Recreational Vans
Converting a van to a motorhome begins with decisions that are hard to undo later. Choose a platform based on how many people ride and sleep, where you travel, and how much gear you haul. High roof models allow stand up comfort and taller cabinets; mid roof or low roof options trade headroom for urban parking and lower center of gravity. Cargo vans with blank walls simplify insulation and wiring, while passenger vans may require removing interior trim and adding sound deadening.
Sketch a scaled layout. Keep heavy items low and between the axles to protect handling. Place water tanks near the centerline. A bed that lifts or folds can share space with bikes or boards. Galley placement should allow safe cooking and easy ventilation. If you plan winter use, think about a warm boot zone for wet gear and a way to dry it.
Weight sneaks up fast. Batteries, water, plywood, and hardware add hundreds of pounds. Check your van’s gross vehicle weight rating and axle ratings. Balance left to right to avoid a pull or uneven tire wear. Secure every cabinet to structural points, not just thin sheet metal. Use threaded inserts, rivnuts, and backing plates to spread loads. A stable rig is more enjoyable and safer in crosswinds and on mountain descents.
Insulation and sound control set the tone for comfort. Use a moisture aware strategy: clean steel, treat rust, add sound deadener where panels resonate, and insulate with materials that resist condensation. Closed cell foam boards, wool, or sprayed foam each have pros and cons. Seal gaps, but let cavities breathe where appropriate to avoid trapping moisture. Add a vapor barrier only where the system is designed for it, not everywhere by default.
Ventilation is as important as insulation. A roof fan paired with a low window creates airflow for cooking and sleeping. Screen every opening to keep bugs out. In cold climates, a diesel or gasoline air heater sips fuel from the tank and keeps humidity in check. In hot regions, maximize shade, reflective window covers, and cross ventilation. Air conditioning requires serious battery capacity or shore power, so plan honestly around your camping style.
A reliable house electrical system starts with a battery bank sized to your daily use. Add up draws for the fridge, lights, fans, pumps, and device charging. Lithium batteries offer deep usable capacity and lighter weight. Include a DC to DC charger from the alternator, a solar charge controller with roof panels sized to your roof real estate, and a smart shore charger. Fuse every positive run near the source, use proper gauge wire, and protect cables in loom. Keep 120 volt circuits on a dedicated inverter with a grounded system and a GFCI outlet where required. Label everything and build an accessible service bay.
Water systems make a van feel like home. A simple setup uses a fresh tank, 12 volt pump, sediment filter, and grey tank or portable container. Quick disconnects make winterization easy. For cooking, a sealed propane locker with an external vent and a marine rated regulator keeps gas safe, or choose induction to avoid onboard gas. Food storage can be a compressor fridge with a front or top lid, chosen to fit your galley flow.
Safety gear is not optional. Install a carbon monoxide and propane detector, and a fire extinguisher reachable from the driver’s seat and the galley. Choose certified components for heaters and gas systems. Penetrations through the roof or floor must be sealed against water and fumes. If you add windows, support cut edges and paint bare metal to prevent rust.
Legal classification varies by state and insurer. Some carriers require permanent cooking, sleeping, and water to classify as a motorhome. Keep receipts, photos, and a component list for inspections and insurance underwriting. If you tow or carry motos, check tongue weight and receiver ratings, and consider adding trailer brakes.
Budget with headroom. Major cost buckets include the van, electrical, galley, water, heat or cooling, windows and fans, materials, and hardware. Tools and fasteners add up. Time is currency too. A first build can take months of evenings and weekends. Expect to iterate after your first trip.
Common pitfalls: cutting the first hole without a plan, under sizing wire or fuses, over insulating without managing moisture, and building heavy furniture from thick plywood. Prototype with cardboard and painter’s tape. Run all wiring and plumbing while walls are open. Do an overnight shakedown close to home, then adjust storage, airflow, and cooking ergonomics. The goal is a van that functions smoothly at a trailhead or a grocery store parking lot, not just a pretty interior.
If your goal is converting a van into a home you can trust on remote roads, consider where professional engineering pays off. Complex tasks like high current wiring, roof cutouts, sealed propane lockers, and structural bed mounts reward precise design and installation. A well planned partial upfit can also raise comfort fast: power system, ventilation, and bed platform often deliver the biggest gains.
When you want a finished result that feels cohesive from day one, our team in Fayetteville builds rigs that match how you actually travel. Whether you want an off grid fridge that sips power, a smart layout for bikes and boards, or a quiet cabin that sleeps cool, we transform platforms into capable homes on wheels. We build the foundation so you can focus on the miles ahead.
Tell us how you camp, what you carry, and where you drive. We will map a clean path from shell to dependable camper, then build it with serviceable systems and road tested details. Submit the form to start your spec and get a build timeline that fits your season.
Ready to skip guesswork and drive a dialed rig? OZK Customs designs and builds complete or partial upfits that feel turnkey on day one. Tell us how you travel, and we will spec power, water, storage, and ride upgrades that fit your routes and your budget. Fill out the form and get a build consult on your timeline.
ADDRESS:
6159 E Huntsville Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72701
PHONE:
(479) 326-9200
EMAIL:
info@ozkvans.com