What Peace Vans does

Peace Vans is a Seattle-based, privately held specialty automotive company founded around 2014 that operates across the full camper van lifecycle: sales of converted vans (Mercedes Metris pop-tops and VW ID. Buzz conversions), a rental fleet for Pacific Northwest and Baja California trips, Vanagon repair and restoration including engine swaps (Waterboxer rebuilds, Subaru EJ25, inline 4-cylinder conversions), electric conversions of vintage air-cooled VWs, and Sprinter/Class B service and upgrades (suspension, solar/battery, authorized Storyteller warranty work). The company runs from a single SODO Seattle facility two blocks from Mercedes-Benz of Seattle, with a secured back lot supporting storage, rental fleet, and customer-vehicle intake. Harley Sitner is the owner and there is no disclosed institutional capital, parent company, or acquisition activity.

The business model blends one-time conversion sales, professional service revenue (inspections at $440, suspension installs at $5,995-$14,995, engine conversions starting around $10K and often exceeding $20K), recurring rental and trip income (PNW rentals plus $3,295 Baja self-guided trips and guided whale-watching/farm-to-table experiences), and ancillary streams (van storage at $200/month, used Vanagon parts). Customer segments are horizontally organized around vehicle platform rather than industry vertical: Vanagon owners, Sprinter/Class B owners, Metris/ID. Buzz buyers, rental travelers, and classic-VW EV conversion customers.

The underlying technology is mechanical and electrical rather than software: ~500 Metris pop-top installs, ~1,000 battery systems, 200+ Webasto gas-fired heaters, and 15+ years of solar/electrical integration experience. The company holds authorized dealer or installer status with Owl Vans, Flatline Van Co., Agile Off Road, Scheel-Mann, GoWesty, Foreign Auto Supply, Battle Born, EcoFlow, Lithionics, and Starlink, and operates a long-running partnership with Mercedes-Benz of Seattle (since 2016) and Storyteller Vans. Notable risks include Mercedes pausing Metris production (<40 units remaining), tariff exposure cutting profits by an estimated 25%, and concentration of expertise in a niche vintage-VW market that may compress as platforms age.

Name

Peace Vans

Legal name

Peace Vans

Website

https://peacevans.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Peace Vans is a privately held Seattle-based specialty automotive company that sells, rents, repairs, restores, and converts camper vans, with deep expertise in VW Vanagons, Mercedes Metris/Sprinter platforms, and EV conversions of classic Volkswagens, serving individual enthusiasts and SMB owners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Camper Van Services and Conversions

NAICS

Truck, Utility Trailer, and RV (Recreational Vehicle) Rental and Leasing (53212), Motor Home Manufacturing (336213)

SIC

Services-Auto Rental & Leasing (No Drivers) (7510)

akta.pro primary industry

Campervan Rentals (Class B / Converted Vans) (THADAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

EV Campervan / Electric RV Rentals (THADANAH)

Keywords

• Camper van conversions
• Van rentals
• Vanagon restoration
• Sprinter van service
• Electric vehicle conversions

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Camper Van Sales: Sale of Mercedes Metris camper conversions and ID. Buzz conversions, with less than 40 Metris vans remaining before production pause.
2. Camper Van Rentals: Rental fleet of Vanagons and Mercedes Metris campers for Pacific Northwest exploration and Baja trips. Includes curated campsites and road trip itineraries.
3. Sprinter/Class B Service and Upgrades: Service, repairs, and upgrades for Ford Transit, Dodge Promaster, Mercedes Sprinter, Winnebago Revel, and Storyteller vans. Includes authorized warranty repairs for Storyteller.
4. Vanagon Repair and Restoration: Complete Vanagon service including routine maintenance, inspections, engine rebuilds, engine conversions, camper system upgrades, and full restorations.
5. Baja Self-Guided Trips: 6-night self-guided camper van trips in Baja California including Adventure/Mountain and Beach Getaway routes for $3,295.
6. Baja Guided Tours: Whale watching trips at $1,095 per van/driver plus $215 per additional passenger, and farm-to-table experiences including meals and camping.
7. Electric Vehicle Conversions: Conversion of vintage air-cooled VW vehicles to electric power for customers seeking modern electric drivetrains in classic cars.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Peace Vans sells, rents, and services camper vans, with a focus on custom conversions of Mercedes Metris and VW ID. Buzz vans, vintage VW Vanagon repairs and restorations, electric conversions of classic air-cooled Volkswagens, and Sprinter/Class B van service and upgrades. The company operates from Seattle's SODO neighborhood and runs rental fleets and curated trips in the Pacific Northwest and Baja California.

