The Multi-Use Orion 365 Can Easily Transition From Adventure Van To Gear-Hauling Vehicle

Due to their perfect mix of mobility and convenience, camper vans have become the preferred way to explore the great outdoors. What's more, these vehicles offer incredible versatility and can be transformed into anything you need. A case in point is the aptly named Orion 365 camper van from Orion Motors, which can be used for different tasks every day of the year.

Built on a Ford Transit cargo van, Orion 365 is a versatile, multi-use buildout designed to be the right vehicle for any situation. It can easily transition from weekend getaway vehicle/adventure van to practical everyday utility van that can be used as a mobile office, gear-hauling, or race support vehicle.

Before diving into the nuts and bolts of this innovative product, let's first find out about the masterminds behind its design. Orion Motors is a rather small van outfitting business based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, run by a family of camping and outdoor enthusiasts. It was founded by Brian and Heidi Dondlinger, a couple with over 45 years of combined experience in mechanical engineering and product development, and it first started as an endeavor designing sports cars and SUVs.

After converting a Ford Transit van into a highly functional camping vehicle for their family during the pandemic, they switched to creating versatile, configurable camper vans that cater to various needs and preferences. This is how the Orion 365 was born.

At the moment, the company exclusively builds the Orion 365 on new or used Ford Transit T-250 or T-350 vans, either brought in by customers or sourced by the team. The model showcased in the photo gallery is based on a Ford Transit Extended with a high roof, which measures 264 inches (671 cm) in length, and has enough space to make family adventures easier by offering comfort, convenience, and storage for everything you need.

With a patent-pending upfit, this camper van can safely transport and sleep five people while still offering the spaciousness of a cargo van. This is made possible by an ingenious floorplan that includes five seatbelted seats, a kitchenette, a modular living setup, two full-size bed that lower from the ceiling and a fold-away sofa bed to sleep a total of five people. Thanks to the innovative design, there is also enough space to tote sporting equipment, ranging from kayaks to motorcycles and everything in between.

Moreover, the design allows for a seamless transition between driving, sleeping, relaxing, and cargo modes, providing owners with both the ability to tackle everyday tasks and the freedom to embark on spontaneous outdoor adventures.

Brian and Heidi seem to have understood that fixed beds and permanent wet baths inside a van drastically limit its flexibility, so they came up with a solution that replaces those components with others that easily stow away when not in use. Such are the pair of lift-away double beds, one fitted at the rear of the van and the other in the front, above the cockpit and rear seats. This design means the two beds stay out of the way during travel and drop down from the ceiling at night.

Below the rear bed, there is also a folding couch for three that also serves as a single bed, providing the fifth sleeping spot. It can also be stowed away against the side wall when you need the extra space for hauling cargo and equipment.

The kitchen block is the only fixed part of the entire build, but it is also designed with flexibility in mind, as it allows campers to take the cooking outside with a portable dual-burner stove and a 59-L fridge fitted inside a rotating cabinet that makes it accessible both from the inside and the outside of the van. An extension sprayer hooked up to the interior sink is the ideal solution for outdoor access to fresh water.

Going back inside, above the kitchen area, there is a 32-inch smart TV on a swiveling mount that makes it visible from almost any angle of the van and even from the outside if the rear doors are open.

The front of the van is mainly dedicated to seating and lounging, with a swiveling passenger seat and a second-row double seat that pivots to the wall and creates a nice lounge with full access to the kitchen and entertainment. If you want to travel with a larger party, Orion offers an optional third row of seats. For dining, campers can choose either a folding camping table that can be used both inside and outdoors or a Lagun-style table.

Orion didn't overlook the bathroom facilities either. Although there is no permanent internal bathroom, the team offers a portable toilet housed inside a removable cargo box, as well as the option to add a collapsible shower room and a hydronic water heating system.

As for the cargo mode, all you need to do to create space for all you need during your adventures is stow away the beds and fold the couch. A certified L-track flooring system and tie-down/mounting points give you the possibility to configure the cargo area depending on your needs. As mentioned, the Orion 365 can carry everything from bicycles to dirt bikes and kayaks. Even the underside of the rear bed can be used to mount fishing rods or ski racks, maximizing the carrying capacity of the van. And if you need even more space for hauling duties during the week, simply remove the rail-mounted rear seats.

For powering campers' off-grid adventures, the company equipped the van with a modular EcoFlow Independence power system comprising 400 watts of solar power, a 450-Ah battery pack, and a 3,000-watt inverter. A diesel heater and an optional air conditioner take care of thermal comfort inside the van.

Transporting and accommodating five people in a camper van is not unheard of, but the Orion 365 is more than just a family-friendly camper; it's an all-in-one solution for those who want a complex vehicle that makes everyday errands a breeze and turns into a comfortable mobile home when you decide to get away from it all. Orion Motors asks $90,000 for upfitting your own Ford Transit and also offers turnkey camper vans starting at $155,000.