Their Retirement Plan is a DIY Camper Van Build

When building the camper van, Tim and Amy included a tiny 26-inch kitchen.

It’s not a large space, but it has everything they need to meal prep on the go — a deep sink, filtered and heated water, a microwave, a Keurig coffee maker, some cabinets for kitchen storage, and a mini-fridge with just enough space to hold six pints of ice creams, Amy’s favorite.

The kitchen also contains the couple's bathroom area, hidden underneath a cabinet. The cabinet opens up to reveal a toilet and a shower.

The front of the van is where the driver and passenger sit during trips. In addition to lots of storage space, it also contains a swivel passenger seat.

The “bedroom” in the van’s rear is one of the coziest spaces. In addition to a cozy mattress, the bedroom’s walls are decorated with leafy peel-and-stick wallpaper.

In their camper van build, Tim and Amy added reading lights and cozy lighting as well as an A/C and heating unit. The A/C was particularly important because the van’s rear has no windows (for privacy and safety reasons).

Under the bedroom and accessible from the back of the van is the “garage.” All the mechanical systems are in the garage – the water heater, the filter, the pumps, and the electrical system. There is additional storage space for firewood, a solo stove, tools, tables, and chairs, a folding bike, and supplies for Tim and Amy’s dogs.

Tim and Amy feel lucky that they have the chance to go road-tripping in their van. Tim is a semi-retired accountant, and Amy is a nurse who works only three shifts a week. This gives them lots of time to travel.

The couple also really enjoyed the process of building the camper van and getting to try out being a carpenter, electrician, plumber, and everything else all in one.

DIY camper van build

If you did a camper van build, what would you put in it? Let us know in the comments.

For more alternative living stories, take a tour of this single mom's DIY camper van or this 77-year-old's tiny home on wheels.

To see more videos, check out the Tiny Home Tours YouTube channel.