Vanlife Customs
Vanlife Customs is a Colorado-based, founder-owned custom van conversion shop founded in 2016 that engineers bespoke camper van builds on Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ram ProMaster platforms for individual vanlifers, commercial fleets, and specialty organizations, with 400+ builds completed.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Vanlife Customs does
Vanlife Customs is a privately held, founder-owned custom van conversion company founded in 2016 in Colorado by Dave Walsh, operating from a single workshop in Arvada, CO. The company engineers and builds bespoke camper van conversions on the three dominant North American cargo platforms — Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ram ProMaster — across 144-inch, 148-inch, and 170-inch configurations including 4x4, AWD, and 2WD drivetrains. Every layout, electrical, water, HVAC, and cabinetry system is designed from scratch per customer specification rather than selected from stock layouts; components are integrated from suppliers including Battle Born Batteries (lithium), Renogy (solar), Victron (MPPT/controllers), and Aims Power (inverters). As of 2025 the company has completed over 400 builds since founding.
The business operates a multi-track GTM: full custom builds (starting at $85,000, with some pages citing $95,000 entry points) sold via a consultative 'Book A Call' sales process; the Alpine Series of standardized model conversions (starting at $74,500) that offer faster timelines and partner-lender financing; pre-owned inventory resales; commercial/fleet builds for rental operators and mobile businesses; and a repairs-and-upgrades service center that works on both Vanlife Customs builds and competitor-built Class B vans. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the company website, with B2B fleet sales and content/influencer partnerships (Vanlife Sagas, Hygge Life, Outdoorsy) driving top-of-funnel demand. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and the company has no known external funding; growth is constrained by single-shop build capacity rather than demand.
Vanlife Customs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Vanlife Customs
- Legal name
- Vanlife Customs
- Website
- https://vanlifecustoms.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Vanlife Customs is a Colorado-based, founder-owned custom van conversion shop founded in 2016 that engineers bespoke camper van builds on Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ram ProMaster platforms for individual vanlifers, commercial fleets, and specialty organizations, with 400+ builds completed.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Vanlife Customs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Camper Van Conversions
- NAICS
- Motor Home Manufacturing (336213), Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (33621)
- SIC
- Motor Homes (3716), Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Recreational Vehicle (RV) Bodies & Towables Manufacturing (IMACAGAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Bus Body & Coachbuilder / Bus Body Assembly (IMACADAH)
Keywords
Where Vanlife Customs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Vanlife Customs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Van Conversions: Full custom camper van builds engineered from scratch for individual customer specifications. Every layout, system, and finish is designed around the customer's specific use case. Starting at $85,000 for full custom builds. Also offers custom conversions starting at $95,000.
- Model Van Sales (Alpine Series): Pre-designed model van conversions with proven popular layouts sold at standardized price points. Starting at $74,500 with financing available. Includes 144" model options.
- Pre-Owned Van Sales: Sale of completed custom campervans from their build portfolio. Inventory includes various Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ram ProMaster builds in different configurations.
- Commercial and Fleet Builds: Custom builds for mobile businesses, rental fleets, and specialty commercial applications including medical units, command posts, and mobile businesses.
- Repairs and Upgrades Service: Service and repair work on Sprinters, Transits, ProMasters, and other Class B campervans. Includes heater installs, electrical upgrades, suspension kits, windows, fans, AC, seating, and accessories. Works on vans they built and vans from other builders.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Van Conversions - Full bespoke builds starting at $85,000 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Conversions - Entry-level custom builds starting at $95,000 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Alpine Series Model Conversions - Starting at $74,500 with financing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Vanlife Customs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Vanlife Customs designs, engineers, and builds fully custom camper van conversions on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ram ProMaster chassis in any length or roof configuration, with each layout engineered from scratch for the customer's specific use. The company also offers a streamlined Alpine Series of pre-designed model conversions, repairs and upgrades on Class B campervans, and commercial/fleet builds for rental operators and mobile businesses.
Product overview
Vanlife Customs offers custom camper van conversions on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ram ProMaster platforms. The core offering consists of Custom Camper Van Conversions (starting at $85,000) for fully bespoke builds engineered from scratch, and the Alpine Series Model Conversions (starting at $74,500) for streamlined pre-designed layouts. Supporting services include repairs and upgrades, mobile business/fleet builds, van sales, and rentals. The company has completed over 400 custom builds since 2016 and operates from Arvada, Colorado.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Custom Camper Van Conversions Full custom camper van builds engineered from scratch for each customer on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Ford Transit platforms. Every layout, system, and finish is designed around the customer's specific use case, including electrical, water, plumbing, HVAC, and cabinetry. Starting at $85,000 for full custom builds and $95,000 for entry-level custom conversions.
- Alpine Series Model Conversions Streamlined pre-designed model conversion packages featuring the most popular layouts and features at lower price points with faster build timelines and same build quality as full custom work. Includes 144" Alpine Series models. Starting at $74,500 with financing available through partner lenders.
