Before diving in to the interior, the first order of business on “Boondocker” is to get some windows in. We couldn’t find a van with the options we wanted and factory rear glass, so we’ve installed windows into the back doors. We’ve also outfitted the sliding door with a full-size window with a pop-out for ventilation and extra light. We’ve decided to not do any other windows. After spending countless nights in our vans, we’ve found that windows just aren’t worth it. They reduce insulation in the van, and invariable add to the road noise. Besides, while we love vans, we love being outdoors more. If you’re just sitting inside the van staring out at the world, well, shouldn’t you just go outside?

After adding the windows, we turned our focus to ventilation. One of the best features we’ve installed is the Fantastic-Vent. This vent is installed towards the rear of the van and can draw air in or out. Behind the Fantastic-Vent, we’ve installed a sunroof that is directly above what will be the sleeping platform. This sunroof can be popped completely out in seconds and allows stargazing and fresh air at night. The vent and sunroof were both placed towards the back of the van to allow room for solar panels on the front area of the roof.

And for more ventilation in the front of the van, we install driver and passenger window visors so you can roll those windows down a bit, even when it’s raining. Between the front windows, sliding-door pop-out window, the sunroof and Fantastic-Vent, we’ll have plenty of ventilation, even on the hottest of days, to keep the van comfortable. Additionally, we’ve found the solar panels (we’ll be adding these soon) provide a whole lot of sun protection, keeping the van much cooler than without solar panels. So we should be set for some summer adventures, without roasting in a hot, stuffy van!