Our camper van conversion must haves
There’s something uniquely fun about planning your own van build, especially after years of building vans for clients, traveling in our own rigs, and helping dozens of DIYers navigate their projects. Every build teaches us something new about what works, what doesn’t, and what we’d do differently next time.
So, as we daydream about our next personal van, here’s what’s on our must-include list (and why these upgrades matter more than ever).
1. A 12V Dometic AC — for our pup
When we built our first two vans, we didn’t have a dog. Our travels looked different then — more spontaneous, more seasonal, and definitely less focused on temperature control.
Now?
Having AC is essential.
A 12V unit gives us the ability to keep our pup safe and cool no matter where we’re parked. It’s efficient, quiet, and fully off-grid capable with the right electrical setup. For pet owners, this has become one of the top considerations in modern van builds.
2. More Exterior Storage for Winter Adventures
We spend a lot of time in the mountains, riding bikes, skiing, and exploring year-round. The one thing you learn quickly in winter vanlife:
Snow belongs outside your living space.
Exterior storage — ski boxes, gear trays, exterior cabinets — keeps wet, muddy, and snowy equipment from melting all over your floor. It also frees up interior room and reduces moisture, which can be a big issue in colder months.
Our next build will include significantly more exterior storage so we can keep adventuring without constantly battling the elements.
3. A Murphy Bed System for Maximum Flexibility
We’ve recently installed Murphy bed systems in three client vans, and honestly… it’s a game changer.
A lofted fixed bed is great, but the ability to move that bed out of the way completely transforms the space. It gives you room for bikes, gear, a workspace, or just more openness when you need it. For anyone living or working full-time in their van, flexibility is everything.
Our next build will absolutely include this system.
4. Line-X for Our Garage Cabinetry
This is a detail many first-time DIYers don’t think about, but once you’ve lived in a van long enough, it becomes obvious:
Your garage takes a beating.
Bikes, skis, shovels, recovery gear, it all gets dragged in and out, and regular finished cabinetry can wear down quickly. Line-X gives your gear storage area a durable, protective coating that stands up to adventure and keeps your build looking clean.
It’s a small upgrade with a big payoff.
Building With Intention
Every van we build teaches us something new, and that’s the best part of what we do. We get to take those lessons, the practical ones, the comfort-focused ones, the efficiency upgrades, and apply them not only to client projects but also to our own future rigs.
If you’re planning your own van build and aren’t sure where to start, a consult can save you months of trial and error (and a lot of money). We love helping DIYers build smarter from the beginning.
Here’s to dreaming up the next adventure rig and helping you build yours along the way.
Looking for help with your van? Contact us below!