This Couple's Camper Van Blends Style and Functionality Into an Off-Road-Ready Package

We've featured some of Tim and Katie's work here on autoevolution - this time, they converted a 2023 high-roof, extended-length Ford Transit with all-wheel drive. The vehicle sports a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Before heading inside, I want to cover all of the exterior features of this van. Tim and Katie didn't hold back on adding the necessary accessories to make this rig easily go off the beaten path.

There's no way you'll miss this van on the road at night due to its 360-degree lighting. At the front, the couple installed amber-colored Baja Design LP6 LEDs, as well as a 52-inch (132-centimeter) light bar seamlessly integrated into a custom-built wind fairing. On the sides, you'll discover an awning complete with a 12 V LED strip. The rest of the lighting is done by six LED lights mounted on the sides and rear.

Of course, lights can only help so much when off-roading. But one critical upgrade for any vehicle meant to go off the beaten path is the suspension. In this unit, Tim and Katie have fitted Sumo Springs and a Transit off-road 2-inch lift kit at the front, which comes with adjustable lower control arms and Bilstein B6 shocks.

For the rear, the duo opted for SuperSprings and Sumo Springs, which offer a 3.5-inch raise. What's more, the van is equipped with Black Rhino Arsenal wheels wrapped in Falken Rubitrek tires. Tim explained that all these suspension upgrades reduce the van's sway when cornering or facing high wind conditions.

And this is not it regarding accessories. At the front, the couple added a CAtuned front bumper with two recovery points and a Warn VR Evo 12S winch. This latter, $980 (€900) piece of equipment features an IP68-rated waterproof construction and can help you get out of sticky off-roading situations – it boasts a max line pull of 12,000 lb. (5,443 kg).

On the side, you'll notice Owl Vans side steps and a Thule Hideaway awning that measures 10 feet (about 3 meters) in length and extends for about 8 feet (2.4 meters), more than enough to fit a table and some chairs underneath.

Other notable elements are Vanspeed capsules, one on each side of the vehicle. You've probably seen something like this before. Besides minorly changing the van's aesthetics, it provides extra space inside, usually to make the bedroom roomier, enabling you to fit a longer bed.

At the rear, you'll find a Rover Vans tire and ladder carrier, a Rover Vans accessory rack with a storage box, as well as a bike tray. Even though most of the rear part of the van is covered, the couple can still open the doors and swing away all the accessories.

Climb on the vehicle, and you'll notice the entire top area is covered. Tim and Katie have an impressive nine-solar-panel setup with a total capacity of 900 W, a custom aluminum storage box, a Maxxair fan, a Starlink, and a Peplink Mobility antenna for better cell signal.

Step inside, and you'll see a clean and cozy design, just like inside other of the couple's builds. The van's cabinetry is made from Baltic Birch and has a dark color, blending beautifully with the white walls and wooden ceiling.

The first area you'll notice dead ahead is the wet bathroom. It features a composting toilet on a 500-lb. (227-kg) drawer slide, hidden in one of the bathroom's walls, a shower, and a Nautilus sliding door. Other notable elements are a retractable clothesline, a small shelf, and a Dometic toilet paper holder.

For the driver's cabin, the duo added a passenger's swivel seat, a headliner shelf, and a curtain for privacy. Moreover, there's a 4-kW Espar gasoline heater integrated underneath the passenger's seat, connected directly to the vehicle's factory tank.

This van's kitchen is located on the passenger's side. It might not look like much at first, but it's decently equipped, consisting of a deep stainless steel sink with an extendable faucet, a two-burner induction stove, and a 12 V fridge. Moreover, one more distinctive feature is a Brava smart oven, neatly housed in one of the kitchen's drawers.

You'll notice the kitchen's design prioritizes storage. For instance, the couple eliminated dead space in the counter's corner by adding a push-to-open pantry. Moreover, the sink's plumbing system was made to take up as little space as possible.

Besides drawers and cabinets underneath the countertop, Tim and Katie also devised spacious overhead cabinets on both sides of the interior, two on the passenger's side and four on the driver's side.

Opposite the kitchen, you'll discover a straightforward seating area featuring two small benches and a butcherblock counter between them that serves as a dinette table. Moreover, it has a floating design, meaning no leg is supporting the table. Underneath the seating area's floor, the duo devised a small storage space.

The bedroom occupies a large chunk of space in the interior - it boasts a full queen bed, about 57 inches (145 centimeters) wide and 80 inches (203 centimeters) long. Tim and Katie managed to fit a mattress this large by installing the two Vanspeed capsules I also mentioned earlier, which add a total of 6 inches (15 centimeters) to the width.

Each capsule integrates a slider bunk window that can be opened for better airflow. Moreover, on the passenger's side capsule, you'll find a control panel with switches for the lights, a USB port, and a switch for heated floors - yes, the interior's main hallway comes with heated floors.

One aesthetically pleasing modification Tim and Katie made was to cover the rear doors' sheet metal with custom white door panels. The best hidden feature in this van is, by far, a drop-down projector screen right under one of the overhead cabinets. The projector sits on the opposite side, mounted to the wall.

And lastly, we have the garage, located, like in most camper vans, underneath the bed. That's where you'll find the van's electrical and plumbing systems - and they won't disappoint you. In between them, in the middle, there's plenty of room for storage. There's also a huge drawer that can be pulled or even removed to create extra space.

On the right side, you'll notice an outdoor shower fixture and a fill port for the rig's 34-gallon (129-liter) freshwater tank, as well as a 4-gallon (15-liter) water heater. All the water used in the shower ends up in a 20-gallon (76-liter) grey water tank.

On the left side, Tim and Katie added the electrical system, which comes with a 110 V outlet and a vent on the exterior. Slide the door open, and you'll find a 3,000 W inverter/charger, a solar charger, a breaker panel, and other components. Energy is fed by two 400 Ah self-heating batteries, which can be charged either via a shore power connection, solar power or while driving via an alternator.

All in all, Tim and Katie seem to have found their ideal formula for camper van builds. This latest project is very similar to their other rigs, but it's definitely a well-equipped tiny home on wheels. It offers a lot of comfort, the appropriate utilities for living on the road, and much more, all fitted in a beautiful space.