This is a tour of my relatively inexpensive, cozy van build, that has all the necessities while attempting to maximize open floor space and avoid the cluttered, claustrophobic and crowded feeling that in my view, is too often found in van builds. Of particular importance to me was to leave the side door opening completely unobstructed, which is not something I often see in van builds. Doing this helps a lot in creating a spacious design! As well as allowing one to feel immediately and intimately connected to the gorgeous natural setting just outside. I really enjoy sitting on the floor in this opening, drinking a cup of tea or coffee in the morning.
As well, I am not a fan of the raised bed, as this causes what to me feels like a rather disharmonious division between the bed and the rest of the space. A raised bed is also a bed which cannot be used for a double purpose as a chair and sofa in the space as a whole, as mine can be.
As my build process was gradual, starting out relatively simple and adding upgrades over a couple years, I needed to build things in a way that allowed changes to be easily made, without having to take everything apart. This is one of the reasons I do not have electrical wires or plumbing behind walls. However, I also found that it made more sense to me to use the space inside the van walls as part of the cabinet system, rather than fill it with insulation or wiring and plumbing. This extra 4 inches of valuable space inside the van walls allows cabinets on one side to be totally inside the walls, and on the other, allows the cabinets to stick out less into the living space.
I very much like an unpainted wood interior, as the wood grain is attractive to me, and the mood conveyed is one of rustic simplicity.
It will be evident from things like uneven cabinet doors, that I'm not a perfectionist. Those things are not so important to me as is the whole "feel" of the space. Yet these flaws could readily be avoided by someone with a more meticulous approach than myself.
I believe the space as a whole could benefit from inclusion of more curves, or something more to offset the rectangular structure: perhaps an attractive tree branch or deer antlers could be employed to good effect to this end. I may find inspiration on this later on.
Something I forgot to point out, was the mechanism by which the drop-down dining and writing table is supported. There is a small piece of plywood (about 1.5 inches by 6 inches) that folds out, via a bolt that goes through it, from the adjacent plywood piece that holds the drawer slide and drawer. Folding this out allows the drop down table to be supported quite well. One could also use a removeable or foldable wood leg to support it.
Another item commonly found in van builds that I do not have in mine: a ceiling fan. As I'm not a full timer, I do road trips when the weather is optimal, which means I generally avoid really hot days. Hence no need for ventilation: opening the side door is quite adequate ventilation.
I give a breakdown of the build expenses towards the end of the video. Note that only about 1/3 of the build cost was for the structure and essentials: the other 2/3 was for optional items, such as refrigerator, lithium battery and solar panel, or other items that some may choose not to include.
I also mention at the end some of the things I'd do differently if money were no object. These include:
* Getting a high roof van instead of a medium roof van, which would feel more spacious.
* Putting a window on the side door.
* Putting solar panels on the roof.
The roof solar panels would be the most valuable upgrade and my lack of such is I believe the greatest drawback of my build as it is now. I find that I do have enough power for a 7 to 14 day outing, if I bring along two Goal Zero YETI 1500x batteries, but if I'm not driving much and able to charge batteries while driving, it could be more difficult to rely mostly on the 200watt solar panel to charge while at camp (I do not tend to spend a lot of time at camp, I spend the days hiking and sightseeing). In addition to the refrigerator (which uses most of the power) I charge camera and drone batteries and a phone, possibly a laptop as well.
I hope viewers will appreciate my humorous anecdote at the end of the video!
Thanks for watching!