Essential Tools For Building Your Own Camper Van

ByJoseph Burtoni

First off, we’ve never attempted anything like this and it was a huge challenge for us in every single aspect. That being said, building your own camper van is an exciting and rewarding project that allows you to create a customized travel home on wheels.

We knew we wanted the ability to travel and after long hours of research knew a van (specifically a 2022 Ford Transit) would be the perfect shell for us to customize into our little home on wheels.

Whether you’re converting a van or starting from scratch, having the right tools is essential to ensure a successful and efficient build.

In this article, we’ll explore the must-have tools you’ll need to bring your camper van dreams to life (at least the tools that we absolutely loved using and thought were the most beneficial).

Power Tools:

Power tools make construction tasks faster and more precise. Here are a few essential power tools for your campervan build:

  • Circular saw: Perfect for cutting plywood, lumber, and other materials with ease.
  • Jigsaw: Ideal for making intricate cuts and curves, especially for interior fittings.
  • Drill: A versatile tool for making holes, driving screws, and assembling components.
  • Impact driver: Provides extra power and torque for efficient screw driving.
  • Router: Useful for shaping edges, creating joints, and adding decorative details.
  • Sander: Ensures smooth surfaces and prepares them for painting or finishing.
  • Miter Saw: Allows for precise cuts of wood and softer metals.
  • Electric Caulk Gun: After 100 tubes of adhesive and silicones, we should have done this from the very beginning.

Hand Tools:

While power tools are great, there are certain tasks that require the finesse of hand tools. Here are some essential hand tools to have:

  • Tape measure: An absolute must-have for accurate measurements during construction.
  • Screwdrivers: Both Phillips and flathead screwdrivers in various sizes.
  • Chisels: Useful for woodworking and making precise cuts.
  • Clamps: Essential for securing materials during assembly and gluing.
  • Corner Clamps: Same as above but for corners.
  • Hammer: Necessary for driving nails and other light-duty tasks.
  • Rubber Mallet: Necessary for forcefully nudging things into place.
  • Utility knife: Handy for cutting and trimming various materials.
  • Utility Knife: Different style, we used it for cutting foam.
  • Pliers: Useful for gripping, bending, and cutting wires or small objects.
  • Level: Ensures your construction is level and plumb for a professional finish.
  • Kreg Accu-Cut XL: Allows you to turn your circular saw into a table saw and cut straight lines on your large sheets of plywood.
  • Kreg Pocket Hole Jig: The strongest and easiest way to attach two pieces of wood.
  • Rivet Nut Setter: Allows you to set threaded rivets into van.
  • Caulk Gun: Allows you to spread the many tubes adhesives and silicones you’ll go through.
  • Magnetic Pick-up tool: You’re going to drop metal screws, washers, and other things in places you can’t retrieve them. This is the solution.

Safety Equipment:

Safety should always be a top priority during your campervan build. Ensure you have the following safety equipment:

  • Safety glasses: Protect your eyes from debris and flying objects.
  • Ear protection: Reduce noise levels when using power tools.
  • Dust mask or Respirator: Guard against inhaling harmful particles.
  • Work gloves: Provide hand protection while handling materials and tools.
  • Brown craft paper: Not really a piece of safety equiptment but we used it for measuring templates and keeping paint and adhesives off objects that we want clean.

In Conclusion:

Building a camper van is an adventure that requires the right tools to make your vision a reality. From power tools like circular saws and drills to hand tools like tape measures and screwdrivers, having a well-equipped toolbox will significantly aid your construction process. Don’t forget to prioritize safety by using appropriate safety equipment throughout the project. Don’t make our mistake, buy nice safety glasses and a good mask. Construction gets messy.

Remember, every project is unique, and the tools you need may vary based on your specific camper van design and requirements. Take the time to plan your project carefully, acquire the necessary skills, and consult professionals or experts when needed. Enjoy the journey of building your dream camper van and if you need inspiration watch our series of how we built out Clifford (our Ford Transit) here: Clifford the Big Red Ford Transit Van.

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Joseph Burtoni is the Co-Owner of Katie And Joe On The Go, a blog that shares their love of unique destinations, travel experiences, US National Parks, Van Life, and more.

After 10+ years in the advertising industry as a Director of Social Media, bouncing around the globe working for some pretty cool companies like Mercedes-Benz, Ram Trucks, NIKON, and more; he realized he wanted more out of life.

So he made the leap into full-time travel with his partner Kathryn and are now educating others how to do the same thing.