Building out a camper van can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. Some people are perfectly happy with a mattress, a cooler, and a portable power station. Others want a van with running water, hot showers, air conditioning, a full electrical system, and many of the comforts of a traditional RV.
Here at VanLifeWannaBe, we are not promoting any particular way of van life. Remember, the entire idea of this site is to make Van Life fit your needs. The right setup depends on how you plan to use your van and what your priorities are.
A part-timer has very different needs from someone living in a van full-time. Your climate, budget, available space, travel style, building skills, and willingness to maintain complicated systems will all play a role in the choices you make.
I’ve previously talked about the various rigs that could make Van Life doable for you, but before you select the vehicle, you need to consider the systems that you’ll need in place and how you might deal with them in the rig of your choice.
Systems to Address in Your Van Build
Before choosing specific products or designing your layout, it helps to think about the individual systems that will make your van functional. Here are the major systems you’ll need to consider, and a very quick rundown of the most common ways of addressing them. We won’t get too down and dirty in this article, but we have plenty of articles that go into more detail about the various Van Life systems.
Your Bed and Sleeping System
Your first consideration, and the very reason there is such a thing as Van Life, is that you need somewhere to sleep. The bed is also one of the biggest items inside most camper vans, so your sleeping arrangement can have a major impact on the rest of your layout.
Common options include:
- Permanent platform bed
- Fixed raised bed with storage underneath (garage)
- Convertible bench-to-bed system
- Dinette that converts into a bed
- Folding bed/cot
- Murphy-style bed
- Hammock
- Removable mattress or sleeping pad
Your choice of beds in Van Life is very important. If it’s uncomfortable, you’re not going to want to be in your van. With such limited space, each item in your build must also address multiple problems. Typically, a bed system will deal with the obvious issue of sleeping, but then also add seating or storage and sometimes both. There’s also the issue of time. A convertible bed can create a lot of space when it’s not up, but it also means you have to stow it away each morning and then roll it out each night.
Electrical System
Most Van Lifers are going to need some type of electrical system, even if it is only used to charge phones and run a few lights. More advanced builds may need enough power for refrigerators, fans, computers, induction cooktops, air conditioners, and other appliances.
Common electrical options include:
- Portable power stations
- Traditional battery bank and inverter system
- Solar panels
- Alternator charging
- Shore power
- Portable solar panels
- Generator
These options aren’t mutually exclusive. Many van electrical systems combine multiple charging sources. For example, a battery bank or power station might charge from solar while parked and from the vehicle’s alternator while driving.
Your first step is determining what you want to power. Once you know how much power you’ll need, your options will be easier to pare down.
Water System
Your water system can range from a few gallon jugs stored under the bed to permanently installed fresh and gray water tanks with an electric pump.
Common options include:
- Individual water bottles
- Refillable water jugs
- Gravity-fed water system
- Manual pump faucet
- Electric water pump
- Fixed fresh water tank
- Removable fresh water tank
- Gray water tank
- Portable gray water container
- Hot water heater
How complicated your water system needs to be depends largely on how long you plan to travel between stops and whether you want features such as an indoor sink or shower. Of course, this will also depend upon your skills with plumbing and whether you want to pay someone else to do it.
Toilet System
A toilet isn’t absolutely necessary in a camper van, but having one can make traveling considerably easier, especially when camping away from established campgrounds and public facilities.
Common options include:
- No toilet
- Emergency toilet
- Bucket-style toilet
- Portable cassette toilet
- Chemical toilet
- Composting toilet
- Dry-flush toilet
- Separating toilet
- Traditional RV toilet with black tank
Each option has advantages and disadvantages involving cost, space, odor control, waste disposal, and maintenance.
Cooking System
You don’t need a full kitchen to prepare meals in a camper van. Some travelers cook almost exclusively outside, while others build kitchens that would look at home in a small apartment.
Common cooking options include:
- Portable propane stove
- Built-in propane cooktop
- Butane stove
- Induction cooktop
- Electric hot plate
- Microwave
- Air fryer
- Electric pressure cooker
- Portable grill
- Campfire cooking
- Outdoor kitchen
Your cooking system will also affect other parts of your build. Electric cooking requires a capable electrical system, while propane or butane requires safe fuel storage and adequate ventilation.
Food Storage and Refrigeration
Food storage is easy to overlook when designing a van, but it becomes important quickly once you start traveling.
Common options include:
- Traditional cooler
- 12-volt portable refrigerator
- 12-volt refrigerator/freezer
- Built-in RV refrigerator
- Propane refrigerator
- Small household refrigerator
- Dry food cabinets or pantry storage
Refrigeration is another system that needs to be considered when calculating your electrical needs because a refrigerator may operate 24 hours a day.
Ventilation
Good ventilation helps control heat, moisture, condensation, cooking odors, and overall air quality inside a camper van.
Common options include:
- Opening factory windows
- Sliding or screened windows
- Roof vent
- Powered roof fan
- Portable fans
- Window fans
- Floor vents
Ventilation becomes especially important when cooking, sleeping with the van closed up, or traveling in warm and humid climates.
