VANLIFE AT A FRACTION OF THE PRICE

Roadloft vs. RV: vanlife without breaking the bank

Vanlife can be experienced in many ways, depending on budget, vehicle, and desired comfort level. Some choose a new, fully equipped Class B RV, ready to go. Others prefer to transform their everyday vehicle with a Roadloft conversion kit. And in between, a new option is gaining ground: the Ram ProMaster converted with the Roadloft camper setup.

The common thread among these three solutions is simple: they all allow you to hit the road simply, quickly, and comfortably. The differences, however, lie in:

acquisition costs
recurring expenses
maintenance and storage
depreciation
and the actual freedom remaining in the budget once the vehicle is purchased.

Key takeaway: the Roadloft camper conversion kit for minivans or pickups remains the most economical solution, sometimes costing about 1 to 2% of the net annual cost of a Class B RV according to the original simulation.

The Roadloft ProMaster positions itself as the intermediate alternative: more spacious than a compact kit, but much more accessible than a new Class B RV.

Vanlife should remain simple and accessible

On the road, many RV owners tell us the same stories: high maintenance costs, complex systems, unexpected breakdowns, storage to plan, specialized insurance, and monthly payments that continue long after returning home.

At Roadloft, our vision of vanlife is different. We believe that adventure should remain simple, flexible, and accessible. The goal is not just to own the most equipped vehicle possible. The goal is to travel more often, more freely, and without the dream becoming a financial burden.

That's why it's useful to compare options not only by their appearance or equipment level but also by their total cost: purchase, financing, taxes, maintenance, insurance, storage, fuel, and resale value.

Three ways to access vanlife

Option	For whom?	What changes in the budget
Roadloft camper conversion kit for minivan, hatchback, or pickup	For those who want to use their everyday vehicle and experience road trips without buying a second vehicle.	Very low entry cost compared to an RV. Few or no new storage, insurance, or financing fees associated with an additional vehicle.
ProMaster + Roadloft kit	For those who want an evolving turnkey solution with more space, a real van format, and more storage.	A larger investment than a compact kit, but generally much lower than the price of a new Class B RV.
New Class B RV	For those who want a highly equipped vehicle from the start.	High acquisition cost, often significant financing, more specialized maintenance, and heavier recurring expenses.

The choice is therefore not just a matter of comfort. It's also a matter of the ratio between the amount invested and the number of trips actually possible.

Acquisition cost: the gap begins at purchase

A new Class B RV can easily reach a very high budget. Examples listed in the Roadloft ProMaster guide place several models between approximately $170,000 and $365,000 CAD depending on the brand, chassis, and options. Even models considered more accessible often exceed $160,000 CAD before taxes, registration, and insurance.

In contrast, the Roadloft formula allows you to start lower. With a new or used ProMaster and a modular conversion kit, the estimated total budget is generally in a much lower range than that of a new Class B RV.

Scenario	Estimated cost before taxes	Main difference
New Class B RV	$190,000 to $350,000 CAD	Turnkey solution, but significant purchase cost.
New ProMaster + Roadloft kit	From $110,000 CAD	Less than half the price of many new Class B RVs.
Used ProMaster + Roadloft kit	$45,000 to $100,000 CAD	Very significant potential savings if the vehicle is well chosen.
Roadloft kit in an already owned vehicle	From $1795 depending on the camper kit and accessories	No second vehicle to finance, insure, or store.

In the case of the Roadloft ProMaster, the acquisition savings can easily exceed $100,000 and reach up to $250,000, depending on the RV compared, the chosen vehicle, and the equipment level. This is what makes this formula attractive: you get a true converted and fitted van space without incurring the same expense category as a new Class B RV.

When financing amplifies the gap

The listed price is only part of the story. When an RV is financed over several years, interest significantly increases the true cost of the project.

In the original Roadloft simulation, the chosen scenario for the RV was based on a budget of $160,000 before taxes, financed over 7 years at a rate of 7.25%, with taxes paid in cash. At this rate, a $160,000 financing over 84 months represents an approximate monthly payment of $2,434, totaling over $204,000 in payments over the loan term, even before accounting for insurance, maintenance, storage, fuel, and depreciation.

Item	Simulated Class B RV Scenario
Financed price before taxes	$160,000
Rate used	7.25%
Duration	84 months / 7 years
Approximate monthly payment	$2,434 / month
Approximate total payments	$204,492 over 7 years
QC Taxes paid cash	Approximately $23,960 on $160,000

Recurring expenses: the true cost of an RV doesn't stop at the purchase

A Class B RV is both a motor vehicle and a small mobile dwelling. This combination offers comfort but also entails more systems to maintain: mechanics, tires, brakes, batteries, plumbing, heating, ventilation, appliances, propane, or electricity. Not to mention specialized inspections and repairs in case of breakdowns. The more complex the systems, the more exorbitant the repair costs can be.

The Roadloft difference lies here: a removable or modular kit does not affect the bodywork, its lightness does not require modification of the engine or transmission, and its simplified systems avoid the mechanical complexity of a complete RV. Each component can be maintained, replaced, or upgraded more simply, and the vehicle retains a more versatile purpose.

