By Chuck Woodbury
EDITOR
I have never before seen an RV so tiny that packs in every single thing that a typical motorhome can only include with three times the space. Clare Colins, 64, designed her van camper from scratch and the result is a magnificent work of art.
From the outside, it looks like a normal white cargo van. Parked on a city street you wouldn’t look at it twice, and never imagine the stunning mini-home inside. Once the door is opened … well, it’s magical with a spectacular kitchen, bedroom, bathroom with shower, and even office space. Every square inch is used for one thing or another and yet it does not appear uncomfortably cramped.
In all my browsing around the Internet, and all the RV shows and rallies I have attended, I have never seen an RV so creatively designed to use every square inch efficiently. If I were single and wanted to explore the country, staying wherever I wished without being identified as a “camper,” I would go absolutely crazy seeing this and not being able to have one just like it for my very own.
See if you agree. Magnificent!
Wow! What an impressive woman! The van conversion is nothing short of genius!
Loved the van Claire did a wonderful job! Admire her for jumping full into adventures on her own. I also travel solo way to go Claire!
What a wonderful build! Makes me want to get out graph paper and buy a van.
I have always thought the van conversion/Class B category was intriguing and I’ve wandered through a lot of them at shows. This is the FIRST one I’ve seen that didn’t have a floor plan that struck me as just overtly dumb in some way or another. Of course, the commercial planners have a mandate to do it all (big beds, full-sized fridge, enclosed bathroom, etc), but this is just brilliant for its purpose.
I have the skills, and were I single and footloose, I’d build something very much like this.
You’re right. I had hoped to go the Class B route, but it seemed they all were designed with no storage for equipment at all, just silly floorplans in general. One was equipped with THREE televisions. Conclusion? Too many of the Bs are designed for weekend ‘tailgating’ and will never see the outdoors beyond a stadium parking lot.
I saw this video awhile back when I wanted to do a build, her van was built on promaster, just a European version. In the US van/ build insurance is not easy. This is why I went with a manufacturer. There are really good manufacturers that build to what you want, not a cookie cutter ones. And the price is also better.
Simply amazing! What a talented woman!
I would like to know what that weighs, all that wood is heavy unless you’re using balsa and that’s not a construction material. Plus all the appliances and cooking supplies, it doesn’t appear to be a dually van.
Ducato’s appear to have cargo capacities that range from 900 to 2200kg or around 2000lbs for the lightest and 4850lbs for the heavy one.
Awesome and amazing, Ms. Clare! Your build was both artistic and practical. I appreciated your allowing a grand tour!
Magnificent!! Now I wish that I could build one just like it. My bucket list…..lol
Wow – fantastic job of making great use of little space.
Awesome job.
I agree with Bob P about the weight, but otherwise this is really cool. This seems to be an ideal setup for a single person. No way could two people live in this. I pretty much feel the same way about Class B’s in general.
I do not think that I could live as she does, but she certainly designed a beautiful home. It certainly is a work of art all around. It also is a metaphorical demonstration of “don’t judge a book by its cover.” That is, boringly typical tradesman van on the outside, staggeringly beautiful home on the inside.
Thanks for sharing the “Mouse House”. You can tell that Clair lovers her work and the art she put into her home. She is so right about planning out your build. Great job Clair!!!
LOVE not only your tiny house, but your whole attitude! Life is too short, go while you can. Your home is very livable for 1. I’m not much into cooking, but your kitchen looks very convenient/usable.
Clearly living her best life; not for me, but that’s what makes us individuals. Congrats on the build. Very nice.