Who hasn’t dreamed of living the van life? Out on the open road, driving into the sunset with all your worldly belongings in the back. No worries beyond where your next meal is coming from. It’s all about freedom, breaking free from the shackles of convention and living life on your own terms.
All you need to live this idyllic existence is a vehicle that will take you wherever you need to go. You could buy a fully-formed campervan outright, but this will set you back financially, and it means you won’t be able to customize it to your preferences. Many people under the spell of wanderlust opt for the DIY approach.
Your campervan is not just a vehicle; it is a home. For this reason, it takes a lot of time and effort to create the perfect space, from designing the layout to installing electricity and plumbing. A camper conversion is not a project to be taken lightly. If you are dreaming of lost highways and desert sunrises, here is a step-by-step guide to converting your DIY campervan.
Choose your vehicle
A van is just a vehicle that gets you from A to B. It takes a tremendous amount of imagination and perseverance to turn it into a home. Deciding on a vehicle to convert is a big decision and will depend on several factors, including your budget, personal preferences, and your road trip requirements. There’s a lot to think about when choosing a van and a few critical questions you will need to ask yourself to ensure you make the right decision.
Size: You can convert any vehicle you like, from a small car to an old school bus. You probably already have an idea of what size you need, but there are a few things to consider. How many people will you be traveling with? Do you need room for a pet or even capacity for picking up hitchhikers? The length of time you’ll be touring is also important as that will determine how much storage space you need. Write down a list of your requirements in priority order and determine how much space you will need to accommodate them.
Cost: Buying and converting a vehicle is not going to come cheap, but if you are restricted to a budget, you will want to cut costs wherever possible. A used van will be less expensive than new but may need more maintenance. You could buy a campervan that requires minimal customization, but this will be a lot more costly than buying a plain old panel van and kitting it out yourself.
Brand: You may have your own opinions about which brands and models are best, but there is no right or wrong answer. Some brands are more reliable, whereas others may benefit from better availability of spare parts. Do your research and get some recommendations before you make your mind up. And remember that a reliable, long-lasting vehicle is more important than one with a fancy logo.
Design your layout
Now that you have purchased your vehicle, it’s time to make a plan for your conversion. This is the most exciting part of the process, and the possibilities are endless. You will need to consider how much stuff you need to accommodate and the functionality you want your campervan to have. Here are a few things to consider:
How many people will be living in your van? The more people living in your van, the more space you will need for sleeping and storage. You will also need some open space for everyone to hang out without getting in each other’s way.
How tall are you? If you are particularly tall, then you will be limited in your sleeping setup. A crosswise bed will be too short for you, so make sure you take this into account.
How much storage space do you need? When embarking on the van life, it’s a good idea to downsize as much as possible and get rid of anything you don’t need. For everything you can’t part with, you will need a special place for it. If you have oversized items like bikes or surfboards, decide whether you want to incorporate storage inside your van or find a way of hitching them onto the roof or back. Try to include multi-functionality items to save space—for example, a bed with storage underneath or a kitchen table that doubles up as a workspace.
Will you be cooking in your van? Many van owners just cook outside, but having an internal kitchen means you can prepare your meals comfortably in any weather. A kitchen area will take up space and require proper ventilation. You will need a fridge, cooker, sink, water tank, countertop, and food storage space.
Do you want a bathroom? One of the biggest questions you will need to ask yourself is whether or not you need a toilet. The cheapest option would be to rely on public restrooms or digging a hole when there are no facilities, but if you prefer to have your own bathroom, that’s not a problem. There are many toilet options for a campervan which will give you peace of mind when you really need to go but will take up a lot more space.
Will you need plumbing? Whether you need drinking water, a shower, or a way to wash your dishes, clean water is essential. Although you could get by with just filling up a load of jerry cans, many van owners opt for a more elaborate plumbing system. You could have a manual pump system, a hose-fed water tank, or if you have the budget, you could invest in an electric pump. You should have a water filter too, particularly if traveling in remote areas.
Will you need electricity? Electricity is essential when you’re on the road. It will help you refrigerate food, charge devices, and see at night. But it can also be one of the most costly aspects of owning a van. Most people opt for a solar-powered system linked to panels on the roof, but you could also buy a gasoline generator or rely on power from electric hookups at campgrounds.
Do you need a workspace? If you’re a digital nomad who works from a computer while on the road, you will want a space to set up a workstation. A table will be essential, and can also be used for meals.
Convert your van
Now that you have designed your perfect mobile home, it’s time to put your plan into action. If you know what you’re doing, you can do all the work yourself. This will be a much more budget-friendly option and will give you a feeling of personal accomplishment and pride when the work is complete. If you want to get it done as quickly as possible, you could hire a professional campervan conversion company to carry out the work for you.
Before you go
With your newly-converted campervan all shiny and ready to go, there are a few last things you need to take care of. You will need insurance to cover you and any other drivers on your road trip. The insurance your van had when you bought it will no longer cover you, as a converted van is no longer legally classified as a standard van. Your specific insurance policy will depend on many things: the type of vehicle (do you need van insurance, motorhome insurance, or truck insurance?), what you are using it for, and the specific features and functions.
As soon as you are insured, packed, and have said your goodbyes, it’s time to hit the open road and begin your big adventure.
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