Mobile Home on Wheels: Your Ultimate Travel Companion

Our passion for adventure and discovering new destinations inspired us to find a way to explore comfortably, live minimally, and travel affordably. The dream of van life had been brewing for years — and eventually, we decided to take the leap and tackle the challenges of a Vanbuild head-on.

In this post, I’m excited to share how our Vanbuild dream became reality — how we turned an ordinary Ford Transit Cargo Van into a beautiful, self-contained home on wheels.

The Best van for camper conversion

When choosing the perfect van for your Vanbuild, it’s essential to think about your travel style, budget, and long-term goals. With so many options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We knew we wanted a high-roof, extended-wheelbase cargo van — something spacious enough to live comfortably but still practical to drive and maintain.

After much research, we found our perfect match — a 2015 Ford Transit 2.2 TDCI — and the Vanbuild journey began!

🚐 Meet Wandering Nomad – Our Vanbuild Star

She was too tall to transport by truck, so the dealer arranged for someone to drive her from Cape Town to Gauteng — over 1,000 km — the first adventure of many. Wandering Nomad — our 2015 Ford Transit, extra-long wheelbase and high roof. When I first saw her, I was hooked! He (I assumed he is a he), was too tall to transport by truck, so the dealer arranged for someone to drive her from Cape Town to Gauteng — over 1,000 km — the first adventure of many.

Motorhome, Campervan, or RV?

Confused about the difference? You’re not alone.

• Campervan: A compact, motorised vehicle designed for both driving and living.
• Motorhome: A larger, more spacious version — think “tiny house on wheels.”
• RV (Recreational Vehicle): A general term that includes both.

Whether you call it a campervan, RV, or motorhome, your Vanbuild becomes whatever you make of it — your own little world of freedom and comfort. 🏕️

Here are the answers to frequently asked questions:

• What is the difference between a Campervan and a Motorhome?
• Why would anyone choose to travel in a motorised home?
• Caravan vs Campervan?
• Should I get a Caravan or a Motorhome? Visit the Benefits of travelling in a Motorhome.

What is a Camper? A campervan is a minor or compact motorised caravan. The difference between a motorhome and a campervan is minimal. An RV, short for recreational vehicle, is a motorised vehicle equipped with at least a bunk that converts into a bed with a motor. When it comes to motorhome must-have accessories, what is essential?

Motorhome: A motorhome is a larger caravan with a bed, a kitchen, and shower facilities. It is generally built on a long-wheelbase vehicle, making it more like a miniature home on wheels. Design your own tiny house. How exciting!

What is an RV? A recreational vehicle, abbreviated RV, is the popular name for motorised vehicles in America. It commonly refers to any vehicle equipped with at least a bed (or bunk, which converts into a bed). An RV can also be a trailer. Caravan: A caravan is an unpowered little house pulled by a powered vehicle and comes in different sizes.

How to choose the Right Vehicle

When planning your Vanbuild, weigh options like the Ford Transit vs the Mercedes Sprinter:

• Mercedes Sprinter: Reliable, stylish, and smooth — but finding parts or service in remote areas can be tricky.
• Ford Transit: More budget-friendly, easy to service almost anywhere in South Africa, and offers multiple size options. The curved roof can make cabinetry tricky, but Johan’s craftsmanship and shiplap finish turned out beautifully.

We had to consider which brand would be the most cost-effective in the long run: Ford Transit vs. Mercedes Sprinter. Both have advantages and disadvantages. We would also have to see what second-hand Cargo Vans were available, as we wanted a longer wheelbase and taller height.

Planning your Vanbuild

Rome wasn’t built in a day — and neither was our van! Johan’s DIY skills turned every bolt and board into something beautiful. From installing windows to building the shower, cupboards, and bed — he did it all himself (except the electrical installation, which we left to a professional for safety).

Each section of the Vanbuild — flooring, insulation, cabinetry, bathroom, and kitchen — brought us closer to creating the Wandering Nomad we love today.

