Unique DIY Camper Van Boasts a Potent Tesla Model X Power System and a Murphy Bed

His base vehicle of choice was a Ram ProMaster 2500. Once you step inside, you'll be in the lounge area. Elliot explained that he wanted enough room to be able to hang out with multiple people without having to sacrifice storage space.

And so, he devised two sizeable overhead cabinets and added some cubbies inside. What you probably won't expect to find inside is a tiny projector, which he uses to watch movies both inside and outside the vehicle. Instead of using the more popular gas struts, which can malfunction, Elliot opted for a simpler solution: spring hinges.

Under these cabinets, you'll discover a spacious couch that seems to be able to fit four people, maybe even more. If you pull its lower part, you'll find a large Dometic dual-zone refrigerator box. Elliot said it offers more than enough space to store food. Next to it, there's an additional pull-out drawer, which he uses for storage.

A nice and practical touch for these two drawers are magnetic baby locks - all you have to do is move the magnet up an inch to unlock the drawers. So, no matter how bumpy the road gets, you can rest assured that they will stay locked.

Regarding the aesthetics, Elliot didn't go too crazy. It's a simple and timeless design consisting of many white elements, such as the walls and most of the cabinetry, paired with walnut details, like the ceiling planks or the countertop. This blend is quite popular among van dwellers.

You'll notice the interior of this van is very well-lit. Elliot created a custom LED system by adding strips behind the ceiling wood planks. Moreover, he added a voltage dimmer to be able to control how bright they are. It was essential for Elliot to come up with a proper lighting system, as there were no windows on this van. Instead, he integrated an enormous skylight with a clack-out curtain and a bug screen, which helps bring some natural light inside.

Next up, we have the kitchen area, located on the left as you enter through the main door. You'll notice a deep farmhouse sink. It's connected to a 30-gallon (114-liter) freshwater tank – Elliot says it lasts him about 30 days, mainly because he added an aerator nozzle that significantly reduces the water consumption.

There's plenty of counter space near the sink. If it's not enough for you, there's also a flip-up cutting board you can use. What I like is that in order not to mix different foods, Elliot devised multiple mats that can be slotted directly on top of the board.

Underneath the sink, Elliot fitted a garbage can and some extra boxes for storage. But one of the more distinctive features you'll notice is a pee funnel, which Elliot described as "probably the most convenient thing I have in here." It works exactly as you'd expect - a funnel is attached to a tube, which runs through the floor and drains directly under the vehicle.

Moving deeper into the van, there are three overhead cabinets, some shelves, and a storage compartment with a beautiful epoxy sliding door. A practical detail that maximizes the available space is that the induction stovetop is mounted on a fold-down table.

Other notable features of the kitchen are a pull-out table/drawer, a microwave/convection oven, and a bunch of other drawers and cabinets for storage. One thing I really like about this layout is that the kitchen countertop runs until the rear of the van, where it's used as a desk.

On the wall above the desk, you'll find three small drawers and an ultrawide monitor on a swivel mount. I did not expect to see a custom-built PC in this van – Elliot integrated it right behind the monitor.

I love how he thought this space out, with a great focus on convenience. It looks like there's no place for Elliot to sit and use the PC, but it's all hidden away. For sitting, he uses two 500-lb. (227 kg) drawers slides, and the mouse and keyboard are housed in another drawer under the desk. The cherry on top is that he devised slanted drawers behind for storage, but they also double as backrests. He uses the setup for editing as he works as a videographer and video editor.

And finally, we have the bedroom. Elliot devised a Murphy bed – he can lower it, and it will rest on the wooden countertop. He added a foldable mattress that he pulls over the countertop, creating a spacious sleeping spot.

To put the bed back up, Elliot uses a pulley system to retract the mattress and simply folds the Murphy bed back up. It's such a straightforward yet convenient solution.

One of the best parts about this camper van is the complex, custom-designed electrical system hidden below the Murphy bed. Keep in mind that it has to power all the appliances, the powerful LED system, and the energy-gulping video editing PC setup. So, he had to come up with one hell of a setup to feed all of these.

It features two batteries, which he got from a Tesla Model X, which have about 1000 Ah and can be charged in three ways, one of them being the 750 W solar panels on the roof. Some of the other components are a solar charge controller, an alternator, an inverter, and battery management systems.

Although the Tesla battery setup is ingenious and so powerful, it has two significant drawbacks. First, if the batteries die, they cannot be used anymore. Second, if they overcharge, they'll catch on fire, and, as you might've heard or seen before, they cannot be extinguished, so firefighters simply let them burn. So, Elliot came up with several fail-safes: two of them prevent undercharging and three for overcharging.

If you go to the van's rear and pop the doors open, you'll discover a surprising amount of storage space. For instance, Elliot added two medicine cabinets with mirrors, which create a more spacious feel inside the van. Other things you'll find are a telescopic ladder, a holder for his longboard, some hooks, two extra storage compartments, and an outdoor shower.

What really impressed me was that Elliot built a gigantic roof rack where he stores an inflatable paddle board, his skydiving gear, his winter gear, and more.

Perhaps the craziest thing about this van, which I've never seen before, is that it can be locked and unlocked with an RFID chip, which Elliot integrated into his hand. You read that right: he surgically inserted the chip into his hand. There's no need for him to worry about losing the key when it's literally in his hand.

All in all, I'm in awe regarding how many features Elliot managed to fit in his tiny home on wheels. And it's a home, mobile office, and hang-out spot, all in one. It's definitely a one-of-a-kind build with countless creature comforts. The only downside is the lack of a dedicated bathroom space, but it makes up for it via other practical features.