When it comes to outfitting your Vandoit campervan, there’s no shortage of ways to enhance your experience. From comfortable sleeping arrangements to functional kitchen setups, every aspect of your van should be designed with your adventure in mind. One often underestimated aspect, but incredibly important, is the lighting in your van. Whether you’re reading a book in bed, cooking a meal, or just creating the right ambiance, the right lighting can make a world of difference. In this blog, we’re going to explore the various lighting options available for your Vandoit campervan.

Classic Light Bars

Vandoit campervans come equipped with classic light bars that are both practical and stylish. These are essential for providing bright, even illumination in the main living area of your van. Whether you’re preparing a meal or hanging out with friends, these classic light bars will keep your space well-lit and welcoming.

Baja Designs Lights

Vandoit has taken their lighting game to the next level by incorporating Baja Designs lights into their campervans. The Baja Designs LP6 lights, mounted on the front bumper, provide exceptional illumination for night-time driving or off-roading. Additionally, there are two Squadron Pro hood cornering mounted lights for improved visibility during turns and maneuvers. For those who like to explore beyond paved roads, five LP9 roof-mounted lights ensure that you’re never left in the dark. Both the driver and passenger sides also feature two S1 work lights, perfect for setting up camp or doing some late-night maintenance. At the rear of the MOOV, two Squadron Pro lights up top and two S2 Sports Wide lights within the Backwoods rear bumper guarantee your surroundings are well-lit no matter where you roam.

With Vandoit’s Baja Designs lights, safety and adventure go hand in hand.

Zoned and Dimmable RBG Lighting

For those who want to take their lighting to the next level, Vandoit offers RGB million color lighting with a Czone touch screen controller*. This cutting-edge lighting system allows you to customize the color and intensity of your interior lighting to create the perfect ambiance. Want a calm, blue glow to relax by after a long day of hiking? No problem. Craving an energetic, vibrant red to get you pumped for the day’s activities? Easily done with the Czone touch screen controller. This versatile lighting system puts you in control of the mood inside your campervan.

*Available only on Stage 3 Electrical Packages

LED Accent and Can Lighting

Accent lighting can make your Vandoit campervan feel more like a cozy home on wheels. These lights not only add a touch of style to your space but also make it more functional. Finding that snack you crave in the middle of the night becomes a breeze with a gentle glow.

In addition to accent lighting, LED can lighting provides a more dispersed and general illumination for your van’s interior. These lights are perfect for creating a well-lit, inviting space where you can cook, work, or simply relax. With LED can lighting, your Vandoit campervan remains bright and functional, no matter the time of day.

Cargo Lighting

Efficiently storing and accessing your gear is crucial for any campervan enthusiast. Vandoit campervans come equipped with cargo lighting to ensure you can always find what you need, whether it’s camping equipment, hiking gear, or your favorite board games. The well-lit cargo space simplifies packing and unpacking, allowing you to maximize your outdoor adventure time.

Overall, the lighting options available for your Vandoit campervan are extensive and versatile. From the practicality of classic light bars to the customization offered by the RGB million color lighting with the Czone touch screen controller, Vandoit has it all. When you’re on the road or off the beaten path, the right lighting can truly light up your world and enhance your campervan experience. So, choose the lighting options that suit your style and needs, and let your Vandoit campervan shine, both inside and out.

Vanlifers have longed for air conditioning without needing an outlet or generator. I found that the 12V Dometic RTX2000 and Vandoit Lithium 460 Amp Hour Power System make this former fantasy a reality.

Summer boondocking in many states meant suffering through hot and muggy nights. Sure, there have been 12V air conditioning systems, but they relied on custom battery setups, and the performance was mediocre at best. Luckily, 12V air conditioners and battery systems have advanced, making untethered air conditioning more reliable.

Dometic released its 12V RTX2000 air conditioner to the RV market in late 2020, coinciding with improvements in battery technology. Vadoit leveraged both and offered the 12V AC with a lithium 460 amp hour battery system. I heartily accepted the challenge of testing both in the brutal heat and humidity of the Texas summer.

The Dometic RTX 2000 and Vandoit’s lithium 460 amp hour power system changed how I plan outings during the summer months. I don’t look for sites anymore. I head out confident that my family and pets will get a restful night’s sleep.

