Everything you need; nothing you don’t.
Welcome to DM Vans, where our mission is to make van life accessible for anyone. In this post, we dive into the key differences between our award-winning Lifestyle Vehicle® and a Traditional RV, highlighting why our camper vans are the perfect choice for your on-the-road adventures.
🌟 Why DM Vans?
We know you’re looking for more than just an RV. Our vans are built by adventurers for adventurers, offering a perfect mix of value, durability, and comfort, tailored for your lifestyle.
📹 Watch The Video
Before we dive into the comparison, check out our 3-minute YouTube video that talks about why our Lifestyle Vehicle® is the perfect choice for your adventures.
Built To Last
Lifestyle Vehicle®
- Core Tenet of Reliability: Our Lifestyle Vehicles are built to withstand anything you throw at them through our material choices, build processes, and rigorous stress-testing.
- High-Quality Construction: Ensures your vehicle is ready for any adventure, from full-on van life to weekend warriors.
- Low Maintenance Costs: All of our Lifestyle Vehicles are intentionally designed simple to withstand the rigors of the road. Should something ever break, it often takes no more than a phone call to fix so you can troubleshoot from anywhere.
- “We want your vehicle to be on the road, not in a service bay” – David Ramsay, CEO at DM Vans.
Traditional RV
- Built for Comfort: Designed for long-term use with a focus on comfort. Materials are often intentionally cheap and not built to last over time.
- High Maintenance Costs: Traditional RVs often require more maintenance due to their complexity and size. Repairs are often timely and costly endeavors that involve RV dealerships. Quite simply, traditional RVs have a lot of things that can break: under chassis piping, macerators, black tanks, generators, cheap latches, complex electrical systems, external tanks, and hook-ups, etc.
- “Ask anyone that’s owned an RV and they’ll tell you horror stories of things breaking in the RV. They’ll also tell you horror stories of wait times for RV service and all that. Ask our over 600 owners and you won’t hear issues like that.” – David Ramsay, CEO at DM Vans.
Thoughtful & Intentional Design
Lifestyle Vehicle®
- Live What You Love: Having lived the nomadic lifestyle, we’ve put in the time (and mileage) to know what works. Every choice we make in our design process stems from this experience, culminating in Lifestyle Vehicles® that work smarter, not harder
- RAM ProMaster Platform: We intentionally chose the RAM ProMaster platform for our LVs. It offers best-in-class capacity, which allows us to maximize storage and (your) space.
- Easy Access Design: Every interface is designed with easy access in mind – power controls, USB ports, multi-functional seating, and a sink faucet that doubles as a shower head
Traditional RV
- Space Utilization: Often not as optimized for storage and multi-functional use. Generally over-built, which leaves the space feeling confined and cluttered.
- RVs try to make it feel like a house in 50 square feet. It’s not a house; it’s a different use case. Open and flexible is the style of design needed to accommodate the multi-functional uses needed on the road.
Trusted Educators
Lifestyle Vehicle®
- Educational Content: Knowledge is only valuable if it’s passed on, so in addition to building our combined expertise into our LVs, we freely share what we’ve learned out on the road to enrich the lives and experiences of our community. It’s not about the ‘van life’, it’s about your life and the road you travel, and we’re here to make it better for everyone.
- We offer a series of educational content around different aspects of van life, shedding light on crucial topics ranging from where to park and stay overnight to strategies for full-time van life in urban areas.
- The employees at DM Vans live or have lived in the product. It’s our homes. It’s our adventure vehicles. No one knows it better than we do and we are here to help share our experience and expertise about the vehicle and van life in general. You won’t find any other company with as much actual experience in their product and such a strong desire to share the information.
- YouTube Channel: Rich in content on not only the Lifestyle Vehicles but also tips, tricks, and profiles of unique van lifers.
Traditional RV
- RV Community: Offers resources and support, but might not be as tailored to the van life experience.
- Warranty Process: Traditional RVs have a tendency to wear down and break over time. Coming from a large manufacturer, these warranty issues are left exclusively to dealerships, often resulting in long wait times to get back on the road.
DM Vans vs. Traditional RVs: Comparison Chart
Additional Features and Benefits
- Compact & Versatile: Our vans offer the agility of a van with the comfort of a home. We intentionally build everything internal to our Lifestyle Vehicles making them more capable on dirt roads while allowing you to use them all four seasons without the need for winterization.
- Cost-Effective: Save on fuel, maintenance, and campsite fees with our efficient designs built with full functionality off-grid.
- RVIA Certified: All of our Lifestyle Vehicles are RVIA compliant, offering financing, insurance, reliability, and book value.
By focusing on intentional design, reliability, and efficiency, DM Vans provides a superior option for those seeking adventure on the road. We invite you to explore our models and join our community of passionate van lifers.
Subscribe & Explore
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more insights, tips, and inspiring stories from the road.
Get in Touch
Have questions? Schedule a time to talk with our team and discover how DM Vans can make your van life dreams a reality. Visit dmvans.com to learn more or give us a call at 970-406-4541.
Find Your Van
Ready to explore our award-winning Lifestyle Vehicles? Start here with our simple Van Finder Quiz to get personalized guidance from our team. We’re excited to match you with one of our pre-built RAM Promaster models that’s on the lot and ready to go. It’s time to turn your van life dreams into reality.
