DIY Camper Van Build Stands Out With a Modern Interior and a Hidden Shower

Ryan Twomey is the owner and builder of this camper, which is based on a Ram ProMaster van. When you make a conversion yourself, bringing your vision to reality is often more challenging than paying a specialized company to do it. But with a suitable set of skills, some creativity, and a reasonable budget, you're very likely to succeed.

From the outside, this rig looks like an ordinary van, with the exception of the solar panels up top. But once you pop the main door open and peek inside, you'll discover a modern design and plenty of utilities that make it a genuine home on wheels. The interior is primarily black, giving it a masculine vibe.

A large counter takes up half of the entrance. I love it when people give their vans a genuinely personal touch; after all, that's the point of making a custom conversion, isn't it? In this case, Ryan added a topographic map graphic of Ryan Mountain in the Joshua Tree National Park on the exterior side of the counter because it's one of his favorite hikes. Not only is it a personal touch, but it also looks really cool.

Next to the graphic, you'll discover a flip-up table, which offers additional counter space. Step inside, and you'll have the seating area dead ahead. It features a tiny couch and a lagoon swivel table. Underneath the couch, Ryan installed a Dometic toilet on a drawer slide and a diesel heater connected to an extra tank mounted in the engine bay.

On the opposite side, Ryan devised a small yet well-equipped kitchen. It's equipped with a beautiful wooden countertop, five drawers (one of which is massive), a small sink with a cabinet underneath, and an oven with a three-burner stove. What's more, the cabinet houses a propane tank.

Look above, and you'll notice a spice rack and a fruit hammock. Furthermore, on the kitchen wall, Ryan added two 120 V outlets, switches for the lights and for a 5-gallon (19-liter) Bosch water heater, and a knife set magnetized to the wall.

Before we go any further, I'd like to point out this van has plenty of storage space onboard. You'll find two overhead cabinets above the kitchen, another two enormous ones in the bedroom, and yet another two above the seating area, as well as a storage area above the driver's cabin. What's more, opposite the kitchen, there's a massive pull-out pantry and a hanging closet.

In the remaining space between the bedroom and the closet and pantry, Ryan decided to install a tiny desk where he keeps his laptop. It's nice and tidy, featuring a small TV, a microphone, and a desk chair with pads so that it doesn't scratch the floor or move while driving.

Even though the interior is quite dark, Ryan fitted many LEDs around the van, including right above the floor. My favorite one is the setup for the ceiling, which lights up the space between the wooden slats. Moreover, if you love gadgets, you won't have any issues in this van, as it's filled with many USB ports and outlets.

One of the most significant issues van dwellers face is fitting a shower inside compact spaces. Some prefer mounting an outdoor one, but if you want a high level of comfort, opting for an indoor one is the obvious choice.

Ryan opted for a simple yet effective solution: his shower is stored in a drawer in the bottom part of the counter right by the entrance. First, you must attach the shower curtain to four ceiling hooks. Then, connect a shower head to the sink faucet, and you're good to go.

The last area in this camper's living space is the bedroom. It features a full-size bed with a small fridge that Ryan claims can hold about two weeks' worth of food for him. Above, you'll find a Maxxair fan.

To access the garage, you'll have to exit the van and open the two rear doors. There, Ryan stores a Mr. Buddy heater for emergencies, window covers, and some miscellaneous stuff. The electric system is housed on the left side, while the right side hides all the water components.

All in all, this is an excellent camper van build that integrates many features that enable a comfortable life on the go. It's aesthetically pleasing and well-organized – even though it's a custom build, it rivals the quality we can typically expect from a specialized conversion company.