This 2003 Mitsubishi Fuso Overland camper needed some work. It wasn’t so much an update as an upgrade. The original surfaces were more than serviceable, but were built with an industrial design sensibility that left the space feeling cold and sterile. Definitely not the kind of place you want to spend much time in.
The platform is a 2003 Mitsubishi Fuso Overland camper.
The truck itself sits high and would be ideal for RVers who prefer wild places and like to be able to get there without leaving the camper on lower ground. The big box up back reminds me of a refrigerated truck, but the rectangular cube serves as an excellent canvas, since most building materials are designed for square spaces.
This was the upper bunk, pre-refurbishment.
The first thing that needed to happen was removal of most of the formica trim and wall panels and the cheesy cabinetry. They gave the space the feeling of a cheap hotel run by a public school system.
One good thing about this space is the elements were not scaled down, rather edited. What I mean is this: often RVs have slightly smaller cabinets, toilets, showers, etc. to cram in more features. This one simply had fewer features of normal size, for a more comfortable living space.
The ugly laminate kitchen before.
Once the surfaces were stripped down, a complete overhaul was undertaken to create a more modern, yet classic look. If Frank Lloyd Wright were to design an RV in the 21st century, it might look a little like this. Lots of blonde wood and great accents, like the Tiffany-style hanging lamp over the dinette make it feel homey and intentional.
Shower pre-refurb was barely usable.
The dinette converts from sitting area to booth, giving more room for non-dining times and conversation. The woodwork is gorgeous, better than most custom homes, with lots of inlay, a cool “dentil” style chair rail molding, and dovetail joints even on the trim corners, layers of detail throughout.
A view toward the cab, featuring more ugly laminate cabinets (before the redo).
One other thing that somehow makes the space appear larger is the addition of a solid panel under the bunk to cover up the utility closet. This space was open before, but somehow, the taller wall and wood grain pattern really opens up the space nicely.
Here is the bunk post-refurb, transformation complete!
The kitchen cabinets are a work of art, with a harmonious blend of stainless steel and natural wood counters, plus gorgeous craftsmanship on the doors and drawers. It draws you in and makes the kitchen feel like a place where you want to cook, rather than a necessity that takes up a lot of room in the RV.
I also like the low-profile cabinet pulls that are less likely to snag on clothing as you walk past, a pet peeve of mine in my own kitchen.
A gorgeous kitchen and shower after the renovation.
The dinette as sitting area and table, nice both ways.
Everything is well thought out and even in this minimalist, neo-craftsman style, the entire space from floor to ceiling gets total attention. This is by far one of the most complete renovations we have served up here and should provide ample DIY inspiration. All it takes is a bit of thought and design to carry out a beautiful transformation.
