This DIY Camper Van Is an Affordable Tiny Home With a Snug Interior and a Pull-Out Garage

Meet Abby and her 2015 Ford Transit turned into a home on wheels. Before we go into detail regarding this van's features, let's talk a bit about the budget. Typically, the most considerable expense for most camper vans is the base vehicle – even if you choose a used one, you'll have to pay at least $10,000 (€9,129) for it, and that's the best-case scenario. In Abby's case, the Transit van cost around $28,000 (€25,560).

You can't control the prices of base vehicles. However, the best part for cutting expenses is the conversion. If you opt for a specialized conversion company to turn your van into a camper, you can expect to pay at least $30,000 (€27,386), with prices going up to $100K (€91K) and even more.

Abby initially planned a $7,500 (€6,846) budget, but she ended up surpassing it by a bit, bringing the total price of the conversion to $9,000 (€8,216). Just like other affordable builds I've covered, this one features upcycled materials, which helped Abby keep costs to a minimum.

On the outside, this camper van looks pretty standard, especially since it's finished in white paint. What's more, the only things that hint that someone is living inside this rig are the solar panels on the roof. In spite of that, I believe it's still possible to blend in urban environments, allowing you to stealth camp.

Step inside, and you'll discover a well-designed interior filled with wood. The kitchen counter takes up part of the van's entrance – it integrates a dual-burner stove and a sink Abby repurposed from an industrial-size coffee maker she found at a junkyard.

Although it's a nice budget-friendly find, this sink would've been more suitable in a bathroom. It's so tiny, there's no way you can fit pots and pans inside it. At least it will motivate you to wash the dishes as soon as you finish cooking or eating.

The counter I mentioned earlier holds a gray water tank that stores all the water used in the sink. There's also a propane locker with a five-gallon (19-liter) tank that feeds the stove - Abby explained it lasts about two months before it needs to be filled up again, and she cooks very often, three times a day.

On the exterior, there are two doors with gas struts that can be opened, allowing you to access the gray water tank and propane locker easily. Moreover, when opened, the doors also double as tables.

For storage, Abby uses drawers and cabinets underneath the countertop, as well as two overhead cabinets above the bedroom. Other notable features in the kitchen are a small 12 V fridge and an overhead shelf. What's more, Abby added a control center on the kitchen wall, with two outlets, USB plugs, and various switches.

On the opposite side, you'll discover the van's seating area. It has a decently-sized bench, a swivel table with an 80/20 aluminum frame, an overhead cabinet, and a shelf. The space underneath the bench was divided into two parts: one holds a Nature's Head composting toilet, while the other one serves as a bedroom for Abby's dog.

Between the seating area and the bedroom, you'll find a sizeable hanging closet, as well as four drawers underneath for extra storage.

The last part of this camper's living space is the bedroom, located at the very rear of the interior. It features an almost-queen-size bed with a custom foam mattress, four overhead cabinets, two cubbies, and a ceiling fan.

Abby's favorite part of the van (and mine, too) is the garage. But what's so special about it? Firstly, it offers a ton of storage space. But the best part is how it was divided – Abby added a slide-out tray where she stores her bike, and the middle part of the garage is occupied by an enormous slide-out shelving unit, which holds a lot of tools, gear, and more.

On the right side of the garage, you'll discover the electrical system. It comprises four 100 Ah lithium batteries, a 1,500 W inverter, and a Renogy charge controller connected to four 100 W solar panels on the roof.

All in all, Abby's camper van features a cozy and homey design that features many creature comforts. One thing that's missing is a fixed bathroom, but it was hard to fit one, given the van's compact size. I haven't seen an outdoor shower either, but I assume Abby prefers using a gym membership to access showers.