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His Modular Van Conversion And How To Build Your Own


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Florian used his lockdown time to let his creative juices flow. He wanted a campervan conversion that worked for his lifestyle: Something that he could take on weekend or week-long adventures; that could sleep one or two people; that could hold his mountain bike or chest refrigerator if needed. So he created an epic modular system — and blogged about the whole thing so that you can do it too!

Using an aluminum frame, he was able to build a system with pull-out drawers and a fold-over bed that can adjust as needed. Since this is just a regular passenger van, you’ll be impressed with how much he can fit in! Let’s hear from Florian below.

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T6 Campervan Conversion For Weekend Trips


A little info about me: My name is Florian. I’m 30 years old and I live in Germany. And I’ve had my van since 2019. Before the aluminum profile expansion, I had a temporary wooden bed frame for the first trips.

I wanted to build a campervan extension that was as flexible as possible and that I could use for all life situations. As a daily vehicle for trips to work, for weekend trips or for longer trips, but also for hobbies such as fishing, mountain biking and much more where you can easily sleep in your own car. A ready-made campervan was simply too expensive for me, hence the DIY conversion.

I wanted to have a double mattress for 2 people inside the vehicle, but when I was traveling alone, just have one mattress and a mountain bike. So I came up with a foldable and removable lying surface. (Each for one or for two people).

Another important point for me was a rear pull-out that was just as flexible as the bed, and could accommodate, among other things, a camping kitchen, a cool box and various stacking boxes for camping accessories.

I also wanted to be able to move the kitchen box, so I could put it on the rear pull-out or in the interior next to the sliding door.

Because I can take everything with me on tours and trips, I am relatively flexible. At the moment, I’m still dependent on shore power (on campsites) to let the cool box run for a long time on hot days, but this problem should also be solved soon with a medium-sized battery that will allow me to go several days without shore power.

If you’re looking to do a similar conversion, the longest part of the construction was the planning phase, since each vehicle has different equipment and dimensions. Then of course it also depends on your own wishes and hobbies. Otherwise, the construction took about half a year.

For me, I started building during first lockdown. Among other things, there was the difficulty of getting all the right parts and the delivery times were a bit longer for some. But basically you can probably never say that the construction is finished, because you always optimize a few little things that you missed or wished for on your travels. Of course, it’s all a question of budget, since camping items are unfortunately not that cheap at the moment.

I’ve enjoyed letting my wishes flow into the construction, and later having a unique campervan. But, of course, I’ve also enjoyed the time after the construction, during my travels.

If you’re thinking of converting a van: Just start and do it! I don’t think anyone will say later in old age, “Oh I wish that I hadn’t built/bought such a campervan and used it.”

Unfortunately, it hasn’t been easy to travel during the past few years because of restrictions and rules in other countries, on campsites, or where you live that had to be followed. But despite that, I was out and about with my girlfriend, alone or with friends. (e.g. in Germany, Norway, Austria, Poland) Whether sightseeing, going to the sea or some kind of action holiday like hiking, cycling ect.

This year I have a trip to Croatia on the agenda, as well as other smaller trips. And in the next few years, further destinations are planned, initially within Europe.

Want to build your own? Check out Florian’s Blog!

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Natalie C. McKee

Natalie C. McKee is a contributor for Tiny House Talk and the Tiny House Newsletter. She's a wife, and mama of three little kids. She and her family are homesteaders with sheep, goats, chickens, ducks and quail on their happy little acre.
{ 2 comments… add one }
  • Marcy
    February 7, 2023, 2:28 pm

    Nice job, Florian! I love the flexibility and clever use of space.

  • CLARE
    February 9, 2023, 3:10 pm

    Florian this is really intriguing.
    but could u do a vid like on YouTube bcuz pics &/or blog rnot ez to follow!

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