Campervan Adventures & Vanbuild
From police van to home on wheels
Converting Our Van into a Camper
A few years ago, Sander bought an old police van: a Mercedes Sprinter. Over two years, he gradually converted it into a fully equipped camper, complete with a kitchen, bed, and even a shower. He worked on it only evenings and weekends — a true project where he learned everything himself.
Sander adjusted things multiple times until everything was just right. Now the van is complete, and we travel with it across Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia. Freedom on four wheels, exactly as we imagined.
Campervan in numbers
The camper build was a project that required a lot of time, love, and patience. As a carpenter, Sander was able to put his skills to good use, creating sturdy furniture and efficiently organising the limited space. At the same time, it was a huge learning process: from installing the electrical system and building a water setup to insulating and ventilating the van — we tackled it all. In total, we spent over 500 hours on the project, spread across evenings and weekends. It was a true hobby that we built up step by step.
Mercedes Sprinter
Make and model
500+ hours
working on the project
2015
Year of manufacture
20.000+ KM
Driven after conversion
Campervan adventures & vanbuild tips
On this page, we share not only our campervan travel stories but also tips and experiences for anyone looking to convert their own van into a camper.
FAQ about vanbuilds
Which van is suitable for a camper conversion?
We chose a Mercedes Sprinter L2H2. For us, this is the ideal size: big enough for a fixed bed, kitchen, and shower, yet compact enough to drive easily through cities and narrow mountain roads. We wanted the van to stay manoeuvrable, especially since we like to explore off the beaten path. This size gives us the perfect balance between comfort and flexibility.
Do you need technical skills to build a camper?
A little, yes, but you also learn a lot along the way. Sander is a carpenter, so the woodwork came naturally. Electricity and plumbing were new to him, but with online guides and patience, you can get far. Making mistakes is part of the process — that’s where you learn the most.
How do you start converting a van into a camper?
We began by gathering lots of inspiration: watching YouTube videos, reading blogs, and drawing floor plans. Then we bought an old police van (a Mercedes Sprinter) and created a step-by-step plan. We didn’t know everything in advance — we learned a lot along the way.
How long does it take to convert a van into a camper?
For us, it took about two years. We only worked on weekends and evenings, so it was really a project alongside our regular life. Sometimes progress paused, and other times we spent weeks working non-stop.
Can I do this without experience?
Absolutely! Start small, take your time, and don’t be afraid to learn. Everything you don’t know can be looked up or asked from others. It’s a process, but a really fun project if you take it step by step.