11 Amazing Renault Trafic Conversions for Van Life

Considering a Renault Trafic Conversion for Van Life?

With good fuel economy, reliability, & more interior room than most small vans, the Renault Trafic van is a good option.

But how does it stack up against other popular models like the ProMaster City, Transit Connect, VW California, Mercedes Metris, & Nissan NV200?

In this post, we’ll find out.

Here’s everything you’ll learn:

11 Amazing Renault Trafic Van Conversions

With a several wheelbase options, lots of interior room, & a boxy shape, the Renault Trafic provides a good platform for designing a layout… but which is the best?

Here are 11 of the coolest Renault Trafic’s ever:

Build #11: Super High Roof Trafic with a Shower

• Highlights: This ultra high roof Trafic has enough head room to stand up inside while cooking at the kitchenette, or taking a shower. The rear has a convertible bed that serves as a dinette during the day with a swing-out table.
• Van: 2013 High Roof Renault Trafic
• Owner: @_cactuscampers

Build #10: Trafic with a Small Bed and Indoor Kitchen

• Highlights: This cozy DIY build has a small sideways facing bed. In the front is a kitchen with a fold-out table with room for a stove out of the side door. The unique sink set up is a large mason jar faucet and a DIY bowl sink.
• Van: Renault Trafic
• Owner: @en_route_avec_rene

Build #9: Small Trafic with Large Bed and Outdoor Kitchen

• Highlights: This Renault Trafic has a fixed bed that takes up the whole back side of the van. The owner has installed two large under-bed slide-outs for storage and cookspace.
• Van: Renault Trafic
• Owner: @man_and_his_campervan

Build #8: High Roof Trafic with L-Shaped Convertible Couch and Lots of Storage

• Highlights: This gorgeous Trafic build has a cozy L-shaped couch that converts into a bed. The front and one side of the van have tons of cabinetry that form a large counter space for working, food prep, and cooking.
• Van: Renault Trafic L1H2
• Owner: @vandamn.official

Build #7: Renault Trafic with Convertible Bed and Pull-Down Table

• Highlights: This simple but functional Trafic build has a slide out bed system with storage compartments underneath. The bench faces a pull-down table for food prep, or to use as a desk space. The front of the build has a small kitchen unit with two gas burners and a small sink.
• Van: Renault Trafic
• Owner: @geraldenethecamper

Build #6: Trafic Build with Slide-Out Bed and Huge Tent Awning

• Highlights: This Trafic conversion has a slide out bed with tons of storage underneath. Across from the bed is a small shelf for cooking or making coffee. This van owner has installed a huge Sheltapod awning which makes for a cozy outdoor living space.
• Van: Renault Trafic L1H1
• Owner: @renaulttraficcamperconversion

Build #5: Simple DIY Trafic with Convertible Bed and Porthole Window

• Highlights: This DIY Trafic build has a bench seat that pulls out into a comfortable bed. In the front is a small kitchen area with a sink, and on the side wall is storage for a fridge. 
• Van: Renault Trafic L1H1
• Owner: @la_socia_van

Build #4: Trafic with Convertible Bench and Front Kitchenette

• Highlights: This beautiful all-wood Trafic build has a convertible bench seat that slides out to a bed at night. The side wall of the van is built out with plenty of cabinets and drawers for storage. In the front of the van is a small kitchen with a sink and room for a camping stove.
• Van: Renault Trafic L1H1
• Owner: @kktee

Build #3: Professional Trafic Conversion that Seats Four

• Highlights: This Renault Trafic by Roaming Homes Ltd. has a gorgeous interior with a one-wall kitchenette that includes a two burner induction stove and refrigerator. The “rock ‘n’ roll” bed system allows this van to seat four people. 
• Van: Renault Trafic
• Owner: @roaminghomesltd

Build #2: Low Roof Trafic with Slide-Out Bed and Pop-Up Table

• Highlights: This beautiful DIY build has a sliding bed that retracts during the day to a small couch area. In the front are booth seats for a pop-up table. Under the bed, these van owners have installed a slide-out kitchen for outdoor cooking.
• Van: 2016 Renault Trafic H1L1
• Owner: @cap.au.nord

Build #1: Simple Interior Trafic with Awning and Privacy Scree

• Highlights: This simple but stylish Trafic build has just a large bed with some storage underneath, plus a refrigerator. These van-lifers have made room for lots of outdoor living space with an awning and large wrap-around screen.
• Van: 2022 Renault Trafic Sport
• Owner: @project.van_life

11 Reasons Why Vanlifers Like the Renault Trafic

The Renault Trafic is quiet, safe, & comfortable – but is it the best option for vanlife?

