How to convert your van into a camper - video

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

Surfer and spreader of digital Aloha, Cyrus Sutton, is selling his Ford E-series van. It's done a few miles and it's starred in a few surf films, the most recent being Compassing, where Cyrus' vehicle got the van-to-camper makeover.

The eBay auction ends in 12 hours and currently sits at $9,300 USD. With the clock ticking down Cyrus has released this vid to inspire others to customise their wheels and hit the road. See text below the clip for Cy's advice.

Living in a van is pretty simple. But if you want to take your game to the next level check out this tutorial video for ideas on making your ride more livable.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Vehicle
Consider choosing a van or pickup with plenty of space. You should be able to remove the seats or it should come gutted like an ex-electrician vehicle. Diesels are great options because of fuel efficiency.

Step 2: Designing the Interior
Camping in your vehicle is often a cramped activity. So designing an efficient interior which maximizes space is crucial. Stack functions so that each area serves multiple purposes. It will make your dwelling more comfortable and organized. Here are some features to consider.

Ventilation- make sure that you have a method of getting fresh air inside when all doors and windows are closed. If only one person is sleeping inside then cracking windows is usually enough. For two people or more using a ceiling pop vent is highly recommended.

Privacy- If you want to have the option of parking in urban or suburban areas consider tinting your windows or installing curtains

Security- Aside from curtains and windows, a great, cheap theft deterrent is the classic "the club." Also a good consideration if you have valuables safe that is bolted into the fame of your vehicle. For self defense a big can of pepper spray on your door is always a good idea.

Heat/Insulation- Consider covering walls with 1 inch foiled eps insulation and ply wood. Other kinds of insulation will break down with tire vibrations. This will help regulate the inside temperature from extreme cold and heat. If you are in a cold area consider using a catalytic propane heater. Exercise extreme caution- make sure your space is well ventilated and free from other objects that could catch fire. Do this wrong and you could DIE. The best is wood stove with adequate flashing to prevent fire. Again this is extremely dangerous and should be done at your own risk.

Sleeping area- A raised bed is best for cleanliness (you won't be walking on it) and use of space (underneath can be used as storage). Use at least a 1" thick piece of ply. Either mount on the roof brackets if using a bubble top or bolt L bars into the walls and drill the plywood into them. Consider splitting the bed into two pieces and not drilling into piece near your feet so you can remove when hauling large objects.

Storage- Is always best installed on the floor or along the walls. This supports weight and minimizes movement during driving. Subfloor storage (underneath your feet) is best if possible.

Food prep- an area to cook and prepare food is key for long or off the grid trips. Many use a metal bowl for a sink. A double burner propane stove is a necessity- large 5 gallon propane tanks cut down on waste containers and are necessary for long trips to remote destinations. Make sure you have a door open while cooking.

Water container- 5 gallon jugs with a pump are the way to go. You can fill up at any spring or bulk water dispensary outside of most US grocery and drug stores.

Electricity- an inverter and a designated deep cycle battery, voltage regulator and high powered inverter are key for running electronics off solar. I use goal zero (goalzero.com) solar panels atop my rocket box (yakima.com) when on trips to trickle charge my battery and charge my Goal Zero Yeti battery.

Swivel seat- Captan mounts are awesome for maximizing space and are available for many vehicle models third party. I have one on my passenger side- flipping the seat to face the rear allows for more space and is a great place to read from or eat a meal.

For more tutorials about living the good life check out korduroy.tv

 

Comments

crustt's picture
crustt's picture
crustt Friday, 26 Jun 2015 at 8:19am

This guy has some great ideas, BUT! If you did that in Australia first cop that seen you going past would be wacking a canary on it, also it would make the van un-sellable . So do a bit of research before pulling out the angle grinder. :-)

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Friday, 26 Jun 2015 at 11:19am

Winning bid on the van was US $10,100.00 [ 52 bids ]

Luke G's picture
Luke G's picture
Luke G Friday, 26 Jun 2015 at 1:45pm

Perfect example of what not to do, chopping that roof has completely compromised the structural integrity of the vehicle then you have the raw marine ply as a roof...

floyd's picture
floyd's picture
floyd Friday, 26 Jun 2015 at 5:11pm

Agree with above comments about the roof & having a LPG bottle in a cupboard and then cooking inside a van is also high dangerous, crazy dangerous (possibly against AU law). Those swivel seats are a great idea but in Australia they need engineer certification and will cost about $750 each fitted for the swivel base & engineer's certificate.

Having trolled the internet over the last 3 years for ideas and products to fit my van out I can say there is definitely a gap in the market here in AU for such businesses. The UK seems to have such businesses in every 2nd village.

