TIPS & STORIES FOR #VANLIFE

At Brooklyn Camper Vans, we're constantly testing new tech and pushing what's possible in van conversions. Every build teaches us something new. That's how we stay ahead. Our latest Mercedes Sprinter showcases five innovations that each bring daily conveniences to #VanLife . Below we talk about what makes this build special, and feel free to reach out about a custom build. Email: sales@brooklyncampervans.com 1. XPEL Stealth PPF: Self-Healing Paint Protection We wrapped this e

A New Era of Mobility and Control Just a few years ago, mobile command units were loud, generator powered boxes on wheels. They required constant idling, manual setup, and limited connectivity. For some businesses it was not feasible, and for some that had a command center, it was far from ideal. That era is over. In 2026 mobile units are the new way to get things done! In 2025 alone we saw: New upgrades to Starlink for FAST & RELIABLE satellite internet Upgraded battery syst

Across the country, mobile health services are changing how people get access to care. From mobile consultation units that offer checkups and screenings, to outreach vans that provide addiction treatment right on the street. At Brooklyn Campervans, along with our commercial fleet branch, Next Gen Vans, we build mobile offices, outreach vans, and mobile clinic vans for nonprofits, government programs, and healthcare providers. A question we hear over and over, especially from

In 2024 Brooklyn Campervans created its new sister company Next Gen Vans dedicated to the growing demand for Mobile Offices. New technology has made this a great option compared to paying rent at a fixed location. You can now go about business as usual without the engine on. Enjoy the comforts of climate control, high speed internet, modular design, while taking your business to the next level. If you want to build your own, check out our Mobile Office page or just email us a

In 2019, statistics show that roughly 9 million Americans worked from home but in 2024, that number has nearly quadrupled to 35 million people working remotely. Camper vans also saw a huge boom the past few years during the pandemic, and now it looks like Van Life is here to stay. Not only due to the rise of remote work, but also thanks to new technology making van life easier. We won't cover Mobile Offices here, but there's a whole new niche of exponential growth there. In 2

Is Van Life a means to an end? A trend? A luxury lifestyle? What is Van Life? When you #VanLife, you meet people from all walks of life. Just swing by to one of our quarterly #VanLife Block Parties and see for yourself! The best part about living in a van is that you can tailor it to fit your specific circumstances and dreams. There's pros and cons for everybody, and we'll get to that. The number of people who choose this lifestyle has skyrocketed in recent years; from an ave

The van life internet guide includes every reasonable internet solution for all types of van lifers and RVers!

No affiliate links, no paid ads - this is a complete and comprehensive list, because we get these questions ALL the time after building 70+ custom camper vans! In this article, we'll go over the necessary van life essential items you'll need for your trip so you don't have to worry about forgetting anything. Sure, a lot of these items you can pick up at grocery stores or large outlets on the road, but thinking ahead and making a checklist will ensure there's less surprises an

Work and meetings get done wherever you park. These mobile office vans are fully self-sustainable. With the vehicle off, you can still run t

After road tripping for 4 months around US and Mexico we had a pretty good sense on how to best travel with a dog. We then started Brooklyn Campervans and built 45 vans since then. 38 of those vans have been for clients with pets. Pets ranged from a large Great Dane to multiple cats. We even had a serious request to put in an aquarium, however, with the water movement, that was unfortunately not feasible. If you're about to hit the road, do an RV trip, and wondering if it's

*This article is updated and includes the new Starlink Mini as well as Gen 3 12v modification* Why Starlink for RVs and VanLife? Starlink provides comprehensive coverage with no dead zones and consistently high speeds, revolutionizing connectivity for: Remote Workers and Mobile Offices: Stay connected and productive from anywhere. Dog or Pet Owners: Monitor temperature, indoor cameras, and battery levels remotely for peace of mind. VanLifers: Access the 9 Best VanLife Apps of

**4/11/25 Update: We built the layout and lived in it - video van tour + further comments" **10/7/25 Update: We've built a few more and added some new tech - see below what we did differently* A few months ago the Concrete Oasis Van Tours on Youtube took the internet by storm, and since then we've got a lot of people reaching out to us about doing a similar layout. (*update, we did*) We've had probably a 100 conversations on which layout to go with - our old standard layout o

May 2025 update (located at the end) includes: Elevator bed layout review Links to van tours for each layout New pop-top on short and long vans Brooklyn Campervans has been building bespoke custom camper vans for clients across the US. The amount of times we've had layout conversations are well over a thousand. We figured, if we're talking about it this much, why not write an article about it?! Where to start to find the best camper van layout? First off, if you're looking fo

Intro to the "Best Van Life Apps 2024" List First off - there are no affiliated links and we are not making $$$ off this article. By the time you finished this article, you have all the best van life apps you'll need for your daily essentials. You will be equipped with the apps needed to help you get around and live Van Life to the MAX. We picked the best app in each category, because that's all you need. Since 2020, we've built over 40 camper vans, and with each client we s

*May 2025 update at the VERY END* Which is the best class b RV? The two biggest names in the market go head to head. Find out which is better and how it stacks up with the rest of the competition. For starters, the 2024 Winnebago Revel 44e built on the 2023 Mercedes Benz Sprinter AWD 144WB starts at $223,495 as their website lists. The Jayco Terrain on the same chassis starts at $212,250 for the 2023, with their 2024 prices likely to be higher. If you want to zig-zag your eye

The shower question comes up in every single van consultation we do at Brooklyn Camper Vans. It's usually the first concern from people who love the idea of van life but aren't sure they can live without a real bathroom. The answer depends entirely on your build. You can absolutely have a daily hot shower in a van - with the right water system, the right showerhead, and a layout that doesn't treat the bathroom as an afterthought. Here's every option, what it costs, and what a

These are the three vans that dominate the conversion market. Every other vehicle is either smaller (minivans), larger (RVs), or less practical for a full build. We build exclusively on the Sprinter platform at Brooklyn Camper Vans, so our preference is clear. But we've researched all three extensively, talked to owners of each, and seen clients arrive at our shop after builds on Transits and ProMasters. Here's the honest comparison. Specs Side by Side Note: Interior dimensio

Choosing the wrong van is the most expensive mistake in van life. You can fix a bad solar setup or swap out a heater. You can't easily undo a base vehicle that doesn't fit your build, your body, or your travel plans. We've built 80+ custom vans at Brooklyn Camper Vans - almost exclusively on the Mercedes Sprinter platform - and we've seen clients come to us after struggling with other platforms. We're upfront that we're a Sprinter shop, but the reasons we chose that platform

Most "van life cost" posts throw you a vague range and call it a day. This one doesn't. We've built 80+ vans at Brooklyn Camper Vans and spoken with hundreds of people planning to switch. We know exactly where the money goes - and where people consistently underestimate. Here's the real breakdown. How Much Does Van Life Cost? The Short Answer Monthly van life costs typically range from $1,200 to $3,000 for most full-timers, with budget minimalists squeezing it under $1,000 an

This comparison gets argued endlessly in online forums. Van people swear by vans. RV people swear by RVs. Neither side is wrong - they're optimizing for different things. We build custom vans at Brooklyn Camper Vans, so our bias is obvious. But we've also talked to hundreds of people considering both options, and the honest answer is that the right choice depends on how you plan to travel, how much space you need, and what trade-offs you're willing to make. Here's the real co