2026 Spec Models Compared: FamVan vs Baseline vs Drifter — Which Beachside Van Is Right for You?
For years, every van that rolled out of our Jacksonville shop was a one-of-a-kind custom build. That made for some incredible rigs—but it also meant long wait times, ballooning budgets, and a lot of decision fatigue for customers who just wanted a great adventure van without designing it from scratch. So in 2026 we did something different. We took everything we’d learned from building well over 100 vans and distilled it into three dialed-in spec models: the Baseline, the Drifter, and the FamVan.
Each one is built on a proven Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform, finished with the same premium components and CNC-cut craftsmanship, and ready to order without the months-long custom design process. But they’re built for very different kinds of travelers. If you’re trying to figure out which Beachside spec van is right for you, this side-by-side comparison will walk you through the specs, the strengths, and the ideal owner for each model.
Meet the 2026 Beachside Spec Lineup
Think of our three models as a spectrum. On one end, the Baseline is a nimble, no-bloat rig for solo travelers and couples who want maximum capability in the most maneuverable package. In the middle, the Drifter packs flagship-level power and features into a compact 144 footprint. On the far end, the FamVan is our full-size flagship—a 170 Extended Sprinter built to haul a whole family and all their gear off the grid.
All three share the same DNA: a Mercedes Sprinter chassis with all-wheel drive, lithium house power, Espar diesel heat, MaxxAir ventilation, and cabinetry designed in Fusion 360 and cut on our in-house CNC router. The difference comes down to size, power capacity, sleeping arrangements, and how much van you actually need.
The Baseline: Everything You Need, Nothing You Don’t
The Baseline is the smartest way into van life. Built on the 144-inch wheelbase Sprinter with all-wheel drive, it’s compact enough to fit in a standard parking spot and easy enough to drive that it never feels like piloting a box truck. Don’t let the name fool you—”baseline” refers to the streamlined layout, not the quality. It’s built with the exact same premium components and craftsmanship as our flagship.
Inside, you’ll find a 200Ah lithium power system, a 20-gallon fresh water tank, an efficient galley kitchen with a deep sink and quality fridge, and a comfortable fixed bed for two on a platform that doubles as storage. Add in CNC-cut cabinetry, a MaxxAir fan, and an Espar diesel heater, and you’ve got a four-season rig that does everything a bigger van does—just in a tighter, more affordable package.
Best for: Solo travelers, couples, weekend warriors, and anyone who values maneuverability and simplicity. If you want to stealth-camp in a city, squeeze into tight trailheads, and keep your build budget in check, the Baseline is your van.
The Drifter: Compact Adventure, Maxed Out
The Drifter started life as a one-off custom build—and it performed so well that we made it a permanent part of the spec lineup. It lives on the same compact 144 AWD Sprinter platform as the Baseline, but it’s loaded with flagship-grade systems and clever details you won’t find on a streamlined build.
Where the Baseline keeps things lean, the Drifter goes big on power and comfort: a 400Ah Victron lithium system, a 3,000W inverter, a 30-gallon fresh water tank, and seating for four thanks to swivel front seats plus a bench. It sleeps two on a fixed bed, with thoughtful touches like drop-down cabinets, a Laveo dry-flush toilet, hidden storage, and a 360-degree camera. It’s proof that you don’t need a long-wheelbase van to live well off the grid for days at a time.
Best for: Couples and small crews who want serious off-grid capability without stepping up to a full-size van. If you want to boondock for a week, run a 12V air conditioner, work remotely, and still park anywhere, the Drifter hits the sweet spot.
The FamVan: Built for the Whole Crew
The FamVan is our flagship—and it’s built for families who don’t sit still. It rides on the 170 Extended AWD Sprinter, the longest wheelbase Mercedes offers, giving you maximum interior space for kids, gear, and everyone’s stuff. Every square inch is optimized for real family life on the road.
The FamVan sleeps four and seats four, with a full galley kitchen, a massive garage for bikes, surfboards, and strollers, and a versatile living space with swivel seats and a table that works for meals, movie nights, or remote work. Power comes from a 400Ah Victron lithium system with a 3,000W inverter, paired with a 30-gallon fresh water tank, a Velit 12V air conditioner, an Espar diesel heater, an outdoor shower, and a heavy-duty roof rack with a ladder. It’s a true home on wheels for a family of four.
