"Grandpa Pearl" Is a Cute Little Camper Van With a Practical Yet Budget-Friendly Setup

One example of someone who managed to bring their dream to reality is Katya, also known as "Tropical Russian." Her mobile home, which she named "Grandpa Pearl," is a 1999 GMC Savana 1500. The vehicle sports a 4.3-liter V6 engine outputting 200 hp and 250 lb-ft. (33 Nm) of torque. One important thing to consider when buying or building a camper van is the gas mileage – this unit gets about 15 to 19 MPG (15 to 19 L/100km), depending on the conditions.

Katya moved into this camper van in June of last year, but she has owned it for about two years. Even though she didn't have a job, she took the leap and decided to convert it into a camper using some saved-up money and what she got from the stimulus check. It took her a mere five weeks to build it, albeit her brother also played a significant part in the project.

Before we take a closer look, let me tell you more about the budget. Katya spent a mere $2,000 (€1,842) to purchase the vehicle and invested a further $8,000 to $9,000 (€7,370 to €8,291) in the conversion, bringing the total cost to around $10,000 to $11,000 (€9,212 to €10,134). That's a very good deal for a camper van.

On the outside, there isn't anything notable to mention. It's your standard high-top van without any exterior accessories like storage boxes, not even solar panels on the roof. The radical change happened on the inside. Like in most budget-friendly builds (and even in pricier ones), the interior is finished in wood all around.

Regarding design, Katya opted for white cabinetry paired with darker wood for the ceiling and floor. Other notable elements are a white tiled backsplash for the kitchen and ceiling lights housed in glass jars.

Dead ahead as you enter, you'll notice the kitchen. It features an L-shaped countertop, a large cabinet, multiple shelves, a two-burner propane camping stove, and a fan. One thing Katya lacks is a fridge, but she explained she makes do with a cooler instead. Moreover, when cooking, she can open up a small part of the window behind the kitchen and turn the fan for extra ventilation.

Katya explained that the centerpiece of her van is a milking stool, out of all things. It's a vintage item she purchased from a thrift shop. What's more, every single decorative item in this camper has a unique story.

The rear part of this camper van is occupied by the bedroom. The bed used to have a full-size mattress, but Katya cut part of it to enable her to sleep side-to-side. In this setup, the bed measures a mere 5'2", which is exactly her height.

There are some advantages to being this short in a camper van. Most people wouldn't be able to stand up inside a high-top van. However, the interior height of this van is also 5'2", a perfect fit for Katya. By the way, since we're on the topic of dimensions, this camper van offers 60 square feet (5.6 square meters) of interior space.

Other notable elements in the bedroom include a ceiling storage spot, a long window, a mirror from a thrift store, and two overhead shelves, with an additional one above the kitchen.

It might seem like there aren't many storage options inside this rig, but Katya cleverly made use of every single inch available. For instance, she has a huge spot for storage in the form of a headliner shelf above the driver's cabin. What's more, she hung two large door pockets/organizers to hold her shoes and hygiene stuff.

Regarding utilities, she fitted three 300 W external batteries behind the driver's seat, which are connected to a Jackery portable power station, a popular choice among van dwellers. The system can also be charged via a foldable solar panel.

And finally, we have the garage, which is accessible by opening the two rear doors. Maybe it's too much to call it a garage – it consists of very long drawers that run deep under the bed and a normal-sized drawer. This is where Katya holds various arts & crafts stuff, as well as tools.

Katya said something I wholeheartedly agree with: "As long as you have a clear vision and you want it super badly, you will meet the right people who will help you get where you want to be." When it comes to building camper vans, Katya didn't have any experience, but she made things work. And she did make mistakes, like wasting a lot of the wood she had, but that's how you learn best.

All in all, Katya did an awesome job with this camper van conversion. I know it lacks some of the amenities most people would want in a tiny home on wheels, like a bathroom or a plumbing system, but this rig does the job for her, and that's what matters. Also, keep in mind this all cost just $10K to make - some van dwellers spend this much on the utility systems for their rigs.