The Ram ProMaster is an attractive option for van life conversion as it is one of the largest and cheapest options, and a popular panel van among businesses making there a strong second hand market.
It is basically a licenced version of the Fiat Ducato to be sold in the North American market with some modifications (i.e. it comes with a 3.6L v6 petrol engine as opposed to most European vans which have diesel engines).
Because of the practicality of choosing a quality van with a reasonable amount of mileage on the clock, this review focuses on the more modern options from approximately 2005 onwards.
“The World is a book and those who do not travel read but only one page.“
St Augustine
Introduction to the Ram (Dodge) ProMaster panel van
It can be found throughout the world – like any van, just make sure you check your happy with a left or right wheel drive variant. Parts are relatively cheap with a good logistics system which makes the ProMaster relatively cheap to own and maintain.
The ProMaster is also the ‘squarest’ of all the panel vans (even more so than the Ford transit). This boxy shape and 90 degree sidewalls are an absolute gift for who ever is doing the camper van life conversion, since it makes it incredibly easy to work with strapping and cladding, as well as framing and installing cabinetry.
Furthermore, the ProMaster is only available in front wheel drive which saves valuable drive train space under the floor; as a result it has a lower overall height but also has a great interior cabin height – 1930mm (6″4′) for the high top and 1661mm (5″5′) for the mid top. This means it has a lower center of gravity, so should be one of the most stable vans in terms of not being able to flip over onto its side.
The ProMaster cannot be converted to 4WD and has a fairly low ground clearance, which can make off-roading or even dirt roading difficult to impossible – so best to stick to sealed or gravel roads.
The real bonus for the Ram ProMaster is the width. It is the widest van in its class with a whopping interior cargo width of ~75 inches (6″3′) meaning that even with insulation and interior cladding, even taller people up to 6ft can comfortably sleep across the cabin. This makes it the hands-down choice for most tall van-lifers, and gives maximum flexibility in interior design options for the conversion.
The width does have one drawback, which is that it has been described as difficult to maneuver in urban environments and tight roads, especially for the LWB and extended options – forget about that 3 point turn in a tight one way city street. Having said that, its turning circle is not too dissimilar from many large SUV’s.
The Ram ProMaster is available in;
- MWB: 136 inch wheel base (112 inch living space)
- LWB: 159 inch wheel base (132 inch living space)
- LWB Extended: 159 inch wheel base (146 inch living space) *This is the smallest of all the extended vans
The Ram ProMaster is a great cost effective choice for someone who wants to prioritize space (such as couples or a young family) and ease of conversion, and who don’t need the flexibility of 4WD or a higher ground clearance for ‘off-roading’.
The Ram ProMaster are about $40,000 new (petrol), but a good second hand van can be found for around $20,000.
Conclusion
I will personally be keeping an eye out for a second hand ProMaster – they are one of the best options for a cost effective van life conversion. They are a popular van, so there is a strong second hand market, plenty of spares and any mechanic can service it. If your looking for a simple, straightforward solution that is basically a giant mini van turned panel van, the Ram ProMaster is a great choice.
