7 Things I would change in my van. After having my van for seven years.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 พ.ค. 2024
- 7 Things I would change with my van if I was to do it again OR for future mods.
#vanlife #van #exploring
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everyone almost always have a small frdge, have a bib van with a big freezer, it allows me to stay away from having to re stock so often. also have a dog that eats raw food, need the freezer.
I thought of adding a freezer but would fill it with ice cream Glad the dog has lots of food!
In fairness to you, transits were not equipped with awd until 2020.
They were 3 years too late. I could have gone full 4x4 at the time, something that I really did not want. BUT my opinion, at least for now, is that if the weather and roads are that bad I have a house with me so stay put!!
I debated a high roof as well and it won the debate. When I was in a medium roof it seemed the cabinets would be right at my head (I'm 5'3"). It is quite easy to drive though I think the medium roof would be easier. I also found the extra length was a huge plus. The one thing I did almost immediately was modify that brake pedal. I hated the clutch type pedal and was lucky to have a welder in the family ☺. I have a hot water tank and truthfully, it's no problem to winterize. I drain everything by opening the tap to let it run empty. No issue thus far. Everything you've debated I was in the same debate my self. Thanks for sharing.
Why not get a small electric (or gas) tankless water heater?
@@USMC6976 I have a small Bosch water heater. I think it’s 7 gallons.
Thanks for sharing your experience. All that you shared I have planned for my van build previous to this video. Thanks for reassuring those concerns.
I have the same van as you do only a 2019. I have a 2 1/2 gallon hot water tank I don’t winterize it I just blow all the lines out and leave them open and I don’t live in my van in the winter yet but I do use it often. I have a wall between my back doors and my bed And I’m thankful for that. My next van will be longest and a higher roof. I want more storage and a sitting area if I’m gonna be living in it full-time but I’m just not there yet. I also have double the size of fridge you have, and I love it. Barely uses any power. I don’t need a shower and I do have a porta potty that I move around. Works for me .. Thx for the vid
As much as I want more space whenever I drive in the city I so LOVE having a smaller van. Had to drive my van yesterday to a dentist appointment and it is so easy to park being shorter.
Do you have an AWD or just the rear wheel drive?
Princess Auto has a on demand water heater that takes the 1 pound bottle and the 20 pound bottle for 229. The joy of princess auto is the warranty, It's life long.
I just saw that last week.
Stumbled onto your video. I have been following Vancity Vanlife, Foresty Forest and others for years. Enjoyed your video. Winterizing a water system is fast and easy. I do mine in our 42ft 5th wheel in under half an hour here in Ontario.
My issue is doing the winterizing at -40. Mine takes seconds. But at the same time there are days I miss all the water luxuries.
I'd suggest doing it when the nights get down to around 0°C. Here in Ontario that usually around Thanksgiving. Out your way it's probably a little earlier unfortunately. Totally your call was just a suggestion. Have lived for extended periods in my van years ago and also in our 5th wheel. For me it's definitely a must. Your fine doing without and that's cool. Certainly not judging or criticizing you.
@@dee004100 I use my van year round. So I winterize in October or November for the first time. Then I will use my van every couple of weeks. When it is -20 or -30c I will turn on the heat for 20 minutes, then bring out the water jug. Go travelling keeping the heat on, return home and pull the fresh and grey tank and I am done winterizing.
Dude. Small box truck next. So much easier..
Started that way, this explains my journey th-cam.com/video/QXci9aTh8IA/w-d-xo.html
Great info. I also lived in a Ford Transit. Mine was a high roof model year 2000. I cheated this time and purchased a fully kitted out camper van. Having my own standup shower inside was so fantastic. From experience everything op says is so true. Cold air leaking in through the back and sliding doors, got used to it. However I never found high winds a problem. With all the batteries, fresh and grey water storage, the extra weight made the thing stick to the road. Also the long wheel base really tracks nice on the open road. I have retired to Thailand now, but I still miss the van dweller lifestyle.
Enjoy Thailand!!
This is very insightful, thanks. I dream of a future where possibly I do a van build in retirement and do it full time, but this in the US, and follow the weather, possibly remaining in the southwest most o the time to reduce vehicle wear and save money. It's nice to watch the videos and I'll start to write them down as well as possibly do a design.
For bathing, I'm thinking I could get away with bucket bath and possibly have a basin, and shower curtain. I believe I'd so happy even without a shower or real bath. The benefits would be not needing as much room.
For insulation, I'd consider making complete, flat walls of it out from the wall a bit instead of tucked in the crevices. I would rig it to be possible to remove them so I can inspect that backside for rust and mold. Also, I'd probably make insulation covers of the same material and thickness for the windows, that would mesh with all the rest of insulation tightly. Just an idea.
For me it came down to cost. I have a 2020 Ford Transit 148” WB.
High roof and AWD would’ve added another 7K to the cost of my vehicle.
I’m happy with my MR. It was important for me to stand up so I only put 1/2” of insulation under my plywood subfloor. I used Thinsulate on the walls and ceilings.
A shower in my van would’ve taken up too much space so I shower at the gym.
It’s all about compromises. I live in the northeast. I have a harder time dealing with the hot humid summers than I do the cold winters.
I’ve also considered walling of the back and front. If I did that I would need to put in a second MaxAir fan.
Thanks for sharing the list of what you’d change.
I have window vents in the front windows that help facilitate good air flow.
Have you done anything to your Transit to augment security?
I have a 2000W Renogy inverter that is powered by a 206 Ah SOK battery that allows me to use a microwave. A convection oven/microwave would’ve been a better choice.
Nothing extra for security, actually have a video coming out about that.
