My awesome Minivan-RV build, as shown in pictures!

Here is pictures and a brief explanation of my build. My build was focused around a twin size ikea foam mattrace. On the right is a shelf turned into a desk Under the desk/kitchen counter is my fridge I found it SUPER easy to build these shelfs to the uneven floor and slanted walls. The far side I overlapped two different shelves making it into one bigger shelf The sides have clear plastic bins I zip-tied to the metal shelf. (drilled holes in them and then just zip-tied them directly that way. worked fine and are still holding up, very strong zip ties)




Here you can see the overlapping shelves better. I built the shelf in place and then cut off the legs to be level I took the driver side, side paneling off it saved me a lot more space for my desk/kitchen counter. I originally wanted to put in butcher block as I think it would look AWESOME! but I grew content with the free shelf I got next to the dumpster at the LTVA and just used that instead. I even thought about wrapping the butcher block counter around into an L shape onto the back shelf but the storage seemed like a much better idea for my needs.



Here, is another picture of the set up. You can also see my adorable dog loving her space as well.. the clear plastic totes I zip tied to the shelf for even more storage. I had 3 in this view two toiletries to the left and one right under the stove (its a bit dark to see) I kept sauces and other items there. Under the desk is a repurposed shoe holder I used to keep vitamins and baby wipes. The funnel was an experiment to be a drain to the basement where their was a hole but it wasn't to useful for my needs. Oh and that white tote to the right was bunged into place and was a nice storage bin for my dishes, they rarely went flying while driving which was nice.



Here, is a view from the back of the minivan with the door open. I had SO MUCH STORAGE! on the right hand side I had my two 5 gallon jugs. Food storage was always important which explains the two big tubs of cans. I would go out remotely and not move for two weeks at a time so lots of food options were important to me.. Also under those bins I had storage for my tools.





Here is the front seat, looking back I don't think it was that safe of a method for a dog so I wouldn't recommend my design but I still use it for now at least. I kept office papers behind her kennel and I used feet space for more storage. I used to say this was the co-pilot's chair! She loves her view I think. You can also see my 200 ah battery wedged between the seats. Much blood, sweat, and tears went into getting that into place! Also the charge controller has since been zip tied into place. There just wasn't a better location... I guess maybe now if I redid it I would have removed the foot space storage and mounted it down their instead plus it be out of the sun.. but still their is a lot of fabric storage there for now at least... still a working process.



Here is a better view of my solar system. The USB blue sea outlet died on me, and I had a 2nd USB blue sea outlet I had originally designed my set up to have two USB outlets one in front and one in the back of the van but never got around to installing the back one, eventually became content with just the one in front and using power banks instead, in the back and just rotating them daily. I think that method helped me manage my power consumption better as well. I eventually got another 12V plug and wired that up instead, and just keep a 12v USB plug in their. I got one with a small light so I know when the power is connected, which should be at all times. I would NOT recommend the blue sea 12v USB outlet they are garbage! but the simple 12v plugs are fine.





Here is a picture of my roof. I have 2 100 watt solar pannels. I drilled a hold on the side for the u-bolts and they are working perfectly! I used lock nuts so it took an entire DAY to wrench them into place! lol I didn't have enough space for the rear crossbar which did upset me at first because I really wanted to wedge them into place but I decided to just use the front crossbar to help with wind pressure on the front at least. They are completely solidly locked into place.. I mention that because when I first started out I was terrified at being able to mount them into place on my own. It was super simple now that I look back at it... took the process slow and one task and day at a time and eventually got it looking nice!














So that's my build.. Please be kind, I put much love, dedication, and heart and soul into my build. It's not perfect but I think it's the best minivan build I ever seen because it fits my needs perfectly!


I worked hard to prevent wasted space and I think my efforts paid off in my design. The plastic totes are going to be replaced with more box shaped tin totes or thin wooden creates to eliminate that wasted space.

my biggest issue with my set up was that I was cooking right over the gas tank and considering I took the flooring off, and the side panel If I had to redo my set up from scratch I would have added another 100 watts and used induction and or a roadpro and not used a butaine stove. The roof rack is TINY on my Honda Oddyessey but I could have mounted the solar pannels onto a frame and then mounted the frame to the roof. only other tweek I would have changed was the desk. with the fridge being added in later I couldn't use the desk. I would have designed the bed to remove the foot space to better fit leg room to fit at the desk comfortably given the fridge took up the leg room.

