Man quits job to convert old van into a cozy solar-powered mobile cabin

In 2013, <a href="http://vandogtraveller.com/" target="_blank">Mike Hudson</a> gave up his job and most of his worldly possessions to build a DIY camper and travel Europe. Today, the 25-year-old is still living out of that van and loving his vagabond lifestyle. Hudson’s dreams of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/off-grid" target="_blank">off-grid living</a> and traveling might not be unique, but his dramatic conversion of a rusty van into a cozy, timber-clad <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/mobile-home" target="_blank">mobile cabin</a> is definitely impressive. Click through to see more pictures of Hudson’s home and to explore its space-efficient, off-grid features.

Hudson successfully converted a 10-year-old rusted LDV van he bought on Ebay into a cozy and self-sufficient timber-clad cabin in a project he calls Van Dog.

Formerly a systems engineer, Hudson quit his job after months of daydreaming about living and traveling out of a DIY camper van.

The van is topped with 200W of solar panels on the roof.

The converted van is fully equipped with running water and electricity to power his shower and tiny kitchen burner and sink.

After five months of working on the van, Hudson drove his finished mobile home down south, leaving England to explore other European countries.

Hudson uses gas as his main energy source for heating, and stores his gas in an LPG cylinder that can be cheaply refilled at petrol stations.

In addition to the pipes he’s routed for the gas and running water, Hudson has also installed a water pump, water heater, and gray water tank.

His small kitchen area includes a burner, sink, and compressor fridge/freezer.

Hudson has also included an extendable bed that fits two.

A rear window streams in natural light.

The small fold-down work space.