Product overview

Peace Vans is a Seattle-based camper van company offering a multi-product portfolio centered on van conversions, rentals, and services. The core offerings include Mercedes Metris camper van conversions (Modern line) available in Weekender and Full Camper configurations, VW ID. Buzz camper conversions, and a rental fleet of Vanagons and Metris campers for Pacific Northwest and Baja California trips. The company provides extensive services including Vanagon repair/restoration/engine conversions, electric conversions for vintage VW vehicles, Sprinter/Class B service/upgrades, solar and battery system installations, and suspension services. The company also offers secured van storage and sells used Vanagon parts. The business model combines product sales (camper conversions), service revenue (repairs, upgrades), and rental income.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Peace Vans Modern: Mercedes Metris camper van conversions and modern service
• Peace Vans Electric
• Peace Vans Modern Service

Products and services

• Mercedes Metris Campers (Modern) Pop-top camper van conversions built on the Mercedes Metris platform, available in Weekender and Full Camper configurations for daily driving and extended road trips. Less than 40 vans remain before Mercedes pauses production.
• VW ID. Buzz Camper Conversions First and best camper products for the VW ID. Buzz, including kitchen box, kitchen box plus sleeper, and full camper setups with everything needed to work, sleep, cook, and relax on the road.
• Camper Van Rentals (Pacific Northwest) Rental fleet of Vanagons and Mercedes Metris campers for exploring the Pacific Northwest, including curated campsites, road trip itineraries, and one-way trip options.
• Baja Camper Van Trips Self-guided and guided camper van trips in Baja California, Mexico, including 6-night mountain/adventure and beach getaway itineraries, whale watching excursions, and farm-to-table experiences departing from La Paz.
• Vanagon Service and Restoration Full-service repair, restoration, engine conversions, and routine maintenance for VW Vanagons, including engine rebuilds (Waterboxer, Subaru conversion, inline 4-cylinder), full restorations, and camper system upgrades.
• Electric Conversions for Classic VW Vehicles Conversion of vintage air-cooled VW vehicles (Beetle, Bus, Ghia, Thing) to modern electric power with high-performing electric motors and upgradeable systems.
• Sprinter and Class B Service and Upgrades Service, upgrades, and repairs for Mercedes Sprinter vans, Ford Transit, Dodge Promaster, Winnebago Revel, and Storyteller vans, including suspension, fuel tank, battery, and accessory installations. Authorized warranty repairs for Storyteller.
• Solar and Battery Systems Installation, repair, and upgrade of solar panels, battery systems (Battle Born, Dakota, EcoFlow, RedArc, Lithionics, Tesla modules), and complete electrical systems for vans. Over 15 years of experience and over 1,000 battery systems installed.
• Suspension Services Suspension upgrades for Sprinters and other vans, including Agile RIP Kit installation and Evictus premium solutions (Pre-Runner System at $14,995 installed, Advanced Kit at $5,995 installed).
• Sprinter and Class B Van Storage Secured, monitored, and fenced parking for Sprinter and Class B vans in Seattle's SODO neighborhood at $200/month with business hours access and limited complimentary valet service.
• Used Vanagon Parts Large inventory of used Vanagon parts, described as possibly the largest cache of used Vanagon parts in the world, available for sale with occasional garage sales.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced maintenance costs through proactive inspection-based service planning
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Owl VanscoreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized dealer of Owl Vans products including tire carriers, storage boxes, side steps, ladders, PedalBox throttle controllers, and bumpers for Sprinter and Class B vans.
• Agile Off RoadcoreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized dealer and installer of Agile Off Road products including RIP Kit suspension systems, ARB air compressor kits, and winch bumpers. Strong relationship built over years of installations.
• Flatline Van Co.coreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized dealer of Flatline Van Co. roof racks and van accessories including Sprinter Safari Rack for Revel vans.
• Scheel-ManncoreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized dealer of Scheel-Mann premium seating including Vario F, Vario F XXL, and Vario F with seatbelt options for Revel and other Sprinter-based vehicles.
• The Bougie Dirtbag (Jordan and Carmen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Jordan and Carmen from The Bougie Dirtbag to host guided Baja camper van trips including whale watching and farm-to-table experiences. Partners since 2023.
• GoWestycoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-time partner and friend of the company offering WBX motors (2.1, 2.2, 2.3L options) for Vanagon engine rebuilds. Over 10 years of partnership.
• Foreign Auto SupplycoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in Maine providing best-of-breed conversion parts for inline 4-cylinder 2.0L gas motor Vanagon conversions.
• Storyteller VanscoreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized independent shop to work on Storyteller vans with blessing from Intergalactic HQ in Birmingham. Can handle warranty claims and bill Storyteller directly.
• Mercedes-Benz of SeattlecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Mercedes-Benz of Seattle for Metris van sales. Peace Vans is a Mercedes partner since 2016 and can coordinate chassis-level service two blocks away.
• Live The Van Life (Shane Jordan)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner in La Paz, Baja Mexico for Vanagon body and paint work. Customers often complete mechanical restoration in Seattle then transport van to Baja for body work.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Agile Off Road: Sprinter off-road suspension and RIP Kit manufacturer for whom Peace Vans is an authorized installer. Adjacent ecosystem participant — not a competitor, but a key partner whose products Peace Vans installs and recommends.