I know this is a very long post but maybe somebody found value from it and maybe it will help somebody with their minivan design. If you have any questions feel free to ask. If not thanks for stopping by and looking at my pride and joy. RobertA is her name, she is a little busted and rough looking, but she is a tough gal and is beautiful on the inside (at least to me she is and that's what's most important!) and has a lot of life and adventures ahead!

Lots of good ideas in here, and looks very functional.

May you have many happy miles.

Yep...looks great! Very cozy, with everything at hand.

Love the little dog...what a cutie! Keep us posted!

That dog looks like mine.

tx2sturgis said:

Love the little dog...what a cutie! Keep us posted!

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Perfect minivan sized dog!

Hey if you’re happy and comfortable that’s what matters. I’ve seen hundreds of builds all nice but mine would suit me. It’s totally personal. Cute little dog! Mine is a pocket pit who weighs 71 lbs. A guy at Petco asked me what she was and when I said a mini pit he said, “that ain’t no mini” LOL

looks great, but what have you done to prevent the stuff in your way back's storage area from flying forward in the event of a crash? It should be a serious consideration. I'm thinking maybe one of those cargo nets might work if you haven't done something better.
Your dog looks very cute...is she a Chihuahua? We have one that is the most spoiled dog in the entire universe.

Looks great. Looking at your first picture, you are using the same style of stove that I use. Do you cook with it in that location? There is only a bout 18-24" to the roof and your window blocker looks to be only inches away. Are you concerned with anything catching on fire?

Find someone with a cutoff tool to shorten the length of threaded area on those U bolts holding down your solar panels. There is no point in leaving them more than a few threads extended past the nuts.

I do not know what the issue with your Blue Sea USB ports was other than they do not look to be well secured in place. I have quite a few of them in my build and have never had one fail in 5 years. But mine are all securely mounted in a plywood panel face rather than just sitting on the door of an open glove box. What I am saying is that your setup is not adequately stable as far as preventing movement and vibrations for an electrical power supply situation. That setup is going to cause equipment failures.

urbankid12 said:

Here is pictures and a brief explanation of my build. My build was focused around a twin size ikea foam mattrace. On the right is a shelf turned into a desk Under the desk/kitchen counter is my fridge I found it SUPER easy to build these shelfs to the uneven floor and slanted walls. The far side I overlapped two different shelves making it into one bigger shelf The sides have clear plastic bins I zip-tied to the metal shelf. (drilled holes in them and then just zip-tied them directly that way. worked fine and are still holding up, very strong zip ties)

Here you can see the overlapping shelves... better idea for my needs.

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kklowell said:

...prevent the stuff in your way back's storage area from flying forward...

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.
We use a similar wire-rack unit on one side wall.
We cut the up-rights using a tubing-cutter, a hand-held trimmer with a pair of wheels controlled by a tightening knob.
.
We mounted the up-rights through the box walls using 3/8" eye-bolts.
The one-inch ID eye is a perfect fit for the one-inch OD pipe.
The upper eye-bolts are flush to the wall, the lower eye-bolts are about three inches from the wall.
This difference angles the rack toward the wall.
.
We built our ExpeditionVehicle with a rear-entry, so no rack on that wall, so no stuff flying forward from that wall.
.
Nearly two decades full-time live-aboard, across some rough terrain, everything stays in-place... so far.

What a lovely, straightforward and ergonomic build!

The beauty of constructing one's own interior is that its just how you want it, and I expect that you and your adorable little pup really enjoy time in your compact travel cabin.

Looks like a lot of thought went into making it practical and workable for you. I, like others here are concerned about things flying in a sudden stop. I've had to make sudden stops in traffic and had all kinds of things fly around that I had thought were secure. You may want to consider just taking it out on a quiet stretch of road and making a sudden stop to see what you do need to secure. Safety first, comfort and functionality next. Safe travels.

I promise you stuff is going to fly like a bird everytime you have to hit the brakes.
I have wood and straps hold everything back or it flies onto the poor dog lol

Minimally might help to get some ties across the shelves....

Looks good though...

tx2sturgis said:

Yep...looks great! Very cozy, with everything at hand.

Love the little dog...what a cutie! Keep us posted!

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That dog looks like my ex. No offense meant to the dog.

Blue Sea components are designed for marine environments. Where an electrical failure can have very bad consequences. No roadside assistance a cell phone call away.

Perhaps the connected wiring was faulty or inadequate for purpose. Or the current draw was greater than specification.