Stealth camping is all about parking without raising eyebrows. The best rigs don’t look like campers at all—they blend into city streets, office parks, or grocery store lots while hiding a cozy setup inside. Choosing the right base vehicle is crucial, since it determines how well you balance space, comfort, economy, and long-term practicality. Here are fifteen of the best options in North America, expanded with insights into fuel economy, interior comfort, and how well they really disappear into everyday traffic.
Ford Transit
The Transit has quickly become one of the most popular van platforms in the U.S. Available in multiple lengths and roof heights, it offers a ton of flexibility for stealth conversions. A high-roof version allows you to stand comfortably inside, while the standard roof blends in better as a delivery van. With modern EcoBoost engines, fuel economy is reasonable for a van of its size. Inside, the squared walls make build-outs easier, and on the road, its wide service network means you’ll never be far from parts or repairs.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
The Sprinter is the premium choice for stealth builds, with diesel efficiency and luxury driving manners. Its tall roof and long-wheelbase versions allow for near-apartment levels of interior comfort, while standard safety features like lane keep assist and crosswind assist make long trips easier. Sprinters can achieve up to 20 mpg, which is impressive given their size. Their real stealth advantage is how common they are as delivery vans—you’ll see them everywhere from Amazon fleets to plumbing companies. The catch is expensive parts and repairs, but for many, the comfort and fuel efficiency are worth it.
Ram ProMaster
The ProMaster is the stealth favorite among DIY builders thanks to its boxy, square design. That wide body means you can install a bed sideways, saving valuable space. Fuel economy is solid, with most drivers seeing around 17 mpg, and its front-wheel drive improves handling in slippery conditions. Comfort inside is helped by its low floor and wide stance, which also gives you more vertical room for cabinets and storage. On the street, it looks like any contractor van, especially if you keep it plain white with no roof racks or windows.
Chevrolet Express
The Express has been a workhorse for decades, and that longevity makes it a stealth goldmine. Nobody notices an old Chevy van—it just looks like another contractor or shuttle rig. Its older V8 engines aren’t the most fuel efficient, usually hovering around 12–15 mpg, but parts are cheap and easy to find at almost any repair shop. Comfort is basic, but if you’re handy with a build, you can carve out a surprisingly cozy space inside. For budget stealth campers, the Express is a work-ready blank canvas.
GMC Savana
A twin to the Chevy Express, the GMC Savana offers all the same benefits: ruggedness, low purchase prices, and mechanical simplicity. It shares the same V8 engines and gets the same fuel economy, but many find GMC models slightly better equipped on the interior. Comfort-wise, it’s bare bones, but the sheer availability of used models means you can snag one cheap. Its stealth appeal comes from its invisibility—thousands are still in service as utility or shuttle vans across North America.
Nissan NV
Though discontinued in 2021, the Nissan NV is still an excellent stealth base on the used market. Its high-roof version rivals the Transit and Sprinter in space, while the V8 engine provides strong performance, especially when loaded down with gear. Fuel economy is around 13–15 mpg, which isn’t stellar, but the comfort inside—thanks to that tall roof—makes up for it. From the outside, the NV looks like a fleet van or service vehicle, which is perfect for blending in. Its rarity can be both a blessing (you don’t stand out much) and a curse (harder to find parts).
Toyota Sienna
A Toyota Sienna makes one of the best stealth campers if you want to go the minivan route. Its V6 engine offers decent economy (20–25 mpg), and newer hybrid models are even better. Comfort is excellent, with spacious seating, fold-flat options, and available all-wheel drive for four-season adventures. From the outside, it’s just another family minivan in a Walmart lot, which is exactly what you want. While you won’t have full standing height, modular builds make the Sienna one of the smartest low-profile campers.
Honda Odyssey
The Odyssey is another great stealth minivan platform, especially because it’s known for comfort and reliability. With seats removed, the interior becomes flat and camper-ready, perfect for a sleeping platform and storage. Fuel economy is strong for its class, around 20–28 mpg depending on the model year. Comfort inside is better than most vans, with climate control zones and great insulation. On the road, the Odyssey is smooth and easy to park, and in town, it simply looks like a parent-mobile, making it an excellent stealth choice.
Dodge Grand Caravan
The Grand Caravan is an affordable, stealth-ready minivan that’s been on American roads for decades. With Stow ’n Go seating, you can drop the seats into the floor in seconds and create a flat camping surface. Fuel economy sits in the 19–25 mpg range, and comfort levels are surprisingly high for a budget van. Since it’s so common, nobody notices one parked overnight, making it nearly invisible as a camper. Its lower cost also makes it a great entry-level choice for vanlifers on a budget.
Ford Econoline
The Econoline, or E-Series, is the granddaddy of North American vans. Though no longer in production, they remain popular on the used market. With V8 engine options, they’re powerful enough to haul heavy loads. Fuel economy is poor (10–14 mpg), but they’re cheap to buy, rugged, and easy to repair. Comfort is minimal compared to newer vans, but their stealth advantage comes from their sheer numbers—thousands are still working as shuttle buses and work vans today.
Subaru Outback
The Outback is a clever stealth camper base for solo travelers. Fold down the rear seats, and you have just enough room for a sleeping platform. Fuel economy is strong, averaging 25–30 mpg, and Subaru’s all-wheel drive gives it an advantage on trails and snow. Comfort is excellent for its size, with plenty of headroom and supportive seating. From the outside, it’s just another wagon or crossover, common in suburban driveways, which makes it one of the least suspicious stealth platforms you can buy.
Jeep Cherokee
Compact SUVs like the Cherokee make practical stealth rigs for travelers who don’t need a lot of space. With seats folded, you get enough room for a compact sleeping setup, plus the bonus of off-road capability. Fuel economy averages 20–26 mpg, depending on the engine. Comfort is decent, though space is limited for long-term builds. The big win is stealth—you can park anywhere, from city streets to trailheads, and nobody will assume you’re sleeping in it.
Ford F-150 with Canopy
Pickups can make surprisingly effective stealth campers when fitted with a canopy or camper shell. The F-150 is the most common truck in North America, so it blends in effortlessly. With modern EcoBoost engines, fuel economy is improving, though older models still sit in the 15–20 mpg range. Comfort depends on how you outfit the canopy, but it’s easy to install a sleeping platform and storage drawers. Trucks like this are common in every neighborhood, giving them stealth appeal unmatched by vans in certain areas.
Volkswagen Transporter
The VW Transporter isn’t as common in North America as in Europe, but it’s still an excellent stealth platform. Its compact size makes it easy to maneuver in cities, while its diesel engines offer excellent fuel economy—often above 25 mpg. Comfort is solid, with enough space for a minimalist camper build, though it lacks the standing height of a Sprinter. Its stealth factor comes from its innocent, work-van styling. While parts can be harder to source in the U.S. and Canada, its cult following makes it a fun and functional stealth rig.
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
Car loans are one of the most common ways people fund car purchases. Like any other kind of loan, car loans can have certain features that can be regarded as an advantage or a disadvantage to the borrower. Understanding all essential facts about car loans and how they work to ensure that you get the best deal for your financial situation is essential. Here are 25 shocking facts about car loans that most drivers don’t realize:
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
