The various conversion options for a (cargo) van are greatly dependent on its planned use, the owners’ skills and financial resources. A very basic version can be put together by anyone that can handle a hammer and screwdriver and won’t set you back more than a couple of hundred dollars. On the opposite end, a fully equipped, handmade interior with most of the conveniences of home, a hi-top roof and a totally self-sufficient solar installation, easily tops $10,000.00.
Personal Choices
There is no cookie cutter solution and many options are a personal choice. The hi-top is a wonderful solution to create standing height in the van, but most people would loose their ability to park the van inside their 7′ garage. If you want to make a complete move to van dwelling, choose the first option, for part-time use you may opt for the latter.
| basic | intermediate | the works | |
|---|---|---|---|
| interior | 2×4 platform bed led lighting container storage | built-in bed led lighting store-bought cabinets | built-in bed led lighting handmade cabinets additional accessories |
| wall insulation | n/a | · | · |
| floor & ceiling insulation | n/a | n/a | · |
| appliances | cooler portable stove porta potti | cooler cooktop porta potti | 12V fridge cooktop heater porta potti |
| batteries | 1 x 12V | 2 x 6V | 4 x 6V |
| solar | n/a | base system 100W panels pwm controller monitor 300W inverter | full system 300W panels mppt controller monitor 1500W inverter |
| windows | n/a | · | · |
| hi-top | n/a | n/a | · |
| running boards | n/a | n/a | · |
| bike rack | n/a | n/a | · |
| budget | $ 500.00 | $ 2,000.00 | $ 10,000.00 |