How to plan the perfect van layout

After four years of living full time in my self converted campervan, I have decided to build a new one with all my new knowledge of tiny living. These are my hot takes about van layouts and resources that have been valuable while planning this new build.

Resources I have used:

There are many apps to plan a van layout. Most popular are Vanspace3D and SketchUp and I have heard amazing things about these programs - but I decided to use a free program called SweetHome3D.

I really liked the program and it allowed me to design everything to scale so I knew all the products I could fit in my van build

MY VAN LAYOUT HOT TAKES:

A Convertible Bed:

In my last van I had a fixed bed and I loved that it could fit so many people to play card games, hangout and have movie nights. I also loved that I didn’t have to go through the trouble of converting a bed every morning and night; However, I decided to do a convertible bed in my new van build because I wanted a visual distinction between day and night time. I also wanted a place where I could work and feel productive instead of spending all day in my bed. I think that the only way a convertible bed works is if it takes less than a couple minutes to set up because otherwise you will find yourself not converting it on a regular basis.

Propane versus induction cooktop:

I think induction is an amazing option if you have enough batteries and solar but it’s really inconvenient to have your cooktop limited based on your solar input. In my last van I had to be very conscious of my battery percentage when using my cooktop - so in my new van I’m opting for propane. I personally like cooking with fire more anyways but of course, there is an inherent danger with having propane in a vehicle.

Toilet:

In my last van I had a natures head composting toilet. It was such a luxury to have a composting toilet in the van, but it was also my least favorite chore to have to dump the compost material once a month. The problem with composting toilets is that they do not actually compost in a van so you are having to dump your own waste. The smell is limited because the system separates the urine - but when dumping the pee jug or the composting section the odor is foul. Another popular toilet is the Laveo Dry Flush toilet. I decided against using this toilet because the refill packs are expensive ($1.50 per use) and hard to get on the road. I ended up buying the Cinderella Incinerating Toilet, which has an expensive upfront cost of $4,749 but will hopefully be a completely odorless and easy system to maintain. If I was not doing the Incinerating Toilet I would probably stick to a composting toilet.

AGM versus Lithium Batteries:

Lithium iron batteries are better than AGM because they have a larger depth of discharge. You can typically discharge them to 80% DOD versus AGM where you can only discharge them to 50%. Lithium iron batteries are also lighter and have a longer lifespan. They last well over 10 years versus AGM batteries which typically last 2 years. If you have the budget, I would highly encourage getting lithium batteries for your build.

Vapor Barrier:

Most people put vapor barriers in their van build which is a big mistake. This violates the fundamental rule of vapor barriers which is that you should only have one vapor barrier on one side of your wall. Since the metal structure of the van already serves as a vapor barrier and is waterproof, adding an additional vapor barrier would run the risk of trapping moisture in your insulation and causing mold.

These are just my personal van build preferences. When you design your van build it’s important to analyze what your priorities are. Here are some self-reflection questions to guide you:

-What is your main intention for the van build? Do you plan to start a business, live primarily off grid, or stealth camp in the city?

-What will you spend the majority of your days doing? Will you have a full time job? Do you plan to backpack a lot?

-What are three features that are priorities for your lifestyle? Do you need a big fridge? A lot of storage for outdoor gear? Or do you need a big desk for your full time job?

Once you have reflected on these questions, start drafting two or three van build layouts that most suite your needs and visualize yourself in each one. Which one feels most like home to you?

Planning a van build is an exciting and nerve-wracking process. There are so many details to account for and so many decisions to make - but the more effort you put into planning, the easier your life will be when you begin building the van.