Expense item	Class B RV	ProMaster Roadloft	Roadloft Kit
Mechanical maintenance	Original simulation: $2,000 / year for oil changes, tires, brakes and normal wear and tear.	ProMaster maintenance expected, but fewer integrated RV systems if the conversion remains modular.	Normal maintenance of the already owned vehicle; the kit itself has no engine or transmission.
Insurance	Mandatory RV insurance; amount varies greatly depending on the value, use, and driver profile. Public estimates often range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per year.	Car/van insurance to be validated with the insurer depending on the vehicle's layout.	While often integrated into the existing vehicle context, accessories and content must still be declared or adequately protected. This refers to equipment insurance, not additional car insurance.
Storage	May require paid space if the RV cannot stay at home. Examples observed : around $1,040 to $1,150 / year for some sizes, or around $145 / month depending on the provider and region.	If converted to 4-season, the ProMaster can be used year-round. No storage needed. Storage is required if the vehicle is seasonal.	Very little impact: the kit can be removed and stored; the vehicle remains usable every day.
Fuel	Original simulation: 15 L / 100 km for the RV, at $1.50 / L.	The Roadloft conversion focuses on a light design that does not affect fuel consumption.	Original simulation: 7.5 L / 100 km for the minivan or SUV, at $1.50 / L.
Depreciation	Original simulation: 50% depreciation after 7 years.	Vehicle depreciation + possible resale value of modules depending on condition and demand.	Very low depreciation on the kit, even after more than 5 years of use. The vehicle's depreciation depends on usage and maintenance.
Complexity	More integrated systems, therefore more potential points of failure.	Scalable modules: only add what you need. Systems are simplified to reduce the risk of breakdowns.	Simple, removable and quick to use solution.

7-year simulation: the striking figure

The original simulation compared the annual net cost of a Class B RV to that of a Roadloft kit installed in an already owned vehicle. It took into account financing, maintenance, depreciation, fuel, and resale value.

Scenario	Estimated annual net cost	Net cost over 7 years	Ratio compared to RV
Class B RV	$23,682 / year	$165,774	100%
Roadloft camper kit with accessories	$511 / year	$3,577	Approximately 2.16% of the RV cost
Roadloft camper kit without accessories	$282 / year	$1,974	Approximately 1.19% of the RV cost

This is why the phrase "van life at 1 or 2% of the cost" remains powerful for Roadloft kits installed in a vehicle the customer already owns. We're not just comparing two purchase prices; we're comparing two lifestyles: one with a specialized recreational vehicle to finance and maintain, the other with a daily driver transformed into an adventure vehicle.

And what about the Roadloft ProMaster in all this?

The Roadloft ProMaster should not be presented as a solution at 1 or 2% of the cost, as it involves buying or using a van. Instead, it should be positioned as an intermediate solution: more expensive than a compact kit, but much less costly than a new Class B RV.

It's the ideal option for travelers who want standing space, a more complete kitchen, large storage, and a real camper van feel, while avoiding the price and complexity of a traditional conversion.

What the client is looking for	Most logical Roadloft solution	Why
Start at the lowest possible cost	Minivan or pickup conversion kit	Uses the existing vehicle; very low additional cost compared to an RV.
More space and a true van format	ProMaster Roadloft	Lower cost than a new Class B, but more space and storage than a compact vehicle.
Everything integrated from the purchase, without choosing the modules	Class B RV	Turnkey comfort, but much higher entry price and recurring costs.

With the ProMaster, Roadloft also allows for a phased approach. The customer can choose modules that match their budget and travel style: bench-bed, garage-bed, sink module, burner module, cabinets, ceiling, floor, wall finish, electrical system, ventilation, insulation, or accessories. No forced options, no imposed luxury packages: only what is truly useful.

What the savings truly enable you to do

The savings realized are not abstract. A difference of $100,000 to $250,000 can fund years of travel: gas, ferries, campsites, national parks, restaurants, activities, shows, museums, outdoor equipment, extra days off, and roadside contingencies.

This is where the Roadloft approach changes perspective. Instead of putting almost all the budget into the vehicle, a larger portion of the budget is kept to experience the adventure itself.

Our customers who have switched from an RV to a Roadloft kit often tell us: they go out more, improvise more easily, choose simpler locations, spend less on fixed costs, and feel less restricted once they return home.

Conclusion: the best camper is the one that gets you going

The real question isn't just, "Which vehicle offers the most equipment?" The real question is rather: "Which solution will allow me to truly travel, often, for a long time, and without feeling trapped by my payments?"

For some, the answer will be a removable kit in a minivan or a pickup. For others, it will be a more spacious and complete Roadloft ProMaster. In both cases, the idea remains the same: make van life simpler, more accessible, and more aligned with the true reason for leaving - enjoying the journey.

Choosing Roadloft means choosing more travel, more freedom, and more budget for what truly matters.

Ready to start your Roadloft project?

Whether you dream of a compact kit for your everyday vehicle or a custom-fitted ProMaster, the Roadloft team can help you compare options, estimate the total cost of your project, and choose the solution best suited to your way of traveling. Freedom on the road rarely starts with the biggest investment. It often begins with a simpler decision: choosing a solution that makes you want to leave, again and again.

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