I don’t use the term “game-changer” if I can help it, but that’s what this system was.

Dometic RTX2000: Tech from the Trucking Industry

Dometic borrows the RTX2000 from its offerings in trucking. The air conditioners in that world are dubbed “parking coolers”; they keep the cab cool while parked overnight. The 12V parking coolers reduce fleet fuel costs because the drivers no longer idle the engines overnight to keep air conditioners going.

Dometic claims that the RTX2000 pushes out 6,824 BTUs of cooling energy, compared to many rooftop RV units with a 13,500 BTU rating. But campers must plug into shore power or a generator.

The obvious question surrounding the system is, “Can the Vandoit lithium power system run the RTX2000 overnight, and if so, how effective is it with the lower BTU rating.” And concurrently, “Is the additional cost worth the benefits?’

The Vandoit Lithium 460 Amp Hour Power System

Dometic claims the RTX2000 pulls 19 amps in “Eco mode.” Estimates show that 30 Ah/hour of power will drive 5000 BTUs of energy for every hour. A lead-acid battery would last 2 hours. 300 amp-hours should suffice for overnight duty.

The Vandoit lithium 460 amp-hour power system forecasts the ability to run the air conditioner harder or longer than “normal.” I assumed this would be required to tame the heinous midsummer heat of Central Texas. Usually, the overnight lows are in the 80s or 90s. And I would need enough juice to power lights, computers, etc.

Hellish Testing of the Dometic RTX2000 and Vandoit Lithium Ion Power System

I purposely tested the Vandoit lithium-ion and Dometic RTX2000 combination during Texas’ hottest and humid days. I also partnered with the most vocal sidekick, my 8-year-old daughter. The days were spent outside the van, enjoying our many spring-fed swimming holes.

But being a young child, she cratered at about 5 p.m. We cooked dinner on a grill outside, in the shade of mighty oaks, and scurried into the van around 7 or 8 p.m.

The overnight low during our testing period was in the 80s, and the humidity was at least 50%, but sometimes it was way more humid. I set the thermostat to 76 or 78, which was a 10 to 12-degree differential from the outside temperature.

The Dometic RTX2000 pushed much less air volume than a typical shore-powered 13,500 BTU RV air conditioning system. This meant it took much longer initially to cool down the long-wheelbase, tall roof Vandoit Do, compared to a 110V unit.

Another downside to the lower air-moving capacity was that any obstruction to the outgoing air on the RTX2000 was noticeable. When I had my upper Murphy bed out, it was much warmer on the lower bed. The person in the upper bed would be comfortable, but the camper in the lower bed would be too warm. This wasn’t the case with plug-in RV air conditioners.

A 6-inch 12V fan pointed at the air leaving the RTX2000 was the simple and effective solution. It fixed both issues. The van’s interior cooled down much faster, and the cold air spread evenly. This inexpensive fix mitigated every drawback I had with the smaller capacity of the Dometic RTX2000 and being unplugged.

A benefit of the smaller capacity of the RTX2000 was that it was much quieter than any plug-in RV air conditioner I’ve used. It still made noticeable noise, but I estimated it was 30% quieter.

Well, How Long Did It Run?

Long enough was my answer. I never ran out of battery power overnight throughout two Texas summers of use. The air conditioner typically ran for 9 hours with an ambient temperature differential of 10-12 degrees.

Where I live and travel mainly in the summer, reducing humidity is just as important for a restful night as lower temperatures. And I could see how much moisture the Dometic RTX2000 removed from the air because it produced vast puddles of water around the Vandoit Do model.

Most mornings, I had about 20% of my battery power remaining, sometimes more. Many factors affect how much the compressor has to run, etc., but I was confident in the Vandoit lithium-ion battery system. It never let me down in some of the harshest environments for an air conditioner.

Some campers would want more than my 10-12 degree temperature differential. But I predicted the 460 amp-hours I had on board would be fine overnight, running a 15-degree differential.

Final Thoughts on the Dometioc RTX2000 12V Air Conditioner and Lithium 460 Amp Hour Power System

Freedom. That is what the 12V air conditioner and lithium power system provided.

Summers here used to require logistics that revolved around the availability of limited electric campsites. Often, it meant choosing a destination based solely on acquiring a site with an outlet. It was ironic; I wanted to escape it all, but I couldn’t cut the electrical cord if I wanted a good night of sleep.

