The purchase of this vehicle has change our camping life style. Unlike many RV campers who goes on leisure camping, our style of camping would bring us to almost any places in Taiwan, off-road in the river, mountain or to a secluded beach. A Taiwanese Outback Camping. This was the reason why I insisted it must be a Delica L300.
Bug Out Vehicle
We have decided not to call this conversion as a RV but a BOV (Bug Out Vehicle). BOV is more ideal to classify our setup, any time we feel like bugging out, we go. Any crisis, we leave and the vehicle and can be our temporary home. We will camp adequately but not luxury. We will keep all the gears lightweight and minimum. Keeping the vehicle light is essential and will consume less fuel on any trip.
Evacuation Plan for economic crisis or disaster
If one of this disaster or crisis was to happen, the idea is to drive to a selected location and bug out for few nights. As fuel will be a problem during crisis, the bug out places we have selected are all within 200Km radius. Once at location we will not drive anymore unless needed. Our next transportation will be bicycles. The BOV will be our base and we will use the bicycles for scouting, gathering of material and food.
In our vehicle there is always supply of food and water for atleast 3 days, normally we store canned food, packed instant noodles and a bottle of white grain which can be kept for longer period. Once in a while we will consume these during camping and replace the supply with fresh expiry dates.
Our criteria for BOV conversion
Most of the vehicle interior was DIY, we try to keep it simple and lightweight. We will not convert the vehicle too elaborate, as an Engineer our theory is simplicity, keep the design simple and will have lesser breakdowns. So far these are the items I have DIY myself.
The original front row seat was left intact, the folding seat was removed to create space for other equipment. There was no rear seats when we took over the vehicle. With the front row seat intact, we would still be able to carry passengers and cargo. The seat can be folded down to create space for bedroom.
Fresh Food, Cold Beer and Clean Water
Evacuation Plan for economic crisis or disaster
If one of this disaster or crisis was to happen, the idea is to drive to a selected location and bug out for few nights. As fuel will be a problem during crisis, the bug out places we have selected are all within 200Km radius. Once at location we will not drive anymore unless needed. Our next transportation will be bicycles. The BOV will be our base and we will use the bicycles for scouting, gathering of material and food.
In our vehicle there is always supply of food and water for atleast 3 days, normally we store canned food, packed instant noodles and a bottle of white grain which can be kept for longer period. Once in a while we will consume these during camping and replace the supply with fresh expiry dates.
- Has to be low cost
- DIY as much as possible
- Storage space
- Sleeping arrangement
- Kitchen arrangement
- Sitting arrangement
- Carry passengers
- Carry cargo
- Fast and easy deployment of outdoor gears
- Self sustainable power source (still working on it)
- Carry secondary transportation (bicycles)
- Carry 3 days of ration and water supply for two
- Tools for vehicle repair and outdoor survival
- Laptop for Map info and Delica Service Manuel
- Spare Clothes and Hygiene Kit
- A bug out bag (will stored in vehicle when needed) water purifier, tent, mattresses, sleeping bags, survival knife, survival kit, first aid kit, extra ration, head lamps etc.
Most of the vehicle interior was DIY, we try to keep it simple and lightweight. We will not convert the vehicle too elaborate, as an Engineer our theory is simplicity, keep the design simple and will have lesser breakdowns. So far these are the items I have DIY myself.
- Rear storage rack
- Side Storage box
- Added curtains
- Side storage shelf
- Installed auxiliary battery
The original front row seat was left intact, the folding seat was removed to create space for other equipment. There was no rear seats when we took over the vehicle. With the front row seat intact, we would still be able to carry passengers and cargo. The seat can be folded down to create space for bedroom.
BOV Camping Gears
At the moment these are the main lists of BOV camping gears onboard
- RS-MF50 Mobile Cool Box 50lts
- 25lts Water Container
- Logos Recliner Chairs
- Folding Table
- Mobile Kitchen Chuck Box
- Go-Sport Camping Kitchen Rack (will be removed soon)
- Intex Inflatable Mattress 90cm
- Term-a-rest pillows
- Scooda Side Awing Tent
- Old Laptop with accessories
- Travel Life Bike Carrier
Fresh Food, Cold Beer and Clean Water
A 50lts multi voltage freezer / chiller box. We bought this because we were trying out selling "Meals on Wheels" in a camping trip. It was necessary for fresh food so that we can keep for days. Well, we could get a smaller freezer / chiller but this was a good deal so we bought it. Later we realised, we made the right decision when we could stuff at least a crate (24 cans) of beer with fresh food in it.
