Overlanders believe that true adventures start at the end of the paved road. This is why overlanders invest so much in a capable overlanding vehicle, and what better overlanding vehicle than offroad vans?
Actually, van dwellers are now switching from 2WD vans to off-road vans that can take their van dwelling to the next level. Comfortable camping and great maneuverability offroad. Offroad vans are the ultimate overland vehicles that can let you enjoy adventures in any kind of terrain.
With all the off-road vans available on the market, choosing which one to get is now a dilemma for many.
What is the best off-road van? The Storyteller Overland Beast Mode, Winnebago Revel 4×4, and Sportsmobile Classic 4×4 are the top 3 offroad vans for both van living and overlanding.
Keep reading to find out why these three off-road vans made it to the top of the list.
What Makes a Good Off-Road Van?
There are tons of off-road vans on the market. Although vans are not quite popular in the world of overlanding, off-road vans are being patronized in the #vanlife movement. Even the difficulty of acquiring factory 4×4 vans did not stop the development of camper vans that are both comfortable and capable off-road.
With the many options that you have, what features or capabilities should you look for in an off-road van?
- Off-Road Capable Chassis
- Rugged Suspension System
- Off-Road Tires
- Higher Ground Clearance
- Recovery Points
- Availability in the United States
Let’s take a deeper dive into capabilities:
Chassis
The chassis of the car is like the skeleton of the human body. It includes the engine, differential, suspension systems, steering system, braking system, springs, battery, wheels, etc. The chassis of the off-road van should be capable of traversing different off-road conditions but not weigh too much. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4 and the Ford Transit AWD are two reliable chassis for off-road vans.
Suspension System
If you’ve read every single article on this website, then you already have an idea of how important the suspension system is in overland vehicles. A good off-road van has an upgraded suspension system that has a rugged shock absorber. The suspension system will handle all the vibrations, bumps, and stress while the vehicle traverses rough roads. This will result in a smooth and safe ride.
Tires
The tires of the offroad van must be appropriate, which means that they have to be designed mainly for offroad use. All-terrain tires and mud-terrain tires are the two best tires for off-road driving. An all-terrain tire has excellent load-carrying capabilities, strong sidewalls, and thick tread. But if your kind of adventure is in mud or rock boulders, then mud-terrain tires should be on your off-road van.
Ground Clearance
Do not underestimate the difference that a small improvement in ground clearance can make to your overland vehicle. A one-inch lift or two can already make your vehicle capable of conquering rocks or even deep mud. This is why 4WD chassis are a minimum requirement for an off-road van because they have much higher ground clearance.
Recovery Points
Whether you like it or not, at some point in your overlanding trip, you’ll get stuck in deep mud, soft sand, or deep ruts on the road. Recovery gear is as important as recovery points. They will get you out of this difficult and inevitable situation when driving off-road.
Availability In the United States
If you could find a capable 4×4 off-road van that is made in the USA, then that would be much better, right? We all know that factory 4×4 vans are difficult to acquire in the US because most of them are manufactured outside America.
A good off-road van is one made in the USA because it will be much easier for you to acquire, own, use, and maintain it.
The Top 3 Off-Road Vans
If you want a van for off-road driving, you’ve got many options. You can have a camper van, a van conversion, or a factory 4×4 van. But this article will choose the best three from all of them. If you are a fan of camper vans, chances are you’ve already encountered some of them on social media or personally, on the road.
1. Storyteller Overland Beast Mode
When someone is in beast mode, he or she must not be underestimated. It’s the same with the Storyteller Overland Beast Mode. This offroad van may look slender as compared to other offroad vans, but if you take a closer look at the exterior, you’ll see that it comess equipped with everything needed to tackle rough terrain. The Storyteller Overland Beast Mode is indeed living up to its name. Storyteller Overland released this model in 2020, which instantly became the talk of the town.
Off-Road Capabilities
The Storyteller Overland Beast Mode is packed with off-road capabilities. Recall everything that makes up a good off-road vehicle, and this off-road van has it all. This van is built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4 chassis, so you can expect great performance off-road. Not only that, but the suspension system has been upgraded with Fox shocks to make the ride more comfortable with fewer bumps and shakes. This suspension system also allows an increase in ground clearance by four inches. For nighttime off-road driving, you have bright LED lights from KC Hilites placed strategically around the van. In off-roading, airing down is necessary to improve traction on different road surfaces. Storyteller Overland Beast Mode has an onboard air compressor to help your tires get back on track for on-road driving.
