Short answer: yes, within sensible limits. Most customers customise their van via the options list (extra batteries, solar, diesel heater, awning upgrades and so on). Beyond that, we can sometimes accommodate specific requests — but there are things we won't change for engineering, compliance or warranty reasons.
What's Easy to Customise
The options list is where most customisation happens. Common upgrades:
- Battery and solar capacity
- Inverter size
- Diesel heater
- Washing machine (where the model supports it)
- Awning upgrades
- Armour One paint protection
- Bike receiver hitch, antenna mounts, accessory brackets
Pick what suits how you'll actually use the van — your sales contact will walk you through what's worth it and what isn't for your trip style.
What's Sometimes Possible
We can often accommodate:
- Interior fabric or upholstery choices (from our available range)
- Layout tweaks — e.g. adding or removing a specific cabinet, changing a drawer to a cupboard
- Specific 12V accessory pre-wiring — for a planned starlink, fridge slide, additional lighting
- Additional power outlets in specific positions
These need to be discussed before the build starts. Some are no charge; others incur a small modification fee depending on complexity.
What We Won't Change
There are things we have to keep standard, even if you'd prefer otherwise:
- Chassis and suspension — these are engineered as a system. Modifying them affects weight ratings, compliance and warranty.
- 240V wiring and switchboard layout — must be installed to electrical standards; ad-hoc changes aren't legal.
- Gas system layout — same reason: certification.
- Structural changes to walls, roof or floor — affects integrity, weight, warranty.
- Brake systems — must remain compliant.
If you want major layout changes, you're often better off looking at a different model in our range that's closer to what you want from the start.
How to Get a Custom Request Considered
- Have the conversation before you pay your build deposit. Once production is scheduled, changes get expensive fast.
- Be specific — a sketch, photo or example helps more than a description.
- Be open to alternatives. Sometimes there's a simpler way to achieve the same outcome.
After You Take Delivery
Plenty of customers add bits and pieces after handover — bike racks, extra lighting, owner-installed accessories. A few things to keep in mind:
- Any 240V work must be done by a licensed electrician.
- Any gas work must be done by a licensed gas fitter.
- Modifications that affect the van's structure or rating can affect your warranty — check with us first if you're unsure.
- Roof penetrations need to be properly sealed — water ingress is the most common after-market damage we see.
The Right Conversation to Have
If you have a wishlist, bring it to the sales conversation early. We'd rather sit down with you and work out which items go on the build sheet, which ones get pre-wired now to make life easier later, and which ones you genuinely don't need.
Talk to your nearest Mars Caravans branch about what's possible for your build.