#4 - Campervan kits you can buy

Finally, a new blog post. :)

In my previous posts I explored full-size motorhomes, campervans and the simplest way to camp in a van. In this episode I will delve into various camping kits for vans.

I can't wait. How about you?

From van to campervan in minutes ;)

Where were we? Oh, right - I bought I van. And I tried camping in it with minimal fuss - just a bed, table, chairs and off we went (me and my wife, that is). Since we have (3) kids, and we like to spend time together and outdoors, the van should also serve as a family vacation vehicle - a mini campervan for us all. So the next logical step was to check the offerings for a kit that would do just that - convert a regular passenger van into a campervan and back.

What the market offers

And I found quite an array of product that could meet our needs.

First there’s Amdro, a small company that started building boot camping boxes for car-derived vans like Citroen Berlingo or Renault Kangoo, but are now also offering camping kits for larger VW Transporter. The options include a bed platform and cabinets with water and table that fit into the boot of the van. The van still retains 4 to 6 seats (depending on the model of a van), and everything can be easily installed (and removed after use) - and that is true for every kit in this blog post. The prices start around 600€ ($650) for the bed platform for a VW Transporter and go up to over 2000€ ($2200) for a kit including bed, table, a simple water system and storage space for the boot of the van. They don’t offer kits for Trafic though, so I kept searching.

Amdro Kombi Jump (photo: Amdro)

Flip, a Slovenian product, consists of two modules that you put in the boot, and a bed. Different modeles fit in different vehicles - cars and vans. There are pull-out drawers for kitchen (with tap and sink) and storage. The prices are around 2800€ ($3100) for the whole thing.

Flip (photo: Sipras)

Then there’s VanEssa, a German company making a large selection of kits for small (like Berlingo) and mid-size vans (like VW Transporter). They offer bed platforms and modules for the boot and the front of the van (where seat benches usually are). Kitchen units also have running water. A typical configuration (for my van) would include a bed platform (around 1300€ / $1400) and a kitchen module in the back (around 1800€ / $2000) with optional front module (from around 1000€ / $1100). The list of supported vehicles is quite long as is the list of options they offer.

VanEssa (photo: VanEssa)

A Polish company Wavecamper offers kits and modules that look a lot like VanEssa kits, but the prices can be lower (I can't tell as there is no price list on the website).

Easycamperbox (photo: Wavecamper)

Another popular variant is Ququq, a boot camping box for different vehicles (from SUVs to vans). Their premise is one module that includes a bed platform, storage space and a simple water system. They offer different sizes for different vehicles. The kit for my van costs around 2800€ ($3100).

Ququq BusBox (photo: Ququq)

Then there's a Czech player - Nest. They offer modular furniture for the luggage compartment for vans and SUVs - similar like VanEssa, but in a different style. Their modules (like kitchen, storage...) are removable from the main unit, so you can adapt your setup for each occasion. A full set (bed, water module, kitchen module) for my van costs about 3400€ ($3800).

Nestbox (photo: EGOE)

What did I buy?

Well, nothing. My family needs enough room for all things that we take with us so we need a lot of storage space - and the majority of options on the market are not as adaptable in that way as I would like. So you buy the kit that leaves no room in the boot for other stuff.

We also don't need a sophisticated water system and kitchen module (at least all the time), because we like to cook and eat outside if possible. So a kitchen that I can remove from the van while camping was a must.

I also liked the idea of additional space in the van that I get if I remove the middle seat bench, and quite a few of the kits don't work with a rear bench (just with the middle one). The extra space really comes in handy when traveling: for lunch stops, changing diapers, using the chemical toilet...

Although the beds in kits, mentioned above, are generously sized for two, they are just not big enough for the whole family. We needed a window-to-window bed (more than 180 cm in my van) so we can sleep sideways.

Then there's the price. For a not-so-new van and for a couple of weeks a year a few thousand euros is hard to swallow.

Being a handy man myself I decided to desing and build my own solution, tailored to my own needs. But more about that in my next post. ;) 

Let's cook dinner and off to bed. :)

Do you have an experience with campervan kits like these? What would you choose? Let me know in the comments below.

God bless you all and take care!