DIY Camper Van Galley | Budget Kitchen Build That Saved Me $3,400

Kitchen galleys for camper vans can easily run $3,000–$4,000 — and you still often have to modify them to fit your van. That’s exactly why I decided to build my own custom kitchen galley out of 8020 extruded aluminum. The result? A lightweight, modular, super-strong kitchen that cost me around $600 total — saving me roughly $3,400 compared to buying a pre-made unit.

Watch the full build walkthrough here:
👉 DIY Camper Van Galley | Budget Kitchen Build | Saved $3,400!

The kitchen is one of the most used areas in any camper van. It needs to:

• Let you cook comfortably
• Have a functional sink with water access
• Include power outlets (USB-A + USB-C)
• Fit within tight space constraints

In my 2024 Mercedes Sprinter 170 Extended, space is extremely limited because of the sliding refrigerator and convection oven. Most off-the-shelf galleys are ~24″ wide, but I only had 16–18″. That forced me to go custom.

• Turns off automatically when the pot is removed
• Works great for van cooking
• No propane needed

• Cut to size with a regular circular saw
• Provides solid, natural-looking counter space

• Comes with mixer, faucet, stopper, and cover
• Covers the sink for extra counter space when not in use
• Hooked up to my onboard water pump with pressure gauge

• USB-A + USB-C outlet (~$16)
• No complicated wiring boxes needed
• Carbon monoxide + smoke detectors built in

• Ultra-lightweight but incredibly strong
• Fully modular and adjustable
• Great access to plumbing and wiring behind the unit
• No rattling while driving

1. Get 8020 with grooves on all four sides — makes assembly way easier
2. Use 90° corners with gussets — much stronger than standard corners
3. Order cut-to-size — many suppliers will cut it for you
4. Use slide T-bolts — lets you adjust shelves and mounts without perfect measurements

I mounted the galley:

• To the floor using the existing D-ring anchor point
• To the wall using riv nuts for back support
• Shelves are removable so you can access systems anytime

• Exterior shower port — perfect for washing off at the beach
• Extra USB outlet on the side
• Light switch outside the van for easy control
• Shoe storage box (my son built this part!)
• Fire extinguisher mount
• Vents for airflow so the unit can breathe

The whole thing is detachable and adjustable — unlike wood, 8020 lets you tweak everything after installation.

Item: Approx. CostInduction cooktop<$100Butcher block countertop~$100Sink + faucet~$80–$1208020 aluminum + hardware~$300–$350USB outlets + misc.~$30–$40 Total~$600

Compared to a $4,000 pre-made galley, that’s about $3,400 saved — and I got exactly what I needed.

• Miter saw with special aluminum cutting blade (~$15)
• Reciprocating saw for trim pieces
• Riv-nut gun
• Slide T-bolts (1/4″-20 is the most common size)
• Corner brackets with gussets
• Rubber footing (prevents scratching & movement)

I also linked all the parts I used in the video description — including the 8020 supplier that cuts everything for you and sells it for about half the price of traditional 8020.

To be completely transparent, my 10-year-old son assembled almost the entire 8020 frame. All I did was install the butcher block boards. If a kid can build this, you definitely can too!

• Check out my FREE van build playlist (including a free parts list)
• See my previous budget kitchen build (different van, even tighter budget)

👉 Watch the full kitchen galley build video:
DIY Camper Van Galley | Budget Kitchen Build | Saved $3,400!