Charming and cozy off-grid Transit (2009)

This van has been designed from the start for off-grid living, and has proved to be a complete joy as I lived in it for a year in the UK. It is tall enough for anyone under 6 foot to stand in, and has enough space to move around inside so it never feels cramped. Even on the coldest days, the effective heater is able to get the van toasty within 15 minutes of getting back. On the hot days, the van stays cool and food remains cold in the fridge, while the solar panels keep the battery charged to maximum. In the winter, the solar panels provide adequate charge, but depending on the weather and on use, an extra charge might be required every week or so by driving for few minutes.

Kitchen
– Stove: a vintage enamel 2 burner stove is connected via a single piece of flexible hose to a 6kg propane gas canister. The canister itself is stored in a sealed gas cabinet with a lip and drain according to regulations.
– Sink: a large quartz composite Ikea sink which drains directly to the ground. There is ample space underneath to add a greywater tank if desired.
– Tap and water tank: a beautiful traditional French style brass mixer tap is fed by a 12v pump from a 60l tank. The pump is powerful so you get a decent flow of water.
– Fridge: A 12V compressor fridge with optional freezer compartment. It uses negligible power so that it can be run for days on end without a worry. (JustKampers JKF50)
– Work surface: there is plenty of food preparation space on the duck-egg blue hand-crafted worktop. The kitchen is designed so that two people can comfortably use it.
– Accessories: Lighter, kettle, pans

Keeping warm:
– Heater: a 2kW Vevor diesel heater can heat the van to a comfortable temperature in 15 minutes flat even on the coldest days. It has a thermostat setting and remote control, allowing you to keep the temperature stable overnight.
– Insulation: The walls, roof, floor, and doors of the van are fully insulated. The cavities are filled with Celotex and plastic wool, and completely sealed to form a complete vapour barrier using foil sheets and foil tape. The materials were chosen to provide maximum protection from the cold and they are all resistant to damp.
– Wall panelling: A beautiful pine tongue-and-groove panelling covers the van from head to toe, which provides a rustic feel to the interior when combined with the farm-house kitchen elements in the kitchen.
– Laminate flooring: easy to clean and comfortable underfoot, the tongue-and-groove flooring is supplemented with a layer of under-floor insulation.

Windows and curtains:
– Windows: 2 professionally installed windows. A large window in the rear of the van provides good views when camping, and a vent window in the kitchen allows cooking odours to escape.
– Curtains: All the windows have insulated magnetic blinds which snap into place. The exterior of each blind is a reflective foil material which keeps the van cool in winter. There is a curtain between the cab and the living space which provides privacy whenever it is needed.

Sleeping and keeping clean:
– The van is tall enough for anyone under 6 foot to comfortably stand.
– Bed: Full size double pull out sofa bed, with a foam mattress. 190cm long x 120cm wide. Easily comfy for 2 people to sleep, and there is a sliding section which means that it can become a sofa during the day giving more room for movement in the van.
– Toilet: Portapotti cassette flushing toilet. A chemical solution in the flush and the waste compartment keep odours to a minimum.
– Washing: sink with a mirror and bright LED lights in the van allow for make-up or washing.

Storage:
– Drawers: There are 3 Ikea Komplement drawers in the kitchen unit (50x58cm). When driving these are held shut with a bungee cord. There is space in this unit for 3 more Komplement drawers (75x58cm).
– Under the bed: There is a sizeable storage space which can be accessed from the top or from the rear doors.
– Over the cab: The space has been divided into 4 deep cupboards, two of which have removable shelves.

Electrics:
– The electrics are high-spec as the van has been designed for living off-grid.
– Lighting: 8 LEDs built into the panelled ceiling, which can be turned on in groups of 4. They illuminate the van more than adequately when the blinds are closed.
– Power sockets: 3 12V 20A power sockets can be used to charge phones, laptops via an adaptor, TVs, shavers, e.t.c.
– Battery: 110Ah LiFePO4. The fact this battery is lituium means it can accept more charge from the alternator resulting in quick charge times compared to AGM leisure batteries. A Daly BMS keeps the individual cells balanced, and can be monitored and controlled via Bluetooth app.
– Solar: 400A of solar is provided by 4 individual 100A Ecoflow flexible solar panels.
– Wi-Fi: 5G antenna mounted on top of the van is connected to a 4G router. This can be upgraded to 5G, however I chose 4G due to the high cost of 5G routers at the time.
– Battery charger: Renogy 12V 50A DC-DC charger with MPPT. This means the battery is charged by solar panels and by the engine whilst driving, at rates of up to 50A. The charge status can be monitored via Bluetooth app, and the maximum charging rate can be set.

Safety and security:
– Fire extinguisher
– Fire blanket
– GPS and vibration tracker which requires a sim card to operate

Design concept:
– The van is tied together by duck egg blue surfaces, and a black and white floral Paisley patterned fabric.
– Weight-saving was a big factor in the design of the kitchen. The work surface is thinner than traditional kitchen surfaces, and the gaps in the frame are tastefully filled in with fabric rather than panelled with wood.
– I have wiring diagrams and pictures of all stages of the build, which will aid with any alterations you make.
– Rear steps will be tidied up; just waiting on a tool to complete this job.
– The space opposite the bed is left to do as you please. You might wish to install a folding table to the edge of the kitchen, for working or eating, or build in extra storage. The point is, there is some flexibility in this conversion and so it’s perfect for someone who wants to make it a home.