🏗️ Outbound Van Building Guide: All Modules, Blueprints & Layout Strategies

The van building system is Outbound's most creatively expressive system — and its most strategically deep. Every module you add changes what you can do, how much power you need, and how efficiently you can operate in each biome. Understanding module types, slot economy, and layout strategies turns building from a guessing game into a rewarding design challenge. This guide covers every confirmed module in Outbound, their slot requirements, blueprint unlock locations, and recommended layout strategies for every playstyle and progression stage.

📋 On this page

📐 How the Van Slot System Works

Your van has four slot zones, each accommodating different module types:

Slot Zones: - Roof Slots: Energy generation modules (solar, wind) and garden beds. Most expansive zone. - Side Slots (Left/Right): Crafting stations, water wheel, large storage, chemistry lab. - Interior Slots: Sleeping, decorative, small storage, pet habitats, textile station. - Bumper Slots: Specialized modules — winch, bike rack, tool holder.

Starter Chassis Slot Count: - Roof: 3 slots - Side Left: 2 slots - Side Right: 2 slots - Interior: 1 slot - Total: 8 slots

Expanded Chassis (+4 slots): Roof +2, Side +1 each. Total: 12 slots. Extended Chassis (+6 slots): Roof +2, Side +2 each. Total: 18 slots. Full Chassis (+6 slots): Roof +2, Interior +2, Bumper +2. Total: 24 slots.

Critical rule: Modules do not need to be adjacent to work. A Cooking Station on Side Left and a Garden Bed on the roof both function independently. However, the Water Wheel must be on a Side slot facing the water source — orientation matters.

🔨 Crafting Station Modules

| Module | Slots | Unlock | EU/hr | Primary Function | |---|---|---|---|---| | Basic Workbench | 1 Side | Pre-blueprinted | 5 EU active | Tier 1 crafting | | Ore Smelter | 1 Side | Pre-blueprinted | 12 EU active | Metal + Glass processing | | Camp Stove | 1 Side | Pre-blueprinted | 4 EU active | Basic cooking | | Cooking Station | 1 Side | Meadows Trading Post | 6 EU active | Full recipe cooking | | Advanced Workbench | 2 Side | Dense Forest POI | 8 EU active | Tier 2 crafting | | Chemistry Lab | 2 Side | Mountain POI | 10 EU active | Tier 3 crafting | | Textile Station | 1 Side | Coast Trading Post | 2 EU active | Cloth + fabric recipes | | Herb Rack | 1 Interior | Meadows POI | 1 EU active | Herb drying + preservation |

Blueprint unlock locations: - Basic Workbench + Ore Smelter + Camp Stove: Pre-blueprinted, available from game start. - Cooking Station: Meadows Central Trading Post (Resource trade: 8x Metal Component). - Advanced Workbench: Dense Forest Large Campsite POI (blueprint chest, main building). - Chemistry Lab: Mountain Research Outpost (blueprint chest, upper floor). - Textile Station: Coast Trading Post (Resource trade: 6x Advanced Metal + 4x Fiber). - Herb Rack: Meadows Research Outpost (blueprint chest).

⚡ Energy & Storage Modules

For full energy module specifications including output values and biome multipliers, see the [Energy System Guide](/guide/energy/). Summary table:

| Module | Slots | Unlock Location | Primary Biome | |---|---|---|---| | Tier 1–3 Solar Panel | 1 Roof each | Progressive (Meadows→Forest) | Meadows, Desert | | High-Efficiency Solar Array | 2 Roof | Mountain POI | Desert, Mountain | | Tier 1–3 Wind Turbine | 1 Roof each | Progressive (Meadows→Mountain) | Coast, Mountain | | Basic/Advanced/Turbine Water Wheel | 1–2 Side | Progressive (Meadows→Mountain) | All water biomes | | Basic Battery Bank | 1 Side/Interior | Pre-blueprinted | All | | Extended/High-Cap/Ultra-Cap Battery | 1–2 Side/Interior | Progressive trading posts | All |

