Featured Van: James and Amanda’s XLWB VW Crafter
James and Amanda are no strangers to van life. Having moved across the Tasman from Australia, they brought their passion for adventure and working remotely with them, ready to tackle the stunning landscapes of New Zealand. They knew exactly what they needed: a high-spec, rugged, and thoughtfully designed campervan that could handle the demands of full-time living or weekend warriors.
Their biggest design request was for their conversion to celebrate and accommodate their greatest passion—surfing. The result? A Volkswagen Crafter that blends form, function, and incredible power to create their dream New Zealand home, on wheels, of course.
Check out how we made it happen.
A few of our favourite things about this XLWB VW Crafter Conversion:
A van built for the surf
This conversion was anchored in a single, non-negotiable requirement: it had to be functional for a couple that surfs constantly. James and Amanada are huge surf enthusiasts with expensive gear, which meant board and wetsuit storage couldn’t be an afterthought—it had to be central to the design.
The build cleverly accommodates at least eight surfboards of varying sizes, ensuring they’re stored safely and internally, protecting them from the elements and potential theft. The real game-changer here is the internal, dedicated wetsuit drying room. We integrated the ducted diesel heater system to funnel warm, dry air into this space, allowing them to hang and dry their wetsuits quickly and effectively, no matter the weather outside. To complete the post-surf ritual, the van features an external Bushwakka outdoor shower, saving valuable internal space while providing the perfect spot to wash off sand, salt, and gear.
REDARC systems for full-time living
To facilitate their remote work and full-time living goals, James and Amanda needed a system that could handle running high-draw appliances without compromise—the electrical setup had to be an absolute powerhouse.
We installed a massive REDARC power system to handle the load. This setup is built around a 3000W inverter, powered by 620W of solar on the roof, and backed up by a 600W alternator charging system, ensuring they charge their batteries while driving. For those times they do stay at a park, shore power is also installed.
The entire system is managed via the sophisticated REDARC Redvision screen, which provides monitoring and control of all systems, including real-time monitoring for multiple water tanks, so they can always be prepared. All this power allows them to run domestic-grade appliances, including induction cooking, a microwave, continuous hot water, and of course, the ever-essential diesel heater.
Style meets flexibility
James and Amanda wanted a space that felt modern, homely, and functional—a reflection of their refined taste. The interior brief centered on an earthy, natural, and calming colour scheme.
The foundation is built on beautiful walnut tones for the timber accents, complemented by taupe grey cabinetry. For a bold, durable touch in the rear storage area, we used lava tones for the garage lining. The walls are wrapped in luxurious boucle upholstery, chosen for its soft, modern, and textured feel. They personalised the space with a stunning sink and tapware combination they supplied, which, along with our black hardware upgrades, lends a modern, sophisticated look.
Functionally, the van is a masterclass in adaptability. It features multiple tables to accommodate different daily tasks, including a dedicated desk set up for remote computer work. For outdoor socialising and cooking, fold-down exterior kitchen tables make al-fresco dining a breeze. Inside, the interior swivel seats pair with a flexible Lagun table mount to effortlessly transform the cockpit into a spacious dining or living area.
This build is a perfect example of what can be achieved when premium systems meet bespoke design. James and Amanda’s Volkswagen Crafter is ready for any challenge New Zealand can throw at it, whether it's powering their workday from a remote beach or drying their wetsuits after a frigid winter session. It’s more than just a van; it’s a high-performance, beautiful mobile command center that lets them live their ultimate surf and work-from-anywhere dream.
Ready to create your own dream van?
Whether you’re chasing remote coastlines, house-sitting around the country, or simply want a space that feels like home wherever you park, we can help bring your vision to life. At Matt & Dan’s, every build is tailored to your lifestyle—from the aesthetic details to the systems that keep you going off-grid. Get in touch with us today to start planning your own custom camper, built for the way you want to live.
If you’re interested in a custom campervan conversion, head over to our campervan conversions page to learn more.
Full spec list:
INTERIOR
Maxxfan deluxe ceiling intake/exhaust fan x2
Dimmable LED ceiling and mood lighting
240V outlets
Scanstrut USB A&C outlets
Gallery style kitchen with permanent bed
Tall cupboard for wetsuit storage
Plytech Futura HPL laminate used for cabinet construction and benchtops
Boucle upholstered wall panelling with CNC routered ceiling
RV Labs latching handles on cupboards and drawers
Top storage cupboards
Wall + ceiling insulation
Garage surf board storage
Multiple rear locking runner drawers
Fold down side table for exterior cooking
SAFETY
Smoke detector
CO2 detector
Fire extinguisher
EXTERIOR
Fresh water connection
Custom roof rack built by Ori Works
Custom ladder built by Ori Works
Custom surf poles built by Ori Works
Custom shower mounting built by Ori Works
Thule 5200 Omnistar Awning
Bushwakka shower
Exterior lights
Bush Storage Cargo Crate
GALLEY & LIVING
Granite topmount sink with premium tapware
Shurflo 7.6L/PM water pump
Isotherm Cruise 200L fridge/freezer
100L Primary fresh water tank & 50L secondary fresh water tank
80L grey water tank
Lagun table mount + additional mount
Certified self-contained with green sticker regulations
Thetford cassette electric toilet on lockable drawer slides
Magnetic curtains, suction cab curtains and sheer pull across curtains
Twin induction hob
Heatport diesel heater
Gimbal fan
Starlink Gen 3
POWER SYSTEM
REDARC 3000W Power System
x4 REDARC 200ah batteries
Vehicle alternator charging
REDARC Redvision display with water tank monitoring for x3 tanks
Shore power plug-in
620W solar
