Remote Van Build Story

 

When You’re Made for Off-Grid, Nothing Is Off-Limits: Our Family’s Remote Van Build Story

We never even stepped foot in our van until it was fully built and delivered across the country. But when you work with the right person, even the wildest dreams become your reality. That person, for us, was Brent.

We’re a family of four from Kentucky – two parents, two energetic kids, and a dream of traveling and living off-grid. In 2019, right before the COVID lockdowns hit, we moved into our custom Sprinter van full-time. In 2025, we’re doing it again. This van has carried us through two seasons of life, and it still fits us like a glove.

And it all started with a YouTube video.

How We Found the Right Van Builder (Remotely!)

At the time, we didn’t know a single person in the van build scene. But we found Wes of Tiny Watts through YouTube and reached out about a solar package. He ended up connecting us with Brent who owns Ruhne Racing, a custom van building shop in Santa Cruz, California.

From our first call, we knew we were in good hands. Brent didn’t just know the logistics – he understood the lifestyle. We had a toddler on one hip, a preschooler we were just figuring out how to homeschool, and a small business to run. We didn’t have the bandwidth for project-managing a van build, and honestly, we didn’t want to.

Brent made it feel easy.

Choosing a Sprinter Van for Our Family (Despite the Doubts)

Before we found Brent, I’d spoken to another builder who told me flat-out:

“There’s no way a family of four will be comfortable in a van. You should look into a school bus conversion.”

Brent’s response?

“Let’s do it.”

He was stoked at the challenge. He took our sketches, ideas, and family needs, and ran with them.

And we didn’t even have a van yet. Brent introduced us to a trusted Sprinter dealer who helped source and purchase one for us. We were in St. Petersburg, Florida, nearly 2,800 miles from Santa Cruz. Everything was remote. Phone consultations, emailed floor plans, and shared spreadsheets.

We didn’t need to micro-manage the process because Brent had it covered.

Building Our Off-Grid Sprinter Van for a Family of 4

There are so many little decisions that go into a Sprinter van conversion. Especially for a family of four living full-time and off-grid.

We didn’t just need a van – we needed a tiny home on wheels that could handle everything from nap time to dinner time to potty training on the go.

Here’s just a small glimpse of what Brent helped us figure out:

  • A king size AND a full size bed in a van (we have 4 humans that need to sleep!)

  • Custom window cutouts

  • Separate seats for each kid (no side by side fighting!)

  • Soundproof insulation (I wanted the kids to sleep tight)

  • Ventilation + fan

  • Design forward ceiling paneling and durable flooring

  • Big kitchen sink, faucet, and cabinets

  • Large drawer-style fridge (to hold as much food as possible)

  • Water tank, gray water tank, and built-in filtration system

  • Pull-out toilet + outdoor shower

  • Shoe storage built into the step-up (for little muddy shoes)

  • Two fold-down tables (for art and computer work)

  • Front swivel seats

  • Storage above the cab

And I know I’m forgetting a few things. But Brent didn’t. He made sure everything had a purpose, a place, and a clean finish.

Marine-Grade Materials: Why They Matter in a Family Van Build

Brent’s background racing sailboats came through in the smartest ways. He recommended marine-grade materials instead of trendy butcher block countertops. And we’re so grateful he did.

You see a lot of van builds chasing a certain “aesthetic.” But when you’re living in it full-time with kids, you want function, people! I’ve cleaned up every kind of mess you can imagine in that van. If it can come out of a toddler or spill out of a cup, I’ve wiped it up.

Everything in our van is wipe-down-able. That’s a bonus I didn’t even know I needed. And the best part? It still looks sleek and timeless.

Six years later and I love the way it looks

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Full-Time Van Life with Kids: Why Our Build Still Works

We’ve now lived in this van full-time twice. Once as a family of four with a toddler and preschooler. And again now, in a new season of life. The van still works for us because it was built for us.

If you’re thinking about an off-grid Sprinter van build, especially for your business or family (we have both!), we can’t recommend Brent and Ruhne Racing enough. Whether you’re local or thousands of miles away, he’ll make it happen.

When your van is built right, you’re free to go anywhere. And isn’t that the point of having a van?

By Ashley Gibbons.

Ashley and her husband are the creatives behind WithMeaning.com, a family-run brand that creates personalized gifts and keepsakes designed to tell your story. When she’s not chasing sunsets or working from the road, she’s helping others find beauty and meaning in the everyday.