📦 Storage & Living Modules

| Module | Slots | Unlock | Function | |---|---|---|---| | Small Storage Chest | 1 Interior/Side | Pre-blueprinted | 40-item storage | | Large Storage Chest | 2 Side | Meadows Trading Post | 80-item storage | | Sleeping Bunk | 1 Interior | Pre-blueprinted | Full overnight rest — max stamina restore | | Deluxe Sleeping Bunk | 1 Interior | Dense Forest Trading Post | Rest + +10% next-day stamina bonus | | Hammock | 1 Roof | Textile Station recipe | Quick nap — 50% stamina restore, 30 min game-time | | Garden Bed | 1 Roof | Pre-blueprinted | Grows 1 crop type | | Large Garden Bed | 2 Roof | Meadows Research Outpost | Grows 3 crop types simultaneously | | Herb Rack | 1 Interior | Meadows Research Outpost | Dries herbs — extends shelf life 3× | | Water Purifier | 1 Side | Meadows POI (first stream) | Converts stream water to clean water | | Cooling Module | 1 Side | Desert Trading Post | Reduces heat drain in Desert biome |

Storage strategy: Never use more than 2 storage module slots in the early game. The temptation to build 3-4 storage chests leaves you without essential functional modules. Use ingredient stacks efficiently — most crafting materials stack to 20 per slot.

🗺️ Optimal Van Layouts by Playstyle

Layout A — Solo Exploration Focus (12 slots / Expanded Chassis): - Roof (5): 2× Tier 2 Solar + 1× Tier 1 Wind + 1× Garden Bed + 1× Garden Bed - Side L (3): Basic Workbench + Ore Smelter + Water Purifier - Side R (3): Cooking Station + Extended Battery Bank + Large Storage Chest - Interior (1): Sleeping Bunk - Emphasis: Energy-positive, mobile, self-sufficient for multi-day biome trips

Layout B — Crafting Power Build (18 slots / Extended Chassis): - Roof (7): 2× Tier 2 Solar + 2× Tier 2 Wind + 2× Large Garden Beds + 1× Garden Bed - Side L (4): Basic Workbench + Ore Smelter + Advanced Workbench + Water Wheel - Side R (4): Cooking Station + Chemistry Lab + 2× High-Cap Battery Bank - Interior (3): Sleeping Bunk + Herb Rack + Large Storage Chest - Emphasis: Maximum crafting throughput, farmstead-style stationary camp

Layout C — Co-op 4-Player Communal Build (24 slots / Full Chassis): - Roof (9): 1× High-Efficiency Solar Array + 2× Tier 3 Wind + 3× Large Garden Beds - Side L (5): Basic Workbench + Advanced Workbench + Chemistry Lab + Ore Smelter + Water Wheel - Side R (5): Cooking Station + Textile Station + 2× Ultra-Capacity Bank + Cooling Module - Interior (5): 2× Sleeping Bunk + Herb Rack + Large Storage + Pet habitat (flexible) - Bumper: Bike Rack + Tool Holder - Emphasis: Self-sufficient city-on-wheels for 4-player communal living

🎥 Video guides

Outbound Demo — Van Building System Full Tour

▶ Watch: Outbound Demo — Van Building System Full Tour

Outbound Demo — Van Customization & Module Placement

▶ Watch: Outbound Demo — Van Customization & Module Placement

🔗 Related guides

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many modules can you have on the van in Outbound?

The starter van has 8 module slots. After all chassis upgrades (Expanded → Extended → Full), the maximum is 24 total slots across roof, side, interior, and bumper zones.

Where do I find blueprints in Outbound?

Blueprints are found in blueprint chests at POIs (Abandoned Campsites, Research Outposts) and purchased at Trading Posts. The three starter blueprints (Basic Workbench, Ore Smelter, Camp Stove) are pre-unlocked — no exploration required.

Can you rearrange modules on the van in Outbound?

Yes. Modules can be moved between slots at any time while parked, at no material cost. You can also remove and re-place modules freely. Only modules currently running a crafting process cannot be relocated until the process completes.

What is the most important module in Outbound?

The Basic Workbench is the foundational module — without it, nothing else can be crafted. After that, the Ore Smelter (unlocks metal production) and a Battery Bank (stores solar energy) are the two highest-priority second and third modules.

How do I get the Advanced Workbench in Outbound?

Find the Dense Forest Large Campsite POI and open the blueprint chest inside the main building. You need the Upgraded Motor to efficiently reach the Dense Forest. The Advanced Workbench blueprint is not purchasable — exploration only.