The Most Innovative Camper Van You'll Ever See! (van tour)

Summary

Shane from Land Ship Customs and client Wendy tour Wabi-Sabi, a custom van designed to reflect Wendy’s personality. Its name refers to appreciating nature and imperfection—a theme echoed in the van’s natural materials and a small design fix that became part of the kitchen’s look.

Interior and everyday features

The build uses natural, tactile materials, including a cork floor with a durable Traffic HD coating, patinated copper accents, walnut, and a countertop made from pressed-paper PaperStone.

The large kitchen includes a refrigerator, a Furrion microwave/air-fryer combo, ample storage, a plant box, and a window for light and airflow. A cutting board lifts to reveal the sink, which has a folding faucet and reverse-osmosis-filtered drinking water. A pull-out double trash and recycling bin makes room for waste sorting.

The induction cooktop stores in a pantry and plugs into a counter outlet when needed, freeing up work space when it is put away. It can also be used outside. CNC-made Delrin guides let the partition doors slide without conventional hardware.

Hidden shower and water systems

The centerpiece is a closet that slides out to reveal a shower. It has a natural-stone-veneer wall, a sealed door, adjustable shower hardware, and a pull-out toilet.

The shower cabinet is made from hydrophobic foamed PVC, sealed with gaskets, and ventilated with a fan to help prevent moisture buildup. A recirculating shower filters water through micron filters and an ultraviolet lamp before returning it to the showerhead. Shane says a 40-minute shower used about 2.5 gallons of tank water.

The van carries 35 gallons of fresh water and has a Rixen hydronic system for hot water, cabin heating, and heated flooring. An outdoor shower can provide hot or cold water.

Lounge, sleeping, and comfort

A curved walnut wave forms the visual centerpiece of the U-shaped lounge. Its complex structure was designed in CAD and built from assembled frames, leather, and veneer.

The lounge has adjustable copper sconces, dimmers, insulated blackout curtains, and bedside niches with power outlets and USB charging. The seating can accommodate up to seven people, according to the tour. Raised benches create extra storage beneath the seats and cushions.

To make the bed, the table lowers and cushions fill the gap; rolled bedding unfolds into place. The conversion takes about two minutes, and the bedding packs away into a compact roll. A 3-by-3-foot roof hatch with tempered glass brings in natural light and can be walked through.

Power, exterior, and travel-ready storage

The van has 10 kWh of lithium batteries and about 1,500 watts of solar capacity, including a retractable solar canopy. The builder says the system can support running the air conditioner off-grid. Other systems include Starlink, Cruisen Comfort air conditioning, and a low-profile roof fan.

The Solar Sail Slim solar canopy tracks the sun, has a wind sensor that closes it above 40 km/h, and is designed to close if the van is driven while it is open. Its closed surface can be walked on.

Exterior features include Reika super-single wheels, a spare-tire mount, a rear storage box, and a large garage bay for gear and wet outdoor equipment.

Notable speakers, products, and names

• Speakers: Shane (Land Ship Customs), Wendy (the client), and Nate Murphy, who briefly promotes his online van-conversion training.
• Build and products mentioned: Wabi-Sabi; Land Ship Customs; PaperStone; Traffic HD; Furrion microwave/air-fryer combo; Delrin guides; Rixen hydronic heating; Cruisen Comfort air conditioning; Solar Sail Slim; Starlink Mini; Reika super-single wheels; Sandy Vans accessories.