If anyone knows of AU businesses that do or sell products to fit vans out please post here if your wouldn't mind.

mibs-oner's picture
mibs-oner's picture
mibs-oner Monday, 29 Jun 2015 at 9:40pm

check the last few posts on instagram from dylan longbottom. He's using one from a mob in the Shellharbour area fitting out new school kombi's. Looks pretty good from the outside not sure whats in them tho

AchtungCamper's picture
AchtungCamper's picture
AchtungCamper Sunday, 5 Jul 2015 at 3:48pm

Hi Floyd, we do exactly this - custom campervan conversions. My partner is from Germany and it's the same as in the UK there - lots of amazing companies but definitely a gap in the market here! Check out our website for more info www.achtungcamper.com.au

crustt's picture
crustt's picture
crustt Friday, 26 Jun 2015 at 5:37pm

Every thing he has done is possible, but for it to be legal like floyd said you need an engineers certificate, in the end probably costing more than paying a specialist company to do a better Job, was surprised he got so much for it.

Yeah that gas bottle, good way to wake up dead.

I have a heap of links, been doing much the same myself floyd, I'll sot them out and post them.

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Friday, 26 Jun 2015 at 10:39pm

Crustt, was that you ages ago that posted the links for the step by step fit out of a van? I can't remember if that was you but it stuck in my mind as something I'd really like to do myself. The link I remember was of a do it yourself fit out but it was much more professional looking compared to this one.

floyd's picture
floyd's picture
floyd Saturday, 27 Jun 2015 at 6:14am

Thanks

Luke G's picture
Luke G's picture
Luke G Friday, 26 Jun 2015 at 8:30pm

Look at a ford transit lwb vh floyd, pick a good one up for less than $10,000. You can stand up in it and a double bed easily fits. The long wheel base is great for long trips and inline turbo diesel which is reliable and economical.

Best part is no need for engineering.

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Saturday, 27 Jun 2015 at 8:32am

Chopping the roof out like Cyrus has probably didn't compromise the structural integrity much ,those big yank vans run a full chassis...unlike the VW combi [older] with its Monoque chassis where most of the roof section is removed for the Sopru conversion and no body stiffening added, or the full height fibre glass egg roof they used to add
Gas bottle inside is a def no no
As Luke G said the Diesel high roof transits are a good unit.
Zen the fitout your reffering to ...was that the one where the guy [south aussie] bought a cheap non running Dieselvan that he overhauled the injector pump on ?
Around a grand for full engineerd compliance plate ..body -seat mods etc

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Saturday, 27 Jun 2015 at 8:38am

I'm pretty sure that's the one. I knew you'd be on to it Udo.

crustt's picture
crustt's picture
crustt Saturday, 27 Jun 2015 at 8:46am

All the links I've got don't work anymore, here is a transit one.
http://fordtransit.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=47&sid=e4c183664eff579d6eb1...
I'll dig some up.
Here s a link to a transit for sale now, I was just amused at the positive spin he puts on a van that is falling apart,:-)))
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/321788136154?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssP...

crustt's picture
crustt's picture
crustt Saturday, 27 Jun 2015 at 3:17pm
uplift's picture
uplift's picture
uplift Saturday, 27 Jun 2015 at 3:41pm

I used to always have campervans. Including kombis and a transit. The best I had was when I first moved west. It was a 5 speed Mazda diesel, with a flat floor (no wheel arches inside van) which meant more space. I bought the van almost new, then had it custom converted, having had the other vans to figure out the set up I wanted.

It could comfortably cater to couples and another guy, or 2 guys. The set up meant we could go to isolated spots, and have power and water for a week, without having to drive anywhere. It had a large gas bottle with outside access mounted in a custom fibreglass hatch in the rear side of the van, and deep cycle batteries under the floor. That gave the fridge/freezer, lights, electric water pumps, music, etc plenty of power. Plus I had a great hot water system based on the radiator being replaced with one with an auto transmission cooler, and an underfloor insulated tank, like a hot water service. It lasted for a couple of days after a drive, and if I wanted to, I could start the engine and heat up the tank, (and charge the batteries) quickly. I also had a large drinking etc, filtered water supply, easily a weeks worth. The diesel motor in those vans was deluxe, and could easily cruise on 110 - 130 kph, and the overdrive gave great economy.

The pop top had a really comfortable, functional mattress system, plus 4 screened windows for ventilation. It was a perfect sleep, even for a couple. Down the bottom had a really comfortable couples size bed too, when the seats/table were set up for it. There were cupboard hatches everywhere, a waterproof wetsuit, etc compartment, accessible through the back lift up door. I had the roof structure beefed up, with an aluminum roof rack on top, which could be easily used, using the front doors and side sliding door openings as steps. With seat belted seating for 5 in the back, and 2 in the front, and all the boards up top, it was great for just every day quick surf trips.