But no more! I can park almost anywhere, even in the hottest summer months, and boondock comfortably overnight. The Dometic RTX2000 and Vandoit Lithium 460 Amp Hour Power System allowed us to break free of the grid. Summer camper van trips are now in an entirely different realm.

But it is a significant financial investment. The air conditioner and electrical system are significantly more expensive than shore power and lead-acid counterparts. But the Dometic / Vandoit system costs less than my friends’ one-off custom 12V systems, which have all been troublesome.

For me, it’s hard to put a number on the freedom to camp anywhere. It’s invaluable.

Look familiar?

If you follow the work of Ford and Vandoit, you may have seen this teaser and thought, “That looks like something Vandoit would do.”

You’d be right.

Vandoit, founded by the Kline family, has a longstanding relationship with Ford that goes back multiple generations to the founding of Kline Motors in 1947 in Chillicothe, Missouri.  Over the years, Vandoit and the Klines have collaborated with Ford on many projects, from marketing to design and more.  So a phone call from Ford is not uncommon in the day-to-day activities at the Vandoit production facility in Blue Springs, Missouri.

But one phone call in July 2022 was a little different.

A Blind Yes

This call from Ford was to share an idea like no other.  “We’re working on a new Transit package,” the Ford representative explained, “And we want an upfitter to work with.”  Ford had a quick timeline–about four months.  Would Vandoit be willing to build out the interior of this new vehicle in such a short time frame?

The answer was an immediate yes from Vandoit leadership.  It was an opportunity to work closely with Ford and improve the products made by both companies.

But it was a bit of a blind yes: Vandoit didn’t know the precise scope of this new Transit package.  The Vandoit team was going to be building on the interior of a van they had never seen before.  How Ford was planning to market this new vehicle was unknown at the time.  What the Vandoit team did know is that their focus would be on upfitting the interior of the van, leaving exterior components like wheels, tires, lift, and roof accessories to the Ford team.

The Ford Transit Trail

This new Ford Transit package–called the Transit Trail–is built on a cargo chassis.  This presented an immediate challenge to the Vandoit engineering team, as they were used to building on the Transit passenger chassis.  Vandoit had established an efficient assembly line approach to upfitting the Transit passenger chassis, so the team had to quickly adapt those processes to this new cargo version.

To launch the Transit Trail interior buildout process, the Vandoit engineering team worked closely with the Ford design team to establish production and quality parameters for the upfit.  Ford also communicated their vision for the upfit: The van would contain only the driver and passenger seats in the cabin–no rear passenger seats–and have the ultimate vanlife setup for the couple who wants to wake up next to the beach and be able to prepare a gourmet breakfast from the convenience of their van. Vandoit knew immediately that their new galley and storage modules, especially the storage and counter space they create, provided the perfect solution.  They also knew they could round out the ultimate van kitchen space by adding a hanging cabinet and a magnetic spice rack above the countertop.  Once those parameters and vision were established, Ford gave Vandoit complete creative freedom to upfit the interior of the Trail.

Vandoit’s Goals for the Transit Trail

Very early on, the Vandoit engineering team established goals for this upfit project:

