10 Best Adventure Vans Of 2023

If you’re nursing a bite by the wanderlust bug, the best home base for your wanderings might just be an adventure bus. After all, the only thing better than a road trip is doing it with the comforts of home in tow!

Today, we’re taking a close look at ten of the best adventure vans we’ve seen out on the road or on the Internet. If you’re planning an off-grid adventure, peruse our list for ideas to complete your own camper conversion. 

The Best Adventure Vans for Off Grid Living

Imagine pulling up to a beautiful view, putting it in park, and really savouring it as long as you want, cup of tea in hand. That’s the adventure van lifestyle, that allows off-grid adventures to continue indefinitely. 

But which is the best adventure van for you? It all depends on your budget, lifestyle, and destination. The ultimate camper will look different for everyone; it may be an all terrain camper, compact camper van, or maybe a stealthy pop top camper. 

Regardless of your situation, there’s a solution out there for you. To help you get the wheels turning, we’re looking at ten of the gnarliest off-road camper conversions to serve as the best van for your next adventure. 

1. Storyteller Overland MODE

First up on our list of the best adventure vans is the MODE 4×4 by Storyteller Overland. This epic Mercedes Sprinter conversion embodies the six essential qualities of an off-grid home on wheels: it’s safe, simple, fun, flexible, rugged, and most importantly, ready to go.

With these factors as the basis of the build, you’re getting a vehicle that’s purpose-built for all stripes of life. Whether you’re barreling down dirt tracks or just making a run to the grocery store, the MODE camper is up to it.

Inside, the Overland MODE has everything you need to live comfortably. There is enough storage onboard for all the gear you’ll need to live life on the wild side. Beneath the bed at the back is a “garage” area large enough to store travel bikes, climbing gear or blow up paddle-boards.

If you need even more space, then the bed can fold away, allowing more storage area when in transit. In the living space, you’ll find a galley kitchen, a seating area that converts into a second bed, storage, and a toilet. There is even a hidden camper shower system, giving you the luxury of a hot indoor or outdoor shower after a day on the trail!

The Storyteller Overland MODE would make a great van for any vandwellers wanting to upgrade to a monster camper off-road rig. 

2. Winnebago Revel 4×4

The Winnebago Revel 4×4 is another all terrain camper that has earned a spot on our list of the best adventure vans of 2020. It’s chock-full of off-road capabilities that allow you to easily take the road less traveled.

The Revel 4×4 features a rugged roof rack to transport any adventure gear that won’t fit inside the camper van. You can access it via ladder, which is where you’ll also find solar panels to fuel your gadgets on the go. Finally, an electronic awning doubles your living space and gives you some shade from the elements. 

One of the most unique features of this adventure bus is the power lift bed. This allows you to raise the comfortable double bed to the ceiling of the van. At the press of a button, you open up a massive 140 cubic ft. garage, perfect for all your van life essentials.

The rest of the interior clearly keeps adventure firmly in mind; the flooring, cabinets, wall coverings, and seats are all made out of easy-to-clean materials, so don’t worry too much how wet or muddy you are when you get back to your home base. As well as the bed, this camper features a full kitchen with hob, sink and fridge, seating areas with table and front swivel seats, gear closet and wet bath, as well as overhead storage.

The Winnebago Revel 4×4 starts at $163,292.   

3. Adventure Truck XT 

Next up on our list of the best adventure vans we have the Adventure Truck XT. Aptly named, these off road trucks are built with a long expedition in mind and are perfect if you’re planning a long overland trip to remote corners of the earth.

The Adventure Truck XT is ideal for living off the grid long term, as they can be fitted out and upgraded to suit your needs. Whether your camper base model is a pick-up truck or something a little larger, the modular Adventure Truck XT kit attaches directly to the vehicle. 

The spacious interior of the Adventure Truck XT is perfect for full-time truck life. There’s enough room to compare directly to a small apartment!

