Volkswagen Crafter Camper Van by Custom Built Campervans: A Refined, Home-Like Conversion for Van Life

Introduction: Bespoke Crafter Conversion for Modern Van Life

UK-based Custom Built Campervans has turned a long-wheelbase Volkswagen Crafter into a sophisticated, fully equipped motorhome that blends practical touring features with a comfortable, home-like interior. While many campervan builds covered on automotive websites come from the United States, the European market has its own crop of high-quality converters and conversions. This Sheffield company demonstrates how careful layout, polished finishes, and robust systems can deliver a premium campervan ready for long trips and daily comfort.

All original images and captions from the source have been preserved and remain part of the visual presentation of the conversion.

Exterior Design and Touring Equipment

The exterior immediately announces this Crafter as a purpose-built camper. The standout feature is a large pop-top roof tent with an integrated solar panel. The pop-top accommodates two adults on a full-size mattress and includes three zip-up windows for ventilation. Additional exterior upgrades include a TV antenna, a sizeable awning for shade, and extra windows to brighten the living area.

Underneath, the van rides on rugged Rogue Aloy wheels shod with all-terrain tyres, complemented by running boards for easier access. Practical service points for shore power and water are fitted to support long stays off-grid. The two-tone black-and-white paint, with black rocker panels and roof, gives the van a contemporary, upscale look that reads as both functional and stylish.

Interior Styling and Layout

The interior continues the monochrome exterior theme with white cabinetry, dark grey fabric walling and ceiling, and wood-effect vinyl flooring for a warm, durable finish. The design prioritises an open-plan layout with no fixed bulkhead between the cab and living area, allowing cabin seats to swivel and become part of the lounge. This open space concept is central to modern campervan ergonomics, enhancing social interaction and usable living area.

Seating and Living Area

Immediately inside the rear door sits the seating and dining area. A Mobiframe double bench with seatbelts forms the core of the lounge, paired with a table that includes an extension. The bench uses a sliding base so occupants can create additional legroom between seats, and the seats adjust and recline for passenger comfort. Above, a deep headliner shelf, side overhead cabinet, and a TV on a swivel mount add convenience. The pop-top access hatch is located in this zone, reachable via a telescoping ladder when deployed.

Kitchen and Utilities

The galley is positioned on the driver side, reflecting the right-hand-drive layout. It packs essential appliances into a compact footprint: a sink with a folding tap, a compact fridge with a small freezer compartment, a Dometic microwave, and a dual-burner induction hob. Counter space is modest but enhanced by a flip-up table, and storage is well organised with two overhead lockers, two lower units, and a dedicated drawer.

The kitchen panel integrates the camper's utility controls, including power and water monitoring, a touchscreen thermostat for the diesel-fired Truma heater, inverter switch, and multiple charging points. Centralised controls make it easy to manage heating, energy usage, and onboard systems while on the move.

Bathroom and Sleeping Areas

Opposite the kitchen sits a well-proportioned bathroom with a shower and cassette toilet. The wet-room-style facility is practical for multi-day trips and designed to maximise privacy and water containment.

At the rear, a full-size bed provides sleeping comfort comparable to a small home. The bedroom includes two reading lights, four overhead cabinets for clothes and essentials, and a second TV. Multiple windows to the sides and rear ensure good daylight and views.

Garage, Storage and Onboard Systems

The elevated bed creates a capacious garage beneath, accessible via a small door from both inside and out. The garage layout is cleverly optimised for bulky equipment in the central bay while housing key mechanical and service components around the sides and under the rear access panel.

Installed systems include a Truma air conditioning unit tucked beneath the step into the living space and a Truma boiler for hot water and auxiliary heating. An A/C vent keeps the garage ventilated and helps prevent condensation when the rear doors are closed. Side boxes covering the wheel wells conceal the electrics and utility gear. The left side houses a sizeable 628 Ah battery bank and a 3,000 W inverter/charger, providing strong off-grid power for appliances, heating, and charging.

Performance, Driving Characteristics and Specifications

This build uses the Volkswagen Crafter long-wheelbase platform. The Crafter is popular across Europe for its comfortable cab, stable ride, and strong payload capacity. While specific engine options vary by market, the Crafter is commonly paired with efficient 2.0-litre turbodiesel powertrains designed to deliver ample torque for laden touring and hill climbs. The conversion’s long-wheelbase chassis improves interior space but requires attention to manoeuvring in tight urban areas, a common trade-off for larger camper vans.

Key specifications and systems to note for buyers and enthusiasts include:

• Base vehicle: Volkswagen Crafter, long-wheelbase
• Sleeping capacity: up to 4 people (pop-top double and rear full-size bed)
• Electrical: 628 Ah battery bank, 3,000 W inverter/charger, roof-mounted solar panel
• Heating and hot water: Truma diesel heater, Truma boiler
• Kitchen: dual-burner induction hob, Dometic microwave, compact fridge/freezer
• Exterior: pop-top tent, large awning, TV antenna, all-terrain tyres on Rogue Aloy wheels

Market Positioning and Comparisons

Custom Built Campervans positions this Crafter conversion at the premium end of the bespoke motorhome market. Compared with off-the-shelf campervans or DIY conversions, professionally finished bespoke builds deliver superior material quality, intelligent layout, and integrated systems engineered for reliability. In the European market the Crafter-based conversion competes with Sprinter and Transit-based motorhomes. Relative to a Mercedes Sprinter build, the Crafter often offers a more straightforward interior layout and competitive comfort at a slightly different price point. For readers from the United States, comparable platforms would be ProMaster or Ford Transit — though note that the Crafter is not sold in the US market in this form.

Conclusion: Who Is This Camper For?

This Custom Built Campervans Crafter is ideal for couples or small families who value refined interior styling, strong off-grid capability, and the peace of mind that comes from a professionally engineered conversion. With thoughtful storage, a robust electrical system, and comfortable sleeping for four, it is well suited to extended touring and weekend escapes alike. For van life enthusiasts seeking a blend of luxury, practicality, and reliable systems, this Crafter conversion is a standout example of high-end European camper van design.