Starting the conversion

I’ve looked over other peoples magnificent creations when repurposing a vehicle to an off grid camper for quite some time. Youtube is just such a viable source in this regard, no experts needed, imagination and a little bit of skill are necessary but the rest will pretty much work out itself. One absolute phrase is stuck in my mind, which my grandmother used to tell us: When you are finished with your work, people will either say it looks good or quite the opposite, nobody will ask how long it took. So be patient and give your best.

And as I was working on the car I can truly underline the importance of patience here. But I have to add as a side note that I am without any kind of pressure, no deadline, nothing which really helps big time.

 

Starting off on the Van:

Since it was a transport vehicle the back of the van was separated from the drivers’ compartment through a metal wall with a window, so the mirror can be used. Simple plastic wall covers and nothing else was in the van.

So the first steps involved getting rid of all the stuff inside, removing the seat bench since I planned with only 2 people traveling as well as the metal wall which separated the driver compartment from the cargo space.

 

With a “clean van” I was finally able to start building up step by step. I knew from the beginning I wanted to be able to get from the drivers into the living compartment without exiting the vehicle whilst maintaining a low profile over night. I could also tell just through sitting and working in the van that I would not need so much space over my head whilst driving. I decided to cut down the inner parts of the front compartment and install a shelve as well as the doorway.

Still working with the bare frame I used the opportunity to install hooks, which are completely capable of carrying a hammock. I installed the hooks diagonal to the frame so I have the longest possible space to work with.

Having done that I needed to start insulating the van because I will go south first and I do not like the thought of getting baked within a metal box. Covering the whole car with 2cm self-sticking insulation, on critical parts even 4 cm.

I also build a wooden frame around the roof as well as cable canals so hiding the cables should be fairly easy later on. In hindsight, I have to admit this was the wrong kind of canal dough since the straight one would be far better than the ripped one I bought. At the moment, I realized this fact it was too late since I had built canals mainly behind structures. But hey, it did cost me some time and a good dose of patience and I made it work in the end.

Now the walls and roof were perfectly insulated so I started on insulating the floor as well as the front compartment. Doing all this work in spring/early summer showed that the hottest compartment was the driver’s cabin due to the big glass windows. Being able to seal of the compartment completely was a huge deal for me since one such spot will heat up the entire car with ease. The 2nd single seat arrived as well so getting from front to back is just a matter of standing up and starting to walk.

I’d like to end the post with the work I started to cover up the sides again. With wood of course. In my personal opinion, it is quite a forgiving material to work with and just the simple smell of it when you enter the car makes you feel very comfortable. It is almost as a little hut within the Alps, cozy and it adds a warm feeling to the room.

TBC…