DIY Day in My Minivan Camper: 3 Game-Changing Mods I Use Every Day
Today I want to share three of my absolute favorite DIY mods from my minivan camper build. These projects have made life on the road a whole lot easier, more comfortable, and just more fun. Whether you're in the middle of your own build or just love clever, space-saving design, I think you’ll really enjoy these.
Links to products, devices and gear featured in this video
1. The 7-Gallon Off-Grid Shower System
When you’re living or traveling in a small rig, every inch counts. So, for my shower setup, I had to make sure it was compact, easy to access, and powerful enough to actually work. I used the deep well created by removing the minivan’s third-row seats to house a water tank and a high-performance Seaflo pump that delivers 5.5 gallons per minute. It’s a premium pump, but totally worth it—the pressure is awesome!
Instead of making the shower hard to access, I installed a quick-connect hose system and mounted the docking port inside a small wooden box. That way, I don’t have to open the cabinet every time I want to use it—especially helpful since my 12V freezer sits on top of that cabinet when I’m in camp mode.
The privacy tent? I rigged it up using a 16-foot tent pole that bends into shape and connects to tiny eyebolts on my roof rack. It’s secured on the far end by an awning pole and weighted down on the ground. The result: a roomy 5.5' x 3' private shower area that doubles as a place to hang wet clothes when the sun’s out. Simple. Effective. Off-grid approved.
2. Vertical Magnetic Spice Rack
Space is at a premium in a van, so every inch of storage has to do double duty. That’s why I built this vertical magnetic spice rack into my DIY sink box. It’s removable (so I can take it outside when I’m cooking) and totally customizable.
I used square spice tins instead of round ones—they hold more and have more surface area for magnets, which means they stay put better on the road. I mounted strips of magnetic knife rack material with epoxy for extra strength, and added a wood dowel at the base to prevent the tins from jumping off on bumpy roads. Below that, I created shock cord loops to hold plastic condiment bottles in place. Everything's light, durable, and built to survive road rattles.
Even the finger loops to pull the whole thing out were a fun DIY detail—just paracord knots recessed with a countersink drill bit so they lay flush. Add some bottom and back magnets for stability, and the whole setup locks in tight. It’s one of my favorite storage solutions in the whole van.
3. Adjustable Table That Doubles as a Storage Shelf
Minivans don’t have a lot of standing room, so I had to get creative with table space. My solution? A height-adjustable camper table that stores flat over the front seats and transforms into a rock-solid surface when I need it.
I started by creating a removable shelf that rests across the tops of the front seats and the steering wheel. I used pre-cut project board (16” x 48”) from the hardware store and added 2x2 blocks to lock into the seat handles, making the whole shelf stable and wiggle-free. If your van doesn’t have seat handles, no worries—you can still clamp the front to the steering wheel or add a simple front leg for support.
Here’s the best part: I added quick-connect aluminum rails to the shelf and different spots inside the van. That lets me take the shelf down and attach it somewhere else—like next to the bed, out the back for tailgating, or anywhere I need a table. I paired it with a $15 camera monopod that acts as an adjustable table leg. It’s super compact, easy to lock in place, and adds even more versatility to this “magic” table.
Final Thoughts
These three mods—the shower system, spice rack, and adjustable table—have seriously upgraded my van life. They’re practical, they’re reliable, and they don’t take up more space than they need to. Plus, they were a blast to design and build.
If you’re working on your own camper build or just looking for some clever DIY inspiration, I hope this post sparks a few ideas. Got questions or want a deeper dive into one of these builds? Let me know—I’d love to help out or even do a full video tutorial.
Until next time, happy building and safe travels out there!