This professionally-built 2021 Van Works Base Camp van was purchased new in 2021 in Fort Collins, Colorado, directly from Van Works. In two years, we have taken a series of amazing family trips in this van, clocking over 13,000 miles. We have loved this van and have taken great care of it, but our son went from a 12-year-old boy to a 14-year-old teen who is now over six feet tall! We need something bigger. We have made many upgrades to this van, many of which were selected during the build process, which is detailed below.
The van was built as a three-passenger, sleeping just two. We elevated the main bed and added a deeper memory foam mattress. We then added the second full bed below. Clearance is limited, but our 14-year-old son has slept there comfortably on many occasions. The van could easily be converted back to only one double bed, which would gain you additional storage. As it stands this van is perfect for a family with a single child!
The van is a 2021 Ram Promaster 1500, 136″ wheelbase, high-top model. It has the following optional factory equipment from Ram:
- cruise control
- factory AC
- factory navigation
- a 220-amp upgraded alternator
- driver and passenger factor swivel seats
- rear window defrosters
- preferred package 21a
- tinted windows
- a class IV hitch
- Bluetooth and satellite radio
The build from Van Works adds approximately $20,000 to the base price of the van, and includes a variety of options to make your travels unforgettable:
- bamboo counter
- sink with 7-gallon freshwater and 6-gallon grey water
- Black Rhino off-road wheels ($1,000+ upgrade from the Base Camp build)
- BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires ($1,000+ upgrade from the Base Camp build)
- DOT-approved third belted captain’s seat
- double bed with memory foam mattress
- metal storage cabinets
- overhead removable hanging duffels
- Thinsulate insulation throughout
- Cf Lawrence driver’s side RV windows
- Goal Zero YETI 1500X Power Station
- MaxAir roof vent
- Full set of magnetic, insulated window covers
- Pre-wired for an Espar heater (designed to be installed under the passenger seat)
- Pre-wired for solar panels (connection is mounted on the roof, plug-and-play for solar panels and an SAE connection, which can be adapted to anything to charge the Goal Zero)
- Internal lighting (led) touch-to-activate fixtures throughout
- Wired for shore power using a standard 110 outlet and extension cord, which will charge the Goal Zero and will power all the house auxiliaries)
We have also added, and we are including, the following:
- Dometic fridge ($1,000 upgrade)
- Dometic fridge slide ($300 upgrade)
- Rohloff custom screen for sliding door ($1000 upgrade)
- Garmin Overlander navigation/GPS device ($700 upgrade)
- Lagun table ($300 upgrade)
- Thetford portable toilet ($100 upgrade)
- Everest stove ($20 upgrade)
This van has everything you need to get on the road!
FAQs I have received so far:
Does the Yeti power station get charged while driving? Yes
Is the 12v fridge connected to the Yeti? Yes (the Yeti powers a house electrical system and the fridge is plugged into that, so it operates 24/7 regardless of whether or not the van is running).
How else does it get charged? The Yeti is charged while driving and when the van is plugged in using a regular household extension cord via a socket on the outside of the van near the driver's door. It can also be charged via solar but I do not have solar panels. (Although there is a port pre-installed on the roof for them). With three of us in there and the fridge running 24 hours, we have never gone below 50% power on the Yeti even in the hot summer with the fridge running.
Why didn't you install the solar panel on the roof? I have not needed it. We use the van for road trips (it charges all day while driving) and overnight camping trips (the Yeti has way more power than we need).
Can you use portable solar panels also? Yes, there is a port for plugging in portable panels.
How many 12v and usb a/c outlets are in the van? The Yeti has several (both USB and a 12v and a 110 plug) right on it, and the van has another USB and a 12v outlet (used by the fridge) connected to “house” power that is powered by the Yeti 24/7. The van itself has several additional 12v outlets that are only powered when the van is running. It also has USB outlets on the dash and an additional 12v there, too.
Does the van's media center have Apple car play and android auto? No, the van’s radio system is pretty low-tech. It has navigation, but it is a tiny screen, so we have included the Garmin Overlander with the purchase, which is an amazing navigation unit for adventures. The van's main “infotainment” unit has Bluetooth but we typically plug in the phone.
How many of those hanging duffel bags? Four, and one is larger than the others.
What's the cost to install the Espar heater unit? Van Works wired the van for the Espar to be installed under the passenger seat, but we did not elect to have it installed as it was about $4000 installed. They told me a few months ago that they would install it for that price now. It would involve plumbing a gas line to the main van fuel system, as well as air intake and exhaust, which can all be accommodated under the seat.
Why didn't you install it (the furnace)? Cost. We were spending about $70,000 and we were at the top of our budget. We have not needed it, even when camping in 30-degree weather, we use sleeping bags.
Do you have the magnetic covers for the front windshield and all the windows and rear window and max air fan? Yes, there is a full set of magnetic, insulated covers for all the van windows. We do not have one for the roof vent, but you can get them online for $50.
Does the fan have a remote control and rain cover so it can operate in the rain? Yes, it is a MaxxAir and can be used in the rain and it does have a remote.
Does the sliding installed vented window have a screen? They do have screens, but the windows are not sliders, there are two (both behind the counter on the driver's side) and they have a crank and they tip out from the Botton so they can be used in the rain.
Does the van have LED regular and fog lights? The headlights are halogen, and there are no factory fog lights.
What mpgs are you getting? About 15-17 the way I drive on road trips, but it depends on the terrain and other factors.
Is there any way to shower? Or would I be able to add that on my own? There is no shower built in, but you could add something like a RinseKit, and pair it with a privacy curtain between the back doors.
I forgot to ask which Promaster size is this one? 1500,2500 or 3500? The van is a 136-inch wheelbase, high roof, 1500.
Any issues having the power to get up and down those mountains? All Ram Promasters have the same engine in the US. It is a 3.6L V6 engine with 276 horsepower. It is very punchy and has plenty of torque. It is made to haul a pretty heavy load (I believe it can tow around 6,000 pounds, but has an enormous cargo weight capacity of just under 4,000 pounds), given that it was primarily designed as a commercial van and the build is very lightweight compared to USPS loads or tools, etc. We never had a second thought about the power. Of course, I wasn’t expecting a Mustang in terms of performance, but I feel as though it is geared well and runs with plenty of power!
What is the length of it? About 17.75 feet long (fits in a normal parking space easily)
