About Us

About Us

Who We Are and How We Build

Scallywagon was started by Bryan Jacobson in Fife, Washington. Bryan spent years building out his own van before realizing that most builds on the market weren't designed around how people actually travel. Too many compromises. Too many afterthoughts. That experience shaped everything about how Scallywagon operates today.

Adventure, family travel, and time outside aren't things you have to trade against each other. A van built right — with the right systems and the right layout — makes all three possible at the same time.

We don't take on every job that comes in. We build two things and we build them well. Every component we spec, every layout we design, and every system we install is there because it belongs — not because it was available.

OUR STORY

How Scallywagon Started and Why It Exists

We built Scallywagon around the people we build for. Families and adventurers come to us because they want a van genuinely designed for their life — not a generic conversion with a bed in it.

Every consultation starts with a real conversation about how you travel, where you go, and what your van actually needs to do. Every build is planned as a complete system. And every van that leaves our shop has been held to the same standard we would hold ourselves to.

"The best choice I made after buying my van was to have Bryan and his team build out the interior. Custom finishes you will not see in another build. Bryan and his team are true craftsmen. Excellent service, and they walk you through each step of their work. We could not be happier with our van." – Tony K.

Real Builds. Real Families. Real Adventures.

Here's what customers who've camped, overlanded, and traveled in their Scallywagon builds have to say.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you work on vans clients already own?

Yes. We work on customer-owned vans across all major platforms including the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, and Ram Promaster. Bring your van to our Fife, Washington shop and we will assess it thoroughly and walk you through exactly what your build would involve. We are also happy to advise on what to look for when sourcing a platform.

How long does a complete van build take?

Build timelines depend on scope, component availability, and our current schedule. Most complete builds take several weeks to a few months from start to finish. We give every client an honest, realistic timeline from the beginning. We would rather set the right expectation than a flattering one.

Do you offer targeted upgrades without a full build?

Yes. Our curated upgrade packages are designed for van owners who want to add real capability to what they already have without committing to a full conversion. We put together upgrade combinations that make sense as a system, not just as a list.

What electrical systems do you install?

We build primarily around Victron Energy electrical systems, one of the most reliable and well-supported platforms available for off-grid van travel. Every system is designed around your actual power needs and includes solar panels, lithium battery banks, an inverter and charger, and smart battery monitoring. Built for extended off-grid travel across all four seasons.

What brands and components do you work with?

We work with components from trusted brands including Victron Energy, Agile Off-Road, Espar, Timberline, Adventure Wagon, and Flarespace. Every component we choose earns its place in a Scallywagon build because of its performance, durability, and long-term support, not because it was the easiest or cheapest option available to our Fife, Washington shop.