Never sleep on the ground again Each month the top conversion van companies in the country debut sleek, innovative homes-on-the-go that appeal to everyone from retired couples to adrenaline-addicted mountain bike pros. But a much-anticipated trend has finally hit the United States: Camper companies are opting to build out the smaller siblings of the Mercedes Sprinters and Ram Promasters, vans like the Nissan NV200, the Ram Promaster City, and the Mercedes Metris.

The trend towards smaller camper vans is already prolific in Europe, where many families opt for campers that can serve both as weekend retreats and daily commuters. But it?s been harder to find here in the U.S., with popular campers like the Volkswagen California van unavailable stateside. That?s changing with campers like the Free Bird, the Envy from Recon campers, Cascade Campers, and the latest to catch our eye: Pop-top campers from Ursa Minor Vehicles. Inspired by the VW Westfalia, Ursa Minor Vehicles operates two shops?one in San Diego and one in Portland?that convert Honda Elements, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, and Ford Transit Connects into a pop-top camper.
With the Transit Connect pop-up, Ursa Minor starts with the 190-inch wheelbase Passenger Wagon and works to ensure that it can function both as a people hauler and a camper. This isn?t a full interior conversion. Instead, Ursa Minor focuses on the pop-up roof, providing a strut-assisted pop-top that opens to 6.6-feet of standing room inside.
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