Why Departure Angle Could Make or Break Your Vanlife Dreams

Understand the Off-Road Geometry That Matters More Than Just Ground Clearance

🚐 Stuck at the Riverbank—The Off-Road Mistake That Left Us Dragging (Literally)

Imagine this: You’re crossing a shallow river in your newly converted camper van. You’ve made it through the water just fine—but as you climb out, your rear bumper grinds against the riverbank. You’re stuck. Mud, rocks, and frustration. The problem? Not your tires. Not your lift kit. It was something you probably didn’t consider when buying your van: departure angle.

Let’s break down what that is—and why it matters a lot more than most van buyers think.

🔧 What Is Departure Angle, Technically Speaking?

Departure angle is the maximum angle between the ground and a line from your rear tire to the lowest point at the back of your vehicle (usually the bumper or hitch) without hitting anything.

➤ Why It Matters:

  • It determines how steep of a hill, rock, or ledge you can come down from without scraping or getting hung up.
  • The bigger the angle, the better your van can handle rugged terrain—especially when leaving obstacles like ditches, dips, or riverbanks.

🚐 How Departure Angle Affects Camper Vans Specifically

Camper vans—especially long-wheelbase versions like the Sprinter 170, Promaster 159 Extended, or Transit Extended—aren’t naturally designed for hardcore off-roading.

Here’s Why:

  • Longer rear overhang = lower departure angle.
  • Most stock vans have low-hanging bumpers or tow hitches.
  • Add aftermarket accessories like bike racks, spare tire mounts, or rear steps, and your departure angle gets even worse.

🧠 Why Departure Angle Can Matter More Than Ground Clearance

A lot of people obsess over ground clearance. But here’s the truth:

You can have 12 inches of ground clearance and still get stuck if your departure angle is poor.

Think about it like this:

  • Ground clearance helps you avoid scraping the underside.
  • Departure angle helps you leave an obstacle without dragging the tail.

Real-World Scenario:

  • You’re descending a trail, and a rut forms between two rocks.
  • Your van fits, your clearance is good—but as you exit, the back end slams into the slope.
  • That’s your departure angle failing you.

📏 Wheelbase + Overhang = Your Off-Road Destiny

Wheelbase (the distance between front and rear wheels) dramatically affects your off-road performance—not just your turning radius.

Why It Matters:

  • Longer wheelbase = worse breakover angle AND worse departure angle.
  • That means more likely to get high-centered on humps, and more rear dragging on exits.

Promaster 136 or Sprinter 144 platforms often perform better off-road than their extended counterparts for this reason.

🔧 What You Can Do: Improving Departure Angle on an Existing Van

If you already own a van (or are considering buying used), here’s how to work around a bad departure angle:

✅ Aftermarket Mods That Help:

  • High-clearance bumpers – Replace bulky stock bumpers with sleeker steel versions.
  • Rear hitch relocation or removal – Eliminate hang-ups from unnecessary hardware.
  • Suspension lifts – A 2” lift can make a noticeable difference in departure angle.
  • Tire upgrades – Slightly larger tires improve overall height and clearance geometry.

🛑 Mods That Hurt:

  • Rear tire carriers (unless they improve clearance design)
  • Long rear ladders or storage boxes
  • Heavy bumpers with poor design

🛒 Buying Advice: What to Look for If You Want to Go Off-Road

When shopping for your van build, especially if off-roading is in the plan:

🔍 Check This First:

  • Rear overhang distance – The longer it sticks out behind the rear wheels, the worse your departure angle.
  • Manufacturer specs for departure angle – Sprinter 4×4 vans often have better angles than Promasters.
  • Clearance after upfitting – Know how your rear end will change once you add gear, bumpers, etc.

🎯 Bottom Line: Know Before You Go

If you’re building your dream van for travel and trails, departure angle needs to be part of your decision-making process. It’s not just for rock crawlers—it’s the difference between a smooth trip and a stuck one.