Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
There’s no single right way to live in a van. These six tours range from a fully loaded extended Sprinter with a shower to a vintage Westfalia with a fold-out couch, and each one shows a different trade-off between space, comfort, and simplicity.
Here’s a DIY extended Sprinter, a New Zealand Sprinter, a traveling couple’s custom Sprinter, a cargo van built for Europe, a 1986 Westfalia, and a 1985 Vanagon.
Jed and Sandy, DIY Extended Sprinter
Jed and Sandy sold their North Carolina house, tried a 30-foot travel trailer, then built this DIY extended Sprinter with a full kitchen and a bathroom that has a recirculating shower and composting toilet.
Jordan and Tommy, New Zealand Sprinter
Jordan and Tommy’s third van is this custom Sprinter in New Zealand — kitchen and bathroom face each other in the middle, and a queen bed takes the back.
Alex and Sean, Custom Sprinter
Alex, a travel physical therapist, and Sean, a traveling carpenter, built this custom Sprinter with a bathroom toilet that slides away when they don’t need it.
Mike Hudson, Cargo Van Across Europe
After he quit his job, 25-year-old Mike Hudson spent five months building this cargo van and left England to travel Europe with a kitchen, shower, toilet, solar, and a hammock.
Cora and Tyler, 1986 Westfalia
Cora and Tyler found a 1986 Volkswagen Westfalia already set up, sleep on the fold-out couch, and still want a larger rig with standing cook space and a bathroom.
Halle, 1985 Vanagon
Halle downsized from a Sprinter into this 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon and made room for her artwork while she funds the road with copywriting.
What These Vans Teach
- A bathroom is possible even in a van: two of these Sprinters include a shower or a toilet that slides away
- Many van lifers work up to their rig, moving from a trailer or an older van to a build that fits them better
- Vintage VWs trade standing room and a bathroom for simplicity and character
- A cargo van can become a full home with solar, a kitchen, and a shower on a DIY budget
Highlights
- Six van tours, from extended Sprinters to vintage Volkswagens
- Builds in the U.S., New Zealand, and Europe
- Options with full bathrooms and options with none
Learn More
- DIY Extended Sprinter Van Conversion: From Travel Trailer to Full-Time Van Life
- Sprinter Van Life: From Australia to New Zealand
- Traveling Couple’s Custom Sprinter Van Life
- He Quit His Job, Built A Cargo Van Tiny Home, And Explores Europe
- Van Life in their 1986 Westfalia
- Her Fourth Tiny Rig: 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon
- Tiny Home Tours on YouTube (Halle’s 1985 Vanagon)
- Van Conversions · Van Life · Van Dwelling
Explore More
Which of these six vans would you live in? Tell us in the comments.
If you enjoyed this you’ll LOVE our Free Daily Tiny House Newsletter with even more!
You can also join our Small House Newsletter!
Also, try our Tiny Houses For Sale Newsletter! Thank you!
More Like This: Van Conversions | Van Life | Vans | Tours & Features
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Alex
Latest posts by Alex (see all)
- A Factory 4×4 Sprinter, Made Their Own for Full-Time Van Life - November 7, 2026
- Six Ways to Live on the Road: Sprinters, a Cargo Van, and Two Vintage VWs - November 7, 2026
- Tiny, Small, or Somewhere Between? How to Right-Size Honestly - November 7, 2026
Join the Conversation
No comments yet. Be the first to join the conversation.