🔧 Step-by-Step Campervan Conversion

The Campervan Windows

Campervan conversion how to: Installing the windows was one of our first steps in planning to build a tiny house on wheels. Drilling and cutting holes in the Van was a nerve-racking experience. Joseph assisted us with the first few van window fittings, and Johan was confident about installing the other van window.

Install Campervan Flooring

Johan inspected the Van for rust and other damage shortly after the vehicle arrived. There was rust underneath the painted floor, so he had to strip the floor and remove the rust before applying treatment. After that, he followed a few steps to install the campervan floor insulation. However, installing the vinyl flooring on the campervan floor was one of the last steps in the Campervan DIY van conversion process.

Bunk bed Motorhomes

Our accessible sleeper campervan bed seats can easily be converted into a comfortable king-size bed. The Campervan mattress is also more relaxed than our mattress at home. Overall, we have additional storage space to pack things away.

Campervan bathroom

We knew we wanted a Van with a bathroom and an actual toilet and basin. The bathroom Van conversion with a shower is known as a wet bath or wet floor, also known as a wet bath. In addition, I wanted tiles on the wall, although it adds weight to our Mobile home on wheels.

Wetbath Vanbuild finishes

Johan took the time to enhance the bathroom by adding a double towel rail, a convenient rack for hand towels, and the existing bathroom cabinet. The washbasin offers ample space for soap, and a small dustbin beside the toilet provides convenient storage for toilet paper.

VanBuilt Cabinetry

Planning the conversion cabinets is a crucial step in any van build. Johan built a clothing cupboard for hanging jackets and shirts. The overhead cupboards, drawers, and cupboards below provide ample space for accessories, linen, utensils, and clothing. Johan designed the bunk beds in the van built to store items that are not used daily.

Campervan Window Sills

The specially crafted window sills provide plenty of room to set down your coffee, books, or any other items you usually keep on a bedside table. Nevertheless, installing the sills was difficult, as the Transit Campervan’s window frame was not perfectly square, presenting a challenge just like the rest of the van’s interior.

Seat Bed for Campervan

The Campervan bed frame is designed with a clever collapsible table between the two benches. This unique feature easily converts the Campervan bed seat into a comfortable bed. When it’s time to make the bed, the collapsible table collapses, and the back cushions of the two benches fit perfectly on the table, providing a snug-fit mattress. We also have small reading lights on both sides of the bed.

Best mattress for camper van

Our campervan mattress is constructed with 3 inches of high-density foam and includes a 1-inch memory foam topper.

Campervan bed linen

We always use a mattress protector on our campervan mattress in addition to our regular bed linen.

Kitchen for Motorhome

The Motorhome Kitchen Countertop is an elegant and functional feature that we carefully selected for our motorhome. We are thrilled with our decision, as it adds a touch of luxury and provides exceptional comfort. To create additional workspace in our RV kitchen, we have chosen to use portable stoves that can be easily stored when not in use. Our well-equipped Vanbuild kitchen brings us immense satisfaction, with all the essential amenities at our fingertips, making our travels even more enjoyable.

Camper Kitchen Appliances

RV Kitchen Appliances

Best Campervan Fridges: When using a single-voltage-rated appliance, it is 56essential to ensure it operates at the same voltage as the country’s supply voltage. In South Africa, the standard supply voltage is 230V. The Snomaster fridge is sleek, black, compact, and one of the efficient 12V camping appliances with ample storage space.

It is suitable for caravans, mobile homes, and offices, making it the best fridge for a Camper van. Powered by SnoMaster’s high-performance compressor-based cooling system, the Snowmaster offers rapid internal cooling and is ideal for small living areas like those in a Campervan (vanbuild).

3-Way Fridge for Campervan: For campervans, a 3-way fridge can be powered by a 12-volt battery, 240-volt mains power, or an LPG gas cylinder. Unlike compressor fridges, which rely on a compressor unit for cooling, 3-way fridges are versatile, as they can utilise these three alternative power sources. This versatility makes them suitable for various settings and environments.

