# The van life blog > Guides from Beachside Custom Vans on Sprinter, Transit and ProMaster conversions, build costs, timelines, off-grid electrical systems and van life in Florida. Page: https://beachsidecustomvans.com/blog/ (updated 2026-10-26) Build guides, platform comparisons, costs, timelines and van life in Florida, from the Beachside shop. ## Articles - [Buying a Camper Van From Out of State: How It Works With Beachside](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/buying-a-camper-van-out-of-state/): How out-of-state buyers buy a Beachside camper van: video walkthroughs, financing, pickup near Jacksonville or delivery, title and tax, and warranty. - [Sprinter 144 or 170: Choosing the Right Length for Your Camper Van](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/sprinter-144-vs-170-camper-van/): Sprinter 144 or 170 for a camper van? Factory lengths, turning circles, beds, bathrooms and battery size, compared by a Jacksonville builder of both. - [Camper Vans With a Bathroom: What to Know Before You Buy](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/camper-van-bathroom-guide/): Compare shower and toilet choices, privacy, layout tradeoffs and daily routines before buying a camper van with a bathroom. See how the Oasis is configured. - [Camper Van vs. Class B RV vs. Motorhome: Which Is Right for Retirement Travel?](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/camper-van-vs-rv-retirement-travel/): Deciding between a camper van and a larger RV for retirement travel? Compare driving, space, bathrooms, off-grid power and cost from a Florida van builder. - [The Oasis 2.0: A Look Inside Our Flagship Luxury Adventure Van](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/oasis-2-0-flagship-luxury-adventure-van/): Inside the Oasis 2.0: a Sprinter 170 AWD camper van with a motorized elevator bed, indoor shower, full kitchen and 600Ah Victron power system. - [2026 Spec Models Compared: FamVan vs Baseline vs Drifter (Plus What’s New for 2027)](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/2026-spec-models-compared-famvan-baseline-drifter/): How our 2026 FamVan, Baseline and Drifter spec vans compare, plus how the 2027 Drifter, Oasis and Gamer Van lineup replaces them. Specs and who each fits. - [Drifter: Inside Our Compact Adventure Van Model](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/the-drifter-inside-our-compact-adventure-van-model/): Go inside the Drifter, our compact Sprinter 144 adventure van with Victron power, a full kitchen, four-season climate control, and clever hidden storage. - [Essential Air Conditioning Solutions for Van Conversions: Staying Cool in Summer 2026](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/essential-air-conditioning-solutions-for-van-conversions-staying-cool-in-summer-2026/): Compare camper van cooling options, from ventilation fans to 12V DC air conditioners, and what each needs from your battery and solar system in Florida heat. - [Van Life Safety: Essential Gear and Tips for Safe Summer Travel in 2026](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/van-life-safety-essential-gear-and-tips-for-safe-summer-travel-in-2026/): The safety gear every camper van should carry, plus practical travel habits for staying safe on the road, at camp and in hot summer weather. - [Van Conversion Layouts: Which Floor Plan is Right for You?](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/van-conversion-layouts-which-floor-plan-is-right-for-you/): Compare popular camper van layouts, bed configurations and bathroom options to find the floor plan that fits how you actually travel. - [Summer Van Life: Essential Tips for Hot Weather Van Travel in 2026](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/summer-van-life-essential-tips-for-hot-weather-van-travel-in-2026/): How to prepare a camper van for summer heat: cooling systems, window coverings, power planning and health tips from a Florida van builder. - [ProMaster Van Conversion: The Budget-Friendly Build Option](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/promaster-van-conversion-the-budget-friendly-build-option/): Is a Ram ProMaster the right camper van platform? Its interior width, front-wheel drive, common layouts and how it compares with Sprinter and Transit. - [Ford Transit Custom Van Build: Why We Love This Platform](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/ford-transit-custom-van-build-why-we-love-this-platform/): Why the Ford Transit is a strong camper van platform: drivability, AWD options, service network, and how it compares with the Sprinter and ProMaster. - [How Long Does a Van Conversion Take? Real Timelines from Our