12 Best Small Camper Vans Under $25,000

If you’re ready to dive into life on the road but don’t have a huge budget, a small camper van is the way to go. Whether you’re looking for a prefab mini camper or prefer to build your own, check out our 12 reviews of the best tiny van conversions below.

Why Travel in a Mini RV Van?

Van life is everywhere you look; turn on your computer and head to YouTube or open up your Instagram feed, and you’re bound to see somebody cruising through the desert in a tasty camper conversion or a video showcasing the latest and greatest small travel trailers.

It’s a massive movement that has overtaken the globe, with people from all walks of life and backgrounds giving up their previous lives and heading out on the open road in off road trucks and small camper vans.

Bagging a cheap camper or a tiny trailer to curb your off grid adventure itch is always a great feeling, and it can really keep your van life costs down once you’re out on the road. Some cars like the Dalbury E Electric have a running cost of 2p per mile, helping you hop from country to country on the cheap or saving up for further adventures.

This, among many other reasons, is why micro campers are becoming more and more popular with van dwellers who are considering living in a van and living the van life.

Best Small Camper Vans for Sale on the Cheap

With that in mind, we’ve made a list of the 12 best small camper vans under $25,000 dollars for you to sink your teeth into. We’ve searched the internet for the best deals and more importantly the nicest campers that you can buy without breaking the bank, and you might be surprised with what we’ve come up with!

If the price below doesn’t factor the van into the overall cost, we will state Conversion only cost at the bottom. After researching vans on second hand sites across the internet, we’re working on the basis that these vans can be bought for under $8,000 (£6,500).

But without further ado, check out the top 12 affordable camper vans on the market:

1. Mitsubishi Delicia – $12,217

First up on our list of small camper vans is this Mitsubishi Delicia Chamonix conversion from UK based Love Campers; an apt name for a company that do some seriously nice conversions in some of the smaller spaces known to van life-kind!

This conversion, The Islay, turns what used to be a small family vehicle into a fully functioning day camper with all the amenities that you need to live comfortably on the road.

Each Islay mini RV conversion comes with dully insulated walls and vinyl flooring, a leisure battery and power management system, and a 240V hook up integrated into the side of the camper for use when parking up at campsites.

The spacious hob and sink combo fit neatly into custom made, hand-crafted wooden cupboards, and the 4foot wide rock-n-roll seat converts back into a comfortable bed for you and a partner to slob out on at the end of the day.

Water, gas, and lighting all come as standard in this Love Campers conversion, but you’ll have to splash out an extra $982 on solar panels if you want to go fully off grid.

Head over to Love Campers for more info. Conversion only cost.

2. Citroen Dispatch – $11,290

Next up on our list of the best small camper vans is the mighty-yet-mini Citroen Dispatch and a ‘surf van’ style conversion from Convert Your Van.

Borrowing from the So-Cal VW Bus vibe of yester-year, these conversions include everything that you need to be the perfect weekend warrior in a vehicle that’s easy to park and drives more like a car than a van.

It’s a perfect choice if you’re anxious about driving a bigger vehicle, yet don’t want to sacrifice on that Beach Boys styling.

The price of this sleeper van conversion comes under a Tier 2 package and includes a side kitchen and folding bed installation as well as a pop-top roof.

You get all of your appliances such as your fridge and water pump wired up, as well as 12V charging facilities for your phones, tablets, and other portable gadgets that can be charged up via the included leisure battery.

Head over to Convert Your Van for more details on what they offer and information on the different conversion price bands. Conversion only cost.

3. ROMAHOME R10 – $22,095

If you’re looking for cheap campers that include the van in the price, then the best places to look are second-hand websites and car dealers.

The ROMAHOME R10 is one of the best small campers out there on the market, and we recently found one online for the small sum of $22,000 (£17,995). That’s ‘cheap as chips’ for a fully functioning weekend-camper van with a bed built in.

The R10 is the perfect tiny home for a solo traveller who likes living a minimalistic lifestyle while out on the road.

The conversion comes with a sink and hob, plenty of storage for your solo-sized top cooking accessories, and a single bed that looks as though it’s made from the biggest foam cushions ever! 

