Top tips on renovating an RV (and making some $$$ from it)

We all try to make room for our hobbies and projects, right? After all, life gets pretty boring when it’s all about work, school runs and trying to keep on top of the mowing and washing. But what if your hobby could earn you some buckeroos when you’re finished with it?

Well, if like many of us, you’ve been dreaming of renovating an RV, there’s a good chance it could. Just take it from the following RV enthusiasts who turned their passion projects into these seriously inspiring, custom, stylish vans.

Now that their finished projects are earning some extra cash as rentals, these renovators, amateurs and professionals alike have reflected on their efforts and shared some sage advice for anyone looking to tackle their own RV renovation. So without further ado, here are some top tips for renovating an RV from people who have actually been there and done that.

Do your research 

This tip comes as no surprise. After all, research is essential to any project. It should happen at every stage of the renovating process, even after you think your RV is done. 

Do your research and find a fit-out that is best for your van. I recommend taking your van on a couple of small trips before you hire it out to remove and redesign any flaws that you may find.

Flynn of Kombi Camping, Barossa Valley SA, renovator and owner of Gilbert.  

Have a plan and be patient 

Renovating an RV is a big task. It can be helpful to break it down into smaller tasks, making the job seem more manageable and giving you a straightforward process to follow. 

Planning is essential if you want the renovation to be done right. It also helps keep things moving because you often can’t do one thing before you’ve finished another; the insulation before the walls, the walls before the wallpaper and paint, and so on.

Erin and James of Drifters Campervans, renovators and owners of Frankie, Huey and Hendrix. 

Save where you can and splurge where you want to 

Of course, renovating an RV will put a dent in your wallet which will eventually be recuperated once your van is hired out. It can be tricky to manage but it’s essential to focus spending where it’s needed and where it will give your van that ‘wow’ factor.   

I learnt a lot of clever ways to save money where it doesn’t impact the end result. Simple things like buying a table saw so you can cut down all your wood needs and using Gumtree for things like bed frames.

Andrew, Queenscliff NSW, owner and renovator of  Queensie.

Our van has a few more luxuries, but we wanted it to feel cosy and homey. We splashed out on things like the bed lift and solar power.

Georgia, Brighton QLD, renovator and owner of Terry the Transit. 

Teach yourself and surprise yourself at the same time  

Unless you’re a professional, there are bound to be plenty of new skills you’ll need to hone or acquire to renovate your RV. So long as you stay safe while you learn, there’s almost nothing you can’t do yourself.  

I had to teach myself to aluminium weld since the person I had lined up to weld the frame kept letting me down, so I bought a welder and taught myself so I could build the frame.

Phil of Retro RV, renovator of Coco. 

Use the internet to your advantage 

If you need to learn new skills so that you can renovate your RV properly, how do you go about learning them? The internet can be an extremely handy resource, with many tips, tricks and instructional videos available for almost any job.  

With a lot of tutorial videos and digging on the internet, my husband learned how to weld, install air-conditioning and even do some plumbing.

Amy, Coolum Beach QLD, renovator and owner of Van Go and The Bahama Mama. 

The best tool in your toolbox is your phone.

Rocky, Northgate QLD, owner and renovator of Dizzy Miss Lizzy and Sgt. Pepper.  

Get professional help when you need it 

While you may have learnt a bunch of handy new skills renovating your RV, there are some things that need to be done by an expert. You want to make sure your van is safe above all else.  

We made sure things like the power and gas were professionally installed.

Georgia, renovator and owner of Terry the Transit. 

We didn’t realise how many rules there would be around stripping the bus and adding what we wanted, such as different seating, weight and of course, the engineering that has to be done so it can be driven with a regular licence.

Dee, Sydney NSW, renovator of Casa the Coaster.

Think about the little things  

At the end of the day, after renovating, your RV should be a space in which you would be happy to hit the road. This is a helpful way of thinking to ensure that your van has all the features and luxuries that will make your hirers journey that much more amazing. 

A coffee machine was a must for us in case we’re on the road and not near any coffee shops. Everyone’s needs are different, so if you’re starting from scratch, try listing all your must-haves, kind of like a brief.

Dee, renovator of Casa the Coaster.

My aim for my van was to make it appealing enough for my partner to want to join me.

Andrew, owner and renovator of  Queensie. 

Be creative to maximise space 

A van is a lot smaller than an ordinary living space. The small size, tricky curves and funny angles can make both the installation and design challenging. It also means that you have to ensure that your renovated RV doesn’t feel too poky or lack adequate storage.  

Building the perfect van requires creativity in the use of space and choices on what is most important. Moving one little part affects all the other parts to the design. Every millimetre of space counts, so there were countless roadblocks in getting our design and functionality to work within the constraints of the van and the space restrictions.

Julia of Yotchi, owner and renovator of The Adriatic. 

Let yourself enjoy it and be proud of yourself  

Though there are challenges to renovating any RV, you will surely find joy in creating something. If it’s a solo project, you’ll be able to take full ownership of the amazing results, and if it’s a team effort, you’re sure to have some laughs along the way. Ultimately, you will be left with something you can stand back, look at, and be proud of.  

The ability to build something that has never been created is rewarding and we get so much satisfaction when guests and onlookers first see our unique set up.

Julia, owner and renovator of The Adriatic. 

There’s no feeling like sitting back and proudly looking at the end product. I know my Kombis, from every nut to every bolt.

Rocky, owner and renovator of Dizzy Miss Lizzy and Sgt. Pepper.  

List your van on Camplify for peace of mind 

Once you’ve completed renovating your RV, it’s time to hire it out. After a trip in it yourself of course!

When you’re ready to list your van for hire, head on over to the Camplify website. They take care of all the essential things, like insurance, connecting your van to a great audience and processing payments.

We had bookings coming in on the Camplify platform within the first 48 hours of launching.

Erin and James, renovators and owners of Frankie, Huey and Hendrix. 

We love how easy it is to work with Camplify. The reservation system is very user-friendly for both hirers and owners. The friendly team at Camplify is always happy to help with any enquiry, and payment is fast once the booking has ended.

Amy, renovator and owner of Van Go and The Bahama Mama.