You are excited and beyond thrilled. Ready to make that dream come true. The van is yours now. Time to start your build. Where do we start. What do we do first. So much to think about.
If you are anything like us you follow hundreds of people that build and live in a van. You watch youtube videos all the time. Stalking #vanlife on instagram is your new hobby. Work countless hours putting together a list of everything you want out of your new home on wheels. Where to start.
Our advice is start a list. Add everything to your list you could ever want in a tiny home. Think from the outside in. Yes you will probably eliminate items from your list after you find out the cost involved. My advice is to be prepared to have as many items on your list as you can. Adding items after you have started can, more times than not, be more expensive than if you had just done it from the start.
You will want to now choose if you will be the do it yourself-er or have a builder, like Wicked Cool Vans, build for you. Do you have the tools needed to do a quality job yourself? Tools can be expensive. Do you have the know how to do it yourself? Do you have the time to do it yourself? Time is money. Lots of questions to answer before you start.
Here at Wicked Cool Vans we encourage our clients to do things themself. We also encourage our clients to have Wicked Cool Vans do the jobs they don’t have the time or tools to tackle the job. We try to provide tips and list of how to do it yourself.
You will find below a list of basic items used in a van build. This is a suggestion list. You will definitely need more items not listed. If you find you need a suggestion send us an email wickedcoolvans@gmail.com we will try to help out if we can.
Exterior Cuts:
Aftermarket window https://www.vanwindowsdirect.com
Fresair air cooling system- Purchased through Wicked Cool Vans
Max air fan https://amzn.to/3tLGgCs
Max air fan with remote https://amzn.to/3lGURfN
External ports for 30amp power https://amzn.to/3vS36du
Internal Walls:
Sound Deadening https://amzn.to/31778k7
Wiring
https://amzn.to/3f4y7oP 4 gauge awg amount of feet depends on plan
https://amzn.to/393Hnp6 10/3 wire for shore power set up, feet depends on plan
https://amzn.to/3se0RyT 14 gauge wire, feet depends on plan
https://amzn.to/3tNhWAq 16/3 shore power set up, feet depends on plan
Insulation
Havelock wool 3-6 batts depending on van model http://havelockwool.refr.cc/russellb
Wood for framing of walls
Strapping
1×1
2×2
¼ inch Plywood for finish walls
¾ inch Birch plywood for cabinets and floors
Ceiling material
Countertop
Paint or Shellac/polyurethane
Nails
Screws
Glue
Hinges
Drawer pulls https://amzn.to/3tJWPPd
Drawer slides https://amzn.to/319wSw8
Door hinges https://amzn.to/3vYu7fF
Magnetic locks https://amzn.to/3cPMOsQ
Lofted Bed – 2×4’s & strapping
Shower pan option 1 https://amzn.to/3vNzwG5 option 2 https://amzn.to/3cUSFxj more options are available depends on plan/layout
Water heater 4 gallon https://amzn.to/318n31G
Plumbing supplies depends on plumbing plan
Fresh water tank 30 gallon https://amzn.to/394PqlL
Grey water tank 13 gallon https://amzn.to/3lDJ9m9
Pex pipe https://amzn.to/2NFTJMO
Sink undermount https://amzn.to/2QyE17v
Sink counter mount https://amzn.to/3f5E4lq
Faucet https://amzn.to/3f1Cukp
Shower walls
Shower fixtures
Toilet https://amzn.to/3f4AjMN
Composting toilet https://amzn.to/3f1CSzn
Refrigerators some choices it depends on layout for size restrictions
Table mounts
Lights https://amzn.to/3tI6TIA
Solar Panels https://amzn.to/2PdsXvI
Solar charger https://amzn.to/3vPZb0V size depends on plan
Inverter https://amzn.to/3vLkP6B size depends on plan
Battery https://amzn.to/2NFiVD6 amount of batteries depends on plan
Battery charger https://amzn.to/3raBtcd depends on battery type and plan
Misc electrical
Amounts and sizes of electrical components depends on plan of system
Heater https://amzn.to/3tLk6QV
Swivel Seats https://leisurelines.net/seat-swivels-83-c.asp
Roof Rack -at Wicked Cool Vans we make a custom rack for your van but some others are available at amazon https://amzn.to/317dK1V just make sure it is for your make and model van.
Running Boards tips on running boards is for them to be useful they need to be of a size your foot will fit. I prefer 7 inch ones at least. https://amzn.to/317e0xV
Trailer hitch https://amzn.to/3cbiYQt make sure it will fit your make and model
This list is a suggested parts list. Many other items are needed and will depend on layout,plan,make and model of van.
Wicked Cool Vans
*links are a part of an associate program Wicked Cool Vans takes part in.
LeeKooLuu Backup Camera Easy Install: Plug-Play Color Clear Image DIY Guide Lines Night Vision HD 1080P Rear View Camera with Monitor Kit LED with On/Off Switch for Cars/SUVs/Trucks/Campers LK3
$39.99 (as of November 27, 2023 17:23 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
HD eRapta ERT01 Backup Camera Rear View License Plate Reverse Camera Universal for Pickup Truck Car SUV 149° Perfect Angle Night Vision IP69K Level Waterproof
$20.79 (as of November 27, 2023 17:23 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Camco TastePURE Camper/RV Water Filter | Inline Water Filter Reduces Bad Taste, Odor, Chlorine & Sediment | Ideal for RVs, Campers, Travel Trailers, Boats | Made in the USA | 2-Pack (40045)
$24.99 (as of November 27, 2023 17:23 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Camco RhinoFLEX 15-Ft Camper/RV Sewer Hose Kit | Features Clear Elbow Fitting with Removable 4-in-1 Adapter & Crafted of Reinforced 23-Mil Polyolefin | Compress for RV Storage and Organization (39770)
$36.97 (as of November 27, 2023 17:23 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
BLUETTI Portable Power Station EB3A, 268Wh LiFePO4 Battery Backup w/ 2 600W (1200W Surge) AC Outlets, Recharge from 0-80% in 30 Min., Solar Generator for Outdoor Camping (Solar Panel Optional)
$198.00 (as of November 27, 2023 17:23 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
LogicBlue Technology LevelMatePRO Wireless RV Leveling System, Bluetooth Leveler for Campers, Must-Have Accessory for Travel Trailers, Effortless Setup for Phones with App
$95.99 (as of November 27, 2023 17:23 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240, 240Wh Backup Lithium Battery, 110V/200W Pure Sine Wave AC Outlet, Solar Generator (Solar Panel Not Included) for Outdoors Camping Travel Hunting Emergency
$154.00 (as of November 27, 2023 17:23 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
BESTEK 300W Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V AC Car Inverter with 4.2A Dual USB Car Adapter
$26.20 (as of November 27, 2023 17:23 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Unique RV Digest-It+, Extra-Strength Black Tank Treatment for RVs - Stronger Liquid RV Toilet Treatment, Eliminates Odor, Liquefies Waste, Prevents Sensor Misreading, CA Compliant (32 oz.)
$19.99 (as of November 27, 2023 17:23 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
The thought of doing plumbing can be a scary thing. In a van build it is fairly easy to complete your own van plumbing. I am sure you can find plenty of youtube videos. We use pex pipe and parts for our Wicked Cool Vans water systems. We plan to have all water components on one side of the van.
