that pops up to allow users to stand while inside. The creation of a conversion vans such as these make a separate trailer (not to mention the added weight that can affect driving and mileage) unnecessary. Have such amenities close at hand also means that nature loves can venture even further into the wilderness, not tied down by the need to be close to a camping site with bathroom facilities and showers.

Office vans can take the busy businessperson away from the building and out in the field where they may be needed. Equipped with a desk and chair, office conversion vans may also include the typical office equipment: fax machine, copier, and laptop computer. Additionally, the office van may include a mobile wi-fi hotspot so that users can check and send email, surf the web or download important data.

Related to office vans are those used by television and radio stations, which contain much of the equipment used by those media outlets so that they may broadcast from the field where the news is developing.

Medical conversion vans contain vital equipment that can monitor the condition of an injured person until they can be transported to a hospital emergency room. In a similar vein, a disability van can be converted to accommodate a person bound to a wheelchair, with a special lift or ramp to raise the chair and user into the vehicle. Some vans are capable of carrying several wheelchair users safely and securely.

Other types of conversion vans include executive luxury vans equipped with satellite television and minibars and motorhomes which are campervans that have been extended a bit further (usually one or two extra feet) and offer even more room.

Thought they usually start off as stripped-down cargo vans, conversion vans begin to take shape through either one of a few officially authorized conversion companies or individual designers, and can take several forms including campervans, office vans or medical vans.

Whether transporting patients to the emergency room of a hospital or transporting families to the wide-open spaces of the countryside, providing luxury accommodations for busy executives or as a mobile party on wheels, conversion vans have become the ideal mode of transportation for people seeking to combine reliable mobility with a variety of amenities in one compact package.

While vans and van-like vehicles have been around since almost the beginning of the automotive industry (almost all car manufacturers had a van model), the idea of converting vans into a vehicle designed for an altogether new and specific purpose is a relatively new phenomenon. While the early vans were mainly used for their intended original purpose (deliveries).

the ‘60s and ‘70s saw the van repurposed into entirely new vehicles, designed for recreation, comfort and even housing. A new generation, looking to break away from the confinements of a home in the suburbs and two cars in the garage, took to traveling the countryside in vans transformed into rolling homes, complete with sofa beds, sinks and even makeshift stoves.

This new movement didn’t escape the eye of automakers who, in the early 1970s, began producing vans with a cutaway chassis to accommodate amateur and professional mechanics that wanted to create their own, personalized vehicles. Later, some automakers began producing vans that came with all the amenities straight from the factory. And while this “pre-fab” conversion was popular with a section of the public, there were still those creative gearheads who preferred to create their own unique vehicles, complete with one-of-a-kind interiors and outside graphics that were just as unique.

Today, the term “conversion van” can apply to any van that has been fitted with special equipment for a specific purpose. There are conversion vans that are used by hospitals, equipped with special medical apparatus to monitor and stabilize a patient until they can be transported to the emergency room. There are conversion vans that are rolling offices, outfitted with desks, laptops, fax machines and wi-fi connectivity. There are conversion vans that are a party on wheels, complete with turntables, a mixing board, throbbing speakers and even disco lights. And for the ultimate in luxury, there are conversion vans designed for the six-figure executive, with plush leather seats, flat screen TV sets with satellite reception and a fully-stocked bar.

Of course there are still the “classic” conversion vans that let the recreational user get away from it all, while keeping all of the important amenities close at hand: a bed, shower, stove, fridge and dining table all in one convenient vehicle.

As stated earlier, many car companies have acknowledged the demand for conversion vans and have sought to meet that demand with pre-designed vehicles that include many of the features that customers want. But there remains the segment of the market that has the “do-it-yourself” mentality, and for them there are thousands of stores and websites devoted to providing them with the material to design their own custom conversion van. Early do-it-yourselfers were forced to invent their own methods of installing the features they wanted in their vans, which resulted in more than a few beer kegs serving as seats, mattresses shoved into the back and hot plates wired into the van’s electrical system.

But this forced ingenuity didn’t diminish their creativity, as van designs became a form of self-expression in the ‘70s that rivals graffiti art today. From the vast scope of those early designs, both inside and out, came custom van shows where creators could show off  their work and admire the handiwork of their peers. Today there are hundreds of custom vans shows every year across the country where admirers flock to view the amazing work of the designers of these conversion vans.