I have vents in the front windows as well as a full screen cover I made for each side.
It appears that your van suits your requirements perfectly.
If I ever build out a van I want two dometic chest fridges. One to be a fridge and another set for a freezer. I own their dual fridge/freezer chest and it’s amazing however I eat a lot of fresh food and need more space than what they offer and I still need a freezer too so I can’t convert the freezer part into a fridge. I love chests because they keep the cold in when the lid is opened. I know some people don’t like chests because it’s harder for them to find stuff but I’ve found that with organization it hasn’t been a problem for me.
One thing that I’m staying away from is water tanks and waterlines not because of them needing to be winterized but because once mold gets in them it’s very hard to get rid of it. I’ve read too many horror stories about people dealing with that problem.
I’ll add that I live in the damp Pacific Northwest which is famous for growing molds, so yeah, I really don’t want to deal with that in my water.
I'm considering getting a chest freezer. I'm happy with my fridge choice; it's space-efficient. But, as you said, a chest freezer/fridge combo is more efficient at retaining cold. If I opt for a freezer, I'll install it under my bed on a slide.
Regarding mold in RV water lines, it's never been a problem for me. If it ever became one, a simple solution would be to flush the lines with bleach water and let it sit to clean them out. However, it's never been an issue for me personally.
Bigger fridge. Wet bath. Water heater. More water storage....
10" more roof height won't get you that much more interior volume. You'd need the extended high roof.
That is why I don't think I will do a build with all that. Too big for me.
For the last four years I have wanted to live in a van and one area I have noticed and have been aware at times places in a van seems to have extra cold spots and cold locations I was raised in the Midwest so I have had some ruff winter experience! I agree with you when you said extra insulation.
I have been interested in the Corning fom board insulation I had an idea why could that not be used in the filling of a curtain its light weight. Or a half a door that could be closed a night and it’s core was made out of Corning fom board insulation? I just think that might work!?
I looked into the foam insulation but I found from the test that I did with it that continual rubbing will wear it out. You almost need to sandwich it between something like some really thin wood. It definitely would have the insulation value.
I think he just described a Winnebago Revel.
Close but at that price no thanks!! My set-up is at least $160,000 cheaper. That is a lot of gas to enjoy it with.
I'd like to know what hot water tank you recommend.
I have only done preliminary investigation. I really like Eberspächer Hydronic S3 Economy for a number of reasons. But would look into it more before I made a decision.
Did you really mean to say a "Convection" cooktop (if so electric or gas)? Or did you mean an "induction" cooktop???
Yes, sorry induction. Good mind just scrambled some days.
It would be difficult to put a shower in a small van unless oyu buy a van that cost over $100,000
You can do a pop-up shower easily and for very little money.
I'm just wondering why a van and not a motorhome?
I'm planning to get out on the road in a few years too and I see a lot of people in a van.
But when I'm in one it feels a lot more cramped then a motorhome and I like having a seperate shower/toilet.
I don't need much but shitting in my kitchen, to say it bluntly, is a one step too far for me.😁
Stealth can't be it cause a van that really tries to be stealthy is just sticking out more so. And I can't really see why stealth is necessary unless you want to stay in places where you shouldn't.
I mean a small 2 berth motorhome isn't much bigger then a converted van just a bit wider and higher, with all the comfort you need.
Is it just price or is it something I'm just not seeing?
Let me start by explaining why I chose a van. Initially, I began my journey with a truck camper and loved it dearly. However, due to my lung condition, I found it challenging to move from the back to the front frequently throughout the day. I desired a vehicle where I could traverse from front to back without stepping outside.
So, I decided to purchase a 19 ft class C motorhome, thinking it would have a similar footprint to my truck and camper. However, I was mistaken. Unlike a truck with a camper, which maintains the same width as any other vehicle on the road, the motorhome's width at the base caused issues. It made parking difficult during photo shoots or visits to relatives due to its width, which was only 2' but seemed a lot bigger.
On some roads, I found myself hanging over the edge to avoid oncoming vehicles.
Despite these challenges, I still cherished my motorhome, which was the smallest available in its class.
Now, regarding the bathroom in my van, opening its door creates a partition that separates it from the kitchen. Not perfect but makes it better in my opinion.
I've been contemplating buying an extended van with a high roof or a motorhome for about a year now.
I've done quite a bit of research and one important factor I have discovered is that the motorhomes are built like shït. The quality just isn't there, and the months it can take to have repairs done on what is supposed to be a *"NEW"* motorhome would frustrate me beyond my limits. There are horror stories all over about frames snapping, exterior panels not being installed properly, interior parts failing (including refrigerators and stoves) and the horrible service the dealerships offer.
Further, the dealership you buy from is the only dealership that will repair your new motorhome under warranty! That is criminal imo.
A van just seems more reliable, customizeable, and convenient for half the price, and repairs and maintenance are easy to have done anywhere in the country.
I'm going for the hightop, 4x4, GM product. The rest I can build myself.
@@rattlecat5968 yeah heard that to the American build motorhomes are awful, big but very low build quality.
That's not the case with European build motorhomes they are not so big (some are but not all) and build quality is pretty good so yeah then I get it you would choose a van over a coach build RV.
@@FlaggytOh! I'm guilty of presuming you're in the states. Apologies 🙂
I've seen a few of the vans and smaller motor homes sold in Europe and they are beautiful, not to mention more moderately priced. I only wish it was possible to buy a European van but, they can't easily be registered here in the states. Good for you! 🙌
@@rattlecat5968 oh no worries i was only thinking about the European vans and motorhomes and didn't think about the American ones. So both were in our own bubble. :)