Must-Haves in a Van for a Round-the-World Expedition
When your home is on wheels and your backyard changes with every sunrise, comfort, capability, and independencebecome the cornerstones of van life. A round-the-world van expedition isn’t a getaway — it’s a full-blown lifestyle. And to thrive in this lifestyle, your van has to be more than a vehicle. It must be a high-performance, off-grid camper van — designed for life far from the grid, but rich in all the luxuries of home.
At Tiny Planet, we’ve spent years designing custom camper vans for full-time travel. Now, we're living what we've built — setting out on a global vanlife journey in one of our most advanced creations. Here’s what we consider essential for anyone planning to take on the world by van.
Let’s start where the road ends. A van that can only handle pavement is not made for true adventure. To reach wild, untouched places, you need serious off-road capability: a 4x4 van conversion or all-wheel-drive chassis, rugged all-terrain tires, and an upgraded suspension system. With these foundations, you're free to roam where few others dare — deep into deserts, over mountain passes, and through forested backroads. It’s the ultimate setup for overlanding in a van.
But no matter how remote you go, comfort shouldn’t be compromised. Our hydronic heating system transforms the van into a haven. The heated floors, powered by over 150 feet of glycol piping, mean you can walk barefoot even in winter — every inch of the van is gently warmed. Add in instant hot water for morning routines or post-hike showers, and you're wrapped in warmth wherever you park.
When the seasons shift and temperatures rise, staying cool is just as important. That’s why we integrated the Cruise N Comfort 12V undermount air conditioner — the most efficient on the market. With 10,000 BTUs of cooling power and ultra-low energy consumption (just 600 watts per hour), it runs quietly and effectively off-grid, powered entirely by our solar-powered camper van electrical system.
Of course, none of this would be possible without a robust 12V electrical system. If you want true independence, you need lithium batteries — and lots of them. For smooth, worry-free travel, we recommend a minimum of 600 amp-hours. But the more you have, the more freedom you gain. Our expedition van carries a staggering 16 kilowatt-hours of power, which equals more than 1,300 amp-hours in a 12V system — over double the standard for most expedition van builds. This high-capacity van battery setup runs every appliance on board, from the A/C to the espresso machine, and stays charged thanks to roof-mounted solar panels and an alternator that powers the system while driving. It’s a true off-grid power system for camper vans.
A comfortable bathroom setup is another non-negotiable. Our vans include a custom camper shower pan with four drains — so no matter how your van is parked, water flows smoothly. The sliding “Genius” toilet disappears when not in use, and a high-efficiency mist shower head allows for long, hot showers using as little as 0.4 gallons per minute. It’s a bathroom designed not just for convenience, but for full-time vanlife comfort.
Then there’s storage — essential for long-term van travel. A lifted bed might work for weekends, but if you're spending months on the road, you need real space. That’s why we designed a convertible dinette-to-bed that transforms into a sleeping area, with a massive gear garage underneath for tools, supplies, and personal belongings. It’s a smart and flexible soltion for those seeking best camper van storage ideas.
And finally, the kitchen. Because let’s be honest — gourmet meals shouldn’t be reserved for restaurants. Our vanlife kitchen setup features an induction cooktop, a compact microwave/oven combo, a water-saving dishwasher for camper van use, and a proper espresso machine. When you can cook fresh meals and make great coffee wherever you go, life on the road doesn’t feel like camping — it feels like home.
This spring, we’re putting all of these features to the test. Our founders — Denis, Sofia, and their daughter Amelia — are embarking on a round-the-world family van tour in their self-built Tiny Planet expedition van. The adventure kicks off at the Adventure Van Expo in Ventura, California on May 11th, where the van will be unveiled to the public for the very first time. From there, the journey spans coast to coast across the U.S., continues through Europe, Russia, Mongolia, and ends in China — crossing deserts, forests, mountains, and cultures along the way.
But more than a route, this trip is a message: that a life of freedom, connection, and discovery is within reach — even with a baby, even far from city life, even in a van.
We’re building not just for the road, but for a future where comfort, autonomy, and adventure coexist beautifully.
Follow the journey and be inspired to chase your own.