10 Amazing High-Top Van Conversions

Considering a High-Top Van Conversion for Van Life?

With their ample headroom, and space for storage and windows, high top vans are great for Van Life.

But how much more do they cost? And what kind of conversion can you build with high tops?

In this post, we’ll find out.

Here’s everything you’ll learn:

 

10 Amazing High-Roof Top Conversions

High top campers provide a great platform for designing a layout… but which is the best?

Here are 10 of the coolest high top campervan conversions ever:

#10: High Top E-350 Van with Platform Bed and Ample Countertop Space

• Highlights: The high top in this Ford E-350 adds ton of headroom to walk around the kitchen area, which has tons of countertop space, and a large sink and stove. The high platform fixed campervan bed sits at the back with storage underneath.
• Van: 2008 Ford E-350 High Top
• Owner: @jims_venturevan

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#9: High Roof Transporter Campervan with Convertible Dinette

• Highlights: This Transporter conversion has a rear dinette that converts into a bed. Above the bed/dinette is a large skylight, and lots of overhead van storage. The front of the van has a small L-shaped kitchen that you can fully stand up in thanks to the high top ceiling.
• Van: High Top Volkswagen Transporter
• Owner: @the_camperway_conversions

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#8: Converted Ford Econoline High Top Van with AC

• Highlights: The high top in this Econoline adds extra room for an air conditioner, and overhead storage. The van also has a desk, a couch that converts to a bed, and a small kitchenette.
• Van: High Top Ford Econoline
• Owner: @vangirlkels

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#7: Renault High Top Camper with Shower and Slide-Out Bike Storage

• Highlights: The extra interior height in this Renault Master makes for a shower you can stand up in, and a high platform bed that has enough room underneath to store a bike. The front of the van has a tiny kitchen that separates the living area from the driver’s cab.
• Van: Renault Master Extra High Top
• Owner: @quirkycampers

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#6: Log Cabin Style Chevy Express High Roof with Wood Stove

• Highlights: This gorgeous Savana conversion has a rear platform bed above some storage. The kitchenette has a simple sink and room for a camp stove. This build also has a large wood stove heater. The ample headroom in the build makes for extra storage above the driver’s cab, and extra windows.
• Van: High Top Chevy Express
• Owner: @van_boy_life

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#5: Professional T5 High Top Conversion with U-Shaped Dinette

• Highlights: This professional Volkswagen conversion has a large U-shaped dinette that converts into a bed. The one-wall kitchen includes a stove, wink and fridge. The high top ceilings allow room for lots of overhead storage.
• Van: 2010 High Top Volkswagen T5
• Owner: @walkerscampersltd

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#4: Transit Connect High Top Conversion with Work Space

• Highlights: This custom high top conversion adds tons of extra headroom to the Transit, which usually you can’t stand up inside of. The front area has a bench that works as a dining table or work space, and the rear has a side-facing bed with storage underneath and overhead.
• Van: 2011 High Top Ford Transit Connect
• Owner: @quirkycampers

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#3: High Top Crafter Camper with Captains Chairs, Bathroom, and Slide Out Bike Storage

• Highlights: This professional Volkswagen conversion comes with a rear platform bed that sits atop the slide-out bike storage that can be accessed from the rear of the vehicle. The front seats are both captain’s chairs for extra seating, and the bathroom has both a shower and toilet.
• Van: High Top Volkswagen Crafter
• Owner: @loadedbikes

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#2: Econoline High Roof Van with Convertible Bench and Large Countertops

• Highlights: This short wheelbase Econoline comes with a bench seat that converts into a bed, across from a small kitchen area with a sink and fridge. The high top provides extra room for standing up, plus some additional windows for ventilation and natural light.
• Van: High Top Ford E-350
• Owner: @wasatch_overland

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#1: Extra Long Wheelbase High Top Sprinter Van that Sleeps Four

• Highlights: This professional sprinter conversion sleeps four total, and both beds convert into bench seats. The rear bed converts into a large dining space with cabinetry overhead. The van also comes with built-in A/C, and a stainless steel shower.
• Van: Mercedes Sprinter High Top LWB
• Owner: @wasatch_overland

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8 Reasons Why Vanlifers Like High-Top Vans

High top vans are spacious – but are they best option for vanlife?

