rv van owner

All about Van to RV Conversions

• cannon
• January 2, 2021March 23, 2021
• 0

Living the simple life

Appeals to many people. They are tired of 30-year mortgages where their money goes to interest over the principle. Also, they are tired of being tied to a home unable to get out and be free to roam wherever their heart desires.

That is why many couples and single people are converting their cargo van to an RV. They get the freedom they want and their money goes to what they want to spend it on.

To find out more about converting your van, the costs, the challenges, and so on, just continue to read our article. it has the information you ought to know.

Why are people converting their vans to RVs

The number one reason is that many people want more freedom than a traditional life has to offer them. they want to be able to go where they want when they want and they want to do it as cheaply as possible.

Another reason is that they prefer the simple life that comes with living out of a van. The fewer bills they have to pay the better they like it. Plus, it gets them out of the trap of having to buy a lot of things to fill their home.

That means they save a lot of money over the years. Finally, people are converting their vans or even buying a used one and converting it because it is cheaper than buying a pre-made Class B Van RV or larger RV (including trailers).

The cost of a pre-made Class B van RV starts at approx. $38,000 and can go well over $150,000. That is enough motivation to buy a used van cheap and make your own upgrades.

Reasons why to convert your van over buying a pre made RV

The best reason for doing this is the expense. As we just stated, pre-made Class B Rvs which are van size are very expensive even when you just buy a basic Class B RV. Not many people have the money to pay cash for a ready-made RV of any size and they do not want to make loan payments that last for years.

Here are some other reasons why they create their own van RV:

1. their vans are easier to drive and maneuver through tight spots
2. they are easier to park and fit in most driveways without causing suspicion in the neighbors
3. van conversions can be quite cheap ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand
4. you have creative control over the design of the interior
5. you can make the van fit you and your preferences, lifestyle, and tastes
6. you can live off the grid
7. it is possible to go to places, tourist spots, etc., regular RVs and trailers cannot go
8. then you can create your own adventure

Cargo van requirements for a good conversion

While it is possible to just buy any type of van or cargo van to make the conversion, there are some criteria you should think about before you make that purchase. Here are some items you should consider:

1. headroom- most vans only have about 4 feet 4 inches of headroom. If standing up is important to you when you are inside, look for a high top van to give you extra standing room.
2. power- the van’s battery is not going to be enough to power lights and appliances and then start the engine the next morning. You will need to decide on your power supply- solar, extra batteries, and so on
3. interior look- do you want a nice interior, sound proofing, condensation protection, and so on
4. living and cooking space- where do you want to sleep and cook? When doing your conversion these are very important
5. facilities- how do you want to go to the bathroom and shower and how much space will you need for those activities?

In each of these steps, you are looking at spending a little or a lot. It all depends on your preferences and how you want to live.

The cost of converting your van into an RV

There actually is no real right or wrong way to convert your van. You can spend a little money and keep all amenities nice and basic or you can spend a lot and go first class.

How much you spend depends on you and what you want inside your van. The other good news is that you can do it yourself and avoid professional services costs. Plus, you can use the retailer or wholesaler of your choice to cut those DIY costs even further.

#1. Use IKEA- one couple did this and spent only about $1,000 to convert their van into a nice RV. But not all aspects of conversion can use this option

#2. Conversion kit- the prices for these kits will range and one only costs $12,000 while only taking 3 hours to make the conversion a reality. Another option cost just over $5,000. Check your options and see which kit fits what you want in your van

#3. Go Professional- this option can run you upwards of $20,000 but your electricity and other vital elements will be installed correctly. This option includes solar panels to generate the power needed to run electrical appliances, etc.

Also, you should take into account some extra costs like heaters, air conditioning units, dehumidifiers, water tanks for fresh and waste water, and even springs and shocks. When you are adding weight to the van you need to make sure the springs and shocks can handle the heavier load. If not, you will have to upgrade those as well.

Some final words

If you can do it, there is nothing stopping you from converting your van into a nice RV. The biggest challenge you will face is if you can handle living in such small quarters or not.

Before you spend the money make sure that is something you can do or you are just wasting your time and money. A simple life is a nice life if you can handle it for long periods of time.