Outside Van Delivers on Performance With its Class B Vans

Since its founding in 1999, Portland, Oregon-based Outside Van has been building top-of-the-line Class B vans targeting outdoor adventurers. The company is building five new models on converted Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis at its two manufacturing facilities. The newest model is the Overnight, which features a 144 chassis, drives four, sleeps four and has a pop top.

A popular model is the Parks, which debuted at the Tampa RV show earlier this year. Matt Clemo, director of sales and business development, describes it as a huge success, due to the inclusion of a full luxury bathroom in the rear of the van.

“We always try to check as many boxes as we can when we are designing these vans,” Clemo says. “The one thing we kept hearing was, can you build a van with a very nice bathroom, not like a tiny closet, but a full bathroom? We did that with the Parks model, and it has been quite a hit.”

Also, in response to customer demand, Outdoor Van added the Parks Ranger version, which has a different trim, larger tires and suspension, a larger power system and more lighting.

“It is just a very well-built, cutting-edge, high-tech van,” he says. “We made sure that we were keeping in line with our clean lines and our finishes that we are known for.”

All of the company’s vans are engineered with a robust chassis specification from Mercedes and a strong infrastructure system, according to Clemo.

“Anywhere there is an attached component, anywhere on our vans, we attach our own 14-gauge galvanized steel infrastructure package, so everything that is bolted, that is a component, goes into that infrastructure package,” he explains. “It is aircraft-riveted into the metal. This means the van is really strong. What it also does is make them quiet. That difference is something you cannot see, because it is behind the walls. You can feel it when you drive one of our vans. We build our vans to go off-grid. You can get out and go where everyone else isn’t. The suspension system can tolerate all of those different terrains. Then when you get back on pavement, that van is very quiet.”

Outside Van builds its vehicles using premium materials throughout. This includes using PUR (polyurethane reactive adhesive) glue to prevent tearaway. No fiberglass, molded plastic or silicone is used in the construction. All of this is aimed at ensuring safe off-grid adventures.

“When you go to buy an Outside Van, whether it is custom from the factory, or from a dealer lot in any corner of the U.S., it is the same build quality,” Clemo says. “The RV has to pass RVIA [RV Industry Association] standards — fire, electrical, counter height, things of that nature. We try to design and engineer our vans to look more like a custom van, while still being in compliance with RVIA.”

Embracing a New Demographic

Class B vans are not inexpensive, so owners expect performance. Clemo says Outside Van has built its reputation on delivering just that.

“If you are going to spend a quarter of a million dollars on a van, it better perform,” he says. “It better not fall apart. You better have a company that is on the spot when it comes to service questions. We answer the phone, and we get you with service.”

Outside Van management fondly refers to its customers as “Outsiders.” The company focuses on providing a great experience after the sale to its Outsiders.

“That is one of the things we pride ourselves on, and frankly, it is the reason we are still here,” Clemo says. “We have been around since 1999, building vans, learning and trying to get better. Right now, we feel that we have hit our stride.”

One thing that has changed is customer demographics, especially over the past five years. Pre-COVID-19, Outside Van’s typical customer was 60 to 65 years old. They were retirees, ready to see the country, and visit national and state parks.

COVID-19 changed everything. During the pandemic, the customer base was broad. The company couldn’t keep enough vans in stock.

Now, the demographic ranges from people in their 40s up to their mid-60s. The market has grown to include a younger generation. A primary driver is the ability of vans to go off-grid.

“The technology in our vans is aligned with that generation, being able to use features of the van with an app, for example, turning lights on and off or putting your awning out, checking your water tank monitor,” Clemo says.

Multiple Streams of Revenue

Custom van construction accounts for about 20% of Outside Van’s business. Building a custom van takes four to six months after the design, colors and layout are chosen. That requires some patience on the part of the buyer. Many want something right away, so that keeps the model business thriving.

“All of our vans are priced the same at any location, and people can get them right away,” Clemo says. “After purchase, the van can be tweaked. It can be sent to the factory for upfits to be done.”

A major revenue stream for Outside Vans is its upfitting business. Upfits can range from $5,000 to $85,000. Owners often want to add features such as a new galley or an upgrade to the power system.

“That is a big part of our business,” Clemo says. “If we are not selling vans, we are doing upfits, performing services or selling bolt-on products. The revenue stream is coming from multiple sources.

“People are cautious right now. The things going on with the world definitely affect the number of purchases of big-ticket purchases. We are building new models in cadence with demand.”

Outside Van has dealers across the U.S. Thirty-seven of them are part of the Campers Inn network in the Northeast, Southwest and South. The company also has three dealers in Texas, in San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston. Dealers are also located in Washington, Oregon and California. Service centers are located in Utah and Colorado. Clemo says that’s as many dealers as the company needs, calling it a “perfect spread” of dealerships.

Outside Van displays its models at the Overland Expos held in the Northwest, Colorado, California and Arizona. These shows attract serious buyers.

“They want to see what is hot and fresh,” he says. “We have very well-informed customers, and our booth is packed from morning to night. We do as many of those shows as we can.”

Promising Partnerships

Fox Factory Holdings, a specialist in off-road racing suspension components, bought Outside Van in 2021. It has been a beneficial deal, Clemo says. The company will debut Fox Factory’s limited-edition performance shocks at shows this summer. “We are lucky to be able to be among the first to get the new performance series shocks, which is a game changer. It is like riding on a cloud,” he says.

Clemo says Fox has been “hands off” in its relationship. The companies they acquire are generally best in class.

“They say, you guys know what you are doing. How can we help you? It is an open line of communication. Having a billion-dollar company backing you is a very comfortable feeling,” Clemo says. “It means we can try things smaller companies might not be able to do, such as try new product lines.”

The chassis Outside Van uses are built at the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter factory in Ladson, South Carolina. Outside Van orders them as cargo vans with a front window and side windows for the driver and passenger. That’s it.

“We add a ridiculous amount of safety features, and the RV bundle, the digital cameras, the heated leather seats, the 10.25-inch screen,” Clemo says. “We build them out in Portland and cut all our own roof penetrations for fans, AC, windows. We drop our own floors, we CNC everything that goes into that van. All the metal products are made in-house, as well as all the upholstery, cabinetry and wiring. The only thing we purchase are the AC units.”

Outside Van makes its own wheels, bumpers, crossbars and roof racks. Everything is made in the U.S.

“Everything we put on there has a good reason to be on a van,” Clemo says. “We don’t put anything on there just to be flashy. It all has a purpose. If you want to add things, you can, but our vans can be driven off the lot and into nature.”

Clemo says Outside Van has a flexible operation and constantly adapts to market conditions. He sees 2026 as shaping up to be a good year. This year has been challenging, with many in the industry stacking up inventory. Everyone is looking for a deal, and for the first time, Outside Van has offered an incentive in the form of a $12,000 rebate direct to the customer once they buy the van.

“We are excited with where we are headed. I think you are going to see some really amazing new endeavors, different things that no one else is thinking about,” Clemo says. “We promote van-life. We want it to continue. We hope people will put down their phones and tablets and get in an Outside Van and go. There are a lot of wonderful places in this country to see. Get out and do it.”