This Simple and Cozy Camper Proves You Can Enjoy Van Life Without Spending a Fortune

Meet Madilyn and her 2004 AWD Chevy Astro camper van. The vehicle sports a 4.3-liter V6 engine outputting 190 hp and 150 lb-ft. (203 Nm) of torque. Unlike many van dwellers, Madilyn skipped the hassle of converting the van by herself and bought it already converted on Facebook Marketplace.

Madilyn dished out $15,000 (€13,863) to get her hands on the vehicle and invested a further $1,000 (€924) into its transformation, bringing the total price of this rig to $16,000 (€14,788). In the world of camper vans, this isn't that much. Any professional conversion company will ask at least twice as much just for the conversion, with prices even surpassing $100,000 (€92,423) in some cases.

I'll start the tour, as always, with the exterior. This camper van would've been very stealthy were it not for the roof features that give away its camper DNA. You'll notice a wood deck holding a large Thule storage box and two 100 W solar panels.

One distinctive part of this vehicle is its rear. Instead of having the conventional two-door setup, this Astro van boasts Dutch doors – the top part can be opened upwards, while two smaller doors on the bottom open sideways. This allows for easier access into the bedroom when outside the van.

When she bought the vehicle, it had a layout similar to what we see on most micro campers, such as this Ford Transit Connect. The bed/ couch was on one side and the kitchen on the other, with storage spaces underneath the benches and the counters, respectively. However, Madilyn found a better, more space-saving solution: a fixed bed at the rear, the kitchen on the side, and a storage unit on the opposite side.

Regarding design, this van's interior is finished in wood, giving it a warm and cozy aesthetic. What's more, the large windows on both sides of the vehicle let a lot of light shine inside.

There's no sense in making the interior feel even smaller in a camper van this size by separating the living space from the driver's cabin. However, for privacy, Madilyn installed a curtain behind the two front seats.

You'll discover the kitchen dead ahead of the entrance. It consists of a butcher block countertop, a spice rack, a deep sink with an electric pump, and two cabinets. One of them houses the van's simple water system: two 6-gallon (23-liter) canisters, one for freshwater and the other for greywater.

Madilyn cooks with a portable, propane-powered stove. It's a basic solution, but it does the job. She used to have a fridge onboard, but unfortunately, it was stolen when someone broke into her van.

Opposite the kitchen, right by the door, Madilyn installed a floor-to-ceiling unit that serves three purposes: it's a nightstand, bookshelf, and junk storage spot, all in one. Moreover, it houses a diesel heater and a water pump switch.

And finally, we have the bedroom at the rear of the interior, featuring a bed with a memory foam mattress. It's arranged for Madilyn to sleep from side to side. This setup works for her since she's 5’7” and can sleep diagonally on the bed, but a taller person would have a hard time getting a good night's rest on this bed.

The space underneath the bed is used, of course, for storage. This is where Madilyn stores most of her personal belongings, tools, as well as a Goal Zero Yeti 1500X portable power station. It provides 1,500 Wh – for reference, that's enough to charge a phone 127 times or power a 11 W light bulb for 138 hours.

Even though Madilyn doesn't have many power consumers in her rig, this power station barely covers her needs. It's connected to the 200 W solar panels on the roof, and Madilyn explained that she has enough power provided she drives in sunny environments.

All in all, this tiny home on wheels has all the essentials a minimalist person will need to enjoy life on the road. Yes, it's a fairly simple setup, but it does the job. Factor in that the entire build cost only $16K, and I'd say this is an excellent deal.

If you think this is a no-frills camper van, check out this rig I wrote about a few days ago, and you might just change your mind.