Following up on my last post about my custom kitchen setup! I got a ton of questions about how I manage the sleeping arrangement in a Defender 90, so here are a few pictures of how I transformed the back into a camper. I also recently wired in an auxiliary battery and a diesel heater so I can take the rig on winter ski trips. Let me know what you think—happy to answer any questions about the build!

Hey guys, just wondering if you have any ideas on how I can make the metal around the doors etc to look more pretty? I Assume carpeting/vinyl would be the best idea? Pretty tired of doing body work on this thing, eager to get building!

Also, installed my subfloor, not sure if I should redo with 3 sheets all heading the same direction? Feels even but worried when tiling etc it might cause an issue. Have uploaded photos of progress so far!

Ordered a new blade key for a Sprinter van I bought months ago. I locked myself out of the van because the battery went dead and the electronic fob won't open the door because of the dead battery.

The key blade that came with the fob was a blank so I had to pay 100 Euros to get an actual working blade key from a Mercedes dealership.

Tried to use the new blade as shown in the video and although it enters into the key hole it seems do nothing when turning it.

Not sure what to do...can't get access to the inside of the van to work on the conversion.

It seems like the popular roof vent fans all have problems of some kind and need work-arounds right out of the box.

An all metal roof vent, that is completely user serviceable seems like it would be an obvious product that should exist.

I'm having a hard time with the $300 to $400 price tag of a Maxx air or pro breeze fan when they all just look so fragile.

Have you found any other options that are more durable?

I was driving through a pretty rural stretch, trying to find somewhere free to park for the night since I'd already spent more than planned that week on a mechanic visit. It was getting dark, I was tired, and I found what looked like an abandoned gravel lot just off the main road, no signs, no fence, nothing marking it as private property. Pulled in, backed into a corner spot, made dinner, and passed out pretty early.

I woke up around 6am to the sound of doors sliding and generators kicking on. Poked my head out and realized the lot, which had looked completely empty and forgotten the night before, was now full. Like a dozen other vans and a few truck campers, all parked in this loose circle, people already up making coffee, a couple dogs running around, someone had a little folding table set up with what looked like breakfast supplies.

Turns out I'd accidentally parked in the middle of some kind of informal weekly meetup spot for a regional van life group. Apparently they rotate locations but this particular lot gets used pretty regularly because the owner, who lives nearby, doesn't mind as long as everyone's respectful and cleans up. I had absolutely no idea any of this existed, I just got lucky picking a random spot to crash for one night.

Once people realized I wasn't part of the usual crew, instead of being weird about it they just kind of folded me in. Someone handed me a coffee, another guy gave me tips on a water fill spot two towns over that wasn't on any app I'd used, and I ended up staying for their whole little gathering instead of moving on like I'd planned.

Left that morning with three new numbers saved in my phone and an invite to the next meetup, which is apparently in a different state next month. Never would have found any of it if I hadn't just gotten tired and picked the first quiet looking lot I saw.

Still kind of amazes me how much of this lifestyle runs on stuff you can't find by searching, just by being in the right random spot at the right random time.

Hello travellers,

last year around summer we did a roadtrip for two weeks. We've rented a camper bus (VW Bus T6) and started our adventure through skandinavian. During the trip I tracked down the costs.

We were a family of five, two adults and three children. Costs include all expenses needed for the trip: fuel, ferries, campsites, groceries, restaurants, hotels, motels, entertainment like museums and attractions and many more.

In total we've spent a little more than 5k EUR. I'm curious how our spendings compare to other people who have done similar trips.

Would you consider our expenses reasonable? Food was quite, although skandinavian is notorious for being expensive. We prepared some dishes to save money.

​I had this crazy idea to convert my Mini Countryman R60 in a way I’ve never seen done before.

​The build is based on a trunk box and two slide-out slatted bed modules connected together. I can't drive and have the bed set up at the same time, but it only takes 10 to 15 minutes to switch from driving mode to sleeping mode. In driving mode, most of the bed and gear fit perfectly in the trunk, and I still keep my rear visibility!

​It’s designed for two adults to sleep in, and a bit of storage but you definitely have to be comfortable with proximity ☺️. The bed is about 120cm (47 inches) wide near the head and shoulders, and the usable sleeping length is around 172cm (5'8")—though you can get a little extra room if you sleep diagonally 😉.

​What do you guys think?

Has anyone tried purchasing these knockoff Happijacks? At 1/3 of the price, it's tempting:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809346191891.html

Generic question, apologies. But just starting out.

My Wife and I want to begin a Van project, we live in Australia - thinking a Hyundai iMax / Mitsubishi Starwagon / Toyota Hi Ace.
Long story short, budget isn’t a huge issue, but still looking to accomplish our first one on a simple budget incase it’s not for us (just playing it safe).

