Mapping out your conversion van on a budget.
With “van life” and van conversion being all there is to talk about these days, we figured we’d show you some of the most efficient, spacious options when converting your van. We know it can get cramped trying to comfortably fit your whole life into your mobile-home when you're traveling… We’ve all been there. These little hacks and tricks will keep your space clean, comfortable, organized and livable on a budget!
Starting off with the most necessary accessory to van life, your bed. Traveling can be exhausting and most certainly can take a toll on one's body when driving long distances. This can make laying your bed the most rewarding part of the experience for some. With that being said, we know your comfort is a big deal. The most popular bed layout for van life would have to be having your bed in the far back of the vehicle. This leaves space for storage under the bed frame which can easily be accessed from the back doors! Many travelers store necessary tools here like their water heaters, batteries, portable solar , food and even bathroom requirements. Another trendy way to optimize the potential of space in your vehicle, have a sofa-bed. Much like a futon, many van conversion builders like Nomad RVs can actually make your sleeping area foldable . Some are even able to make your folded sleeping area double as your dinette as well! This action of folding your bed into a sofa during the day frees up a lot of space in the vehicle and gives more versatility.
Another way to save space would be to reevaluate your kitchen needs. Recently with the spike in van-life culture the younger generation has gotten wise with their ideas. One common hack being to invest in a portable Stove top! These can be purchased pretty cheaply on Amazon. Some like to mainly cook outdoors and enjoy grilling blackstone is a pretty popular choice these days for versatility, alleviating much of the space you would have needed to have a built in “kitchen” area. This along with a small standing under counter mini fridge would perfectly mimic the ideal “kitchen area” in modern, luxury RV’s for one- tenth of the price and space or for a different layout and maximum use you could get a chest fridge, freezer, cooler combo and put it under a bench for max space. Of course if counter space is something you want built-in stoves and kitchen appliances could always be installed. Keep in mind all appliances should be 12 volt as you are invested in your class B as a unit anything more could short your van.
Last but not least, restroom requirements for the road. Feeling clean and refreshed is most certainly a priority for most. It can be hard to enjoy oneself if you don't feel your best and we completely understand, hygiene is a must! But here’s some hacks to minimize the room needed to accomplish your hygienic needs. One being, invest in an outdoor shower Now this is definitely a build that depends on the location of your travels but it most certainly will save you thousands of dollars on installing a shower and can be as easy as purchasing a retractable shower head! In addition to this and modesty you can grab a shower pop-up tent . The only necessity for this appliance is the water tank that can easily be stored under the bed. Along with this idea, think about your toilet necessities. Having a place to pass your waste isn’t exactly an option, but you do have options when it comes to how you go about it. The cheapest, space efficient way to use the restroom would be to simply purchase a cassette toilet or a folding toilet. Both very much like the traditional camping-style bucket toilet, it saves on space and plumbing needs! The boujee, more modern way of disposing your waste would be to install a composting toilet. Both are benificial wheret they wont freeze, they wont fill your black tank, they dont drain your fresh water tank, and easy to install. The big difference is in the emptying, the composting will win every time. A bit more costly but in the long run for some that is the breaking point.
With all these tips and tricks you can see why it takes some customers so long to fully design their converted van. Many different options for sleeping arrangements, bathroom necessities and dining needs come into play when creating your personal home away from home. As long as these adjustments are done safely to your vehicle by a reliable company, like Nomad RV’s, changing your space should not become an issue. It’s truly all about your comfort level and living sustainably in the environment. So that’s the real question, how much can you truly live without?
