Anyone who went into the woods this summer can attest to one thing: camper vans are gaining popularity. A source of transportation relegated to hippies and indie bands only a decade ago is now more likely driven by a retired couple than by a group of dirty-haired rock climbers.

One reason for this demographic shift might be just how fancy camper vans have gotten in recent years. Van brands like Mercedes now team up with “expert up-fitters” to

convert

their cargo vans into $90,000+ modern mobile homes.

If you’re thinking of (literally) jumping on the bandwagon but you want to bring the price down, you might be thinking of doing the conversion yourself. But which model should you choose? Well, it depends on where you plan to go.

Potential camper vans built for the road

For many campers, a camping vehicle is for getting to the woods—not driving into them. Their camper vans are left at the easily accessible campsite, and their bikes, boots, and kayaks take it from there.

For this crew, efficient use of fuel and space is more important than ground clearance. Depending on how long you plan to travel, how many people you plan to bring along, and the amenities you hope to fit inside, prices for a conversion-ready van can range from $30,000 to $40,000.

HICONSUMPTION

says the Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter lead the market, but Ram’s Promaster and Nissan’s NV are “under-the-radar” options that can perform just as well or better and start nearly $10,000 cheaper than their more popular competitors.

If you like the idea of the Sprinter, but you don’t need that much space and don’t have that kind of cash, Mercedes’ Metris van can make for a great camper and will save you fuel money with its lower center of gravity and lighter body.

MORE: State-of-the-Art Camper Might Be Nicer Than a House

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Campers ready for rougher terrain

All the models listed above have optional AWD drivetrains, and many conversion kits include a switch to 4x4, paired with the needed suspension and tire upgrades. But are these vans really built for climbing mountains?

The short answer is “no.” The extra height these cargo vans offer also means a higher center of gravity and a greater risk of tipping on trails. Adding AWD might help you out of a snow patch, but real for real off-roading, you’ll want to go a different route.

Classic camper vans like the

Volkswagen

Westfalia and Mitsubishi Delica have a better chance of staying upright while climbing over boulders. They’re both great options, especially if you plan to spend most of your time outside.

If you want more of a house-on-wheels experience and money isn’t an issue, a converted Mercedes Unimog will get you, your kitchen, and your bed anywhere in the world.

Motor1

says they’re used as support vehicles in the Dakar Rally. That’s as good an endorsement as any.

Finding car insurance for your converted camper van

MORE: Car Modifications that are Illegal in the U.S.

Car insurance

for a cargo van is relatively cheap, but don’t let that fool you. Any modifications you make to your vehicle need to be reported to your provider, and with each add-on and upgrade, your rates will rise.

If you want to save money on car insurance, the

Jerry

app is a good place to start. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding the cheapest quotes from the top name-brand insurance providers and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.

And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.

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