There once was a time when buying a cargo van and converting it into a camper was an affordable way to build your own RV. But due to soaring demand, even a high-mileage used Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit is selling at all-time high prices. Add in the cost of the materials needed to complete such a remodel project, not to mention the time commitment, and such a buildout no longer feels like much of a bargain.
All of those factors prompted one YouTuber to see if he could still build a luxury camper van for under $10k. That sounds like an improbably low number, especially since he is including the prices of the vehicle in the overall costs. But as you’ll see in the video above, it is possible to create a fully decked-out and incredibly comfortable Class B RV without destroying your budget. It does help if you’re fairly handy with tools, though.
YouTuber DualEx has been sharing his custom camper van builds on his official channel for quite some time. His previous videos demonstrate his aptitude for using just about every type of tool imaginable. Better still, he also has a knack for designing a clean, simple, and elegant interior space with plenty of unique features and amenities. But even with all those skills, his abilities will be severely tested with this latest challenge.
Photo Credit: DualEx
The video above documents his progress on this project, using time-lapse images to show all of the work that goes into renovating the van. In this case, the vehicle in question is a 2004 Freightliner with 210,000 miles on the odometer. But even though the van is nearly 20 years old and has been around the block a time or two, it still cos t$5,400. That is more than half of the budget allocated to completing the buildout, which means the rest of the renovation needs to be very clever and cost-effective.
You’ll have to watch the video to see how the build turns out, but—spoiler alert—it is a pretty impressive package. The video proves that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get your dream camper van, especially if you can do most of the renovation yourself.
If you like the video, be sure to check out the DualEX YouTube channel for more content like this.
