This Pet-Friendly Camper Van Is a Cozy Tiny Home on Wheels With a Hidden Bathroom

Meet Shay, Luis, and their beloved African grey parrot, Lucas. They all travel full-time in Scarlet, a converted 2018 Ford Transit 250 with a 148" wheelbase. Before we take a closer look at it, let me tell you more about this couple's story, which hopefully will inspire you to start your own camper build if that's something you're considering.

The two have been traveling full-time in Scarlet for around three months. Not wanting to dive headfirst into van life without getting a taste of what it's like, the couple first converted a Ford Expedition. They loved it but wanted more space, so they decided to build a camper van.

How about the financial side of this project? Well, Shay and Luis purchased the van for $17,500 (€16,307) and invested around $30,000 (€27,955) into its conversion, bringing the total cost of the rig to a decent $47,500 (€44,263). That's about how much a new Ford Transit 250 would've set them back.

As usual, I'll start the tour with the exterior. However, there's not much to talk about. The only notable detail is a light bar at the front. Besides that, this Ford Transit looks very run-of-the-mill, making it ideal for stealth camping.

Step inside, and you'll discover a cleverly arranged interior. Regarding design, the couple opted for a bright aesthetic, blending white elements, such as the cabinetry and the ceiling, with wood tones for the countertops. What's more, the look is completed by rattan inserts for the upper cabinets.

Shay and Luis chose an open layout for their mobile home, meaning the driver's cabin isn't separated from the living space by a wall. Instead, the duo fitted a curtain for more privacy. Furthermore, a headliner shelf above the driver's cabin provides plenty of storage space.

The kitchen is the first area you'll be in as you enter, with its countertop covering part of the entrance. It features a deep stainless steel sink with a swiveling faucet and a water filter, and a small fridge/freezer. For storage, you can use an overhead cabinet, many drawers, and a cabinet underneath the sink, which also houses a 6-gallon (23-liter) greywater tank.

You'll notice a massive countertop on the opposite side, dead ahead of the entrance. This is where the couple places a two-burner stove when they cook. A Maxxair fan above ensures the area is ventilated. Moreover, on the wall behind, you'll find two cubbies, one of which is a spice rack.

But this spot serves a double purpose – besides being a prep area, it's also a bathroom. "How come?" you might ask yourself. Well, the countertop can be flipped up, and the doors underneath can be opened to reveal a shower pan measuring 34 x 32 inches (86 x 81 centimeters), a Trelino composting toilet, a laundry bag, and an extendable clothesline.

Setting the shower up is easy. The couple connects an attachment to the sink's faucet and pulls it over the shower pan. By the way, water inside this rig is provided by a 35-gallon (132-liter) freshwater tank connected to a 5-gallon (19-liter) heater.

The smallest part of this van is the seating area, located in the middle of the interior. It consists of two benches facing one another, both with storage spaces underneath in the form of drawers.

Behind the bench on the passenger side, the couple devised a cubby with a charging point nearby. Behind the other one, you'll notice three tiny shelves and the van's control panel.

The control panel consists of a remote for the ceiling A/C, an inverter controller, buttons for the pump, lights, and more.

Lucas, the parrot, is 19 years old and has been with Shay since he was a baby. So, of course, she had to take him along for the adventure. He has his own bedroom right underneath the bed, comprised of a water bowl, a rope, and some toys.

The rear part of the interior, like in many other camper vans, is occupied by a fixed bedroom. It boasts a custom-made mattress with 6-inch memory foam designed to sleep you side-to-side. Many taller van dwellers install flares to make sure they have enough room to sleep from side to side, but since Shay and Luis aren't that tall, they fit right in.

Other notable bedroom features are two huge overhead cabinets, two swivel fans, and a 12 V A/C unit from Mabru. What's more, the bed is positioned higher up to make room for a garage underneath, accessible only by opening the two rear doors.

The garage provides a bunch of storage space. The couple uses it to hold a fishing rod, a portable power station, Lucas' travel backpack, and more. On its left side, you'll find the power system – its highlights are BattleBorn batteries with a total capacity of 540 Ah and a 3,000 W inverter/charger.

The opposite side houses the plumbing system, comprised of the 35-gallon freshwater tank and an outdoor shower.

All in all, the time spent researching van builds on YouTube paid off, as Shay and Luis did an amazing job with their first camper van. It ideally balances comfort, practicality, and aesthetics, all for a good price considering its features.