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Why We Built It This Way: The Story Behind the 2026 Vans 

November 26, 2025

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Built from experience. Refined by real life.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned after building 700+ vans and spending thousands of nights on the road ourselves, it’s this:

A van isn’t defined by what it has. It’s defined by what it does for you.

The 2026 DM Vans lineup wasn’t built around trends, aesthetics, or “premium features” that look good on paper or for the perfect Instagram feed. It was built the only way we know how: From lived experience, the hard lessons, the “never again” moments, and the simple joys that make vanlife worth it.

This year’s upgrades come from real stories on the road, from the frustrations we’ve solved, and from the freedom we want every owner to feel on the road. The result: a lineup that’s more capable, more intuitive, and more reliable than ever.

Designed From the Road, For the Road

Most RV companies start with a feature list. We start with a memory.

Like waking up in sub-freezing temperatures with a heater you can trust. Like long desert days where a smart electrical system makes everything easier. Like parking in a random lot at midnight, grateful for systems that just work. Like trailhead mornings when good design means less worry to make your whole day flow better.

Every update in the 2026 lineup started with a real moment like this. It started with something someone on our team lived through, overcame, and designed a solution for.

Because we’re not building vans for hypothetical customers. We’re building vans for people like us.

Intentionality Over Complexity

A lot of brands solve problems by adding more systems. We solve them by designing smarter ones.

Intentional design is the backbone of DM Vans. Our goal is always the same: Be reliable. Build to last. Craft for confidence.

We want to make the road easier and the experience better. We want to increase the time you’re on the road and decrease the time you face issues with systems.

That’s why the interiors stay open and intuitive, why the layouts remain simple, functional, and human-centered, and why our systems are easy to understand, easy to troubleshoot, and hard to break.

And that’s why 2026 is all about refining the pieces that matter most.

What’s New for 2026

Every upgrade in the 2026 lineup comes from real miles, real mistakes, and real moments on the road. Nothing here is about flash. It’s about function, longevity, and making life in a van feel smoother and simpler.

New Flooring Material

We upgraded to a more durable, easier-to-clean floor surface that holds up to mud, sand, pets, boots, and everything they track in. The layout and visual flow of the interior looks more refined by the upgraded floor so the space feels warmer and more homey while being even more intentional for everyday use.

Upgraded Dimmer Switches, Buttons, and Controls

Lighting controls and system buttons are now more intuitive and easier to use, even in the dark. The dimmer controls are placed where they make sense in the van to control lighting and allow you to set the tone inside the van, whether that is bright and airy for work or dimmed down for a cozy evening in.

Smarter USB/Charging Placement

We moved and added USB ports based on how people actually live in their vans. Charging spots now exist where you naturally use devices: bedside, kitchen-side, work-surface adjacent, and accessible. No more awkward angles or stretching cables.

More Off-Grid Power

The standard power system now gives you longer stretches away from hookups, with more battery capacity and improved charge efficiency. And for those who want to max it out, the upgraded system offers significantly more storage and output, up to 1200 amp hours – 3 times our previous capacity. This means more days off-grid, more reliable AC, and more freedom to roam without worrying about power.

Two Trim Levels: Meet the Trailhead & Backcountry 

One of the biggest changes this year is the introduction of two trim levels in our LV3 and LV5 models, each built on a different Ram ProMaster chassis. They offer two distinct driving and ownership experiences without changing the core DM Vans philosophy.

Here’s exactly what changes, from the foundation all the way through the feature set.

Trailhead Trim

For travelers who want simplicity, durability, and maximum value.

Chassis Highlights 

Built on the ProMaster’s Tradesman platform, Ram’s utility-first configuration designed for practical, everyday use.

  • Simple, clean interior materials
  • Basic, work-ready finishes
  • Fewer factory comfort features and technology
  • A more utilitarian ride feel
  • Attractive starting price

The vibe:

Straightforward, capable, everything you need and nothing you don’t.

DM Vans Build Features 

  • 300Ah battery
  • 200W solar
  • Front & rear vent fans
  • 50A DC-DC charger
  • Peak heating system
  • Lagun table system
  • Hideaway cassette toilet
  • 3000W inverter

Perfect for: weekend travelers, value-minded buyers, and anyone who wants DM Vans quality without the added cost of extra factory features.

Backcountry Trim

For long-distance, full-time, or comfort-focused travelers who want the most refined driving experience.

Chassis Highlights 

Built on the upgraded ProMaster SLT chassis, offering a quieter cabin, improved materials, and more factory technology.

Comfort & Cabin Improvements

  • Upgraded interior materials
  • Improved acoustics (quieter ride)
  • More comfort-oriented touches
  • Added modern tech, advanced safety, and convenience features

Advanced Safety & Driver-Assist (2026 upgrades)

These upgrades significantly enhance highway comfort and confidence, especially for solo travelers and long-distance trips.

  • Level 2 Active Driving Assist (semi-autonomous steering + speed management)
  • Forward Collision Warning + Active Braking
  • Pedestrian/Cyclist Emergency Braking
  • LaneSense® Lane Departure Warning + Lane Keep Assist
  • Blind Spot Monitoring + Rear Cross-Path Detection
  • Drowsy Driver Detection
  • Crosswind Assist
  • Available 360° Surround View Camera
  • Available Parallel & Perpendicular Park Assist
  • Available Digital Rearview Mirror

The vibe:

Refined, quiet, and confident. Built for people who travel far and often.

Build Features (Backcountry LV3 Example)

  • 600Ah batteries 
  • 400W solar
  • Dual 50A DC-DC chargers (100A total)
  • Front & rear vent fans
  • Peak heating system
  • Lagun table system
  • Hideaway cassette toilet
  • Driver + passenger swivel seats
  • 3000W inverter

Perfect for: full-time users, long-distance road trippers, people who want SUV-like drivability with the capability of a true adventure van.

The 2026 Lineup Isn’t About Features. It’s About Giving More Freedom.

At the end of the day, the 2026 vans aren’t defined by the upgrades themselves but rather by what those upgrades make possible.

They let you stay off-grid longer. Travel simpler. Stress less. Live more. And focus on the moments, not the mechanics.

Whether you’re cooking at a quiet campsite, waking up to first light at a trailhead, or rolling into a town you didn’t even plan to visit, your van should make the world feel bigger, never heavier.

That’s the heart of the 2026 lineup: real freedom built on real reliability. The most intentional, road-tested, experience-driven vans we’ve ever made, and not because we added more, but because we refined what matters. The 2026 lineup is built on the belief that the smartest luxury is reliability.

It’s everything you need, nothing you don’t.

Learn more about the vans here, or start your build now.

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