How to Convert a Van Into
A Camper Van
A Camper Van
By Van Guy
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I was lucky enough to join a
gathering of some of the members
of the VanDwellers group and met
Van Guy (pictures at left). He had
bought this nice Dodge Hi-Top
conversion van and converted it
into a great camper van. I was so
impressed with his work I asked
permission to take pictures and he
graciously agreed, but he didn't
have time to write anything. So I
am going to write about his camper
conversion. Unfortunately, I didn't
take notes so I am going to have to
rely on my sketchy memory.
gathering of some of the members
of the VanDwellers group and met
Van Guy (pictures at left). He had
bought this nice Dodge Hi-Top
conversion van and converted it
into a great camper van. I was so
impressed with his work I asked
permission to take pictures and he
graciously agreed, but he didn't
have time to write anything. So I
am going to write about his camper
conversion. Unfortunately, I didn't
take notes so I am going to have to
rely on my sketchy memory.
He built his bed behind the drivers
seat with storage underneath.
Notice the green cooler and
Coleman 2 burner propane stove
under the bed. A 13 inch TV is
mounted on the wall above the bed.
He wired the van for 110 volt for
when he was in campgrounds with
electricity. On bottom left of the
picture is his 110 volt electric
heater mounted on a cabinet.
One question all vandwellers have
is how to have privacy and cover
the windows. Van Guy used
Reflectix to both provide privacy
and shade the windows from solar
gain. Reflectix has a heavy layer of
aluminum foil on the outside and
bubble wrap on the inside. It does
a great job of keeping the heat
from the sun out in the summer,
keeps warmth in during the winter,
and provides perfect privacy
This view of the front passenger
door shows how he mounts the
Reflectix. He screwed in channels
above, below and on one end of the
window and just slides the
Reflectix into the channel when he
wants to use it, and it is easily
removed when traveling.
seat with storage underneath.
Notice the green cooler and
Coleman 2 burner propane stove
under the bed. A 13 inch TV is
mounted on the wall above the bed.
He wired the van for 110 volt for
when he was in campgrounds with
electricity. On bottom left of the
picture is his 110 volt electric
heater mounted on a cabinet.
One question all vandwellers have
is how to have privacy and cover
the windows. Van Guy used
Reflectix to both provide privacy
and shade the windows from solar
gain. Reflectix has a heavy layer of
aluminum foil on the outside and
bubble wrap on the inside. It does
a great job of keeping the heat
from the sun out in the summer,
keeps warmth in during the winter,
and provides perfect privacy
This view of the front passenger
door shows how he mounts the
Reflectix. He screwed in channels
above, below and on one end of the
window and just slides the
Reflectix into the channel when he
wants to use it, and it is easily
removed when traveling.
Living or traveling in a van requires very
efficient use of all of it's tiny space. Van
Guy built cabinets along the wall opposite of
his bed, and near the roof on the sides and
across the back. Notice the use of
cardboard boxes held in by bungee cords.
This helps with organization and keeps the
weight of the van down.
efficient use of all of it's tiny space. Van
Guy built cabinets along the wall opposite of
his bed, and near the roof on the sides and
across the back. Notice the use of
cardboard boxes held in by bungee cords.
This helps with organization and keeps the
weight of the van down.
The kitchen counter gives him a large work
area where he puts his propane stove to
cook. On the wall to the left is his inverter.
Above it is the power center everything
plugs into. The white object on the bottom
left is a water purifier.
His kitchen works very well. There is
enough room for anything he needs to do,
and everything is easy to reach and at hand.
The sink is behind the partition as we will
see below.
area where he puts his propane stove to
cook. On the wall to the left is his inverter.
Above it is the power center everything
plugs into. The white object on the bottom
left is a water purifier.
His kitchen works very well. There is
enough room for anything he needs to do,
and everything is easy to reach and at hand.
The sink is behind the partition as we will
see below.
You can't really see it, but between the
drivers seat and the bed is his house
battery in a sealed box. The box is vented
outside for safety.
The passenger seat iswivels. In this
picture it is turned around toward the
back. Van Guy bought the swivel base from
J.C. Whitney and installed it himself. Later
he found a cheap one in a wrecked class B
at a junk yard. A good reminder (if too late
in this instance) to search for parts at junk
yards.
drivers seat and the bed is his house
battery in a sealed box. The box is vented
outside for safety.
The passenger seat iswivels. In this
picture it is turned around toward the
back. Van Guy bought the swivel base from
J.C. Whitney and installed it himself. Later
he found a cheap one in a wrecked class B
at a junk yard. A good reminder (if too late
in this instance) to search for parts at junk
yards.
Here is his sink where he does his washing.
He originally put in a hand pump but didn't
like it so he just keeps water in one gallon
jugs. The sink drains into a 5 gallon water
bottle underneath it for easy disposal.
Looking toward the front of the van, you
can see a microwave in the storage area
above the drivers area that came with the
high-top roof.
He originally put in a hand pump but didn't
like it so he just keeps water in one gallon
jugs. The sink drains into a 5 gallon water
bottle underneath it for easy disposal.
Looking toward the front of the van, you
can see a microwave in the storage area
above the drivers area that came with the
high-top roof.
You would think that the partition which
seperates the back area from the front
would make the van feel smaller and
cramped, but it doesn't. In fact, it
makes it feel more homey and
comfortable. Counterintuitive, but true.
Under the bed you can see more water
stored in a milk crate.
Wanting more ventilation, he mounted a
fan in one of the back doors. The window
opens outward for when he turns it on.
