Vehicle
VW T5.2, 2.0 TDI, 4Motion and a six-speed manual gearbox provide a robust foundation.
From school bus to off-road overlander
A van unlike anything off the shelf.
Our VW T5.2 4Motion was completely stripped, reimagined and rebuilt by us. Simple enough to remain repairable. Thoughtful enough for long journeys.
The thinking behind it
Self-built means every solution has a reason.
After travelling through Iceland in an all-wheel-drive camper, we knew we wanted to build our own travel vehicle. Mario brought experience in woodwork, electrics and vehicle technology. The result is a build that fits the way we travel, not a glossy catalogue.
As little as possible. As much as necessary. And everything accessible on the road.
The journey there
From empty transporter to home
Floor, electrics, paint and interior were completed step by step. Many things were tried, changed and ultimately tailored to our travels.
Equipment
What is inside PlanB_Van
From the Airholder roof rack to the ECTIVE power setup: every component was chosen for the way we travel and tested in real life on the road.
Suspension
35 mm lift with Bilstein shock absorbers and Eibach springs.
Wheels & tyres
17 × 8 inch Twin-Monotube wheels with Yokohama Geolandar AT tyres.
Recovery
Horntools Alpha winch and recovery gear for difficult routes beyond the tarmac.
Airholder roof rack
The complete roof platform is made by Airholder and carries the spare wheel and our travel gear.
Awning & shower tent
Rhino-Rack 270-degree awning for a large sheltered area around the van, complemented by an OLC shower tent.
Electrical setup
ECTIVE 80 Ah LiFePO4 battery beneath the driver's seat, DC-to-DC charger, 1000 W inverter beneath the passenger seat and portable solar panel.
Heating & seating
Autoterm Air 2D parking heater and a swivel passenger seat for greater comfort inside.
Camping & interior
BOXIO separating toilet, Lambda Coffee, CADAC 2 Cook, Helinox chairs and a self-built kitchen, bed and storage.
Technical foundation
Key specifications
| Model | Volkswagen T5.2 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0 TDI |
| Drivetrain | 4Motion |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual |
| Lift | 35 mm · Bilstein shock absorbers · Eibach springs |
| Wheels | 17 × 8 inch · Twin-Monotube |
| Tyres | Yokohama Geolandar AT · 225/65 R17 |
| Winch | Horntools Alpha |
| Roof | Airholder roof rack |
| Awning & shower tent | Rhino-Rack 270° · OLC shower tent |
| Parking heater | Autoterm Air 2D |
| Battery | ECTIVE 80 Ah LiFePO4 · beneath the driver's seat |
| DC-to-DC charger | ECTIVE |
| Inverter | ECTIVE 1000 W · beneath the passenger seat |
| Solar | Portable solar panel by ECTIVE |
| Camping | BOXIO separating toilet · Lambda Coffee · CADAC 2 Cook · Helinox chairs |
| Build | Complete DIY build |
| Use | Vanlife, European travel and overlanding |