Best Vans for Mobile Offices
As employees, business owners, consultants, and contractors look for more flexible office alternatives, remote work continues to be a popular choice. More and more companies are ditching the traditional office environment in favor of a virtual workforce, but there's one question that remains: how can you be productive when you're not at your desk? And when it comes to working remotely, how can you make sure you're taking advantage of the freedom and flexibility?
Mobile offices are one of the most popular ways for businesses and individuals to combine the best in work and play. Here's our guide on the best vans for mobile offices.
Mobile office van conversions
Although you can convert a van on your own as a DIY build, there are a few options for having it renovated by a professional company. Although a professional builder will usually be more expensive than doing the conversion on your own, having the expertise of a third-party expert can help you avoid expensive mistakes, improve the overall fit and finish of the finished build, and ensure your van is both safe and comfortable as a mobile office.
Nest Vans is a van conversion company that specializes in converting Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans into mobile offices. If you're interested in learning more about our process or how to get started, get in touch!
Should you get a 2WD or 4WD/AWD van?
We keep our pricing simple by separating the cost of your vehicle and the cost of your buildout. This way, you can choose your base van with the color, drive system (2WD vs 4WD or AWD), safety features, and other technology you want, while each floor plan’s conversion cost stays fixed.
When you're trying to decide between a 2WD and a 4WD/AWD van, there are a few important differences to keep in mind.
Driveability
In general, 2WD vans are easier to maneuver and drive because they weigh less than a 4WD or AWD van. If you're used to driving a smaller car, then switching to a 2WD van might be easier than adjusting to a heavier 4WD/AWD option.
Fuel efficiency
Since 2WD vans are lighter in weight than 4WD/AWD vans, they usually get better mileage per gallon. Especially for people who plan to travel regularly or use their mobile office for taking road trips on the weekend, fuel efficiency might be an important factor in which kind of vehicle you choose.
Weather and driving conditions
The main reason you'd want to have an AWD/4WD van over a 2WD model is if you expect to be navigating extreme driving conditions, particularly with snow, ice, or mud. A 2WD van will be plenty if you're driving around city streets, live in a more mild climate, or only get a few inches of snow in the colder months.
Should you get a 144" or 170" wheelbase?
We build all of our mobile office van conversions on 144" Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans. We prefer the shorter 144" wheelbase over its extended 170" counterpart for a few reasons, but the major difference is day-to-day maneuverability and convenience, especially with parking.
Although a 170" will give you more circulating space inside your van, it can be more difficult to find a parking space or navigate your vehicle, especially if you live or work in a city or area with busy streets.
We've found our Sprinter van mobile offices to have plenty of room with the 144" wheelbase, with room for a queen-size sleeping area, spacious storage tower, standing desk counter, and extra-large 360-degree swivel work table.
So, what's the best van for a mobile office?
Our Series 01 mobile office van conversion is compatible with 144" Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans. Compared to alternative vehicles—like Ford Transits or Dodge Promasters—we've found that the experience of driving and spending time in a Mercedes-Benz is superior to other options.
Unless you expect to encounter severe, extreme winter driving conditions, a 2WD van should be more than capable as your mobile office.
And if you work with Nest Vans for your office van conversion, we'll help you turn a 144" wheelbase into your new favorite home base. Compact enough to park in a regular parking spot and easy to drive, 144" vans don't require the learning curve that sometimes comes with longer 170" vans.
Interested in learning more about our vans, process, or timeline for production? Get in touch, or get a quote for free using our online Van Builder tool.
See you on the road!
