This Micro Camper Van Is the Perfect Weekend Rig, It Features a Clever, Uncommon Setup

Micro camper vans are quite popular nowadays for their versatility, affordability, and fuel efficiency. The three most common base vehicles for micro camper van conversions in the United States are the Nissan NV200, the Ram ProMaster City, and the Ford Transit Connect.

What we have here is a rig based on the 2024 Ford Transit Connect. Most Transit Connect campers I've written about were based on the cargo version of the vehicle. However, as this build proves, it's definitely worth converting the passenger version of the van.

Small Vans Big World, a Valparaiso, Indiana-based company specializing in building campers, carried out this conversion. Christina and Daniel are the owners of the company. I've recently covered one of the couple's projects here on autoevolution and was impressed by it, so I wanted to check out another of their builds.

As usual, I'll begin the tour with the exterior. This rig is suitable for stealth camping, as no clear elements give away its "camper identity." Most people would think this is a standard passenger van.

You'll notice windows all around the vehicle, which came as standard with the vehicle. Moreover, you'll find a roof rack and a Maxxair vent fan on the roof. Other notable exterior features are deflectors for all windows and a diesel fill port.

The Ford Transit Connect comes standard with two sliding doors that can be used as entrances, along with the two rear doors.

Starting from the front, the driver's cabin was pretty much left as it was. The only additions were a diesel heater underneath the passenger van and a control unit for it, as well as a sizeable headliner shelf. Behind the two front seats, things take a different turn compared to other micro camper vans.

You'll find an additional row of seats for the passengers. That means that the van can comfortably accommodate up to five people for seating but just two for sleeping, as you'll soon see.

I know, so far, this rig actually looks like a passenger van. But I assure you that it's a camper. Here's how to turn it into a mobile home. First, you have to drop down the second-row seats, which neatly fold down to take up as little space as possible.

You'll see a large wooden box behind the second-row seats. It has a frame extension that can be pulled up to the driver and passenger seats – this is where you'll place your mattress, which is made from two cushions. An additional permanent one is located on top of the wooden box. These three cushions create a comfortable and spacious bed.

The bedroom only comes with the essentials. It has two reading lights, one on each side, a vent fan, four ceiling puck lights, a USB port, and a gauge for the diesel heater.

On the side of the bed, Small Vans Big World added a Pecron portable power station with a 1,500 W capacity and a built-in inverter. What's more, it can be charged while driving via the vehicle's alternator.

The box integrated two massive drawers on heavy-duty slides that can only be pulled from the rear after you open the two rear doors. The drawer on the right serves as a storage spot, offering plenty of space to hold your belongings. Furthermore, two dividers allow you to organize your stuff better.

The other drawer houses the rig's kitchen. It boasts a tiny stainless steel sink with a fold-down faucet, a dual-burner portable stove, a small Iceco refrigerator box, and a 5-gallon (19-liter) freshwater tank. Moreover, each drawer has a fold-down table at the end, perfect for two people to enjoy a meal outside.

I like that this rig has many windows, which let plenty of light inside. However, many windows also mean less privacy and insulation. Luckily, there's an effective 2-in-1 solution for these issues: insulated window covers. Small Vans Big World created magnetic insulated window covers for every single window on this Transit Connect.

One thing that's lacking on this rig is a bathroom. Of course, nobody expected to have a fixed bathroom in a camper van this small, but a portable toilet would be nice to have. Small Vans Big World offer a toilet as an option, but this van's customers didn't want one.

All in all, this rig isn't suitable for full-time living, like other micro campers I've written about, but it's certainly a wonderful weekend rig. I like how you have both passenger-carrying and camping capabilities.

It's the perfect layout if you use the van as a daily driver yet still want to camp from time to time. There is also enough space to bring your family along on the adventure. And if you need to carry cargo, you still have plenty of room above the folded second-row seats (provided you leave your family at home).

How about pricing? Well, unfortunately, I can't give you a quote. Small Vans Big World didn't share a price for this unit - all of their builds are custom, so prices can significantly vary depending on what you want to have inside and outside your rig. You can find out more about the company's products and services on its website.