Stealthy "Mini Me" Micro Camper Hides a Creative Interior Filled With Practical Gadgets

Van life certainly isn't for everybody. Indeed, you have to sacrifice the conventional space you've gotten used to, such as a house or an apartment, in favor of a typically smaller home on wheels. Instead, you get complete freedom of movement and the opportunity to travel and live wherever you desire, as well as a bunch of other pros and cons.

Although you might believe a micro camper might seem too uncomfortable to live in, George Mauro with Humble Road might prove otherwise. Let me tell you a few reasons why someone would choose such a rig. First of all, they're much more affordable than a larger van. Furthermore, micro campers are typically more reliable than larger variants; they're easier to drive and fit in many more spaces, including standard garages.

What we have here is a Ram ProMaster City cargo van turned into a one-person camper. Glancing at it from the outside, you can hardly tell this isn't your average cargo van. That means you can be extra stealthy when camping with this vehicle. The magic starts as soon as you open the doors and head inside.

Especially when dealing with such a small car, it's critical to maximize space by choosing the ideal layout. Without further ado, let's see how comfortable and livable this camper is. The first thing you'll notice inside is the large, custom-made futon mattress. Right across, you'll discover the galley, featuring a decently-sized countertop, a huge sink, and a tap with UV-filtered water. Underneath are a bunch of cabinets and drawers, offering a decent amount of storage space.

George's craftsmanship is fully noticeable inside his van. Every element fits perfectly, and the premium finishes complete the look. Moreover, other little details make this space even more practical.

For instance, there's a lighter mirror mounted on a swing arm, a small wooden shelf above the galley, and an iPad holder integrated into the wall above the mattress, making it easy to watch a movie while in bed. Furthermore, you can lift the bed and adjust it to your liking so you can sit up.

George says his build philosophy is accessibility. For example, you can pop off one of the panels underneath the galley to reveal the filter cartridge for the UV water. What's more, if you want to work on the wiring and plumbing, you can simply remove two drawers and have instant access to the utility systems.

You might think, "Okay, this looks good, but how can you actually cook something inside this micro camper?" Well, a single-burner induction cooktop is neatly tucked in a cubby beside the galley. For refrigeration, there's a Dometic fridge.

You probably know the saying, "The devil is in the details." Even the smallest details were taken care of in this micro camper. For instance, even though the "alleyway" between the galley and the bed is 15 inches (38 centimeters) wide, it's impossible not to hit your foot in the walnut cabinetry when passing back and forth.

So, instead of the wood panels, George fitted ABS panels that can withstand more damage. Furthermore, you'll find USB ports around the interior, strategically placed to fulfill all your charging and power needs.

Just by the micro camper's side door, you'll find what George calls the "Command Central." It comprises a light switch panel, a remote panel for the inverter, two outlets, and gauges for water and power. Moreover, there's a fill port for the freshwater tank, which is 14-gallon (53-liter) large.

The electrical system is housed just under the bed – it features a 320 Ah battery, a DC/DC charger, a solar controller connected to solar panels on the roof, an inverter, and more.

Here's something you don't often see in campers – George removed the passenger seat for this specific build, creating a bunch of extra room and storage spaces integrated into a raised floor. Technically, you can fit another small mattress where the passenger seat used to be to sleep an additional soul on board, although it might be a bit tight.

George calls these ProMaster City conversions Mini Mes. The Mini Me costs $38,000 (€35,409) to build, to which you also have to add the price of the base vehicle, which is about $34,000 to $37,000 (€31,682 to €34,477). That brings the total cost to more than $72,000 (around €67,100).

The Mini Me is designed to cater to a specific audience. It might be uninhabitable for some, but I'm sure other solo adventurers would jump at the opportunity to travel and live in this practical and aesthetically pleasing rig.