Fiat Ducato Camper: the formula behind an award-winning campervan base     

The Ducato may not even crack the commercial van sales chart’s top ten, but when it comes to motorhome and campervan conversions, Fiat’s large LCV has cemented itself as a go-to option. So, what are the ingredients that have drawn conversion specialists, van lifers, and a hefty haul of accolades to the big Italian van?

In a word: purpose. It’s no accident that the Ducato has now been voted as the best motorhome base vehicle for over a decade and a half — Fiat have put in a hard shift to purposefully gear their van towards conversion.

Teamwork makes the dream work.

Working with a catalogue of conversion specialists more extensive than some vans’ feature lists, Ducato chassis are intentionally designed as a platform for camping extensions right from the initial stages of development.

The result? A lower, lighter ‘special’ chassis with increased rear track and reinforced suspension to improve handling, as well as to boost the payload and space needed for camping fitments. Then, add to this the “widest and most comprehensive” range of base variants to suit almost any layout of camper module popped on top. We’re talking five wheelbases, six chassis lengths, and three engine options, totaling over 600 versions. Pretty flexible, we’d say.

Once Fiat’s completed the base models, they’re then handed back to heavy hitters across the motorhome and conversion market to be fitted with home comforts and outdoors equipment. After which the finished product is ready to roll onto a campsite near you. And for rolling a specialised camper between holiday spots, we don’t think you can go wrong with some specialised rubber: the Michelin Agilis Camping can get you there in comfort.

Now you may be thinking, this is straying into motorhome and RV territory, we’re here to talk campervans. Well, Fiat have further extended its collaborative methods to include an even more specialised section: the Ducato Camper Van base range.

Built from the base up.

So, if none the standard motorhome bases have been built into your dream camper, perhaps one of the campervan foundations spread across three wheelbases, four lengths, three heights, and volumes between 8m³ and 17m³ has. For example, if heading off grid is what you’re after, the rugged 4x4 expedition variant complete with winches and roof-racks, could be the one for you.

In addition to a stacked award cabinet, Fiat boasts that this purpose-built approach has allowed them to build a community of over one million Ducato based motorhome and camper owners — and that doesn’t even include at home conversions.

If you want a thing done well…

Speaking of DIY conversions, much like the Mercedes Sprinter, van lifers have picked out commercial Ducato models as a prime choice to flip into homemade campervans. Much of the same logic applied by the pros is replicated here, particularly in using the space and flexibility provided by the long wheelbase options and the extra width the large LCV has over its competitors. 

Seen as a relatively easy base to work with, van dwellers can go down adventurous avenues with their additions. There’s room for full bathroom setups including shower cubicles (we’ve even seen some tiled facilities packed in), as well as full kitchens with ovens, stoves, hobs, fridges, and yes, even the kitchen sink. And then, for when the sun goes down there’s Ducato’s sporting everything from hammocks to double beds, and bunk bed situations. As a cheaper alternative to the Sprinter, Ducato buyers might even have a little money left over for yet more extravagant camping fitments.

And there we are. To cook up an award-winning camper base, it seems you need a couple of chefs with a united purpose, but not so many as to spoil the broth. Then mix some spaciousness in with a handful of flexibility, season with a dash of dedicated support, and add a sprinkle of affordability — and buon appetito, you’ve got a Ducato camper brewing. But what do you think? Would the Fiat be your camping foundation of choice?

Hero image credit: Stellantis