VannyCampers has built Newt, its first camper constructed in-house, and will offer it as the prize in the companys next online raffle. Newt is camper van number 109 and was completed at VannyCampers workshop in Bristol; the vehicle is based on a brand-new 2025 Volkswagen Crafter LWB. The conversion was announced alongside the companys usual fixed-odds competition listings.
Configured as a four-berth apartment on wheels, Newt pairs an open-plan living area with a full-width wet bathroom at the rear. A central custom sofa converts to a full-size double bed 194 cm long 76.4 inches, and a second double sits in the pop-top, giving sleeping for four. The front lounge uses the double and single swivel cab seats, a removable fourth passenger seat and a pedestal table that can be taken out when not needed.
Finished in all black with the VannyCampers logo on the side, the Crafter conversion carries clear camper cues: pop-top roof, windows on both sides, a rear roof rack accessed by a ladder and 440 watts of semi-flexible solar panels on the roof. The rear layout differs from many European conversions by placing the wet bath across the full van width and keeping a split kitchen and lounge forward.
The rear sofa is upholstered in Supremo Terracotta faux leather and seats three to four people before pulling out into the lower double. The pop-top bed is accessed through an interior hatch at the front of the van and uses a custom Haus black opening canvas.
The two-part kitchen separates washing and prep from cooking. One module houses an 85-liter Alpicool Nomadic Ark 12V compressor fridge and a rectangular countertop sink. The other contains a Sterling Power double induction hob and a Dometic microwave with oven and air fryer functions. Solid timber countertops and practical zoning keep wet and hot areas apart.
Materials and finish have been kept deliberately refined. Walls are clad in Baltic birch plywood painted an olive green tone, oak parquet covers the floor and the ceiling features decorative 3D wave panels in dark brown. The dining table is white American ash, ash detailing appears through the interior, and LED strip lighting with warm-white recessed downlights provides interior illumination. REMIfront cab blinds offer full blackout.
Fully separated from the living area by a folding door with a mirror finish on one side, the wet bathroom takes advantage of the Crafters width. The space has an epoxy-sealed floor and shower tray, 3 mm mirror Perspex wet-room walls, black shower fixtures, a vanity with a small wash basin and a shelf for toiletries. A full-height wardrobe in the same area conceals a Thetford Porta Potti 335 in a dedicated compartment.
Off-grid systems and storage
Newt is specified to operate away from mains power. It carries a pair of 200 Ah LiFePO4 NG batteries, 440 W of semi-flexible solar panels, a 3000 VA inverter and a Truma Combi D4 diesel heater for hot water and space heating. A Victron Orion XS 50 A DC-DC charger tops the batteries while driving and a 16 A shore-power inlet is fitted for campsite hook-up. Fresh water capacity is 180 litres 47.5 gallons and gray water is 90 litres 23.7 gallons, both tanks mounted under the vehicle to preserve interior space.
There is no dedicated garage, but the conversion offers a large wardrobe, numerous cabinets, built-in storage under the sofa and the roof rack for outdoor gear. Practical choices throughout prioritise usable storage alongside the campers finished aesthetic.
In about two weeks, one lucky winner will take the VW Crafter-based Newt camper van home.
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