We View Options Differently Than Most
Our goal is for the van to feel complete right out of the gate—for most folks, no extra options needed. This lets us keep the base cost down and avoid tacking on things that not everyone needs (or wants). It’s a different approach than what you’ll see from a lot of builders, but it’s part of how we stay focused on value, simplicity, and doing things with intention.
If you do want to add on a few extras, we’ve got a few thoughtful upgrades—but we’re not building a menu of upsells. We’re building a van that’s dialed from the start.
Espar Gasoline Heater – $2,400
This is our go-to heating option, and for good reason: the Espar gasoline heater is currently the best-in-class, especially for those who spend time at higher altitudes. Unlike other common brands that start having issues above 5,000 feet, the Espar automatically adjusts for elevation—so it just works.
If you’re in colder areas, this is a fantastic upgrade. It pulls fuel straight from your gas tank, so you don’t need to carry or fill a second diesel tank. And the fuel usage is minimal—even on full blast, it burns only about 0.07 gallons per hour. That’s basically free heat.
I’d love to recommend an electric heating option, but the battery and charging capacity required to heat air electrically is massive. It’s just not practical for most van setups. That said, the EcoFlow Wave 2 AC unit we use is also a heat pump. We haven’t done full real-world testing yet, but in theory, it should work well for folks in sunny areas where temps dip into the 50s at night. Great for occasional use or milder climates.
But if you need consistent, reliable heat? The Espar’s your best bet. You can pretty much run it as long as you want without worry.
Wave 2 AC and Heat Pump - $950
We’ve standardized on the EcoFlow Wave 2 because, in our experience so far, it’s the best portable air conditioner and heater available for van life. It’s efficient, compact, and designed with real-world off-grid use in mind.
The Wave 2 provides 5,100 BTUs of cooling and 6,200 BTUs of heating—more than enough for the compact, well-insulated space of the Medium Van.
What sets it apart from traditional RV or roof-mounted AC units is its energy efficiency. EcoFlow designed this unit to run on its own portable battery pack (which we don’t use), so efficiency is baked into the design—they had to make it sip power, not chug it. That makes it a perfect fit for solar-powered campervans like ours.
To make the Wave 2 work seamlessly inside a van, we’ve also developed a custom in-house venting system. It ensures proper airflow and safely exhausts heat—something essential for this type of setup and often overlooked.
We’re excited about where this space is headed and hopeful that we’ll see even more innovation in van-friendly climate control systems soon. But for now, the Wave 2 checks all the boxes.
Windows—To Have Them or Not?
Having built hundreds of vans, I can tell you this: people definitely have strong opinions about windows. Some folks love the extra light and views. Others prefer the added privacy, insulation, and stealth of solid panels. Personally? I haven’t fully made up my mind yet—but if I had to guess, I’ll probably end up happiest with a slider door window and no rear windows.
Why no rear windows? With a live camera rearview mirror, you actually get better visibility than a traditional mirror or rear glass—especially when you’ve got a build partially blocking the view anyway.
Here are the window options we offer:
Slider Door Window – $650
We use the AM Auto PB07-R1S-HS P window, which opens and includes a screen—great airflow, super functional.Rear Door Windows – $500 each / $950 for both
These are also from AM Auto (PB07-LB-HSS-2), and both open and include screens.
Already have factory rear windows? No problem—there’s no extra charge. Instead of our standard cubbies on the back doors, you'll have windows with curtains included.