Want to live the van life?

Think about these 10 things first…

Are you thinking of buying a van, kitting it out, and hitting the road? Every day, the world inspires more and more people to opt for a simpler existence, work remotely, and live off the grid. One of the easiest ways to do this is to convert a standard van into a self-sustaining camper. We chatted to a few people who have done just that to find out the most important things YOU need to think about before taking that van life plunge.

1.Try before you buy

First, head out in a rental or borrowed camper van, and if you have the time and budget, try a few different ones. Not just for one night, in fact, take a long holiday in one, and this experience will quickly let you know if you are a potential van lifer or not.

We totally get it. Living in a small, mobile space is not for everyone, and this is the only way of finding out; it will also tell you what sort of van might suit your needs. Don’t skip this step, as it could be costly. It will also help you decide on what’s important to you in a van, such as bed size, shower and toilet (or not), and where to put the all-important kitchen.

2. Get inspiration​

Gone are the days where we go to our nearest camper, VW, Mercedes, Ford or other van dealer to look, chat with a salesman, grab a handful of brochures, and then make an informed decision. Thanks to the internet, we now have an overload of van info at our fingertips. Get onto YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram, and if you can’t find inspiration there, you won’t find it anywhere. Talented people are building incredible vans while showcasing the build and their skills on social media.

Patrick Güller (@gullerpat) who built his VW T6 with the help of dad, Uile, agrees: “I spent hundreds of hours looking at all types of vans online. This gave me inspiration for storage solutions, colours, materials and layouts. I eventually went for the classic California layout, though my front seats don’t swivel around. I wanted a separation between the driving and living parts of the van.”

3. Choose your van

You’ve tried before you buy, searched for inspiration, and also drawn up a list of non-negotiables, such as roominess for standing up and moving around in, and reliability for peace of mind. You now need to choose and buy your van.

Tom (@skadiontour) decided on a black Mercedes Sprinter van for his dream camper build: “I like the quality and style of the Mercedes Sprinter, and it has all the space we need to get everything we want in there, including a shower.” Frank (@pinepins) explains why he too went for this option: “When it comes to size you can’t beat a Sprinter, it drives and handles so well. It doesn’t feel like a big vehicle at all, it has power and is nimble for its size. I don’t mind driving it in big cities and always find parking.”

4. Plan your van

Perhaps the most engaging and challenging aspect of this process involves the interior planning. The aim is to construct a versatile, practical, and cozy living space. Consider the layout by prioritising your needs. Will you need a big bed, a working area, or a spacious kitchen? Remember that every decision you make influences the overall space available.​

When designing for storage, every inch counts. Accordion-style or roll-up doors save space and reduce the risk of damage from swinging doors. The bed and kitchen areas are quintessential. Patrick explains how his build began: “One of the first big decisions we made early on was the size of our Dometic fridge, as it’s a fixed width, and from that, we could then decide on the size of the bed and other furniture.

5. Begin with the Basics​

Approach the process systematically; start by stripping the van down to its bare bones. This blank canvas allows you to plan the space effectively and identify any repairs that need attention. Make sure the vehicle is insulated appropriately for your expected climate. A properly insulated camper will keep it cool in summer, warm in winter, and quieter year-round. Tom (@skadiontour) explains what he did: “First, we insulated our van, then we put in the flooring. Right now, we are building some bits and once the electricity and windows are sorted, they will go in."

Frank (@pinepins) explains his approach when building his Mercedes Sprinter: “We thought long and hard about the layout and how we wanted to kit it out. We only have two seats in the front and two in the back, and the space in between is for the kids to play in; this is useful, especially when the weather is not great.”​

6. Power

Living off-the-grid implies that your camper van will have to generate and store its energy. Solar panels, installed on the roof, are a popular solution. They can power all your gadgets, kitchen appliances, and lights. To store the excess power, you'll need deep cycle batteries. Make sure to match your power consumption with power generation and storage capacity. Tom (@skadiontour) is planning on going solar too: “We have the Slimpro Van Rack for extra storage space and plan on putting solar panels on it.”​

7. Aesthetics matter

Once you've got all the structural needs sorted, focus on the aesthetics. Your camper van is literally your home on wheels, and the interiors should reflect your personality and taste. Choose warm, vibrant colours as they feel open and bright. Install adjustable LED lights for creating different moods. Add personal items and touches that will make your van feel like your home away from home.​

8. Skill up or Get help​

Transforming a standard van into a camper for off-grid living can seem like a daunting task but remember that it's also a learning process. As you work through the conversion, you're likely to pick up new skills, and your understanding of what you need from your living space will evolve​.

Patrick Guller (@gullerpat): “While I am the creative one, my dad, Ueli, understands cars and can build anything and so, before buying my van, I asked him if he would help with the build, and he kindly obliged.”

9. Ensure Proper Ventilation​

A crucial, although often overlooked, aspect is ventilation. Proper airflow keeps your van comfortable and prevents condensation, which can lead to damaging mould or rust. Install at least one roof vent. Dometic's vast range of roof vents, roof lights, and roof air conditioners will assist with cooling, ventilation, and letting fresh air in.

10. Be adaptable​

Nothing is forever, and sometimes, you need to modify or change your set-up as your family grows or shrinks. Frank explains: “When our second child came along, we added the pop-top roof and the second row of seats. I now sleep upstairs with my son, and my wife sleeps downstairs with the baby. It works well.”

Follow these 10 steps when building your dream van and they will most certainly help you create the camper you want and need for a lifetime of off-the-grid adventures and comfortable van life living. ​