thank for being the first person to get reliable measurements from!

I love that cardboard walk threw strategy you have

This has got to be one of the most informative videos I've ever seen on comparing the interior dimensions of the 3 most popular vans. Having all 3 makes compared side to side truly hits this one out of the park. The wealth of information you give in a readily accessible format will serve to cut so much trial and error out of the build process, significantly shortening construction time and enhancing build planning. You've just racked up another subscriber, Sir. Well done, and Thank You!

George, I am sure others will echo my following statement. You are one of the G.O.A.T.s for explaining your van builds and helping the community make wiser choices based on his/her chosen van platform! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights! Hopefully the van market will comeback to reasonable expectations in 1 to 2 years, since Sprinter dealers are now adding $10,000+ markups over MSRP for their vans especially the 4x4 sprinter vans. The current $10k markup over MSRP for just getting a dealer to put you in their order line is a hard pill to swallow right now so I will wait and live vicariously through your videos! :-) Thanks again George for taking the time to continuously produce these great insightful and entertaining videos!

This is the first time in my life I'm grateful to be a short person. It's going to make van life easier. The Promaster is my choice.

I learned about all different size between 3 vans. It was very helpful and useful. Thank you.

Your advice is for vans way larger than I will ever own. I just love watching you.

The perfect video I was wishing to find. A vide added to my list to watch it again. Thank you so much.

Nice job again George on the comparisons. Those roof supports are known as "roof bows".

Incredibly helpful! Thank you so much! 💕

Another fantastic comparison video. Thank you.

💯 Nice work George.....this will save people TONS of time while deciding which one to pursue! Stay awesome, Merry Christmas.

Well done George. You’re a class act.

Thanks for this. It's very helpful.

I am so grateful to you for this video. I now know what I want. Huge step for me!

this is the video I have been waiting for. Thank you!

Great comparison !! We love our transit coachman beyond! We sleep East to west but I’m only 5’6 . 👍

This has to be the best or at least top 3 of all the van space comparison videos!!👍👍👍

Great comparison video, George. 👍

You look cozy in your red jamas. Thanks for the info.

Best practical information comparing the three - and the best music of any van video.

Thank you for this video. Very helpful!

excellent video. super useful comparison, love it!! thank you!!

George I recently found a full review of your “Sam” van. I absolutely love the common sense approach you’ve takin to designing. Also it’s nice to see some details made for us “oldsters”, steps, height’s etc… I’ve been thinking about a Jeep so as to enhance my ability to get off the paved roads, I’m a landscape photographer and need subject matter beyond what’s easily accessible. Now I’m wondering if a 4WD van would work.

So many people will benefit from this comparison, it’s priceless. So many things to consider when deciding which van to use for their conversion. I remember that shelf you made in your pleasure-way. Of all your builds so far, the shelf in van #1 is still my favorite . Merry Christmas to you and the Humble Road Crew🎄🎅🏼.

Good Morning George Having My Sunday Morning Coffee and Enjoying A Humble Road Video . Thanks !!👍

There is no one like you in ‘van life’ builds. You are the best. Period! Thank u.

I ended up changing my lifted fridge design on my Transit and moved it to 5 inches above the floor. Some bending but not too bad. It saved the aisle space that would have been lost otherwise. Isotherm 130.

Love all your videos!

Thank you. That was a VERY interesting comparison between the Transit, Sprinter and Promaster. Gave me lots of food for thought on choosing my van type. Very informative.

Very informative video! Thank you

Thank you for this video .

Thank you for your informative 👍. It helps for future buyers.

im 6ft 4in and measurementz of these 3 rigz iz exactlty what i wanted to do thx for saving me the run around

Fantastic clear comparative: What every serious shopper wants to know! Thank you! At a glance, the key measurements of the three most popular contenders were captured in one photo per area measured, successively; and, the verbal comparisons and clarifications solved the buyer guesswork. The result is a handful of key comparatives that a buyer can rely on and mull over before making such a large purchase. Once again, thank you so much for intuiting what was necessary to understand before buying and for making the effort to relay this important information! PS: Definitely, happy to subscribe!

