A UK couple bought a former DHL van and spent a year turning it into a tiny home on wheels — take a look at how they did it

Amanda GohJan 13, 2023, 15:54 IST

An exterior photo of the converted van home.climbingvan

Charlie Low and Dale Comley spent a year turning a former DHL van into a tiny home on wheels.
They did everything themselves — and then wrote a van conversion guidebook to help others.

When Charlie Low and Dale Comley first met in the Dolomites in 2016, they realized they had much in common: a shared love of climbing, a passion for DIY projects, and an interest in van life.

Charlie Low & Dale Comley met on a climbing trip in the Dolomites in Italy.climbingvan

When Charlie Low and Dale Comley first met in the Dolomites in 2016, they realized they had much in common: a shared love of climbing, a passion for DIY projects, and an interest in van life.

First on their list of priorities for the conversion was picking a van. They were looking for a former fleet vehicle, and found an ex-DHL van that fit all their requirements.

The van before the conversion.climbingvan

First on their list of priorities for the conversion was picking a van. They were looking for a former fleet vehicle, and found an ex-DHL van that fit all their requirements.

Converting the van was not an easy task: It was empty, with no insulation, electricity, and water supply.

Dale Comley adding insulation — made from recycled bottles — to the walls of the van.climbingvan

One of the main challenges that the couple faced was not having a proper space to work, and that slowed down their progress.

Low working on the van.climbingvan

In particular, Low and Comley were worried about how the electrical and gas systems in the van would turn out.

Comley building a tabletop for the van.climbingvan

Even with their technical knowledge, the couple realized that the lack of a definitive guide about building an electrical system for a van made things hard.

Low painting the wood panels in the van.climbingvan

Low and Comley started their project in February 2019 and completed it a year later in March 2020. However, they were only able to move into the van in April 2021 due to the pandemic.

Charlie Low and Dale Comley standing outside of their van home.climbingvan

Low and Comley started their project in February 2019 and completed it a year later in March 2020. However, they were only able to move into the van in April 2021 due to the pandemic.

The completed van is made up of two primary sections: the sleeping area on one end, and the kitchenette on the other.

The bed.climbingvan

The van has an off-grid electrical system that's powered by solar panels and a battery-to-battery charger.

The converted van has a kitchenette on one end and a bed on the other.climbingvan

There are two parts to their bathroom setup: a hidden composting toilet and an outdoor shower using a tankless water heater.

A collage of the outdoor shower heater set up and the hidden toilet.climbingvan

The couple's water supply comes from a 70-litre tank that usually lasts 10 days to 2 weeks depending on their usage.

The outdoor shower situation.climbingvan

Inspired by their own experience, the couple ended up writing a van conversion guidebook to help others on their journey.

Low and Comley sitting at the doorway of their van.climbingvan

The 331-page book includes detailed gas, water, and electrical system diagrams, as well as cost details about converting a campervan.

Charlie Low holding a physical copy of their self-published van conversion guidebook.climbingvan

The couple eventually decided to quit their jobs to live in the van and even launched their own campervan and off-grid electrical system design service.

The couple started Nomadic Energy, a campervan and off-grid electrical system design service, in September 2021.climbingvan

It's been almost two years since Low and Comley started living in the van, and they're planning to go on a year-long road trip in the US in April.

The couple live an off-grid nomadic lifestyle in their van.climbingvan

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A UK couple bought a former DHL van and spent a year turning it into a tiny home on wheels &mdash; take a look at how they did it

When Charlie Low and Dale Comley first met in the Dolomites in 2016, they realized they had much in common: a shared love of climbing, a passion for DIY projects, and an interest in van life.

First on their list of priorities for the conversion was picking a van. They were looking for a former fleet vehicle, and found an ex-DHL van that fit all their requirements.

Converting the van was not an easy task: It was empty, with no insulation, electricity, and water supply.

One of the main challenges that the couple faced was not having a proper space to work, and that slowed down their progress.

In particular, Low and Comley were worried about how the electrical and gas systems in the van would turn out.

Even with their technical knowledge, the couple realized that the lack of a definitive guide about building an electrical system for a van made things hard.

Low and Comley started their project in February 2019 and completed it a year later in March 2020. However, they were only able to move into the van in April 2021 due to the pandemic.

The completed van is made up of two primary sections: the sleeping area on one end, and the kitchenette on the other.

The van has an off-grid electrical system that's powered by solar panels and a battery-to-battery charger.

There are two parts to their bathroom setup: a hidden composting toilet and an outdoor shower using a tankless water heater.

The couple's water supply comes from a 70-litre tank that usually lasts 10 days to 2 weeks depending on their usage.

Inspired by their own experience, the couple ended up writing a van conversion guidebook to help others on their journey.

The 331-page book includes detailed gas, water, and electrical system diagrams, as well as cost details about converting a campervan.

The couple eventually decided to quit their jobs to live in the van and even launched their own campervan and off-grid electrical system design service.

It's been almost two years since Low and Comley started living in the van, and they're planning to go on a year-long road trip in the US in April.

A UK couple bought a former DHL van and spent a year turning it into a tiny home on wheels — take a look at how they did it