They did an awesome job with sound system, and the 4 speakers were all flush mounted in the roof, and rear cupboards. I had learned that fly/bug proofing and ventilation were crucial where we wanted to go, especially in summer, near both west and east borders (ever tried camping at bong bong). So I had 3 large sliders in the rear, replacing the side sliding door window with one, plus one over the sink set up. I also had a custom roll down full length fly screen that quickly velcro'd into place. With the rear door/tailgate up, it sealed that whole opening. It was deluxe, with roof up, all windows open, it was cool, and really ventilated. It had full round, sliding reflective curtains too. I can remember parked on the cliff, watching the waves, relaxing after a deluxe surf, with vince and boofhead, at one notoriously hot, desolate, fly infested desert spot, eating norgen vaaz and frozen berries, as the other two guys there fried, and battled hordes of flesh sucking flies, finally cracking and speeding off, leaving us refreshed for the late one.

The whole thing was really professionally done, kitchen quality. I had this system of spring clips and hooks, that held all the pots, pans etc in place, even when bouncing over the roughest tracks. The fiberglass work was colour matched, and seamless. Not cheap though, even back then, around 35 odd years ago, approaching 10 grand for the conversion, plus eight for the Mazda.

When I located over west, I had it for a year or so, but sold it to go on a prolonged indo trip. It was done really high quality, and I virtually got my money back for it.

The conversion mob was at the top of taps, south road, but aren't around by the looks of it.

These guys look good. Probably have to pay for what you get though.

http://wildconversions.com/

stray-gator_2's picture
stray-gator_2's picture
stray-gator_2 Tuesday, 30 Jun 2015 at 9:39am

Before I moved into the nursing home, in my transition phase, I used to hang around campervans. Including kombis – I wasn’t fussy. The best was one way out west. Owned by an old gym junkie with a flat head (nothing inside), it was a 5 speed Mazda diesel, which meant more space. It was the set up I wanted.

It could comfortably cater to couples and another guy, or 3 guys and a donkey. The set up meant we could go to isolated spots, and have enough amyl, ectasy, and water for a week, without having to drive anywhere or put our pants on. It had a large hooka with outside access mounted in a custom fibreglass holder in the rear of the van, with deep hot tub under the floor, disco lights, water bed, pumps etc. Plenty of action. Plus a great hot water system for after-game showers that lasted for a couple of days, if I wanted to. I could start the old dude’s engine, heat up his tank, and charge his batteries pretty quickly. If you get my drift.

He also had a large, erm, water supply, easily a week’s worth, great economy. He could easily cruise but boy!, when he went into overdrive, it was deluxe.

The pop top had a really comfortable, functional mattress system, plus 4 screened windows for ventilation. It was a perfect sleep, even for a couple. Getting the donkey in was tricky, especially when the seats/table were not set up for it. Luckily, everything was waterproof, and easily accessible through back lift up, erm, hatches.

I was pretty beefed up, with a great rack on top, which could be used through the front and side sliding openings. With 5 in the back, and 2 in the front, and all up top, it was great every day. I learned that protection was crucial, especially in summer (ever tried ping pong bing bong?). I had 3 large sliders in the rear, replacing a custom roll down full length fly quickly velcro'd into place. With the rear tailgate up, it sealed that whole opening.

It was deluxe. I can remember relaxing after a notoriously hot, desolate, fly-infested session with vince (the donkey) and boofhead (aka Mick), at one desert spot, eating norgen vaaz and frozen berries, leaving us refreshed for a late one.

The whole thing was really professionally done and filmed. I had this system of spring clips and hooks, even when bouncing along to the roughest sound tracks. I was easy but never cheap, though, even back then, around 35 odd years ago. My fee approached 10 grand, plus eight for the donkey.

Have to pay for what you get, eh, Mick?

uplift's picture
uplift's picture
uplift Tuesday, 30 Jun 2015 at 12:29pm

Once a stray gimp 2, always a stray gimp 2.

However,

Yeh, I'll bet you'd love people to join your little gimpy van club.

stray-gator_2's picture
stray-gator_2's picture
stray-gator_2 Tuesday, 30 Jun 2015 at 8:34pm

Ah, memories.

mtown's picture
mtown's picture
mtown Sunday, 28 Jun 2015 at 4:54pm

That looks like the biggest pile of screwed together shit with wheels. 3months of travel in aus and it would rattle to pieces.10gs for that! Ha.
If u had an accident in aus and some one got injured you'd probly go to jail or get sued so hard you wished you went to the pen.
Looks "cool" so I recon that's all that matters these days. Add someone with a beard and a zip up wetsuit top and your fucking ripping!

wellymon's picture
wellymon's picture
wellymon Monday, 29 Jun 2015 at 9:53pm

Hunt Housecar 1937, Wow;)

uplift's picture
uplift's picture
uplift Sunday, 5 Jul 2015 at 5:43pm

Classic!

norchock's picture
norchock's picture
norchock Sunday, 5 Jul 2015 at 7:33pm

Mongrel mob clubhouse ? ;)

uplift's picture
uplift's picture
uplift Sunday, 5 Jul 2015 at 8:14pm

Love to roll up at a few places in that thing. Or this, with camsless and gaul, or toddler and gaul in the back, and a rack with boards on top.

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Sunday, 5 Jul 2015 at 8:43pm

Classic.

Messerschmitt Kabineroller.