This Stealth Van Life Build is Breathtaking

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Dan and Candice built this self-made custom van for part-time traveling and also use it as a delivery vehicle for their work. Both are woodworkers and artists in Muskoka, Canada. The idea with the van came after having met someone who lived full-time in one: thus, the we-want-this-too spirit came along. They bought a 2019 Dodge Promaster with extended roof for some extra height. On the rooftop they installed 305-watt solar panels, a custom-made rack and Dan’s dream of a rooftop patio is yet to be realized.

At the back of the vehicle they installed a water port that can serve as a shower during warmer days. Opening the back door, their small “garage” with plenty of storage space holds things like a tent, sleeping bags and different items depending on the season. There is also a beautiful, small table top that you can pull up and which they did themselves. All the electronic circuits are also stored safely there: a solar charger and battery charger which connect to the shore power, two AGM 140 AMP batteries and a higher power alternator that charges while they’re driving. The windows are tinted, but to prevent losing energy through them they handcrafted a simple protection out of insulation tissue, putting a nice fabric above and magnets on the corners.

Inside, we find an open cockpit with two swivel seats and a triple layered blackout curtain to keep the heat in when it is cold. Right beside it, a closet and shelve to keep all the coats, the snowboards and a cool little self-made groom. They also keep a little dometic toilet there that they have never used but like to have in case of an emergency. For 800$ they got themselves a Suburban Furnace on Amazon which works perfectly. When flicking the switch on the thermostat, the heater starts heating within one minute. Both the furnace and the stove top operate on a 12x24 propane tank, which holds a full week solid on at -40°C. When they only use it for cooking during summer, it holds about a month. On the wall they installed plugs with additional USB entries, with the inverter plugged into it which provides them with plenty of power thanks to their solar kit – it runs all of their lighting, water pump, electrical stuff and their Dometic 75-liter fridge-freezer combo. As the coolness in that one stays low and circulates to the bottom, they do not lose a lot of energy when grabbing things in and out. They got a nice sink for half its price and get water pumped through when the switch on the side is turned on. Underneath, they put three rhino jugs, two of which are filled with fresh water and one with grey water. As woodworkers and artists, creating the inside of their van was just like doing their regular job for the couple. They made a beautiful countertop with some resin work on it and the cupboards and wooden walls themselves. They created a cookie wall out of small stumps and another textured wall. Dan likes the wicked and warming look of the textured wall, for which they got a lot of engrained cuts at various depths, glued and nailed together. He says there is no problem in using hardwoods if other things in the van are lighter. Two bench seats they made also serve as storage for dry food and electronic devices. For the ceiling they went for a light pine that they stained to a black walnut, building in a fantastic fan with three different speeds that proves to be handy for when they’re cooking. They put one-inch foam insulation everywhere and also used some R20 PINK insulation.

Dan and Candice get highly inspired by their surroundings. Even though they love their home in the beautiful district of Muskoka, they also love traveling the whole country. Being fully involved during their season of working, they like to take the time to step away in order to gain new ideas and inspiration. Along the way they look out for cool pieces of wood to work with.

This lovely couple built the van in only three and a half months, but they warmly advise: “Give yourself more time. If you think three months is good, make it six because you will need that extra time, guaranteed. Be comfortable with failing, it is going to be trial and error but you will appreciate it even more that way!”.

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solar panels

solar charger

AGM 140 AMP batteries

dometic toilet

Suburban Furnace

Dometic 75-liter fridge-freezer

insulation