Our Origins
Pacific Vans began its journey in the forests and coastlines of the Pacific Northwest, originally under the name Vanbase. We started small — 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 — a vast, wild, and open expanse.
That spirit of exploration, resilience, and venturing into the unknown inspires everything we build. And that’s why we’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 — 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 — where Shaun’s own journey began. Later, his father became a well-known wooden houseboat builder in Seattle.
Building on that family legacy of craftsmanship — and blending it with years of experience in UX design and the tech industry — 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 adventure—either solo or with his wife and two sons.
