Purpose-built expedition camper for extended off-grid travel, designed to stay comfortable and self-contained away from hookups. 48k miles.

It features an innovative mid-ship cross-width bathroom, a recirculating shower with 5-stage filtration and UV treatment, diesel heat, air conditioning, induction cooking, a massive 24V LiFePO4 battery system, and an aluminum-framed interior built for long-term durability.

Why this build is different

1) Marine-grade interior structure

• All furniture framed with 80/20 aluminum instead of wood.

• UV-protected extruded PVC sheeting replaces more conventional interior panel materials.

• PVC paneling, Havelock wool insulation, brass plumbing fittings, and strong ventilation were chosen for durability and mold resistance.

2) True off-grid capability

• The 16 kWh battery bank provides unusually large power reserves, even by premium van standards.

• Primary charging comes from solar and alternator charging, with shore power also available when convenient.

• A 40-gallon freshwater tank handles drinking, cooking, and daily use, while a separate recirculating shower system with its own 5-gallon tank allows extended showers without depleting the main water supply.

3) Real bathroom and everyday livability

• A mid-ship cross-width bathroom and recirculating shower make the van far more practical for extended travel.

• An oversized refrigerator/freezer, 2-burner induction cooktop, and convection microwave/air fryer support real meal prep and daily use, not just minimal camp cooking.

• The rare 170EXT platform adds roughly 18 inches in length over a standard 170, giving the layout noticeably more room to function as a true living space.

4) Built for long-term ownership

• Build photos and construction documentation make it easier to evaluate how the van was built behind the finished surfaces.

• The battery system uses serviceable components, including replaceable cells and Bluetooth monitoring at the module level.

• Repairability, transparency, and long-term ownership were considered from the beginning, not treated as afterthoughts.

Interior layout & daily living

The interior was designed to support real daily living, not just weekend trips. The layout combines a dedicated computer workstation, a serious galley, a full bathroom, and generous cold storage in a way that makes the van feel practical, comfortable, and easy to use for longer stays.

Workstation & seating

Built-in workstation with a widescreen monitor, dual swivel seats, a Lagun-style table, and dedicated phone charging mounts for both front occupants. It is a setup designed to make work, meals, and everyday use feel natural instead of improvised.

Kitchen & galley

The galley pairs a 2-burner induction cooktop with a large workstation sink, walnut butcher block counters, and a convection microwave / air fryer / oven. Together, they support real cooking flexibility well beyond the minimal setups found in many van builds.

Cold storage & appliance stack

The Arana BFC 96 refrigerator/freezer provides unusually generous cold storage for a van, paired with an integrated appliance tower that makes the kitchen feel more usable and residential in day-to-day living.

Mid-Ship Bathroom & Recirculating ShowerMid-ship cross-width bath layout

The mid-ship cross-width bathroom is one of the most unusual and practical parts of the build. It creates a multi-purpose space shared between the kitchen, bathroom, and workstation, using shower curtains on two sides to form a virtual room when needed.

Recirculating shower system

The recirculating shower system uses multi-stage filtration and UV purification to make the shower loop practical, clean, and unusually sophisticated for a van build. The rotating shower head swings out for use and stows back into the cabinet when not needed.

Shower control

A single power button on the custom control box activates the shower system components, while the digital interface allows precise temperature control from the diesel hydronic heater in an insta-hot fashion. Because the system does not rely on a small hot water tank, shower duration is not limited by stored hot water.

Electrical, climate & connectivityBattery architecture

• The van uses a custom-built 24V LiFePO4 battery system rather than sealed drop-in batteries.

• The pack is built from serviceable modules with replaceable cells and dedicated JK BMS units.

• A DC-DC converter provides 12V power for most van electronics, while key loads like the air conditioner and refrigerator run natively on 24V.

• Bluetooth monitoring, individual cell visibility, and low-temperature cutoff add transparency and protection.

Charging & power delivery

• Primary charging comes from solar and alternator input, with shore power also available when convenient.

• Because the air conditioner and refrigerator run directly on 24V, they do not consume inverter capacity during normal use.

• That leaves the full 3000W inverter available for higher-draw appliances like the microwave, induction cooktop, and coffee maker, even while the air conditioner and refrigerator are operating.

• It also means the inverter can be turned off while the air conditioner and refrigerator continue operating, avoiding inverter standby losses when AC power is not needed.

Climate

• 24V air conditioning, diesel heat, and a MaxxAir fan give the van real climate flexibility across a wide range of conditions.

• The goal was not just survival, but comfort during longer stays.

Connectivity & remote work

• A custom Starlink mount, WeBoost range extender, and built-in computer workstation make the van better suited for working on the road than most recreational builds.

Battery size matters!Large 15kWh LFP Battery BankStored Energy Comparison

Typical premium van: About 7.5 kWh (about half the capacity)

This van: 15.36 kWh total

2 custom 24V modules

For buyers used to 12V systems, this van's total stored energy is roughly equivalent to 12 x 12V 100Ah lithium batteries. That is an energy comparison only, not a physical battery count.

The battery bank consists of two custom-built 24V modules. Each module uses 8 x 300Ah Eve prismatic cells with its own dedicated JK BMS, for a total capacity of approximately 15.36 kWh.

For buyers more familiar with 12V lithium systems, that is roughly equivalent in stored energy to twelve 12V 100Ah batteries. The comparison is about total energy capacity, not the physical battery count in the van.

If a cell ever fails, an individual defective cell can be replaced without replacing the entire bank. Individual cell voltages are reported via Bluetooth, giving transparency and serviceability that sealed drop-in batteries do not.

Exterior equipment, suspension & windowsExterior equipment

• Custom aluminum rear cargo rack.

• Custom aluminum roof rack.

• 2 x 170W solar panels (340W total), with room for an additional panel.

• Owl ladder & tire carrier.

• 5,000 lb tow hitch.

• 52-inch LED light bar.