Preparing your campervan: The first steps in converting a van into a camper
You have a dream: to convert a van into a camper, so you can go on holiday — or even travel long-term. You see more and more people doing it, but where do you start? What should you think about? You don’t just start cutting and building — it all begins with a solid, well-thought-out plan.
1. Researching Campers
Start by gathering inspiration from platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, but also visit campervan and motorhome showrooms. This will give you a clear idea of what you do and don’t want — and help you discover whether life in such a small space even suits you. Try out different beds, kitchens, and showers to get a feel for how much space you’ll need in your future camper.
Also, research how long it typically takes to convert a van into a camper and what’s involved. Are you really up for spending, say, six months working on your van? Can you do everything yourself, or do you want to outsource certain parts? Think about your budget too — how much do you expect to spend? Below, we’ll explain how to create a realistic budget.
2. Creating a Budget
Use blogs, videos, and other people’s experiences to create a realistic budget. Consider the purchase of the van, materials, tools, workshop rental, insurance, and any inspections. That way, you’ll know how much you need to save before you can really get started. You don’t want to buy a van and then run out of money for materials.
Start with rough estimates based on what you discovered during your research phase: costs for the van itself, any outsourcing you might do, and materials. Create a clear overview — here’s an example of our first budget:
| Item | Costs |
|---|---|
|
Van |
€ 17.000 |
|
Workshop rental (12 months) |
€ 5.400 |
|
Insulation + soundproofing |
€ 600 |
|
Windows + ventilation |
€ 1.000 |
|
Battery + electrical system |
€ 3.500 |
|
Water system + sanitation |
€ 1.000 |
|
Gas |
€ 500 |
|
Furniture |
€ 1.500 |
|
Mattress |
€ 400 |
|
Heater + air conditioning |
€ 2.000 |
|
Fridge |
€ 1.000 |
|
Insurance + taxes (12 months) |
€ 3.600 |
|
Total |
€ 37.500 |
Tip: Always budget for unexpected costs. Some items might end up being more expensive, or you might need extra materials if something goes wrong the first time.
3. Choosing the right van
Think ahead about the dimensions you’ll need. Do you want to be able to stand up inside? Then you’ll likely need a taller van. Want to sleep sideways? Then every centimeter of width counts. Make a list of the most common van models and compare them in terms of length, width, and height.
We were sure we wanted an H3 van because Marlo is nearly two meters tall and wanted to be able to stand up straight. Below is the comparison chart we made, where we highlighted which models would and wouldn’t work for us. The red-marked cells helped us rule out certain vans.
4. Finding a workspace
This might be obvious if you have your own driveway, garage, barn, or yard. But if, like us, you live in a city with limited space (e.g. in the Randstad), you’ll need to find a place to work on your van. Look for a garage unit, warehouse, or shared workshop where you can work on the build for an extended period. These can often be found online or via word of mouth if you’re lucky.
Tip: Looking for a good place to work on your van and park it around The Hague? Send us a message!
5. Buying a van to convert
Next, start browsing online for vans that seem like a good fit and schedule appointments to view them. A logical place to start is Marktplaats, where both individuals and businesses list their vans.
We chose to buy from a business because it came with a warranty and lower risk. Vans sold by private sellers are usually cheaper, though. Don’t be afraid to look at several options before choosing the one that feels right and fits your budget.
When viewing a van, consider the following:
- Check the condition inside and out.
- Take it for a test drive to see how it runs.
- Stand, sit, and lie down inside to truly experience the space. It’s one thing to read the specs online — it’s another to actually feel the dimensions.
Be aware that good vans suited for camper conversions tend to sell quickly at some dealerships. That’s why we bought our Peugeot Boxer at the very first appointment — it met all our needs and we didn’t want to miss out.
Tip: Always run a license plate check to get extra info about the van (e.g. maintenance history, accident reports, and mileage).
6. Designing your campervan
You’ll often have to wait a while before you can pick up your van. Use this time wisely and start designing your ideal camper layout. You can do this earlier too, but having the exact dimensions helps make your plan more realistic.
A helpful tool is Vanspace 3D. You can buy a one-year or lifetime license, download the program, and start designing right away. Choose from a variety of van models in different sizes — the software automatically loads the correct dimensions for your selected model.
You can then add various components like beds, benches, kitchens, walls, toilets, showers, water tanks, and decor. Each item can be customized in terms of material and color to match your personal style.
Before you start designing, think about what’s important to you:
- Do you want a shower?
- Would you rather have a larger kitchen and no shower?
- Do you want a fixed bed with a separate seating area?
- Or a larger seating area that converts into a bed?
Where should the shower go — in the front or back?
Once you know what you want, start thinking about the dimensions. How big does the bed need to be? How much space do you need for the shower? How many people should be able to sit around the table? These decisions often depend on how often, how long, and with how many people you plan to travel.
Start testing different layouts based on all your ideas. Consider discussing your plans with friends or family — they might offer new insights or ideas that hadn’t occurred to you.
We thought we had our design figured out, but ended up changing it drastically at the last minute. For example, we opted for an extra seat instead of a larger kitchen. We made at least ten different layouts before settling on the final one.
Tip: Use painter’s tape to outline your layout on the floor of the van. This gives you a realistic feel for the space — and helped us quickly eliminate one of our earlier favorites.
7. And then... let the build begin!
Once you’ve planned everything, it’s time to get to work. Start by stripping and prepping the interior of your van, install windows, and begin soundproofing and insulating the walls.
Topics
About us
Hi, we are Marlo and Tessa and have developed an enormous passion for traveling through our world trip in 2022. We like to share this with you through our adventures and tips, so that you too can make such an incredible trip.
Treat us to a cup of coffee
Hi! Are you happy with our free travel tips about the most beautiful places in the world? And has it helped you with your next trip? Then treat us to a cup of coffee by clicking the button below. We really appreciate that and this way we can write many more useful tips and tricks in the presence of a delicious cup of coffee 😉 Thank you!
Volg ons op social media
-
About us
Hi, we are Marlo and Tessa and have developed an enormous passion for traveling through our world trip in 2022. We like to share this with you through our adventures and tips, so that you too can make such an incredible trip.
English 
Dutch