One of the most critical issues in a camper conversion is body geometry: interior width (especially wheel-arch clearance), interior height (H2/H3), interior length (L2/L3/L4) and total volume. These determine everything from the possibility of a transverse bed to the furniture corridor, whether a shower/toilet cubicle fits, and standing comfort. Below you’ll find verified dimensions for panel vans commonly available in Turkey by front-wheel drive (FWD), rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD/4Motion) options, followed by practical recommendations on which body suits which use profile.
Why Does the FWD/RWD/AWD Distinction Matter?
- Floor height: Since FWD models have no driveshaft tunnel, the load floor is usually lower; this gives an advantage in interior height and step height (e.g. Crafter FWD H2 interior height is typically ~1960 mm, vs ~1860 mm on RWD).
- Wheel-arch clearance: On RWD/dual rear wheel versions the arches are more pronounced and wheel-arch clearance can drop (e.g. ~1080 mm on the Master RJ dual-wheel). This figure is critical if you’re planning a transverse bed.
- Traction and load distribution: RWD/AWD can offer more balanced traction for heavy conversions (water tank, fixed furniture, motorcycle carriers, etc.). AWD/4×4 is advantageous for winter/mud/towing scenarios.
- Volume and length: L3/L4 options, with floor lengths of 3700-4800 mm, make longitudinal bed + wet-room + kitchen combinations easier.
Note: The dimensions below have been cross-checked against manufacturer tables/brochures and reliable technical sources (sources at the end of the page).
Table A — Interior Width & Wheel-Arch Clearance & Interior Height (H2/H3)
| Model | Drivetrain | Interior Width (mm) | Wheel-Arch Clearance (mm) | Interior Height H2/H3 (mm) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit (L2-L4) | FWD | 1784 | 1392 (SRW) | 1886 / 2125 | Interior height drops ~100 mm on RWD/AWD; wheel-arch clearance drops to ~1154 mm on DRW. |
| Ford Transit (L2-L4) | RWD / AWD | 1784 | 1392 (SRW) / 1154 (DRW) | 1786 / 2025 | SRW single rear wheel; DRW dual rear wheel. |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (L2-L4) | FWD (2018-2024 EU) | 1787 | 1412 | 1789-2079 / approx. 2243 | FWD ended in Europe in 2024; stock/used units may still be available. |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (L2-L4) | RWD / AWD | 1787 | 1350 | 2009 / 2243 | Floor is higher on RWD/AWD; step height increases. |
| Volkswagen Crafter (L3/L4) | FWD | 1832 | 1380 | 1961 / 2189 | Interior height on FWD is ~100 mm more than RWD. |
| Volkswagen Crafter (L3/L4) | RWD / 4Motion | 1832 | 1380 | 1861 / 2096 | Floor rises on RWD/4Motion (height -100 mm). |
| Fiat Ducato (L2-L4) | FWD | 1870 | 1422 | 1932 / 2172 | Widest wheel-arch clearance in the segment (same as its PSA cousins). |
| Peugeot Boxer (L2-L4) | FWD | 1870 | 1422 | 1930-1932 / 2170-2172 | Shares a platform with the Boxer/Jumper (Relay) (Sevel). |
| Citroën Jumper / Relay (L2-L4) | FWD | 1870 | 1422 | 1932 / 2172 | Very well suited to placing Euro pallets side by side. |
| Renault Master (L2-L4) | FWD (RS) | 1765 | 1380 | 1894 / 2144 | Values for the single rear wheel (RS) version. |
| Renault Master (L3-L4) | RWD (RJ) | 1765 | 1080 (dual wheel) | 1894 / 2144 | Wheel-arch clearance narrows significantly on the dual-wheel RJ (transverse bed becomes difficult). |
| Iveco Daily (various lengths) | RWD (some 4×4) | 1740 (some commercial sources say 1800) | 1317-1320 | 1900 / ~2100 | Ladder chassis structure is strong; wheel-arch clearance is relatively narrow. |
Table B — Typical Interior Lengths (floor, mm)
| Model | L2 | L3 | L4 | Drivetrain Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit | 3044 | 3494 | 4217 | Length is the same across FWD/RWD/AWD; height differs. |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | FWD: 3397 • RWD/AWD: 3272 | approx. 4410 (RWD/AWD typical) | approx. 4810 (RWD/AWD typical) | FWD L2 is longer; step height increases on RWD. |
| VW Crafter | — | 4300 | 4855 (Maxi) | Length is fixed across FWD/RWD/4Motion; interior height varies. |
| Fiat Ducato | 3120 | 3705 | 4070 | FWD (same dimensions as its PSA cousins). |
| Peugeot Boxer | 3120 | 3705 | 4070 | FWD (Sevel). |
| Citroën Jumper/Relay | 3120 | 3705 | 4070 | FWD (Sevel). |
| Renault Master | 3083 | 3733 | 4383 | Lengths are the same on FWD and RWD; the RJ dual wheel is a constraint for a transverse bed. |
| Iveco Daily | 2610-3130 | 3540-4680 | 5125 (long) | Many body/wheelbase options; the table gives representative values. |
Table C — Exterior Dimensions (L×W×H, mm) / Selected Versions
| Model | Version | Length | Width (body) | Height (H2/H3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit | L2H2 / L3H2 / L3H3 / L4H3 | 5531 / 5981 / 5981 / 6704 | 2059 | ~2540 / ~2780 |
| Mercedes Sprinter | L2H2 / L3H2 / L3H3 / L4H3 | 5932 / 6967 / 6967 / 7367 | 2020 | ~2620 / ~2830 |
| VW Crafter | L3H2 / L3H3 / L4H3 | 6836 / 6836 / 7391 | 2040 | ~2590 / ~2798 |
| Fiat Ducato | L2H2 / L3H2 / L4H2 / L4H3 | 5413 / 5998 / 6363 / 6363 | 2050 | ~2524 / ~2764 |
| Peugeot Boxer | L2H2 / L3H2 / L4H2 / L4H3 | 5413 / 5998 / 6363 / 6363 | 2050 | ~2522 / ~2762 |
| Citroën Jumper/Relay | L2H2 / L3H2 / L4H2 / L4H3 | 5413 / 5998 / 6363 / 6363 | 2050 | ~2524 / ~2764 |
| Renault Master | L2H2 / L3H2 / L3H3 / L4H3 | 5548 / 6198 / 6198 / 6848 | 2070 | ~2500 / ~2740 |
| Iveco Daily | 4100 H2 / 4100 H3 / 4100L H3 | 7100 / 7100 / 7500 | 2010 | ~2645 / ~2880 |
Which Profile Is Happy in Which Body?
