When it comes to van layouts, one of the most critical design choices you’ll make is the galley width. At Roost Vans, we’ve spent countless hours fine-tuning our approach to ensure you get the perfect balance between functionality, storage, and the feeling of open space. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full-time van lifer, creating an efficient, comfortable galley area is essential to your van experience. Here’s how we’ve tackled this design challenge with our modular cabinetry ecosystem.

Why Galley Width Matters

The galley, or kitchen area, is often the heart of a camper van. It’s where meals are prepped, gear is stored, and essentials are kept within arm’s reach. However, vans come with a limited amount of width, and making the wrong choices here can leave you feeling cramped and claustrophobic.

At Roost Vans, we’ve prioritized maximizing usable space while maintaining a sense of openness. Every inch matters, and our cabinetry is designed to provide plenty of storage without crowding the interior of your van.

Design Philosophy

One of our guiding principles is to avoid that “tight cave” feeling. We achieve this by:

• Keeping cabinetry dimensions optimized for functionality without overwhelming the interior.
• Offering standard-depth cabinets (20 inches) and compact-depth cabinets (16 inches) to meet your unique needs.
• Designing upper cabinets and shelving that provide storage while maintaining a clear visual line through the van to make the space feel larger.

The Importance of Fridge and Sink Placement

We carefully consider appliance placement to optimize galley width. Full-size fridges, sink-and-stove combos, and other components are positioned to:

• Provide easy access without crowding the walkway.
• Maximize countertop space for meal prep and daily tasks.
• Leave room for additional modular components, such as our drawer cabinets or compact storage solutions.

Galley Width in Action: Spaceball One [Will feature photos and video in this section]

Our rental van, Spaceball One, showcases how our galley designs come together. This 148 Extended Transit features:

• A compact galley layout with a kitchen bank, fridge bank, and extended countertop.
• Smart placement of a Goal Zero 1500 power station to keep appliances running for weekend trips.
• Upper cabinetry paired with standalone shelves to balance storage and openness.

By carefully arranging these components, we’ve created a functional space that feels open and inviting, perfect for families or solo adventurers.

Final Thoughts: 

Our entire cabinetry ecosystem is built to work seamlessly with our Smooth Rail Mounting System, making installation fast and straightforward. You can mix and match components to create a galley that fits your specific needs. With flat-packed DIY kits, we ship everything right to your door, so you can build your van on your schedule.

At Roost Vans, we believe galley width is about creating a space that works for your lifestyle. Whether you need ample storage for a family trip or a setup for solo adventures, our modular cabinetry system lets you customize your van without compromising comfort or functionality.

Ready to build your perfect galley? Check out our full range of products at roostvans.com and start your van journey today!

Here’s why we take this approach and how our solutions can simplify and enhance your van life experience.

Custom Battery Systems vs. Goal Zero Power Stations

The Case for Custom Battery Systems

Custom battery systems can be tailored to specific power needs and fit unconventional spaces. They may work well for those with extreme requirements, such as running an air conditioner for eight hours straight. However, these setups come with significant drawbacks:

• High Costs: Custom systems require extensive labor and premium materials, making them expensive to build. 
• Complex Installation: Designing and installing these systems can take days, adding complexity to your build. 
• Maintenance Challenges: Repairs and troubleshooting require specialized knowledge and tools, making them impractical for travelers far from a shop. 
• Warranty Concerns: Custom systems lack the robust support infrastructure of factory-engineered solutions, leaving you on your own if something goes wrong.

Why We Recommend Portable Power Stations

Goal Zero X-Series power stations have become our preferred choice for most van builds. Here’s why:

1. Cost-Effective: Mass production allows Goal Zero to offer high-quality, feature-rich products at a fraction of the cost of custom systems. 
2. Compact and Efficient Design: These power stations are optimized for small spaces, making them ideal for camper vans. 
3. Ease of Use: Plug-and-play compatibility with the Roost Vans Power Panel ensures a seamless integration process. 
4. Advanced Features such as: Smart charging via the Link Module, which dynamically manages alternator load without overtaxing it allowing up to 70amp charging; Compatibility with solar, alternator, and shore power inputs; Mobile app integration for remote monitoring and control. 
5. Reliable Support: Goal Zero’s customer service and warranty programs make it easy to troubleshoot or replace components if needed.

For most customers, a 1500x Goal Zero power station with 120 amp-hours is more than sufficient to power essentials like lighting, laptops, fridges, and vent fans for weekend adventures.

The Role of the Roost Vans Power Panel

The Roost Vans Power Panel is the heart of our power management system, designed to maximize the efficiency and usability of your van’s electrical setup. It works seamlessly with Goal Zero power stations, simplifying installation and operation while delivering robust performance.

What Is the Power Panel?

The Power Panel is a centralized hub that connects your power station to the rest of your van’s electrical system. It allows you to manage multiple inputs and outputs effortlessly, ensuring your power needs are met without the complexity of custom wiring.

