Featured Van: Marie & Jeremy’s Nissan Vanette Campervan Conversion
Marie & Jeremy’s Nissan Vanette campervan conversion was a lesson in efficient use of space and materials. Marie and Jeremy are avid rock climbers and needed enough space to fit bulky climbing gear, while also having enough room to comfortably sleep after a long day on the rock. We were able to think creatively about how to use space in this campervan conversion and provide them with a hard-wearing, but comfortable fit-out that’s perfect for their lifestyle.
How we achieved Marie and Jeremy’s campervan conversion needs
The Nissan Vanette needed to be a comfortable home on wheels for their adventures. The tiny space meant we needed to be mindful of the layout design, using each centimetre efficiently and working to make the interior feel spacious - not easy to do in a tiny van! Additionally, they needed hard-wearing and long-lasting materials, as rock climbing gear is heavy and would easily dent or ruin more traditional fit-outs. Thinking outside of the box, we came up with some purpose-fit solutions.
a few Features of this Nissan Vanette Campervan Conversion:
Custom Layout Design
The Nissan Vanette is the smallest campervan we’ve ever converted, so we needed to make use of all the available space. Up front, we included a cupboard unit with some drawers, space for a toilet, and top storage cubbies for easy grab-and-go access. We also designed and created our smallest-sized water system for this campervan, which included 27L of fresh and waste water tanks and a sink and hand pump tap, all tucked away in it’s own cupboard.
To the rear of the Nissan Vanette, we created a convertible seating area that houses the electrical system and storage space. We were also able to create a walk-through style that creates easy access from the back and front, alongside a rear garage storage unit. We also installed cubbies in every space we could for maximised storage.
Pull-out Cooker and Storage Unit
It was important to Marie & Jeremy to be able to easily cook out the back of their Nissan Vanette. For this, we created a pullout cooker unit that included a twin burner gas cooker, space for a 2kg gas bottle, and storage cooking accessories. This cooking unit is mounted on lockable runners so the cooker and gas bottle won’t slide around while they’re driving.
Trans-Tex Material
Hard-wearing materials were crucial for Marie and Jeremy’s Nissan Vanette campervan conversion. They wanted to be able to throw gear into the van and without worrying about damaging the fit out. We settled on Plytech’s Trans-Tex product, a first for us. This super-durable and hard-wearing material is commonly used as truck bed liner, so can easily withstand climbing gear, plus it has a pretty unique look.
Secondary Power System
We also included a secondary electrical system and 150W of solar power in this Nissan Vanette campervan conversion. Allowing for some off-grid time, or extra juice when they need to charge their things, the addition of solar helps to keep the system topped off during the summer months.
The tight space in the Nissan Vanette provided a fun challenge for our tiniest-ever campervan conversion. Re-configuring and problem-solving allowed us to achieve a tailor-made fit, perfect for Marie and Jeremy. Their little home on wheels allows them to stay comfortable while touring around New Zealand, searching for rock climbing spots.
If you’re interested in a custom campervan conversion, head over to our campervan conversions page to learn more.
Full spec list:
1x 120Ah AGM secondary battery system
BEP VSR split charger
1x 150W rooftop mounted solar panel + 20A regulator
27L fresh water tank
27L grey water tank
Hand pump and undermount sink
Internal tank fill and external outlet points
Independently controlled dimmable internal downlights and strip lights in three zones
Two burner cooker in a custom pull-out unit
Gas storage for 1x 2KG LPG gas bottle
Storage for a cassette toilet
Dometic CD30 30L drawer fridge
Convertible bed and living area with table mount
Custom upholstery for bed squabs
Custom cabinet design to maximise the small space
Plytech Trans-Tex material used for all floor, cabinet, and benchtops
RV labs latching handles on cupboards and drawers
Certified Self Contained
Images by Julie Gursha
