Introducing CamperHan:
Most campers seem like they're designed for just two people but where there’s a will there’s a way and this van offers so much more than an average camper. CamperHan’s owners, wanted a campervan that could offer both flexibility and freedom. While their kids might not always join them, they wanted the option of a 4-berth to accommodate family trips when everyone is together. And so CamperHan was born!
With a pop top and fixed bed to the rear, this bespoke van can easily sleep 4 people, and with a foldable 4th passenger seat, everyone can travel securely. Under the bed you’ll find a huge garage space, so they won’t run out of storage and with a big electrical set-up, everyone can keep their devices charged whether they are on mains hookup or off grid. Fitting all of this into a 6m van, definitely required some creative thinking, so read on to see how we managed to create their dream van.
The base van:
CamperHan is a MWB VW Crafter with a pop top which seats 3 people as standard, and we have added in a removable folding fourth passenger seat.
It’s all in the details:
CamperHan has a simple but colourful aesthetic with white walls and sage green cupboard fronts with tan leather tabs. To complement the overall look, there are terracotta splashbacks in the kitchen, blue tiles and white walls in the shower room and turquoise blue soft furnishings. The worktops, flooring and ceiling slats are all a paler oak colour which makes the space feel brighter and brings the whole aesthetic together.
Unique features:
A key requirement for this family was the ability to safely travel with 4 people, so we installed a foldable Aguti belted passenger seat that stores away in the rear seating box. This seat can also be removed if you aren’t going to use it for a while and the space can be used for extra storage. To the roof of the van, we added a poptop creating an additional sleeping space for two. With windows in the canvas it makes a great look out for the kids too.
You’ll also notice CamperHan has an awning which is not often fitted to vans with pop tops due to the difficulty with placement on the limited roof space. Fortunately, we found a great solution and have made a video on how we did this, which you can check out here.
The layout:
CamperHan is based on our Kunu layout with a few modifications to accommodate the whole family. The cab has a swivel bench seat with a Lagun table leg so you can work or dine at the front. There is also a leg mount on the rear seating area by the sliding door, giving versatility on where and how you use the table.
Behind the driver's seat is the shower cubicle, both this and the rear seating have been cut at a 45-degree angle which gives more space in the gangway. Next to the shower is the kitchen, with the rear seating area directly opposite and a fixed bed at the back. Underneath the bed is a long dining table and separate drawer which both pull out from the garage. Above the seating area is a small shelf and 3 large cupboards for storing clothes.
CamperHan offers the most sleeping space of any of our vans due to two distinct aspects of this van. First are the additional rear pods, which we fitted to the outside of the van allowing for a traverse fixed bed which is 190cm long. As Crafters and Sprinters are around 10cm narrower than Ducatos and Relays, these rear pods are a must. Second is the pop top where there is another double bed which can be accessed by a hatch hidden in the ceiling slats. This clever design means that from the main living space, you cannot tell the hatch is there.
One of the main benefits of having a fixed bed design is that it provides a large garage space under the bed. In this van the garage has a hard wearing rubber coin flooring and a heating vent, making it an ideal space for storing camping and sports equipment.
Shower and toilet:
The shower cubicle is a practical space that has a cubby hole for storing toiletries, a full length mirror with two towel hooks and a foldaway hanging solution that’s great for drying out wet clothes or towels. There is a compact shower with a mixer tap and a removable Nature’s Head composting toilet.
We also installed a light, ventilation fan and heating vent.
Kitchen:
As CamperHan has a gasless set-up, we installed a twin induction hob and there is a large cupboard above the sink that stores a microwave (or air fryer if you have one). Although the kitchen is small we like to ensure practicality so we installed a large domestic sink and hose mixer tap making it easier to wash up.
The sink also has inserts that match the oak worktop providing additional counter space. Next to the microwave cupboard, there is another storage cupboard with a small shelf next to, perfect for storing a cookbook or two!
In the kitchen, you’ll also find a large under the sink cupboard, two storage drawers and a generously sized cutlery drawer all of which are on soft close hinges. We installed a Dometic compressor fridge under the bed, so it can be easily accessed from the kitchen without sacrificing any storage space. Camperhan has a Truma Diesel Combi boiler which is stored in a compartment in the kitchen and the control panel can be accessed at the back of the kitchen shelf.
Electrical system:
An off-grid van that can accommodate up to 4 people needs a big electrical set up and Camperhan doesn’t disappoint.
Here’s what she’s got:
- 460ah Roamer lithium battery: This beasty battery will power the induction hob and microwave plus other electrical appliances
- 540W Solar Panel: Fitted to the pop top, this panel keeps the battery charged and the appliances running smoothly
- 2 x Victron Orion -Tr 12|12 30 Amp alternator chargers: These charge the leisure battery whilst driving
- Victron Multiplus inverter charger 3000VA: Provides a high output of power for cooking on electric and powering the 240v sockets
- A Victron GX Touch 50 Control Panel and the Victron Cerbo GX allow complete system monitoring, inside and away from the van remotely.
Ready for the road:
CamperHan is about family and providing a versatile space so that this couple can enjoy a weekend away whether it’s a quiet trip for two or a crazy family adventure. It really goes to show how customisable vans can be and we love talking with our clients about what they want and building a van individual to their needs.
Here’s what CamperHan’s owners had to say about the collaborative process:
“Oli takes the time to delve into what you’re after, asking questions to understand how you’ll use the space before going away and coming up with creative solutions. The end result is something entirely bespoke and unique - we hadn’t imagined a hidden fourth berth or a pop top, and are so glad the guys found a way to make these happen!”
So if you have children or Grandchildren that you’d love to take away and need a van perfectly designed for your needs, then get in touch at info@vanlifeconversions.co.uk