From what we can see, there’s only one seat in the front, so don’t even think about trying to give someone a lift in this thing. You could strap a seatbelt to the included Chemical Toilet, but it might not make for a very pleasant ride!

Check out the ROMAHOME website for more info on their outstanding travel vans for sale .

4. VW Caddy – $24,550

The next van on our list has perhaps one of the nicest interiors in any of the small camper vans I’ve seen on our travels through the Van-i-verse. We’re heading back to our friends at Love Campers for this tasty looking VW Caddy conversion, and boy is it special.

Until writing this article, I had never really considered how much you can actually do with a mini camper or an uber-compact van. But this fully kitted out stealth camper van has everything that you could possibly ask for and more. And the van itself is included in the price!

The Mandalay RV conversion has a similar style rock-n-roll seat/bed combo as the previous Love Campers conversion. It also uses the same side-kitchen set up to complete the bulk of the build.

Plus a large garage-style door opens out at the back to give you access to a boot section and to create a nice through-draft. There’s also plenty of storage for all of your van life essentials including a large space underneath the cushion-clad seat.

A hob, sink, and mini fridge top everything off nicely. And there’s plenty of outlets for charging on the go.

While the quote above is for a VW Caddy that has recently sold, contact the company. If you’re looking for a pre-made van for your next adventure they can keep you updated on availability.

Head over to Love Campers to enquire about their affordable camper vans for sale.

5. Renault Traffic – $11,971

Sometimes the decision to go for a mini camper or a big one can be a tricky call. But for Clearcut Conversions, the answer is indeed quite clear!

Up next on our list of livable vans is a Renault Traffic. Not only does it come with plush leather seats, but there’s also a full kitchenette.

Unlike some of the other more traditional DIY camper conversions, this Renault Camper from Clearcut Conversions looks like a futuristic space pod that just shot down from the Death Star – which if you read my articles regularly you’ll know is a very good thing indeed.

This stylish camper is a 2-berth, making it a great travel van with companions. (Or when impressing a date with your swanky new ride!)

A 50l fridge, sink, hob, and 20l water storage come as standard. Along with 12V and 240V power and a battery management system to keep your numbers in check while on the go.

If going off the grid in luxury is your thing, then this Renault Traffic conversion will be right up your street.

Head over to Clearcut Conversions for more information. Conversion only cost.

6. Ssangyong Turismo 4×4 – $23,329

Are you looking for a stealth camper that can double as a family vehicle? Then this rare Ssangyong Turismo Camper from Wellhouse Leisure could make your dreams come true!

It comes with four wheel drive for getting to all of those hard to reach van life travel spots. And it’s small enough to go down into all of those European underground parking lots. (Which my ginormous Vauxhall Movano could never dream of getting into.)

This automatic micro-machine has four leather seats for daily travel, plus a full a camper conversion for switching gears into the vanlife. It comes complete with a compressor fridge, a hob that slides out for whipping up tasty meals on the go, fresh drinking water and wastewater storage, and a porta potti for when you ‘gotta go’!

The seats flip down to make a two-berth sleeping arrangement. It’s a good van with bed space for couples, but gets cosy fast with more people. (Of course, you could also just set up a tent hammock in the forest for extra guests!)

Check out Wellhouse Leisure for more details.

7. Toyota Sienna – $8,500

Oasis Campervans offer up a great minivan camper for sale at a slick price. It blends perfectly into the daily grind, but unleashes a host of hidden functions for living off grid.

Despite being one of the most diminutive of tiny van conversions on our list, Oasis Campervans’ Toyota Sienna packs a wallop.

They have fit a sliding table, bed, and a place to charge your gear inside this van. There’s even a sink with space for water storage, and a place for you to put your burner on too!

The storage in this minivan camper is incredibly well thought out. With boxes and cubbyholes located all the way through the build, it’s great for storing your adventure gear.

Although, it might not be big enough to put your travel bikes in. But still, it’s definitely a good size for short trips away or day excursions to the beach.

Head over to Oasis Campervans website for more info. Conversion only cost.

8. Citroen Berlingo – $23,943

Next, we have the ever-popular Citroen Berlingo from Chapel Motorhomes. A double berth pop-top that is perfect for an adventurous duo in search of the best small camper van. (As long as they don’t mind spending a lot of time in close proximity to each other.)

