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I have been a viewer of this site since I bought my used ’15 high roof NV2500 S V6 cargo van a few years ago. After much work and slow progress my wife and I have completed (mostly, are you really ever finished?) the conversion to a camper van. As you all know the NV is a rare sighting in the camper van world and so there is not a ton of DIY conversion info out there (as there is for the Sprinter, Promaster and Transit owners). Thought I would share what we have done for anyone who is interested. We did all the work ourselves and minimized the use of aftermarket add-ons (i.e. expensive) where possible or practical. I like the NV for the rugged dependability and ease of working on but wish it was about 1 foot longer and had a larger following for support. We had a difficult time trying to fit everything in that we would have liked so we had to make compromises. We mostly camp off the beaten path and come from a background of tent camping so an indoor shower and toilet were out. I toyed with the idea of the 4WD aftermarket conversion but have found that I can go just about anywhere I need to go with the upgraded tires, tire chains and judicious driving. Below is an overview list of what we did. Adding some pictures also. If anyone has questions on what we have done I will do my best to answer, i.e. electrical design, method or materials of construction, design choices, etc. Happy trails! Electrical 500W of solar panels, 300 Ah AGM batteries (2x 6V), 2000W inverter/charger, 220W DC/DC charger for charging house batteries from alternator (with Bluetooth comm), battery monitoring system (with Bluetooth comm). The electrical system is more than adequately designed to allow us to cook (portable induction cook top), run our heater and also recharge our e-bikes daily. LED lighting, 12VDC plugins, 120VAC plugins, USB charging stations, etc. Cabinetry Wooden framed (pocket screwed), sheathed with plywood, bolted into van. Had considered using the popular 80/20 AL framing but the wooden framing is very strong/lighter weight/less expensive and has proven itself through miles of rough roads. Heating Forced air propane heater (Suburban NT-16SEQ, much less expensive, runs quieter, easy to install and needs less maintenance than the very popular Webasto or Propex), 10 lb. propane tank (enough propane to last us about a week in cold weather), thermostat control added to the heater. The 10 lb. tank is contained in a specially made enclosure that vents to the outside. The tank has a Bluetooth enabled level sensor that allows fairly accurate determination of remaining propane. Cooking We usually cook on a portable induction cook top but also have a single burner propane stove that runs on the small green propane bottles. Have a couple of bottles usually on hand which can be used to provide propane to the heater through an adapter if we run out from the 10 lb. tank. Water (3) 16 gallon plastic storage tanks with foot pump to dispense water to a built-in kitchen sink/faucet. The sink drains out below the van but we have the option to easily connect a 5 gal. grey water container to the drain under the van if needed. Refrigerator Built-in top load refrigerator/freezer (IndelB TB51A) Sleeping A memory foam bed custom cut for 2 which is stored overhead against the ceiling when not in use via a hand crank system. Sleeping arrangement is head and feet towards the sides of the van. Added sidewall flares to accommodate 6 ft plus for this sleeping arrangement. Seating Removable rear seating w/ seatbelts for 2 (utilized a bench seat from a VW Eurovan)(not shown in pictures). Standard NV factory seats up front. Bench seating for sitting at the dining table when the bed is raised to the ceiling. Miscellaneous Add-ons MaxAir vent fan Roof rack made from aluminum square tubing (for mounting solar panels) Overhead backup lights Side slider window in the sliding door Flares on the rear side panels to increase interior width and allow transverse sleeping arrangement Larger tires (BF Goodrich T/A KO2 265/70 R17) Much better tire than the stock Firestones. Traction boards, shovel and come-along stored onboard for those instances of getting stuck 2” receiver hitch with wiring (my NV S model did not come with a hitch) Swing away receiver hitch platform bike rack for 2 ebikes (constructed using parts I already had) Ladder stored onboard Side awning (using tarp, hooks mounted on roof rack w/ L-track, collapsible poles) Portable shower & small bucket toilet (toilet only for use when other options not available) Portable air compressor Aftermarket stereo with NAV, backup camera and upgraded speakers Mosquito screening (removable) at slider door and front door windows Very well insulated throughout with insulated coverings for all windows Hidden anti-theft switch wired into the engine starter circuit Propane and CO2 alarms Fire extinguisher Overhead storage shelf above driver/passenger seats (this increased our storage space by a lot)