- City use + weekends: Transit L2H2 (FWD) or Sprinter L2H2 (if you can find FWD); low step, easy parking. If you want a transverse bed, Ducato/Boxer/Jumper L2H2 also works (1422 mm).
- Long trips + 2 people: Crafter L3H2 FWD (1961 mm interior height and 1832 mm width) or Sprinter L3H2 RWD (2009 mm height). The L3 floor length makes a longitudinal bed + shower combination easier.
- Family + long stays: Ducato/Boxer/Jumper L4H3 (4070 mm floor, 2172 mm height) or Transit L4H3; spacious volume and easy furniture layout.
- Transverse bed priority: With 1422 mm wheel-arch clearance, Ducato/Boxer/Jumper is “most comfortable”; Crafter’s 1380 mm is borderline; Sprinter RWD’s 1350 mm may need infill/niche or a flare.
- Cargo/toy carrying (motorcycle, surfboard etc.): Sprinter RWD/AWD and Daily RWD stand out thanks to the RWD floor structure and traction; but watch for narrower wheel-arch clearance.
- Winter/mud and towing a caravan: Crafter 4Motion, Sprinter AWD, Transit AWD are practical. A higher floor → gives up ~100 mm of interior height.
Reading Interior Geometry: Wheel-Arch, Insulation and Bed Width
Insulation + cladding together typically take up 30-50 mm per side wall in most projects. The net target for a transverse double bed is ≥1380 mm; 1400+ feels luxurious. That’s why the Ducato/Boxer/Jumper (1422 mm) is popular. The Crafter (1380 mm) is enough with most frames. On the Sprinter RWD (1350 mm) side, options like a window flare, a local niche cut into the side sheet metal, thin-frame/dowel furniture and a 120-125 cm wide bed come into play. The Daily (1317-1320 mm) is the most challenging for a transverse bed.
FWD or RWD? Floor Height, Driving and Load Distribution
FWD has a low floor, an advantage in interior height, and comfortable step access; it’s ideal for frequent in-and-out use in the city/campsite and for light-to-medium conversions. RWD/AWD, thanks to drive being sent to the rear axle, gives better traction and stability for projects with heavy equipment (fresh/grey water, battery bank, motorcycle rack); however, the load floor rises and interior height drops by ~100 mm (as in the Crafter and Transit examples). Dual rear wheels (Transit DRW, Master RJ) are good for stability and payload, but significantly reduce wheel-arch clearance.
Door Openings, Wet Room and Furniture Layout
Side door height is in the ~1750-1855 mm range; rear door width is around 1550 mm. For a 700-800 mm wide wet room, the Ducato/PSA width and flat side surfaces make things easier. On the Sprinter/Crafter, curved walls may require shimming behind cabinets.
Mini Glossary
- H2/H3: Interior height class (medium/high roof).
- L2/L3/L4: Interior floor length class (medium/long/extra-long).
- SRW/DRW: Single/dual rear wheel; wheel-arch clearance narrows on DRW.
- Wheel-arch clearance: The net width critical for a transverse bed and pallet placement.
Which Panel Van Suits You? (Advanced Quiz)
Answer the 10 questions to get a recommended FWD/RWD/AWD and L2/L3/L4 combination based on your score.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the minimum for a transverse bed?
Before insulation/cladding, ≥1380 mm (Crafter) is the limit; the Ducato/Boxer/Jumper is comfortable at 1422 mm. Since the Sprinter RWD is 1350 mm, a flare or niche cut is preferred.
FWD or RWD, which is more economical?
For city/medium-weight conversions, FWD’s low floor and maximum volume are efficient. RWD/AWD can cost more in drivetrain and tires, but rewards you with confidence under heavy load and towing.
Does a dual rear wheel (DRW/RJ) make sense for a camper?
Good for weight and traction; but wheel-arch clearance (Transit DRW ~1154 mm, Master RJ ~1080 mm) is limiting for a transverse bed.
Summary: For a transverse bed and a roomy interior, the first thing to check is wheel-arch clearance. On this measure the PSA trio (Ducato/Boxer/Jumper) is at the top; the Crafter is borderline but workable; the Sprinter RWD may need a niche/flare solution. If you want a high roof, FWD Crafter/Ducato H3 is comfortable; for heavy equipment and towing, Sprinter RWD/AWD or Daily RWD makes sense.
