So, you’ve decided to build out your van? That’s a great decision! Building your own van can be a fun and rewarding experience. However, there are some things you need to do in order to make the process as smooth as possible. In this article, you will learn about the steps you need to take in order to build your very own van!

Find A Design

You, first need to design how you want the vehicle to look. It’s important to consider the looks when you decide to make your own DIY camper van because you will have to look at it every day. You can find design inspiration by looking online at other people’s camper vans or even finding a design you like in a magazine and adapting it to your own needs.

Once you have an idea of what you want your van to look like, you need to start finding the materials that you will need to build it. This step is important because if you do not have all of the correct materials, your van will not be up to code and could be unsafe.

Make It Practical

You want to make your DIY van practical, which means including a bathroom. For many people, this is making it a practical necessity. If you’re going to spend any amount of time on the road, you’re going to want a way to take care of your personal hygiene needs. This means including a toilet and some sort of shower set up in your van.

If you’re traveling, you’ll need to shower as well so you might as well have to make it practical a shower in your van. This could be as simple as setting up a solar shower bag and hanging it from the ceiling of your van. Or, you could get more elaborate and install making it practical propane-powered water heater and pressure shower system.

You’ll also want to think about power needs when you’re making it practical planning your DIY van build. If you’re going to be spending any significant amount of time off the grid, you’ll need some way to generate and store power. Solar panels are a popular option.

Gather Tools And Materials

You’ll also need a lot of tools and materials. These are the following:

• Tape measure
• Plywood
• Carpeting
• Ruler or a straight edge
• Circular saw
• High-grit sandpaper
• Staple gun
• Screws
• L brackets
• Drywall screws
• Hammer
• Paint
• Lumber
• Jigsaw
• Knife
• Drill
• Vinyl flooring
• Insulation

Having all of these lined up before you start will make the build go a lot smoother. Get to a hardware store and stock up on everything you’ll need. It’s also a good idea to have a few extra of the more expensive items like plywood and lumber just in case you make a mistake.

Get A Bed

It’s essential to have a place to sleep when you’re on the road, and one of the best ways to do this is by getting a bed. You can either get a bed that fits in the back of your van or get a mattress that you can put on the floor. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in your van, then it’s worth getting a comfortable bed.

There are a few things to consider when getting a bed for your van. First, you need to decide how big of a bed you want. If you’re only going to be using it for sleeping, then you might not need a very big bed. However, if you’re planning on using it for other activities like working or relaxing, then you might want something bigger.

Build A Storage

You’ll need storage for clothes, supplies, and food as well as a kitchen. This will ensure you have plenty of room to live comfortably while on the road. A typical storage building is around 12×16 feet, but you can find smaller ones if you’re willing to search. You’ll also need a foundation and framing materials. Once you have your storage building, you can add shelves, cabinets, and anything else you need to make it feel like home.

If you’re planning on building a van, be sure to include a storage building in your plans. It will give you the extra space you need to live comfortably while on the road.

Lighting

Lighting is important when it comes to building a van. You will want to make sure that you have plenty of lighting so that you can see what you are doing when you are working on your van. There are a few different ways that you can light your van. You can use natural lighting, artificial lighting, or a combination of both.

Natural lighting is the best way to light your van if you can. This is because it is free and it will not cost you anything to use. This comes from the sun, so you will want to have a skylight to ensure this.

Having your own van is a blast, and building one isn’t that hard. Make sure to find the right design and make sure it’s practical. Gather tools and materials and don’t forget about the bed. Build storage for food and have a kitchen to prepare it. Finally, make sure there’s always enough light in your van. This will make sure you enjoy every moment you’re on the road!