What you said about the rear shower/bathroom and front futon bed setup, I’m working on right now! It’s easy to see even at a glance that you’re a master of your craft, which I can tell includes multiple by this point. Amazing editing and scripting for this type of work as well. Please keep at it as long as possible, young craftsman 😉

What an excellent video. Thanks.

You are a genius George.

Loved this video, searching for cargo custom

great comparison!

Wow! What a detailed video! Curious if you have done any cottage looking buildouts? The wifey likes white tongue and groove and white cabs with wood tops and black hardware.

More Transit stuff please!

Baltic Birch has always been great for making drawer bodies and for panels. Alex knows this already. It was only available in 5 X 5 sheets. But bamboo plywood and dimensioned lumber are two things coming on strong.

This was an excellent and informative video. I have taken notes on this video and the other measurement videos. Was interested in knowing what the measurement is from the floor to the bottom of the window. They all look similar. Could you mention in a video the floor length of all the vans? I know you have done a measurement video on both lengths of the Sprinter. And I appreciate your comments on the different van sizes and ideas for use.

Saw this video, saw you subfloor video...wow! Instantly subbed!! Very very excellent presentation for a novice DIY guy like me! Wow!

I bought the Borg stems for my dually before the van was even converted and I love them! Then I watched a KYD video and became paranoid about tire pressure so I bought a TPMS with screw on sensors; love them too! The Borg stems, being steel, do not flex. Borg stem grommets are thin and prone to ripping during install. Whomever installs them needs to READ THE INSTRUCTIONS before installing the stems and, they'll need an inch-pound torque wrench. Over torquing = air leak. Tip 1: Buy extra grommets from Borg; you'll need them Tip 2: Go with an internal TPMS its worth the extra upfront cost External work fine but are a hassle if air is put in or taken out (think not so humble wash-board roads). Screw-on sensors could be stolen, batteries and o-rings have to be replaced and, the two halves can separate. Tip 3: BIGGEST TIP OF ALL - Have the front tires re-aligned after conversion. My 10,500 - 11,000 lb van showed visible uneven tire wear at 14k miles which resulted in an untenable steering wobble because, per MB, factory alignment is for an empty van not one that has had 3,000 to 4,000 lbs added to it, mostly in the back. MB does not cover this wear under any warranty and cost me $354 for tire rotation and alignment. You'll pay for the alignment either way but, tire wear will be even.

🎅 Merry Christmas, George!

George I just viewed a video tour of the new 2023 Ram Promaster and the new very tall version option which is 7’2” inside floor to ceiling height. That could be a game changer for RAM conversions which could allow for floor insulation or floor heating and in the ceiling room for massive insulation or even ducted AC/heat. That’s in addition to the 9 speed trany and the latest cab electronics.

I get excited every time one of these new videos shows up in my feed Just wondering Are dimensions available from van manufacturers? If so, how do they compare to putting a tape to the actual vans? Would van after-market makers/manufacturers share their measurements? Any variations in various individual vans of same model? Has our hero, Lonesome Roads (or 1 of his minions), created CAD models for his CNC? Many Architectural product manufacturers provide DXF 2d & 3D models of their products. Do the van manufacturers as well? Just wondering

So excited to watch this video after seeing the other comparison one, do you think you’ll ever do a Nissan NV conversion or any other vehicles that have a high enough roof for this lifestyle?

what is the height of the cargo beds as measured from the ground? do you know of any tradeoffs one would have to make if a braun under van lift was needed? e.g. water tanks couldn't be installed under the van etc

Hello, thank you for sharing your knowledge and opinions on Class B travel. I particularly like your analytic mind, not often found in artists types! You previously mentioned your tire valve stem source for Mercedes 3500 with dual rear wheels. I had a terrible, expensive experience dealing with valve stem extensions. Never again! I recall the place was in Sunland-Tujunga, CA. I thought I wrote it down. Please repeat the source information.

The 2023 Promaster finally stepped up the tech. My 2014 is jealous.

I would love to see an update when you get in a 2024 Dodge Ram Promaster 3500 159” Ext wheelbase with SUPERHIGH roof and compare it to the others. Great job on all your videos! Thank you for sharing your expertise!

