White Turtle III 1 Year Update

Happy 1-Year Anniversary to the White Turtle III!

Hard to believe, but the White Turtle III is officially one year old — or at least it’s been a year since I got it mostly finished. And by “finished,” I mean to the point where I could comfortably use and enjoy it. Over the past year, I’ve had a blast using it for photo shoots, day trips, and occasional overnights. It’s also given me plenty of time to evaluate how I actually use the van — and what I’d like to change, improve, or add.

What’s Worked Well

🔹 Van Purpose

From the start, the White Turtle wasn’t meant to be a full-time home. It’s designed as a mobile basecamp: a place to sleep, store gear, and — if necessary — cook or use the washroom. I wasn’t planning to live in it, and that shaped a lot of my choices.

🔹 The Bed

It’s short, but it fits me perfectly and doesn’t eat up precious space. I occasionally wonder if I should’ve gone with the extended-length van for a larger bed, but the 148” wheelbase makes the van far easier to turn, park, and maneuver — which was more important for my use.

🔹 Insulation

Overall, the insulation has been excellent. The doors (rear and side) are the weak points, but I throw moving blankets over them and it works great. Just the other night, it got cold — I was warm in bed until 4:30 AM without running the furnace. A quick blast of heat and I was good till morning.

Even during daytime use, insulation has proven itself. I recently went out shooting and drove for an hour with just vehicle heat. Hours later, I opened the van and warm air still rolled out. That’s impressive.

🔹 Bathroom

It’s just a porta-potti in a closet, but it’s perfect. I haven’t needed it often, but when I do, it’s nice to have. It could’ve gone under the bed or in a cupboard, but putting it in a closet gives privacy and frees up space for toiletries and towels above.

🔹 The Fridge

I went with a mid-sized 12V fridge — and I love it. It cools quickly, uses minimal power, and is more than enough for short trips. I did notice it runs a lot on the second-coldest setting, so I plan to add a small fan to vent the rear of the cabinet. So glad I skipped the propane option — no stress about level parking.

🔹 Kitchen Storage

Originally, I worried my food/dish cupboard would be too small. I was completely wrong. Two shelves and a couple of bins hold more than enough. I recently added a slider and platform so I can pull things out easily — game changer!

🔹 No Built-in Stove or Sink

I’m still happy I didn’t install a built-in stove or sink. I rarely cook in the van — I snack through the day while shooting, and cold food like sandwiches, fruit, and veggies work great. I carry a collapsible water jug and heat water on a portable stove if needed. Gas stations and campgrounds provide hot water for cleanup.

🔹 Flooring

Instead of building a heavy subfloor, I used the factory cargo mat, some underlay, and carpet. It’s warm, cushy, and light. Perfect for my needs and easy to clean. Saved time, weight, and money.

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1 Year – What I Plan to Change

🔧 Battery Relocation & Electrical Upgrades

Right now, the house battery (Group 31) is under the passenger seat — but I want to move it to the rear under the bed. Reasons:

• Better weight distribution (especially for traction)
• Room for a second battery
• Free up the passenger seat for a swivel
• Easier access to shore power and future inverter installation

🔧 Add Roof Vent / Exhaust Fan

I’ve held off on this because the van stays comfortable without it, but I know I’ll appreciate it in summer heat. It’s going on the upgrade list.

🔧 Finish Wiring

The wiring is still in rough-draft mode. Now that I know my needs, I’m ready to finish routing and securing everything. I also need to power the future roof fan and may add a second reading light over the bed.

🔧 Improve Fridge Ventilation

Planning to add a small fan on a switch to improve airflow behind the fridge, especially while driving.

🔧 Add a Slider to the Food Cupboard

The current setup with bins works fine, but a proper slider will make access easier.

🔧 Passenger Seat Swivel

With the battery moving to the back, I can finally add a swivel. I’ve decided after a year of use that I definitely want it.

🔧 Optional Bench by the Side Door

Still undecided on this. It could provide extra storage and a seat near the door — maybe even a drop-down table and extra lighting. Not essential, but it might be a fun project.

🔧 Screen Solutions

I use insulated inserts for night, but I want to make some daytime screen covers for the side windows and possibly a magnetic screen for the side door.

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Final Thoughts for the 1 year recap

I truly love this van. It may not be as luxurious as some fully-built campers, but it’s comfortable, functional, and feels like mine. Every decision has been based on how I use the van, and that’s made all the difference.

Now I just need to get out and use it even more this year!