About Vertical Vans
Vertical Vans is a boutique van conversion company building elevated adventure vehicles in limited numbers. We work intentionally at a smaller scale, allowing every build to receive focused attention from start to finish.
Unlike high-volume shops or assembly-line conversions, our vans are built through a refined, repeatable process shaped by more than eight years of hands-on experience and over 50 completed builds. That experience informs how we plan layouts, execute details, and deliver consistent quality without sacrificing individuality.
We prioritize clean execution, durable materials, and thoughtful design choices that hold up over time. Each van reflects a balance between proven methods and careful refinement, resulting in builds that feel solid, functional, and considered rather than rushed or trend-driven.
Our vans are built for people who value restraint, craftsmanship, and reliability, and who understand that less volume allows for higher standards.
Our Approach
At Vertical Vans, the same people who design your van are involved throughout the entire build. Work is not passed down a line or split between disconnected teams. This continuity allows decisions to remain intact from planning through final execution.
We limit our workload to two vans at a time. That constraint keeps oversight tight, communication clear, and craftsmanship consistent. Details are resolved once and carried through carefully, rather than adjusted on the fly to meet production targets.
This approach creates builds that feel intentional and complete. Fewer handoffs. Fewer assumptions. More accountability at every stage. The result is a van that reflects disciplined execution rather than a collection of individual choices.
Meet the Founder
Vertical Vans was founded by Billy Barghahn, a mechanical engineer, fine woodworker, and seasoned van traveller. After living out of a van for years to travel the West, Billy learned firsthand what works, what doesn’t, and what quickly becomes frustrating when a van is used every day.
That experience shapes every design decision at Vertical Vans. Layouts are refined through real-world use, not theory. Storage is built around how gear is actually accessed. Systems are designed to be intuitive, durable, and easy to live with over time.
Billy’s approach is simple: build vans that hold up to daily life on the road. By combining engineering discipline with lived experience, each build reflects lessons learned from thousands of miles, long workdays, and quiet nights parked far from anything else.
Billy is an avid climber, paraglider, and mountain biker, with a deep love for travel and time spent outdoors. His favorite places include Chamonix, Patagonia, and India, where adventure, culture, and perspective intersect. When he is not building or traveling, he is based in Salt Lake City with his two doodles, Yogi and Theo, who are rarely far from the next road trip.
Our Services
Option 1: Custom Vans
Every build is fully customizable, from layout and materials to features and finishes. We tailor each van to fit your lifestyle, your priorities, and your way of moving through the world.
Option 2: Pre-Built Vans
Our pre-built vans are road-ready and fully equipped for your next adventure. Outfitted with off-road tires, LED light bars, exterior racks, and premium upgrades—they’re built to go wherever you do. Just pack your gear and hit the road.
Option 3: Personalized Vans
Start with a proven design. Personalize the details. Our signature layouts offer a faster path to your dream van — with the flexibility to make it uniquely yours.
When I envisioned having a van, I never imagined that it would be so nice. Billy’s attention to detail and eye for design blends well with his engineering background.
Billy and his team made the overall process and customization easy, he always made time to help me figure out colors, materials, or how my personal lifestyle/usage translates into decisions for my solar and battery needs.
You can tell he really thinks through and tests the systems and designs that he implements. Everything from power-saving measures such as a way to turn the Starlink off when I don’t need it, to the location of outlets, batteries, and van storage, to the elegance of the kitchen water system.
Vertical Vans are as functional as they are beautiful.
If you’re looking to get a van built out, I can’t recommend Vertical Vans enough.
Thoughtfully Integrated Living Systems
Each van is equipped for real daily use, including hot water, air conditioning, an induction cooktop, and a pull-out composting toilet. A 500-watt solar array supports a balanced electrical system designed to handle workdays, cooking, and downtime without constant management.
Apartment-Style Layout
The interior is designed to feel intuitive and livable rather than cramped or improvised. An apartment-style layout with a foldable table allows the space to shift easily between work, meals, and rest, creating clear zones without sacrificing openness.
Functional Storage and Service Access
Storage is built around how gear and daily essentials are actually used, with a dedicated garage space and thoughtfully placed cabinetry throughout. Service points are designed for ease of use, including a user-friendly gray water system that simplifies dumping and maintenance while on the road.
