StarryNights
Member
Slowly making a “Trial build” in a 2003 long tall passenger van I recently bought after a year of looking. In January I attended the ‘RTR’ where there were thousands gathered for an annual event of mostly van dwellers dry camping near Quartzsite. Got to see lots of builds, but one in particular interested me. In 2012 owner converted new Sprinter and has been living in it and running his outdoor equipment business (www.sixmoondesigns.com) full-time since with minimal need to make changes. It was open, huge amount of counter space, room to walk around, un-cluttered, etc.
Started by adding Maxxair deluxe fan then pulled side panels & headliner and installed Thinsulate insulation, Put headliner back, (but it will come out soon when add overhead cabinets). Van has rear A/C that that is in rear ceiling, no bump on roof. It works well; not sure want to remove it. Insulation seems to be doing well; if doors open, van remains fine even on hot days. Also added backup camera and swivel drivers seat; will add passenger when in stock.
I not a carpenter and never built cabinets, so decided to see if I could learn and put basic configuration together to see if it could work for me. If it works, will return with much better materials. Build is rough, much is just .33” plywood over a light but amazingly rigid frame made with help of Kreg Jig.
• Has over 12 feet of counter space
• Hidden sink and induction cooktop
• Will add Self-made composting toilet.
• Sofa folds out to be comfortable bed; High-density plus memory foam. (Bought brackets and made bed)
• Still room to walk plus fully open Fridge when bed folded out
• Over 38” of free “Garage” space behind rear counter.
• Using TruckFridge TF-130. Huge capacity
• At rear shelf, it is exactly 72” wide (window to window), so I could put in an extra bed. (Width decreases rapidly as you go higher up.)
• There is a good amount of storage under counters plus a lot under bed (hinged) and will have more when build overhead cabinets - - plus lots of "garage" space. Depending on how use cabinet space, could have room for 6 or 8 foot long items (slide in from rear garage area).
Solar is not installed yet, nor is wiring and lighting. After much reading, think best to put in 24V system:
• If use compact 100W panels have room for 600 watts on roof (1 in front of fan, 5 behind).
• Probably start with 400 watts then add more later … maybe portable so can park in shade.
• Intend to buy 8 LiOnPO4 Prismatic cells to make two 12V 100AH batteries and series connect.
• Just got interesting proposal from ElectricCarPartsCompany.com
Many other things left to do, like learn to make drawers, work out wiring and lighting, make nighttime insulated covering for windows and decide if want wall off the "Garage" like was in build I liked or leave open.
Images attached of interior design I liked plus what I have done so far.
Comments, suggestions welcomed!
Tom
Started by adding Maxxair deluxe fan then pulled side panels & headliner and installed Thinsulate insulation, Put headliner back, (but it will come out soon when add overhead cabinets). Van has rear A/C that that is in rear ceiling, no bump on roof. It works well; not sure want to remove it. Insulation seems to be doing well; if doors open, van remains fine even on hot days. Also added backup camera and swivel drivers seat; will add passenger when in stock.
I not a carpenter and never built cabinets, so decided to see if I could learn and put basic configuration together to see if it could work for me. If it works, will return with much better materials. Build is rough, much is just .33” plywood over a light but amazingly rigid frame made with help of Kreg Jig.
• Has over 12 feet of counter space
• Hidden sink and induction cooktop
• Will add Self-made composting toilet.
• Sofa folds out to be comfortable bed; High-density plus memory foam. (Bought brackets and made bed)
• Still room to walk plus fully open Fridge when bed folded out
• Over 38” of free “Garage” space behind rear counter.
• Using TruckFridge TF-130. Huge capacity
• At rear shelf, it is exactly 72” wide (window to window), so I could put in an extra bed. (Width decreases rapidly as you go higher up.)
• There is a good amount of storage under counters plus a lot under bed (hinged) and will have more when build overhead cabinets - - plus lots of "garage" space. Depending on how use cabinet space, could have room for 6 or 8 foot long items (slide in from rear garage area).
Solar is not installed yet, nor is wiring and lighting. After much reading, think best to put in 24V system:
• If use compact 100W panels have room for 600 watts on roof (1 in front of fan, 5 behind).
• Probably start with 400 watts then add more later … maybe portable so can park in shade.
• Intend to buy 8 LiOnPO4 Prismatic cells to make two 12V 100AH batteries and series connect.
• Just got interesting proposal from ElectricCarPartsCompany.com
Many other things left to do, like learn to make drawers, work out wiring and lighting, make nighttime insulated covering for windows and decide if want wall off the "Garage" like was in build I liked or leave open.
Images attached of interior design I liked plus what I have done so far.
Comments, suggestions welcomed!
Tom
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