Reviews
Lights, Batteries, Fan on new Mercedes Van
Tim Smith & Jenna Athey
Eric was great. I particularly appreciate it all his ideas for things that I could do to improve my van and make it last for a long time.
Eric helped us with the electrical installation for our van upgrade, he was available on our short timeline and got the work done promptly. Having someone knowledgeable to set up the electrical was critical to our upgrade, and we’re grateful he was available and enthusiastic to get it done!
One broken battery switch caused nothing but headache for months
Robin Chilton
Took a while to troubleshoot the problem. His van had a nice clean setup, but unfortunately a broken battery switch masked the solar system was keeping the inverter and everything running sometimes. Many advertise 200–300A but may not handle continuous high inverter loads or cause high internal resistance. This can create voltage drop and heat. Some of them have poor contact quality and thin copper contacts that wear or pit over time. I highly recommend victron, Blue Sea or BEP marine battery switch
Dog Grooming Van
Kathryn Telliz
Eric's Note: Kathryn's dog grooming van underwent several generators failures before deciding it was enough. Then we had to fix the exposed rusty roof, add a fan to go with air conditioner for ventilation as well as to keep the van cool during the hot summer months. Also her breakers keep tripping and it took a while to find the cut wire inside on the the electrical box.
Nothing But the Best for Dogs - A tales of Air Conditioner Woes and a New Electrical System
Eric Stokell, Follow the Leader K9
Eric did a great build out on my van dog training van. He was knowledgeable and explained things to me in a way that I could easily understand. Several issues came up that were totally unexpected (totally my fault for buying the wrong parts before meeting him) and every time Eric dealt with it with utmost professionalism. He went above and beyond to make sure that Every aspect of the buildout was done to the highest standard both safety and function wise. His prices were less than anyone else I got an estimate from but the attention I received and the quality of work was top notch. I'm gonna be having him out on Solar to my RV next and then building up my next Work van in the next month or two.
Eric's note: Did two air conditioners for two vans. Customer brought the Nomadic Air Conditioner before hiring me. If I had ordered that Air Conditioner, I would have gotten a 1 star rating. That air conditoner was supposed to be the state of art game changer but was a disaster (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9CVH3o49NQ) The situation was further complicated by him buying from Nomadic Supply which was a complete separate company than Nomadic Cooling and didn't provide any tech support. After a long while and testing and troubleshooting with the company, we returned it and got the Mabru air conditioner from Vanlifeoutfitters.com which was cheaper and more powerful. I tell all my customers don't skimp on price and focus on quality and service.
Fixing stupid chairs and table layout and incorrect installation of maxxair fan
Brandon Qualls
10/10 experience!!! Eric helped me with a renovation inside my camper van and I could not be happier!! He was such a pleasure to work with. Very knowledgeable and great at his craft. Fair prices as well. I highly recommend!!
Eric's Note: the original design was two chairs and a table making it uncomfortable. Three drawers were build and one for the toliet. Found rust and lack of dicor sealant where the Maxxair fan was. Painted and fixed shelves.
Also the Maxair fan was installed backwards and the flange sideway and then a solar panel was install on top with alumunium bars. He hated the look of it and all and I removed one solar panel and found all these problems and rebuild it correctly.
A Smorgasbord of Problems
Steve Brown
Eric is our go-to person for everything van-related. We brought in a DIY van with a long list of issues—from a non-working Webasto heater to a broken water pump and faucet, erratic electrical output, a faulty horn, antenna problems, and more—and he handled them all efficiently.
What really stood out was that he took the time to explain how everything works and showed me how to troubleshoot and maintain the van myself. I’ve come away understanding how important it is to really know your vehicle inside and out to avoid bigger costs and problems down the road.
Thank you, Eric!
Steve and Sara
Cabinets
Karenina Manpearl
Eric and Victor build a customized fine cabinet to fit van existing layout. They paid a lot of details involved to find the studs and using rivet nuts and all to do a professional state of art job.
Installing Solar and Learning About Managing AGM batteries
Frank Strauss
Eric got my electrical system up and running again on my 2021 Promaster Roadtrek Play. We had to work with a pretty old-school electrical system from factory and Eric went above and beyond to go through the system and add much-needed solar panels and a shunt to it. It was a great experience working with Eric and I'm looking forward to the next improvements to my van with him.
Running Board on Sprinter
Stephanie Jamgochian
Took a while to find the right running board as there was little space under van due to the water tank. Luckily didn't have to remove the tank and fitted in just right!