This city dwelling MPV is the perfect base vehicle for turning into a micro camper. Especially with the gas-assist pop-top added into the equation!

This functional two-berth conversion has a Dometic double hob and Dometic sink in the grey kitchenette area. Both of which can be covered over with glass lids to provide an extra wide food prep space.

There’s a 75ah battery for charging your 12V and 240V gadgets. Along with an electric hook-up point for when parking near a power source.

You’ll find a Thetford Porta Potti in here too for when nature calls- one of our Best Campervan Toilets. And a 420l lockable box on the roof of the camper for all of your extra belongings.

Head over to Chapel Motorhomes for more information.

9. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JK – $7,950

When you think of a Jeep Wrangler, it’s likely you associate it with a rugged, off-road excursion. This unique vehicle is synonymous with an adventurous lifestyle, making it a fantastic choice when converting small camper vans.

But Jeep isn’t only known for their off-road capabilities and adventure. The car manufacturer is also praised for their production of high quality vehicles.

Because of the Jeep Wrangler’s durability, and outdoorsy appeal, it’s a no-brainer to use them for RV conversion. Which is exactly what Ursa Minor Vehicles offers with their pop-top Wrangler conversions.

What started as a passion project has now become a multi-state company with conversion workshops in California and Oregon. And Jeep camper van conversions take up one location entirely–that’s a lot of Wrangler upgrades!

Due to the high quality of Jeep vehicles, you can easily find older, less expensive Wranglers that still have plenty of life left in them. Even, once you factor in the cost of a conversion, you’re still well below the 25k limit.

Conversion only cost.

10. Nissan NV200 – $7,998

If you’re new to the van life scene, and find larger recreational vehicles intimidating, then small camper vans are a great way to get your feet wet. And the Nissan NV200 is a stellar option for a small camper van conversion.

Not only is the Nissan NV200 a powerful cargo van, it also offers fuel efficiency, and a smooth driving experience. So, whether you’re trekking backcountry roads, or exploring city streets, a NV200 camper van can get you there.

And to help your dreams of van life become reality, Contravans offer Nissan NV200 conversions for very reasonable prices. Each is compatible with the 2013-present NV200, meaning you can easily find used camper van for sale that will fit within your budget.

Along with a place to sleep, you get an electrical package, a vent fan, LED lighting, and ample storage. After all those additions, there’s still space available to add even more custom accessories. Check out the other conversion camper vans for sale from Contravans.

Conversion only cost.

11. Honda Elysion – $24,557

We’re heading back to Wellhouse Leisure for our penultimate compact home on our list of the Best Small Camper Vans. While this Honda Elysion comes in at the very top of our budget, it’s well worth it. With the fresh-looking available space inside the camper it justifies parting with the extra Benjamins.

Wellhouse have fitted this Japanese minivan with a rock-n-roll two-seater bench that transforms into a bed. And they’ve also put an elevating roof inside to make it easier to move around in the living area. There’s also the option of adding a second double bed into the mix. So you can turn this mini camper into a four-berth motorhome.

At 4.84m long and around 2m high, this camper will pass most of the parking height restrictions around the world. And it’s a nice size for parking in the city, or out in the wilderness.

It comes with a 25L fridge, and a 2KW air heater. Along with a 100w solar panel hooked up to a leisure battery, and a two-burner gas hob and sink combo. Not bad for the price, don’t you think?

Check out Wellhouse Leisure for more details. Conversion only cost.

12. Ram Promaster City – $7,000

The final camper conversion on our list is one that our US readers will know all too well. And it’s also the cheapest conversion on our list too! The Ram Promaster City is probably the perfect van for a city-slick stealth camper. It’s about as unsuspecting as you get.

Cascade Campers add a super thin solar panel to the top that doesn’t attract any attention, turning this ordinary cargo van into a vehicle that’s ideal for off grid living

These Cascade Campers have a simple fold-down bed set-up. Plus you get a tap and sink for all of your fresh water needs. There’s 19l of freshwater storage onboard. Along with a one hob fixed burner that’s perfect for a cup of tea or soup for one. Keep your food cool in the Dometic 12v fridge, and power up all of your gadgets with the included inverter.

Head over to Cascade Campers for more details. Conversion only cost.

