FAQ
What is a Mothership?
A Mothership is a modern home on wheels built for real travel—quiet interior, serious systems, and clean design.
It’s closer to a rolling apartment or studio than a traditional RV.
What platforms do you build on?
Mothership Vans currently builds on a Mercedes-Benz van platform.
Each van is finished as a complete environment with power, water, climate, storage, and workspace.
How long does a build take?
In most cases, builds are completed within 6 months of your design deposit.
That window includes design, fabrication, and final testing before pickup. Actual timing can vary based on specification and scheduling, but six months from design deposit is the target.
How much does a Mothership cost?
Pricing depends on configuration, systems, and materials.
Mothership vans currently start at $349,000
Final pricing is based on layout, systems, finishes, and options chosen during the design phase.
Can I customize the layout?
Yes. The process starts with how you plan to use the van: travel, work, family, gear, or all of the above.
That informs:
Sleeping and lounge layout
Kitchen and bathroom configuration
Power, water, and connectivity systems
Storage for boards, bikes, camera gear, or work equipment
There is a defined design phase before anything is built.
Do you offer financing?
Mothership Vans does not provide in-house financing.
Most owners work with:
A bank or credit union they already use
A specialty vehicle or RV lender
A common structure people explore is:
20% down
60% financed over a 5-year term
20% balloon at the end of the term
All approvals, rates, and terms are set by the lender. The Financing page offers an example structure for planning conversations.
Can I use my Mothership for business and write it off?
Many owners use their vans for business—creative work, production, consulting, field operations, or remote office use.
U.S. tax rules like depreciation, and in some cases Section 179 and bonus depreciation, may allow significant deductions when the van is used for business. What’s possible depends on:
How much you use it for business vs. personal
Your income and entity structure
Current federal and state tax law
This is always a conversation between you and a qualified tax professional. The Tax Benefits page exists to help you ask better questions, not to provide advice or guarantees.
Where are you located? How do I get my van?
Mothership vans are built and handed off in San Diego, California.
Most owners pick up in person so they can drive, test, and get familiar with the van right away.
Do you sell inventory, or only custom builds?
Both.
At times there is ready or near-ready inventory available.
There are also build slots if you want something configured specifically for you.
The Inventory page shows what is currently available or sold.
Can I rent a Mothership instead of buying?
From time to time, a Mothership van may be available for short-term or medium-term use, depending on timing and availability.
Availability is limited and changes, so the best way to explore this is to reach out through the Contact page and share how and when you hope to use the van.
What’s the first step if I’m interested?
The first step is a discovery call.
You’ll cover:
How you want to use the van
Budget range and timing
What level of capability and comfort you’re aiming for
From there, the next step is typically a design deposit, which starts the formal design phase and moves you toward a build slot.