How Erik transforms vintage caravans into modern, glamorous travel companions

You know that feeling when you’re onto something big? Erik had it back in 2019. Until that day Erik was a sales and marketing guy who had never built anything with his own hands - until he did. ‘It all started when my wife and I bought an old caravan. I thought it would just be a fun DIY project, but it turned out it was a bit more than that.’

One year, a career change, and a whole lot of trial and error later Glaravans was born. ‘At first, the plan was simple: give old caravans a fresh look. A new coat of paint, small upgrades, easy does it. Unfortunately my plans were not so cost-effective. People could easily just do it themselves.’

So Erik took it a step further. ‘Instead of sprucing vintage caravans up, I completely stripped them down and rebuilt the whole caravan, including new safety measures. The plan felt solid, but that first year we barely had any customers. I almost gave up. Nobody got it - too new, too different, maybe. Just as I was about to pull the plug, the first customers rolled in. That’s when Glaravans became what it is today: custom-built, circular, safe, and road-ready caravans.’

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Rebuilding old caravans into new ones is definitely not without its challenges. ‘Some customers bring in a family heirloom, hoping to give it a second life. Others just love the vintage look of an oldie, but want an up to date and fully customized interior.’

After that the fun begins. We keep as many original details as possible, but some things just don’t age well. Those tiny ‘70s kitchen units? Cute, but considering their height, very impractical. We reinforce the structure - no one wants a caravan that shakes itself apart at the first speed bump and the base is also always upgraded. New axles, modern materials - road-ready and safe. We try to keep the shape of the caravan as well as the windows, doors, and hinges intact. Classic style, modern function. Best of both worlds!’

And then, the real magic happens: filling the caravan with personality. ‘If only old caravans came with standard parts… But no, unfortunately each model from the ‘60s and ‘70s is built differently. If we need new rubber seals for a model - and we usually do, chances are 99% that they’re not produced or even available anymore. So we have to get creative. Water-tightness, sturdiness, modern road safety - it all has to add up to something beautiful, functional and basically a dream come true for the customer. Usually we’re able to re-use anything between 40 - 60% of the old caravan.’

Glaravans is all about sustainability. It’s at the core of what they do. But sometimes, it’s a real pain in the eh, axle. ‘Everyone loves the idea of an eco-friendly choice… until they see the price tag. Reality check: if the greener option costs more, five out of six customers will go for the cheaper one. That’s just how it is. So at Glaravans, we try to make sustainability the smarter choice - financially and functionally. We’re innovating as we go. It’s a puzzle, but one worth solving.’

Therefore Glaravans are trying to take their circularity-game to the next level. ‘Glaravans are circular by nature, but with Glaravan #17, a prototype, we’ve tried to push the limits. Our mission was to create a fully sustainable, fully circular caravan - without compromising on comfort or quality.’

The base is a beautiful 1972 Yvonne Mostard, completely rebuilt with modern techniques. ‘She was taken apart and rebuilt just like all our Glaravans. The difference? The materials. Every detail was designed to be as eco-friendly as possible, reducing environmental impact to the absolute minimum. Think: recycled materials like refurbished camping table tops, a bamboo floor, sheep’s wool insulation, and a bio based hand-oiled finish.The result is a caravan that’s a real alternative to a newly manufactured one. Plus, it weighs under 750 kg, meaning even an electric car can tow it with ease.’

A prototype. A proof of concept. A "hey, look, this is possible!" moment. ‘We’d love to do this more often. It’s interesting. It’s a learning curve. It’s a little bit of pioneering in a world where big manufacturers start from scratch - while we start with something that already exists. If there’s one thing we’re proving, it’s that old doesn’t mean obsolete.’

For Erik, seeing a customer’s face when their dream caravan becomes real is the best part of his job. ‘Every caravan is a future memory-maker, a tiny home on wheels where adventures begin. One of the most special projects we’ve done is a family heirloom from Amsterdam. The customer’s father had built the caravan himself - in his living room! After he passed away, it was in bad shape. But Glaravans restored it, keeping its spirit alive while modernizing it for another 30+ years of travel. Now, the family uses it for months every year.’

Where Glaravans is heading next Erik doesn’t quite know yet. ‘More of the same, but better. We’re looking for higher-quality caravans to restore, so we can even recycle more material and we’ve launched a day-course, so people can learn to DIY their own caravan. We’re trying to set an example for the industry.’

Erik’s advice for future circular entrepreneurs? ‘Got a big, world-changing idea? Great! Just remember: being a visionary is awesome, but don’t get stuck in the vision. Business is about experimenting, tweaking, and finding what actually works. Glaravans started with an idea, but it only succeeded because we’ve adapted. So dream big, but stay flexible!’