[conversionvanz]

It's been awhile since I last posted about the conversion vans heading to dealers lots. Well, they have arrived and are ready for delivery. Before I post a link, I want to be clear on what my intentions are. Over three years ago I wrote a blog about the rebirth of the conversion van market, http://conversionsforsale.blogspot.com/2012/03/rebirth-of-conversion-market.html

My focus over the past four years, and for the conceivable future is on increasing the awareness of the specialty vehicle market. Whether it is on increasing the awareness of the new lifted truck market, or on pushing the now revitalized conversion van market. My positioning is as a resource for consumers, and whatever make/model vehicle or brand upfitter you prefer is entirely up to you. My focus is on getting the products on to the consumers radar for purchasing consideration. With these new van platforms, both Transit and Promaster, there's a huge challenge of increasing the consumer awareness of them. At the peak of the conversion van market there were almost 200 van upfitters. In recent years, the remaining conversion van upfitters which there were approx only 10 left, have switched to focusing on the new lifted truck upfitting. Currently, there's only a handful of conversion van upfitters left.

Check out the new Transit Conversion Vans for sale at: ConversionsForSale.com

 

[jjr8228]

Hey,

Just based on your personal opinion, how would you rate the van converters - any one to stay away from?

It would be awesome if one of them included the dual-sliding doors in 2016.

Thanks!

 

[conversionvanz]

jjr8228- thank you for your question

There's no bad conversion van upfitters in the market, and again where only talking a handful of upfitters remaining. The upfitters are in alphabetic order:
Explorer Vans
Majestic Vans
Sherrod Vans
Waldoch

There are other upfitters that do van conversions, however they are primarily focused on the executive / higher end part of the conversion van spectrum. The above listed are those who are focused more on the everyday consumer market. I'm partial to the Explorer Van upfit company because while other upfitters have closed, or added and/or switched to different product line (e.g. new lifted trucks). Explorer vans has stayed true to their one and only core product, conversion vans. It's clear that they have the philosophy of, "Do one thing, and do it well!"

I've been closely watching the conversion van market as well as the new lifted truck market for the past four years. The Ram Promaster and Ford Transit platforms are, IMO the lifeline the conversion van market desperately needs. With Southern Comfort, Rocky Ridge, and American Luxury Coach switching over to the new lifted truck market products the last four years, and out of the conversion van market. The conversion van market, has literately been on life support, and there's only one thing that creates and sustains a market, that is demand. As I stated previously in my first post, there's a huge hill to climb for the remaining van upfitters, however for the remaining upfitters. There's tremendous opportunity to totally dominate the market with their products, and I firmly believe that Explorer is the company that is going to seize the opportunity. To give those not familiar with the conversion van markets history a visual of the market devastation, take a look at the attached photo.

 

[conversionvanz]

Here's a promo video for the Transit Explorer Conversion Van. It gives you an idea of the size of the Transit conversion van.

https://youtu.be/TPpGQzYlVOQ

 

[jjr8228]

Awesome - Explorer Vans does make a sliding door version!

 

[ted]

I can see these becoming really popular to rent and bet rental companies are already looking into them if they haven't already!

I don't know about you guys but when I go on road trips I see A LOT of rental RV's, campers and explorer vans.

 

[mykeytea]

Good timing. I saw two Transit explorers in the last couple of days. They were both dealer vehicles. Our family is thinking of upgrading from our present minivan. Do you have any good resources for what a buyer should look for? I have a deep-rooted need to learn everything I can beforehand. This would be our first conversion.

 

[ted]

Good timing. I saw two Transit explorers in the last couple of days. They were both dealer vehicles. Our family is thinking of upgrading from our present minivan. Do you have any good resources for what a buyer should look for? I have a deep-rooted need to learn everything I can beforehand. This would be our first conversion.

One thing I would start with is with what ever information the dealer has and then seeing what else you can find online through google searches.