Simple solutions can make a great package.
Many camper transformations have been done over the years, from very expensive to more affordable. Although many of these conversions were made on other Ford cars, this is the first time that a large Ford van has been converted at such an affordable price. This video shows a camper conversion using a Ford Econoline van. It has a budget of $10,000.
Before we move on to the project, let’s first talk about Chase Christopher, its creator. Chase Christopher manages the Highway to Ridge website, where he explains the modifications that he makes to his camper vehicles with Jared Carlisle. He uploads camper tip videos on his YouTube Channel. This was his natural progression from a high-riding Toyota Tacoma to sleeping in the Subaru Outback. It also helped him create the Road To Ridge.
It’s now time to start a new project. The 2009 Econoline E150 passenger van was equipped with a V8 engine of 4.6-liters. It has 160,000 miles on its odometer. It is not the fastest vehicle on road, but it certainly makes up for its longevity. The rear wheels are the ones that get power, so it is not ideal for winter camping. However, it did come with studded tires.
After removing the passenger and driver seats, the entire work was completed. The base was then cleaned up to make sure it was rust-free before flooring was installed. As Chase explains in the video the floor was the only straight part of the van. Therefore, fitting the flooring was not difficult.
This Ecoline camper comes with a small kitchenette and a hand pump faucet that has a 6-gallon freshwater tank. There’s also a 12-volt fridge and a bed that is large enough for two adults. The entire project took Chase around three weeks from start to finish, with a budget of approximately $10,000. Impressive!