Let's Build A Camper

By Julie Fisher

This book provides information so you can plan to convert a van into a camper.  There is a lot more than meets the eye. It also provides a few how-to's on the actual build. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Julie Fisher
• Release date: Jan 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201075941

Julie Fisher

Julie is a talented person.  Her parents always taught her she could do anything.  If you don't know-how, research, try and find out. She works as a software engineer and loves to build things with wood.  She also loves animals and nature.  

Book preview

Let’s Make a Camper

By Julie Fisher

Copyright © by Julie Fisher All rights reserved

Copyright © 2022 (Julie Fisher)

All Rights Reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of very brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Table of Contents

DISCLAIMER

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

FORWARD

COST RESEARCH

BUYING YOUR VAN

CONVERSION VAN INSURANCE

BOONDOCKING

THINGS TO CONSIDER

PETS IN THE VAN

ADD UP THE COST

WARNINGS BEFORE THE BUILD

WIRING

FLOOR

WALL SUPPORTS

CEILING SUPPORTS

INSULATION

SOLAR PANEL RACK

REFRIGERATOR CABINET

BED/COUCH

KITCHEN

TRAVEL WITH THE CLIMATE

VAN LAYOUT

EXTRA STORAGE

FINAL THOUGHTS

DISCLAIMER

The author assumes no liability or responsibility for your van and how you build it.  I am not an expert or certified auto mechanic, electrician, plumber, carpenter, lawyer, insurance agent.  The author has done everything possible to ensure the information is correct and up to date, but I stress again, do your own research because the author cannot be held liable. 

I am merely sharing my experience.  It is up to you that do the research and make the decisions that will allow you to operate your van safely. Also, if you are concerned about the warranty on your van, you should check with your dealer.  Some modifications can void the warranty. 

When building please measure twice and adjust any plans to the needs that you have and be careful when cutting.  Wood and materials are very expensive right now and you can really add up the cost if you make a mistake and have to say, buy another piece of plywood at $70 a panel.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Iam just a simple person that loves the outdoors and animals.  I have no prior experience building vans.  I do love to build things with wood.  I helped my father with all his maintenance projects from the time I was eight years old.  It was so fun, handing him tools and materials.  I watched. I learned.

There is an old saying the apple does not fall far from the tree.  In this case, that is so true.  When I was young my parents took us camping, hiking, canoeing, and enjoying the outside. 

My father built a camper that fit on the top of a station wagon.  Us kids, my brother, and I were able to climb through the back window up into the camper bed.  That was our place.  We did not stay up there during travel but we could keep our stuff up there.

My father submitted it to a magazine and won an award.  That was his first build.  Later he built a camper in the back of a pickup.  Gradually we made it up to a van camper.  He did not build it, he saved up and bought one built.  I would like to thank my father for teaching me tons of skills so I could enjoy life, have confidence, and build a camper.

FORWARD

Thank you for reading my book.

About a year ago I started thinking about what I wanted to do at retirement.  Starting in advance of retirement, I wanted a hobby I could finance, and it carry forward into retirement.  This hobby had to have the ability to see new surroundings, interact with people, be affordable, and allow me to take my dogs.  Have you ever dreamed of traveling the USA and seeing places filled with beautiful nature and wildlife?  That is what I dreamed about.  I had also considered cutting costs by living in an RV full-time.  Over 14 years, I had considered living full-time in an RV without really knowing the pros and cons.  I was so convinced that Rving would be cheaper than owning a home. 

Working a full-time job, plus owning a farm with livestock and horses, limited my ability to just live in an RV.  Truthfully, I was not ready to sell the animals or the farm.  Due to COVID-19, the dynamics of stationary job has changed to work from home.  Many people have taken advantage of this and jumped into full-time living in an RV.  Don't believe me, just search for an RV to purchase, and notice how difficult it is to find one available.  2020 Statistics have shown 1.3 million people live full-time in some form of an RV.  Wow, that is a large number.

Then came the time where it was