Giving back to the community in spades with great comparative info......well done George.

A future comparison could cover the available safety systems and typical upgrades. Thinking of standard passenger vehicle systems like stability control, emergency braking, backup camera, TPMS, etc. Also upgrades to suspension and tires if generally required. Similar to your recommended valve stem upgrade.

George - thanks muchly for all your van building videos & today’s display of the trinity, and maybe to commend you on several of why you are at the top of the heap - are your rejection to burning lpg, true believer in ventilation and enabler of best practices, but still not rejecting petroleum over solar and having just branched out to gas vs. diesel. I digress since I would like your specs on the bracket set-up you figured out for the 80/20 running boards. Ours is a ‘21, 170 4x4, I am a bit getting old, so I need to fine-tune the height & the in-ness/out-ness of my foot on the step. I do remember also your un-happiness in a different company’s bracket system for attaching roof rails to 80/20 - there was a quick mention later that you had found a solution. I live with-in an 8 mins drive of good welders, but it’s the actual bracket-to-van-underside details that I need. Thanks Again & Best to You & Yours for Xmas & 2022 ...

If the Promaster only had a reliable second alternator option, it would be perfect, especially with 2022 changes.

Curvature in the body sides are referred to as "tumble home". These are the terms we use in body design.

Very thorough video. Measured the entire interior of the truck yet my perplexing decision is based on the measurements between the wheel wells. Gave measurements in front and behind the wheel wells but not between. Did I overlook something??? Is this not a valid measurement?

Now this must be the new best van (dimensions) comparison video on KZfaq.

This was the exact video I need to determine which van is the best van to build on measurement-wise thank you! just one measurement that was left out was the height from the floor to the horizontal pillar right where it dips into where a window would be placed. just so I know how high the platform bed would be off the floor? garage height as well lol

It’s easy to move from the front of the transit to the back in our van at least. (Juniper)

The Coachmen vans have one design which has a great rear bathroom configuration. The person in charge there listens carefully to all feedback from their customers For example, the special foam used for their mattress cushions are the best after listening to their customers' complaints. No rear garage with that design though. You know I desire rear garage area where at least one seatless HP Velotechnik Scorpion can be rolled in and out. You will eventually encounter clients who want exactly this. The highest riding trikes are the ones with 26 inch wheels. Some have 20 inch wheels all around which contributes to a lower storage profile.

Thank you

One other thing people need to keep in mind when choosing between the three, besides interior dimensions, is where they will be spending a lot of time. The ProMaster being front wheel drive is probably not the best option if the owner will be spending a lot of time in the mountains. Due to weight transfer, built out ProMaster's tend to have traction problems on steep hills. Trent & Allie got stuck once going up a steep winding road in south or central America as well as kept losing traction on a steep hill in NY or NJ with just a light rain. Many others have reported similar issues on forums. As to roof curvature and shower size, have you considered trying a 'hall bath' design like Roadtrek had in their Class B's? It seems like one of the best means of increasing interior space when the shower isn't in use.

amazing video

Great video. Going in my saves for when I can afford a custom van conversion. Which of the 3 has all wheel drive?

6:39 спасибо. 12:32 " пять лет назад Вы были" героем Выходного дня" спасибо за это выражение, говорит о том что прогресс в любом деле возможен при системном мышлении. Еще раз спасибо 🙏

