Camper life. Freedom on wheels.
How to start?
The first question is “to buy or to build”? Watching several You Tube videos and screening several “ready-to-buy” camper, made 2 things very obvious very fast.
You need a big wallet and you need to make compromises of what you get if you want to buy a ready-to-buy camper. If you build your own camper, you need to do a lot of research, learn a lot of new skills e.g. electrics, plumbing, etc. and you need space plus tools plus a lot of time to all that.
Various areas of a camper build
The Vehicle
The Vehicle’s Spec
Design & Layout
Insulation & Build
Solar & Electronics
Shower & Toilet
Heating & Cooking
Lighting
Appliances
Furnishing
The Vehicle.
There are various vehicles available what people can chose from to live and travel, from a (Mini-) stationed passenger cars to a (B-) vans to a (Class-c) motorhomes to (4x4) trucks to finally the various trailers.
Other categories are also possible e.g. fixed roof camper vans which are mainly vans with a fixed top, high-top camper vans which the standard model got modified with a higher roof e.g. the HiAce High-Roof is a famous model, overcab bed motor homes which have an additional bed/storage above the driver area, rising roof top camper vans which extends the roof e.g. for the sleeping space or having a tent on the roof which needs to be build up for the night and build down for driving. All this is also dependent where you want to travel. E.g. traveling the Southern Hemisphere, a roof tent is a good idea but once you travel to the Northern Hemisphere you can have harsh conditions and therefore you better have a living camper. Another criteria is how many people will travel with you. And finally, what is your budget which will also define what is possible for you.
At the end it depends on every ones personality and style he or she prefers to travel the world. E.g. going from place to place including cities and museums or the destination is more rough like desserts and jungles, and therefore the requirements are not the same.
Some books to recommend for the topic are from a2aexpedition.com e.g. Travel The Planet Overland https://www.a2aexpedition.com/product-page/travel-the-planet-overland-softcover
All comes down to the individual needs. Therefore the vehicle of choice for this build should fulfill the following requirements:
Must-have
Versatile enough to drive with it in cities and even use it as a daily vehicle. E.g. fits in a regular parking lot in front of a supermarket. Most brands offer 3 different body lengths, three roof heights and the chassis cab options. Therefore a Van will be rather fitting than a Motorhome. A long-wheel-base version with a higher roof e.g. the MB Sprinter L2H2. Or the Ford Transit.
Off-road capabilities to be able to find some “secret” and/or abandon spots (4x4), or simply having more traction and grip in snow, mutt, sand. Therefore the best choice imho would be the Sprinter 4x4 (beside Ford Transit AWD (since 2020) or VW Crafter 4Motion (since 2017). Here are one video to show what is possible with a Sprinter. https://youtu.be/RyNajZpVPrs;
Clearance. Clearance from the bottom and from the top, but especially from the bottom. Also for this requirement a 4x4 provides more clearance.
Autark. It should run for 3-5 days autark. Electricity, Water, Toilet.
16-inch steel rims with All-Terrain BFGoodrich Tires (steel rims are everywhere available). The tire lasts around 4-5 years and is worldwide available.
Preferable Diesel instead of Petrol
Preferable Automatic instead of Manual
Left-hand drive vehicle
All what is needed to live inside for several months e.g. space, shower/toilet (fixed or movable), solar, big batteries, kitchen and so on
Should-have
Max 3.5 tons (only relevant for Europe!)
Cooking and Oven - at least the Omina oven.
Nice-to-have
On a first glimpse it should not look like a typical camper
Upgrades, e.g. additional suspension, front bumper, extra lights, 360 camera etc. Video: https://youtu.be/RS4JgRPOtEI;
Some more information:
Gas or Diesel
Automatic or Manual
Left hand or right hand driving (66% drive on the right side), therefore better a left-hand drive vehicle as also some countries does not allow right-hand drive vehicles (Costa Rica and Chile for example); another problem is when you overtake a vehicle as you have limited sight
Does the vehicle exist in the countries you want to travel to?
Aftermarket parts availability e.g. https://www.rockauto.com
Websites to buy Camper (and accessories) especially Sprinter:
Vans
https://www.hrz-reisemobile.de
https://www.flowcamper.de
Accessories
https://www.orc.de
Vehicle
MB Sprinter 419 CDI V6 3.0 L with 190 PS. 4x4. 7Gtronic (Automatic).
Vehicles from ~2008 onwards are galvanized.
