I'm converting my minivan into a DIY camper. Do you have any camping tips, warnings or fun stories?

Hi happy !  When I was a kid I ran away from home  to my mom's  boyfriends van in the middle of the night.cos I didn't want to go to school the next day .. It was just in our drive way but it counts as a runaway . Then in the morning I hid in the woods behind our house and the cops were called and I was grounded for a month cos we almost had children's aid called on us  . Anyway the van could have used with some glade air freshness or something  so get some of that for your van . Oh and camping tip hang your food in a tree so the Bears don't attack you .. I'm helpful .

Make sure that you have curtains or blinds for the windows, you need your privacy. Get a trailer hitch toilet, AKA Bumper Dumper.

Shag carpet, hippy beads and some bedspreads from India!! Lots of pillows everywhere and some Ravi Shankar music !! How's that ?? Oh and I think I heard they used to carpet the sides of the van too!

Not your idea of fun? Okay, try this link and here's an amazing photo. You sure have got a job on your hands!

http://youtu.be/OigUyvSOV0Y

Here is just part of what this guy did to his van !!

I'm (sadly) going to be serious. Having spent odd nights in campers, minivans and other metal-sided vehicles over some years. It can get surprisingly cold in such things (in a lot of the world) and most independent heaters are not safe to use in the confined space of a camper (no matter what the manufacturers' claim).

Invest in insulation. It'll keep you cool on hot days and warm on cold nights.