This Is the Coolest Camper Van I’ve Ever Seen, Even Though It’s Offensively Expensive

Anyone who’s looking at a serious overlanding rig knows they’re going to have to make some concessions going in. If you want a lot of interior space, that means you’re looking at a full-size RV. If a true RV is too big for your needs and you prefer something a bit more nimble, then you’ll probably go with a Sprinter van conversion. But what if you want the interior space of an RV in a more compact Sprinter van package?

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Redtail Overland has come up with a solution for this conundrum with its Skyloft Van, a luxuriously appointed Sprinter that manages to incorporate two full-size beds while also fitting in a galley kitchen, a bathroom with shower and toilet, automotive seats, a lounge area and tons of storage. It might just be the coolest van build I’ve ever seen. But at a ludicrous $530,000, it’s also the priciest.

redtail overland camper van with rooftop tent in a field

Redtail Overland Skyloft Van

$530,000 AT REDTAIL OVERLAND

What $530,000 Gets You

The most recent data show the median price of houses for sale in the United States is $417,700, while the average sale price of a new car is currently $47,338. In other words, for the cost of the Skyloft Van, you could buy a house and two brand-new cars for the driveway and still have more than $17K in spending money left over.

But let’s be real: No one looking at buying a Skyloft Van is cross-shopping against a permanent living situation (at least, they shouldn’t be). The market for this van is obviously very affluent people who are very into overlanding, so if that sounds like you, have a look at what you get for your half-million-dollar-plus investment.

Interior

Kitchen, lounge, seating and bathroom

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A galley kitchen featuring a stainless steel sink, fridge and freezer leads to an elevated lounge with a pop-up dining table. The lounge also converts to a full-size bed.Redtail Overland

Cab seats with seatbelts add a safety element while the van is in motion, offering seating for four.Redtail Overland

A full, closed-off wet bathroom includes a stand-up shower with a removable teak floor, a cassette toilet and a fan system.Redtail Overland

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Exterior

Storage, power and off-road accessories

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A large under-floor storage area is accessible from the rear and includes various types of power outlets, an air compressor, fresh water access and an outdoor hot/cold shower.Redtail Overland

The Skyloft rooftop tent electronically folds flat when not in use, while the van is outfitted with upgraded Van Compass suspension system and skid plate package, along with Toyo Open Country Rugged Terrain Trail tires.Redtail Overland

A number of accessories are mounted on the van’s exterior, including bike racks, a motorized awning, a remote-controlled winch and an absurd amount of lighting.Redtail Overland

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Skyloft

Cozy, scenic and climate-controlled

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The cozy Skyloft features a plush foam mattress with soft-touch walls and ceiling, multiple power outlets and dimmable lighting.Redtail Overland

The loft is accessible from inside the camper via a folding ladder that opens from a sealed weatherproof floor hatch.Redtail Overland

The four-season-rated loft is made from a carbon composite with windows on three sides. It features its own independent climate-control system that’s controlled separately from the rest of the van.Redtail Overland

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Is It Worth It?

It’s always tough to gauge the value of products that are as comically out of my price range as this. Is a $100,000 whisky worth it? Is a $200,000 watch worth it? Is a $3.8 million sports car worth it? The answer to all of these questions, really, is yes and no.

Yes, those products are worth that amount to someone because people are buying them at those prices. If people weren’t, they would cost less. On the other hand, the vast majority of people would say, “No, of course no whisky/watch/car is worth such an exorbitant sum when most people are struggling to make ends meet.”

I personally do not have $530,000 to burn on a camper van, not even one with heated floors, a swivel-mounted smart TV and an air-conditioned “penthouse” such as the Skyloft Van. But some people obviously do. Is it frivolous to spend that kind of money on what is essentially a vacation toy? Sure, but it’s no more frivolous than spending crazy money on any of the other absurd products rich people buy.

How to Buy One

If you think the Skyloft Van is right for you, first off, congrats on all your success. Secondly, there are a few things you should know. First, the van isn’t available for customers outside the USA. Second, the Skyloft itself is not available to purchase separately — you’ve got to go all in and order the whole build or you get nothing. Lastly, these vans are custom-built for the customer and require a $40,000 deposit. An initial $10,000 reserves your spot in line, while the remaining $30K is required when production on your van is three months out. The remaining $490,000 is then split across four payments over the course of the build.

Redtail Overland Skyloft Van

One of the most opulent and kitted-out Sprinter van builds on the market, the Skyloft van features a galley kitchen, a bathroom with shower and two full-sized sleeping areas thanks to its climate-controlled, retractable, four-season rooftop tent.read more