From Van to Home
This ebook gives you everything you need to know to build your dream van-home without the overwhelm and confusion
£10
£12.90
The best, most helpful book on the subject by miles. Thanks Mike
– Chris
My dream was to make a van into my home. A self-contained home on wheels with everything I’d need to travel and live anywhere I want.
To explore the world, live in different places, meet different people and let every day be an adventure. Off into the sunset. To be free, with the whole of Europe (and possibly beyond) as my garden.
But it was an overwhelming dream I never thought could happen. I mean, where do you even start? What do you need? How much will it cost? And how can you be a plumber, electrician and joiner all at once when you know nothing about these things?
Mike Hudson
Author of From Van to Home
After going through months of frustration, misinformation, confusion and the overwhelm I now realise that, with the right information, and if you break it down properly, non of this stuff is especially difficult. That's why I made this book
This book will take you from VAN to HOME
This book shows you – from start to finish – exactly how I transformed this van (see above), with zero woodwork or van conversion experience, into my highly functional cosy off-grid home – the place I’ve lived since 2014.
The book I wish I had
I wrote this book with my former self in mind – someone who had never done anything like this before, stood inside an empty rotting van, wondering how to start and how it’s ever going to be finished.
This book is for you if...
Many happy customers
I bought your book a while ago and it is the best DIY book I’ve ever read. It is so detailed and it always has me inspired. I live in New York City, and I’m saving up some money for this awesome project, to travel long and far. Thank you for your book, it is truly amazing :-)”
– Sharukh GV
I love your book and your website! No Bullshit, only useful information about van conversion and van life. Enjoy your journey and your free life. Best regards”
– Johannes
Hey, Just wanted to say I bought your book, built a van, spent a summer travelling around Europe in it, lived in it for a year in the UK (over winter!) and am now recommending your book to a friend who is planning to do the same. The best, most helpful book on the subject by miles. Thanks Mike!”
– Chris
Revised for 2021
Chapter listing
Welcome to From Van to Home – How I made an old rusty van into my cosy off-grid home
Set yourself up for success and efficiency from the very start by gathering all your resources
- Time – how long will it take?
- Skills – what do you need?
- Money – how much will it cost?
- Space to work – how much do
- Tools – what do you need?
The whole project relies on this step. Best to get it right first time. This chapter shows you how
- Reducing the overwhelm
- Choosing your van
- Buying a used van
- The van I chose
- Choosing your van
- Making a plan
Fix current problems and prevent future ones. If you want to travel, you need a reliable van
- Testing the van
- Fixing known problems
- Van preparation products
- Remove and treat rust
- Repair rust using fibreglass
- Protecting the wheel arches
- Protecting the van’s underside
- Protecting the hollow sections
- Checking and repairing leaks
From a blank van to a blank room. This is where things get exciting and you can really start to imagine how your van will be
- Windows
- Sound deadening
- insulation
- Lining the walls and ceiling
- Finishing the wood
If you want a hot shower and toilet in your van, I'll show you how I did it
- Bathroom location
- Fitting the shower tray
- Constructing the bathroom enclosure
- Fitting the toilet
- Making a seal around the door
- Bathroom door construction
- Bathroom light
- Fitting shower and tap assembly
- Bathroom extractor fan
The most important room area in your home. Prepare delicous meals no matter where you are
- Kitchen location
- Fitting the sink and hob unit
- Cupboard doors and drawer
- Kitchen extractor fan
- Tiles for splash wall
- The fridge
- Choosing a fridge
- Kitchen finishing touches
Thankfully there no need to sacrafice a good nights sleep whilst still having the high functionality that a small small space requires
- Sofa bed location
- Building the end part of the sofa bed
- Building the main part of the sofa bed (with extension)
- Finishing the sofa bed
- A bonus bed – a hammock
No special training needed to make a cup of tea. Just flick the lever of the tap and water comes out
- Water system building blocks
- Installing the fresh water tank
- Water filler cap
- Water pump and accumulator
- Water heater
- Grey water tank
Gas isn’t exactly the latest technology but nothing beats in terms of energy density and cost. Basically, it means you can stay off the grid for months before having to refill
- Gas system building blocks
- Installing the gas system
- Testing for leaks
- Heating the van
- (cylinder, regulator, manifold)
- Heater timer
Everyone's favourite part of a van conversion (joking, of course). This chapter will help you master the electrical system once and for all
- Basic electronics.