Knowledge is Power
Skylar Starks
If I can give 20 stars I would.
Ok first off, this RV van stresses me out b/c there is so much to it. I have used to many different mechanics from Ojai to Ventura and here in Santa Barbara. I have not felt fully trusting of any of them or if I feel trusting it's such a hassle to get there or it's far.
I literally on a whim decided to try something new as I was in a bind and needed help soon. Most RV spots there is a long wait.
I called two spots that did mobile stuff and one of them was SB vanlife. Eric answered the phone and it just so happen he was able to come out right away!! At my job! Like are you serious?!!!
And then...literally explained what he was doing and went above and beyond and told me more about his RV has he has the same vehicle!! I literally was about to cry because someone who knows MY van and has the same one. Convenient and gives me information and shows me stuff to where I actually learn!!!
I am so thankful I met Eric and know of his services. I highly recommend him and at the same time and scared he will be too busy then I won't get in when I need him lol.Eric's Note: I'm glad to give Skylar the tools and knowledge in making Van life easier. I may always be busy but I do my best to talk to all my customers when needed.
Sometimes Renting is Cheaper than Buying
4/10/2026 Ann Ricchiazzi
We recently returned from an amazing five-day adventure in Jana's customized van. It was a fantastic experience! The bed was spacious and incredibly comfortable. The kitchen was well-equipped with an abundance of cookware and some complimentary drinks. There were plenty of spices and sauces available as well. Jana was very responsive, providing quick answers to our questions while we were on the road. The interior featured beautiful wood paneling, creating a cozy and warm atmosphere at night. We will definitely be renting this van again!
Eric's Note: Owning a van can incur significant costs—not just for the initial build and labor, but also for maintenance, insurance, fuel, and repairs for items like the refrigerator and heater. Sometimes, renting is the more economical choice. If you consider buying a van, it’s wise to test several models to find a layout that fits your needs. Many people initially think they want a shower, but after trying it out, they realize it takes up too much space, preferring a more compact and portable setup.
One Small Device Can Bring Others Down
4/1/2026 Tobin Ziel
So grateful for Eric. Easy to work with and schedule a time to help out with an inverter issue.
Eric's Note: Took a while to check the volts, cables, connectors and all before I discover the Victron Energy Color Control GX Monitor hooked up to the inverter was the problem.
Planning is the Most Important Step
4/29/2026 Jeff Auerbach
Working with Eric was a truly rewarding experience. Initially, I felt overwhelmed about starting my campervan project, but Eric expertly simplified the process. He dedicated considerable time to discuss various layouts and materials, guiding me on where to concentrate my efforts while steering clear of potential pitfalls. His insights felt like advice from a trusted peer. I would undoubtedly recommend his services!
Eric's Note: I aimed to steer Jerff towards the most effective choices and suggested the ideal vendor for the build. I decided not to handle the construction myself, believing it would benefit him to have the cabinet-making company handle the complete installation. Having too many people involved can complicate the project, and my focus is always on doing what's best for my clients.
Will Do My Best to Help Guide People
Shelly Sharp - 3/28/2026
I'm incredibly grateful for the support provided by this team. After purchasing an RV without any prior experience, they were exceptionally understanding and patient, taking the time to answer all my queries and returning my calls promptly. I can wholeheartedly recommend their services.
Eric's Note: Everyone starts somewhere. Many individuals abandon Van life because they feel unprepared. It's crucial to invest time in learning how to embark on this journey with ease.
Little Flaws in Van Can mean Larger Problems Down the Road
4/1/2026 Page Hiller-Adams
Eric not only fixes the problems you want fixed, he showed me important potential problems inherent in my reputable chassis' design based on his detailed knowledge. I geatly appreciated his quick and elegant fixes to those design flaws. If I had known of those problems earlier I wouldn't have had to replace both headlights and would have saved myself hundreds of dollars. He clearly wants RV travel to go well for his customers, and his hourly rate is well below that of larger businesses. He's now my camper van "go to" guy!
R.M.
1/30/2026 R M
Eric took time to understand my unique issue with a home build camper and suggested great options going forward that ultimately led to me not using his expertise. Excellent consultation for what was most suitable for my needs at the time. Many thanks. I wish you were local to me for ongoing problem solving!
Eric's Note: I'm ok if you don't use my services and I'm more than happy to help out over phone.
