Papago Vans
Configurator spec · Internal

Prepared for ownership · Papago Vans

Everything a van
can be sold with.

Sixteen subsystems, each laid out as a good, better and best ladder. This is the taxonomy the configurator needs and, not coincidentally, the same document that defines what Papago Collection actually is. It deliberately contains no prices, because the options are industry-typical and the prices are Papago's.

What has to be added to every single line before any of this becomes a configurator. Four numbers, and only Papago can supply them.
Price
What the option adds to the build, at the price we would actually honour.
Weight
In pounds. This is the one nobody tracks, and it is what lets the tool stop a buyer configuring a van that is over its payload.
Build hours
What it adds to the shop clock, which is what turns a configuration into a delivery date.
Papago Collection eligible
Yes or no. Anything that cannot be pre-engineered and stocked belongs to Papago Custom, and saying so is how the two lines stay distinct.
Subsystems marked heavy are the ones that move payload materially. Water is roughly 8.3 pounds a gallon, so a 40-gallon tank is 330 pounds full before anything else is loaded. Lithium, roof air, suspension and exterior armour are the other big contributors, and they are exactly the options a buyer ticking "best" everywhere will select.

Base vehicle

Weight critical

Chosen first, because it caps everything below it. Payload and length constrain every later choice.

ItemGoodBetterBest
PlatformRAM ProMaster 159Ford Transit 148 high roofMercedes Sprinter 170 / 170 EXT
DrivetrainFront or rear wheel driveAWDAWD with 3500 / dual rear wheel
Chassis rating1500 / 2500 class2500 high payload3500 / 3500XD for heavy builds
SourceCustomer supplies their own vanPapago sources new from dealer partnersPapago sources and holds in stock, which the twelve-week promise depends on
ConditionUsed, low mileageNew, base trimNew, with factory options: adaptive cruise, heated seats, upgraded audio

Insulation and climate envelope

Invisible, unglamorous, and the thing that decides whether the van is usable in January or August.

ItemGoodBetterBest
InsulationCavity fill, walls and ceilingFull thermal break, floor includedArctic package: maximum R-value, thermal bridging addressed throughout
Window treatmentReflective insertsMagnetic blackout coversDouble-glazed or insulated acrylic windows
Sound deadeningHigh-traffic panels onlyFull wall and floor treatmentFull treatment plus wheel arch and door skins
Vapour and moistureStandard barrierBarrier plus condensation managementFull moisture strategy with ventilation integration

Electrical

Weight critical

The largest single price and weight variable in the build, and where most buyers over-spec.

ItemGoodBetterBest
House battery200Ah AGM400Ah lithium600 to 800Ah lithium, heated for sub-freezing
Solar200W400W600W or more, with high-efficiency panels
Charge controllerPWM or 30A MPPT40A MPPT60A MPPT, app-monitored
Inverter2000W2500W3000W with integrated charger and transfer switch
Alternator charging30A DC-to-DC50A DC-to-DCDual or high-output alternator system
Shore power15A inlet30A inlet30A with automatic transfer and surge protection
MonitoringBasic battery meterShunt with displayFull system monitoring with phone app and remote alerts
OutletsTwo 120V, two USBFour 120V, USB-C throughoutCircuit-level control, dedicated circuits for office and galley
GeneratorNoneNone, larger battery insteadOptional underslung or portable, rarely recommended

Heating

Weight critical

Diesel parking heaters are the category standard. Hydronic systems do heat and hot water from one unit.

ItemGoodBetterBest
Air heating2kW diesel air heaterEspar or Webasto 2kW, quieter and better supportedEspar or Webasto 5kW for cold-climate builds
HydronicNot fittedNot fittedHydronic system providing cabin heat, floor heat and domestic hot water from one unit
Floor heatingNoneNoneHeated floor zones
Fuel sourceDraws from vehicle tankSupplemental tankSupplemental tank with gauge and cold-weather fuel handling

Cooling and ventilation

Weight critical

Twelve-volt roof air is the 2026 shift, because large lithium banks can finally run it off-grid.