Great measurement comparison video. If anybody wants a really detailed video of theExtended length Transit measurements side to side and front to back look up "The Queen and Bob" on KZfaq. I have a 2021 ford transit high roof ext length AWD. Ruled out MB because of lack of easy access to mechanics when on the road, didn't want rear drive, and didn't think I'd need 4X4. I wanted AWD since I live in a state with snowy winters and I do like a good dirt road but don't plan to rock crawl with my van. I did test drive the Promaster to make sure I didn't want it and to have something to compare the Transit to. I did not like the way it drove at all and don't think it is a high quality vehicle, but.....there are a lot of people who are happy with the Promaster. For those of you worried about the front slope, my son is 6'3 and has no problem with the slope, I've never seen him hit his head. I think George made the comment "if you hit your head more than twice then it's not a problem with the vehicle"...😂 We installed 2 fans one just behind the slope and one in the very back, I have one 340 Watt Solar panel so have more than enough flat space on the roof between the fans. I've put 9,000 miles on my van and I average 16 mpg with the Ecoboost engine, I have got as high as 18mpg, if I go 80 mph it sucks the mpg down to 13-14 but as a general rule I'm not a fan of 80mph in a big vehicle. The AWD has different settings for different road conditions. It has handled really well in heavy snow storms, on snow packed roads, thick icy slush, heavy rain, and in mud and ruts on dirt roads and that's with the factory tires, I plan to upgrade when it's time to replace current tires. It is super comfortable to drive and travel long distances, no problems with low back issues like numb leg or zingers going down leg like I get when I drive my car long distances. Front seats are close together but you get use to maneuvering around them. Ford has a lot of standard features and more great ones you can add that really help with ease of driving and parking. If you have somebody as clever and creative as George building your van you can get a configuration in any size van that will work well and be comfortable. My 6'3" son built out a Promaster city which weirdly is comfortable to drive and ride in. He and his girlfriend have a blast in it, he designed it for their needs, he uses it to get to the destination, sleep, relax in when the weather is bad outside, otherwise they are enjoying the destination, not the inside of his van. I'm really happy with my Transit and can't recommend it enough, but it provides me with what I was looking for in a travel vehicle first and gives me the space to build what I want second. I think test driving more than one brand is wise. I also think doing a lot of research on your own and figuring out exactly how you want to use the van is important and of course your budget plays a big part. Just because a van is on KZfaq or Pinterest doesn't mean it will work for you. I love that George doesn't let the "Norm" drive how he builds vans, he looks at all options, creates a bunch more of his own and can create any kind of van into a super useful space specific to the owners needs and wants, I think he takes "custom" to a new level. Looking forward to being entertained and educated through the Transit and Mini build outs!

Just started getting serious on my plans to do a van build and was torn between the Promaster and the Transit. This is something I couldn't find anywhere else even on manufacturers website. Super enlightening video and helped make my decision 1000 times easier thank you so much.

At 5'16" tall the Transit is the only option. As always a great video and very informative. Always a thumbs up 👍

Excellent video, as always. One question that I've been researching, but never found an answer to, which van is the quietest when driving down the highway? When you drive hundreds of miles a day, cab noise matters. I currently have a 136 Promaster and I'm looking at replacing it with something. I like the new 2022 Promaster in that it evens the playing field with a 9 speed transmission, adaptive cruise control, 360 cameras, Apple Carplay, electronic power steering, etc.; however, I'm looking for the lowest decibels (dB) when driving and nobody seems to publish this anywhere. Thanks again for the best videos on the internet about vans, conversions, 8020 and other cool technical stuff!

This is soooo helpful! We have a new Sprinter 3500XD and we are ordering the Borg Dually Valves now. Question about the tire pressure monitoring system - you mentioned adding the sensors inside the valve... I've never heard of that as an option. Do you have a recommendation/link? We really want to have the ability to monitor tire pressures, having experienced some blowouts in our RV quite a few times! Thank you! Love your videos!!

You are so right about the Borg dually valves on the Sprinter 3500! We had ours done when we lived in Vegas and drove our Sprinter to the shop in California for installation - excellent! It seems the Promaster is the dimensional winner, except in ceiling height. Further notes on the Sprinter 3500: Don't know if this still true on the newer models but our 2012 has had lots of mechanical problems. In the 4-2/3 years that we've owned ours we have spent over $13,000 on maintenance and repairs (long list of repairs). This is in addition to the $4,400 repair job on the DEF system that Mercedes-Benz comped us because of a recall. Wheel sensors are also an expensive issue we haven't had, although many of our Sprinter friends have. This is all despite the higher MSRP of the Sprinter. All of these repairs have put us off of diesels for the future, as well.

Brilliant. Thank you, I have not seen this done beore on YT. Much appreciated. Best to you.

It's called the tumblehome, the tapering effect.

Up early to watch my fav.

The decision for me is easy, none of the above :) I like my Chevy Express.

