During six months in 2021, I spent every day building my current home-on-wheels. I started with an empty Ford Transit cargo van and turned it into a mobile home with a full kitchen, bed, desk, toilet, and shower. I had no experience with woodworking, insulation, plumbing, solar, electrical, or really anything other than using a drill to install screws before starting. That about summed up my knowledge of power tools before taking this project on.
1.5 years of research, planning, and building later, here we are! #vanlife
Maybe one day, this page will serve as a sales page for a custom mobile home. Until that time comes, here’s a little spot on the internet where this project can exist, as a reminder to myself of all the hard work I put into turning this dream into a reality.
Here’s a breakdown…
The Van:
- 2021 Ford Transit 350
- All Wheel Drive
- High Roof
- 148″ Wheelbase – Non Extended Body
- Automatic Transmission
- Number of seats: 2
- Sleeping capacity: 2
Exterior:
- Flatline Van Co Low Pro Aluminum Roof Rack
- Flatline Van Co Aluminumn Side Ladder
- 52″ LED 300 Watt Front Light Bar
- Side and Rear Exterior Lighting
- Back Up Camera + Sensors
- Folding Outdoor Standing Desk / Table
Interior:
- Queen Size Fixed Bed
- Under Bed Garage Space w/ Bike Mount and Pull Out Tray
- Passenger Side Swivel Seats
- Full Kitchen
- Luxury Vinyl Waterproof Flooring
- Natures Head Composting Toilet
- Large Upper Cabinets (mounted length of driver’s side)
- Laptop/Phone Charging Cubby
- Hidden Storage in Bench Seating (underneath and in backrest)
- Custom Bench Seat w/ Swinging and Removable Lagun Mount Table
- Cedar Ceiling
Kitchen:
- Fixed Deep Sink w/ Retractable Faucet
- Hot and Cold Water in Sink
- Removable 6 Gallon Grey Water Tank
- Soap Dispenser
- Sliding Trash + Recycling Bins
- MASSIVE 12V Dometic 110 Liter Fridge w/ Freezer
- Two-Burner Induction Stovetop
- Ample Countertop Space
- Drawers for utensils, pots, pans
- Fellow Electric Kettle, Coffee Grinder, and V60 Filter
- SodaStream Carbonated Water System
- Complete Nutribullet Blender System
- Magnetic Knife Rack with 7 Quality Knives
- Plenty of Overhead Pantry Space in Cabinets
- Awning window for ventilation
- All utensils, pots, pans, cups, plates, bowls, etc.
- Endless tupperware!
Climate Control:
- Maxxair Ceiling Fan/Exhaust with Rain Cover
- Webasto STC 2000 Gas Heater w/ High Altitude Conversion
- Two Additional Bunk + Slider Windows for Ventilation
- Insulated Ceiling, Floor, Walls, and Doors
Electrical:
- 400Ah Battle Born Lithium Battery Bank
- Victron Multiplus 3000 Inverter Charger
- 30A Shore Power with 30A to 15A Adapter
- 525W of Solar (3 x 175W Panels)
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 Charge Controller w/ Bluetooth
- Victron BMW-712 Battery Monitor w/ Bluetooth
- 225A Lithium Battery Isolation Manager (charge house batteries while driving)
- 225A Battery Guard AutoSelect
- Emergency Engine Jump Start from House Battery Bank Capable
- 120V Outlets (all GFCI) + USB 12V Outlets Throughout
- Dimmable Lighting Throughout Van (2 Zones)
Plumbing:
- 32 Gallon Fresh Water Tank (mounted in garage over wheelwell)
- Hoses and All Necessary Connections to Fill Fresh Water Tank
- 6 Gallon Removable Fresh Water Tank (mounted under sink)
- 2 Stage Water Filtration System (sediment + carbon)
- 12V Shurflo Water Pump (on a switch mounted in kitchen)
- 2.5 Gallon Bosch Water Heater Provides Hot Water to Shower and Sink (on a switch mounted in kitchen)
- Outdoor Shower w/ Low-Flow 1.5G Shower Head (mounted in back of van)
- Quick-Connect Spray Hose (mounted in back of van)
- Natures Head Composting Toilet
Additional:
- 2 REI Camping Lounge Chairs
- Milwaukee Drill and Tool Set
- VanEssential Magnetic (and Insulated) Blackout Covers for all Windows (nobody can see in, and no light leaks out… privacy matters ??)
- Coat Rack Hooks (behind driver seat)
- 3 Planters Mounted on Wall
- All manuals/documents for operating all components
- Box of spare parts, special tools, duct tape, etc., for if something were to need fixing while you are out exploring (but it shouldn’t)
