Do you love the freedom and adventure of camping, but don’t like the hassle of packing and unpacking all your gear? Or maybe you’re just looking for a more affordable way to travel.
If so, then you should consider building and living in a DIY camper van! In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about converting a van into a camper. So if you’re ready to take the plunge into DIY camper van life, keep reading!
1. Choose the right van
The first step in converting a van into a camper is to choose the right van. There are many factors to consider when making this decision, such as the size of the van, the type of conversion you want to do, and your budget.
Size is an important consideration because you need to make sure that the van is large enough for everything you want to put in it. For example, if you plan on cooking in your van, you will need space for a stove and a sink.
If you want to convert your van into a camper van with all the bells and whistles, then you’ll need a larger van so that you can fit everything in.
There is a lot of camper van build advice online that you can find and see what best goes with your needs. This is a great starting point, but ultimately you will need to decide what size works best for you and your needs.
2. Choose the right location
The next step is to choose the right location for your camper van. You need to find a place where you can park your van overnight without getting into trouble. Some people choose to park in their driveway, while others find free overnight parking spots in grocery store parking lots or rest areas.
Sometimes you can even find free camping spots on public land. Just be sure to research the regulations in your area so that you don’t get into trouble.
Also, if you plan on living in your camper van full-time, you will need to find a place where you can park long-term. This may mean finding an RV park or campground that has monthly rates.
3. Insulate the van
Once you have your van and location sorted out, the next step is to insulate the van. This is important because it will help keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
There are many different ways to insulate a van, but one of the most popular methods is to use spray foam insulation. This type of insulation can be applied directly to the inside of the van, and it will expand to fill any gaps or cracks.
It’s important to seal all gaps and cracks so that no air can escape, as this will make it more difficult to heat or cool your van. Some people also use Reflectix or fiberglass insulation, but spray foam is generally considered the best option.
4. Install electric
The next step is to install electricity in your van. This will allow you to run lights, a fridge, and other appliances in your van. You will need to wire your van for 12 volt DC power, and you can do this yourself or hire someone to do it for you. If you decide to do it yourself, there are many tutorials online that can help you through the process.
Once you have your electric system set up, you can then install Solar panels on your roof so that you can generate your power. This is a great option if you plan on living in your camper van full-time, as it will allow you to be completely self-sufficient.
5. Install a water system
The next step is to install a water system in your van. This will allow you to have running water in your van, which is essential for cooking, cleaning, and drinking.
There are many different ways to set up a water system, but one of the most popular methods is to use a gravity-fed system. This type of system uses two tanks, one for fresh water and one for grey water.
The freshwater tank is filled with potable (drinkable) water, and the grey water tank collects used water from the sink and shower. Gravity then pulls the fresh water from the tank and into the van so that you can use it. These types of systems are relatively easy to install, and they don’t require any pumps or electricity to run.
There are many other things that you can do to customize your camper van, but these are the essential steps that you need to take to get started.
Building a camper van can be a fun and rewarding experience, and it will allow you to travel and uniquely explore the world. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your build today!