History
Conversion vans were very popular during the 1970s and 1980s. Early conversions were simply vans with seats put in them, often with murals painted along the sides. Although many were used by rock bands and the conversion van developed something of a "bad boy" image, most were used for basic everyday transport.
After the mid 80's, luxurious interiors featuring thickly padded seats, wood trim and luxury lighting began to appear in conversion vans as families and retirees started using them for road trips and camping. At the same time, both the federal government and vehicle manufacturers began efforts to exert some degree of control on the van conversion industry, demanding that certain safety guidelines be adhered to. With these two changes, the price of conversion vans started to increase, resulting in decreasing sales. At the same time, the price of gas was also increasing leading still more people away from these large cargo vans, whose V-8 engines and poor aerodynamics resulted in atrocious mileage. Finally, the introduction of the mini-van and more comfortable and attractive SUVs siphoned off even more potential customers. Despite these setbacks though, as the economy boomed in the 1990's, conversion vans sales began to improve, with almost 200,000 units sold in 1994 alone. As of 2007, about 20,000 conversion vans are being sold each year, with most being sold for family transport.
Vans Currently Used
Conversion vans are originally bare, windowless full-size 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton cargo vans such as the Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, and the Ford Econoline series.
Previous Models Used
Vans used for conversions in the past that are no longer in production are the Chevrolet Van / GMC Vandura (1970-1996), the Chevrolet Astro (1985-2005), the Dodge Ram Van (1981-2003), and the Volkswagen Eurovan (1992-2004).
The CVMA
The Conversion Van Marketing Association (CVMA) is an exclusive partnership between General Motors and 23 of the nation's top conversion van manufacturers. Exclusive partnership means members of the CVMA are the only manufacturers authorized by GM to build Chevrolet or GMC Conversion Vans.
Conversion Van Companies
Because of their decreasing popularity, there are few conversion van manufacturers left. The following conversion van companies are members of the CVMA.
Explorer Vans, of Warsaw, Indiana, American Luxury Coach, Inc, of Florence, South Carolina, Chariot Vans, Inc, of Elkhart, Indiana, and Vanworks, of Fort Collins, Colorado, just to name a few. What makes Vanworks unique is that, beside the usual conversion vans they offer, they also offer a camper van, that includes a toilet, refrigerator, microwave, sink, and a side sofa that makes into a bed. These and other conversion van companies, and information on the CVMA can be found at www.todaysconversionvan.com.
Conversion Van Luxuries
So just what is put in a conversion van? For starters, they have tinted windows, sometimes with blinds. They also have a TV with DVD player that swings down from the ceiling. They also have leather seats, lots of real-wood accenting, carpeting, custom paint, and a half bed in the back. (Folding down the back bench seat makes the rest of the bed.) Higher end models have lots of accent lighting, heated power seats, a raised roof to allow standing up and walking around, (this also allows the TV to be embedded where the roof goes down in the front, instead of swinging down from the ceiling.) swiveling captains chairs up front, sound-deafening insulation and a modified suspension system for a quieter, smoother ride.
Variable Conversions
There are different types of conversions aside of the usual passenger-van-like conversion:
1. Camper Van-This van has more features that enable camping, such as a toilet, fridge, microwave, sink, side sofa, popup canvas top that allows standing up, and sometimes a stove. These vans are usually stripped, lacking carpeting insulation, etc. and are not as luxurious as "Class B" van motorhomes themselves. An unknown company in the 80's fitted Dodge vans with a bed, 7 passenger seating, and a sink. Also, a motorhome company that ran out of business in the early 90's known as "Granville", fitted Ford Econoline vans with a U-shaped dinette in the back that made into a bed, and a color TV built into the wall. Vanworks builds this kind of van.
2. Disability Vans are built to be accessed in the cargo area by wheelchair. These vans are stripped in the back (providing seating for only 2), and have a ramp installed below the door for easy entry/exit.
3. Office Vans Also known as "LandJets", are built like a small office in the back, with a desk and chair bolted to the floor, an electrical outlet in the office area (for computer, etc.), and usually 1 or 2 seats in the back for passengers. These are most popular for traveling salesmen and TV camera crews.
4. Motorhomes "Class B" campervans are built on a full size cargo van that is lengthened a couple of feet, and have almost every creature comfort you would find in a larger motorhome. Lengths range from 17-20 feet. "Class C" mini motorhomes have the back completely taken out of the van (known as a cutaway), and have it replaced with a larger back that offers more elbow room than Class B's. Lengths range from 22-30 feet.
Pricing
When you are buying a conversion van, you are paying for the van itself, and the cost of the luxuries and the labor of having them installed. For example, a GMC van from Starcraft Conversions costs $52,750. $29,800 for the GMC Savanna, and $22,950 for the conversion.)
