Sustainable Adventure Vans from the Netherlands

Our handcrafted, nautical-inspired campervans have everything you need โ€” and nothing you donโ€™t. Pacific Vans is a van conversion company based in Leeuwarden, Friesland (north of Amsterdam), building world-traveling, adventure-ready campervans designed around your needs. We use durable, marine-grade materials to create warm, cozy interiors built to last for years of exploration.

Travel the World. Restore the Planet.

At Pacific Vans, we believe that building a life of adventure shouldnโ€™t come at the expense of the planet. Thatโ€™s why we plant 600 trees for every full campervan we build.

Why 600? Over the lifetime of a vanโ€”from the materials used in the build to decades of travelโ€”we estimate that each vehicle will be responsible for around 460 tons of COโ‚‚ emissions. By planting 600 trees and supporting their growth to maturity, we can fully offset the carbon footprint of both the build process and 50 years of van life on the road.

Itโ€™s not just about neutralizing emissionsโ€”itโ€™s about actively giving back. With every build, we invest in long-term reforestation projects that restore ecosystems, support biodiversity, and help balance the impact of adventure with responsibility.

Your van takes you places. These trees help keep those places wild.

Andes
Andes

Natural Materials, Built to Last

We finish our interiors with natural plant-based paints and low-VOC oils, creating healthy spaces that are safe for both you and the environment.
We also use locally and sustainably sourced woods, including British clear cedar ceilings, Dutch Douglas fir shiplap walls, and European birch cabinetry finished with durable, locally made laminates. Natural materials that are better for the planet โ€” and better for life on the road.

Builds

Now Building: Signature Series Basecamp

To mark our relaunch in Europe, weโ€™re offering a limited-edition version of our flagship Basecamp build โ€” at a one-time-only launch price. Premium materials, full standard features, and your choice of custom upgrades.


Basecamp

Weโ€™ve built Basecamps for all kinds of adventurers โ€” from a full-time backcountry skier in Montana, to mountain climbers who traded their New York apartment for a ski condo in Washington, spending the rest of the year chasing peaks in Colorado. We even built one for a kiteboarder from Illinois who now spends 6 months each year living off-grid in Baja, Mexico.

What adventure will you launch from your Basecamp?


Custom

Want something unique? We can design and build your dream van โ€” with options like an extended rooftop, additional sleeping space, seating for four, or custom features tailored to your adventures. If you can dream it, weโ€™ll help you build it.

Have something special in mind?


Projects

We also take on custom projects โ€” like these drop-in and slide-out kitchens we designed and built for Cabana, a U.S.-based campervan rental company with locations in Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Austin, and Minneapolis.
Have a custom project in mind? Letโ€™s build it.

Have a custom project idea?


Installs & Upgrades

Not ready for a full camper build, but need professional help with key components? We offer individual installations to help you get started or improve your setup.

We can help with window and fan installations, diesel or gasoline heaters, electrical systems including batteries, solar, inverters, second alternators, and shore power connections. We also provide wool insulation, wall and ceiling finishing, custom cabinetry, and complete water systems with plumbing.

Letโ€™s build what you need, one step at a time.


Services

Pacific Vans now offers expert support and flexible services to help you at every stage of your campervan journey โ€” whether you’re starting from scratch, halfway through a build, or just need a bit of professional advice.

Van Build Consulting

Get 1:1 guidance from an experienced van builder.

Hourly or package rates available. We can help with:

  • Electrical systems (Victron, solar, 12V planning)
  • Layout reviews
  • Materials and product sourcing
  • Insulation and interior paneling

โ‚ฌ75/hr for custom project packages

3D Van Design Services

Professional SketchUp models based on your van dimensions and needs.

Perfect for DIY builders who want to visualize everything before starting.

  • Includes consultation call
  • Full interior layout
  • Cabinetry and systems placement

From โ‚ฌ500 per design

DIY Support Calls

Quick Zoom or WhatsApp check-ins when you’re stuck.