• Create the ability to sleep sideways.  This is a feature often requested by current Vandoit owners, as the DO and LIV models orient the beds from front to rear, rather than side to side. The blank canvas of the Transit Trail was an ideal opportunity to create a completely new bed system, especially as the Trail does not have the rear windows the Transit passenger van has: Turning the bed sideways meant no loss of visibility.
• Create airplane-like overhead storage above the bed. The bed is always a prominent feature in any campervan, but storage solutions often require hopping out of bed or climbing underneath it.  Having storage within arm’s reach of the bed is a major comfort value-add, so the engineering team created built-in cubbies above both the head and foot of the bed.  
• Utilize removable kitchen modules. This goal was easy to accomplish, given that Vandoit had released these new modules only a couple of months prior to the Transit Trail project. The Vandoit engineering team selected a single sink module to go on top of a slide-out storage cabinet for water storage. This was installed between a Dometic refrigerator on one side and a single cubby/three-drawer module on the other for more kitchen storage. The modules can all be rearranged or removed altogether using simple tools.
• Expand Vandoit’s palette of materials and finishes. On the Transit Trail upfit, the engineering team hand-cut wall panels from ACM (aluminum composite material) rather than the ABS plastic panels used in the Vandoit assembly line, put in honeycomb insulation for the first time, and used new vinyl coated polyester flooring.
• Install the best power system to suit the Trail.  Vandoit has installed the Mastervolt lithium power system in vans for a couple of years now, so using Mastervolt in the Trail was the obvious choice.  The power system Vandoit built for the Trail is small but powerful–equivalent to the capacity of a typical AGM power system, but with the reliability of lithium technology.  The marine grade components provide the durability and ruggedness needed to match the Trail’s profile.
• Make lighting practical and versatile.  The Vandoit team installed interior zone lighting for the first time on the Trail upfit to accomplish two things: To use lighting to set the mood for every occasion–sleeping, stargazing, reading, relaxing by the campfire, or watching the sunrise.  The zone lighting also makes it possible to turn on a light without waking a partner sleeping in bed.  The new ice blue interior accent lights tied together the look and the mood.

The Upfit Process

The clock started ticking as soon as the new Transit Trail chassis pulled into the Vandoit facility in Blue Springs.  The Vandoit engineering team laid eyes on the Trail for the first time and immediately assessed the cargo chassis.  They needed to take quick inventory of the design changes that would need to be made from the usual Vandoit passenger chassis upfit.

The next step was a familiar one: Gut the van.  The Vandoit team removed factory headliners, panels, and a few other Ford parts to make way for the new honeycomb insulation, electrical wiring, and flooring.

Next, the Vandoit engineering team worked from the back of the van to the front, mocking up the upfit structure and layout for the power box, bed platform, and storage areas.  The Transit Trail cargo chassis truly provided a blank canvas for the team, as the absence of air bags, rear HVAC, and seat rails meant establishing a completely new geometry for the aluminum extrusion structure.  These aspects of the cargo chassis also meant there was more interior space to work with near the van’s ceiling–the perfect spot for those airplane-style storage cubbies.

When it came to the power system in particular, the Vandoit engineering team listened to the input of current Vandoit owners to better position outlets and switches than the current DO and LIV layouts.  For example, an outlet was added on the front of the sink module for easy use of kitchen appliances.  These changes led to a new wiring layout and power box layout during the mock up phase.  The team was forced–in the best possible way–to go back to the drawing board and see what they could do better.

As the new power system was being built, the Vandoit design team also began manufacturing the wall panels one by one.  Most were hand-cut to fit the new Trail geometry, and plenty of fitment testing went into the process to get the panels just right.  The final product was both practical for storage and aesthetically pleasing.

Since the bed was a main focus of the upfit, the Trail’s bed platform was a completely different design from the current LIV and DO bed systems.  The Trail’s bed is essentially static; however, it can be shifted up and and down using tools to lock in at a specific height.  It was important to create a full size bed that would sleep two comfortably, and as mentioned before–finally fulfill the often-voiced desire to sleep sideways.  And the storage space the bed creates underneath is crucial to any van lifer for carrying supplies and outdoor gear.  The addition of one of Vandoit’s three-drawer storage modules at the rear of that storage space completed the area’s utility.

As the team built each component and area of the van’s interior, they did so with careful consideration of how well the build could be replicated.  The Vandoit engineering team did not view the Transit Trail interior upfit as a one-off build; rather it is a new blueprint designed to be replicated and offered again in the future.*

Approaching the Deadline

As the deadline to complete the Transit Trail’s interior upfit approached, the Vandoit team spent many late nights at the shop, putting heads together and hands on components to figure out how to finish everything to meet–and exceed–Ford’s expectations.  In the final days of the upfit, two to three team members were constantly working on the van’s interior at any given time.  With any spare time they found, the team made what changes they could to improve the build.  

The day before the deadline, the engineering team made the final touches to the upfit, and then the Vandoit marketing team stocked the van with bedding, kitchen supplies, and decorations.  The fully upfitted Transit Trail interior was ready to present to Ford.