ItemGoodBetterBest
CoolingRoof fan onlyEvaporative cooler12V rooftop air conditioning, off-grid capable
VentilationSingle roof fanRoof fan plus opening windowsDual fans, cross-flow designed, plus roof hatch
Fan controlManualThermostaticThermostatic with rain sensor and remote
Insect protectionSlider screenSlider and rear door screensFull screen package including cab

Water

Weight critical

Capacity is the hard ceiling on off-grid time, and solar cannot make water.

ItemGoodBetterBest
Fresh water7 to 15 gallons23 to 33 gallons40 gallons or more, insulated and heated
Grey waterPortable toteFixed grey tankFixed, insulated and heated grey tank
Water heatingNoneTankless electricDiesel or hydronic hot water, on demand
Pump and plumbing12V pumpVariable-speed pump with accumulatorPressurised system with winterising drain-down
FiltrationInline sedimentCarbon and sedimentMulti-stage with UV
Exterior showerNoneExterior spray portHeated exterior shower with enclosure

Bathroom

The single biggest layout decision after the bed, and the one most likely to be regretted either way.

ItemGoodBetterBest
ToiletNoneCassette or portableComposting toilet, or plumbed cassette with exterior service
ShowerNone, exterior onlyWet bath with curtainTiled wet bath with door and proper drainage
VentilationShared cabin fanDedicated extractionDedicated extraction with humidity sensing
FinishSealed panelComposite wall panelTile, stone or premium composite

Galley

Weight critical

Where the good-better-best ladder is most legible to a buyer, and where brand preference is strongest.

ItemGoodBetterBest
Refrigeration3 cu ft 12V compressor5 cu ft, drawer or uprightLarge drawer fridge plus separate freezer
CooktopSingle inductionDual inductionDiesel cooktop, or dual induction with induction-ready cookware
OvenNoneCountertop convectionBuilt-in convection microwave or oven
SinkCompact stainlessDeep single basin with coverUndermount with integrated drainboard and filtered tap
CounterLaminateSolid surface or butcher blockStone, composite or bespoke hardwood
StorageFixed shelvingSoft-close drawersFull drawer bank with dividers and spice and knife storage

Sleeping and seating

Seat count is a certification question, not a comfort one. Belted seats must be properly rated.

ItemGoodBetterBest
BedConvertible, made up nightlyFixed platform bedPower lift bed over a garage, or fixed queen
MattressStandard foamMulti-zone foamHybrid or custom-cut premium
Cab seatsFactorySingle swivelDual swivel with upgraded upholstery
Belted seatingTwo, cab onlyBench seating for two, certifiedBench seating for three or four, certified
DinetteNoneRemovable tableFixed or lagun-arm table with storage

Storage and gear

The subsystem that varies most by sport, and the one buyers under-specify most often.

ItemGoodBetterBest
GarageUnder-bed open spaceFixed-height garage with access doorsAdjustable garage with slide-out trays
Gear mountingBasic tie-downsL-track on one wallFull L-track system with sport-specific mounts
BikesExternal rackInterior fork mountsInterior bike garage with wash-down and drain
Ski and boardExternalInterior rackHeated and ventilated gear locker for wet kit
Wet lockerNoneVentilated cupboardHeated, drained and ventilated wet locker

Entertainment and connectivity

Increasingly the difference between a holiday van and one somebody can work from.

ItemGoodBetterBest
ScreenNone24 inch, fixed32 inch on an articulating arm, plus exterior mount
AudioFactory cab systemUpgraded cab plus cabin speakersFull cabin audio with exterior speakers
InternetCellular hotspotCellular booster with roof antennaSatellite internet with a dedicated circuit and roof mount
Router and networkNone12V routerManaged network with failover between cellular and satellite
WorkspaceNoneRemovable deskFixed swivel desk with monitor mount and dedicated power

Exterior

Weight critical

High visual impact, moderate cost, and a frequent source of unbudgeted weight.

