Traveling in a DIY camper has long been a popular choice for weekend excursions, holidays, and long-term travels. Moreover, with van life becoming increasingly popular, the idea of living in a DIY camper is constantly growing. While many people automatically connect van travel with camping or backpacking, living in a DIY camper can easily become a luxurious experience by including some of the top features we recommend.
What Are the Top Features We Wouldn’t Want to Miss?
In addition to our experience with camping and backpacking, it’s important to note that while both offer a sense of freedom, they are quite different. Traveling or living in a DIY camper allows you to travel in style without giving up too many of the comforts you’d leave at home. As a result, you can easily customize your temporary home to include most, if not all, of your creature comforts.
Through a bit of research and trial, we have managed to live and travel out of an extremely versatile and personalized DIY camper. After two years in our self-built camper, there are some features we couldn’t live without.
1. Thetford Duplex
The Thetford Duplex oven has been a game changer for us while living in our DIY camper. Consequently, we no longer feel restricted by what we can and can’t cook at mealtimes.
With both an oven and a grill, the Thetford Duplex is a no-brainer. Not only can we cook pizzas and lasagna in the oven, but we can also make the perfect pasta bake or cheese toasty with the grill function.
In fact, this oven was our top choice due to its easy installation with a single gas connection and 12V or click ignition options, while boasting a sleek finish once installed. Thus, we never worry while using this oven, coming from a trusted brand with excellent safety features and a generous warranty.
2. Maxxfan
Ventilation is an important consideration when traveling or living in a DIY camper. For instance, good ventilation is crucial for comfort in warm weather and when moisture levels are high.
The Maxxfan Deluxe ventilator is the backbone of our camper’s ventilation system, particularly in combination with a Dometic Mini Heki roof hatch and Climair wind deflectors. Therefore, ventilation is never an issue, even in bad weather, thanks to the Climair wind deflectors, which allow us to keep the windows slightly open while keeping harsh wind and rain out.
The Dometic Mini Heki is a great addition to any camper’s ventilation system. Fitting into a standard roof hatch size of 40×40 cm, it allows fresh air to enter from above, no matter the weather. The roof hatch comes with a sleek cover that includes a mosquito net and blackout option. Moreover, please note that there are different options depending on the roof thickness.
To complete our ventilation system, we installed a Maxxfan Deluxe. This ventilator can blow air in or out, has 10 speeds, and operates almost silently. Overall, installation is straightforward, fitting into a standard roof hatch size of 40×40 cm with an easy assembly design. The ventilator comes with a remote control and color options of white, black, or transparent to match any interior. In conclusion, a Maxxfan is a valuable investment for any DIY camper.
3. Dometic CRX
Not many households go without a fridge, so why should you while traveling on the road?
In particular, the Dometic CRX range is among the best on the market, providing multiple size options at a reasonable price. We chose the Dometic CRX 65 for three main reasons:
- It has an optional freezer compartment that can be easily installed or removed.
- It has low power consumption, using only 27 amps per hour on average.
- The shape and design of the Dometic CRX 65 are perfect for maximizing cooling in the space we have allocated.
With its neat design and an optional mounting frame for a seamless installation, we highly recommend this fridge for your DIY camper.
4. Klarstein Stove
Generally, campervans come with a stove top, whether portable or built-in. However, most camper-specific stove tops lack aesthetic appeal and functionality.
The Klarstein stovetop isn’t specifically designed for campers, but it performs much better in practice:
- Installation is very practical, using double-sided tape to mount it onto a clean surface.
- There is a connection for the gas supply and an optional connection for 210-240V for automatic ignition.
- Unlike standard camper stoves, the Klarstein stovetop has enough space to comfortably use both flames simultaneously.
- It provides additional safety with flame-out detection.
5. Sliding Bed
In our first camper, we had a fixed bed that was only 1.75m long. Although this was sufficient, it was not ideal for long-term travel. Therefore, this time, we got creative and designed a sliding bed. With the help of a welder, we created a two-piece unit to utilize our space efficiently while maintaining a comfortable sleeping area.
The first frame is 1.4m x 1.75m, forming the fixed frame, while the second frame is 70 cm x 160 cm for the sliding section. Consequently, with heavy-duty slides and bed slats, we can create a full-length bed. We had custom cushions made to fit our seats and double as the foot of the bed.
6. USB Dimmable Lights
A DIY camper is a small space, making multi-functional items very convenient.
This next item is exactly that: a low-profile, adjustable, dimmable bed light that houses a USB plug. Indeed, finding a bed light with all these features can be challenging, but we knew what we wanted and searched until we found it.
This light features a sleek low profile and an easy mounting kit. Additionally, the USB plug is reliable and conveniently placed. You can use a small touch button to change the light between three brightness levels and off.
7. Shower
Having a shower in a camper isn’t necessary, but it completes our home on wheels.
When traveling in a DIY camper, you have many options for showering at gyms, campsites, or community centers, but there’s nothing quite like using your shower on the road. While it’s possible to manage with a solar shower or an outdoor shower, this means soap and water are left on the ground, which is not always appreciated.
Therefore, we decided to install a full built-in shower. Starting with a 70×70 cm shower tray, we marked the location and cut holes to connect a drain pipe through the floor. Next, we framed the walls and covered them with stylish PVC wall panels. After shaping the space, we installed a Maxxfan Dome on the roof for light and ventilation.
For the door, we used a self-retracting shower door. Although the price is a bit high, it works brilliantly at keeping water inside with a stylish and compact finish. In fact, the installation is straightforward, using a click-together system and two screws to secure everything in place.
You can use any shower head and mixer that you prefer; many come as a complete set, though we opted for separate pieces to fit the style of our home.
8. Sliding Door
The sliding door is an innovative feature of our camper. In particular, we wanted something that would provide ease of access between the front and back of our van while ensuring good insulation and privacy.
To create the doors, we used a base plate of 9mm plywood, covered with tongue-and-groove planks to match the style of our van.
Once we made two doors, we implemented a sliding door system that included a set of rollers and a top and bottom rail, creating a sturdy, lightweight frame. Consequently, we used a pair of foot locks to secure the doors in place while driving.
9. Truma B10 Boiler
Cold water is perfectly fine in a camper, but having running hot water makes you feel more at home.
The Truma B10 is easy to install with the right placement. Using a small amount of gas, we can heat 10L of water to 50 degrees Celsius within 30 minutes. Moreover, the boiler is well-insulated, so the water stays warm for hours after heating. This allows you to easily wash your dishes throughout the day or enjoy a quick, warm shower.
Would You Include These Features in Your DIY Camper?
Ultimately, many of the items listed above go beyond the necessities for a simple camper, but for us, they create the ultimate comfort in our DIY camper. Furthermore, many of them are simple to install or make and require minimal attention while you’re on the road, giving you more freedom to travel wherever you want without relying on campsites or camper facilities.