The next day, representatives from Ford and VaynerMedia came to the Vandoit factory for a showcase of the completed Transit Trail interior.  Afterwards, the Vandoit team joined Ford and VaynerMedia on set for the video shoot of the Transit Trail teaser video.  Finally, the Trail was loaded onto a transport truck and headed to Detroit for additional marketing and its product release in early November.

Vandoit & Ford: Synergy & Acceleration

The outcome of this collaboration between Vandoit and Ford was a lot of synergy and an acceleration of product development for both companies.  “The Transit Trail offers a lot of new features to the already proven Transit line of commercial and passenger vehicles”,” Vandoit CEO Jared McCauslin says.  “Vandoit was forced to take on a lot of new challenges and obstacles.  We ventured into product development scopes our company hasn’t been to in a long time.  We are using our current knowledge to make our product better and broaden our horizons.”  Likewise, the upfit Vandoit created in the Transit Trail gave Ford a new vision for what the Transit product can be.

*At the time of publication of this article, Vandoit does not offer the Ford Transit Trail as one of its upfit options.  Vandoit does have Transit Trails on order and plans to do production runs of this new upfit.  However, the timeline of this offering is yet to be determined.

Two Words Sum Up The New Vandoit Galley & Storage Modules: Game Changer!  

Having owned a Vandoit for several years, my first Vandoit was a GO, the precursor to the LIV model. A primary difference between the GO and the LIV is that the GO model has an electronics cabinet just behind the slider door, which functions as a step up to the queen bed and as a seat or table.  As the cabinet took up some of the living space, storage had to be under the bed in the cabinets on the driver and passenger sides of the van.  As you can imagine, that’s a lot of crawling under the bed to get to your gear.

Fast Foward To 2022, And Vandoit Now Offers These Incredible Galley & Storage Modules

 It took some time to offer this option, as Vandoit does not rush to provide new components without extensive research, prototyping, and user feedback.  When something becomes an actual van component, it has been thoroughly vetted.  We were fortunate to be some of the first to use these new modules in our Vandoit so we could provide feedback to the Research & Development team.  

One of the best features–and perhaps the most challenging choices to make–is deciding on which modules to use in your van and how to configure them.  In my opinion, the best way to decide on your module setup is to start with the base unit and work your way up.  We went with the triple drawer base, and not only is it great for storage, it is so quiet.  You won’t hear the drawers move around, nor do they open up when traveling.  Just keep in mind that what you put in the drawer can make noise, so I line the drawers with a rubber shelf liner like this one shown to the below. Depending on the length of the trip and the time of year, we use the drawers to store both clothing and food.  My top drawer is my ‘junk’ drawer which I use for food storage bags, scissors, and a wine opener ( a must!).

The Storage Modules Help Maximize Your Floor Space

We also use the slide-out storage cabinet, which is a great option for having the dry-flush toilet or small Dometic cooler handy when you need it, and sliding it out of the way when you don’t.  And since it’s rated to hold over 500 pounds, I don’t even have to think about what I load onto the slide-out tray.

Working our way up the module configuration, the module tops are a great way to add more storage without taking up much space, and the choices are great: You can add another drawer, an open cubby, or a sink.  The sink is a great option for creating a full kitchen setup, especially when it is next to other module tops that provide counter space for food prep and serving.  The cubby is ideal for storing and grabbing items we use frequently, like towels, a basket of cooking utensils, and cleaning supplies.

The Combinations For These Modules Are Endless And Reconfigurable. 

If your trip includes more than two people, for instance, one or more of the modules can come out and the seats go in.  Detaching the base modules from the mounting hardware on the floor track is simple, but moving them can sometimes be a two-person job–just something to keep in mind if you are considering using these in your van.  Detaching the top modules is just a matter of removing four bolts.  When my husband and I are planning a long trip for just the two of us (and our dog, Peanut!) we like to max out the galley to create lots of storage and tons of counter space.  The long counter is ideal for food prep and for our mobile office.

A shorter trip might call for the sink and some drawers, or the sink with a dry-flush toilet on the slide-out tray. Most of the time we stay with our maxed-out galley setup. However, if we are traveling with people vs. camping, we can take out all or some of these cabinets to provide room for people.  The modules really articulate what Vandoit is all about: Modularity.  What do you need for your adventure?  Put it in, take it out, or leave it be.  Check out all of the Galley & Storage Modules–plus the Vandoit kitchen pod–here!