Key Features of the Power Panel

1. Easy Integration
   • Plug-and-play compatibility with Goal Zero power stations.
   • Works seamlessly with pre-installed wiring, making it ideal for phased builds. 
2. Supports Multiple Recharging Options
   • Solar Power: Ideal for off-grid users, though limited by roof space and weather conditions.
   • Alternator Charging: The Link Module dynamically manages power from the vehicle alternator, ensuring p0werful and efficient charging without overloading the system.
   • Shore Power: The most reliable option for full recharging at campgrounds or other powered locations. 
3. Compact Design
   • Optimized to fit within the limited space of a camper van.
   • Keeps your electrical system organized and accessible. 
4. User-Friendly Features
   • Centralized controls for managing power distribution.
   • Compatible with mobile apps for monitoring and adjusting settings remotely.

Why This Combination Works

At Roost Vans, our goal is to create practical, efficient, and budget-friendly solutions for van lifers. By combining Goal Zero power stations with the Roost Vans Power Panel, we offer:

• Reliability: Factory-engineered power stations deliver consistent performance backed by a robust warranty and support network.
• Efficiency: The Power Panel ensures seamless integration and management of your power system.
• Cost-Effectiveness: This setup minimizes labor and material costs compared to custom systems.
• Flexibility: Supports phased builds, allowing you to upgrade or expand your system as your needs evolve.

Final Thoughts

Powering your van doesn’t have to be complicated or prohibitively expensive. With a Goal Zero power station and the Roost Vans Power Panel, you get a system that’s easy to use, reliable, and scalable to meet your needs.

Whether you’re planning weekend getaways or extended off-grid adventures, this combination offers the perfect balance of simplicity, performance, and value.

Ready to power your van the Roost Vans way? Contact us or visit roostvans.com to learn more about our power solutions and start your build today!

When building a camper van, one of the most debated features is whether or not to include a shower. At Roost Vans, we’ve taken a clear stance: we don’t install interior showers. Why? Because the challenges far outweigh the benefits, especially when considering the functionality, cost, space constraints and practicality of camper vans. Here’s an in-depth exploration of our reasoning and the alternative solutions we recommend.

Why We Don’t Do Showers in Vans

1. Space Constraints

Camper vans are all about maximizing a small footprint. Installing a shower requires significant infrastructure:

• Dedicated Space: An enclosed shower takes up valuable real estate, reducing the usable living or storage space.
• Visual Impact: A vertical shower wall interrupts the line of sight from one corner of the van to the other, making the space feel smaller and more cramped. At Roost Vans, we prioritize an open, uninterrupted design to maintain the feeling of spaciousness.

2. Minimal Usage

Through years of experience, we’ve found that showers in vans are rarely used. Most van owners rely on alternatives:

• Campgrounds and State Parks: These locations often have full-size, comfortable endlessly hot shower facilities.
• Natural Water Sources: Lakes, rivers, and beaches are popular for quick rinses and are very enjoyable.
• Exterior Showers: More on this below, but outdoor setups often meet the need without the drawbacks of an interior shower.

3. Infrastructure Challenges

Adding a shower means introducing complex systems that are often impractical in a van:

4. Cost vs. Value

The cost of adding an interior shower can easily run into the many many thousands, yet its functionality often falls short of expectations. At Roost Vans, we believe in investing those resources into features that provide greater long-term value, such as high-quality cabinetry, bed systems, or advanced power setups.

The Roost Vans Alternative: Exterior Showers

While we don’t install interior showers, we do offer a modular and practical solution: an exterior shower system.

How It Works

• Water Tank: A 20-gallon over-the-wheel-well water tank that also supplies water to the interior sink.
• Spray Port: The tank includes a spray port for versatile use—rinse off surfboards, bikes, pets, or muddy boots.
• Hot Water Setup: For a full shower experience, we add an inline propane-powered hot water heater with showerhead and curtain for privacy.

Benefits of the Exterior Shower

1. Compact and Flexible: Takes up minimal space inside the van while offering maximum functionality.
2. Multi-Use System: The water tank serves both the sink and shower, maximizing utility.
3. Efficient: Uses propane and water sparingly, making it ideal for off-grid camping.
4. Practical Application: Perfect for rinsing off after a day at the beach, mountain biking, or other outdoor activities.

When an Interior Shower Might Make Sense

If you’re absolutely set on an interior shower, we recommend considering the Tetravan Folding Shower System. It’s one of the most innovative designs we’ve seen, offering a compact, fold-away solution. However, even with this option, there are still challenges with heating water and storing sufficient water for a satisfying shower.

Our Philosophy on Camper Vans

At Roost Vans, our design philosophy is rooted in practicality and efficiency. Camper vans are not RVs, and we aim to create functional, adventure-ready spaces that prioritize usability over unnecessary features. By omitting interior showers, we ensure that our vans:

• Remain open and spacious.
• Avoid unnecessary complexity and maintenance issues.
• Deliver better value for your investment.

The Final Word on Showers in Vans

While the idea of a shower in your van may sound appealing, the reality often proves less glamorous. Instead of dedicating space and budget to an underused feature, consider the versatility and practicality of an exterior shower system. It’s efficient, flexible, and perfectly suited to the van life lifestyle.

Ready to build your dream van? Contact us or visit roostvans.com to learn more about our designs and solutions tailored to your adventure.