38 Days to Solitude: Shaping a Sanctuary on Wheels

When my wife and I first stepped into the 2018 Dodge Promaster that would become our van, it already had a heartbeat. The original owners, Christien and Keri-Ann, had built it out and lived in it for more than two years as they travelled through the Northeastern US and Eastern Canada, shaping it into their rolling home. It carried their dream and their love story. For Christien, it was a huge part of his identity and spawned his nickname that remains with him among his colleagues, Vanny. For Keri-Ann, it was the place to prepare for her wedding day.

When we took it for a test drive, we stopped in a parking lot to take a look around the van and take a closer look at the details. I filmed my wife walking around the van. The smile on her face said everything—this was the one. 

Full disclosure: This was the first van we test drove. I know, it seems impulsive and maybe even irresponsible, but this was far from spontaneous. Our decision to buy a van came long before the day we brought ours home. I had an old Ram Van before, and after looking to buy a new (to me) van, I found a Toyota Tacoma TRD OffRoad that I fell in love with. I brought it home, added racks and a rooftop tent and set out for new experiences. But, at my age, tenting it wasn’t fun anymore. I wanted to stand up to put on my pants. I wanted to simply be able to move locations without packing up supplies and the tent. 

My wife and I decided to sell the Tacoma and buy another van - a process that took at least a year. We looked at countless vans. From auctions to dealerships, there were many to be found, but none resonated with us like this one. Honestly (Christien and Keri-Ann, if you’re reading this…sorry!), we weren’t crazy about the Avatar-themed vinyls on the exterior, and the interior wasn’t what we wanted, but I could see the heart and soul of what it would add to our life. Something was different. Something drew me to reach out to the seller. Did I mention that I prayed a lot during this process? I wanted a van, but I wanted the right van for us. 

We drove the van back to Christien and Keri-Ann’s and agreed to sleep on our decision for a night. The following morning, we agreed. This was our van. The new adventures were about to begin.

Why the Promaster?

Everyone knows that the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 177” Extended is the “pinnacle of vanlife.” But they aren’t for everyone, and they aren’t for us. We live in a city and our driveway only has limited space for parking. There was no way anything longer than 21 feet could even fit in our space. For us, the decision came down to the Transit or the Promaster and we didn’t have strong feelings either way. 

The width of the Promaster, though, gave us enough space to sleep widthwise, and this was the key factor for me. It meant we could reclaim precious square footage for living space. That extra width was the difference between a cramped shoebox and a cozy studio. In a shorter van, maximizing space was a priority.

We also knew from the beginning that we didn’t want diesel. The idea of hunting down a Mercedes dealer to work on a Sprinter, or trying to find a diesel mechanic in the middle of nowhere, just wasn’t appealing. The Promaster, on the other hand, uses regular gas and can be serviced by just about any mechanic, anywhere in North America. For the kind of travel we envision, that peace of mind mattered. Also, we don’t plan to go off-road or explore anywhere too extreme, so a front-wheel drive van works just fine for our needs.

It also helped that this van came with a head start: solar panels, insulation, and an electrical system. It wasn’t the layout we wanted, but it gave us a foundation. We didn’t have to run new wires through metal ribs or figure out how to mount solar on the roof - it was already done.

And, let’s be honest, cost mattered. We were fine with used. A Promaster that already had some work done came in far cheaper than a new Sprinter or Transit, and even with the rebuild, we spent well below the price of a new Class B RV.

The Rebuild: From Blank Canvas to Coastal Sanctuary

Before we started drilling screws and sketching redesigns, we wanted to understand what worked for us and what didn’t. So, we took the van on three short local trips just as it was. Those outings were eye-opening.

We discovered which ideas we loved and wanted to keep, like the pine ceiling and the way the layout encouraged us to use the outdoor space. But we also noticed the things that didn’t fit our style of travel: the bed layout, lack of a dining/sitting space, and remote work space.

Those early overnights gave us a chance to live in the van before reshaping it into something that fit us better.

