Our Rig

Year, Make & Model: 1996 Chevy Express 1500
Body Style: High-Top Conversion
Purchased From: Craigslist
Initial Mileage: 101,000
Name: Gnomie (…Tiara on weekends)

Cost Breakdown

Vehicle Costs

Purchase Price: $1,500
Pre-Inspection: $250
Taxes and Reg. Fees: $320
Badass Off-Road Tires: $800
Misc Mechanical Work: $800

TOTAL: $3,670

Conversion Costs

Building Materials: $2,350
Solar and Electrical: $2,000
Plumbing System: $450
Appliances and Fans: $1,400
Mattress and Bedding: $200
Misc Items: $200

TOTAL: $6,600

Total Cost of Vehicle and Conversion: $10,270

Insulation

Walls and ceiling:¾” Polyisio Foam Sheets
Floor Insulation:Reflectix
Door Panels:R-19 Fiberglass Batts
Cracks and Fill-in:Great Stuff Gaps and Cracks Spray Foam
Insulated Curtains:Insul-Shine Batting and Fabric
Reflective Windshield Covering:Eclipse Sunshades <— Buy using this link for a 3% discount

Walls, Ceiling, and Floor

Floor: First Laminate, then Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Subfloor: Mold-treated 3/8″ Plywood
Walls:¼” Plywood
Ceiling:5/16” Cedar Paneling
Stain:Varathane and General Finishes Gel Stains
Topcoat:Minwax Wipe-On Polyurethane

Solar and Electrical

Solar Panels:Renogy 400-watt Solar Kit
Batteries:VMAX 155-ah Deep Cycle Batteries
Inverter:Xantrex 1000-watt Inverter

Appliances and Ventilation

Fridge: ARB 50-qt Fridge Freezer
Stove: Dometic ORIGO 3000 Alcohol Stove***
Vent Fan: Fan-Tastic Fan 7350

***The ORIGO 3000 has unfortunately been discontinued (sadface). We’re bummed because this is an awesome stove, and we’re keeping ours forever. We are currently investigating alternative recommendations.