Broad incumbents

• Mercedes-Benz USA: OEM of the Metris and Sprinter platforms that Peace Vans converts and services. Peace Vans maintains a Mercedes partner relationship since 2016; Mercedes is both supplier and indirect ecosystem partner via dealer co-location.
• Winnebago: Large public RV manufacturer whose Revel Class B van is one of the platforms Peace Vans services. Broad incumbent across motorhomes, travel trailers, and Class B vans with overlapping service and accessory channels.
• Volkswagen USA (ID. Buzz): OEM of the ID. Buzz platform that Peace Vans is building the first camper conversions for. Foundational relationship for Peace Vans' EV camper product line and partner dealership network.

Direct peers

• GoWesty: Long-established Vanagon parts, service, and engine conversion specialist and explicit Peace Vans partner. Directly competes on the same vintage VW platform with overlapping engine swap (WBX) and restoration offerings.
• Escape Campervans: Large-scale campervan rental operator with multi-city US locations. Comparable to Peace Vans' rental fleet business, though Escape is volume/playa-focused and Peace Vans is curated/premium PNW and Baja focused.
• Field Van: Sprinter 4x4 conversion specialist focused on adventure and off-road builds. Comparable to Peace Vans on Sprinter platform conversions with similar premium positioning and customer demographic.
• Storyteller Overland: Class B RV manufacturer (MODE, REVEL) for whom Peace Vans is an authorized warranty service partner. Comparable as a Class B van ecosystem player, though Storyteller is the OEM and Peace Vans is the authorized service channel.
• Outside Van: Portland-based Sprinter and Class B van conversion company with custom builds, rental fleet, and accessories. Closest direct competitor on modern Sprinter/Class B platform conversions and adventure van services.
• VanDOit: Ford Transit and Sprinter conversion company offering modular DIY and turnkey camper builds. Overlaps with Peace Vans on modern van conversions, though VanDOit leans more modular/DIY vs. Peace Vans' turnkey approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/peacevans
• Instagraminstagram.com/peacevans

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Peace Vans