Lower cost. More space. A better vanlife experience.
If you’re researching camper vans, you’ve probably seen builds on three main platforms: the Mercedes Sprinter, the Ford Transit, and the Ram ProMaster. Each has its advocates, and we’ve heard every comparison. Here’s why DM Vans builds exclusively on the ProMaster (and why it’s a better deal for you).
1. Lower Cost: Both Upfront and Ongoing
The ProMaster chassis is significantly less expensive than a Sprinter or Transit at the same size. DM Vans amplifies this advantage by purchasing chassis in bulk directly from Ram at a dealer discount and passing that savings to customers.
But the cost advantage doesn’t stop at purchase. Ram parts and service are widely available and affordable at dealerships and independent shops across the country. Because of this, the ongoing cost of maintenance is cheaper for you as well. Mercedes maintenance requires specialized dealers and comes at a premium. We’ve done the math, and over the life of the van, the maintenance cost difference is noticeably substantial.
2. The Largest Interior of Any Van Platform
The ProMaster has a wider, boxier interior than either the Sprinter or the Transit which means there’s more interior space for living. In a campervan, every inch really does matter, and those extra inches of width translate directly into more livable space. The kitchen feels more functional, the bed space is more comfortable, and the overall interior feels more open.
Because DM Vans doesn’t install a permanent shower (which would eat into that space), you get the full benefit of the ProMaster’s interior volume for actual living. Although “inches” may not seem like a lot while reading this, the second you step into and start spending time in a van, you’ll realize how important it is.
3: Front-Wheel Drive Advantage
We’ve heard it before: “I don’t want a ProMaster because it doesn’t have AWD.” And you’re right, the ProMaster is front-wheel drive. But this actually provides two key benefits:
- Tight turning radius: Tighter than many full-size pickup trucks. This makes parking, U-turns, and navigating tight roads dramatically easier. You’ll notice it right away.
- Excellent traction: With the weight of a full build sitting over the front axle, the drive wheels have excellent grip. Owners drive through Colorado winters, mountain passes, and forest service roads regularly without issues.
The AWD Question
Like we mentioned, this is the most common pushback we hear: “But the ProMaster doesn’t have all-wheel drive.” That’s true. Ram doesn’t make an AWD ProMaster. But let’s put this into context.
Competitors building on AWD Sprinter or Transit platforms charge approximately $30,000–$50,000 more for a comparable build. That’s a significant premium for a capability most vanlifers will rarely need.
With all-terrain tires on the ProMaster, the vast majority of roads and destinations are fully accessible. Owners drive through snow, gravel, forest service roads, and mountain passes without issues. The only places you genuinely can’t go are extremely muddy, sandy, or steep off-road and rocky trails…the kind of terrain that even many AWD vehicles struggle with.
But let’s be real. Most of the time as a vanlifer, you’re going to cool places but not crazy AWD kind of places. So for most vanlifers, the $30,000–50,000 you save by not paying for AWD is better spent on battery upgrades, longer trips, or simply keeping more money in your pocket.
4. Regular Gasoline, Not Diesel
The ProMaster runs on regular gasoline, which is an advantage that often gets overlooked. Diesel fuel can gel in extreme cold, which is a real problem if you’re living in your van in northern climates during winter (which can be most of the United States if we’re being honest). Regular gasoline doesn’t have this issue.
Another bonus of gas? It’s more widely available and typically cheaper per gallon. That means more money in your pocket for cool adventures.
5. Nationwide Parts and Service
When your van is both your vehicle and your home, uptime matters. The ProMaster’s simplicity, gas engine, and widespread service network mean fewer surprises and easier fixes when something does come up.
Ram dealerships are everywhere. If you need warranty service or repairs on the chassis, you’re never far from a dealer. Parts are affordable and readily available. If you compare this to Mercedes Sprinter service, it doesn’t even come close. Mercedes dealers are few and far between when you need to find a specialized dealer. And on top of that, you then have to pay premium rates for the right parts.
For the build side of the van, RVIA certification means any RV service center can also work on your DM Van if something happens to break or needs maintenance, giving you a second nationwide service network.
Why We Continue to Choose the Ram Promaster
The ProMaster gives you the most interior space, the lowest total cost of ownership, the easiest driving experience, and a nationwide service network all while keeping the purchase price significantly lower than comparable builds on other platforms. It’s the reason DM Vans has built over 700 vans on this platform, and it’s the reason owners keep recommending them.
The ProMaster isn’t flashy, it’s practical. And that’s exactly why we will continue to build on it.
We don’t build vans to impress people in parking lots. We build them to live in.
And for that, the ProMaster continues to be the right platform.