Need help mid-build? Just want to double-check something with an expert?

  • 30 or 60 minute sessions
  • Electrical, plumbing, layout, tools, or materials questions

From โ‚ฌ45 per session

Van Build Plans & Guidebook (Coming Soon)

From Frame to Finish: Building a Solid Campervan
Weโ€™re opening up our full build process for the very first time. This step-by-step guide includes CAD drawings, detailed plans, and insider notes so you can build a solid, yacht-inspired campervan using the same methods we use in our shop.

  • Detailed PDF plans & CAD files
  • Covers framing, insulation, electrical, plumbing, furniture & more
  • Includes our Basecamp layout (adaptable for your van)
  • Clear measurements, parts lists, and material guides
  • Shop notes, tips, and real-world example builds
  • Easy to modify for your own design

Plans starting from โ‚ฌ25


Be the First to Know
Sign up for early access and launch updates when our Van Build Plans Book goes live.
Just drop your name + email below to join the list.


For quotes, custom requests, or questions, contact us by WhatsApp, email, or call us at +31 6 29760100.

About Pacific Vans

Our Origins

Pacific Vans began its journey in the forests and coastlines of the Pacific Northwest, originally under the name Vanbase. We started small โ€” building custom campervans by hand for adventurous people who wanted something better than mass-produced vans. Thoughtfully designed, carefully built, ready for exploration.

After relocating to the Netherlands, we relaunched as Pacific Vans, bringing that same commitment to craftsmanship and adventure to Europe. Today, we build vans in our workshop in Friesland for people who want a cozy, capable home on the road.

Our Name

In 1519, Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan set sail in search of a western route to the Spice Islands. After navigating the treacherous strait that now bears his name, his fleet entered an unfamiliar ocean in November 1520. Magellan called it the Pacific because of the unusual calmness of the water at the time.

Little did they know, their destination was still thousands of miles away. They had entered the largest ocean on Earth โ€” a vast, wild, and open expanse.

That spirit of exploration, resilience, and venturing into the unknown inspires everything we build. And thatโ€™s why weโ€™re called Pacific Vans.

Our Mission

We build clean, functional, and spacious mobile cabins for people who want to explore the world and use their van as a basecamp for adventure.

Every build is designed to feel like home โ€” a cozy, capable, and beautiful place to return to after a day outside.

Meet the Builder

Shaun Kelly is the founder, designer, and builder behind Pacific Vans. Born and raised on a sailboat in Seattle and the San Juan Islands, Shaun grew up surrounded by adventure and craftsmanship.

Before Shaun was born, his father built the family sailboat by hand and sailed it from Seattle to Hawaii, then across the Pacific to Bora Bora and Tahiti, before returning to Hawaii and eventually Seattle โ€” where Shaunโ€™s own journey began. Later, his father became a well-known wooden houseboat builder in Seattle.

Building on that family legacy of craftsmanship โ€” and blending it with years of experience in UX design and the tech industry โ€” Shaun started Pacific Vans to craft thoughtful, functional, and beautiful campervans for modern adventurers.

When he’s not in the workshop, he’s likely out bikepacking, snowboarding, paddleboarding, backpacking, or off on an adventureโ€”either solo or with his wife and two sons.

Products

Want to build your own van like a Pacific Vans build? We sell the same quality marine-grade parts and equipment we use in our own conversions โ€” and we can help with installation if needed.

Donโ€™t see what youโ€™re looking for here? We carry more than whatโ€™s listed โ€” just reach out and ask.

Prices include VAT and are for pickup at our shop in Leeuwarden, NL. Shipping available at added cost.

Contact us via WhatsApp, email, or call us at +31 6 29760100 to place your order.


Nautical Brass

Davey & Co Brass Cabin Ceiling Light on cedar ceiling

Electronic Components


Electronic Accessories


Heating/Comfort


Windows & Roof Hatches


Refrigeration


Hardware


Recovery


Exterior