Get to Know Us

We started Camperpals.com as a way to document and share our journey of converting a humble van into a glorious campervan, as well as to tell tales of our adventures on the road. What began as a simple, slightly chaotic side project soon grew into something far greater than two people armed with duct tape and optimism could have imagined.

At first, we shared quick updates about our van build, sprinkled with the occasional “whoops” moment. But before long, those updates transformed into detailed guides and “how-to” articles that actually worked. Years down the line, we’re still here, elbows deep in wiring diagrams and packing lists, creating new content to support the vanlife community, a task we approach with a surprising amount of seriousness considering how often we lock ourselves out of the van.

Our Goal

Our mission is to publish thorough, fact-based guides and foolproof step-by-step instructions on everything you could possibly want to know about DIY campervan conversions.

From the early planning stages (a.k.a. figuring out which end of the drill goes where) to the hands-on work (and inevitable bruised thumbs), we’ve got something for everyone, regardless of where you are in your vanlife journey!

Our Experience

With backgrounds in mechanics, construction, electrical engineering, and creative problem-solving (read: “creative” ways to deal with duct tape shortages), we had a strong foundation for our first van conversion.

Over the years, we’ve gained a wealth of experience and a collection of “never again” stories. It’s safe to say we’re now well-equipped to help you tackle your own van conversion, hopefully with fewer mishaps.

Sunrise over a campervan parked on a scenic cliffside, ready for a day of exploration

1. Life Before Vanlife – The Ordinary Life

What was wrong with our “previous” life?

Well… nothing, really! We had it all: solid jobs with benefits, Jacob as an engineer and Amanda as a financial guru, a cosy apartment, and friends who shared our love of adventure. We didn’t splurge on unnecessary things (aside from the occasional splurge on sports gear), and we considered ourselves “rich”, rich in the sense that we could afford to do everything we enjoyed, provided we didn’t try to buy a yacht. But there was one undeniable truth: we loved to travel. Exploring the world and meeting fascinating people was what truly made us tick.

Initially, we dreamed of hopping on trains and interrailing across Europe, but the thought of leaving Sweden alone felt like a mammoth task. The more we debated our plans, the clearer it became that synchronising our wanderlust with unreliable train timetables in southern Europe wasn’t ideal. That’s when the lightbulb moment struck: why not build our own campervan?

2. Redefining Normality – Life Was Good, But Could It Be Better?

Comfortable? Sure. Adventurous?

Not so much. As we approached our 30s, we couldn’t shake the feeling that the years were beginning to blend into one another. Working full-time with just a handful of short, expensive holidays each year wasn’t exactly inspiring. So, we dared to ask the big question: Could we trade stability for a life filled with adventure while we were still young and nimble enough to climb into the van's top bunk without pulling a muscle?

A Change in the Air!

Around this time, some friends returned from a road trip in Poland, proudly showing off photos of their rooftop-tent setup. The seed was planted. Meanwhile, Amanda had been secretly nurturing a campervan dream for years, binge-watching YouTube videos of people living their best life in beautifully renovated vans. With a notebook full of ideas and a head full of hope, our first campervan project was officially born.

Lower Expenses, Higher Stakes

Living in a van meant lower expenses… and a significantly lower income. We quickly realised that every purchase needed military-level planning, not just financially but spatially too. Bulk-buying toilet paper just wasn’t going to cut it anymore when space in the van was at a premium.

To add to the chaos, there was little to no clear information about the costs of converting a van or living the vanlife. So, we took it upon ourselves to meticulously document every expense, every bolt, and every drop of sweat (okay, maybe not every drop).

Van Build Costs

We tracked every penny and every second of labour that went into our conversion. We even categorised everything. If this spreadsheet doesn’t help, we don’t know what will!

Vanlife Costs

Planning your own adventure? We’ve published our travel expenses from multiple years so you can use them as a guide. Just remember to tweak the figures to match your own lifestyle, especially if you’re prone to impulse stops for artisanal cheese.

From Side Hustle to Lifestyle

We hadn’t intended to become “true” vanlifers when we first set off. Our plan was to travel for about a year on savings and then settle down somewhere picturesque. Along the way, we had a wild idea: why not create a website to share our journey and stay occupied on rainy days? We didn’t expect Camperpals.com to blossom into a massive hub for van building tips and tricks.

Thanks to YOU, our readers, we’ve been able to keep going. Whether you’ve clicked our links, downloaded our charts, or simply shared the love, we owe our lifestyle to you. And for that, we can’t say thank you enough! 😊

3. Redefining the Dream – The Never-Ending Pursuit of Happiness

Life is all about finding balance. We went from a work-centric life to one full of travel and adventure. It was exhilarating to switch extremes, but we’ve learned that even too much of a good thing can eventually lose its spark.

A great story is one where the characters evolve, and we’re firm believers in writing new chapters. For us, this means new goals, new projects, and new dreams, not an upheaval of everything, just some small adjustments. The pandemic gave us a chance to press pause, and we realised that having a home to return to, especially in challenging times, wasn’t just practical, it was comforting.

These days, our ultimate dream is a life that balances the best of both worlds: six to eight weeks of travel a year, complemented by the joys of a comfortable home. It’s an ambitious plan, but if we managed to make #Vanlife a reality, who’s to say we can’t nail our new #LifeBalance dream too?

Stay tuned…