The Self-made Camping Bulli Idea
This had always been a dream for me. Actually ever since receiving my driver’s license the idea had existed of simply buying an old Volkswagen van, called Bulli in German, converting it into a camper and exploring Europe independently. But as often the case with dreams, they sometimes don’t quite materialize. In this case, after delaying the execution of the camper conversion from one year to the next, it was finally shelved altogether when I left for New York City, on what should have been a one year exchange program.
Ten years later and finally arriving back in Europe, the old Bulli dream surfaced again. Luckily this time the camper conversion seemed more possible than ever. Only buying a desired VW T3 van that was on the one hand reasonably priced and on the other in good enough condition to be fix it up, appeared completely impossible. So unfortunately the younger and technologically advanced T4 model became the logical choice, even if it didn’t offer quite the same nostalgic flair. What it did offer in turn was at least some personality as the best Volkswagen Transporter I could find was an old radio van from the military police…
The Original Volkswagen Army Van
Side View of the Original VW Army Van with Radio Operator Workstation
Rear View of the Working Table inside the Decommissioned T4 Army Van
Army Lamp and other Appliances of the Former Radio Workstation inside the Van
The 20-year-old, decommissioned radio operator van really came with a bunch of character. While the army took down the two long antennas from the roof and cleared out some equipment, the van still came with a complete working table plus lights, a radio operator seat, a wild-looking switch panel and a lot of cabling. Turning this specifically for radio use enabled T4 army van into a functioning VW camper seemed quite a stretch in the beginning, but an interesting challenge at the same time…
Preparations for the Campervan Conversion
The VW Transporter after the Removal of the Army Workstation
Fully cleared out Army Van before the Campervan Conversion
The former T4 Army Van stripped down to the Bare Metal Bones
Adding Batt Insulation to all Void Spaces of the Vehicle Body
Sealing the Walls of the Future Campervan with a Plastic Vapor Barrier
Finishing Walls and Ceiling of the Camper with one Layer Carpet
Before any thought could even be directed towards a possible camper fit-out, the original army van had to be cleared out and prepared. At first the radio operator workstation had to be dissembled and then all other appliances had to be removed, until nothing but the bare metal bones of the Volkswagen Bulli were left in place. In order to do the camper preparations properly, all hollow and void spaces had to be sprayed with a special silicone sealer, then loosely stuffed with batt insulation and finally sealed with a plastic vapor barrier. The walls and ceiling were then closed off and finished with a cozy layer of grey carpet…
Layout and Mock-up of the Basic Camper
Cardboard Box Mock-up of Bench, Cabinets and Bed Layout inside the Campervan
Putting down cardboard boxes and taping out dimensions really became the make it or break it reality check of the whole entire camper idea. Yes, there are campervans out there with complete kitchens and even bathrooms, but with very limited space, time and money, it became clear that we were only going for a very basic camper conversion. We reckoned that all we really needed was a bed for two, a bench with a table and some storage space. Eventually a solution was found and the real work could begin…
Interior Camper Van Fit-out and Furniture
Half Finished MDF Bench and Cabinets of the Homemade Campervan
Working on the Removable Table for the Self-made Army Camper
Cool Box and Cabinets under Construction for the Campervan
Finished Cabinets and Carpeted Floor of the Homemade Camper
Layout of the Camping Storage at the rear of the Volkswagen Van
Construction of the Bed Platform for the Homemade Campervan
Finishing the Bed Platform and adding the Removable Table to the Van
This was the fun part. Designing the furniture and finding solutions for the very limited space inside the van really was the most interesting part of the whole campervan conversion. Of course everything took a lot longer than expected and of course not all ideas worked out the way they should have, but seeing things like the bench slowly grow, or testing different means of attachment for a removable table, really were the challenges that made this such a fun project.
Once the open cabinets were installed, the floor was carpeted and the cool box fully functional, it was not only possible to see how the finished product would probably look like, but we could also start using the campervan for little test drives. Organizing the back storage and installing the bed platform were then the easy parts and even the removable table could be finished off and painted as the final act.