A 25lts water container filled the space just perfect. The container was faced outwards, so we can wash dishes, brush our teeth without wetting the vehicle interior. The 25lt of water was sufficient to use for days.
A 25lts water container filled the space just perfect. The container was faced outwards, so we can wash dishes, brush our teeth without wetting the vehicle interior. The 25lt of water was sufficient to use for days.
Kitchen and Dinning Setup
Our kitchen has to be mobile, able to cook inside and outside the vehicle. I came up with an idea designing a mobile kitchen chuck box.
Rear and in house cooking
Outdoor Kitchen (this will not be our setup, just for demo)
Indoor and Outdoor Dinning, our dinning table can be used in two ways, with or without extended legs
This will be our future outdoor kitchen and dinning setup...low profile
Sleeping Arrangement
Therm-a-Rest Mattress sleeping arrangement
Power Source
In the vehicle we have two power source setup, one is internal and the other is external. The internal uses an old battery from the vehicle and the external is a power point to external power source such as from camp ground. We try to keep all electrical equipment using just 12V or 5V so that the BOV can be self-sustainable.
110V Supply
Most of the campsites there are power source. We have made a 20mtrs long cable to connect to any outdoor power source to supply electricity inside the vehicle to recharge batteries, cooking, entertainment, lighting etc. In the vehicle we have 2 multi connections, one in the front of the vehicle and the other at the rear. Might consider installing a breaker / volt protection for any power surge from external source.
Most of the campsites there are power source. We have made a 20mtrs long cable to connect to any outdoor power source to supply electricity inside the vehicle to recharge batteries, cooking, entertainment, lighting etc. In the vehicle we have 2 multi connections, one in the front of the vehicle and the other at the rear. Might consider installing a breaker / volt protection for any power surge from external source.
12V Supply
Recently we have installed a spare battery and a Battery Isolator. Now we have inboard power source.
Solar Setup
This our Solar setup, it is only 20 watt solar panel which is not enough for daily need. We used it to tickle our 12V batteries so it will not go flat. Maybe in the future we will upgrade the wattage.
Recently we have installed a spare battery and a Battery Isolator. Now we have inboard power source.
This our Solar setup, it is only 20 watt solar panel which is not enough for daily need. We used it to tickle our 12V batteries so it will not go flat. Maybe in the future we will upgrade the wattage.
Portable Power Pack
We have a power pack (Mr Battery) that can store enough charge for our camera batteries, recharge batteries, mobile phones and to power the laptop for another 6 hours. We charged the power pack on a 12V power supply from the vehicle using a 19V adaptor converter.
Entertainment and Information
Digital TV or movies on our laptop. The laptop will also assist in downloading information from the internet and store necessary data for reference. Recently in one of the camping trip, we spent 4 days out in the wild. Soon realised using the laptop from the aux battery drained it too fast. We will try to avoid using the laptop when there is no external power source. If needed we will use the portable power pack.
Digital TV or movies on our laptop. The laptop will also assist in downloading information from the internet and store necessary data for reference. Recently in one of the camping trip, we spent 4 days out in the wild. Soon realised using the laptop from the aux battery drained it too fast. We will try to avoid using the laptop when there is no external power source. If needed we will use the portable power pack.
We have 3 source of lighting, 110V, 12V and a portable Black Diamond lantern. For 110V we have blew up couple of light bulbs only to realised that we have connected to a 220V power source. Now we are using 110/220V lamp.
There are 3 sets of 12V LED lights, 2 white and 1 red which are connected to the aux battery. If the aux battery is flat we will use our Black Diamond Apollo Lantern which runs on 4AA batteries.
There are 3 sets of 12V LED lights, 2 white and 1 red which are connected to the aux battery. If the aux battery is flat we will use our Black Diamond Apollo Lantern which runs on 4AA batteries.
BOV Bike Carrier
With the add-on bike carrier, now we can travel around with our bicycles and the BOV will be used as a base.
With the add-on bike carrier, now we can travel around with our bicycles and the BOV will be used as a base.
Bug Out Options
We have 3 options of setting up our outdoor BOV.
- In House
- Rear Bummer
- Open House
Rear Bummer - this set up is for bumming around, enjoy the nature over beer. Fast and easy setup, just a table and 2 chairs that can be slide out from the rear storage. The vehicle rear compartment door will be raised and act as a shelter. When time for bed, all the camp furnitures are stored back and we will sleep in the vehicle.
Open House - this setup will be more elaborate. It includes a Scooda Side Awning Tent and camp furnitures. If needed the mobile kitchen box will be deployed. Friends and family are then welcome to our open house.