ItemGoodBetterBest
AwningNoneManual cassette awningElectric awning with LED lighting and wind sensor
Roof rackNoneLow-profile railsFull roof deck with ladder and mounting points
Rear carrierNoneSpare tyre carrierSpare tyre plus gear box or ladder combination
LightingFactoryAwning and scene lightsFull exterior scene lighting with dimming
ProtectionNoneRock slidersSliders, bumpers and skid plates
GraphicsPlainSubtle badgingFull wrap or custom paint

Drivetrain and suspension

Weight critical

Almost always outsourced to a specialist. Costs and lead times belong to someone else's calendar.

ItemGoodBetterBest
SuspensionFactoryUpgraded springs and dampersFull long-travel or air-assist system
LiftNoneModest liftLift with corrected geometry
TyresFactory highwayAll-terrainAggressive all-terrain or mud, with spare
WheelsFactoryAftermarket alloyBeadlock-style or heavy-duty
TractionNoneRecovery boardsBoards, winch mount and recovery kit

Safety and compliance

Mostly not optional. Listed so the configurator can show what is included rather than letting a buyer think it is an upsell.

ItemGoodBetterBest
CertificationRVIA certifiedRVIA certifiedRVIA certified
DetectionSmoke, CO and LP detectorsSame, with remote alertingSame, integrated into system monitoring
FireExtinguisherExtinguisher plus suppression in the electrical bayFull suppression
SecurityFactory locksDeadbolts and window locksAlarm, tracking and reinforced entry points
CamerasFactory reversing cameraReversing plus side camerasFull surround view with recording

Finishes

Where the money goes least efficiently and the photographs come out best. Buyers deliberate here most and regret here least.

ItemGoodBetterBest
CabinetryLaminate facedVeneer with hardwood edgingSolid hardwood or bespoke composite
FlooringVinyl plankCork or premium vinylEngineered hardwood or bespoke
UpholsteryDurable fabricPerformance fabric or vinylLeather or technical performance textile
Walls and ceilingPanelShiplap or slatted timberBespoke panelling or acoustic treatment
HardwareStandardUpgraded latches and pullsDesigner hardware throughout
ColourChoice of three schemesChoice of six schemesBespoke palette

Pets

Crucial to somewhere between 43 and 49% of RV buyers, and almost never configurable anywhere.

ItemGoodBetterBest
SleepingFloor spaceBuilt-in crate or denClimate-monitored den with tie-down
FeedingPortable bowlsFixed bowl stationStation with water reservoir and drain
TemperatureNoneCabin temperature alert to phoneMonitoring with automatic fan and heater response
AccessStandard stepFold-out stepRamp with storage
CleaningNoneExterior rinse portHeated wash-down with drain

Every configurator ever built exists to sell more options. Ours should be the one that tells you when to stop.

The payload rule

Next

How to turn this into a working spec

The order to do it in

  • Cut the list down firstThis is the industry's full menu, not Papago's. Strike anything we would not build, and anything we would build only once. A shorter list is a better product.
  • Mark Papago Collection eligibility before pricingIt is the cheapest column to fill and it removes maybe half the rows from the Papago Collection configurator immediately.
  • Weigh things while the shop is buildingWeight is the hardest column to retrofit and the easiest to capture as you go. A set of scales and a habit is all it takes.
  • Price last, from job costsPricing an option before knowing its real labour hours is how a configurator ends up selling work at a loss.

What this list is and is not

  • Industry-typical, not Papago's catalogueDrawn from what builders across this category currently offer, plus Papago's own published tier specifications. Treat it as the menu to choose from.
  • Deliberately brand-freeNamed brands date quickly and tie the spec to suppliers that may change. The ladder is about capability, and Papago's purchasing decides the badge.
  • Not a pricing documentNothing here carries a number. Any number I invented would find its way into a quote eventually, which is exactly how the three conflicting price lists happened.
  • The Papago Collection spec in disguiseOnce the eligibility column is filled in and the list is cut, this document is the product definition. That is the real reason to do it.
One structural warning about good-better-best. Buyers do not choose evenly across a ladder, they anchor on the middle and then upgrade the two or three subsystems they personally care about. A skier upgrades heating and the wet locker and takes basic everything else. That is fine, and it is why the ladder should be per subsystem rather than three bundled packages. Bundles are easier to build and worse to buy, because everyone ends up paying for the one thing in the tier they did not want.