The finished Homemade Campervan
Side View of the Finished Campervan with Shoe Shelf and Bench
Rear View of the Cabinets and Bed Platform with Storage inside the Campervan
Removable Table and Salvaged Army Lamp of the Finished Campervan
It was almost hard to believe, but after all the time we invested and after all the challenges we needed to overcome, we actually managed to convert this highly technical military radio van into a really cozy camping home. And best of all, we were not only able to meet our goal of building a bed, a bench with table and some storage, but we also managed to integrate a shoe shelf and some open cabinets. The fact that we could re-use some of the original appliances and install the salvaged army lamp for our dining table, simply added to the character and helped to make this quite a unique and yet unusual camping Bulli…
The Camping Bulli Ready to hit the Road
The T4 Army Van fully Converted into a Basic Camper and ready to Explore Europe
After two months of intense work, the campervan was finally ready to hit the road. How well our homemade conversion would work in actual use was left to see, but coming to terms with an old dream and the prospect of being able to explore Europe independently, already made all the efforts seem worthwhile. Plus every time we opened the sliding door, we were surprised ourselves how much work we got done between the original army van and the finished cozy camper…
Have you ever used a campervan? Have you ever attempted to build your own camper?
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Find more Campervan Information here:
Ultimate Packing List for Campervan Road Trips
Equipment for the Van
All necessary cooking Gear
Items we added on the Road
Things to bring for the next Trip
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21 great Reasons to Use an Army Van as Camper
General Advantages,
Specific Advantages and
Surprising Advantages of
Using an Army Van as Camper
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How to Prepare a Campervan for Winter Storage
Step by Step Guide
Preparing and Winterizing
Putting the Van in Winter Storage
How to treat the Campervan Registration
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Wow, what a conversion in such a short period. So much work in such a short time. Drive safe.
SJ @ Chasing the Donkey recently posted…The low down on the Game of Thrones locations in Croatia
Thanks a lot SJ! The camper conversion really had to happen quite quickly, although in reality it took a look longer than we initially thought it would. But we didn’t mind spending the extra time to actually have a somewhat nice looking campervan…
Hi Dennis,
Wow, that’s very impressive! Congratulations for going for your dream and for the job well done. It looks so professionally done and, yes, so cozy! I’m sure traveling will be even more rewarding for you now that you get to tour with this labor of love and dream. Enjoy and happy camping!
Marisol@TravelingSolemates recently posted…Florence At Leisure
Thank you very much Marisol! I am actually really glad that the campervan turned out all right and looked quite cozy. You definitely develop a certain appreciation and treat everything with great care when you actually built them yourself. That was the same here and after all the weeks of hard work, being able to jump in and start using it was really great fun and worth all the efforts…
Wow, I am so impressed, you are very talented and what a fantastic job with the layout and finished product. I hope I get to see this somewhere along the streets of Athens for Tbex?
noel recently posted…A night walking tour in Vienna – Travel Photo Mondays
Thanks a lot Noel, it’s good to hear that you liked our finished campervan! Great thinking with the TBEX visit, it was actually my intent to drive all the way down to Athens with the van and I made it to Croatia already, but I just decided against it. On the one hand I am driving on my own right now and the trip is only worth it if you can share the gas cost and on the other hand the weather is starting to turn. Driving back to Germany in November and having to cross the Alps when there is snow might not be the best of all ideas. Plus it will be way too cold to sleep in the van at that point. So unfortunately I will be flying down to Athens…
This is spectacular! I only wish I could be so handy. I have researched a lot of blogs when planning to purchase our larger vehicle a couple years ago. We plan to go car camping a lot, and we were certain we were going to get a Honda Element and fit it out with a bed in back. We instead have got a Ford Flex. It’s a great spacious vehicle, but we still need to convert it for sleeping. We have had far too many cruising opportunities arise to need it for car camping just yet. It’ll be great to see your adventures here as you get around in this bad boy!
