This Micro Camper Van Is a Warm, Inviting Tiny Home on Wheels With a Meticulous Design

In the United States, the Ford Transit Connect is one of the most popular vans that's transformed into micro campers. Van dwellers choose it as a base vehicle because it's affordable, compact yet offers a decent amount of space, and has good fuel economy.

If you're not a fan of the Transit Connect, other good options are the Ram ProMaster City and the Nissan NV 200. Moreover, there are other reliable vans suitable for camper conversions.

The rig I'm discussing today is also based on a 2022 Ford Transit Connect. It was converted by Briarwood Vans, a company based in Madison, Wisconsin, that specializes in creating fully custom camper vans. In fact, these tiny homes on wheels are so in demand that Briarwood Vans is fully booked for this year.

Josh Oakes owns Briarwood Vans and converts the rigs by himself. I've covered two of his projects here on autoevolution and was impressed with his craftsmanship.

As usual, I'll start the tour with the exterior. Unlike other rigs, this vehicle reveals its "camper DNA" as soon as you lay eyes on it. What gives away its identity are the roof features. Specifically, Josh fitted a large Thule awning on the passenger side and kayak mounts, both mounted to the crossbars. Another notable detail is a Maxxair vent fan.

The Transit Connect comes with two sliding doors. In this unit, the one on the driver's side serves as an entrance, while the other leads to the back panel of the couch.

Step inside, and a finely designed living space will surround you. This van's custom opted for white cabinetry and walls complemented by various wooden accents for the benchtops, countertops, and slatted ceiling, as well as striking brown leather upholstery and brown leather straps for the cabinets.

You'll notice an open layout, meaning the driver's cabin isn't separated from the living space. Instead, for more privacy, Josh installed a large curtain that blocks off light from the driver's cabin. Above it, you'll find a sizeable headliner shelf.

Every single inch is important, especially in a van this small. So, Josh installed a wood panel on the passenger seat to create more storage surface. The rest of the driver's cabin is original.

The L-shaped couch starts behind the driver's seat and ends at the rear of the living space, on the passenger side. The bench behind the driver's seat holds a portable toilet. The rest of the couch's benches have storage spaces inside, and one of them also holds an inverter.

There's enough space for about three or four people to sit on the couch. When you're ready to go to sleep or want to lounge, all you have to do is pull out a wooden extension and rearrange the cushions, and you'll be good to go. Furthermore, the couch's backrest integrates a small cubby and a long countertop that can double as a nightstand.

The kitchen occupies the driver's side of the living space and is well equipped, considering its size. It features a tiny yet deep stainless steel sink with a large faucet and a cutting board, an overhead cabinet, a slide-out Iceco refrigerator, and two drawers, one of which can double as a table. There is also enough counter space to prepare meals.

Josh added a dimmable light switch, two outlets, two USB plugs, and an on/off switch for the inverter to the side of the kitchen counter near the entrance.

The plumbing system inside this rig is quite straightforward. It's housed in the cabinet underneath the sink and consists of a water pump and a 5-gallon (19-liter) freshwater tank. There's no greywater tank – the water drains underneath the vehicle through a discharge hose. Moreover, the faucet's end can be pulled out and attached to the vehicle's body to serve as an outdoor shower.

Slide the passenger-side door open, and you'll discover the rig's electrical system mounted to one of the couch's back panels. Its highlights are a DC-DC charger that charges the system while you're driving, a Bluetooth monitor that allows you to see power info from an app, and a main shut-off switch.

They're connected to a 200 Ah lithium battery stored below the floor. What's more, the DC-DC charger can also serve as a solar charge controller if the customer adds a solar panel on the roof, which is a must if they plan to go off-grid.

There's also a small diesel tank connected to a heater located underneath the floor. While there's no A/C (except the vehicle's original one), you'll be able to cool off by opening the doors and using the Maxxair vent fan.

All in all, Josh did a great job with this tiny home on wheels. It's livable and cozy and boasts a stylish living space. We don't know the exact price of this rig. Prices can significantly differ from project to project, as they're all custom. However, Briarwood Vans' conversions start at $25,000 (€23,298) for a Ford Transit Connect or a similar-sized van.