Shop](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/how-long-does-a-van-conversion-take-real-timelines-from-our-shop/): Realistic camper van build timelines for professional builds and DIY projects, what affects the schedule, and how spec models shorten the wait. - [Van Life in Florida: A Local’s Guide to Living the Van Life](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/van-life-in-florida-a-locals-guide-to-living-the-van-life/): Where to go, how to handle the heat and humidity, parking and camping rules, and what a Florida camper van needs, from a Jacksonville van builder. - [Best Camper Vans for Sale in Florida: Ready-to-Go Builds](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/best-camper-vans-for-sale-in-florida-ready-to-go-builds/): What to look for in a ready-to-go camper van in Florida, and why a proven spec build can get you on the road faster than a one-off custom van. - [Sprinter Van Conversion Cost in Florida: 2026 Price Breakdown](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/sprinter-van-conversion-cost-in-florida-2026-price-breakdown/): What a Sprinter camper van conversion costs in Florida in 2026, what drives the price, and how to get the most value from your build budget. - [Family Van Conversion: How to Build a Camper Van for Your Family](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/family-van-conversion-how-to-build-a-camper-van-for-your-family/): How to plan a family camper van: seating, sleeping, storage and safety considerations, plus which van platform works best for traveling with kids. - [Off-Grid Van Build: Everything You Need to Know About Electrical Systems](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/off-grid-van-build-electrical-systems/): How camper van electrical systems work: lithium batteries, solar, inverters, DC-DC charging and shore power, and what off-grid capability really means. - [The Ultimate Guide to Custom Van Conversions in Florida (2026)](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/custom-van-conversion-florida-guide/): What to know before buying a custom camper van in Florida: platforms, layouts, costs, timelines and builders. From a Jacksonville shop that's been building for five years. - [Custom Camper Vans in Florida: Why Jacksonville is the Van Build Capital](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/custom-camper-vans-florida/): Discover why Jacksonville, Florida is the custom camper van capital. Learn about van platforms, build options, costs, and why Beachside Custom Vans is the top choice. - [How Much Does a Camper Van Build Cost in 2026?](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/van-build-cost-2026/): Real 2026 camper van build costs from our Jacksonville shop: chassis, electrical, kitchen, bathroom and finishes, plus how 2027 models from $140k compare. - [Sprinter vs Transit vs ProMaster: Which Van Platform is Right for You?](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/sprinter-vs-transit-vs-promaster/): Compare the Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster for a camper van: drivability, space, AWD, cost and which one fits your travel style. - [Custom Sprinter Van Builds in Jacksonville, FL](https://beachsidecustomvans.com/sprinter-van-conversion-jacksonville/): What goes into a professional Sprinter camper van build in Jacksonville, what it costs, and how to choose between a spec model and a custom van. ## On this page ### Tell the shop how you’ll use the van Who’s coming, how long the trips run and whether you’ll work on the road. The team will help you choose the right 2027 model and plan its finishes and upgrades, and shop visits in Atlantic Beach are by appointment. ## Next step - The 2027 models: Oasis from $195,000 (https://beachsidecustomvans.com/oasis/), Drifter from $140,000 (https://beachsidecustomvans.com/drifter/), Gamer Van from $195,000 (https://beachsidecustomvans.com/gamer-van/). - Vans for sale now: https://beachsidecustomvans.com/vans-for-sale/ - Contact Beachside Custom Vans: https://beachsidecustomvans.com/contact/, (954) 309-0195, alex@beachsidecustomvans.com. Shop: 1545 Main St #100, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, shop visits by appointment. ## About Beachside Custom Vans - Beachside Custom Vans: Semi-custom and fully custom Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper vans, built by hand in Atlantic Beach, Florida, since 2021. - 55+ full builds and 220+ vans worked on since 2021. - Google rating: 5.0 from 57 reviews. - Shop: 1545 Main St #100, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233. Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Shop visits by appointment.