Part Time Campervan
- Little Vanporium
- Jan 13
- 3 min read
The Weekend Work-Van Camper: A Modular Setup for Part-Time Adventures
Not everyone wants a full van conversion. Sometimes you just want a clean, practical way to camp at weekends—without losing your work setup Monday to Friday.
That’s where a modular “part-time camper” layout works brilliantly: a fold-out bed for sleeping, your existing work storage still in place, and one key comfort upgrade that makes the whole van feel instantly more liveable… a portable wash + prep unit.
The core idea: keep the van a work van
The best part-time camper builds all follow one rule:
Everything should fold away, lift out, or still be useful when you’re working.
Instead of fixed cupboards, hard-plumbed water systems, and permanent bed platforms, you use:
a fold-out bed that sets up fast
storage that remains proper work storage
and a portable wash/prep station that gives you comfort without commitment
The game-changer: a fully portable wash + worktop unit
This unit is basically the “camp mode switch” for your van. Drop it in for the weekend and your work van instantly becomes a practical micro-camper.
Lift it out and you’re back to full work mode.
So you get a proper, self-contained setup for handwashing, brushing teeth, rinsing a mug, or cleaning up after cooking—without any permanent installation
Here’s what makes it so effective:
Built-in water, no plumbing headaches
It carries two 10L water tanks: one for fresh water and one for the waste.
Battery-operated tap = zero wiring
The tap is battery powered, so there’s no wiring and no need to run electrics through your van. That means:
no leisure battery required
no holes
no complicated “van build” decisions. Just charge on and Usb cable and go.
Fold-out side arms for extra worktop space
One of the smartest parts: fold-out side arms that create extra worktop area. That gives you a clean surface for:
making coffee and breakfast
chopping and prepping food
eating inside when the weather turns
dumping keys/headtorch/phone at night
In a compact van, that extra surface area makes a big difference but just as important is that it can fold away again.
Light enough to remove and store
Because it’s fully portable and light enough to move, it’s ideal for part-timers. When you don’t need it, it can simply live in the garage—ready to drop back in when the next trip happens.
No guilt, no permanent “half conversion,” and no hassle.
How it fits with a fold-out bed
A great weekend setup is simple:
One side: your normal shelves and tool storage
Other side: a fold-out bed that creates a sleeping lane
Near the door: the portable wash/prep unit for easy access
That layout means you can finish work Friday, set the bed up in minutes, and you’ve got:
a proper sleeping space
a spot to wash up
and a worktop for cooking/eating
Best part? You don’t have to unload your van and rebuild it every weekend.
Why this setup gets used more than “big builds”
A lot of full conversions look amazing… but they take time, money, and commitment. And they often reduce your van’s ability to do actual van things.
This kind of modular setup wins because it’s low friction:
quick to set up
easy to clean
easy to remove
and it keeps your weekday life unchanged
So you end up doing more spontaneous overnights—after a long shift, after a late drive, or when you just want to wake up somewhere better than home.
What your “weekend kit” looks like
With a unit like this, you really don’t need much else:
Essentials
fold-out bed + inflatable mattress
bedding / sleeping bag
portable sink pod (fresh + waste tanks)
small stove + gas
a weekend box (mug, cutlery, pan, coffee, toiletries, food)
Nice-to-haves
window covers
lantern or small 12V / battery lights
clip-on fan
folding chair for outside
The best of both worlds
This setup isn’t about pretending your work van is a luxury camper. It’s about making it comfortable enough to be genuinely useful for weekend trips—without sacrificing what you need it for during the week.
With a fold-out bed and a portable wash/worktop unit that has:
two 10L tanks (fresh + waste)
a battery-operated tap (no wiring)
fold-up side worktops
and lightweight portability for easy storage
…you get a van that stays a work van, but can still become a proper little sleeping space whenever you want.
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