I've written about hundreds of campers, buses, and more, but I still come across pieces that surprise me with their unique layouts. Today I'm checking out one of his such units, a full-time tiny house on wheels for Dylan and Luisa.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Nate Murphy
Dylan and Luisa chose a 2008 Renault Master with a medium wheelbase and medium roof height. Externally, the vehicle is very stealthy, with no sign of campervan DNA apart from the solar panel on top, which can only be spotted from a distance.
But once you step inside, you'll find yourself in a clean, beautifully designed space with a layout like no other. As soon as you enter, the kitchen is right in front of you. Part of the entrance is occupied by a counter with a sink. By the way, Dylan and Louisa were obsessed with installing a Belfast sink in their fixture, and ended up installing an extendable faucet. It's quite heavy, tipping the scales at about 88 pounds (40 kg).
The couple installed a drawer under the sink and a cabinet to house the camper's plumbing system. The piping system consists of two 25 liter fresh water canisters and a 10 liter gray water tank.
Dylan and Luisa chose an open layout for their camper. The driver's cabin is accessible from the living space via a curtain door. On top of that, they have devised an appropriately sized storage compartment.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Nate Murphy
On the passenger side of the interior is the rest of the kitchen. Features large solid oak countertop, oven/stove combo with 13 lb. oven. (6kg), huge overhead cabinet, Dometic refrigerator and various other cabinets and drawers for storage. In addition, the couple integrated a diesel heater. Other notable details include two 240V sockets, a spice rack, and a bookshelf.
There are two things I love about this kitchen. First of all, the blue color of the cabinets is eye-catching and blends well with the rest of the interior. Next, behind the countertop is an expansive double-glazed domestic window that lets you take in the views while you cook.
The kitchen takes up about half of the living space. The rest is occupied by the bedroom/living room, which also features a unique layout. On one side, there is a huge L-shaped sofa that runs from the sliding door to the rear of the van and a lagoon table where two people can enjoy a meal or work on their laptops.
Of course, you can convert it into a bed by sliding the base and adding legs for support. The bed is not very big, but it is enough for two people. There are several cabinets for storage both below and above the sofa.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Nate Murphy
The space opposite the sofa is also used primarily for storage. Dylan and Luisa added lots of cabinets and drawers and a large mirrored closet. It takes up only a small amount of room width, so there is plenty of walking space between it and the sofa.
There is also a large cabinet that hides the electrical system. It consists of a 200 Ah lithium battery that the duo surprisingly made themselves, his MPPT charge controller connected to a 315 W solar panel on the roof, a DC/DC battery charger, an inverter and a battery monitor. .
Most of us need some form of entertainment. In this case, Dylan and Luisa added a 28-inch LG TV on a rotating mount connected to the PS4. So couples can lounge on the couch, pick up a controller, and start playing. We also added LED light strips to set the mood.
You may have noticed that this camper doesn't have a bathroom, which is a problem for many van dwellers. Dylan and Luisa have a porta potti under part of the couch. The only shower available is in the rear garage, which is the last location I haven't talked about yet.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Nate Murphy
To access the garage, two rear doors must be opened. The lack of height may make it feel a bit small, but this space is located at the back of the van, so there's plenty of space to store bulky items. The garage contains an inflatable kayak, BBQ, coal, tent, awning, hammock, and shower tent.
The two often wash their bodies at the campsite. When you're out in the field or after a fun day at the beach, you can attach the shower tent to the back of your van and the water heater will provide hot water through the included shower nozzle. Additionally, the tank (25 liters) in the garage is for shower use only.
Overall, this homemade camper has some unique features that make a lot of sense. Plus, it's spacious, warm, and cozy. But most importantly, its utility and features keep you comfortable and comfortable.
