The rhythmic thumping began subtly, a distant pulse barely registering against the backdrop of the Colorado wilderness. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, the pulse intensified, morphing into a full-blown EDM track. Strobe lights, initially faint flickers, pierced through the van windows, transforming the tranquil campsite into a makeshift nightclub. My partner and I exchanged bewildered glances. Our idyllic escape to Bureau of Land Management land had unexpectedly placed us adjacent to a group of ravers, their revelry echoing through the otherwise silent landscape. This, we realized, was simply another facet of the unpredictable tapestry that is van life.
My fascination with van life had been simmering for years, a low-grade curiosity finally ignited by the opportunity to experience it firsthand over the Fourth of July weekend. What distinguished this particular encounter was its perceived attainability. The financial barrier to entry often looms large in the world of van conversions. Used vans can easily command prices ranging from $35,000 to $100,000, while new models often soar into the $110,000 to $200,000 bracket. These figures can effectively exclude a significant portion of the population from the romanticized vision of #vanlife.
Enter Dave & Matt Vans, a company based in Gypsum, Colorado, that launched in 2019 with a clear and compelling mission: to democratize van life. Their approach centers on building out RAM ProMaster vans with a design philosophy that prioritizes essential features while eliminating unnecessary frills. The result is a new base model van priced at approximately $75,000. While still a significant investment, it represents a considerably more accessible price point compared to many other new models on the market. How Dave & Matt Vans Are Bringing #VanLife to the People
Seeking a Vehicle to Fit a Lifestyle
The story of Dave & Matt Vans begins with its founders, Matt Felser and Dave Ramsay, who first crossed paths at Williams College, a small liberal arts institution nestled in northwestern Massachusetts. Both were members of the college’s golf team, forging a bond that would later lead to a shared entrepreneurial venture. Following graduation, their paths diverged. Ramsay ventured to New York City to pursue a career in finance, working at a hedge fund, while Felser embraced a more unconventional route, relocating to Lake Tahoe, California, to dedicate himself to the lifestyle of a "ski bum."
After two years immersed in the mountain culture of California’s High Sierra, Felser transitioned to a teaching position at Vail Mountain School in Colorado, instructing middle school Spanish. The Vail Valley proved to be a fertile ground for his passion for the outdoors. He became actively involved in leading outdoor education programs, organizing backpacking trips, and guiding backcountry ski excursions with students.
During this period, Felser relied on a Honda Element as his primary vehicle. He appreciated its utilitarian design, noting, "I loved that thing because I could roll my mountain bike right up into the back of it. I could chuck my skis in there, get it real muddy and hose it out. So it was really utilitarian. It could get me from A to B easily, and in a pinch, I could sleep inside of it."
As 2018 approached, Felser’s aspirations began to expand beyond the capabilities of his beloved Honda Element. He embarked on a research journey, exploring the possibilities of camping trailers, pop-top campers, and conversion vans. Drawing inspiration from friends who had recently completed their own van builds, he began to envision a vehicle that could seamlessly integrate into his active lifestyle. "I was looking for a vehicle that fit my lifestyle," Felser recalled. "Camper vans were the ones that really checked all the boxes."
His research also revealed a significant obstacle: the prohibitive cost of purchasing a fully converted camper van. Estimates consistently exceeded $100,000, a figure that felt insurmountable on a teacher’s salary. "Or I could do it myself," Felser remembered thinking. "And since I was on a teacher’s budget, I really didn’t have much of a choice, so I decided to take a leap and do it myself."
Felser located a used RAM ProMaster in Lubbock, Texas, and promptly purchased it. Armed with countless hours of YouTube tutorials and the assistance of some skilled friends, he dedicated himself to the conversion process. After four months of intensive labor, he completed what would essentially become the prototype for the Dave & Matt van. He logged an impressive 13,000 miles on the van during its inaugural summer, solidifying its practicality and appeal.
From One Van Sold on Craigslist to 200 Converted a Year
Throughout this period, Felser and Ramsay maintained their connection, primarily through annual golf trips organized with former Williams College golf team members. Around 2016, Ramsay made a significant career change, leaving his hedge fund position to embrace a nomadic lifestyle, working remotely from a Class B RV as he traveled the country. He soon discovered Outdoorsy, an online marketplace for renting RVs, trailers, and camper vans. Recognizing a business opportunity, he acquired several RVs and began renting them through the platform, generating sufficient income to sustain his newfound lifestyle.
