Updated September 2026: We re-checked every shop and added eight that weren't on the old list: Volcano Vans, Action Van, Dirtbag Conversions, Sentinel Vans, Bend Mobile Solar, Expedition Vehicle Services, Bend Camper Co. and Ramblin' Vans.
Van shops aren’t interchangeable. A builder known for beautiful cabinetry may not be the one to call about an intermittent charging problem, and a Sprinter specialist may not be the best fit for a ProMaster owner who needs a fan and an electrical backbone. Pick the shop by project type.
Full custom, semi-custom or partial build?
Full customThe builder designs around your gear, sleeping and travel needs. The most control, and usually the most design time and labor.Cascade Van, Oxbow, Untrapped, Cedar & Steel, Sentinel
Semi-customProven layouts, packages or modular systems that you customize. More predictable cost, timeline and future parts.Cascade Van, Esplori, Volcano Vans, Action Van
Partial buildA pro handles the high-consequence work (roof cuts, heat, electrical) and you finish the rest yourself.Volcano Vans, Oxbow, Action Van, Bend Battery
Get the quote broken into categories
Don’t just ask “how much is a conversion?” A $70,000 quote and a $100,000 quote can be closer than they look if the cheaper one leaves out appliances, batteries and exterior parts. Ask every builder to itemize:
Shell & structureDesign, insulation and sound control, windows and roof penetrations, walls and ceiling.
Living spaceCabinetry, bed, seating and certified passenger restraints, fridge and cooking.
SystemsElectrical, solar, heat and hot water, plumbing and tanks, ventilation and A/C.
Exterior & drivetrainRacks, ladders, awnings, suspension, wheels and tires, plus labor, tax and a contingency.
Ask how change orders work. Once the walls are open, it's easy to add more battery, a bigger inverter, A/C, Starlink or a shower. Your contract should say how changes are priced, approved and added to the timeline.
Electrical is where to spend professional money
A van’s electrical system puts high-current DC wiring, lithium batteries, charging sources, an inverter and shore power into a small moving vehicle. Before you approve a design, ask for:
- Battery chemistry and usable capacity, inverter size and solar wattage
- Alternator (DC-DC) and shore-power charging rates
- Wire and fuse sizing, disconnect locations and monitoring
- A wiring diagram you get to keep
If an installer can’t explain how the system is protected and documented, keep shopping. Bend Battery and Bend Mobile Solar are on this list for exactly this reason.
Building a van for Bend winters
If the dream is skiing Mt. Bachelor and sleeping warm in January, design for winter before the cabinets go in.
Heat & condensationA diesel or gas heater plus continuous insulation and real ventilation. Breathing and cooking add a lot of moisture overnight.
Cold batteriesMost lithium batteries can't charge below freezing. Ask about heated batteries or installing them inside the warm cabin.
WaterKeep tanks and lines inside the heated space, or plan to winterize. Frozen lines are a common first-winter repair.
Traction & gearWinter tires or chains for the pass, plus a place for wet skis, boots and dogs. Sno-Parks need a permit.
Sprinter, Transit or ProMaster?
Mercedes SprinterThe biggest aftermarket and builder familiarity, with 4x4 and AWD options. Usually the most expensive to buy and service.
Ford TransitWidely serviceable, AWD available and good high-roof options. Plenty of shops build them even if their photos are mostly Sprinters.
Ram ProMasterA wide, boxy interior that some people can sleep across. Front-wheel drive changes how it handles snow and dirt roads.
Pick the van for drivetrain, payload, interior size, service access and price, not for how it looks online.
What a finished build should come with
- Diagrams: electrical, plumbing and a fuse and breaker map.
- Paperwork: manuals, model and serial numbers, and warranty terms in writing.
- Care: a maintenance schedule, winterization steps and emergency shutoff locations.
- Access: app and monitoring logins, spare hardware and finish or fabric details.
- A walkthrough of every system, and photos of wiring and plumbing before the walls close.
Van and overland events in Central Oregon
Overland Expo PNWA big overland and van show held each June at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond. The 2026 show ran June 26–28.overlandexpo.com
Adventure Van ExpoA touring van show that includes a Bend stop. It's a good place to see local builds side by side and talk to builders.Check adventurevanexpo.com for dates
Camping legally around Bend
A self-contained van doesn’t create permission to sleep anywhere. Reserve campgrounds when you need certainty, follow current Deschutes National Forest dispersed-camping rules, respect closures, stay limits and fire restrictions, and never assume a business or trailhead lot allows overnight parking. Our camping in Bend guide has the details.
For van builders and shops: This guide is editorial and not pay-to-play. If your shop has moved, changed services or stopped taking builds,
send us an update. Featured placements, when offered, are clearly labeled and don't change how we describe other shops.
FAQ
Van conversions in Bend: common questions
How much does a camper van conversion cost in Bend?
It depends almost entirely on scope. A few installs such as a fan, windows or a heater can run hundreds to a few thousand dollars, package builds cost more, and a complete off-grid custom build can reach well into five or six figures before you buy the van itself. Ask every builder to separate chassis, design, labor, materials, appliances, electrical, exterior parts and change orders so you can compare real totals.
Which Bend van builders work on Ford Transit or Ram ProMaster?
Action Van advertises Sprinter, ProMaster and Transit conversions, and Bend Battery works on all three for electrical. Many other shops will quote non-Sprinter vans even if their photos are mostly Sprinters, so ask directly.
Can I hire a shop for just part of my DIY build?
Yes, and it's often the smartest money in a DIY build. Volcano Vans offers base packages meant as a DIY starting point, and Oxbow, Action Van and Cedar & Steel do individual installs. Bend Battery and Bend Mobile Solar handle electrical and solar. Many DIY owners pay for roof cuts, windows, heaters and the electrical system, then finish cabinetry themselves.
Which Bend shops can fix a van someone else built?
Oxbow, Cedar & Steel and Bend Camper Co. all service existing builds. For electrical and charging problems, start with Bend Battery. For EarthCruisers and 4x4 expedition campers, try Expedition Vehicle Services.
Can I rent a camper van in Bend before building one?
Yes. Ramblin' Vans and Bend Camper Co. both rent camper vans in Bend. A weekend in a rental is a cheap way to learn what layout, bed size and storage you actually want.
What should a builder give me at delivery?
Wiring and plumbing diagrams, a fuse and breaker map, equipment manuals, model and serial numbers, warranty terms, maintenance and winterization steps, app or monitoring logins and a hands-on walkthrough of every system. You'll want that documentation when something fails far from Bend.
Can I sleep in my van anywhere around Bend?
No. Use campgrounds and current Deschutes National Forest dispersed-camping rules, respect closures, stay limits and fire restrictions, and don't assume a brewery, trailhead or store lot allows overnight parking. Winter Sno-Parks have their own permit and parking rules.
