Do you build fully custom camper vans?
Yes.
For customers with more specific requirements, we also offer custom builds.
Custom vans can involve different layouts, larger electrical systems, additional climate
equipment, specialized storage, showers, and other features.
Custom projects typically require more design and build time than one of our
established layouts.
What camper vans does Wanderful Wheels build?
Our two primary camper vans are the Wanderlust Mercedes Sprinter camper van and
the Wandering Ford Transit camper van.
The Wanderlust is built on the Mercedes-Benz AWD Sprinter platform.
The Wandering Transit is built on the Ford Transit AWD platform.
Both can be configured as four-season, off-grid camper vans for road trips, skiing,
mountain biking, long-distance travel, and extended time on the road.
Do you only work on vans that you built?
No. In addition to building new vans, we have technicians dedicated to camper van
service and upgrades.
We have worked on hundreds of camper vans and can help with many upgrades,
repairs, and system improvements even if the original van was built somewhere else.
Are Wanderful Wheels vans certified?
Wanderful Wheels is NOAH-certified and independently inspected for compliance with
nationally recognized RV safety standards, including NFPA 1192 and the National
Electrical Code.
NOAH certification works well for a smaller builder like Wanderful Wheels because it
allows us to maintain a high level of customization while still having our builds
independently inspected.
Safety, electrical design, plumbing, ventilation, and construction are things we take
seriously whether you can see them or not.
How do I know if a camper van builder is good?
A camper van combines off the grid electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, cabinetry,
automotive systems, batteries, solar, and water storage into a very small moving space.
Choosing the right builder matters.
When comparing camper van builders, we recommend looking beyond photos and
asking questions like:
How many vans have they actually built?
How long have they been in business?
Are their electrical and plumbing systems clean, intuitive and designed to be serviced
later?
Who builds and tests those systems?
What safety standards do they follow?
What warranty is included?
What happens if something breaks after you leave?
Can they service or upgrade the van years later?
Do they understand how you actually plan to use the van?
A beautiful interior is important, but the systems behind the walls and the support you
receive afterward are just as important.
What makes Wanderful Wheels different from other camper van builders?
We are intentionally a small camper van builder.
Wanderful Wheels builds around 20 vans each year, which allows us to put more time
into craftsmanship, personalization, and the relationship we have with each customer.
You are not just ordering a van from a large production line. Our customers get to know
the people who design and build their vans, and they can talk directly with our owners
and team.
We have been building camper vans for more than eight years, have completed more
than 120 full van builds, and have worked on hundreds camper vans.
Every Wanderful Wheels build also includes a 12-month or 12,000-mile build warranty
and lifetime technical support.
Our philosophy is pretty simple: quality and personality, over quantity.
What Does Wanderful Wheels Typically Install?
Our standard electrical system works well for the majority of our customers and is designed to provide a practical amount of off-grid capability without unnecessarily overbuilding the system.
A typical Wanderful Wheels electrical system includes:
300 Ah Victron lithium battery capacity
300 watts of solar
3000W Victron inverter/charger
Victron solar charge controller
Charging while driving
Victron system monitoring
30 amp shore power
AC and DC outlets throughout the van
For many customers, this setup can support roughly two to three days of typical off-grid use before significant recharging is needed.
That number is only a general guideline. Someone using air conditioning heavily will use their battery much faster than someone primarily powering lights, a refrigerator, phones, and a laptop.
The Victron monitoring system makes it easy to see how much energy you are using and how much energy is coming back into the batteries through solar, driving, or shore power.
How Much Battery Capacity Do I Need
People who often need more Battery are;
Travelers Spending a Lot of Time in Hot Climates
If you plan to spend significant time in places such as Arizona, Utah, Texas, or other hot climates, a larger battery bank can give you much more flexibility when using air conditioning.
People Traveling With Dogs
Dogs are actually one of the most common reasons our customers choose air conditioning.
If keeping your pets comfortable while you are away from the van is a major priority, we can design the electrical system with additional battery capacity and charging capability to better support longer AC use.
Remote Workers
If your camper van is also your office, a larger electrical system may make sense.
Daily laptop use, monitors, internet equipment, cameras, and other electronics may not individually use huge amounts of electricity, but they create a consistent daily load.
Long-Term Off-Grid Travelers
Someone who regularly camps away from hookups for several days at a time will generally benefit more from additional battery capacity than someone who stays at campgrounds with shore power.
People With Higher Electrical Usage
Frequent induction cooking, air conditioning, entertainment systems, additional appliances, and other high-power equipment can all increase battery requirements.
We have built systems with significantly more capacity, including battery banks up to 1,200 Ah, when a customer's travel style called for it.
Bigger Isn't Always Better
It can be tempting to simply install the largest battery system possible, but more battery capacity also means more cost, weight, and space.
Our goal is not to sell everyone the biggest electrical system we can build.
We would rather understand how you plan to travel and design a system that actually makes sense for you.
What Affects Camper Van Battery Needs?
Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is usually one of the largest electrical loads in a camper van.
Our vans can be equipped with a 12V Dometic RTX 2000 air conditioner that runs directly from the house battery system. How long it can run depends on outside temperature, thermostat settings, solar production, battery capacity, and what else you are powering at the same time.
If you plan to spend a lot of time in hot climates or regularly rely on air conditioning, additional battery capacity is one of the first upgrades we recommend.
Cooking
Induction cooking is fast, convenient, and eliminates the need to carry propane for the stove, but it can draw a significant amount of power while it is running.
Most people only cook for short periods, so an induction cooktop does not run continuously like a refrigerator. Still, frequent cooking should be considered when deciding how much battery capacity you need.
Laptops and Remote Work
Laptops and small electronics usually use much less power than air conditioning or cooking, but daily use can add up.
