Thinking of an Adventure Van Build? Here's What I Learned the Hard Way

 If you're dreaming about building an adventure van and taking life on the road, you're not alone — I was in the same place a year ago. I wanted a rig that could handle backcountry dirt roads, haul my bikes, keep me warm at night, and still have space to cook a real meal. Here's what I’ve learned from actually doing it — and a few tips I wish I knew from the start.

1. Start With How You Travel

Before buying gear or gutting a van, ask yourself: What does adventure mean to me? Off-roading in the Rockies? Remote surf trips? Park-hopping with your dog? Your travel style should shape everything — layout, gear storage, battery size, water tanks, etc.

2. Overbuild Your Power, Always

Adventure means unpredictability. Weather changes, remote locations, no shore power — and that’s the point. That’s why I now swear by a solid electrical system. Solar + lithium + a reliable inverter is the holy trinity. I came across Skyliner Gear late in my build, and their Power Kit Cabinet would've saved me a ton of custom work.

3. Water Tanks Don’t Have to Be Ugly

This one’s for the DIYers: trying to fit bulky, square tanks in a curvy van is a pain. Wheel well water tanks changed the game. They free up space and give you more flexibility when designing your galley or storage setup. Definitely check out pre-made options — it beats building everything from scratch.

4. Function > Fancy

Don’t get lost in vanlife Instagram aesthetics. If it looks good but doesn’t survive a dirt road or rainy weekend, it’s not worth it. Real adventure van builds are about durable, smart, modular design. Trust me, the little things (like easy-access storage and counter space) will matter more than LED strip lights or shiplap walls.

5. Build for You, Not Just Resale

There’s a trend of building for Instagram or eventual resale. Don’t. Build for the adventures you want to take. My best choices were personal: a bigger fridge (I cook a lot), more battery power, and fewer “built-in” things that couldn’t adapt over time.

If you're starting your own build, take your time, research what others are doing (Reddit and Quora were goldmines for me), and don’t be afraid to use ready-made components when they save time and stress. Skyliner Gear is one of the few brands that really caters to serious vanlifers and DIY builders alike.

Curious to hear what others are doing — what was your biggest win or regret in your build?