If you only upgrade one thing on your minivan camper build, make it this one.  A portable power station is the single piece of gear that turns "roughing it" into "actually comfortable" — and it's the upgrade most first-time builders underestimate until they're sitting in the dark on night two with a dead phone. Why a Power Station Beats the Alternatives Before power stations became affordable and reliable, minivan campers had two options: run everything off the van's starter battery (risky — dead battery, stranded in a parking lot) or rely on disposable options like ice for coolers and battery packs for phones. Neither holds up for more than a night or two. A dedicated power station solves this cleanly. Charge it at home before you leave, top it off with a car charger while driving, or add a solar panel for indefinite off-grid range — and it runs your fridge, charges your devices, and keeps a fan or light running, all without touching your van's st...