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.

11 Amazing Renault Trafic Campervan 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 hightop 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 campervan stovetop.
• Van: Renault Trafic L1H1
• Owner: @kktee

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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

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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

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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

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11 Reasons Why Vanlifers Like Renault Trafic Campers

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. Having a diesel engine also makes heating easy because you can use a 12 volt Webasto or Espar diesel heater.
4. Good Fuel Economy: The Renault Trafic gets a combined gas mileage of 29 MPG, which is excellent fuel economy for a campervan 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 for your van everywhere you go.

6 Reasons Why Vanlifers Dislike Converted Renault Trafic Vans

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 similar to the Vauxhall Movano people convert.
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.

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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

Model	New	Used	Price
Renault Trafic	$51,952	$28,594	Check Price
Ram ProMaster City	$30,475	$27,950	Check Price
Ford Transit Connect	$29,365	$17,995	Check Price
Nissan NV200	$23,500	$13,985	Check Price
Mercedes Metris	$34,900	$27,954	Check Price
VW California	$73,385	N/A	Check Price

 

Renault Trafic Dimensions

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

Model	Interior Height	Interior Length (cargo)	Interior Width	Ext Length
Renault Trafic	54.6 inches	99.9 inches	65.4 inches	196.8 inches
Ram ProMaster City	51.8 inches	87.2 inches	60.4 inches	187.5 inches
Ford Transit Connect	49.5 inches	117.5 inches	48.7 inches	190 inches
Nissan NV200	53.5 inches	80.3 inches	59.1 inches	173.2 inches
Mercedes Metris	55 inches	105.4 inches	66.3 inches	202.4 inches
VW California	55.5 inches	101.3 inches	66.9 inches	193.1 inches

 

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

Model	City	Highway	Combined
Renault Trafic	24 MPG	34 MPG	29 MPG
Ram ProMaster City	21 MPG	28 MPG	24.5 MPG
Ford Transit Connect	24 MPG	27 MPG	25.5 MPG
Nissan NV200	24 MPG	26 MPG	25 MPG
Mercedes Metris	19 MPG	23 MPG	21 MPG
VW California	36.2 MPG	42.2 MPG	39.2 MPG

 

Conclusion: Is a Renault Trafic Conversion 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.