Vans used for getting outdoors range from simple vans to significant upgrades in 4 x 4 adventure vans, almost tiny homes. Nick Polinko provides insights he gained in making his enhanced van.

1. Vanlife:
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly of Do it Yourself

2. Mechanical
Engineer (tech
startup stuff)
Hello, I’m:
Founder - Van
Camping Blankets
Nick Polinko

3. Lou Van:
2019 Ford Transit

5. Van Dwelling is Not New...
So why is it so popular now?
Cheap Electronics
Never been easier to get off
grid
Factory Built 4x4 Vans
More roads, more seasons
Social Media
Locations and aspirational
lifestyles

6. #Vanfacts
● Class B Sales up 90% YoY and is the only category who has
seen positive growth this year (40%)
● 3+ month waiting list for DIY Van Kits
● 6 to 12 month waiting list for custom Van builds
● A New van builds cost between 65K and 180K+
● Younger tech based economy will not be hit as hard as other
other industries.
● In a pandemic economy, we have seen a strong shift towards
independent forms of localised travel. A mobile hotel = cleaner
and less virus exposure, while Off-grid locations provide space
from crowds.

7. Part 1: Your Options
To Build or... to Buy?
WARNING!
Its important to first understand HOW & WHY
you want a van before spending hundreds of
hours and thousands of dollars building
something

8. RV Classifications
What’s the Difference?

9. Your Options when
Purchasing a Van
… are limited at best
Production RV’s
Historically designed for RV park use
and for people older in age. Industry
is slowly modernizing
Make Your Own
Get in line to buy a Van from a
custom upfitter OR spends your
weekends on a DIY project

10. On Being Self
Contained...
Important consideration as
popularity grows
VS.

11. Good Reasons to Customize a Van:
Activity or Gear Specific
Ski - Surf - Bike - Moto
Trip specific
Long term travel
OHV (4x4)
Stealth Camping
People
Solo - Couple - Family

12. Part II: DIY
The GOOD - The BAD - The UGLY

13. Basic Van
Key Features
● Bed
● Walls
● Simple organization
● Basic lighting
● Basic kitchen
● Cabinets
● Water
● Basic power system
● Electric cooler
● Dedicated battery
● Solar power
● Interior seating
● Heating air/water
● Fridge

14. Basic Van
Key Features
● Bed
● Walls
● Simple organization
● Basic lighting
● Basic kitchen
● Cabinets
● Water
● Basic power system
● Electric cooler
● Dedicated battery
● Solar power
● Interior seating
● Heating air/water
● Fridge
Pro Tip:
DIY Bed plywood platform creates a space
for sleeping and gear
Pro Tip:
Buy a used vehicle

15. Basic Van
GOODBADUGLY
- Basic Shelter from the elements ( ground, dry, wind, sound)
- Easy and cheap to make! Minimal experience required
- Job done quick means more time to play
- Easy to strip out parts and re-sell as empty van
- You have entered a slippery (potentially endless) slope of
modifications …
- Organization can be a mess
- Sanitation (#1 & #2)
Key Features
● Bed
● Walls
● Simple organization
● Basic lighting
● Basic kitchen
● Cabinets
● Water
● Basic power system
● Electric cooler
● Dedicated battery
● Solar power
● Interior seating
● Heating air/water
● Fridge

16. Adventure Van
Key Features
● Bed
● Walls
● Simple organization
● Basic lighting
● Basic kitchen
● Cabinets
● Water
● Basic AC/DC power system
● Electric cooler
● Dedicated battery
● Solar power
● Interior seating
● Heating air/water
● Fridge

17. Adventure Van
Key Features
● Bed
● Walls
● Simple organization
● Basic lighting
● Basic kitchen
● Cabinets
● Water
● Basic AC/DC power system
● Electric cooler
● Dedicated battery
● Solar power
● Interior seating
● Heating air/water
● Fridge
Pro Tip:
Complete cabinet and kitchen
units from Truckee based Trail
Kitchens are a great option
Pro Tip:
Goal Zero Yeti module provides
battery and AC /DC power in one
unit

18. Adventure Van
GOODBADUGLY
- Self contained mobile living unit = you can live/travel comfortably in it
- Amazing for long distance driving
- Organization is key to happy road life
- You start making permanent modifications to the van
- Partial outside living is usually not considered sustainable for the
long term (seasons, privacy, “real showers” etc)
- Interior often unrefined
- You can start spending a lot of money here with mixed results
- Poor build quality really starts to stand out here
Key Features
● Bed
● Walls
● Simple organization
● Basic lighting
● Basic kitchen
● Cabinets
● Water
● Basic power system
● Electric cooler
● Dedicated battery
● Solar power
● Interior seating
● Heating air/water
● Fridge

19. Tiny Home
Key Features
● Bed
● Walls
● Simple organization
● Basic lighting
● Basic kitchen
● Cabinets
● Water
● Basic power system
● Electric cooler
● Dedicated battery
● Solar power
● Interior seating
● Heating air/water
● Fridge

20. Tiny Home
Key Features
● Bed
● Walls
● Simple organization
● Basic lighting
● Basic kitchen
● Cabinets
● Water
● Basic power system
● Electric cooler
● Dedicated battery
● Solar power
● Interior seating
● Heating air/water
● Fridge
Pro Tip:
Hire a professional for any part of the
process you are not comfortable with
Pro Tip:
Build a mockup of your plans before you
start

21. Tiny Home
GOODBADUGLY
- Long term living is easy, comfortable and sustainable
- Ability to lounge or entertain inside
- Live off grid indefinitely (water treatment, power)
- Home finishings (Tile, countertops, cabinets, art etc)
- Over weighting can be an issue: reduces gas mileage and handling
- Investment return based on build quality
- More living space = Less toy space
- Expensive!!! Its either Time or Money
- The most adventurous DIY’ers only!
- Construction moves at “VAN SPEED”
Key Features
● Bed
● Walls
● Simple organization
● Basic lighting
● Basic kitchen
● Cabinets
● Water
● Basic power system
● Electric cooler
● Dedicated battery
● Solar power
● Interior seating
● Heating air/water
● Fridge

22. Reno-Tahoe Local Resources
Sixgun Twelvevolt

23. See you out there!