1997 Dodge Van Was Turned Into a Cozy, Modern Tiny Home With an Ingeniously Hidden Closet

Meet Tracy and her full-time tiny home on wheels based on a 1997 Dodge Ram 3500 Maxiwagon. Dodge was the first American manufacturer to popularize extended-length passenger vans, starting with the 1971 Maxiwagon, which offered seating for a whopping 15 passengers.

The extra real estate makes the Maxiwagon an excellent option for camper van conversions. This 1997 Maxiwagon boasts a wheelbase of 127.6 inches (324 centimeters) and a total length of 231.2 inches (587 centimeters). Moreover, it sports a 5.2-liter V8 engine outputting 225 hp and 295 lb-ft. (386 Nm) of torque, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.

Before we go into detail regarding this rig, let me tell you more about the financial side of the build. Tracy didn't share how much she paid for the base vehicle – similar vehicles go for anywhere between $3,000 and $7,000 (€2,760 and €6,441), depending on the features and mileage.

So, I'm sure that Tracy didn't pay much for the van, but she invested a lot more in the conversion. She shared that the total cost of this project was $40,000 (€36,807).

Now, let's continue with the tour, starting with the exterior. One of the most significant upgrades of this van is a high roof, which is an aftermarket component. This allows Tracy to stand up inside, something any van dweller wants for their tiny home on wheels.

There's not a lot else to talk about when it comes to the exterior. Like most campers, the van is equipped with a shore power connection and a water connection, and you'll also find a spare tire at the rear. Moreover, Tracy installed 600 W solar panels on the roof.

Step inside, and a cleverly designed living space will greet you. Tracy opted for many colors: blue cabinetry paired with yellow upholstery, as well as black touches, such as the fridge or microwave, and gold fixtures. What's more, you'll notice an open layout, meaning the driver's cabin isn't separated from the rest of the interior. Instead, Tracy uses a large curtain for privacy.

The space does feel a bit cramped due to the many creature comforts inside, but maybe I'm just used to seeing wider interiors from bigger vans, like the ones I mentioned at the beginning of the article. For instance, a Sprinter van has a width of 95.5 inches (242.6 centimeters), while this van has a width of 79.8 inches (202.7 centimeters).

Dead ahead of the entrance, you'll discover this van's bathroom. Like your standard camper van bathroom, it comes with a curtain and a shower. However, Tracy came up with an ingenious solution to maximize storage space.

I've seen many van dwellers do this – they use the bathroom to store their belongings. However, the solutions I've seen involve removing all the stuff you have inside the bathroom whenever you want to use it. Tracy devised a much better system – she attached a large hanging closet on hinges to the door frame, and she can pull out the closet entirely out of the bathroom.

Regarding design, Tracy covered the wall with white tiles with golden touches. Furthermore, she installed a gold shower with a rainfall head.

With the closet occupying most of the bathroom, there was no room left to add a toilet inside. Instead, Tracy stores it inside a massive headliner shelf in the driver's cabin. Although she didn't show it in the van's presentation video, I assume she uses a basic portable toilet.

Next, we have the kitchen on the passenger side of the interior. It features a deep sink, a white countertop, an oven/three-burner stove combo, a wall-mounted spice rack, a flip-up countertop extension, a sizeable fridge/freezer, and an overhead microwave. Moreover, there are plenty of storage spots in the kitchen. Tracy installed a pull-out pantry, four overhead cabinets, and drawers.

Opposite the kitchen, you'll discover a seating area. It consists of a bench (barely) large enough to seat two people, as well as a huge drawer underneath. Tracy uses a foldable table to eat or work while sitting here. What's more, on the side, you'll find the rig's control panel comprised of remotes for a ceiling A/C in the bedroom and a Maxxair ceiling fan at the front, as well as controls for the utility systems.

Another notable feature in this area is a ceiling-mounted TV, which can be adjusted because it's attached to a swivel mount. She can watch it either from the bench or while relaxing in bed.

The final part of this van's living space is the bedroom at the rear. It's incredible how much storage Tracy has here. The bedroom boasts two overhead cabinets angled to ensure you don't hit your head while lying down, a large open-door cabinet on the other side, trays, and a rear cabinet.

Tracy positioned the bed higher up, like many other van builders, to make room for a garage underneath. The garage can only be accessed by opening the rear door. It holds a massive drawer, a 46-gallon (174-liter) freshwater tank, a water heater, and the rig's power system. The latter's highlights are a 3,000 W inverter/charger, 600 Ah batteries, a DC-DC charger, and a charge controller connected to the 600 W solar panels on the roof.

All in all, Tracy did a fantastic job with her tiny home on wheels. It's cozy, aesthetically pleasing, and packs many premium features. Considering the amount of creature comforts inside, I'd say the $40K investment was worth it. However, what's important is that it was definitely worth it for her – you can tell just by how she talks about her creation that she sees it as a source of happiness and healing.