CREATING OUR OWN CAMPERVAN HAS BEEN A DREAM OF OURS FOR several YEARS NOW. IN MAY OF 2020, WE FINALLY took the leap and purchased A 2005 DODGE SPRINTER T1N. in the following 9 months, WE BUILT OUR DREAM HOME ON WHEELS FOR JUST UNDER $26,000 CAD. Through our blog posts and youtube videos, we want to share everything we learned along the way!
The best thing that came out of the COVID-19 lockdown for us was the time to create our dream van, The Peyto Cruiser! We designed and built the entire thing ourselves and have since enjoyed travelling through Canada in our cozy little mobile home.
We have a passion for sharing our conversion in hopes of making things easier for others. On this page, you will find everything van-related from our entire build to van travel, meal ideas, and must-have technology for life on the road!
To get started, check out this info on buying a used van, what you want to look for, AND our completed campervan tour!
Do those make you excited to get rolling on your own build?! GOOD!
We have divided the rest of this page up into sections to make it easier for you to find exactly what you are looking for. Before we let you loose on the mountain of content we have created on all things van life, though, there are 2 more things we want to show you…
#1: is one of our all-time favourite blog posts on building the Peyto Cruiser.
It breaks down the budget into rational steps that you will need to take during your van build and offers a TON of valuable resources along the way.
#2: Is a solar system schematic that we have come up with to simplify your build, save you time, and give you discount codes on some of the most expensive components!
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Simple Solar System Design$19.99
In this guide, we are giving you insider access to what we consider the best of the best! This includes:
- Component Breakdown
- Electrical Schematic
- Budget Guide
- Quantity Chart
- Installation Tips
- Discount Codes
- …. and so MUCH MORE!
We have helped hundreds of van lifers just like you create a professional solar system in an easy and effective way. Click HERE for more information & reviews!
Now that we have gone over the basics and talked a little bit about what you will need to get started, it’s time to let show you everything we know about building a campervan! For convenience, feel free to jump to a certain section by clicking the category you are looking for below or browse through the entire page for ideas.
Van Alterations
Van alterations can feel exceptionally scary at first. You want me to cut a hole in the side of a van I just spent thousands of dollars to buy? I don’t think so… 😉 The truth is, though, as long as you do the appropriate research and planning before you begin, they can be simple and incredibly effective in making your van feel homier. We went back and forth on our skylight at first, and now, it’s one of our favourite features of the van!
Framing, Flooring & Insulation
This is probably the most exciting step so far because your van is starting to look more and more like a little house! We used mainly 2X2`s and 2X4`s and actually framed inside the metal ribs of the van. This gave us a few more inches of living space on the walls and the ceiling. When space is a hot commodity, every little bit counts!
There are numerous different options out there when it comes to insulating your van. Your choice may be influenced by budget, the climate where you live, your skillset, and your comfort level. We live in Canada and it gets extremely cold here in the winter so good insulation was a top priority. We opted for rigid foam on the floor and spray foam on the walls and ceiling.
Bed Frame, Kitchen, & Seats
If you were wondering what our favourite part of the van is, this is it! The bed frame is something that we put a ton of time and thought into and it has become our pride and joy of this whole project. Although it was not the cheapest way to go, it was absolutely worth the extra money.
We created a permanent bed frame out of aluminum and steel that holds a queen-sized mattress as well as 3 storage cubbies and a bookshelf on top. Our kitchen table slides out from the front of the frame with 2 large drawers for clothes storage underneath.
For the kitchen, we used Ikea cabinets, a sink and propane stove we found on amazon, and a butcher block countertop that matches our table.
Common Mechanical Issues
Because you are most likely buying an older van to do your conversion, it is extremely helpful if you can troubleshoot and fix some of these common mechanical issues yourself. We have saved thousands of dollars over the past 2 years alone because David has taught himself how to deal with these problems when they arise.
Electrical & Solar System
A solar system can be very expensive and difficult to install in your campervan. By using the right products and doing your research, you can drastically simplify the install and save yourself thousands of dollars. We primarily recommend using Renogy because their products are user-friendly, reliable, and inexpensive compared to other brands.
Related Post: Campervan Solar System: Complete Component Breakdown
- Simple Solar System Design$19.99
In this guide, we are giving you insider access to what we consider the best of the best! This includes:
- Component Breakdown
- Electrical Schematic
- Budget Guide
- Quantity Chart
- Installation Tips
- Discount Codes
- …. and so MUCH MORE!
We have helped hundreds of van lifers just like you create a professional solar system in an easy and effective way. Click HERE for more information & reviews!
Although more expensive upfront, we can’t recommend a lithium battery enough. The type and size of the battery you purchase will have a huge impact on the price of your solar system. Both Renogy and Canbat offer great lithium batteries. If you will be travelling in a cold climate, however, Canbat offers a specific cold-weather battery. This battery features a built-in heating unit and can continue to charge to temperatures as low as -35 degrees Celsius.
Related Post: The Ultimate Cold Weather Lithium Battery for Your Campervan’s Solar System
Van Hacks & Helpful Accessories
Finally, these are some of our best tips and accessories to make van life as easy and enjoyable as possible! From signal boosters to storage hacks, these tips and tricks are certain to make your experience a positive one.
Van Life
Now that our build is complete, we have began traveling around in our campervan. If you’re looking for some van trip inspiration, check out these videos!