By Cheri Sicard
The video below from Budgi Camper, a German YouTube channel that specializes in DIY camper vans, contains no speaking or tutorials. However, every time I have posted such videos in the past, they have elicited positive reader comments. They appreciate viewing the process without blathering, and that’s what this video does. It shows a fast-motion start-to-finish cheap camper van conversion. [It’s had more than 1.8 million views.]
To do a build like this, according to the video, you should budget about $3,000. Even though this is a cheap camper van conversion, it does have some amenities like solar power, a sink with running water, and a fridge. However, the video misses the wiring and plumbing installations for some reason.
Sprinter van
The video begins with an empty Sprinter van. The old subfloor and walls are removed, and the van is thoroughly cleaned before replacing them.
Before doing the final floor installation, our hosts measured the cabinetry they intended to install to make sure the installation placement they needed lined up. Measure twice, cut once, as they say.
Next, it was time to climb on the roof to cut a vent hole and install the vent. And since you are going to be on the roof anyway, now is also a good time to install the solar panels.
Finish interior walls, ceiling and floor
Then, it was time to finish the interior walls, the ceiling, and the floor. Cabinet installation follows.
A cabinet providing the space for the kitchen counter and the sink, complete with storage drawers beneath, was next on the task list.
After that, the sleeping area becomes the focus, including an innovative and space-saving sliding bed platform.
More useful living features added
More useful living features follow, including a slide-out and drop-down table.
When it was all finished, I was surprised at the amount of functionality and style they achieved with such a small budget. What do you think? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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##RVDT2453
wow! I am impressed. The whole build is well-done. I really like that foldaway kitchen tap.
And the expandable bed is such a good use of space. We had a bed like that in an old Terry Taurus and it was very comfortable, which this one would likely be as well. All in all, a terrific
build on the cheap. He did a great job. Sure, there are lots of others who go more for the
luxurious but this is very functional, solid and does the job. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Thank you, Cheri! 🙂 I enjoyed watching the process. I do wonder why the wiring and plumbing were omitted. Perhaps he had a maximum time for the video for some reason and excised them to meet it. I would have liked to see the bed setup. My suspicion is that the cushions of the opposing seats are used to form the sleeping mattress. Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
Wow! Don’t you wish you could work this fast? As we get older – the only thing which moves this quickly are the days, months and years!