Van conversion, version 2 – the review
Let’s build version 2 … in 6 weeks!
April 26, 2021
Heater and Solar
April 28, 2021She is great
The vacation was awesome and our van worked nearly perfect. We travelled from place to place, being in every place for 4+ days, visiting friends, doing activities and chilling. The van is easy to drive, easy to maintain and she is easy to live out of. And for 4 weeks Covid seemed to disappear.
We took a portable gas stove and that is a keeper. The fact that you can cook anywhere -inside or outside- just makes life so easy. We will bring an extra gas tank
We also noticed life gets easier when you don't have to depend on a power outlet, to charge the batteries. Since we mostly travel from April to October we will be installing solar panels. The outlets we had everywhere just worked.
We did not miss the heater but we will when we start travelling earlier in the season, so that's something to install as well. We used a 230v water cooker, but we will be going for a 12v so we can use it on the road as well.
Cabinets and boxes
The cabinets worked and each of us had our small box for stuff. Where that worked nicely, it did not use the space optimally. The cabinets are also deep because of the way they are built, which makes them bulky and less efficient. We will go for 2 fewer deep rows of cabinets which will also mean that it doe not block the 4 cm-ers on the right side of the beamer. The beamer is where we end the day. With the entire fam, watching an episode before going to bed.
In the garage, each of us had a bigger box for the clothes. Where the second row of cabinets won't fix the fact that we need these boxes, they will be a lot less stuffed and it will be easier to quickly grab stuff.
Big fridge & transportation
The big fridge was just awesome. You just can live out of the van without doing groceries for such a long time. Hanging your hammock anywhere in the van and outside of it is just perfect.
Since we travelled with friends who had tents for a few weeks we were able to do shopping in their car. We do need some form of easy transportation if we run more remote. A set of foldable bikes or e-steps might be our best bet.
