Get perception into why the RAM ProMaster 2500 was the chosen van for vanlife for vacationers Allie and Danella from Wander Free and Queer.
We’ve been in our 42-foot 2018 Keystone Alpine fifth-wheel for over 5 years now, and we nonetheless principally love residing this life-style. We’ve traveled the nation and lived stationary in our tiny home-on-wheels, studying the ins and outs of RV life, and have principally liked navigating each nomadic and stationary residing in our small house. Earlier this 12 months, we determined our fifth-wheel is probably going staying stationary as we deepen our roots within the foothills of Mt. Hood, Oregon.
We frequently spoke about touring in a van as an possibility we by no means really imagined was doable for us. We all the time stated, “We are huge women with huge desires and wish an enormous house to accommodate all of us.” As huge of an area as we may get whereas holding it easy and cell. Our fifth wheel gave us simply sufficient room to roam and to even be actual about what we would have liked in a residing scenario.
Through the years, we’ve dreamed of attempting out van life. We questioned what it might be wish to be extra cell and off-grid to simplify our life and our journey with a smaller house. We by no means dreamed we’d fall in love with the whole lot touring in a van may supply. After researching, speaking with others residing and touring in vans, and our personal individualized wants and desires, we determined to make the leap on constructing our personal journey van.
Why We Selected a RAM ProMaster 2500 Van for Our Journey Construct
After in depth analysis, we selected the RAM ProMaster 2500 for our camper van. We really feel that that is the best choice for us as we wish to construct out our van with our personal ground plan, important gadgets, and our journey wants in thoughts. We additionally plan to make use of our van to assist maintain and haul our market and truthful gadgets once we are off merchandising our merchandise and crochet gadgets.
On this put up, we’ll share the highest explanation why the ProMaster 2500 was the proper match for our journey adventures and why it would work for others. Whether or not you’re trying to construct a camper van for weekend getaways or planning a full-time van life journey, this put up will assist you perceive the advantages of selecting a RAM ProMaster 2500 van conversion.
1. Inside Area and Construct-Pleasant Design
One of many largest benefits of the RAM ProMaster 2500 is its boxy, build-friendly form. Not like many different vans that taper on the high, the ProMaster has vertical partitions, which is a game-changer for DIY van conversions. This implies extra usable house, one thing at a premium once you’re working with much less room than you’re used to. This form additionally makes it simpler to put in cupboards, cabinets, and beds with out difficult customized cuts. We selected the 159” wheelbase ProMaster 2500 excessive roof mannequin, which suggests we are able to stand in our van! The standing room and a surprisingly spacious inside don’t take care of the van being too lengthy to drive and park comfortably.
2. Entrance-Wheel Drive Benefit
This can be a huge consideration in our decision-making course of. We thought-about when, the place, and the way we wished to make use of our van. Initially, we had wished a four-wheel drive possibility, however we got here to appreciate that front-wheel drive would go well with us and our wants proper now. The ProMaster is the one full-size van within the U.S. market that comes with front-wheel drive. Not like rear-wheel drive vans that battle in snowy or slippery circumstances, the front-wheel-drive format provides the ProMaster higher traction, particularly when the again of the van is loaded.
Entrance-wheel drive additionally permits for a decrease ground peak, which suggests we are able to arise comfortably contained in the van, and it’s simpler to step out and in, particularly when loading gear or pets. Though it’s decrease, we additionally received ourselves a sturdy step stool for our two journey pups! The improved dealing with in inclement climate and higher management on tough roads gave us the peace of thoughts we would have liked to discover with confidence, whether or not that’s a snowy mountain move or a muddy forest highway.
3. Value-Efficient and Extensively Out there
In comparison with different in style vans just like the Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit, the RAM ProMaster 2500 was in our funds. The bottom mannequin is commonly 1000’s of {dollars} cheaper, and components and repairs are extra inexpensive since RAM automobiles are extensively supported within the U.S. We traded in our 2016 RAM 3500 for our 2023 RAM Promaster Van with out breaking the financial institution.
As a result of we didn’t go over funds on the van buy, we freed up extra of our funds for the precise van conversion. In case you’re trying to construct a camper van on a funds, the ProMaster is difficult to beat. We knew that gadgets comparable to insulation, home windows, and flooring could be giant upfront prices, so we didn’t wish to sacrifice the construct for a greater model.
Last Ideas
Selecting a van (identical to selecting an RV, an condominium, or a sticks-and-bricks residence) is a deeply private resolution, and there’s no one-size-fits-all reply. Nonetheless, for us, the RAM ProMaster 2500 hit the candy spot between affordability, performance, ease of conversion, and reliability. It gave us the liberty to design our excellent tiny residence on wheels and the arrogance to journey anyplace from nationwide parks to downtown metropolis streets.
In case you’re planning to construct a camper van and are weighing your choices, we extremely advocate taking a critical take a look at the ProMaster. It’s a confirmed favourite amongst van lifers for good purpose—and we couldn’t be happier with our selection. We’re already planning our first trial run journey to see how we might wish to arrange our ground plan. Our van, GoGo the Getaway Van, is the following section of our life-on-the-road journey.
Wish to see what a RAM ProMaster 2500 appears to be like like with a full conversion? Take a look at a totally transformed ProMaster from an RVshare Worker!
The easiest way to actually know what van type is greatest for you is to strive earlier than shopping for, hire a van to expertise your selection earlier than committing.
Get the spec particulars of the RAM ProMaster 2500 from its producer, Ram Vehicles.
Unsure if you wish to purchase a RAM ProMaster 2500 new or used? Examine why a brand new one is price it from van builders and vacationers.