A 2020 Ford Transit Connect long-wheelbase passenger van sits at the center of this story. At roughly 15 feet 10 inches long, just over 6 feet wide, and about 6 feet tall, the vehicle already carries factory windows that pour natural light into the cabin. Small Vans Big World, based in Valparaiso, Indiana, took that everyday hauler and gave it a complete interior transformation aimed at real road use rather than showpiece looks.
The company kept the old windows intact and just constructed minor roof expansions. It’s also worth mentioning that a 200-watt bifacial solar panel rises alongside a low-profile 12v rooftop air conditioner. This is the first time Small Vans Big World has placed such an AC unit on one of their micro campers. A completely new custom acrylic insert to fit into the side window was also installed. Three very quiet 12v fans with built-in screens help to remove hot air while preventing insects from entering. The door deflectors allow fresh air to circulate safely even when the windows are only partially open.
LEGO Icons Ford Model T Building Set for Adults - Collectible Kit with Detailed Features for Bedroom, Home Office or Shelf Decor, Gift for Men, Women, & Car Fans Ages 18+ - 11376
- COLLECTIBLE MODEL CAR KIT – Embark on a nostalgic journey with the LEGO Icons Ford Model T (11376) building set for adults ages 18 and up
- VINTAGE CAR DISPLAY PIECE – Recreate the iconic 1910s automobile with gleaming black bodywork, golden accents, a foldback fabric roof and tall spoked rims with slim white rubber tires
- AUTHENTIC MODEL T FUNCTIONS – Fold back the model car's roof, fold down the split windshield, lift the hood from both sides to see the engine, turn the crank to spin the fan and lift the seat to access the gas tank
The power and water systems are out of sight but still easily accessible. A 300 amp hour lithium battery resides beneath the floor, linked with a 2,000 watt inverter. Drivers may recharge using either the solar panels, the 240v shore connection stashed away in the back, or the vehicle alternator while driving. There is also a 10-gallon fresh water tank hidden in the floor, complete with a heat pad to protect it from freezing in the cold. Greywater drains into a 2.5-gallon tank.
Stepping inside, the wide-open layout feels very different. There is no bulkhead wall that restricts movement between the front seats and the living space. A simple curtain can be pulled across to provide privacy or block off light at night. The client desired a bright, airy vibe, so we chose a tongue and groove wood ceiling that has been left clear, white laminated cabinetry with inset doors for a clean look, and light coloured vinyl flooring. To top it all off, the factory skylight lets in plenty of extra light.
Seating and sleeping end up using the same piece of furniture. There is a long couch along one wall. During the day, it’s just a comfortable bench to sit on. At night, two latches are released, and a strap pulls the backrest forward, flattening the surface. Then, a four-inch memory foam mattress is placed on top to make a bed big enough for two adults. There are a couple of storage compartments beneath the bed, one of which is the perfect size for a portable toilet, and a reading light with a USB plug directly over the bed, next to the air conditioner.
Right in front of the sofa, there’s a bench that can double as an extra seat by adding a cushion on top, and if you open the lid on the top of the fridge, you get some extra storage space, a dual-zone unit, to be precise. The kitchen is only a few steps away. It has a really lovely deep sink, which is ideal for cleaning up after a big meal, and that gorgeous gold pull-out faucet, which adds a touch of class. And the counter? That’s built of some pretty tough epoxy-coated butcher block, so it should be able to handle almost anything you throw at it.
A single-burner induction cooktop is stored in a drawer, along with a few other important items like as dishes and supplies. Have I mentioned the overhead cabinet? That has some wonderful large sections for storing all of our stuff. One of the compartments also houses a portion of the electrical system, which is neatly organized. Out in the living room, there’s a slide-out table that pulls out of the counter, which is great for pre-dinner prep or just a snack at any time. Then there’s another pull-out table nestled into the back of the couch, easily accessible from the back door.
All of the utility controls are located near the entrance, right next to the kitchen. There are switches for the lights and heating pads, the inverter controller, the battery monitor, plenty of outlets, including some USB-C for charging your devices, and more. Up above the cab area, there’s a handy shelf that keeps all of our clothes, towels, and bedding right at our fingertips without taking up valuable floor space.
But the rooftop air conditioner really proved itself in testing, as it dropped the temperature inside from 84 degrees to below 70 in just 15 minutes. When set to low, it draws roughly 20 amps and can last about 15 hours on a single battery charge. Of course, higher settings use more power, but you still get a reasonable amount of cooling, and as an added benefit, it will even provide heat when the seasons change. When combined with the window vent fans, the cabin remains lovely and comfortable without us needing to keep the engine running or plug it in all the time.
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