Our Dodge Caravan Camper Kitchen & Storage Setup – Simple, Cozy, and Built for the Road
Transforming a Dodge Caravan into a cozy camper van isn’t just about saving money, it’s about creating a space that works beautifully in real life. After two months of building and eight weeks on the road, our van (Timmy!) became our little home on wheels.
In this post, we’ll take you behind the scenes of one of our favorite parts of the build, our indoor kitchen, sink setup, and back storage system, the heart of how we cook, clean, and stay comfortable while traveling across Canada.
Why We Chose an Indoor Kitchen Setup For Our Minivan To Camper Conversion
Even though we traveled during warm summer months, Canada’s weather can change in a heartbeat, one moment sunshine, the next pouring rain. Having a kitchen inside the van means we can still make coffee, cook meals, or wash up without stepping outside.
It also gives us privacy when parked at public spots like trailheads or town lookouts. With everything built inside, we can stay discreet and comfortable, even when camping in less secluded areas.
Our Compact Vanlife Kitchen System
Our kitchen system is simple but effective, built around two water tanks (fresh and grey) connected to a small electric pump that provides running water on demand.
Here’s how it works day to day:
- Morning: brushing teeth, washing faces, and making coffee
- Afternoon: rinsing veggies, cleaning dishes, refilling bottles
- Evening: quick clean-up before bed
Smart Details That Make a Difference:
- Open shelves keep bowls, plates, and dish soap within reach.
- Pegboard wall holds small items like our first-aid kit, can opener, and tiny tools.
- Fold-out side panel becomes our mini coffee bar — one of our favorite parts of the van!
Lessons from the Road: Tank Size Matters
After 8 weeks and 13,000+ km across Canada, we learned that the grey water tank fills up faster than expected. Next time, we’ll make it smaller and expand the fresh water tank to stretch longer between dumps and refills.
Everything is securely held in place with simple wood framing and bolt locks, while a small wooden rod keeps the paper towel roll steady on bumpy roads.
Back Storage & Power Setup
One of the biggest advantages of the Dodge Caravan’s Stow ’n Go design is the hidden under-bed space. We removed the back seats entirely to make room for:
- Bluetti 1800W portable battery (the heart of our power system)
- Foldable solar panel for easy charging
- Stove, air fryer, rice cooker, yoga mats, and sleeping bags
- Extra clothes and bedding for colder nights
This setup powers everything from our Starlink WiFi to the water pump, lights, fans, and fridge, lasting roughly a full day without recharging.
Build Your Own Dodge Caravan Camper
Over the past months, we put together a digital build kit with everything we wish we had when we started. It’s designed for beginners and refined through real travel experience.
What’s inside the Camp My Minivan Build Kit:
✅ A 48-page digital guide with our full 6-step process
✅ Tool & material checklists (with where to buy + budget tips)
✅ 3D design files (Tinkercad + SketchUp)
✅ Build guides for bed, storage & kitchen units
✅ Real photos and lessons learned from the road
👉 Download the kit here:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/4380887004/minivan-dodge-grand-caravan-to-camper
This setup might be small, but it’s made life on the road simple, cozy, and functional. From rainy days in the prairies to peaceful mornings at Grasslands National Park, Timmy has carried us across 13,000+ km with comfort and creativity.
Whether you’re dreaming of your first DIY minivan conversion or just love learning about tiny living, we hope our story helps you start yours, faster, cheaper, and smarter.
Watch the full video here: