Experiencing the nomad way of life, at the very least for a number of months, appears to be the dream of many individuals these days. With its good alchemy of freedom, self-discovery, and journey, cell residing permits you to uncover the world at your personal tempo in an reasonably priced, handy method.
This 2021 Ram Promaster, for example, has been expertly transformed into a snug and extremely useful house on wheels for boondocking (tenting in distant areas for prolonged durations). In addition to comfortable lodging and particular options for off-grid residing, this van conversion has been described as a “culinary haven on wheels,” because it additionally includes a beautiful U-shaped kitchen good for individuals who are usually not prepared to surrender their cooking ardour whereas they’re having fun with the nice outside.
Aptly named the Boondocker 3.0, this camper van is predicated on a Ram Promaster 159″ EXT Wheel Base 3500 and was constructed by Florida-based Vanlife Outfitters, a one-stop-shop for van construct necessities. Earlier than going into the small print of this construct, it is best to know that Vanlife Outfitters, a enterprise based in 2020 by Josh Theberge and Zach Daudert, doesn’t construct vans for patrons. As a substitute, their builds are mainly testing labs for the merchandise they provide of their on-line retailer devoted to each DIY {and professional} builders. Other than giving shoppers some inspiration and design concepts, their vans display that every thing of their catalog is road-tested.
Photograph: Vanlife Outfitters/ Tiny House Excursions
The Bookdocker 3.0 is Josh’s third and present journey rig and showcases the builder’s glorious craftsmanship and over eight years of vanlife expertise. To realize the appropriate steadiness between eye-pleasing aesthetics and practicality, Josh labored with LuberCraft van builder in Sarasota, Florida. The results of this collaboration is a succesful camper boasting a clear and fashionable design with a spacious format that cleverly makes room for all of the facilities and comforts you may want and wish in a tiny home on wheels.
Because the Boondocker was designed to permit its proprietor to discover distant areas and spend longer durations away from civilization and public utilities, the builder centered on the van’s off-grid capabilities. Consequently, they outfitted it with a 180-watt photo voltaic system, a secondary alternator charging at 250-300 amps, and a 30-amp Victron Orion DC-to-DC charger. Your complete energy system facilities round two 315 amp Lithionics GTX batteries (630ah complete).
As talked about at the start, this van can be designed as a prepare dinner’s dream cell house. It has designated areas for sleeping, socializing, and eating, however the true spotlight of the construct is the ample cooking house.
Photograph: Vanlife Outfitters/ Tiny House Excursions
Impressed by Josh’s ardour for cooking, the U-shaped kitchen inside Boondocker 3.0 isn’t solely big but additionally impressively useful and sensible, with every thing you want inside simple attain. The sturdy cupboards are made from light-weight Italian plywood mixed with practical laminate surfaces and Corian counters.
By way of home equipment, the builders went all out with a Ninja 13-in-1 convection oven, an ultra-efficient Furrion two-burner induction cooktop, a big laundry sink with a pull-out faucet and a reverse osmosis water filter with UV filtration, and a large Isotherm Cruise 195 fridge-freezer combo, which could very properly be the most important fridge you may put in a camper van.
The standout characteristic of this distinctive kitchen, nevertheless, is a Converse Straightforward Equipment cupboard that holds a Ninja Foodi Blender and Instapot inside. It makes use of {an electrical} actuator to boost when that you must use these home equipment and lowers to create further counter house the remainder of the time. In addition to stowing home equipment to maintain the kitchen clutter-free, it could actually additionally function a liquor cupboard.
Subsequent to the fridge, you will see that a foldable Tetravan bathe with a marine setup inside. The bathe tray folds down, and the bathe curtain connects to magnets on the ceiling.
Photograph: Vanlife Outfitters/ Tiny House Excursions
The dinette, positioned proper within the doorway, contains two storage-integrated benches and a Lagun desk with a {custom} bamboo folding tabletop. Its strategic placement permits campers to take a seat down, open the door, and really feel like they’re outdoors, having fun with the views. One of many dinette benches holds a composting bathroom.
The sleeping quarters are on the rear of the van, with a 55 x 77 inch (140 x 190 cm) mattress constructed on high of the utility cupboards, eliminating the necessity for a heavy mattress body. The mattress is about decrease than on different van conversions to permit sitting up simply, and luxury inside is enhanced by a marine fan, an environment friendly 12,000 BTU air conditioner, and premium dimmable LED lighting with strategically positioned gentle switches.
There are additionally higher cupboards for garments storage and hidden drawers and compartments for storing valuables. Every thing was constructed with modularity and removability in thoughts so that each one techniques, together with the plumbing and electrical parts, are simply accessible for repairs or modifications.
Photograph: Vanlife Outfitters/ Tiny House Excursions
Different noteworthy options embrace a {custom} heavy-duty bike slide within the storage house, an out of doors bathe, a custom-made aluminum roof rack with rooftop deck, and an awning with built-in LED gentle package. This off-grid-ready van can be outfitted with a 39-gallon freshwater tank, a 4.2-gallon water heater that makes use of the engine’s coolant system to warmth water, and a 26-gallon gray water tank.
The meticulously crafted Boondocker 3.0 camper van is valued at roughly $150,000 and is a superb supply of inspiration for anybody seeking to design and construct their very own house on wheels.
