Here are some details about how the van is built:
Diesel Heater: This heater is installed under the dinette seat, with outlets at foot level and a vent that goes into the storage area (garage) to keep it warm and dry. It also warms the underside of the bed. The seat lifts up so you can reach the fuel tank easily.
Water System: We store water in a 120-liter tank in the garage area. A Shurflo Trail King 10 water pump pushes the water through the system at a rate of 10.6 liters per minute. A Fiamma accumulator tank helps maintain a steady and smooth flow of water.
Water Heater: The van has an LPG (liquid propane gas) instant water heater. It vents out the side of the van to keep out any unwanted fumes.
Shower and Kitchen Tap: Both the shower and the kitchen sink use water from the same tank. The kitchen sink has a mixer tap, and the shower has a standard home shower mixer. Both the sink and shower drain out the bottom of the van into a portable wastewater container.
Lighting and Electrical: The van’s lights and electrical outlets all run on a 12-volt system. This system is in the garage area and uses two 115 amp-hour leisure batteries.
These batteries power the USB outlets, lights, heater controls, shower fan, fridge, and bedside reading lights (which also have USB ports). There’s a main switch to turn everything off, and the whole system can connect to an external power source (shore power hook up).
This hookup is on the outside of the van. It keeps the batteries charged, powers all the electrics, and lets you use the 240-volt outlets in the kitchen.
Bedroom: The bedroom features a custom 4-inch thick foam mattress with a cover and two cabinets at the end of the bed for clothes. There’s a custom headboard with two touch-sensitive reading lights, and both have USB charging ports.
You can turn the main van lights on from the sliding door and also switch them off from the bed.
Flooring: The floor has thin vinyl tiles laid in a fancy parquet pattern.
Ceiling: The ceiling is made of 8mm thick solid oak boards that fit together (tongue and groove) and are finished with a natural hard wax oil.
Dining Area: This area has two fixed seats, each with a 4-inch foam cushion. The tabletop is attached to an adjustable base, which can be lowered to sit on the seat tops, creating a small bed about 1.5 meters long for children or turning into a comfy sofa area.
Entrance: When you walk into the van, you’ll see four decorative 12-volt spotlights built into the solid oak step. These lights have their own switch at ground level as you step in.
Cabinetry: The kitchen cabinets, wall cabinets, and dinette seating are all custom-made and finished with a tough Waterborne lacquer to protect them. The van walls are also finished this way. All solid oak countertops and trims are coated with a natural hard wax oil for durability.
Toilet: The bathroom has a chemical Thetford toilet that can be easily lifted out to make more room for showering. But the shower area is quite large, built around a 1000 x 800 mm shower tray.
If you’re on Instagram, check out my page @eyesopen_vanlife_workshop where you can see more pictures of the van as it was being built.