JR
Thanks a lot John! It’s great to hear that you are also considering to convert your car into a basic camper. The Ford Flex looks quite spacious as well and I am sure that it will make a great vehicle for sleeping, too. It’s true that it takes some time to actually do the conversion and when the weather is good the temptation is there to rather drive around, but once you are finished and you actually sleep wherever you want with own homemade camper, that really is worth all the efforts…
Wow! As someone who is into both DIY and travel, I love this post. You got a great vehicle there, I love it both before and after. So retro before and so functional after! You did a great job there.
Deia @ Nomad Wallet recently posted…Confessions of a Former Au Pair: An Interview with Yara Coelho
Thank you very much for your kind words, Deia! You are right that the van used to be very retro and technical before, but converting it into a functioning campervan was luckily quite possible without entirely destroying it’s original charms. By the way, great to hear that you are also into DIY and travel, they really make a perfect couple…
That is just amazing how you did all that by yourself! Simply superb! I wish had such skills! I can’t wait to read more about your journey with your new campervan!
Rosemarie recently posted…Xi’an – An Ancient City Beckons
Thank you Rosemarie for calling my little campervan project superb! It really was a lot of work, but the end result was well worth all the hours spent. And don’t you worry, you will certainly be able to read very soon about our camping tour through Europe…
This is definitely a handy person’s post. Me – I would pass this over to my husband and then enjoy the final product.
Being able to explore Europe independently is so worth the effort. Enjoy.
jan recently posted…Assos and Iskele a Turkish Greek City and Port
I totally hear you Jan and in fact I know someone who also rather enjoyed the end product than the handy work 😉 But you are right, being able to explore Europe on once own terms and on a personal budget, was definitely well worth all the hours spent. And once you actually drive in your own homemade campervan, all the frustrating hours just seem to be a very distant memory…
Happy driving, more travel tales. Please bring the van to India and to my place!
Dear Srinivas, driving with the van to India would actually be my greatest dream come true.But unfortunately I am not sure if that is so easily possible any more as it used to be in the 60s and 70s… But either way, more travel tales from the campervan will be coming soon…
So cool
Muza-chan recently posted…A bit of Machiya history
Thank you very much Lili, I am very glad that you enjoyed reading about my little homemade campervan project…
So impressive, you’ve got such amazing skills! The one thing i would suggest, is you repaint the van to remove any military vestiges
Otherwise enjoy and happy camping ….
Rachel@safari254 recently posted…Hiking Up Mt Kenya – Part 1
Thank you very much Rachel! I actually got used to the military van scheme and it certainly makes for quite a unique camper with a certain character. And believe it or not, it’s simply perfect for camping out in nature since the campervan simply blends in with its surroundings… 😉
Hat off to you Dennis, the work you’ve done to that campervan is amazing and I have to admit that I’m truly jealous about it. Do a road-trip with a campervan is always been high on my list, I’ve always dreamed of buying an old fashion VW campervan and just hit the road. The one you converted though it’s definitely more solid and reliable.
Franca recently posted…Why We Carry Coffee Whilst We Travel (+ Win An Aeropress!)
Thanks a lot for the hat off, Franka! No need to be jealous, building your own campervan is actually quite possible and this one is pretty basic. But even without a full kitchen or a toilet, it’s perfect for a road trip. I really wanted to buy an old-fashioned VW as well, but this one was a better deal and doing a homemade conversion only add to the character of the van…
So awesome. And nice job. I’ve been really wanting to get a camper van. This inspires me to get on it! Thanks.
Kristen Bor (Bearfoot Theory) recently posted…Over the Edge: Canyoneering with Zion Mountain School
Definitely get on Kristen! Cruising around in a campervan, especially when you built it yourself, is simply a whole new dimension of travel and I would totally recommend it…
Very ambitious project you are undertaking … I hope the finished product is as awesome as you envisioned it being!
James recently posted…Must See Cities: Destinations in Canada!
You are right James, the whole campervan conversion turned out to be quite an ambitious undertaking, but at least the finished product turned out great. In practice there are obviously always things you could improve and so for the next trip the van is probably going to be even more awesome…
Ohmygosh, this is EXACTLY what I am looking to do! Tho’ in an ideal world I’d like a kitchen, too…. do you think you would have space for that also? When I do it, it will just be me and a dog travelling, we don’t need a ton of space.
