What to Look for When Buying a Van for Your Medium Van Build

We can build out any 2013 to 2025 RAM ProMaster 1500 118" wheelbase cargo van, with just a few things to keep in mind.

New Vans

Any new 1500 118WB cargo van—with any of the available options we’ve seen—will work just great. There are plenty out there, and if you’re buying new, you’re in great shape.

Used Vans: What to Watch For

You’re about to have us install a $20K+ camper interior in your van, so let’s make sure the foundation is solid!

Mileage

People always ask: “How many miles is too many?”
The honest answer: it depends.

Our prototype van had 79K miles and looked brand new—clearly well cared for. We’ve also seen vans with only 10K that were totally beat up.

If you plan to put a lot of miles on your van, aim for lower mileage—ideally under 80K. If you're only using it for weekend trips or occasional travel, a higher-mileage van might be just fine.

The Floor

We need a reasonably flat, undamaged floor for proper installation of insulation and flooring. Some dents are fine—but if the van hauled heavy gear and the floor is warped or mangled, that’s a problem.

Look under the rubber mat or flooring, and if you’re unsure, snap a photo and send it our way—we're happy to take a look.

Windows

Most U.S. 1500 118WB vans came with no windows, though some have rear windows only, which is totally workable for our build. If you’ve got something different or you’re unsure, send us photos.

Shelving

Used vans often come with commercial shelving, and we can remove it—but it’s super helpful if you do it before your drop-off. You might even be able to sell it locally to someone who needs it.

If we remove it, there may be a charge depending on how long it takes—some are quick, and some are... not.

Bulkhead Wall

A bulkhead (partition wall) behind the front seats is common in cargo vans and will need to be removed. If you can remove it before you arrive, awesome! If not, we can take care of it for an added charge based on the time involved.

Existing Camping Equipment or Insulation

This one’s case-by-case. If the van has been partially converted, we’ll need to evaluate whether we can work with what’s there.

Please send us photos before purchasing if possible. For example, if it already has a 14” roof vent, it will interfere with our solar layout. If this becomes common, we may create a block-off plate—but for now, it's a deal-breaker or would need to be professionally patched by a body shop before your build.

Roof Racks

Existing roof racks will need to be removed before we install our custom low-profile solar rack. If you can remove them ahead of time, great—you might even be able to sell them locally.

Color

We always recommend white, and we explain why in more detail over in the FAQ.

Want us to check out a van before you buy it?

Absolutely! Just send us a few clear photos or a link to it’s listing and we’ll happily give you a thumbs-up or thumbs-down before you commit.