We have a Coffee maker, toaster, and microwave for making beverages and food. Although we don’t use a kettle for making coffee, we have a small camping kettle and a small gas stove for quickly boiling water for tea.

Stoves for mobile homes

We have a portable electric double-plate Snappychef, which we use mostly inside, to assist us in making food. We also invested in a beautiful CADAC 2 Cook Deluxe 2 Plate Stove that offers cooking flexibility. It features an independent, non-stick, reversible ribbed/flat grill plate, allowing for quick heat-up times and the choice of grilling or frying.

Simultaneously, the Cadac 2 Cook 2 Pro Deluxe stove can be used for cooking with a pot, adding a layer of versatility to your culinary experience. As a backup, we also have a small one-plate gas stove.

Mobile Home Ovens

Omnia Oven for Vanlife: How does an Omnia oven work, and how can you cook in one? We use an Omnia Oven and cannot recommend it enough. From baking cakes to cookies and even potato chips, the Omnia Oven is one of the best RV cooking accessories.

When cooking with an Omnia, it’s crucial to maintain a low to medium heat to ensure even heat distribution and prevent excessive bottom heat. This may necessitate longer cooking times compared to conventional ovens. The heat emitted from the base disperses evenly along the bottom, ensuring thorough cooking of the food’s bottom and sides. Simultaneously, the central aperture directs heat upwards, effectively cooking the top portion of the food.

Motorhome kitchen accessories

RV Kitchen accessories are essential tools and utensils used in daily food preparation and serving. These items include pestles and mortars, which are used for grinding spices, as well as measuring spoons and a variety of utensils. Additionally, kitchen accessories encompass a range of appliances, dishes, and cookware used for preparing and serving food and storing food before or after preparation.

Also, remember to bring kitchen clothes and a sponge for washing dishes, drying clothes, and cleaning clothes. Remember, a sponge and a chamois are needed to clean the Van and Jimny. The best vacuum cleaner for RVs is a small 12V.

Our Vanbuild Bed and Benches

Benches and Vanbuild table

The Camper table bed for Van Conversion features two cosy Campervan bed seats. There is also a large swivel table where we eat comfortably and ample cupboard space for dining clothes, plates and dinnerware. Johan primarily used marine plywood for the bunks and cabinets.

The Bed for Van Conversion

We effortlessly convert the dining room into a spacious campervan bed at night. Small, flexible, wall-mounted bedside lamps are on both sides of our bed, and the window sills provide enough space for items one typically keeps on a bedside table.

RV Bedding

We have one duvet insert, a set of sheets, a blanket, and our cushions. If we’re going somewhere chilly, we also bring a second blanket. As for towels, we have one set, including two bath towels, one small towel, and a face cloth. We have two swimming towels plus Dashuri’s towel (our Jack Russel).

Vanbuild Extra’s

Ford Transit Roof Rack

We had a sturdy custom aluminium roof rack installed on our Ford Transit. It’s strong enough for us to sit on and enjoy the beautiful view while having a picnic and watching the sunset. Furthermore, Johan added a powerful 450-watt solar panel during the Vanbuild, which allowed us to go entirely off the grid during our travels.

Campervan Awning

Our van now boasts a new Ford Transit awning. The awning has a sturdy aluminium F45L Fiamma design, complete with a convenient mechanical roller for effortless opening and closing. It’s important to note that while the Fiamma awning is great for fair weather, it’s unsuitable for strong winds as it cannot withstand them.

Vanbuild Nice to Have’s

Related Posts

• Reasons for Travelling in a Van 🚐 – Why we embraced life on the open road.
• Road Tripping Along the Cape Coast 🌊 – Our favourite scenic drives and hidden gems.
• Plan Your Outdoor Adventure 🗺️ – Tips for exploring South Africa safely.
• Bucket List Adventures ✨ – Our must-visit destinations across SA.

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