Minivan Campers - Practical Tips

This blog is a sidekick to a YouTube video presentation you can find at the following link. A gear list is a main feature, to provide a viewer with requested details on the equipment I show in the video:

The video: Minivan Campers - Practical Tips

https://youtu.be/OuuAaHXq90A

Getting right to it ! (following the list are added content)

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I am independent in my choice of products, and opinions expressed here.

The first task I get into setting up camp, involves solar panel mounting and hookup.

I have a separate blog dedicated specifically on this here:

https://www.dennisalexexpressions.com/post/portable-folding-solar-panels-getting-off-the-ground

Solar panel car mounting options– suction cups, and magnetic mounts: My reason for choosing these products is because they are robust enough to keep working supporting a portable solar panel in windy conditions.

Neodymium 140 lb Magnet with Carabiner Hook : https://amzn.to/3mxxQgF

Heavy Duty Suction Cup Tie Down, 3” diameter, 44 lb : https://amzn.to/3mB7vOF

Inorganic Drawer Cabinet: Sterilite 4 drawer wicker weave cabinet : I’m not going to link to this as there are sturdier options out there today. It is only suitable for storing light weight items. Heavy items, like canned goods, will cause it to sag. The best feature of this cabinet is that it is made from inorganic material, and so will not absorb moisture, which reduces mold risk. Nonorganic materials are also generally light in weight.

Refrigerator: My unit is a Alpicool CF15, which they no longer show on Amazon. The alternative is a slightly larger Alpicool C20 Portable Refrigerator 21 Quart. This is likely a better option anyway if you have the height space for it, because it will allow things like ketchup or salad dressing bottles to store upright. The CF15 provides me enough space for 2-3 days worth of meals without overcrowding it, as it does need some interior free space to allow air to circulate: https://amzn.to/39acfrm

Yoga Chair: I’ve seen quite a few RV or DIY bench seats with straight backs, and seat cushions that aren’t designed for long time use. They are uncomfortable over time, lacking lumbar support. My solution was to purchase a floor style yoga chair for use on a bench top, that does provide a supportive back rest. Its design also allows it to act as a lounger: https://amzn.to/3MHMblb

Chemical Portable John: Thetford 345. This is the most compact chemical toilet made by the trusted name brand. It serves well for occasional use, and is easy to maintain : https://amzn.to/3HaaIhL

Bench Seat/bed: Stack-On GCB-910 Steel Security Cabinet. I chose a gun cabinet because I wanted a storage bench that could be securely locked. This model’s door has a full length hinge and locking bolts on each of the other three sides. It’s built very sturdy and can handle much more than my own weight sitting or sleeping on top of it. It gives me peace of mind to store any valuables into such a secure bench. If I ever have a vehicle break-in, it’s less likley a thief would take the time to attempt getting into this unit: https://amzn.to/3aNrt60

Portable Camp Kitchen/Table: Camp Chef Sherpa. I’ve gone through a lot of different portable camp kitchen setups. This is by far, the best I’ve ever used. It’s light, it organizes well, and is well built. Using this as a portable kitchen is a real pleasure: https://amzn.to/3tt8qoj

Portable Sink/Handwash Station: My DIY sink also holds grey water. It’s basic parts are simple and lightweight. The handwashing valve is a great water saver:

Surround: Insulmax® CanCap Recessed Lighting Insulator : https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/insulation/insulation-accessories/insulmax-reg-cancap-recessed-lighting-insulator/001a/p-1444444944460.htm

Sink/Grey Water Tank: Matrix Concepts M28 Oil Drain Container : https://amzn.to/3xDCwHV

Water Saving Tap: Save Aqua Self Closing Tap: https://amzn.to/3QrGQBN

Large plastic cup holder: https://amzn.to/3HfaRQI

Pressure Sprayer: Any will do, here is one sample : https://amzn.to/3xiRC4p

Compact Cooking:

Small Stove: Isobutane/Propane Mix: Jetboil Flash: Works well below freezing temperatures: https://amzn.to/3NOguYY

Large Stove: Propane: Jetboil HalfGen: Great stove and non-stick fry pan combo : https://jetboil.johnsonoutdoors.com/stoves-systems/halfgen ... I also use a satellite burner at times: https://jetboil.johnsonoutdoors.com/parts-accessories/basecamp-accessories/luna-satellite-burner?id=12

Compact Grill: UCO Flatpack Portable Stainless Steel Grill : https://amzn.to/3aTeQqo

Pots: MSR Nonstick Ceramic Coated 2-Pot Camping Cook Set : These are quality cookware, coated with a great non-stick, easy cleaning surface. I’ve been using mine for 3 years, and they still look nearly new : https://amzn.to/39h2isr

Stowable Sleep System: Being able to stow sleeping gear really opens up interior space. The pads here insulate well in cold weather. In very cold temps, I'll use both sleeping bags together.

