Sporty camper van sleeps four in style

Camper vans keep growing in popularity, whether they are DIY builds or manufactured by big-name companies like Winnebago and Airstream. But while there are a few types of vans most frequently used for campers, the Mercedes Sprinter is the vehicle of choice for high-end conversion outfitters. Love campers and trailers? Come join our community group.

This custom camper van—called the Cascade—is a bit different. Using the mid-height, Ford Transit longbody as its base, the van was transformed to an on-the-go home by Oregon-based Outside Van. We’ve featured Outside Van in the past (check out this bike-centric van for two, a van that fits a snowmobile, or this luxurious off-grid van), and what we love about this rig is that it proves that all of the same amenities we see in custom Sprinters look great in a Transit, too.

The Cascade camper is an adventure-ready camper that can drive and sleep four. An Air Top hard shell rooftop tent sits on top, which gives a place for two people to sleep after a night around the campfire. You can access the tent from ladders on either side, and another two people sleep inside on the platform bed.

The galley features marine-grade plywood, bamboo cabinets, and paperstone countertops. A sleek sink uses a 20-gallon water tank while an induction stovetop and refrigerator round out the kitchen basics.

A two-toned upholstery design in maroon and gray adds a custom look, and the European woven vinyl flooring is easy to clean. Flared sides let you sleep side to side in the van, which provides an extra foot of living space in the galley area. The bed area also stacks so that you can fold it up if you need to haul more gear in the space.

Outside, the Transit gets a burly look thanks to a powder-coated aluminum bumper with a 30-inch spotlight, a custom safari rack, and 130-watts of Zamp solar power. An awning provides shade on sunny days and retractable running boards make getting in the van easy for the kiddos. There’s no bathroom or fully built shower, but on-demand hot and cold water can be accessed from the rear of the camper for an external shower. Other perks include rear door stuff sacks, an aftermarket four-wheel-drive conversion by Quigley Motors, window coverings, sun shades, and an L-track mounting system for gear. See the video below for a tour.

Outside Van converts most any van as long as they are 2007 or newer; you can provide your own van, order a new one, or choose from a chassis that’s in stock. Their builds forego the traditional “RV-look” for a more modern, sleek design. Conversions start at $32,000 and many run well over $100,000—check out this luxury version that cost $240,000.