Otis Van Build.
A full DIY tiny-home van build on a 159 wheelbase 2020 Ram ProMaster, built over a little more than two years while working a full-time job.
I built Otis as a custom tiny-home van with electrical, plumbing, cabinetry, smart automation, and a lot of problem-solving.
No prior construction industry experience. Before this, the most woodworking I had done was building my wife's engagement ring box.
Vehicle and Exterior
- 2020 Ram ProMaster159 wheelbase platform
- Walkable roof deckroof access and usable exterior space
- Skylightoverhead natural light
- MaxxAir fanroof ventilation
- Huge custom windowsnatural light throughout
- Dometic bug screensliding-door screen
- Blackout shadescustom integrated sliding shades
- Back ladderspare tire and extra gas storage
Power, Internet, and Automation
- 600W solarroof-mounted solar array
- 10kW power on boarddynamic power bank system
- UPS power bankbackup power behavior
- Alternator chargingcharges while driving
- Shore powerinlet and outlet
- Starlink internetWi-Fi on board
- Home Assistantbuilt-in smart home system
- ESP monitoringcustom smart fan monitoring systems
- 3D-printed partscustom parts throughout the build
- Electromagnetic locksintegrated smart locking
Water, Kitchen, and Bath
- 46 gallons fresh waterfreshwater storage
- 28 gallons gray waterunder-mounted tanks
- Isotemp hot waterhot water while driving
- Deep black sinkbuilt into the kitchen counter
- Induction cooktopelectric cooking
- Breville smart ovenbuilt-in oven setup
- Dometic chest fridgebuilt into the countertop
- Full showerinterior shower
- Outdoor showerexterior rinse setup
- Cuddy composting toileton-board toilet
Interior and Living Space
- L-shaped living roomconvertible lounge layout
- Convertible bedliving room to sleeping space
- Cab partitioncab separated from living space
- S1 ceilingfinished ceiling system
- Italian rift white oakwith American walnut accents
- Roman clay plasterItalian / Spanish villa style finish
- Full-length mirrorintegrated into the space
- On-board air conditionerclimate control
- Sonos sound systembuilt-in audio
- 32-inch OLED monitorbuilt into the sliding door
Cabinetry, Storage, and Finish
- Undermounted cabinetrycustom storage architecture
- Blum soft-close slidesdrawer hardware
- Undermounted drawer slidesclean drawer movement
- Pull-out storageaccessible gear storage
- Dedicated shoe storagebuilt for daily use
- LED lightingintegrated interior lighting