Building something yourself is always very rewarding. Building a new house from scratch is even more exciting. And if we’re talking about creating your very own house on wheels, things get even more fun.
Usually, camper vans can get quite expensive. Even if you are willing to spend a load of money on a new one, you may still not find one which suits your needs and wishes perfectly. Of course, challenging yourself to turn a regular one into a house on wheels with significantly less money is definitely something you can choose. And getting things right from the beginning will save you even more money on the long run as you avoid high maintenance costs. You will have exactly what you dream of in a camper van and you will be able to explore the whole wide world in it.
So if you’re thinking of turning your camper van into a house, then you’ve come to the right place. Although at first it may seem to be quite overwhelming, we are here to help you prevent and overcome any possible difficulties.
Essentials
Turning your van into a dream house is not as hard as it appears. All you have to do is pay attention to some details and to follow a couple of steps.
Once you’ve chosen the right van, one of the first things you need to make sure is that you’re converting it safelly and legally. To do that, you must get in touch with your legal authorities. They will inform you on the regulations in your area or country.
Now you can start by asking yourself who’s going to live in your new home and what they need. If you’re going to live by yourself or with another person, then you’ll have enough room to be creative. What you must keep in mind is to always have a clear plan of what you want to do. This is very important because it makes things so much easier to put in practice.
Starting from the Outside
Once you made your plan, you can focus on fixing any existing issues with your van. The first thing to do is cleaning every rusty spot. You can get rid of all of them and then you can repaint your new house on wheels.
Next, ask yourself whether you want some new camper windows because now is the time to install them. This is because ventilation is crucial when living in a van. Adding a roof vent can be a great solution if you want to improve air flow. Not to mention it will save you the cost of buying an air-conditioning unit.
Installations
Now is also the time to make sure you cut or drill any holes that you may need for the other installations. You need to do that before taking care of the floor and insulation. Actually, the best thing you can do is to remove the mat of the existing floor and to insulate it yourself.
For insulation, you can choose from many types of materials but the most common one is armaflex. This material is very practical and can be cut in different sizes and shapes, according to your needs. Keep in mind that insulation is also very important for having a comfortable home because it helps regulate the inside noise and temperature.
So you need to pay particular attention to the heating options. One of the most practical methods for heating and cooking is the propane gas. But remember not to install it yourself. Propane gas should only be installed by those who are qualified to do so.
The same thing can be said by electrical installation. This also needs to be done safely by an authorized person. Of course, you need electricity in your new home to keep everything running. The most frequent choices are either a battery system or solar panels. Although deep cycle batteries and generators are also an option, solar panels are very powerful and affordable and they can power everything you need.
Another thing you must do is to make sure you have a functioning running water system for your kitchen and bathroom. Usually, camper vans have water containers which you can fill with fresh water. Then, you can drain the waste water from the sink and toilet in a bucket or a portable tank.
Design and Furniture
Now we’ve come to another fun stage. Designing the interior of your new house allows your imagination and creativity to flourish. You can actually design your own furniture and manage the available storage as you please.
Surely, you need a sleeping area, as well as a kitchen and dining area. If you lack imagination in the beginning, you can always look at old camper vans for inspiration, or you can actually purchase some reausable furniture pieces. However, if you don’t feel like designing your own furniture and you have some money to splurge on it, you can always opt for hiring a professional to build it just as you wish. Either way, make sure to use space-saving techniques to efficiently maximize your space. For example, you can build a raised bed to save some space.
Once furnishing is done, you can now concentrate on making your house on the wheels feel more like a home. Start by adding some curtains to the windows, some carpets and basically everything else that makes you feel comfortable. Once you are settled, take a look at this site for a Bet365 bonus and relax !
Conclusion
So, turning your camper van into a house on wheels requires quite some work. However, if you have a solid plan and a clear layout of what steps you need to follow, you can surely do it. Of course, there will be some unexpected changes and you will have to improvise but this is just part of the beauty of the project. Just take some time to think everything through and prepare the conversion. Then enjoy its results.x