More about our award-winning Lifestyle Vehicle®
Our Lifestyle Vehicle® is built with you in mind. Whether you plan to live in it full time, take the road less traveled for adventures, or are looking for a relaxing weekend, feel confident in your ride, knowing that DM Vans were built by a team who has lived all of these experiences before. There are three fully outfitted camper vans in the DM Van lineup– the LV3, LV5, and LV7. Every single one of our conversions uses the Ram Promaster as its foundation. Let’s dive in!
Dave and Matt Vans | |||
| The LV3 | The LV5 (comes in LV 5.1 and 5.2 Models) | The LV7 (comes in LV 7.1 and 7.2 Models) | |
| Key Features: | RAM ProMaster 136” Wheelbase 353 cubic feet Single storage bench Lofted short queen mattress Two front swivel seats | RAM ProMaster 159” Wheelbase 420 cubic feet Single storage bench/dinette seating Queen or Full mattress options Two front swivel seats | RAM ProMaster 159” Ext. Wheelbase 463 cubic feet Dinette seating Full mattress lofted bed Two front swivel seats Upgraded suspension and braking |
| Bed System: | Sleeps 1-2 Short Queen (72”x60”) 60” Vented Platform | Sleeps 1-2 LV 5.1: Short Queen (72”x60”) LV 5.2: Full (75”x54”) Vented Platform | Sleeps 1-2 Full (75”x54”) 75” Vented Platform |
| Power: | x2 – 100 ah Lithium Batteries x2 – 160-watt Solar Panel | LV 5.1: x2 – 100 ah Lithium Batteries LV 5.2: x4 – 100 ah Lithium Batteries x2 – 160-watt Solar Panel | LV 7.1: x4 – 100 ah Lithium Batteries LV 7.2: x4 – 100 ah Lithium Batteries x2 – 160-watt Solar Panel |
| Comfort: | Cassette toilet Cabin heater AC (shore power) Table system | LV 5.1: Cassette toilet LV 5.2: Composting Toilet Cabin heater AC (shore power) Table system | LV 7.1: Composting Toilet Cabin heater AC (shore power) Table system |
| Standard Features on all DM Vans | |||
| Kitchenette: | Electrical System: | Safety Features: | |
| 5 Drawer kitchenette Overhead cabinet with LED lighting Divider with electrical access 12v Refrigerator Induction cooktop Sink and faucet with electric Pump 7 Gallon fresh water tank 7 Gallon gray water tank | 3,000-watt inverter 30 amp shore power hook up + AC/DC converter 50 amp DC-DC + MPPT charger Integrated battery monitor 1 x 4 Port USB outlets 2 x 2 Port 120v outlets Battery box with extra storage | Smoke / CO detector Fire extinguisher Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter | |
| Available colors: | Sandstone Granite White | ||
Every DM Van comes with a standard array of features, regardless of the model.
- Fully electric setup
- Solar panels
- Smart lithium batteries
- 3,000-watt inverter
- In-cabin heater
- Roof ventilation fan
- Roof-mounted AC
- Rear door ladder
- Outdoor shower
- Toilet (cassette or composting)
- Induction cooktop
- Upper and lower kitchenette storage
- Zone cabin lighting
- Class IV hitch receiver
- Screened windows on driver + passenger side
- VanEssential window covers
In addition to these standard features, you can expect a kitchenette, dinette seating area, and sleeping area on the interior of every DM Van. From there, each model will have unique characteristics and customizable amenities.
Browse DM Vans Inventory >>
The LV3
The LV3 van is ideal for weekend getaways for the solo van lifer or a couple who can operate with less space. It is built on the 136″ Ram Promaster wheelbase and has 353 cubic feet of interior space.
The LV3 is the most economical van in our lineup because it is our smallest. Although it is smaller, the LV3 is mighty. We designed the interior to save space and ensure that the van is highly functional for a wide variety of camper van users and van life dwellers. The LV3 comes in at just under 18 feet in length which means it can fit into a regular parking space, making it even easier to get around in.
The LV5
The LV5 is our mid-sized model. It is built on the 159″ Ram Promaster wheelbase and has 420 cubic feet of interior space. It is ideal for solo travelers or a couple who want a little extra room. Thanks to its customizable layout, the LV5 is a great vehicle for weekend warriors but is also roomy enough for longer trips and full-time living.
Besides the additional storage, the LV5.2 also has an option for a more robust electrical system for folks who require more energy to power their adventures or remote-working careers. In addition, you can select between a cassette toilet with our LV5.1 model and a composting toilet with our LV5.2 model.
Check out the LV 5.1 and 5.2 Vans >>
The LV7
The LV7 is the largest and longest van in our repertoire. It is built on the Promaster’s 159″ extended wheelbase and has 463 cubic feet of interior space. The LV7 is the van for couples, small families on a road trip, or solo travelers who travel with a lot of equipment. Thanks to its roomy and intelligent interior design, the LV7 is fully capable of full-time van life.
Both the LV7.1 and LV7.2 vans come with a larger, more powerful electrical system. The LV7 also comes with a composting toilet for in-house comfort. Should you need room for more passengers like your best friend or a couple of kids, the LV7.2 comes with a second-row seat.
Selecting the Best DM Van For Your Lifestyle
We may be a little biased, but all of our vans are awesome. However, depending on your lifestyle and travel preferences, one may be better for you than another. Here are some helpful questions to ponder as you deliberate your van.
- How do you like to travel? Are you a minimalist? Or do you like more storage space?
- Are you solo or do you need room for other passengers? Maybe a dog or van cat?
- What activities do you like to do while traveling?
- How long do you plan to be away?
- Will you be spending time deep in the backcountry or in the city?
- Where will you park? Stealth camping or free camping spots?
