Cargo van vs passenger van?
A cargo van has an empty, open space behind the front seats, built for tools, shelving, or a custom upfit such as a camper. A passenger van fills that space with rows of seats and windows, carrying up to 12 or 15 people. A crew van sits in between, with a second row and cargo space behind it.
Side by side.
| Cargo van | Passenger van | |
|---|---|---|
| Behind the front seats | An empty load floor | Rows of seats |
| Seats | 2 to 3 | Up to 12 or 15 |
| Side windows | Often none, or only on the doors | All around |
| Interior | Bare or lightly lined, ready for an upfit | Finished, with climate control for every row |
| Best for | Trades, delivery, camper and living conversions | Large families, shuttles, churches, teams |
| Examples | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo, Ford Transit Cargo, Ram ProMaster | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger, Ford Transit Passenger |
The crew van.
A crew van, such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Crew, adds a second row of seats behind the driver and keeps a cargo area behind it: room for a work crew and their tools.
Which is better for a camper conversion?.
Most camper and living builds start with a cargo van, because the empty shell, fewer windows, and lower starting price give the builder a clean slate. High-roof versions let most adults stand inside. Some builders choose a passenger or crew van for the factory windows and rear climate control. Either way, the conversion is done by a specialist upfitter.
Passenger vans are not minivans.
A full-size passenger van carries far more people than a minivan, but it is a commercial vehicle: taller, longer, and built on a commercial platform. For seven or eight people, a minivan like the Chrysler Pacifica is easier to drive and park. Here is what a minivan is.
A note on large passenger vans.
Fully loaded 15-passenger vans handle differently from smaller vehicles, and US safety regulators advise extra care: an experienced driver, correct tire pressure, seat belts for every occupant, and no overloading or roof cargo.
Quick answers.
What is the difference between a cargo van and a passenger van?
A cargo van has an empty load space behind the front seats; a passenger van has rows of seats and windows for up to 12 or 15 people.
Can you convert a cargo van to a passenger van?
It can be done by a professional upfitter, but seats must be properly installed with crash-rated anchors and belts. It is usually simpler to buy the passenger version from the factory.
Cargo van vs passenger van for a camper conversion
Most builders start with a cargo van for the clean shell and lower price; some prefer a passenger or crew van for the factory windows and rear climate control.
How many seats does a passenger van have?
Full-size passenger vans typically seat 12 or 15, depending on the length and configuration.
What is a crew van?
A van with a second row of seats behind the driver and a cargo area behind that, such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Crew, for a work crew and their tools.