The Promaster City was discontinued after the 2022 model year with new vans still arriving at dealers through early 2024. As of Spring 2024 I doubt there are any more brand new Promaster City vans out there. Don’t fret! We are happy to convert used (Promaster City) PMCs and there are plenty of low mileage vans out there. We have found the best site to find used Promaster City Cargo vans is Cargurus.com
What to look for when buying a vaN:
Cargo Versions- Our standard to convert are the cargo versions of the PMC. The passenger vans are pretty rare compared to the cargo vans. The factory new car window stickers can be confusing as they show as they often show they are a “Wagon” but then have the “Cargo” conversion done where they remove the rear seats. This is due to these vans all being imported with rear seats to bypass the “Chicken Tax” import duty on commercial vehicles. They are then factory converted to “cargo” vans in Baltimore. This is the process for all new Promaster City Cargo vans.
Passenger vans - As of spring 2024 we now offer conversions for passenger versions of the PMC. Passenger vans can be a good option as they are often more gently used than the cargo versions. There is additional work and parts required to convert a passenger PMC making the build 3 days instead of 2 and an additional $2500 charged for the extra parts and time required. Passenger vans come with all 4 windows so compared to a cargo with no windows when you want all 4 it’s only $700 more as we charge $1800 to add all 4 windows to a cargo PMC.
Trim level - They come in two trim levels. SLT (higher trim level) and Tradesmen (lower trim level). Either work great as a Cascade Camper.
Mileage - We suggest getting a new or low miles used van. The camper interior we install is designed to last a very long time so don’t put it in van that doesn’t have plenty of life left in it! The exception to this is someone who doesn’t expect to put many miles on their van.
Windows - Windows do not impact the campervan design and installation. We personally like rear windows and the passenger side window is also quite nice. The driver side window is nice too but if you want to save a few bucks it is one you can skip if your van doesn’t come with it. Finding a van with the window configuration you want can be a challenge. Don’t fret as we can add the windows for an additional fee. Added windows are as good as factory since the existing fiberglass panels are installed just like windows, so swapping them out for glass is the same process as replacing a broken window. Side windows pop out a couple of inches for ventilation. Pair of back windows is $900, one side window $500, two side windows are $900.
Bulkhead - Some vans have a bulkhead wall installed behind the front seats. The bulkhead wall needs to be removed and we can do this but there is an addition $150-$400 charge as some parts are removed during the bulkhead installation that are necessary for our conversion. There is also usually a couple of areas along where the bulkhead was installed that don’t look quite as nice but purely cosmetic.
Canadian vans - Vans from Canada have minor differences due to not being subject to the “chicken tax” so we need to charge an additional $400 to make them compatible with our design. We are also not able install windows in Canadian vans so make sure to get one with the window configuration you are looking for.
Shelving - No problem if there is shelving installed but ideally you can remove it before bringing the van to us. If we remove we may need to charge some for time.
Roof racks - Roof racks are an interesting subject as they have upsides and downsides. Upsides are pretty obvious with additional storage and ability to mount stuff like cargo boxes, kayak racks, awnings, etc. There are downsides as well to consider like cost, potentially blocking solar panel, lower fuel economy as well as making the van less stealth. If you are thinking about a rack as a just in case for more storage we would suggest against that. While the amount of storage in the van isn’t huge we and the bulk of our existing customers find it is plenty for most situations. If you are a rock climber with lots of ropes for example you are probably gonna need additional storage. If its just for extra camping stuff you probably don’t need the additional storage. We strongly suggest against the factory RAM roof rails that run front to back as they only allow for one vent fan and are a lot more bulky than any of the cross bar systems.
Van color - A white van will be a lot cooler in the sun than a van of any other color. White reflects light really well where other colors soak up the suns rays heating heating the body of the car. The darker the color the more heat it will soak up. The body of the van will then radiate that heat for potentially hours. If you plan to regularly travel to hot and sunny locations definitely consider getting a white van.
Any other options - Purely personal preference and don’t impact the camper interior. The only thing to possibly look for in getting a used van is the floor. We install a floor in the van but the base of the van should be relatively even so that we have a nice foundation to lay our flooring on. Try to avoid a van with many large dents in the floor.
If you are at all unsure go ahead and send us a link to the Promaster
City van you are looking at and we can let you know.