The reconnected duo soon found common ground in their shared experiences and their desire to find a more affordable camper van option, which they recognized as a significant void in the market. In 2018, they decided to test the waters by listing Felser’s original van build on Craigslist for $39,500. "We had 24 inquiries in 24 hours on our $5 Craigslist marketing budget," Felser said, laughing.
The overwhelming response served as the validation they needed. Later that year, Felser and Ramsay began acquiring RAM ProMasters from various locations across the country. On January 1, 2019, they officially launched Dave & Matt Vans and began hiring a small team to build one van per month throughout the year. By the end of the year, they had successfully purchased and converted 40 vans. "We sold one and bought two. Then sold two and bought four. Then sold four and bought eight," Felser said.
Then came the pandemic, which triggered an unprecedented surge in the popularity of camping and van life. The initial goal for 2020 was to convert and sell 100 vehicles. They exceeded expectations, completing 120 conversions. In 2021, they built 180 vans, and in the current year, Felser projects that they will reach 200 conversions. How Dave & Matt Vans Are Bringing #VanLife to the People
A Housing Crisis Solution?
The vans themselves are thoughtfully designed and well-equipped. Dave & Matt Vans currently offers three distinct models: the LV3 (base cost is $79,495), the LV5 (base cost is $84,995), and the LV7 (base cost is $84,995). All models include standard features such as a lofted bed, an all-electric kitchenette with a sink and faucet that can double as a shower head, ample storage space, zoned lighting, and a three-layer flooring system.
Optional add-ons include extra storage benches, enhanced power capabilities with an additional solar panel, a cooling and heating system, and a hideaway cassette or composting toilet. During my three-day and three-night experience driving and camping in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, the van proved to be a perfectly minimalist living space for two people.
The company’s rapid growth has reinforced Felser and Ramsay’s commitment to simplifying and minimizing the RV and van life experience. "It’s much easier to put a bunch of stuff in a van," Ramsay pointed out. "That’s where the RV industry has really thrived. They put everything and more into all of their vehicles. And a lot of that stuff is superfluous, it’s unnecessary, it eventually breaks."
Ramsay and Felser believe they are producing a product that is reliable, efficient, and sustainable, designed to adapt to the user’s lifestyle rather than the other way around. They also see their vans as a viable alternative living arrangement for traveling nurses, computer programmers, graduate students, and others who may not require a traditional home.
"Whether you live in it full-time, part-time, or just have that option, to live in your vehicle is powerful in this day and age," Felser maintained. "We now call it our life hack. It’s hard to get ahead right now because of the housing market, because of the income disparity, and van life is starting to bridge that gap for some people, and that’s powerful to see."
Customers can access RV financing through Bank of the West, which Felser says can reduce the monthly loan payment to approximately $540. "If that’s your car payment, or especially if it’s your rent, we’re proud to be able to offer that accessibility to people," Felser said. Dave & Matt Vans also provides rental options for prospective customers who want to test out their vans and experience van life firsthand. How Dave & Matt Vans Are Bringing #VanLife to the People
Ultimately, Felser and Ramsay’s mission extends beyond simply making van life more accessible. They aspire to contribute to solving broader societal challenges. Over the summer, the company proposed a partnership with local businesses in Eagle, Colorado, where Felser resides, to allow employees and potential employees to park vans in their parking lots. Dave & Matt Vans already permits employees to park in their own parking lot, a fact that Felser proudly shared when I picked up the van for testing last July. "They’re never late for work because they’re literally living in the parking lot," he said with evident satisfaction.
The proposed pilot program could provide a safe and secure location for Eagle-based employees and residents to park their vans and live within the community. Dave & Matt Vans intends to offer ongoing support and resources throughout the program.
"For someone who is a very good teacher but not handy at all, I should not have to build my own van," Felser said. "But that was the only option in 2018. And as a business, we’re really excited to fill that gap and make this more accessible to more people."