Interior
Every Mode Van from Storyteller Overland has the same interior design. This setup is actually a trademark of Storyteller Overland. Every camping gear inside is flexible and can be packed up when not in use to save some space. This off-road van can accommodate four people. There are two beds, and one can be converted into a seating area. Inside, there is a kitchen galley, a bathroom, a bedroom, and a living area that can be configured to suit your needs and preferences.
2. Winnebago Revel 4×4 Camper Van
Another great off-road van made on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4 chassis is the Winnebago Revel 4×4. This off-road van was actually the leading camper van in the US before the Storyteller Overland Mode Vans came into the picture. The Winnebago Revel 4×4 concept was first introduced in 2016. When it was released to the public in 2017, it became the first mass-produced 4WD camper to be sold in the US. Winnebago’s headquarter is in Minnesota, which means you can personally visit the company and see for yourself how great this off-road van is.
Off-Road Capabilities
In terms of off-road capabilities, the Winnebago Revel 4×4 is a match for the Storyteller Overland Beast Mode van. First, since the body frame is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4, expect a 4WD drivetrain and ground clearance of 8 inches, which are both helpful in tackling rocks, deep mud, sand, and steep hills. The Winnebago Revel 4×4 is equipped with 245/70 R17 BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires that are mounted on black aluminum rims. It is also powered by a 3L turbodiesel engine that delivers 15 to 18 miles per gallon.
Interior
The interior design is where the Winnebago Revel 4×4 stands out from the rest. All accessories and gear are placed in such a way that you can get the most out of the space inside. The kitchen area features a stainless-steel sink, countertop, electric single-burner induction cooktop, refrigerator-freezer, pantry, and an overhead cabinet. The living area has a folding table placed next to the window. There is a bathroom which is very roomy and really offers privacy.
3. Sportsmobile Classic 4×4
If you’re looking for the most reputable company when it comes to van conversions, you can never go wrong with Sportsmobile. They have been designing camper vans for adventures, traveling, and camping since 1961.
The Sportsmobile Classic 4×4 is made with durability and off-roading in mind. As compared with the other two offroad vans mentioned earlier, the Sportsmobile Classic 4×4 is very different in many ways. First, this off-road van is built on a Ford Cutaway chassis reinforced with a fiberglass shell. Second, it has a pop-up “penthouse” that allows people to stand up inside the van.
Off-Road Capabilities
The off-road capabilities of the Sportsmobile Classic 4×4 are very fascinating. This off-road van can even do rock crawling. From this, you can already surmise that the Sportsmobile Classic 4×4 with its highly capable chassis will perform well in any road condition. It features Fox 2.0 Performance Series Shocks, which is a very reliable suspension system. A 7.3L V8 engine, your choice of limited slip, open, or locking differentials, and 16.5 inches of ground clearance. You cannot find an off-road vehicle that is both very rugged and very capable like the Sportsmobile Classic 4×4.
Interior
The Classic Sportsmobile Classic 4×4 has a gross vehicle mass of 10,050 pounds. You can choose between a 211.9-inch regular body or a 231.9-inch extended body. The van is 79.3 inches wide and 94 inches tall. With this huge body, expect to have lots of amenities inside. The interior design is customizable, but the standard amenities include a television-side dinette that is convertible to a bed, a kitchen, a closet, storage cabinets, interior LED lights, electrical systems, insulation, and flooring.
Final Thoughts
Off-road vans can give you the perfect overlanding trip you have always wanted. With off-road vans, you don’t have to sacrifice comfortable camping just to have more off-road capabilities, because they will let you enjoy the best of both worlds.
Off-road vans are rugged and capable off-road. Inside is a comfortable, even luxurious, resting area after a whole day of off-roading. The Storyteller Overland Beast Mode, Winnebago Revel 4×4, and Sportsmobile Classic 4×4 are the best off-road vans that can let you have your own kind of adventure in remote destinations.