- The building blocks of a van’s electrical system.
- Planning your electrical system and choosing the right components.
- Building up a system step by step, starting with a basic circuit.
- Basic electrical construction.
- How I installed the electrical system in my van.
- Updates over the four years of living in my van.
You can store a lot in your van. Done right, you can easily find and access those things without the stress
- The various storage places in my van
- Office seat and storage
- Updates to the storage
- Shelves from found wood
Details are important. This is what makes a space truely yours. It's what makes people go 'woahh, you built this?'
- Miscellaneous details (decor and functionality)
- Window curtains and shutter
- Van plants
- The golden ratio
- Updates and modifications
Thanks to technology we can live mobile lives with minimal compromise. For example, you might not be able to bring all of your 12” records but you can certainly bring all your music, and books and films – and they can all fit into a box smaller than the size of your hand.
- Installing a sound system (speakers and amplifier)
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Internet connectivity
- Van activities
- A musical synthesiser to match the van
- Surprise bonus
Peace of mind is important, especially if you're new to the van life. I'll walk your though the essential safety equipment and also some optional additional van security
- Safety equipment
- Van security: engine disable switch
- Van security: fitting extra locks
Can't avoid this one. I'll walk you through the legal requirements and how I met them with my van
- Legal requirements for a vehicle (tax, insurance, MOT)
- Driving in Europe
- Amending the van’s classification
I often get asked what model fridge I have, or solar controller, or speakers, pump, tank. Well, it's all in here.
- Feature list and specification of my van
- Layout of my van
- Gallery
Important lessons on mindset and seeing the project through to the very end – no one talks about these things but I believe they are critical
- Eight lessons I learnt converting my van
- Staying on track
- Thank you
Look inside
The best book, thanks so much. Couldn’t have built my van without it. Really thank you so so much for being the inspiration and helping me build my own
– philsmithies
So many conversions seem kind of shoddy and yours is the first I found (with great 'instructions') that actually looks somewhere I would want to live. Plus it's great to have guidance from a fellow Brit where measurements are in metric and materials are widely available. So thank YOU for sharing your journey! I'm glad the you've been able to continue it by sharing it! Much love
– Tim
If you're reading this and haven't bought this book yet then buy it now! Beautifully put together and unbelievably helpful, we couldn't have done our conversion without it! Thank you
– abigiltinan
About the author
Mike Hudson
AUTHOR OF FROM VAN TO HOME
From office worker to full-time traveller, best selling author, photographer and blogger.
It's been a crazy ride, my mind has been blown and life has gone beyond what I ever imagined.
And it all started with a big van…
About the author
Mike Hudson
Author of From van to Home
From office worker to full-time traveller to best selling author, photographer and blogger.
It's been a crazy ride, my mind has been blown and life has gone beyond what I ever imagined.
And it all started with a big van…
Feed your van dream
Don’t be another person with only great ideas and dreams about how your van-home will be, if only you ever got round to doing it.
Start here and make it happen. Even if converting a van is one of the things you say you’ll do ‘someday’, feed your van dream now because maybe it's more possible than you think...
Feed your van dream
Don’t be another person with only great ideas and dreams about how your van-home will be, if only you ever got round to doing it.
Start here and make it happen. Even if converting a van is one of the things you say you’ll do ‘someday’, feed your van dream now because maybe it's more possible than you think...
You are fully protected by my 100% Satisfaction-Guarantee.
I want every single person who buys this book to be satisfied. If you are not fully satisfied, please tell me about it and I’ll give you a full refund. That’s a promise from me. Furthermore, if there's anything I can help with, such as problems downloading or reading the book, just contact me.
