Company specializes in converting campers into tiny homes for 'digital nomads,' retirees
A company from Toronto created during the pandemic is moving into high gear with its stylish campervans.
“There’s a huge burgeoning community of people who don’t have to work in one place any more,” said Jeremy Vandermeij, co-founder and design director of The Van Dads.
“There’s also a lot of people who want to use them for vacationing, road trips.”
Vandermeij said there is 60 square feet in the van and it’s equipped with a two-burner induction cook top stove, sink, composting toilet, a queen size bed, a desk that you can work on, and a table that pulls out for you to eat a meal on.
“There is also a 30-gallon water tank so you can do dishes. Plus, the faucet can extend outside the van so you can take a shower,” he said.
“All of this is powered by the solar and battery bank … There are two big solar panels on the roof of the van. And they feed five large batteries. Those batteries can be charged by the solar panels or plug the van in if you’re at a campsite.”
Batteries last a day and a half
Vandermeij said the batteries can last a day and a half without any sun. And the batteries are charged every time you drive the van.
He said young digital nomads with no kids are buying the vans. Retired snowbirds, too, who are sleeping in the vans instead of paying for hotel rooms.
The base model starts at $47,000 but Vandermeij said just like vehicles, you can add options so you can customize your van.
“Some people are spending more than $100,000 because they want a fancy bathroom, tile floor and they want four people to sleep in the van,” said Vandermeij.
“We also have beds that lower from the ceiling to accommodate a larger crowd.”
When asked about the van withstanding a northern Ontario winter, he said that won't be an issue.
“We actually tested our first van when we got it insulated and put in the Webasto heater," said Vandermeij.
"It’s a heater that works off the gas tank with the vehicle off. And it was more than warm enough.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.