The "Wanderer" Aims To Make Van Life More Affordable, Offers a Stylish, Versatile Interior

If you'd like to learn more about the costs of buying, converting, and living in a camper van, check out this article I wrote on this exact topic. While fuel expenses aren't to be ignored, the biggest investment you'll have to make is when you build or buy your camper van.

That being said, if you're the type of person who can sacrifice a bit of comfort, you'll certainly be able to build a no-frills tig that will do the job just fine – take this one as an example.

If the DIY path is a no-go for you, consider hiring a specialized company like Vanture Customs. Vanture Customs is a Philadelphia-based company that converts cargo vans into premium mobile homes.

The company has over 190 vans on the road and different floor plans available, the latest of which is the "Wanderer." It's the result of a ton of feedback from customers and a lot of time spent crafting vans. This is what the ideal setup looks for the company, one that can be further personalized based on the customer's needs and wants.

As Vanture Customs shared, the Wanderer vans' goal is "to introduce van life at not a crazy cost." They are designed to accommodate two adults and are suitable for full-time living or "weekending," depending on the options you choose.

I'll start with the detail you're probably most curious about: price. The Wanderer conversion starts at $29,000 (€27,067), and the cost can increase if you add extras. However, even if you don't, the Wanderer's standard features are still enough. Of course, this price excludes the cost of the base vehicle, which can be any Ram ProMaster, Ford Transit, or Mercedes-Benz model.

In the presentation video at the end of the article, Vanture Customs showcased two Wanderer builds, one short and one long, both based on the Ram ProMaster. The longer one is what the company calls the "Family Wanderer," and it's based on a 159" WB ProMaster. The other is built on the 136" WB ProMaster platform. They're both outfitted with some extras – I'll mention them along the way.

On the outside, the Family Wanderer doesn't scream camper, meaning you might be able to do stealth camping with it. It's finished in white paint with black trim, and the most notable exterior feature is a large AMA window on the sliding door. Moreover, all Wanderer vans have at least one 175 W solar panel.

Step inside, and you'll discover a striking minimalistic living space. These two Wanderer vans have almost identical interiors, with some key differences I'll describe in a bit.

Regarding aesthetics, Vanture Customs opted for marine-grade Lonseal flooring, white cabinetry, and wooden touches, such as the window frames, countertops, and ceiling. What's more, the cabinetry is made using maple plywood and laminated for a smooth, aesthetically pleasing finish.

You'll notice an open layout, meaning the driver's cabin isn't separated from the rest of the interior. In fact, the driver's cabin doubles as a seating and dining area, as its two seats can be swiveled, and there's a swivel table behind the driver's seat.

Other notable features here are a sizeable headliner shelf and a Webasto heater underneath the passenger seat – this is an add-on on the Wanderer builds.

Next, we have the kitchen, located dead ahead of the entrance. It's quite small but packs the essentials, including a small 12 V Dometic fridge/freezer, a spacious, heavy-duty Formica countertop, and a deep stainless steel sink. For ventilation, you can use a Maxxair vent fan above.

In the cabinet underneath the sink, Vanture Customs devised a simple yet effective water system consisting of two canisters, one for freshwater and the other for greywater. Regarding storage, this kitchen offers a good amount of space in the form of big drawers and two overhead cabinets.

You'll notice a control panel is integrated into the kitchen wall. It consists of two outlets, dimmable light switches, four USB ports, and a touchscreen display that lets you control the rig's Goal Zero power system.

The area past the kitchen is where things look a bit different between the two Wanderer vans. This family version has two benches with ample storage spaces underneath, as well as a swivel table. The tabletop can be removed and attached between the benches, allowing you to create a small bed.

In the other smaller rig, Vanture Customs didn't have space to add the benches, but instead installed a double bench seat right by the door. There's also the possibility of adding a Trelino toilet under this seat.

The bedroom takes up the rear part of the living space. It boasts a queen-size bed mounted on a low-profile bed platform, three overhead cabinets, and two reading lights. Furthermore, the space underneath the bed serves as a massive garage.

On the left side, Vanture Customs created a unit with four cubbies, one of which holds a 6,000 Wh Goal Zero portable power station, an upgrade from the Wanderer's standard 3,000 Wh Goal Zero station. On the other side, this van's customer requested two additional water canisters.

What's lacking from the standard Wanderer van is a critical amenity a lot of people wouldn't adventure without: a bathroom. Understandably, there wasn't any space to fit any. However, as I mentioned above, you can opt for a toilet and even a shower. The latter consists of a portable tub and a curtain you can hook to the ceiling.

The other shorter ProMaster on display in the company's presentation video boasts some nice-to-have exterior upgrades. You'll notice a large awning, KO2 all-terrain tires, a grille guard, a rear ladder, and a spare tire carrier. Moreover, amazingly, this shorter rig has the same amount of storage space as the larger Family Wanderer.

So, just to be clear, here are the main features of the Wanderer van included in the base price: the sleek interior with all that cabinetry, fridge, sink, cubbies, Maxxair fan, queen-size bed, and a solar panel.

Overall, Vanture Customs did a great job with this conversion, making it as budget-friendly as possible while keeping what I presume to be a reasonable profit margin. Its living space is expertly crafted, both regarding practicality and aesthetics, and packs all the essentials needed for shorter trips.

However, if you want to make a full-time home out of this rig, you'll likely need to go for some add-ons. Out of curiosity, I calculated the price with all the extras and reached a total price of $43,700 (€40,678) - this quote includes all the features you've seen in these rigs plus an aluminum sliding tray, bug screens, and more.

Considering how many creature comforts you have in the fully-equipped version of the Wanderer, I'd say the almost $44K price tag is a good deal. You can find more info about the Wanderer and the available upgrades on Vanture Customs' website.