For those with a good knowledge of auto mechanics and a dash of creativity, there are online and bricks-and-mortar shops that can provide them with the tools and material necessary to create their own conversion vans. Manuals can provide help in how to rewire electrical systems, install stoves and heaters, put in a skylight or raise the roof for more headroom. Those with a flair for design may also want to try their hand at airbrushing to give the exterior of their van a look that is all their own.

While the process of converting a van from scratch may be time-consuming, the savings may be well worth it. And there is the added bonus of installing just the features you want and not paying for the accessories you don’t need.

Conversion vans have come a long way from the makeshift repurposed vehicles of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Thanks to demand, customers seeking a unique mode of transportation can choose from a number of models that offer comfort and the amenities of home, or the luxury features that make ground transportation an exhilarating experience.

From a humble beginning as recreational vehicle for free-spirits, that many times also served as mobile living quarters, the conversion van has evolved into series of unique modes of transportation, equipped with a variety of options to make suitable for a variety of purposes, from business to pleasure.

Travel Needs

Another common reason to invest in conversion vans over other types of vehicles is for traveling benefits.  Because of the size and design of these conversion vehicles, they work very well for travel needs.  They are roomy, allowing people to stretch their legs for long road trips. You can also have them adapted to fit your specific needs.  For example, some luxury models will feature extra seating, extended wheelbases for additional room, and third row seats that fold down to become beds. Since they are tall vehicles, people can stand in them. They are also wide enough to allow for grown adults to lay down in them.  You can also complete the conversion van’s design to include entertainment systems and video game systems so that they are able to keep the family busy for long trips.

Business Needs

Buying a conversion van as part of your business is a good investment.  These vans are designed any way that you need them to be.  For example, if your business regularly requires moving people from one place to another, or taking clients out, these luxury conversion vans can be designed with leather interiors, entertainment systems and much more.  You can also design conversion vans to be more equipment based for business use.  For example, the interior can be designed specifically to hold equipment in place, to work as a cargo hauling area, or to have safety features to help you accomplish your needs.  Some have additional towing capacity and large motors so that hauling heavy equipment is done effortlessly. Esigning a conversion van for business needs is almost always down individually.  You can not only customize the interior of the van, for example, but the outside can have a logo, wording or other graphics added to it to make it a definitely business vehicle.

Recreational Needs

Some people are buying conversion vans designed for recreational needs.  For example, if you regularly spend the weekend fishing, buying a conversion van that houses coolers and all of your equipment easily makes for a better experience.  One of the more common reasons people are turning to conversion vans for this ability is tailgating.  They can easily house all of their cooking and refrigeration equipment right in the van, making it easy to simply pull out and use when they are at their favorite team’s stadium.  You can also incorporate entertainment equipment in the van to further make the event special.

For recreational needs, conversion vans can be tailored to suit your needs.  For example, additional electrical elements are added to them so that they feature a standard outlet, which means all of your cooking equipment can easily be plugged into use.  Some will even offer towing capability so you can take boats or rec vehicles with you.

Tips For Buying Conversion Vans

When you do buy conversion vans, take into consideration all of the features and elements available on these vans.  It costs much more to have the van customized for your needs, but when this is your goal, having a van that meets every need is a must. When buying vans, it is also important to look at other features including:

• Engine size and style (does it offer enough power?)
• Seating design, number and style (luxury, standard, how many does it hold?)
• Fuel economy
• Towing capabilities
• Resale value (will it sell easily if you only need it for a short time)

In some cases, you can buy a conversion van that is already available and being sold as is.  These vans may already fit your need and they may be further customizable for an additional cost either through the dealer or through a private retailer.Most conversion van purchases are significant.  Several car and truck manufacturers design conversion vans for commercial, industrial and individual use.  Learn about the benefits of one manufacturer over the other.  Since prices will vary considerably since each van is designed with different features, it is always important to have an appraisal of the vehicle done. Loans for these vans are widely available, either as personal auto loans or business loans. Choose these vans wisely and they will pay off in the long term.