Westfalia 2021 James Cook AD electric lifting roof + slide out camper van
Hymer Grand Canyon V6 Energetic Sunrise
HRZ Sahara
Separator between Driver cabin and Living Room
3- piece Sliding door
Additional Curtain behind it (facing the cabin) eg thick ones like used to the entrance of a big heated tent
Table to work and eat (WxLxH):
Table needs to be big enough to place 1-2 laptops and 1-2 external screens to work comfortable.
130cm x 60 x 70 cm
Sofa
45 cm high (floor to butt) so that the feet or comfortable on the floor
Kitchen
Japan: 180 cm x 60 cm
Membran Pump - possible to switch on/off when not in use
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0798RQDDF/
Pipes
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B075PVVBRS
Kitchen Sink (black)
Sink needs to be big enough (wide and length) and deep to comfortable wash e.g. salad in it, wash the dishes, if needed to wash e.g. hair and face and upper body. Instead of a bathroom sink.
58 x 40 x 18 cm
Kitchen Cupboard
Depth: 36 cm
Water Filter
Filter normal water to get drinking water, during input and output. https://www.wasser-fritz.de
Bed
The bed is stationary, though having bed lift system seems to be a nice idea, a stationary bed should be fine to e.g. also work in it if needed. Below the bed will be the garage and therefore a fixed bed and a garage would be a fitting combination.
At least 140 x 180 cm (better 160 x 200 cm)
Skylight (above bed)
https://www.dometic.com/en/outdoor/se/products/climate/ventilation/rv-rooflights
or Boat Hatch:
Fans
Maxxfan Deluxe Fan for kitchen / sleep area. Can be used also when raining.
https://www.wohnwagen-fenster.com/dachventilator-maxxair-maxxfan/dachhaube-luefter-lueftung-maxxair-maxxfan-deluxe
idea: one max fan in the middle of the van/above kitchen to create an airflow together with the skylight above the bed
Smaller fan for shower
Cooker Oven
Diesel
Induction
Gas (Butane)
Gas (LPG)
Fridge with freezer
Compressor. e.g. Dometic, open from both sides. At least 80 liter. Freezer at least 5 liter. Preferred 115 liter.
Location: near to the main door.
Fridge should not be below the bed due to possible noise and heat development.
E.g. Dometic RCS 10.5T compressor refrigerator 83l, double-hinged door.
https://www.dometic.com/en/outdoor/se/products/food-and-beverage/refrigerators/boat-refrigerators/dometic-rcs105t-_-257841
https://belluna.eu/kategorie/kuhlschranke/
Electricity
Plugs. Always put 230V, 12V, and USB.
Lithium Batteries
At least 400ah
Solar
Best to use house solars which are cheaper.
At least 600 Watt.
Fresh Water
~ 100 liter
Gray Water
~ 100 liter
Floor
Vinyl - scratch and water resistant
Shower (interior white/color, shower head black)
Glideaway Shower Door and Cabin
https://www.amazon.com/Retractable-Rolling-Shower-Platinum-Replacement/dp/B07Y5KD8Z3
https://www.diycaravans.com.au/shop/shower-door-glideaway/
https://shop.stoett.com/nautilus-retractable-shower-doors-for-rv/
https://www.amazon.de/Nischendusche-Duschtür-Nischenfalttür-Duschkabine-Faltsystem/dp/B07DXR843H
Half-size shower like Japanese Onsen?
Big mirror into the shower like in Japan
Acrylic Splashbacks to “make space” or Alu Dibond: https://muraluxe.ca/wall-panel-ideas.php
Shower Head: https://www.ecocamel.com/ and long shower hose to be able to shower outside.
Toilet
Air Head Composting Toilet
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GXIODVK/
Floor Heating
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07RMJBWMQ
Outdoor Shower at the back of the Van
Remote Units
Better place them inside of a cabinet to avoid the flashing light and screen at night
Air Condition FresAir (and other items)
https://saraandalexjames.com/vanlife-blog/van-tour-170-extended-4x4-3500-mercedes-sprinter-van-conversion-with-bathroom
https://www.campingwagner.de/product_info.php?info=p84352
Window Covers
https://vanmadegear.com
http://xplroutfitters.com/index.html
https://www.thermomatten24.de
https://www.project-camper.de/shop/magnet-thermomatten-mercedes-benz-sprinter-2018-heute
Outside: https://www.amazon.de/Windscreen-Magnets-Protection-Foldable-Removable/dp/B077RQ6WKQ/
https://www.beyondblinds.co.uk