This was a van build based on a slightly used Dodge Promaster 159" wheelbase. The lucky find of a used Promaster 2500 with only 6,000 miles reduced the starting cost by over $10,000 over a brand new chassis. With those savings we splurged on solar panels with a total capacity of over 1,100 Watts. Combined with dc to dc charging this van always had power. Rarely did the 300 amp hours of LiOn battery capacity go below 70% of the full charge.

We designed this van with an unsual layout with a large U shaped kitchen area in the rear for the chef/owner. The overall design was a beach-house theme combining whites, greys and blues and incorporated weathered-looking blue vinyl wall paneling in the front of the van. In place of standard 12V dc refigerator we used a large retro 120V aqua blue refrigerator ($180 at Home Depot) and a matching retro microwave. Because a butcherblock countertop was too heavy we used a real tigerwood wood laminate on top of plywood protected by a clear epoxy coat. The van also incorporated a diesel heater. All electrical and plumbing was easily accessible from the rear doors of the van. Also built in was a hidden composting toilet and a novel shower pan. The van has made multiple cross country trips. After adding almost 11,000 miles to the odometer, the first owner sold it for a $20,000 profit due to unique design and thequality of the build.

Design philosphy:

Never spend money where you don't have too. In place of expensive RV appliances we used commodity units that functioned perfectly with the excess of solar charging and 3000 Watt inverter. All appliances in total (refrigerator, air conditioner, hot water heater, microwave, cooktop) cost less than $1200 in total. To keep the stealth capabilities we used tricks like a custom built bike rack that could be dissasembled, custom aluminum extrusions to hide the solar panels and a $300 portable ac unit in place of a rooftop system. The air conditioner was hidden in a cabinet with the unit's exhaust port routed through the floor. On a seven week cross country trip no one ever questioned it as anything other than a work utility vehicle.

Some Specifications:

• 1,100 Watts of solar
• 300 Amp hours of LiOn batteries
• 3000 Watt pure sinewave inverter
• 1.6kW hot water heater
• 40 gallon fresh water tank
• Pressurized water system with indoor and outdoor shower
• 120V portable room-type ac unit
•  Appliances: refrigerator, microwave, induction coooktop, hot water heater
•  Nature's Best composting toilet
•  Lagun table with tigerwood table top
• Twin size foldout bed 

Project Photos