- Repairs, Upgrades, and Accessories Service
Quantifiable outcome
- 400+ custom builds completed since 2016
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Vanlife Customs
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Vanlife Customs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Vanlife Customs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Hygge LifeflagshipCreative collaboration between Vanlife Customs and Hygge Life (Alex and Koen) to create the Hygge Van - a Danish-inspired luxury Sprinter conversion. The partnership combined VLC's engineering and systems expertise with Hygge Life's design aesthetic focused on warm lighting, natural materials, and cozy lounge spaces. The resulting build is sold as a complete campervan.
- Native CampervanscoreNative Campervans, a Denver-based van rental company, partners with Vanlife Customs for rental fleet builds. VLC builds custom campervans for Native's rental inventory, exemplifying their commercial fleet build capabilities. This relationship has been featured on Vanlife Sagas content.
- Vanlife SagasminorContent creation partnership with Vanlife Sagas, a van life content creator. Their videos featuring VLC builds help market the company and van life lifestyle to their audience. Multiple Vanlife Sagas videos showcase VLC conversions.
- OutdoorsyminorVan rental marketplace platform that drives significant van rental demand. Outdoorsy saw a 4,600% surge in customer requests during 2020 pandemic period. VLC recommends Outdoorsy for insurance and potentially for customer van rental needs.
- Mark Myers (Insurance Broker)minorInsurance brokerage partner based in Wheat Ridge, CO specializing in custom van insurance. Helps VLC customers navigate insurance requirements for DIY and professional conversions. Partners are licensed in 40 US states.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Vanlife Customs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Storyteller Overland: Mercedes Sprinter-based adventure van manufacturer offering both production-model and custom configurations. Comparable to VLC's Alpine Series plus custom build mix, targeting the same outdoor-lifestyle demographic.
- Field Van: Arizona-based custom 4x4 Sprinter conversion specialist. Comparable to VLC's premium off-road and overland-style custom builds, with similar high price points and full custom engineering.
- Sportsmobile: One of the longest-tenured custom van conversion companies in the US, building on Ford, Chevrolet, and Mercedes platforms. Comparable legacy custom builder in the Class B space, with similar direct-to-consumer sales motion.
- Outside Van: Oregon-based custom van conversion builder specializing in Sprinter and Transit platforms with bespoke layouts, electrical, and cabinetry. Directly comparable to Vanlife Customs in product, customer profile, and price point.
- Advanced RV: Ohio-based boutique custom Sprinter and Transit conversion builder focused on high-end bespoke Class B motorhomes. Comparable to VLC's premium custom build segment with similar engineering depth and price tier.
- Boho Camper Vans: Custom Sprinter and ProMaster conversion builder known for premium interior finishes and a lifestyle brand positioning. Comparable to VLC's aesthetic-forward, design-driven custom builds.
- East Coast Van Conversions: Custom van conversion shop on the East Coast offering Sprinter, Transit, and ProMaster builds with both custom and semi-model configurations. Comparable product mix and consultative sales process to VLC.
- Vanworks: Colorado-based custom van conversion builder focused on Sprinter, Transit, and ProMaster platforms. Direct geographic and product peer to Vanlife Customs, with overlapping customer base in the Mountain West.
Broad incumbents
- Thor Motor Coach: Large RV manufacturer offering Class B camper vans (Tellaro, Sequence) on Ram ProMaster and other platforms. Comparable Class B output to VLC's custom builds but at production scale and lower price points.
- Winnebago (Revel / Touring Coach): Major RV OEM producing Class B motorhomes (notably the Winnebago Revel on 4x4 Sprinter) at production scale. Comparable product category to VLC's Class B camper vans, though sold as standardized production units rather than fully custom.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Vanlife Customs social profiles
Digital presenceVanlife Customs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Vanlife Customs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Vanlife Customs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Vanlife Customs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Vanlife Customs
What does Vanlife Customs do?
Vanlife Customs designs, engineers, and builds fully custom camper van conversions on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ram ProMaster chassis in any length or roof configuration, with each layout engineered from scratch for the customer's specific use. The company also offers a streamlined Alpine Series of pre-designed model conversions, repairs and upgrades on Class B campervans, and commercial/fleet builds for rental operators and mobile businesses.
Is Vanlife Customs a public or private company?
Vanlife Customs is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Vanlife Customs founded?
Vanlife Customs was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Vanlife Customs based?
Vanlife Customs is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
How does Vanlife Customs make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Custom Van Conversions are the primary driver. The others are model Van Sales (Alpine Series), pre-Owned Van Sales, commercial and Fleet Builds and repairs and Upgrades Service.
Who are Vanlife Customs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Storyteller Overland, Field Van, Sportsmobile, Outside Van, Advanced RV, Boho Camper Vans, East Coast Van Conversions and Vanworks. Broad incumbents are Thor Motor Coach and Winnebago (Revel / Touring Coach).
Does Vanlife Customs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Vanlife Customs.
What industry is Vanlife Customs in?
Vanlife Customs's product category is Custom Camper Van Conversions. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAGAJ, Recreational Vehicle (RV) Bodies & Towables Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMACADAH, Bus Body & Coachbuilder / Bus Body Assembly. Its NAICS code is 336213 and its SIC code is 3716.