Ford just said my 2022 Transit 350HD High Roof Ext Dually is scheduled to be started on 17 January. I'm grateful for the timing of you guys getting two Transits in : ) Really looking forward to see what you'll do with that cable pack running down the driver's side inside the living space. Press on friend... : ) appreciate your company's work.

What do you guys think of the Citröen Jumper/Relay?

Big fan of the Promaster, until I got to know the Transit this last year.

Uni-strut kits are in your future. Standardization of structural members will increase your production. Reliable templates are increasing in numbers. Bamboo products are in your future too.

Go with a Box van with an Attic. Get one in a 16 foot interior floor length. Best way to go for a live in van. just saying ...

which of the two (Transit vs. Promaster) non-extended vans gives you the most length to build inside the cargo space. Assuming that you go with the longer wheelbase.

I am interested in the Winnebago EKKO, on the Ford Transit cutaway platform. It has MAYBE a 7" road clearance, not a whole lot. Recently, I saw a Sprinter dueli (spelling?) extended length van and it seemed to have much more road clearance...9" perhaps? Maybe one day you can talk about road clearance and some tricks to perhaps increase road clearance, especially on both Transit and Promaster...if such is possible Thanks for your great videos!

You should mention that the inside body/floor width tapers from the back of the slider opening forward.

First and foremost I want to say that your videos are very informative, and it’s the information that is needed. Could you please share some more information about the different vans, you give the measurements on how wide, but I need the height measurements as well. Exp. From the floor to the first level you measured on the width. At the 1:10 mark on the video.

So as far as the frig cabinet goes for the Transit it would be better to go with one of those side by side frig/freezer combo so you could set it back against the wall more and give you 3-4" of more isle space? So what would be the usable square footage for each van comparison? And if your doing a solar system could it be feasible to mount the big Marmaluke batteries under the floor behind the rear wheels (one on each side) to free up garage space and give you a better weight center of gravity? I mean semi's have outside battery boxes and go into freezing temperatures. Just wondering if the space is available in that location?

Excellent, dimension video between the different brands but there are other considerations to take into account like overall cost and cost of maintenance when deciding which chassis to use. While diesel Sprinters are great vehicles, they can be very difficult to find a place that can work on them along with the cost. My understanding is the Sprinters made after 2007 have to meet strict US emission laws that make them very complicated along with the fact environmental laws may one day make them obsolete for personal use. The popular Ram chassis is made by Fiat Ducato and has issues of its own but there are a ton of them out there so I would expect finding a place to service them would easier. It's really a shame that GM couldn't come up with high top van to compete in this market. My older Roadtrek has the Express chassis which is pretty reliable and any shop should be able to work on it. I think the reason Roadtrek stopped using that chassis was the additional cost of cutting the roof and adding the high top. I like the way George thinks, he seems fully aware of all the challenges of these van builds and how they affect the overall design, performance and handling of the vehicle.

Hey George, … as long as we’re discussing tires and custom valves … are you familiar with Counteract Balancing Beads? I use them in all my class 8 trucks and they work like a charm❗️😎 I also use, and have had good luck with “Pilot Sleeve” … they perfectly center the wheel on the lugs. (definitely not a sponsored endorsement, I’ve just really seen a difference since we’ve been using them)

If only Toyota would export their full-sized cargo van to America.

looks like I'm late to the party... but... George, did you measure between the wells on the transit SRW? Asking for a friend!

Wait. You’ve got a Pleasure Way? I need to know more. Which one? Only one? Do you also have your own carom build? And…if you choose a small van (18’ or less%) for a build, what would be your pick?

Would have loved some analysis from you. For instance: 1. Tall people, go with a Transit? 2. Easy to build out? RAM since it is boxy? 3. Most usable space? 4. Any other thoughts?

8:40 Finally lol Length what I came for. I know you out a lot of work into your videos

thanks.

Time to get some orange colored plaid pajamas for when you are lounging around, George!

Is it possible for you to post a measurements chart on your website. If the Ford had a 3500 super single back axle and an XL version I think I would prefer the Ford gasser. Not sure you compared all 3 vans on floor lengths.

Do you leave the factory electrical channel on the Sprinter? I see that in this one & I have it in mine. Thx from a Jerseygirl