It’s easy to celebrate the extreme. The furthest frontiers, the most rugged terrain, the most formidable builds. But sometimes, the most compelling story isn’t about escaping daily life, but seamlessly weaving adventure into its very fabric. Meet Jasper Eales, founder of the sustainable lifestyle brand Sealand. His Volkswagen Transporter is his daily driver, but it’s also a school bus, a delivery van, and, when the weekend calls, a fully-fledged family adventure rig used for chasing waves along South Africa’s coast.
At the heart of this transformation sits a custom LT50 roof top tent, a project born from asking “what if?” True to character, it’s not about wanting more, but is an exercise in intelligent, sustainable design that keeps a growing family connected to the outdoors.
From Troopy to Transporter
Jasper’s journey to his current setup was evolutionary. His growing family necessitated his move from a heavily customised Land Cruiser Troopy to a Long Wheelbase Volkswagen Transporter. Still, he made sure to bring his design philosophy into the new van while elevating his cool to rad dad status.
“Being a family of four, I always wanted to have an internal sleeping space and external,” says Jasper. “I am very function and design driven and therefore was insistent on a slim line RTT. The LT50 being the best on the market, this is therefore where I needed to begin.”
But for Jasper, his choice in tent was just a start. The real vision was to re-imagine it through a lens of sustainability and unique storytelling.
Sustainability as a Standard
Walking up to Jasper’s Volkswagen Transporter, the LT50’s low-profile silhouette is instantly recognisable. But pop it open, and the story unfolds. The interior lining is a vibrant patchwork of upcycled advertising banners, a signature material from his work at Sealand. The standard sidewall canvas was swapped for ECONYL®, a fabric regenerated from discarded fishing nets and other nylon waste.
“The upcycled banner lining brings a unique vibrancy to the tent’s interior,” he says, “whereas the sidewall fabrics are unique but at the same time highly functional.” For Jasper, this detail deepens his connection to the gear. “Having a love for the ocean and other wild natural scapes, it is always important to me to make use of as many responsible fabrics as possible.”
And after six months of sun, salt and sprogs, the materials have proven their mettle. “These fabrics have held up great,” he confirms.
The Family Fortress
A roof top tent’s purpose is sleep. But in practice, especially with kids, it becomes something much more. Jasper recalls a sweltering November weekend at Clanwillam Dam, where temperatures soared past 40°C (104°F).
“The RTT became the hide out and hang out for all of the kids. This became the most desired place for the kids over the weekend,” he says. “It was so cool to see how it transformed from being a sleep space to an entertainment space.”
This multifunctionality is the golden ticket for family adventures. The slim profile of the LT50 was a deliberate choice for daily drivability, though Jasper is candid about the trade-offs: “My fuel efficiency has decreased and wind noise increased.” His solution? A self-designed wind deflector is already in the works.
A Modular Interior Philosophy
Jasper’s thoughtful approach extends beyond the roof. The van’s interior is a masterclass in modular, reversible design. His core commandment: “Importantly my brief to myself was no new holes drilled into the vehicle body.”
He designed a drop-in timber floor that acts as a foundation, to which he attached a custom system built from 25mm aluminium tubing, Connect-It joiners and birch plywood. This created a single bed that converts to a double, with storage underneath. A shelving unit houses a 50L water tank and a mobile UPS system that powers a 70L fridge-freezer and accessories.
“This construction method enabled me to do this all myself, and removed the need for any welding,” he explains. It’s practical, DIY-friendly, and completely non-destructive to the vehicle. A principle that resonates with anyone who values flexibility.
The Balanced Life
So, how does this all come together when it comes to daily life?
“The design and multifunctionality of the build has certainly enabled quick and spontaneous micro missions to take place,” says Jasper. “Knowing that 80% of what is required for a quick trip is already in the vehicle makes that decision to go so much easier. While at the same time, the vehicle is perfect for school runs and work deliveries. I can’t think of a better set up for where I am currently in my life.”
Looking West, and Looking Forward
The horizon for the Eales family is pointed squarely at South Africa’s West Coast, a region of family ties and world-class waves. “The West Coast is known for its dry, harsh conditions, which makes the large interior space combined with the Shadow Awning and side sliding doors of the Transporter ideal for this environment,” Jasper notes.
And for the dreamer and designer in him, the next project is already crystallizing. A Toyota HiAce, converted to 4×4, and topped off with an Alu-Cab rooftop conversion. “This is a dream project and vehicle,” he muses. “Let’s do it!”
Build for Your Reality
In an age of social media-inspired overkill, Jasper’s advice is refreshingly grounded. “Be honest with yourself and your personal needs,” he urges. “It’s very easy to get lost on social media on all the insane builds out there. But what is really important, is to build a practical and functional system that works for your personal needs. Don’t rush the process and do lots of research.”
It’s a philosophy that shines through every part of Jasper’s Volkswagen Transporter. This isn’t a showpiece built for likes. It’s a thoughtfully built custom rig. A vehicle sprinkled with sea sand, sticky fingerprints and that’s equally at home in a car park or a coastal campsite. It proves that the most authentic adventure rig isn’t about conquering the impossible, but about making family, work and the call of the open road – possible.
Check out this video to see the making of Jasper’s custom Alu-Cab x Sealand LT50 Rooftop tent.