Our Story
The full history of GTRV goes back further than most people realize. The business was originally established in Richmond, BC in the early 1990s, building camper van conversions on platforms that don't exist anymore. It changed hands, changed names, and crossed the border before landing in Sebastopol.
Mark Landon bought the business in 2018. Manufacturing had moved to Sebastopol in 2010, and by the time Mark took over, the shop had been building vans in Sonoma County for nearly a decade. He brought a background in mechanical engineering and a clear idea about how the business should run: listen to what people actually need, build around that, and stand behind the work.
A lot has changed since then. The vans are different. The technology inside them is different. The people showing up with questions are different. But the basic idea hasn't moved much: figure out how someone actually uses a van, and build around that.
The GTRV owner community goes back decades. There's a standalone users group (separate from the shop) where owners of older GTRV builds swap stories, troubleshoot problems, and keep their vans on the road. Some of those vans are 30 years old and still going. That kind of loyalty says more about the work than anything we could put on a website.
The Team
Mark Landon, Owner
Mark has been running GTRV since 2018. He makes the design decisions, runs the shop, and is the person behind the blog and the newsletter. If you've read anything on this site, you've been reading Mark's thinking.
Joseph, Customer Experience Manager
Joseph is the first person most people talk to when they reach out to GTRV. He handles inquiries, walks people through their options, and keeps everything organized on the scheduling side. If you call or fill out the contact form, you'll hear from Joseph.
Kyle, Cabinetry & CAD
Kyle handles cabinetry and CAD design work. He's also doing the design work on the Ram ProMaster City, building out layouts in CAD ahead of the first van arriving.
Chelsi
Chelsi is one of our lead technicians working on the shop floor.
Kevin
Kevin is the newest member of the team. He came in with a construction background and is learning the specifics of van conversion work.
Eric
Erik is the technician who has been here the longest. Erik handles a variety manufacturing tasks at the shop including welding.
The Shop
The GTRV workshop is at 2661 Gravenstein Hwy S in Sebastopol, California, about an hour north of San Francisco in Sonoma County. This is where every van gets built.
We're open Monday through Friday, 9 to 5. If you're in the area and want to see the shop, we're happy to have you. We prefer appointments so we can make sure someone's available to give you proper time. Saturday visits are available by arrangement. Give us a call to set something up.
Our Mission and Vision
At GTRV, we transform ordinary vans into purpose-built adventure vehicles that help our customers turn their dreams of freedom into reality. Every van we build is the result of thoughtful design, skilled craftsmanship, and a deep respect for how our customers want to travel and live.
We believe a camper van is more than a vehicle. It’s a tool for connection, exploration, and possibility. That’s why we take a personal, collaborative approach to every van build, combining innovation with proven solutions to create vans that are reliable, comfortable, and beautifully functional. Whether it’s a weekend escape or a life on the road, our vans are designed to support the journeys that matter most.
Our vision is to build vehicles, and relationships, that last - creating a legacy of craftsmanship and trust that inspires generations of adventurers to explore the world on their own terms.
Want to talk?
If you've gotten this far, you're probably thinking about a van. We'd like to hear about it.
Call us at (888) 332-9602 or send us a message.
Not sure where to start? Our Start Here guide takes about three minutes and helps us understand what you're looking for.
Get in Touch | (888) 332-9602