Best for: Families, larger crews, and anyone who needs to sleep and seat four. If you’re traveling with kids, hauling a garage full of gear, and want a real kitchen and living space, the FamVan is built for you.
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
Here’s how the three 2026 Beachside spec models stack up at a glance:
| Feature | Baseline | Drifter | FamVan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chassis | Sprinter 144 AWD | Sprinter 144 AWD | Sprinter 170 Extended AWD |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Seats | 2 | 4 (swivel + bench) | 4 |
| House Power | 200Ah lithium | 400Ah Victron lithium | 400Ah Victron lithium |
| Inverter | Standard | 3,000W | 3,000W |
| Fresh Water | 20 gallons | 30 gallons | 30 gallons |
| Air Conditioning | Optional | 12V available | Velit 12V |
| Heat | Espar diesel | Espar diesel | Espar diesel |
| Footprint | Most compact | Compact | Full-size |
| Ideal For | Solo / couples | Couples / small crew | Families |
How to Choose: Match the Van to Your Life
The best van isn’t the biggest or the most loaded—it’s the one that fits how you actually travel. Here’s a simple way to think about it.
Choose the Baseline if you’re a solo traveler or a couple who prioritizes easy driving, city stealth, tight trailhead access, and a leaner budget. You don’t need to run an air conditioner off-grid for days, and you’d rather have a van you can park anywhere than one with every box checked.
Choose the Drifter if you’re a couple or small crew who wants flagship-level power and comfort in a compact package. You plan to boondock for days, work from the road, run a 12V AC in the Florida heat, and occasionally bring along a third or fourth passenger—but you still want a van that drives and parks like the Baseline.
Choose the FamVan if you’re traveling with kids or need to sleep and seat four. You want a full kitchen, a real living space, and a garage big enough for the whole family’s gear. The extended wheelbase gives you the room a growing family needs without sacrificing off-grid capability.
What All Three Have in Common
No matter which model you choose, you’re getting the same Beachside Custom Vans quality that’s earned us a reputation as one of the top van builders on the East Coast. Every spec van is built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with all-wheel drive, so you can chase surf, snow, and dirt roads with confidence. Every build gets lithium house power, Espar diesel heat, MaxxAir ventilation with rain sensors, and an outdoor-ready electrical system.
And every cabinet, wall panel, and ceiling panel is designed in Fusion 360 and precision-cut on our in-house CNC router. That means perfect fits, zero wasted material, and a finish that holds up to years of life on the road and Florida’s humid climate. Spec models also order faster than a fully custom build—you skip the months-long design phase and get on the road sooner, while still choosing your fit, finish, and key upgrades.
Why Spec Models Beat Starting From Scratch
A fully custom build is a beautiful thing, but it comes with trade-offs: a lengthy design phase, a higher price tag, and a lot of decisions for the customer to make. Our spec models solve that. Because we’ve already engineered the layout, sourced the components, and refined the systems across dozens of builds, you get a proven design that we can build faster and more predictably—without reinventing the wheel every time.
That doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a cookie-cutter van. With every spec model you still choose your finishes, colors, and key upgrades, so the end result feels like yours. You simply start from a foundation that’s already been road-tested by real owners. For most people, that’s the sweet spot between a generic van and a ground-up custom: the personalization you want, with the speed, value, and reliability that only comes from building the same proven platform again and again.
Ready to Build Yours?
The 2026 spec lineup represents the best of what we’ve learned in five-plus years of building adventure vans in Atlantic Beach, Florida. Whether you’re a solo surfer chasing the next swell, a couple living the full-time van life, or a family ready to hit the road together, there’s a Beachside spec van built for you.
Explore each model in depth—the Baseline, the Drifter, and the FamVan—or check out what’s currently available. When you’re ready to talk specs, upgrades, and timelines, get in touch with our team and we’ll help you match the right van to your adventures. Now accepting 2027 builds—reserve your spot and start designing your dream van today.