Being unable to afford a Travato or RoadTrek Zion, we decided to try our hand at building out our own campervan. We bought a new 2014 Ram ProMaster 2500 series van, 159" wheelbase, high roof, gas model. One major thing that also prevented us from buying a factory built Class B van was the fact we need an occupied wheelchair lift in it.
Once we got the van, the first step was installing the Braun Millennium 2 wheelchair lift. We got the lift second hand and saved a ton of money. Getting the lift turned out to be our first road trip... from Central Alabama to Winston-Salem, NC and back. It was a nice trip but better suited for more than 2 days. Here is a link to the part about the wheelchair lift on our personal site.
OK, I guess installing the lift was actually step 2. Step 1 was installing the flooring and insulation. We put down a sheet of plastic, then a layer of UltraTouch insulation, then a layer of 1/2" plywood and then a nice linoleum that looks like hardwood floors. You can read about that part on this page.
Step 3 was building the bed frames. Not only did these have to serve as beds for the wife and I, they had to hold certain items like the batteries, the converter/charger, the A/C, the refrigerator, and so on. My bed is 20" high and hers is 24" high (the fridge is under hers). We both have a nice 6" memory foam mattress. Here are the links to the parts we have completed so far:
- Electrical
- MaxxFan Installation
- Window Unit A/C Installation
We are in the planning stages for the overhead cabinets as well as the ceiling and wall coverings. The actual design has varied a little from what we envisioned simply because our minds have more room than the van does. We understand that some of you may not agree with the way we are doing the propane tank, and we appreciate your concern, but we are aware of the risks and we happy with our plan.
We'll update this post as more progress is made. Here are a few pics (there are many more on our site if you are interested).
Have a blessed day!
Jerry and Cynthia
Edit: Here is the index page for the project.
This is the van when we first got it...
Working on the insulation and flooring...
Looking in the back doors...
What it currently looks like from the outside...
Once we got the van, the first step was installing the Braun Millennium 2 wheelchair lift. We got the lift second hand and saved a ton of money. Getting the lift turned out to be our first road trip... from Central Alabama to Winston-Salem, NC and back. It was a nice trip but better suited for more than 2 days. Here is a link to the part about the wheelchair lift on our personal site.
OK, I guess installing the lift was actually step 2. Step 1 was installing the flooring and insulation. We put down a sheet of plastic, then a layer of UltraTouch insulation, then a layer of 1/2" plywood and then a nice linoleum that looks like hardwood floors. You can read about that part on this page.
Step 3 was building the bed frames. Not only did these have to serve as beds for the wife and I, they had to hold certain items like the batteries, the converter/charger, the A/C, the refrigerator, and so on. My bed is 20" high and hers is 24" high (the fridge is under hers). We both have a nice 6" memory foam mattress. Here are the links to the parts we have completed so far:
- Electrical
- MaxxFan Installation
- Window Unit A/C Installation
We are in the planning stages for the overhead cabinets as well as the ceiling and wall coverings. The actual design has varied a little from what we envisioned simply because our minds have more room than the van does. We understand that some of you may not agree with the way we are doing the propane tank, and we appreciate your concern, but we are aware of the risks and we happy with our plan.
We'll update this post as more progress is made. Here are a few pics (there are many more on our site if you are interested).
Have a blessed day!
Jerry and Cynthia
Edit: Here is the index page for the project.
This is the van when we first got it...
Working on the insulation and flooring...
Looking in the back doors...
What it currently looks like from the outside...
We started on the "kitchen" today. It is recessed into the passenger side bed and is accessible by lifting up a hinged panel. We won't use the inside kitchen much, so sliding the mattress from this bed to the other every now and then isn't a big deal. If there is a bath house, we always go there to use a sink and we cook outside unless it is raining. Here is the progress thus far, we are waiting on the 2 burner cooktop to arrive.
The A/C installed along side the PD4045 converter. This is a Frigidaire FFRE0633Q1 6000 BTU model.
And here is the A/C exhaust vent from the outside... very inconspicuous.
The Braun Millennium 2 wheelchair lift in the passenger side sliding door. This was an absolute must for the van above all else.
The ceiling framing being installed...
And part of the ceiling cover installed. There is a layer of UltraTouch insulation glued to the van roof, then an air gap, then a layer of Reflectix, then the white hardboard covering. This should really help keep the heat out on those hot summer days.
And here is the A/C exhaust vent from the outside... very inconspicuous.
The Braun Millennium 2 wheelchair lift in the passenger side sliding door. This was an absolute must for the van above all else.
The ceiling framing being installed...
And part of the ceiling cover installed. There is a layer of UltraTouch insulation glued to the van roof, then an air gap, then a layer of Reflectix, then the white hardboard covering. This should really help keep the heat out on those hot summer days.