Our first step was to empty it completely—cabinets, bed, kitchen, everything—until only the insulation and wiring remained. With a blank canvas and our design sketched out on graph paper, the new build began. 

Oh, and once it was completely empty, we agreed to go camping with friends in just 38 days. Now there was a timeline!

There was a ton of measuring…and re-measuring, then modifying everything again as we went. Along the process, I reached out to Christien a couple of times with questions about the electrical and solar setup. He couldn’t have been more helpful. Sidenote: My wife and I wish Christien and Keri-Ann all the best as they settle into a new season of life—trading van miles for a home on a great piece of land and the beginnings of a new family—while we carry forward the story they started.

What followed was not simply a demolition, but rather a reimagining. We stripped back the pine tongue-and-groove walls, refinishing and reusing them to honour the legacy of the van. We kept the dimmable LED lights (replacing a switch because I broke one) and relocated the light strips down the centre. 

We kept the insulation and most of the electrical; however, most of it was moved to the passenger side of the van (thanks to the countless YouTubers who gave tutorials on electrical!), where I added a few new features like the remote inverter switch and Renogy solar controller, and USB A and C chargers on each side of the bed. And somewhere along the way, I blew the first inverter by inadvertently crossing a couple of wires. That’s when I called in my electrician neighbour, who double-checked my work and helped me get things back on track. It was a reminder that DIY is about learning and persistence, and sometimes about asking for help.

We moved the bed sideways across the width of the van, gaining back valuable floor space. We built new bench seats with storage underneath, one of which discreetly houses a cassette toilet. An adjustable table mount gave us flexibility to swivel from workspace to dining table with a quick adjustment.

The kitchen became a complete reimagining. We added a single sink with fresh and grey water tanks tucked underneath, powered by a marine water pump on a switch. These are all housed in cabinets bought from Facebook Marketplace, with a new Acacia Wood Countertop from Home Depot. Upper cabinets were custom-built and used the same fabric from the seating as the door panels to help carry the theme and style.

For cooking, we kept it flexible: a single-burner butane stove for easy meals, a propane stove as backup, and even a fold-down table by the sliding door for outdoor cooking. A Dometic fridge on slides tucks neatly under the bed, making it both functional and hidden when not in use.

Keep in mind that costs can add up quickly on a van build. But we are cheap…frugal and resourceful. I shopped on Facebook Marketplace and online auctions for the past year and stocked up on items that I knew we would use (like the toilet, sink, sound deadener, MaxxAir fan, and shower), and the van came with items included (like the lighting, fridge, and propane stove).

We added a cabinet by the sliding door that offers a work surface while taking in the outside view. We built in a fold-down table that provides space to cook on the butane stove outside, while the underside of the cabinet was transformed into shoe storage that is accessible from the inside and outside.

The solar setup that came with the van was already solid with 300 watts on the roof feeding into 375 amp hours of storage, but it wasn’t without a learning curve. The new (replaced) 1000-watt inverter has been trouble-free, powering the LED garage lights, my CPAP (Hey, I am over 50 and I’m a bit short for my weight), and the basics we need to stay connected and comfortable.

Our van isn’t perfect, but it’s perfect for us. It’s part camper, part tiny home, and part experiment. It’s always evolving as we discover new ways to make it better.

Living with Solitude

The first time we woke up in the newly built van and brewed coffee with the doors wide open, it hit us - this wasn’t just a van anymore, it was our retreat on wheels. Morning sunlight filtered in, birds replaced the usual hum of traffic…Actually, we were in a campground in Windsor, Ontario, and we could still hear the nearby Highway 401. 

But it was that first night a few weeks earlier that sealed it for us. Over the Canada Day weekend, we found ourselves tucked into a quiet conservation area with no one else around. As dusk settled in, we opened the rear doors wide, poured a celebratory glass of champagne, and let the night wash over us. From a distance, the village fireworks lit up the horizon, painting the sky with bursts of red, white, and gold. It felt as though the show was just for us. It was a perfect beginning to our adventures in our van, Solitude.