Sammi Wanderlustin’ recently posted…Velvet Divorce & Bratislava
I thought that you might like this campervan idea Sammi, especially because you have this great photo of a wonderful old VW T1 on your website. I actually thought that would be your van, but unfortunately these old treasures are absolutely unaffordable these days… But you are right, a kitchen would have been nice. The problem with that is that if you are adding gas to the van, you need a license and if you have a cooking place you need to be able to fully stand up, meaning you need to cut the roof and add one of those folding ones. That was all way too much trouble and so we simply brought a portable stove with us. It worked like a charm and we could even cook outside the camper at any pick-nick bench with a nice view…
I dream… It is my plan to explore the world via camper van, and I’m hoping to start next March/ April time. Tho’ right now I’m focussing on actually attaining a driver’s licence to do so with. I didn’t realise you’d need a licence for that and the amount of changes, to be honest I’d probably be able to stand up straight anyway- I’m incredibly short! Why didn’t I think of the portable stove idea?! Actually any more info about converting a van you’ve got would be much appreciated
Sammi Wanderlustin’ recently posted…Oh I do like to be beside the Seaside…
Sammi, I should be doing other posts about the campervan conversion shortly, so don’t you worry! When I was talking about the license issue for the van I was referring to Germany only. The law might be different in other countries, but either way, independent from your own personal height, you might still have to live up to the set rules I guess… 😉
Wow! This is TOO cool. Congrats on achieving your dream Dennis. I’m looking forward to seeing how you like traveling in it. It does look like you’ve managed to put in a lot of storage space while getting everything you want. Really awesome.
Adelina // Pack Me To recently posted…A Cheesy Time at the Tillamook Cheese Factory
Thanks Adelina, it’s really great that you like my little campervan! You are right, it really looked as if there was a lot of storage, but for some strange reason we managed to fill it up completely. But travelling in a camper, especially when you built it yourself is definitely a great experience…
Hi it’s Christa, host of the Sunday Traveler, I just wanted to pop in and say thanks for joining in on the fun! Look at you making dreams a reality! I would so travel in that, it would be the best experience EVER! And so affordable you’d have everything with you that you’d need. Can’t wait to see where your first journey takes you.
Christa recently posted…A Killer Guide to Universal Studios Diagon Alley
You are right Christa, travelling in a homemade camper really is an amazing experience. It was definitely a fun project to put the van together, but being able to hit the road on your own terms is simply the best best way to travel. And updates from the campervan road trip will surely follow…
I just read that you gave up your career in architorture and that totally made my day! You’re hilarious, Dennis!
Lily Lau recently posted…World record sales of our childhood | The best selling video game franchises
Thank you very much Lily! It’s great to see that you found my campervan conversion post and it’s even better to hear that I could bring a smile into your day…
Job well done, man!
I think it’s even fun building it.
Eventually… just an idea… you might want to extend it (make it slightly taller) and create a sleeping compartment up there.
I know, it’ll slow you down and it’ll consume more fuel…
Thanks a lot! It actually was really fun to build the campervan, even if the rainy spring in Germany slowed us down quite bit. But once we saw things coming together, the excitement of having our own camper kept us going until everything was ready to hit the road…
Adding a pop-up roof to the van would definitely be an option, but it costs money, is a lot of work to install and it limits you in terms of height. In France and Italy for example most public parking lots had an entrance gate with a top bar set at 1.90 meters which we were just able to make. Even with the pop-up roof down that would not have been possible…
I’m assuming that you must be using the table as part of making up the bed as you look too tall to sleep sideways
Could you add a couple of photos of how you made up the bed please.
You are definitely right Sheila, I would be much to tall to sleep sideways in the campervan. And you are also correct about the table, I built it in such a way that it covers the distance between the seating area in the back and the bench. I should find some photos of how it actually works and make another post about the actual use of the homemade camper, that is a great idea…