If you plan to work remotely from your camper van, you may also be powering monitors, cameras, internet equipment, chargers, and other electronics throughout the day.
For occasional laptop use, our standard system is generally plenty. For someone working from the van every day, we look more closely at their total power needs and how often they will be able to recharge.
Refrigerator
The refrigerator runs throughout the day, but modern 12V compressor refrigerators are designed to be very efficient.
We commonly use the Dometic NRX 80S, which runs directly from the 12V electrical system. Because it cycles on and off rather than operating continuously at full power, it is generally much easier on the battery bank than appliances such as air conditioning or an induction cooktop.
Solar
Solar helps replace some of the energy you use throughout the day.
Our standard system typically includes around 300 watts of solar, but solar production changes constantly. A sunny summer day in Colorado may provide plenty of charging, while several cloudy days, winter conditions, shade, or a campsite surrounded by trees can significantly reduce solar production.
For this reason, we do not design a camper van electrical system around solar alone.
Driving
Driving can be one of the most useful ways to recharge your house batteries.
Our systems can charge the house battery while the vehicle is running. For customers with larger electrical demands, we can also install a secondary alternator dedicated to charging the camper van battery system.
A secondary alternator can provide much faster charging than a standard charging setup, which can be especially helpful for people who move frequently or use a lot of electricity.
Weather and Travel Style
Weather has a surprisingly large effect on electrical use.
Hot weather may mean more air conditioning. Cold weather can reduce solar production and increase the amount of time you spend inside using lights and appliances. Cloud cover and shade also affect how much energy your solar panels produce.
Your travel style matters just as much. Someone driving every day and staying at campgrounds occasionally will have very different power needs from someone parking in the backcountry for a week at a time.
How Much Battery Capacity Does a Camper Van Need?
It depends entirely on how you plan to travel.
Our standard 300 Ah lithium system works well for the majority of our customers.
People who spend more time off-grid, work remotely, travel in hot climates, or use air conditioning frequently may benefit from additional battery capacity.
We have built systems with substantially more battery storage, including systems up to 1,200 Ah.
During the design process, we would rather understand your actual electrical needs than simply sell you the biggest battery bank possible.
How Much Does a Wanderful Wheels Camper Van Cost?
Pricing depends on the chassis, model, electrical system, accessories, finishes, and level of customization.
As a general starting point:
The Wanderlust Sprinter starts around $148,000.
The Wandering Transit starts around $146,000.
A typical Wanderlust or Wandering Transit with popular options is around $165,000.
More extensive custom builds commonly fall around $190,000 to $225,000, although highly customized projects can reach $300,000.
Because every customer's configuration is different, the best way to understand pricing is to request our full itemized price and specification sheet.
Mercedes Sprinter vs. Ford Transit: Which Is Better?
There is no universal winner when comparing a Mercedes Sprinter vs. Ford Transit
camper van. It depends on how you travel.
The Mercedes Sprinter is a great choice if you prioritize ground clearance, fuel
economy, diesel longevity, long-distance driving, and a more premium driving
experience.
The Ford Transit is a great choice if you prioritize interior height, a powerful gas engine,
easier serviceability, and access to Ford's much larger service network.
Our built-out Sprinters typically have around 74.5 inches of interior height, while our
built-out Transits are around 77.5 inches.
The Transit also has a powerful 3.5L EcoBoost gas engine, while the Sprinter uses a
fuel-efficient 2.0L turbo diesel.
Both are excellent AWD camper van platforms. The better choice usually becomes clear
once we know where you want to travel, how long you plan to be on the road, and what
matters most to you.
youtube link
Are Wanderful Wheels Vans Four-Season Capable?
Yes. Our vans are designed with four-season travel in mind.
We have customers who use their vans year-round, including full-time and part-time van travelers.
Our approach includes insulation, heating, ventilation, and keeping the majority of the plumbing and electrical systems inside the conditioned area of the van.
We can also adjust electrical capacity and climate equipment based on where you expect to travel.
Someone chasing ski storms in Colorado has different needs than someone spending summers in Arizona, and we design accordingly.
How Much Fresh Water Does a Camper Van Carry?
Our typical system includes approximately 30 gallons of fresh water.
How long that lasts depends on how many people are traveling, how often you cook, wash dishes, and shower, and how carefully you manage water.
For many customers, 30 gallons offers a good balance between usable water capacity, weight, and the limited space available inside a van.
Can I Customize My Camper Van?
Absolutely.
Most Wanderful Wheels customers start with one of our proven layouts and personalize it around their preferences.
Depending on the build, you can choose things like cabinetry finishes, upholstery, interior colors, electrical capacity, air conditioning, storage, exterior accessories, and other upgrades.
Starting with a proven layout means you do not have to reinvent an entire camper van from scratch, while still getting a van that feels like yours.
What Refrigerator Do You Use?
We commonly use the Dometic NRX 80S compressor refrigerator.
It provides approximately 78 liters, or around 2.8 cubic feet, of storage and includes a removable freezer compartment.
Because it operates directly from the 12 volt system, it is efficient and well suited for off grid camper van use.
Can I Work Remotely From a Camper Van?
Yes, and this is a perfect example of why we talk with customers about how they plan to use the van before selecting an electrical system.
Someone working remotely may use laptops, monitors, internet equipment, cameras, and other electronics every day.
We can size battery capacity and charging equipment around those needs so your electrical system matches your travel style.
What Warranty Comes With a Wanderful Wheels Van?
Our camper van builds include a 12 month or 12,000 mile build warranty.
Individual chassis and components may also have manufacturer warranties of their own.
If you ever have a question, our relationship does not end when the build warranty does. Every Wanderful Wheels customer also receives lifetime technical support.