Safety & Quality

As a Mercedes-Benz Expert upfitter, we must follow strict guidelines that not only ensure the vehicle remains safe after completion but also guarantee your Van retains its factory warranty. Many upfitters are not compliant in this regard, thereby risking your safety and potentially voiding your vehicle’s warranty.

The RVIA seal communicates that manufacturers have complied with the RV standards adopted by the Association, impacting electrical, plumbing, heating, fire & life safety systems, and construction of RVs. We would do this anyway, but RVIA holds us and other builders to account. We exceed RVIA requirements.

Our proprietary bracing system adds structural integrity to the Van and creates secure mounting points for power systems, appliances, paneling, galley, cabinets, and more. It also offers safe channels for electrical wiring. Unlike most builders who rely on wood infrastructure, we use fabricated high-strength, lightweight aluminum for our bracing.

Electrical safety is crucial for preventing fires, shocks, and damage to your Van, devices, and appliances. We use UL and RVIA-certified Batteries, Power Hubs, and Distribution panels. We use UL-rated and RVIA-certified wire, connections, breakers, and surge protection. Our wires are strategically routed through safe channels to prevent accidental damage during mounting. Each of our vans is dielectric tested once completed to ensure safe and operational 12V and 120V systems throughout the Van.

Proper installation using time-tested power and solar systems is crucial for ensuring safety when you’re off the grid. Reliable power sources enable you to operate essential appliances and devices without dependency on external electricity, thereby reducing the risk of power outages during critical moments.

Choosing the right appliances is crucial to prevent accidents such as fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, or electrical issues in your Van. It’s essential to use appliances that are UL-rated to meet rigorous safety standards, including overload protection, auto-shutoff, Temperature controls, short-circuit protection, and, for non-permanent appliances, GFCI protection when used in wet areas, proper ventilation, and draw from the appropriate voltage. We avoid Gas Appliances due to the risk of carbon monoxide buildup in such a small space and the risk of fire. Appliances to consider for safety and efficiency include 12V DC Fridges, Portable Induction Cooktops, Microwaves, and LED lighting.

A well-designed plumbing system prevents leaks and water damage, which can lead to mold growth and structural issues over time. Additionally, reliable plumbing can mitigate risks such as contamination and flooding, ensuring access to clean water for drinking, cooking, and sanitation, helping to maintain hygiene and overall health while traveling. We rigorously test our plumbing before delivery to ensure proper function.

We avoid Gas Appliances due to the risk of carbon monoxide buildup in such a small space, gas leaks, and the risk of fire. Extreme heat or cold makes it difficult to keep doors and windows open for proper ventilation. Additionally, the complexity of installation, maintenance, and repairs over time can be costly. With modern solar systems and lithium batteries, off-grid electric cooking is more viable than ever, utilizing energy-efficient induction cooktops and microwaves.

In most cases, the use of wood is not structurally sound for automotive use. Wood used for bracing and cabinetry, especially MDF, rapidly deteriorates when exposed to weather, moisture, and extreme temperatures. It adds unnecessary weight and does not conform to the stresses and rigors placed on a moving vehicle, resulting in cracking, shrinking, warping, joint separation, and breakdown around fastening points. Wood is prone to water rot, mold, and insect infestation. It can even off-gas dangerous chemicals when exposed to extreme temperatures. The result is a cumbersome and noisy driving experience, with interiors that are more prone to wear and tear. We offer manufactured wood alternatives that are lighter, stronger, fire resistant, provide better sound damping and insulation, and are resistant to mold and infestation, and last a lifetime. We build the only Van on the market that is 100% wood-free.

When building a camper van, it is crucial to ensure that your materials are fire-resistant or retardant and that your electrical wiring and appliances are UL-rated and correctly installed for optimal fire safety. All components, including subfloors, insulation, panels, cabinets, fabrics, adhesives, upholstery, and window coverings, must be fire-resistant. Power systems should be installed and mounted according to code or manufacturer specs, and wiring should be safely routed. Fire extinguishers and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be installed properly and readily accessible. In addition, an ergonomic layout will ensure a quick exit should something catastrophic occur.

One aspect that many upfitters and DIY enthusiasts often overlook when designing their camper vans is the sound they will produce while driving on the highway or dirt roads, as well as while camping. Most people’s experiences come from campers, travel trailers, and motorhomes, leading them to assume that if a camper van is manufactured to similar standards, everything will work out just fine. However, since people typically won’t be inside these spaces while traveling, there is no pressing reason to consider sound quality during construction. Throughout their lifespan, campers, travel trailers, and motorhomes will cover less than 20% of the mileage that you will put on your camper van. Therefore, you should expect your van to be constructed with durability in mind to prevent sound issues from appearing as the van ages.

