Being in nature under open skies and reconnecting with a quieter time is one of the benefits of living and traveling in an RV. But RV living doesn’t always mean camping in the wilderness, near mountain rivers and desert landscapes. Living on the road also means traveling through cities and sleeping in a parking lot, in which case only discretion can provide the freedom you’re craving.
Some would argue that stealth camping is the truest form of vanlife, so today we’re taking a look at a great example of a stealth van. Meet the aptly named VIPS Stealth Van, a 2022 Ford Transit 350 high-top cargo van that’s been expertly converted into a cozy, versatile home on wheels that’s nicer than most city apartments.
This amazing camper conversion is the brainchild of Vanning in Plain Sight, a luxury van conversion company based in Clearwater, Florida that specializes in creating inconspicuous micro-apartments on wheels. After living in a converted van for two years while working for various luxury hotel brands across the country, partners Jenny and Terry Smith not only fell in love with the freedom that van life offered, they also learned a lot about stealth camping. With all the knowledge they gained during this time, they built an entire business around the idea that stealth camping is the ultimate form of van living.
The VIPS Stealth Van is designed and outfitted for full-time living in all seasons and is stealthy enough to offer privacy in both secluded wilderness locations and busy city streets. Some of the obvious indicators that a van is actually a mobile habitat are raised solar arrays, canopies, awnings, and wraparound windows. To stay private and hidden, this conversion deliberately eschews all of these and instead boasts a rather modest white-painted exterior, a cabin partition, low-profile solar panels, and no windows except those in the driver's cabin.
Photo: Vanlife Trader/Vanning in Plain Sight
However, as modest as this van may look on the outside, stepping inside is like stepping into a luxurious city apartment or hotel room. Designed for maximum comfort and convenience, the living space is equipped with all the modern comforts of home, including a kitchen, bathroom with hot shower, cozy sleeping area, dining area, entertainment center, ample interior storage, and a spacious garage.
The design is cozy and understated, yet it has a luxurious feel, and despite the fact that it has no windows, it doesn't feel claustrophobic at all, thanks to a thoughtful floor plan and a classic, beloved black and white decorative palette that opens up the space. In addition, white walls with overlapping planks and a beautiful coffered ceiling with numerous LED lights ensure an airy and bright ambience even when the doors are closed.
In terms of layout, this van has a closed cab configuration, with a full felt partition wall that blends in seamlessly with the look of the standard cab. In addition to creating a cohesive look, this partition wall improves insulation, acting as an effective thermal barrier between the driver's cab and the actual living area. A mirrored pocket door has been included for effortless access to and from the cab.
Photo: Vanlife Trader/Vanning in Plain Sight
The designers wanted to create an open feel inside, so they only placed counters on one side of the van, while the other side is dedicated to relaxation. The driver's side of the van is where the kitchen and bathroom are located, while the passenger side is occupied by a built-in bench that provides space to relax, unwind, or watch your favorite shows on the 40″ TV mounted on the front partition. This arrangement helps increase the feeling of spaciousness and creates plenty of room to move around without feeling squeezed by furniture.
The cooking space features custom high-quality cabinetry paired with solid surface laminate countertops. It offers plenty of space for meal prep and is equipped with a sizeable sink, a two-burner hob, an oven and an Isotherm Drawer 130 stainless steel refrigerator. Upper cabinets and some neatly built-in spice racks add storage and enhance the kitchen’s functionality.
The built-in bench facing the kitchen is not only your lounging area, but also a place to eat. An oversized marble-look dining table slides out from under the bed to complete the dining room setup. A secondary sliding table is built in next to it, but this one is intended for use when preparing meals. Both lock magnetically on the back so they don't slide out during travel.
Photo: Vanlife Trader/Vanning in Plain Sight
The rear of the van is not just a simple sleeping area, but a real bedroom with a comfortable double bed arranged in an east-west direction to save space, an elegant bookcase with a mosquito net window next to it and a wardrobe at the foot of the bed.
Back at the front of the van, the bathroom has also been meticulously designed for both aesthetics and practicality. It features a shower and a Laveo dry-flush slide-out toilet, but its functionality extends beyond your toilet needs, as it doubles as a storage space when not in use. Many van lifers use gym showers and public restrooms, so their van showers aren’t used every day. Vanning at Plain Sight included waterproof PVC boards for the shelves and a removable pole for hanging clothes inside the shower stall. The only questionable design choice for this bathroom is the glass door instead of the standard Nautilus retractable door typically found on van conversions. The designers say this glass door adds familiarity to the design and prevents it from feeling claustrophobic, but it may not be to everyone’s taste, as it leaves no privacy.
As mentioned above, the VIPS Stealth Van is ready to take you on any-season adventure with closed-cell spray foam insulation, a Webasto Airtop heater, a Domec RTX 2000 12V air conditioner, and a Maxx Air fan. Plus, all plumbing is internal to the vehicle.
The van is also well-equipped for off-grid living, making it suitable for both urban explorers and outdoor enthusiasts. The resilient electrical system includes 350 watts of flexible solar panels, three SOK 206AH lithium batteries, and a 3000 watt Victron Mulplus2 inverter/charger.
Stealth van campers like the VIPS Stealth Van allow van lifers to go unnoticed wherever they go and open up more opportunities for camping spots. If you’re looking for a luxurious yet discreet van camper, this incredible setup is for sale through Vanlife Trader for $165,000.
