This Micro Camper Van Features a Pop-Top Roof and a Stylish, Well-Equipped Living Space

So, why would someone choose a micro camper van like the one in this article? They're compact, easy to maneuver, simple, and typically affordable. Furthermore, they can double as your daily car (if you don't live in it full-time), have better fuel consumption compared to larger vans, and provide enough space to fit the basic amenities that make a van a tiny home on wheels.

The micro camper van I'm discussing today is based on a 2019 Ford Transit Connect. The Transit Connect is a popular platform for micro camper van conversions because it's spacious, has lots of potential for customization, and its parts are easy to find, among other advantages.

Wilderness Vans, a Lethbridge, Canada-based company specializing in camper conversions, created this rig. Wilderness Vans builds mobile homes based on various platforms, including vans and trucks.

One of the company's floor plans for compact vans is the West Coast Mini. It's designed to seat four and sleep four (with the optional pop-top roof), and it's compatible with the Ford Transit Connect, the Ram ProMaster City, and the Nissan NV200.

As Wilderness Vans explained, most people who opt for micro camper van conversions are generally traveling solo and work downtown, so they need something compact to park it with no issues.

This 2019 Transit Connect boasts the West Coast Mini floor plan. As usual, I'll start the tour with the exterior. You'll notice white paint all around with black accents, including the low door trim. The only elements that give away this vehicle's camper DNA are two windows on the sliding doors, a Maxxair fan, and a solar panel on the roof.

Yes, the Transit Connect comes with two sliding doors - this is another one of this platform's benefits when it comes to camper conversions. In this unit, the one on the passenger side is the entrance, while the other allows you to access the kitchen's plumbing system.

Enter, and you'll be greeted by a nicely designed interior. Wilderness Vans paired a Black Coin tile floor with a Sherpa Brown Haze ceiling fabric, with the look completed by walnut and Mountain Grey panels. What's more, you'll notice an open layout, meaning the driver's cabin isn't separated from the living space.

Let me tell you more about the most significant upgrade of this camper van: the pop-top roof. To raise it, you'll have to undo two latches and push it up, where it will remain in place as it's supported by gas struts. It comes with plenty of zippable windows and lights.

Dead ahead of the entrance, you'll discover the kitchen. It features a tiny sink with a glass cover, a built-in slide-out fridge, a drawer, and a drop-down storage compartment. Wilderness Vans didn't include any cooking equipment, but you can add either a camping gas stove or an induction stove powered by nearby plugs.

Regarding utilities, you get 120 V plugs, USB outlets, a 12 V cigarette plug, and a controller for the power system. Furthermore, the kitchen's plumbing system consists of two 13-liter (3.4-gallon) canisters, one for fresh water and one for grey water, as well as a water pump.

But where do you work and eat? A table can be mounted to the kitchen counter, supported by a long leg. It offers enough space for two people to use it.

In the middle of the interior, you'll find a Broad Arrow seat, which allows you to choose between three modes: sitting, lounging, and sleeping. In the first setup, two people can sit on the couch. The second allows you to extend your legs while still keeping your back straight. And finally, the last mode fully extends the seat, creating a full-size bed. It's perfect for one person to sleep, and two might be able to fit, albeit it might not be the most comfortable arrangement.

Underneath the seat, you'll find this rig's power system. It's quite basic, consisting of a 110 Ah, 12 V AGM battery, and a 100 W solar panel. Moreover, you can charge the system using a 15-amp shore power connection. If this setup isn't capable enough for your needs, you can pay extra and add a more powerful electrical system.

Right next to the bed/couch, Wilderness Vans fitted a large storage compartment with a sliding door, followed by a small countertop that can serve as a nightstand, which sits on top of another cabinet. Finally, just behind the rear doors, you'll notice an additional storage compartment with two drawers.

All in all, Wilderness Vans did a fantastic job with this micro camper van, keeping its interior uncluttered and aesthetically pleasing while still making it comfortable and livable.

You're probably wondering how much this rig costs. Well, Wilderness Vans has a van builder on its official website, allowing you to set up a camper as you want it. After adding all the options on this Ford Transit Connect, my final price was CA$29,800 ($21,727 or €20,048).

Keep in mind that this quote is solely for the conversion. Unlike other professional converters, vans cannot be purchased through the company - you'll have to supply your own vehicle for the conversion.