Travelling in Solitude will be a balance of freedom and practicality. Space is tight, and every move is intentional, from packing up and cooking to deciding where to sit. But that discipline only makes the moments of ease more rewarding. When the van fades into the background and we’re left watching a sunset, listening to the crackle of a campfire, or waking to a new view, that’s when life feels the most real.

The Heart of Solitude

Every van has a name, but not every name truly fits. Solitude felt right from the beginning because that’s what she gives us: space to step away, to quiet the noise, to be together without distraction. Solitude is a small haven on wheels.

It’s funny, really. You can spend weeks sketching designs, comparing layouts, debating the merits of one appliance over another. You can gut the walls, pull every wire, and measure everything down to the last inch. But the true heart of a van doesn’t come from the tools or the build. It shows itself in the way you exhale when the doors close, when the world outside quiets down, and it’s just you, your travelling companion, and the hum of the night.

For us, Solitude is more than a means of travel. Solitude is a reminder that life doesn’t have to be complicated to be rich and full. It’s the long exhale after a busy week, the spark in my wife’s smile as she walked around her for the very first time, and the gentle comfort of a bed we built with our own hands.

We may not have driven Solitude across the country (yet), but already it’s has given us the gift of being present. We sit with the moment, whether that’s champagne by the rear doors, laughter with friends after a ballgame, or the simple quiet of waking up with nowhere we have to be.

That is the true heart of Solitude: freedom, simplicity, and a space that feels wholly ours.

What’s Next?

As much as Solitude has been about the build itself, it’s really about what comes next. We see her carrying us on everything from quick weekend getaways to week-long escapes, with the occasional longer journey stitched in. Canada will be our canvas. It’s a country so vast and beautiful that we could spend a lifetime exploring it and still not see it all.

There are anchor points on the horizon: visiting family in New Brunswick, heading north toward James and Hudson Bay, winding through the Rocky Mountains, and one day, reaching the Arctic coast in Tuktoyaktuk. But as much as those destinations inspire us, the truth is we’re guided by a different kind of compass. Our philosophy is simple: “See a sign? Take the time.” If something catches our curiosity, we’ll stop, wander, and let the road surprise us.

We don’t feel the need to chase endless upgrades. An awning or the flip-up desk might come eventually, but the essence of Solitude is already there. She’s comfortable, she’s capable, and she’s ready.

What we’re really chasing is a slower pace, more moments outdoors, and a deeper connection with each other and the world around us. We want to experience crown land camping, sip coffees and cocktails with the doors open to the sunrise and sunset, and let quiet places shape our conversations. More than anything, we want Solitude to remind us to stay curious and keep leaning into the unknown, wherever the next road leads.

Amazon Affiliate Product Links:

Sink: TSIBOMU 15 x 15 Inch Undermount Kitchen Sink*

Faucet: Single Handle High Arc Brushed Nickel Pull Out Kitchen Faucet*

Water Pump: ECO-WORTHY RV Water Pressure Pump

Switches: Round Rocker Switch 12V

12v Outlets: 12V Car Cigarette Lighter Socket

USB Outlets: Linkstyle 2PCS RV USB Outlet

Water Jerry Cans: Scepter Portable Plastic Military Style Food Grade 5 Gal Water Jug*

Dometic Fridge: Dometic CFX75DZW 12v Electric Powered Cooler, Fridge Freezer* 

Drawer Slides: SHUHANG Heavy Duty Drawer Slides with Lock

Light Switches: Touch Dimmer Switch

Renogy Solar Controller: Renogy Rover Elite Charge Controller

Renogy Invertor: Renogy 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave off GRID Solar Home Use Solar Inverter

Cellphone Holder: Dockem Damage-Free Wall Mount for iPhone

Folddown Drink Holder: Adjustable Folding Drink Holder

Table Mount: BIOCOR RV Adjustable Table Leg

Fans: 10000mAh 30hrs USB-C Rechargeable Fan

Smoke and CO Detectors: First Alert Battery Operated Combination CO and Smoke Alarm

Sound Deadener: Amazon Basics Car Sound Deadener 

* Similar to the one I have

Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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