Foam Pad: Thermarest Ridgerest : https://amzn.to/3NFFRM9

Inflating Pad: Thermarest Trail Lite : https://amzn.to/3MA5sVC

Pillow: Sea To Summit Aeros : https://amzn.to/3MHkh95

Sleeping Bag Cold Weather: Kelty Cosmic Synthetic : https://amzn.to/3mURNOJ

Sleeping Bag Warmer Weather: Kelty Tuck Synthetic : https://amzn.to/3xeoGdC

Diesel Heater: 5kw with controller and 10L tank is what I’ve installed. A smaller unit of 2-3kw would do fine in weather above freezing. This is an excellent source of dry heat. One of the top reasons people convert vehicles as campers, is to extend the camping season. A diesel heater becomes a huge plus in doing this: https://amzn.to/3QdbAGq

Wire Rack Shelf Unit : 3 tier 12 x 48 : An advantage of wire shelving is all about air flow, especially in comparison to cabinet or drawer type units. This is beneficial for both heating the shelf contents in cold weather, and for electronics helping to cool in hot weather: https://amzn.to/3HcyFEY

Outdoor Shelter: Clam Quickset Traveler with wind panels. Its often said that people don't live in there van, but out of it. An outdoor shelter has so many benefits, it's well worth the storage space to carry one: https://amzn.to/3NB1woV

Outdoor Fire: Solostove Campfire : I retrofit this for being able to use wood pellets as a easy way to have a campfire while using repurposed wood product. The fuel is easy to keep in the vehicle. Just 1 cup of pellets provide a campfire lasting about 40 minutes. There are times when a fire in an open pit isn't safe, but a contained fire can be. It also serves as a backup to my propane stoves:

https://amzn.to/3xmpayv

Outdoor Chair: REI Kingdom Chair : While there are many camp chairs to fit everyone’s preference, I’m adding this link to show a style of leg that is less prone to sinking into soft ground: https://www.rei.com/product/894291/rei-co-op-kingdom-chair

Solar Panel & Solar Generators: The market is just flooded with options today. I prefer two smaller solar generators to one larger one, for quicker charging time and having a backup if one should fail. If I were making a solar generator purchase today, I’d likely choose two lithium based at a minimum size of 300 Watts each. I’ll include a link to a Jackery brand as an example. A great source of reviews on these is Hobotech on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HOBOTECH

Jackery Explorer 300 : https://amzn.to/3MOem24

Jackery Solar Saga 100 : https://amzn.to/39g1qnT

Roof Vent: MaxxAir Delux : Some nice features of this model are the integral rain cover, and its temperature programmable to turn on/off on it’s own according to your setting. It also has reverse flow: https://amzn.to/39g1qnT

Side Window Deflectors: Weathertech. I’d previously purchased a cheaper brand, and threw them out because I couldn’t even give them away. They allow you to keep airflow going in the vehicle while helping to keep rain and bugs out: https://www.weathertech.com/wind-deflectors/?gclid=CjwKCAjw14uVBhBEEiwAaufYxzXt1TrzfwFh5v5zciRC9koIoP9kU5ixw8xYrdCfylueS4km2ohHhBoCDbMQAvD_BwE

Portable Area Light: MPOWERD Luci Lux: Solar Inflatable Lantern : https://amzn.to/3aNRZfv

Insulation: (all of these are water impervious, or hydrophobic, to minimize mold risk from condensation)

Window shades: Warm Windows : https://warmcompany.com/product/warm-window-insulated-fabric-54-x-15-yard-bolt/

Walls: 3M Thinsulate : https://amzn.to/3xGlV6D

Roof/Floor: Standard XPS insulation board found in any retail home center.

Extra safety items : I use a CO2 detector, and carry First Aid supplies. There is another blog here that is specific to Safety Gear and Methods. Mold risk can also be a safety concern, and yes! - there's a blog here for that too : )

This product blog only contains van camping gear. I also supplement this gear list with a full range of backpacking essentials to cover all the bases for being happy and safe outdoors.

Added Content:

The video starts with a quick tour of the camping location, and a “Why we do this” evaluation of the benefits that camping brings to our experience. The big reason I started the presentation with this first, is because our motivation for being out camping drives how we manage tasks. My own motivation comes from enjoying the natural environment with minimal gear muss n' fuss.

The feature video casually, but carefully, brings out touchpoints relating to "The Three E's": Essentials Effectively Efficiently. It covers these areas:

-Portable solar mounting

-Side Shelters

-Gear Portability

-Compact Cooking Options

-Water Conservation

-Condensation

-Stowable Sleep System

While the touchpoints are good ones, the real benefit is simply the mindset that encompasses them. It's an outlook of relaxed continuous improvement. If you take any one thing away from all of this, it's the attitude of simply reinforcing your curiosity and desire to keep an eye toward enhancing your experiences. Not only about camping tasks, but overall life in general.

Minivan DIY camping conversions are becoming quite popular for a wide variety of good reasons. While peoples motivations for camping in a minivan build differ from economic travel, to literally living/working from the road ... not one isn't continually scoping for efficiencies in the tasks of camping because storage space in a minivan is always a premium. Different motivations alter the priority list accordingly, to the main objectives of each individual.

That said though, a running theme of all minivan camping are the efficiencies that it brings. At the least, with the vehicle taking place of a tent, and not needing to transfer daily use gear (its always in there, ready to go) - those two points alone save a ton of setup time and effort at each camping site, in comparison to tent camping. An especially nice benefit, for either chilling, or being on the go.

~ Wishing You, Happy Camping !