An over-cab sleeping area allows the main space of the camper to be utilised as a living space. And the camper comes complete with a full kitchen, bathroom, a dining area that converts into an extra bed, plus heaps of storage.

The Adventure Truck XT also has heating and air conditioning that runs off of the solar electrical set up. This camper can even be fitted with a washing machine, which is perfect if you plan on living off grid for months on end.

Prices for the Adventure Truck XT start at $368,000.

4. Mitsubishi 4WD Terrain 

Small campers have many benefits; they’re often more affordable, more fuel-efficient, and are easy to drive and park. Pair the benefits of a compact driving experience with a full 4×4 conversion, and you have the perfect adventure campervan for exploring those off-road tracks. 

Enter a treat for the small van fan, the Mitsubishi 4WD Terrain.

This Mitsubishi camper van is built on a Delica base, with a switchable 4WD option to give you full control on and off the road. 

While the Mitsubishi 4WD Terrain may be small, it still has room to sleep and seat four–ideal for traveling with kids or friends.

Two can sleep on the double bed in the pop-top roof, with two on the rock and roll bed downstairs. That rock and roll bed also doubles as a seat-belted seating area, providing a safe space for extra passengers.

The kitchenette can be used to whip up campervan recipes either inside or out, meaning you can create delicious meals on the go no matter what the weather throws at you.

This great little camper is affordable too, coming in at a starting price of £27,995. 

5. Cascade by Outside Van

We’re halfway through our list of the best adventure vans, and at number five we have the Cascade by Outside Van! These folks are the masters of custom vans, letting you control exactly what you would like in your conversion.

A Ford Transit chassis constitutes the base for this camper. It comes complete with a 4×4 conversion, tyre and wheel upgrades, safari roof rack, extra exterior lighting, ladders, and an L-track mounting system. Outside Van have also mounted a roof tent to the top of the camper, creating an extra ‘bedroom’ perfect for kids or friends to come on the road with you. 

Inside the camper is plush yet rugged, with all of the comforts of home ready and waiting for your next road trip. At the back of the van is a large double bed with a garage storage area below.

This storage tucks away from the rest of the van behind the two extra passenger seats at the foot of the bed. Beyond the seats is the kitchen which includes a sink, hob, fridge, and storage space.

We love the materials and colours used in this van; it stands out from the crowd and looks more homely than many off road campers that prioritise function over form.

Prices vary depending on conversion, so contact Outside Van for more information!   

6. Zion by Roadtrek

At number six on our list of the best adventure vans, we have Zion from Roadtrek. The Zion is built on a Ram Promaster chassis, seats up to five, and can sleep three (unlucky if you’re passengers four and five!)

This build is perfect if you are looking for a more versatile interior space in your campervan and need less storage for gear.

The bed at the back of this camper van converts into a large seating area, with two comfortable bench seats running along both walls. These seats are perfect for lounging around in the day, with more space to entertain friends (or keep your kids occupied on a rainy day). At night, the benches can be flattened into a comfortable double bed, with a single bed set up in the cab are. 

Beyond the bed is a kitchen and lots of storage cupboards for clothes and other essentials. If you do need to carry gear on board, this can be stored in the central aisle of the camper and removed once you park up.

Roadtrek’s Zion camper is great for trips all year round with a propane furnace to keep your warm in the colder months. After all, a good heating system in a camper is essential to stop the cold becoming a barrier to getting outdoors.

The Zion camper van starts at $101,681.

7. Project M by Four Wheel Campers

Pop up campers are perfect for anyone who just wants to get out into the wild and isn’t too bothered about having all the bells and whistles. And that’s exactly what you get with the Project M Truck Camper by Four Wheel Campers: Simplicity.

Moreover, this is an affordable adventure vessel for exploring the world, ideal for the outdoorsy (but cash-strapped) younger generation. The Project M slides onto your truck bed, so if your vehicle is compatible, there is no need to splash out on another truck. This drastically undercuts the cost of buying an RV, making road tripping more accessible to all.