Here are 8 reasons why vanlifers like high top vans:

1. Room to Stand Up Inside: The most obvious benefit of a high top is that even if you’re pretty tall, you’ll be able to stand up and walk around inside of most high top vans.
2. Extra Windows: High tops add space for small fixed or sliding campervan windows and more natural light and ventilation, without having a window that looks directly into your bedroom or kitchen area.
3. More Storage: High tops provide room for overhead cabinetry, and a large storage area above the driver’s cab.
4. Feels More Spacious Inside: Overall, a high top makes smaller vans feel less cramped and more comfortable inside.
5. Adds Interior Space Without Adding Length: A high top van increases the overall interior volume and building space, without adding a ton of length that makes driving and parking more difficult.
6. Lots of Conversion Companies: There are a good amount of companies that will take your low roof van and convert it to a high top.
7. Many Used Vans Come With High Tops: If you want to buy a used van, there are plenty out there that already come with high tops.
8. Space for Air Conditioner: Many high top van-owners utilize the extra headroom to install small rooftop ac units that would get in the way in a low top van.

5 Reasons Why Vanlifers Dislike High Roof Top Conversions

As with every vehicle, there are downsides to high tops.

Here are 5 reasons why vanlifers dislike high roof vans:

1. More Expensive: A high top conversion is pricey, and buying a high top van is more expensive than a low top van. You’ll pay for that extra space.
2. Less Aerodynamic: High top vans are super boxy, and may get worse gas mileage compared to low roof vans.
3. May Not Fit in Garages: Your high top van’s clearance may be too high to fit in your garage at home, a parking garage, and in drive-thrus.
4. Can’t Use Roof Racks: With most high tops, adding a roof box/roof racks, or other additions to the top of your van isn’t really possible like it is with a low top van.
5. Less Stable: The higher center of gravity in high top vans can make for a ride that feels a bit more wobbly, especially when taking turns and getting on and off freeways.

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Cost, Dimensions, & Fuel Economy

Now that you know a little more about high top vans, let’s see how they stack up against each other.

 

High-Top Van Cost

Cost: Ford Transit vs Mercedes Sprinter vs Ram ProMaster vs Chevy Express vs Ford Econoline

Model	New	Used	Price
High Top Ford Transit	$52,000	$46,000	Check Price
High Top Mercedes Sprinter	$46,700	$49,000	Check Price
High Top Ram ProMaster	$45,900	$37,000	Check Price
High Top Chevy Express/GMC Savana	N/A	$16,900	Check Price
High Top Ford Econoline	N/A	$12,000	Check Price

 

High-Top Van Dimensions

Dimensions: Ford Transit vs Mercedes Sprinter vs Ram ProMaster vs Chevy Express vs Ford Econoline

Model	Interior height  (low top)	Approximate Interior Height  (high top)	Interior Length (cargo)	Interior Width	Ext Length
Ford Transit	57 inches	82 inches	144 inches	69 inches	218 inches
Mercedes Sprinter	68 inches	79 inches	133 inches	70 inches	234 inches
Ram ProMaster	66 inches	77 inches	120 inches	75 inches	213 inches
Chevy Express/ GMC Savana	55 inches	77 inches	127 inches	62 inches	224 inches
Ford Econoline	54 inches	82 inches	121 inches	74 inches	212 inches

 

High-Top Van Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy: Ford Transit vs Mercedes Sprinter vs Ram ProMaster vs Chevy Express vs Ford Econoline

Model	City	Highway	Combined
High Top Ford Transit	14 MPG	18 MPG	16 MPG
High Top Mercedes Sprinter	21 MPG	24 MPG	22 MPG
High Top Ram ProMaster	19 MPG	24 MPG	22 MPG
High Top Chevy Express/GMC Savana	11 MPG	16 MPG	13 MPG
High Top Ford Econoline	13 MPG	17 MPG	15 MPG

 

Conclusion: Is a Converted High-Top Van Right for you?

There are a lot of reasons to like high top campervans: They add extra headroom, more storage, and more space for windows – but they may not be for you.

Biggest factors:

• You can stand up and walk around inside
• Room for overhead storage
• May not fit in garages
• More expensive than low tops

So should you get one?

Yes! High tops are definitely the way to go if you have the budget. High roof vans provide so much more interior space and the ability to stand up makes a world of difference when cooking or staying indoors during inclement weather.