Gear guides, by the numbers
Nine buyer's guides for the parts that decide a van layout: what fits, what it weighs, what it draws, what it costs.
12 V fridges
Best 12 V fridge for a camper van: nine compressor fridges compared by fit, weight and draw
14 min read
Diesel heaters
Best diesel heater for a camper van: seven units compared on minimum output, draw, weight and price
13 min read
Hobs
Best camper van hob: gas, induction and diesel compared by heat, footprint, weight and price
12 min read
Roof fans
Best roof fan for a camper van: MaxxFan, Fiamma Turbo-Vent, Thule and Dometic compared
13 min read
LiFePO4 batteries
Best LiFePO4 battery for a camper van: ten 12 V lithium batteries compared by Wh/kg, €/kWh and current
14 min read
Toilets
Best camper van toilet: cassette, separating and composting units compared by size, price and what you have to cut
14 min read
Solar panels
Best solar panels for a van roof: 13 rigid and flexible panels compared by W/m², €/W and weight
14 min read
Power stations
Best portable power station for a camper van: 12 units from 245 Wh to 2 kWh compared by €/kWh, weight and solar input
14 min read
Inverters
Best camper van inverter and inverter/charger: 14 pure-sine 12 V units compared by €/kW, efficiency and idle draw
14 min read
I have not tested these products side by side. Every guide ranks published specifications — dimensions, weight, capacity, price — with the source linked per product and the scoring shown so you can recompute it. Manufacturer energy claims are shown but not scored. There are no affiliate links; the guides exist so the parts you pick fit the layout you draw.
Every product is a planner preset or a box you can type in, so the fit and the axle load are checked before you order.
Who makes this
I'm Vladimir. I'm planning my own conversion, and none of the tools I tried could tell me whether a layout would fit or what it would do to the rear axle, so I made this one. I work on it alone. If something's wrong or missing, write to me — the address goes to my inbox.
Vladimir Šterjoski