The Project M gives you an over-cab bed, which can be extended to comfortably sleep two while the roof is popped open. In the most basic model, this is the main feature of the Project M–a true adventure crash pad!

The rest of the interior space is dedicated to storing your gear, or building out your conversion piece by piece. Optional extras include pre-wiring for power and lights, a roof rack for even more gear and L-track on the interior walls.

Four Wheel Campers‘ Project M starts at just $8,995 and is a great base to use to be able to get outside. 

8. Chinook Countryside

The Chinook Countryside is a luxury RV built to be the best on the road. This swish campervan may not be to everyone’s taste, but if you’re looking for a bit of decadence, then this is the camper for you.

Sporting cream leather seating and glossy veneer cabinetry, the interior of the Chinook Countryside feels like a luxury yacht. There’s plenty of seating for extra passengers, and the bench at the back folds down into a bed when it’s time for a snooze.

A full bathroom takes up one side of the camper, complete with a porcelain toilet, shower, and a retractable clothesline. Opposite this is the kitchen, where you can whip up anything from a quick snack to a full three-course meal. The kitchen comprises of a dual microwave/convection oven/grill, two-burner cooktop, sink, and fridge.

The Countryside’s Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis can be upgraded to a 4×4 conversion, allowing you to combine luxury with the dirt road. What’s not to love!

9. Sportsmobile Classic 

We’re coming to the end of our list of the best adventure vans, and at number nine we have my all-time-favourite: the Sportsmobile Classic 4×4. This is a great vehicle if you like your road trips with no limitations.

Built on a 4×4 Ford Cutaway chassis, this heavy-duty adventure van’s body is moulded with a steel-reinforced fibreglass shell for maximum durability. And, this camper has a complete and extensive off-road conversion; you can travel over dirt roads, up mountains, through ravines, and across any terrain!

For all its muscle, the Ford Cutaway is a relatively small vehicle. To make up for its compact size, Sportsmobile include a pop top penthouse roof. There’s more than enough space to stand up and move around inside.

The interior layout is customisable depending on what your needs are. Nevertheless, conversions typically include a full kitchen, a cosy sleeping area, dining area, plus plenty of space to store gear and added extras.    

10. Timber Den by Outside Van 

Our last camper on our list of best adventure vans is the Timber Den by Outside Van. This another excellent example of the kind of custom off-grid-paradise that the company can produce.

The Timber Den is the ultimate gear-hauling camper, with space to carry an extensive amount of equipment inside–including a motorbike! This comes thanks to an open-plan layout, with minimal ‘home comforts’. Meanwhile on the exterior, there are surf/SUP racks, plus solar panels for off-grid power. 

Aside from the storage space, the interior of this campervan features two different sleeping layouts: bunk beds or a double at the back. The double bed is ideal when there is enough room around the gear; but, the bunk beds work just fine if you need the space for all of your snowboards or skis.

The camper doesn’t have a full kitchen, but it does come with a fridge for storing tasty snacks. If you want a suitable base that is well-equipped for all manner of outdoor sports, from then the Timber Den is for you. 

Final Thoughts…

There are so many different adventure vans out there to suit your individual lifestyle and budgets. While the vans on this list may all vary in shape, style, size, and cost, they do have one thing in common: they will help you to get off the sofa and out there into the world! 

Sure, choosing the right adventure van is important; but not as important as the journey that you will find yourself on when you’re out on the road. So what are you waiting for? Choose a van and start exploring!

Itching to try out Full Time Van Life? Want to reveal to the world that you’re a weekend warrior? Head over to our brand new Facebook Group! It’s a place to pick up vanlife tips, share ideas, and meet other van life enthusiasts from around the globe!

More Content From The
Van Clan Team!

• Meet the adventure bus that’s taking Instagram by storm!
• We’ve made a list of the best DIY camper conversions on the planet!
• Which are the best RV brands? Van Clan investigates!

For more content from the Van Clan Team join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.