Here are 11 reasons why vanlifers like the Renault Trafic:

1. Reliable: Owners of the Renault Trafic say that it’s very reliable overall and is easy to maintenance.
2. Comes in Many Different Wheelbase and Height Options: Renault offers different height and wheelbase options for the Trafic depending on how much room you need to convert your van.
3. Diesel Engines Last a Long Time: The Renault Trafic is made with a diesel engine. Diesel cars are known to be more reliable and longer-lasting than those that run on gasoline.
4. Good Fuel Economy: The Renault Trafic gets a combined gas mileage of 29 MPG, which is excellent considering the size of the vehicle.
5. More Interior Room Than Most Small Vans: The Trafic is slightly larger than the Promaster City and the Transit Connect, so it offers more room for a build-out.
6. Comfortable to Drive: Owners say the Renault Trafic is comfortable to drive, making it perfect for long road trips.
7. Boxy Shape Makes Build-Outs Easier: The Renault Trafic has a fairly boxy shape, which means more right angles and easier DIY conversions.
8. Quiet When Running: Compared to most diesel cars, the Trafic is pretty quiet while running, and at speed on the highway.
9. Good Stereo System: Owners say the Trafic has an impressive-sounding stereo system.
10. Newer Models Have Great Safety Features: The newer models have excellent safety and security features that can help you feel safer when driving, and when you’re parked for the night.
11. Fits in a Standard Parking Space: The Renault Trafic will fit in a regular parking spot, so you don’t have to worry about finding parking everywhere you go.

6 Reasons Why Vanlifers Dislike the Renault Trafic

As with every vehicle, there are downsides to the Renault Trafic.

Here are 6 reasons why vanlifers dislike the Trafic:

1. Fewer Conversion Companies Will Work on Them: The Trafic is not a very common van, so fewer conversion companies are familiar with them.
2. Not Tall Enough to Stand up in: The tallest Renault Trafic is still not tall enough to stand up in. You’ll have to extend the roof or install a pop-up to be able to stand up in one.
3. Sliding Door Issues: Trafics are known to have issues with the rear sliding door falling off.
4. Turbo Failure is Common: Some long-term Trafic owners mention that the Turbo on their vehicles has failed.
5. Not Sold in the U.S.: The Renault Trafic is not sold in the U.S.. It’s only an option for European vanlifers.
6. Fewer Online Resources for DIY Conversion: Because the Trafic is not a very popular van, there are fewer online resources for DIY conversion compared to a more common van like the Ford Transit Connect.

Cost, Dimensions, & Fuel Economy

Now that you know a little more about the Renault Trafic, let’s see how it stacks up against the ProMaster City, Transit Connect, VW California, Mercedes Metris, & NV200.

Renault Trafic Cost

Cost: Renault Trafic vs Ram ProMaster City vs Ford Transit Connect vs Nissan NV200 vs Mercedes Metris vs VW California

Renault Trafic Dimensions

Dimensions: Renault Trafic vs Ram ProMaster City vs Ford Transit Connect vs Nissan NV200 vs Mercedes Metris vs VW California

Renault Trafic Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy: Renault Trafic vs Ram ProMaster City vs Ford Transit Connect vs Nissan NV200 vs Mercedes Metris vs VW California

Conclusion: Is the Renault Trafic Right for you?

There are a lot of reasons to like the Renault Trafic: It’s reliable, spacious, & easy to drive  – but it may not be for you.

Biggest factors:

• Reliability
• Good fuel economy
• Multiple wheelbase and height options
• More interior room than other small vans
• Not as many builders/resources available

So should you get one?

Maybe! We’d recommend the Renault Trafic over the Mercedes Metris for Europeans who prefer the Renault brand over Mercedes or Ford and have a higher budget.