We spent months saving for our dream project — converting a Volkswagen Crafter into a fully self-sufficient campervan. Over four months, we transformed the van into a stylish living space complete with a hidden toilet, walk-in shower, fixed bed, and a fully off-grid electrical setup.
The project began with insulating the roof, walls, and floor before building a wooden interior framework that allowed us to customise every part of the space. We then carefully planned the layout, prioritising essentials like hot running water, a private toilet, a fixed bed, and a spacious shower.
Since completing the build in June 2024, we have already enjoyed several adventures, including a two-week road trip through France, tackling Scotland’s famous North Coast 500, and a two-week journey through Switzerland and Italy, along with plenty of shorter escapes around the UK.
Our hard work and attention to detail paid off when our van won the Weekend Wanderer Award at the 2024 eBay Van Conversion of the Year Awards. One of our main goals throughout the build was to create an interior that felt more like a modern apartment than a traditional campervan.
We really enjoyed the whole process and are so happy with how it turned out. We didn’t want it to feel like a caravan — we wanted it to feel like somewhere you’d genuinely live.
“We were still fitting the final pieces on the morning we left.”
Our maiden adventure took us from Folkestone across to France, where we spent two weeks exploring destinations including Calais, Saint-Tropez, Cannes, and Monaco.
We love the freedom van life gives us — the ability to travel affordably, stay overnight wherever we choose, and avoid rigid plans.
It’s so much cheaper when you want to get away, and you don’t have to rush home the same day. We love the flexibility. Apart from booking the ferry or Eurostar, we don’t really plan too much. We’ll just keep travelling whenever we can.
For anyone considering building their own campervan, we have one clear message:
“We’d absolutely recommend it — 100 per cent.”
Summer 2025 was an epic one for us
We kicked off the season with @cleew_insta, where we collected our second award for our debut Van build! 🏆 and got to meet the Stig too!! (or at least Stigs Dad!)