2019 's van build
The Shadow
2019 was the very beginning of my van life adventures.
It started from a simple idea I had to go camping in my van.
In 2019, as I was learning, my van went through a number of modifications. Especially the bed.
Most of the work done to the van happened over time as I became more confident that I can pull this off.
Theme:
Because I was new to van camping many ideas about my van came from Facebook groups. The groups I belong to had conversations around being stealthy so that the van looks like no one is living in it.
Another thought that influenced how I build had to do with my fear of changing the interior or exterior of my van. You will see that over time that changed.
- Zen (Stealth design)
- Dark covered windows
- Dark interior with natural wood trim
Sections:
- Kitchen
- spice rack
- deep sink
- propane burner
- kitchen light
- 12 volt dc plugs
- 5 gallon fresh water jug
- 5 gallon gray water jug
- RV filter
- manual water pump switch
- Bedroom
- Folding bed/bench
- Under the bed open storage
- Stowaway compartment storage
- Office
- hide-away desk
- LED office/reading lamp
- Jackery power station
- laptop/tablet phone station
- 12o vac/ 12vdc power station
- Bathroom
- portable toilet
- Electrical
- 1500 watt inverter
- 12volt 35ah battery
- Roof:
- 4 x 25 watt mono-crystalline solar panels
- Extended space
- screen tent – attached to the gate
This is first cabinet I made. It completely covers the window. Food is stored in bins above. I put black tile carpet on the self and velcro under the bends to prevent sliding. A fan was mounted in the back to pull air out the window.
After camping for about 3 months in the dark I wanted to bring more light into the van and in the following year I modified the kitchen. To maintain the stealth look, at night I covered the windows with black foam board.
Select a image
I really love this kitchen it bought more light into the van. To maintain the stealth look, at night I covered the windows with reflexit.
Select a image
The Awakening
2019 was fun. I went camping at State Parks and in the National Forest and over time made a list of improvements.
A lot happened. I went through multiple improvements in the van. It’s also the year my camping partner joined me, Ollie.
Say hi to Ollie.
The months following each camping trip started by going through my list of improvements, coming up with improved ideas and then going out and testing them again.
In 2019, I couldn’t stay at the campsite more than a day or two. I wasn’t happy with the space arrangement. Please visit the photo gallery to see more.
These are the things I found to be problematic:
- When I wanted to move around in the van things are shuffled around.
- It was really dark in the van.
- I used up too much power in the day-time to light the van.
- My spices and food is stored above the propane stove/flame
- The solar battery is under the seat taking up storage.
The list goes on. So, I’ll let the photos tell the story.
Theme:
The last build theme was about being stealthy. I decided I needed more natural light in the van. So I tried making custom curtain rods, a head liner and rewired the entire electrical in the van.
- The Awaking (bright nature)
- The ability to let more light into the van
- To go with a natural look
Sections:
- Kitchen
- spice rack
- deep sink
- propane burner
- Hide-away cooking table
- Light switch panel
- kitchen light
- electrical/fuse box
- 5 gallon fresh water jug
- 5 gallon gray water jug
- RV filter
- Water shut-off valves
- Foot activated water pump
- Bedroom
- Folding bed/bench
- Under the bed open storage
- Stowaway compartment storage
- Easy access to stowaway compartment
- Office
- hide-away desk
- LED office/reading lamp
- Jackery power station
- laptop/tablet phone station
- office pen holder
- power cord holder
- cup holder
- 12o vac/ 12vdc power station
- pocket (for macbook air, ipad)
- Bathroom
- Portable toilet
- Electrical
- 12 volt 720p Television
- 1500 watt inverter
- 12volt 70ah battery
- 120 vac and 12 vdc power stations
- Roof:
- 4 x 25 watt Mono-crystalline solar panels