Heating and Cooling
Depending on where and when you travel, temperature control might be optional or one of the most important parts of your build.
Common heating options include:
- Diesel heater
- Gasoline heater
- Propane heater
- Electric heater
- Heated blanket or mattress pad
Common cooling options include:
- Roof vent fan
- Portable fans
- 12-volt air conditioner
- Traditional RV rooftop air conditioner
- Portable air conditioner
Heating and especially air conditioning can have significant electrical or fuel requirements, so these systems need to be considered early in the planning process.
Insulation
Insulation helps slow the transfer of heat between the inside and outside of your van. It can make heating and cooling more effective and may also help with sound and condensation management.
Common insulation materials include:
- Thinsulate
- Foam board
- Spray foam
- Sheep’s wool
- Closed-cell foam
- Reflective materials
Insulation decisions usually need to be made early because much of the insulation will be installed behind your walls, ceiling, and flooring.
Shower and Personal Hygiene
Not every camper van needs a shower. In fact, eliminating a permanent shower can save a substantial amount of space. But anyone traveling for extended periods still needs a plan for staying clean.
Common options include:
- No onboard shower
- Gym or campground showers
- Outdoor solar shower
- Portable pump shower
- Rear-door shower
- Outdoor shower connected to the van’s water system
- Temporary indoor shower
- Permanent wet bath
A shower also increases your water needs and may require additional gray water storage and a water heater.
Lighting
Lighting is relatively simple compared with many other van systems, but it has a big impact on how comfortable the van feels after dark.
Common options include:
- Battery-powered lights
- Rechargeable USB lights
- LED puck lights
- LED strip lights
- Hardwired ceiling lights
- Reading lights
- Exterior lights
LED lighting uses relatively little electricity, making it practical even in vans with small electrical systems.
Storage
Storage isn’t technically a mechanical system, but it needs to be planned just as carefully as your electrical or water systems. Every item you bring needs somewhere to go, and poorly planned storage can make even a large van feel cramped.
Common storage options include:
- Overhead cabinets
- Under-bed storage
- Drawers
- Open shelving
- Storage bins
- Seat storage
- Hanging organizers
- Exterior storage boxes
- Roof boxes
- Garage-style storage beneath a raised bed
Think about accessibility as well as capacity. Items you use every day should be easier to reach than equipment you might use only occasionally.
Seating and Living Space
Your bed doesn’t necessarily have to be your only place to sit. If you plan to spend significant time inside your van, especially during bad weather, having a comfortable living area can make a major difference.
Common options include:
- Swivel front seats
- Bench seat
- Dinette
- Folding chairs
- Removable seating
- Convertible bed/sofa
- Lagun-style or removable table
- Fold-down wall table
Many van layouts combine several functions into the same space. A bench might provide seating, storage, and part of the bed system.
Windows and Privacy
Windows provide natural light and ventilation but can also create issues involving privacy, heat, and insulation.
Common options include:
- Factory windows
- Aftermarket camper windows
- Sliding windows
- Awning windows
- Fixed windows
- Window covers
- Reflective covers
- Insulated window covers
- Curtains
- Blackout shades
Your window choices can also affect whether your van looks like a camper from the outside, which may matter if you plan to spend time in urban areas.
Internet and Connectivity
For weekend travelers, internet access may not matter much. For digital nomads or anyone working from the road, it can become one of the van’s most important systems.
Common options include:
- Cell phone hotspot
- Dedicated mobile hotspot
- Cellular router
- External cellular antenna
- Campground Wi-Fi
- Satellite internet
Your connectivity needs will depend heavily on where you travel and whether internet access is simply convenient or necessary for work.
Safety and Security
Safety equipment should be part of the build from the beginning rather than something added after everything else is finished.
Common equipment includes:
- Smoke detector
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Fire extinguisher
- Propane detector
- First-aid kit
- Emergency escape plan
- Door and window locks
- Vehicle alarm
- GPS tracker
- Security camera
- Safe or locking storage compartment
The equipment you need will depend partly on the systems installed in your van. A van with propane appliances, for example, has different safety considerations than an all-electric build.
Putting the Systems Together
One of the biggest challenges of designing a camper van is that none of these systems exists entirely on its own.
Choosing an induction cooktop affects your electrical system. Installing a shower affects your fresh water and gray water capacity. Adding an air conditioner dramatically increases your power requirements. A permanent bed affects your available seating and storage. Larger water and electrical systems take up space and add weight.
That is why it is usually better to think about your van as a collection of connected systems rather than choosing individual products one at a time.
Start by thinking about how you actually expect to use your van. Decide which comforts are essential, which would be nice to have, and which you can live without. From there, you can begin looking more closely at the different options for each system and deciding which ones make the most sense for your particular build.
There is no single correct way to build a camper van. The goal is to create a collection of systems that work together and match the way you plan to travel.