At Van America, we continually strive to enhance the sound quality and acoustics in our vans. We apply premium automotive sound-dampening material to nearly every inch of the van’s shell. Our infrastructure—including how we mount our boxes and accessories to our bracing system and the carefully selected materials used throughout the construction of each van—has been specifically crafted with sound quality in mind. Upon completing each van, we perform a sound test to ensure there are no unwanted issues that need addressing so that you can begin your journey in comfort.

Many upfitters employ unsafe techniques when installing flooring, cabinets, and seating. Poor installation in these areas can lead to catastrophic failures when braking at speed or worse, impacting another car or rolling your Van. A seat can easily come unbolted from the floor, throwing the passenger forward, and cabinetry may separate from its foundation, injuring occupants.

We use only Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) certified flooring and seating, adhering to stringent safety and installation protocols for all passenger seating. To be FMVSS-certified, Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products meet or exceed the requirements of FMVSS by conducting crash tests on their seats and verifying that they pass specific criteria.
Shoppers should avoid seats that are not FMVSS tested, which may be knock-offs that have not been tested and certified. Also, look out for floors with channels routed into wood subfloors with L-track inlayed into the channel using 1/4 bolts to secure the track. These are not FMVSS tested, and even if the Seats are, the floors and the L-Track itself may not provide the necessary strength to secure the seat safely under extreme conditions. In FMVSS-rated flooring, the L-track is permanently integrated with the aluminum or composite floor and tested with FMMVS-certified seats explicitly designed for that floor. Brands such as “Smart Floor” Seats and Floors, “Van Equipped” Seats and Floors, and “Sheel-Mann Seats,” which can be mounted to both Smart Floors and Van Equipped Floors, are safe choices. Other Great options for direct bolting are CVC, JMG, and Scheel-Mann seats.

The use of wood for a Van’s infrastructure and cabinetry can create hazards that compromise your safety, comfort, and the Van’s structural integrity. Wood is heavy, prone to moisture buildup, which can lead to mold and mildew, susceptible to infestation, flammable, and more likely to break down at the securing points compared to aluminum. Additionally, it can off-gas chemical fumes when exposed to extreme temperatures. We use only lightweight, high-strength aluminum and composite wood alternatives. We offer the only Camper Van on the market that is 100% wood-free.

When building a Camper Van, it’s essential to choose materials and adhesives that are safe for air quality. Non-toxic, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, sealants, and adhesives help maintain good air quality by minimizing the release of harmful fumes. Choosing insulation that is mold and infestation-resistant, as well as wood alternatives that are less prone to gathering moisture and infestation, will help maintain safe air quality, particularly for those with mold allergies. We avoid using gas in our vans for fire safety and the risk of Carbon Monoxide (CO2) poisoning. Proper ventilation and the use of fans reduce humidity, remove human-produced CO2, prevent odor buildup, and condensation. At Van America, we continuously source only the highest-quality materials and components to ensure your Camper Van has the best possible air quality.

All camper vans must have fire and CO2 alarms installed in easily accessible locations. We adhere to RVIA guidelines for these.

Upgrading the suspension on your campervan is a crucial task that requires careful attention to ensure safety, performance, and reliability. We are an authorized installer for AGILE OFFROAD and employ their RIDE IMPROVEMENT PACKAGE, also known as the “RIP KIT,” which is designed explicitly for our Sprinter Camper Van Upfits.
When installing exterior overlanding equipment, such as ADVENTURE OVERLANDING DESIGN’s Roof Racks, Rear Cargo Carriers, Ladders, and CLOUDCAP’s rooftop tents, it’s essential to ensure each component is secured to factory specifications and in a manner that does not void the vehicle manufacturer’s warranty. There are many stories of aftermarket modifications that have voided the vehicle’s warranty.

When you arrive to pick up your Van America Camper Van, we’ll take the time to walk you through the entire Van, providing a comprehensive demonstration of the various amenities and technologies so you feel prepared for any situation and ready to start your adventure with confidence. Of course, we will always be available to answer questions and provide upgrades or services as needed. At Van America, our vans come with a 3-year / 30,000-mile warranty with options to extend further. As part of the Van America family, we’re committed to ensuring you feel confident and supported throughout the life of your Van.