But it’s not something you want to go into unprepared. Trial and error might be fine in the garage, but it can be a real pain to discover that your untested conversion idea didn’t pan out once you’ve already driven out to the middle of nowhere. For those who are handy with tools, a van conversion is the ultimate DIY project. The opportunities for tinkering are endless. To that end, I’ve got a few tips that can help you on your way to building a superior overlanding rig. Van conversion budgets can vary greatly, so these are organized by how much you’re looking to spend. We’ll start, though, with a few tips that are relevant to all van-lifers.
General van-life conversion tips
Plan ahead
Don’t just start cutting boards and screwing things together. Take the time to sit in your empty vehicle and visualize where you want everything to go. Make a map. Draw a picture. It can be frustrating to get deep into your build only to realize you’ve neglected to make space for something essential.
Consider access
When you’re on the road, you’ll be using certain items repeatedly and will want to be able to access them easily. Cooking gear, clothing, toiletries—these are the kinds of things you won’t want to be constantly digging around for.
Don’t forget a table surface
The most basic van build designs tend to be simple bed platforms. While that will get the job done, adding table surfaces makes a conversion significantly more livable. Even if you’re working with limited space, you should find ways to incorporate flat surfaces where you can place drinks, prepare food, and even work on a laptop.
Van-life on a budget: cut corners
Recycle materials
Lumber costs are high these days. Instead of going to the hardware store to shell out for new wood, search your local thrift stores for second-hand furniture that you can alter to suit your needs. For my first conversion, I cut a desk down to fit my space, and not only did it provide me with a solid surface to work and cook on, but also drawers for organization and the perfect space beneath for housing my fridge and power station.
Van-life with a little money to burn: expand your lifestyle
Get a fridge
While a typical cooler is fine in a pinch, a mini-fridge makes life a whole lot easier when you’re traveling for days, weeks, or months on end by eliminating the need for ice and making it easier to store food over the long-term. Be sure to get one that has an “eco” setting that will draw less power. The sky is the limit in terms of costs, but I’ve used this generic $250 unit extensively and it’s always gotten the job done.
Add a room
When you’re in your van all the time, it can be nice to set up a sitting area outside. Depending on your location and the time of year, however, mosquitos and other insects might make that intolerable. I’ve found that the Roadhouse Screen Tarp from Slumberack provides an excellent solution. For $230, it tacks shade, shelter, and mosquito protection directly onto the side of your van.
Van-life gone wild: upgrade everything
Instead, add fancy upgrades to your project van. Yakima roof rack systems will offer way more roof cargo carrying capacity than most racks made for your vehicle by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM). And Thule has essentially set the standard for quality cargo boxes. These outside storage opportunities will really free up the living space in your van.
Get everything on camera
A video camera system can be a great way to not only film your van life experience, but also help keep your vehicle secure while providing a record if anything untoward occurs. I’m a fan of the Nextbase dash cam ecosystem, which links up cameras on your dash, rear, and in the cabin, allowing you to film everything. It’s also got other slick features that can be helpful on the road, like an emergency SOS function, parking guidance, and more.
Stay cool
I’ve already mentioned installing a fridge rather than a cooler, but if you really want to up your cold-storage game (and can afford it), get a fridge with a built-in freezer. Dometic makes a bunch of good options, and their 75-liter unit offers a good balance between capacity and space efficiency.
