Better to have and not need, than need and not have, especially if independence and self-reliance is a factor.
Look around, see what's for sale.
There are a few Mazda Bongo 4wd campervans on the 'Bay, for example.
You don't want to paint it, you want to blend in like any other work van etc.
Hmmm after reading around think I am going to go 2 WD - the fuel costs for AWD/4WD and additional hundreds of kilos of curb weight don't seem to be worth it - snow chains I will take with me and just drive carefully - I am a fairly experienced driver & not an idiot and will stick to 'western' Europe areas so don't think I really need a 4WD system.
You're unlikely to need a 4x4 in non "Western Europe" either, unless you're really going odd places.even if the Tarmac runs out the dirt roads (if there actually are many) will be perfectly serviceable for 2wd, especially something with a reasonable clearance - like a van. You can drive round places like Romania in an Aygo for example without an issues. Unless you're going up to Arctic Norway in winter, or doing some form of "into the wild trip" you should be fine...
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Stealth camper, and fit a 100w (at least) solar panel on the roof.