Quick question, now that we have the Vin number we are in the process of looking for insurance for our NV2500. Any recommendations for insurance companies? Most car insurance websites don't even list the NV. It would also be nice to be able to insure the customized interior. Thanks for any suggestions!

I get "hit" most often when I go grocery shopping. Last week, as I was loading bags thru' my side door, 2 older men came up and got into deep conversation about DIY campervan conversion. I probably talked to them for 15 minutes. Near end of convo, there's a late 20s gal waiting to talk to me. SHE wants to do a DIY, has an online job and a 3yo child.. so ready to hit the road! I talked to her another 10 minutes. I really think I need a flyer or brochure or something! LOL.

Just finishing a van conversion on a 2012 NV3500 HD SV into an efficiency apartment on wheels. Great vehicle for this application. Also tow a 30' trailer with the factory installed towing option.

Hi everyone, been lurking for a while but wanted to say hello now that we (my wife and I) factory ordered a NV2500. We were surprised we were able to get $4800 off MSRP and got it for just over $32k out the door. Should receive it in late August and then we'll be converting it to a camper van. Using this NV2500 as a template for conversion. Won't do a flip sofa/bed but instead a bed with a 20 inch pull out at the foot end. 200W Solar, stovetop/oven, 12V marine fridge, 225aH battery and a few other goodies. We are in the process of setting up a conversion and road trip blog as we'll be on the road the next 2-3 years at least. Leaving the career world in Washington DC behind taking a early/mid career retirement and returning to nature. We'll be based out of a small condo in Tahoe/Squaw Valley but will be on the road 90% of the year at least. I'll update once we picked up the NV. Mahu

Hi All Very glad I came across this Forum yesterday evening after driving home our new NV :) We bought our 2014 NV Passenger NV3500 HD 3500 V6 SV Van yesterday at a year closing event . Couldn't resist the massive discount we got and think its a great platform for what we have in mind. We want to convert it into to a VW like "weekender" van. We will use it partially for business, toy hauler and family trips to the coast. In the long run looking into something between - Roadmaster NV6 - Sportsmobile NV and Euorvan Pop Up Camper. Will post progress pictures while we are developing. Best from NOLA and Happy New Year !

In the near future, Ill be looking for a vehical to double as both a toy hauler (nothing too heavy) and a sleeper/camper. Ive really narrowed it down to four choices (ProMaster, Sprinter, Savana/Express, and NV), but after months of going over the pros and cons of each I will more than likely be going with an NV 3500. So basically I have a few questions and want to get better aquaintanted with the model before my decision is set in stone before I start saving up the money to start. I won't ask my current questions in this post, nor will I go into too much detail on what I wont to end up doing with my van (I will start a post in the NV 3500 section as soon as I am done with this introduction post for that), but I will say...As of this moment, these are my future plans for it, if I do go with the NV: 1) 4x4 Conversion 2) Stage 2 Supercharger Kit 3) Possible Air flow modifications (Intake, Header, Exhaust, etc) 4) Custom Frabricated bed frame...either bolted down to the back of a Cargo model, or a removable one built to latch into place using the seat anchors on the passenger model (I think Im leaning towards the passenger one) ...Then of course other things, but the bed and 4x4 Conversion are my priorites. So anyways, there is my Introduction and a brief idea of what I am hoping to get done with-in (would love to have it set up for use before Summer 2014, but due to financial reasons, it is doubtful. So on to my next post under the NV 3500 HD section, for a couple specific questions and concerns I have.