Are you thinking about building an RV yourself? You’ll find plenty of tips and advice here. I also keep track of mistakes I’ve made and pitfalls to avoid. Hopefully, this will help other aspiring RV builders get started on their projects. Building your RV is a great way to save money and customize it to your needs. Plus, conversion van builders are a lot of fun. With an RV, we could go on long weekends and even day trips without worrying about where our RV would end up.
Remove Rust
The first thing to do is remove rust spots. The only way to stop the rust beetle is to replace the rusty parts. However, this can be expensive and sometimes requires special equipment. You can save time and remove as much rust as possible. Then use putty to shape and repair the body. Use high-quality putty and several grades of sandpaper to match the surrounding paint. The final product will be well worth the time invested. After touching up the rust spots, we decided to repaint.
Since we couldn’t justify the cost of a new coat, we opted for the Rustoleum roller. The paint costs about 25 PS for five gallons but can be thinned with white spirit. The paint is durable and can be used for miles. We were able to paint the entire van with only three coats from one can. However, it leaves a great finish when using the glossy sponge pads.
Design the Living Space
The living area of the van could use some refinishing. We measured the van and searched the internet for interior design ideas. We took inspiration from various vans. Google SketchUp, a free program, was used to design the interior of the van and create a construction guide. I had to remove all the existing woodwork that was covered in oil from the previous owner’s dirt bikes. Some cracks in the plywood floor needed to be welded. It was a tedious task that I had to drag out as the weather changed and it rained. The cracks were quickly welded and a new plywood floor was assembled once I got started. I was able to draw the design on the wood floor with a marker and then follow the plans.
Customize the Looks
The car was starting to look more like an RV. It wasn’t the best idea to move on to the next phase. Although I should have finished the roof first, I decided to move forward with building the bathroom and adding a rear wall. We made some minor changes to the original design because we thought a full-length closet might make it too claustrophobic on the back wall. We decided that a box arrangement in the ceiling would be more efficient and could serve as a table.
Decorate the Camper
It was a difficult decision to decide how to cover the walls. I had a rug in mind, but my wife didn’t want it. It would have been too expensive, she found out later. We decided on wallpaper. This is where we learned a lesson. Dry the wood first, then apply the wallpaper. Then hang it as usual. The wallpaper will fall off the walls if you don’t. I was able to buy a few cheap rolls from Homebase for each PS2. You don’t need that many.
Final Touch
Once the main construction was complete, we moved on to putting the finishing touches on the house to make it cozy. It felt complete once the carpets were in place; everything else was easy after that. Electricity was plugged into the usual household outlets. A 500-watt inverter converted the secondary battery from 12v to 240v. So, standard appliances could be used. It also doubled as a plug-in power cord. If you’re camping, you can use its 240v power supply and save your battery.
Every itinerary starts with intention. You must know why you are taking the trip. Some travelers want culture. Others want rest or adventure. Your goals define the rhythm of your journey. They shape your destinations and the time spent in each place. When you understand your purpose, the entire trip becomes clearer. You avoid unnecessary stops. You save time and energy. Clarity gives direction and helps you create meaningful experiences, not random ones. This step sets the foundation for everything else. However, many tend to overlook this and make things confusing for them.
The best itineraries leave space for surprise. Some of your favorite moments may be unplanned. A quiet street, a hidden café, or a festival you did not expect can shape your memories. Flexibility keeps your journey fresh. It allows you to follow your instincts. It also helps you adapt when plans shift. Weather, crowds, or closures can change your schedule at any moment. With a little flexibility, those changes do not disrupt your trip. They simply redirect it. Treat your itinerary as a guide, not a rulebook. This ensures that your travel experience stays enjoyable and authentic, even when plans evolve.
The first one on the list of the best airlines that accept PayPal as the payment method is American Airlines. American Airlines is one of the many airlines which accept PayPal as a payment method. If you’re looking to book flights on American Airlines, there are several different ways to do so by using your PayPal account! Customers who use their PayPal balance or bank account will receive travel discounts.
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The Waitonga Falls Track is one of Ohakune’s most popular hiking trails. The trailhead is located just a short walk from the town center. The track takes you through native forest and past several waterfalls, culminating in a stunning view of the Waitonga River.
Maunga Whau is an extinct volcano that offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The crater is about four kilometers wide and three hundred meters deep. Several walking tracks wind their way around the crater, and a viewing platform at the summit provides panoramic views of Ohakune and the Central Plateau. Many people are surprised to learn that Maunga Whau is actually an extinct volcano. If you plan on going there, you need to wear sunscreen and a hat because the sun can get pretty intense, even on cloudy days.
Snowplaza is a popular ski resort located just outside of Ohakune. The resort offers a variety of slopes for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, as well as several other amenities such as restaurants, shops, and equipment rentals.