Fully Off-Grid Ford Transit L3H3 Family Campervan

Walkthrough Video: https://youtu.be/Y56Ffohz2H4

This Ford Transit has been converted into a family-friendly, fully off-grid campervan.

This camper has a 200Ah Lithium leisure battery powered by both 400W of solar panels on a custom made roof rack (through a 40A MPPT charge controller) and a Victron Orion-Tr Smart DC-DC charger (to charge whilst driving, if ever necessary). The battery comes with a mains hook up for campsites and a 3000/1500w PSW Inverter for non-stop 240V off-grid power. Also hooked up is a Victron BMV-712 Smart Battery Meter, including a shunt to accurately assess battery level (the only way to measure lithium battery level). There’s also full mobile WiFi, connected to an external antenna on the roof rack for extra signal.

The kitchen is a custom designed and installed unit, with an L shaped countertop and plenty of storage. The integrated cupboards are all both soft close and secured for driving. The kitchen features an integrated 1000w induction hob and a 35L fridge-freezer. The sink is a fast flow 12V tap, including a 25L fresh water tank, and a 25L grey water tank, both easily accessible under the sink. Also included is a top of the range Thetford Porta Potti 365 toilet.

The double bed, with it’s reading lights (& USB chargers) and ample shelving is fixed with a memory foam mattress fitted into a recessed wall for extra length, and a smaller, child’s bed sits up top, accessed easily by the hinged rail. The custom blackout curtains ensure a good night’s sleep for everyone. There is also a pull up small table for working or dining, as well as two folding wooden chairs that neatly stack away.

Ample storage can be found underneath the bed (covering half of the area), in the adjacent full-height cupboard, and above the cabin, to the front of the van, not to mention the ‘boot’. Inside the boot is space for a tool box, some extra gear, a 12V & USB shower system, complete with shower & toilet tent, and a 5KW 12V diesel heater. Yes, all of this runs off the off-grid battery system. On the wall of the back door is a child’s climbing wall, complete with belay system, and a fully off-grid fitness system, so you can take the gym with you.

In the cabin there are three seats, a captain’s chair, and a WiFi & Cellular iPad infotainment unit, so you can use Google Maps, Spotify, Park4Night, or whatever you need, all from the dashboard.

Mechanically, the only thing it has needed in the past was an alternator and starter motor – both of which are now new and faultless. We’ve trusted this van to go anywhere. We once drove it back from Rome to Shropshire (2,000km) in only three days, after having been around Europe for months – and it didn’t complain once.

The paintwork isn’t terrible but isn’t the best (particularly above the cabin), and there are a few dents on the outside. We were thinking about respraying, but we never got around to it.


The van will come with 12 months MOT upon purchase.