Automotive

Camper vans and tiny homes collide in gorgeous home on the range

Camper vans and tiny homes collide in gorgeous home on the range
Dutch converter CustomCamp makes a special van for its own
Dutch converter CustomCamp makes a special van for its own
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A kettle on the triple-burner stove
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A kettle on the triple-burner stove
This particular countertop really helps define the conversion as a tiny home-style living space
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This particular countertop really helps define the conversion as a tiny home-style living space
The tiny home camper is based on a Peugeot Boxer van
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The tiny home camper is based on a Peugeot Boxer van
The conversion includes an awning
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The conversion includes an awning
Mosquito netting keeps the pests out, lets the breezes in
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Mosquito netting keeps the pests out, lets the breezes in
This rear storage compartment looks like it could also be a good spot for the dogs to rest
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This rear storage compartment looks like it could also be a good spot for the dogs to rest
The arched faucet design was made by the customer's father, CustomCamp tells us
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The arched faucet design was made by the customer's father, CustomCamp tells us
Another homey touch
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Another homey touch
CustomCamp has used a variety of woods, the most striking being the organic-look elm countertops
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CustomCamp has used a variety of woods, the most striking being the organic-look elm countertops
A look inside at the CustomCamp interior
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A look inside at the CustomCamp interior
At the wheel
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At the wheel
Notice the window shade in this photo
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Notice the window shade in this photo
CustomCamp tiny home camper van
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CustomCamp tiny home camper van
The window shade doubles as a trivet under the kettle
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The window shade doubles as a trivet under the kettle
This van doesn't rely on the swivel front seats for dining and has a complete dinette set
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This van doesn't rely on the swivel front seats for dining and has a complete dinette set
The triple-burner stove and refrigerator create a functional kitchen
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The triple-burner stove and refrigerator create a functional kitchen
CustomCamp tells us the hand-painted sink is originally from Morocco
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CustomCamp tells us the hand-painted sink is originally from Morocco 
Dry food storage
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Dry food storage
Shelving and lighting
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Shelving and lighting
Upper storage shelves
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Upper storage shelves
A closer look at the upper cabinetry
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A closer look at the upper cabinetry 
No bathroom, but the removable toilet is available inside the cabinet
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No bathroom, but the removable toilet is available inside the cabinet
Drop-down counter extension
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Drop-down counter extension
Extending the bed
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Extending the bed
Extending the bed
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Extending the bed
A look at the wood-lined ceiling and the skylight
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A look at the wood-lined ceiling and the skylight
Window framed in wood
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Window framed in wood
Dutch converter CustomCamp makes a special van for its own
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Dutch converter CustomCamp makes a special van for its own
View gallery - 28 images

What happens when a van conversion company with more than seven years of custom camper projects under its belt is tasked with building a van for company owners? Something really special, in the case of Dutch outfit CustomCamp. Its tiny home-inspired Peugeot Boxer features wood construction, leather trim and residential-style fixtures among the nicest you'll see in a small home, mobile or not. Sometimes it's good to be the boss.

Tiny homes and camper vans have both been on fire in recent years, so it's never particularly surprisingly to see the two like worlds converge. In fact, it's more surprising that we don't see them converge more often - timber-clad teardrops and expanding tiny homes are pretty impressive.

CustomCamp has channeled some cross-market influence of its own and applied it to the conversion project commissioned in-house by the owners - a rather important customer from whom they can definitely expect feedback. The design is all basic, true-blue Peugeot outside, but has the warmth and aesthetic of a woodsy cabin or condo inside.

The triple-burner stove and refrigerator create a functional kitchen
The triple-burner stove and refrigerator create a functional kitchen

Walking through the Boxer tiny home's sliding door quickly becomes a veritable lesson in dendrology. The counters and dining table are large slabs of elm, some wearing organic, unleveled edges for added rustic appeal. The cabinets rely on lightweight poplar to keep stress off the vehicle axles, while spruce also finds use in the furniture construction.

Handmade equipment and amenities feature throughout, the most striking example being the hand-painted Moroccan bowl sink fed by a high-arching, exposed-plumbing faucet. The latter was hand-constructed by the owner's father. The cushions and seating have been sewn together by a seamstress, and custom-made leather straps work as cabinet handles.

This particular countertop really helps define the conversion as a tiny home-style living space
This particular countertop really helps define the conversion as a tiny home-style living space

It's easy to find yourself lost in the homey aesthetic, but this motored tiny home isn't just a showpiece. It's equipped with all the amenities a family of four will need to travel the countryside and spend the night. It sleeps two adults and two children and seats everyone at a family-size dinette set. The van even sleeps the two family dogs.

A triple-burner stove provides plenty of cooking power to help fill the decorative cups and kettles hanging and sitting about, while the refrigerator stores fresh goods. There clearly isn't space left for even the slimmest wet bath, but the combination of removable toilet and outdoor shower should fill the role just fine. The toilet stores neatly away in a lower cabinet when not in use.

This van doesn't rely on the swivel front seats for dining and has a complete dinette set
This van doesn't rely on the swivel front seats for dining and has a complete dinette set

The skylight and windows appear to bring plenty of natural light in, and the light-toned wood and white paint should help amplify it. We particularly like the porthole-style window over the driver's side counter and the decorative covering that shades it before removing to serve as a trivet.

The van also includes a diesel cabin heater, hot water boiler and solar power system.

The only negative we can find about this build is that it is based on a 10-year-old Boxer with 74,500 miles on it (120,000 km) behind it. Not too high, but such an ornate, one-of-a-kind build seems like it should be filling out a brand-new van with its full life ahead of it. But maybe this Boxer will find use as permanent/semi-permanent tiny home - we don't even want to think of those picture-perfect hanging cups and exposed pipes bouncing and rattling when riding over a rowdy stretch of washboard.

The tiny home camper is based on a Peugeot Boxer van
The tiny home camper is based on a Peugeot Boxer van

The Boxer tiny home van is very much a fully custom one-off, complete with family-provided equipment, but CustomCamp estimates that a similar interior would cost around €35,000 (approx. US$42,500), before the cost of the van itself.

The company specializes in custom vans all around but does provide some sample package pricing estimates starting at €12,500 ($15,000). Its €18,500 ($22,500) Opel Vivaro luxury wood interior conversion isn't quite as impressive as the Boxer kit above, but it's very attractive in its own right.

Source: CustomCamp (Dutch)

View gallery - 28 images
2 comments
2 comments
Bob
We have vacationed in everything from a small tent, small and larger cabin cruiser boats, camper vans, travel trailer and up to a fully decked out small and large motor homes. Anything is tolerable for a couple weeks. After that comfort and conveniences start becoming more important. Heating and air conditioning are a must when the weather changes. Enough room to move around inside becomes more desirable on rainy days. For long term a 19 foot travel trailer or 30 foot motor home becomes the minimum for living comfort. Then there is the question of taking the toys. A 19 foot travel trailer pulled by a full sized pickup to carry the toys is the cheapest and most versatile.
DocB
This might look nice but it's not practical. All that heavy wood throughout must max out the load capacity. Plus no heat, A/C, shower? What were they thinking? This works for a 1 day trip - no more.