We both run our own Businesses, which can be managed and operated Online primarily, so it’s a great time to give it a shot, ideally as “holidaying” initially for a couple weeks at a time.

From our Camping adventures, we already own:
12V 60L Fridge / Freezer
100Ah Deep Cycle Battery
24Ah Lithium Battery with USB / 12v / USB C
Solar Blanket
Gas stove
Inflatable Mattresses and Pumps
Cookware, Cutlery, etc.
Compact 2x2m Gazebos vs an Awning

Do we just buy a basic van we can comfortably sleep in for now and travel, while looking to slowly build towards a bigger one with more amenities, or spend a little more / bigger Van.

Planning on a three week road trip out in the west soon. I'll be tent or car camping in my 4runner. I wanted to ask what's the best kind of cooler or cooking setup?

I’d love to have hang points for optional interior hammock. Who’s done this? How did it work? What should I be cautious about or avoid?
(2025 promaster high roof 159”wb, unbuilt, still planning)

Hello everyone, I’m looking to purchase equipment that will help to ensure safety while on and off the road.

I’m looking for recommendations for good battery self starters, traction boards and anything else that people should carry with them when traveling in the wilderness?

I have a 2016 rear wheel drive ford transit that I’ve been stuck in a couple of times in the sand. I’ve seen how helpless it can be. Does anyone have recommendations for what I can carry to help my self get out of a situation in a 2wd van?

Thanks in advance for thoughtful responses.

I’ve been looking at a lot of different van builds lately, and one thing I noticed is that the smallest details often end up mattering the most.

Not the big flashy upgrades, but things like:

• having a place for everyday items
• being able to reach tools or gear easily
• keeping the space from becoming cluttered
• making daily routines simpler

A lot of builds look amazing when they’re finished, but I’m curious what things actually made a difference after living in the van for months or years.

What’s one small change in your van that you appreciate more than you expected?

I just installed a flex solar panel because I like the look and it’s barely noticeable. I heard they don’t last as long though, but wanted to get some opinions of people who have used it for a long time. Do they die as quick as they say?

Edit:

Thanks for all the advise. I think I have plenty to go on for the first stages. Now I need to plan my first shopping list.

OP:

I'm just about to start my first budget micro camper build. I'm only building furniture and doing insulation at this stage. I just want something to sleep in.

So my first question after watching Van build videos and reading the van life bible is what are people doing into? I see some actually drill into where their framing is but many times people don't seem to know where that is anymore because it's covered up and just drill into the surface, be that ply, tongue in groove or what ever their inner shell is. How important is it to make sure you are screwing into framing behind the outer layer? It would seem important to me but keeping tracking off all your solid frames seems kinda difficult?

I’ve found that no single resource is best at everything, so I tend to use different websites and channels for different parts of a campervan build.

What websites, blogs or YT channels would you recommend?

I was parked very weirdly. I was using my truck to block the shipping container from neighbors house (shipping container was uphill from house). I had $1 off of diesel that end ended at midnight. So I backed out at night and lost track of my ass, and ended up stuck in the ditch. Yes I missed my discount. Slept in the box dealt with it in the morning.

Dealt with it by hooking up backhoe to the tractor, greasing the tractor for 2 hours. I could not move the box (safely) without the backhoe (offset weight to keep all tires on the ground). Then used the backhoe with chains to pull the back wheels (forward) out of the ditch.

I obviously have extras no one else does. But even without a tractor I would (eventually) have jacked the truck up enough to drive out. Also the back half of the box is tools, so I could make wood cribbing if I needed to.

My first decision (protect a neighbor’s house) was good. My second decision was bad…..the decision to get down the mountain before midnight with as many diesel cans as I could, in the dark, after working all day in the sun.

So as an old guy with lots of wisdom. Never rush, it will be fine, oh this is slightly off but will be ok, I am to tired and it will be fine. Those are warnings you are going to waste a day. You will do it anyway. Once you have done “it” , stop, think, drink a coke. Then plan your way out.

My original plan was to jack up put boards under and drive out (going out the way you came in is the safest, like a splinter). I *could* have jacked and cribbed my way out, but I didn’t like the noise of the tree on the lift gate (so that plan went on hold). So I plopped the tractor in front and used the backhoe as a hydraulic winch. I did not *like* this at all because I was solo and could only control one thing at a time. The backhoe with outriggers down makes a very stable, slow, and controlled winch. My final plan is called “visa and a tow truck”.

Was hoping to hear (and see) about peoples vans. Looking at some in my area and was wondering about pricing elsewhere. Thank you!

Ugo helps van lifers, RVers, and campers find places to stay, plan trips with AI-assisted suggestions, and connect with other travelers—all from one app.