Small Camper Vans FAQ – 10 Common Questions About Stealth Camper Vans

If you’re new to the world of small camper vans, then the buying process and lifestyle change can seem overwhelming. But we’re here to help!

In order to aid you in your van life research, we’ve put together a quick list of frequently asked questions.

1. How much does a camper van cost?

So, if you’re living out of your camper, rent is no longer a concern. Along with those unnecessary 2 a.m. delivery meals – those fees really start to add up. You’re likely going to start saving in ways you didn’t even see coming. Especially if you’re starting out with affordable camper vans.

But it’s mostly relative to you and your personal situation. How much do you plan to travel? Are you paying off any loans? These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself before you can better calculate a budget.

2. How much regular maintenance will your small camper van need?

When you’re living out of a camper van regardless of the size, you’ll want to be mindful of your van’s condition. So, it helps to be knowledgeable of automotive basics.

That being said, you’re going to want to budget for an emergency fund. Because it’s always better to be safe than sorry. While you’re at it, make it a habit of stopping to check your tires, and oil.

Of course, the amount of maintenance ultimately depends on how much you plan to travel at any given time. The more wear on your vehicle, the more repairs. And in the end, your insurance plan makes all the difference.

3. Where can you go to the bathroom or shower in a stealth camper van?

With small camper vans, every inch counts. In order to get the most out of limited space, the amenities we consider vital in a brick and mortar home are the first to go when we hit the road.

But luckily there are alternatives to a toilet/shower combo right next to where you lay your head at night.

As far as showers are concerned, look up gyms in the area, or invest in an outdoor shower system. And for toilets, gyms, grocery stores, gas stations, and even parks have toilets you can use. But for those trips that take you farther from civilization, there are portable toilets available.

4. What kind of power source is best?

First things first, make a list of all of the electronics you’ll be powering. Once you have a general idea of how much energy you’ll be using you can make a more informed decision about what power source you should use.

Thankfully there are plenty of portable power sources for small camper vans. And to make things easier for yourself, there are numerous solar options available as well.

5. How can you keep refrigerated items fresh?

Worrying about your perishable items, and not wanting to live life off of dry goods? Don’t sweat it!

You can keep your food and drinks cold, even frozen. All you need is a minifridge, or a travel refrigeration system. Of course space is going to be limited, so you’ll need to alter your idea of a well stocked fridge.

6. What’s the best way to cook in a van?

So, now that you know you can have a fully stocked fridge, you might be wondering how you’re going to cook your meals. Well, there is a plethora of portable grills and flat tops available.

Or you can simply use campground grills and firepits to whip up some fantastic meals. And for any 21st century cooks, an instant pot is a gamechanger. Now the only question is what are you going to cook?

7. What’s the best source for Wi-Fi?

Since we’re living in the 21st century, free Wi-Fi is popping up everywhere. And when you’re traveling it can be fairly easy to find a source for free Wi-Fi. National and State Parks will offer Wi-Fi, along with coffee shops, and libraries.

However, if you need a more private connection, your best option is using your mobile phone as a hotspot. Just remember to opt for that unlimited data plan.

8. Where can you park your van overnight?

With small camper vans, parking overnight can be as easy as pulling up in a free city parking spot. If you’re staying for longer than a night, you might look into free campsites prior to your visit.

Then again, there’s always a Walmart parking lot that can legally and safely be your home away from home. But having a van with a bed means a lot more flexibility in where you sleep at night.

9. How do you receive mail while on the road?

When you’re living in a mini RV van, receiving mail can be burdensome. What you’ll need to do is switch as many bills and alerts as you can to paperless. Part of the allure of small travel vans is sustainable living, so the less paper mail the better.

But for all the physical mail you can’t digitize, there are Amazon Lockers, FedEx/UPS Distribution Centers, and the option to get items delivered directly to the store for pickup. Plus you can always ask friends or family back home to forward your mail and packages.

10. Where do you do your laundry?

Doing your laundry doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It can be as easy as posting up at a laundromat. Then you can use some free Wi-Fi while you wait, and gain access to a bathroom all in one trip.

Or, if you have a water source, or enough water storage you can do your laundry without leaving your van. Then simply hang your clothes out to dry.

Now we have one question for you – What are you waiting for? Go choose your new camper van today!

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