HEY EVERYONE! Thank you all so much for your kind words and interest in watching this build video! TOMORROW, November 15th the FULL TOUR WALKTHROUGH is going live here on Nate Murphy's TH-cam channel. You won't want to miss it!
Curious…Why didn’t you guys extend the living space out over the truck cab. With as large as the truck cab is you could’ve fit an entire bedroom into the overhang, which would give you a ton more living space in the main part of the box. It’s an outstanding build and I’m sure the huge tires and ground clearance is gonna give ya access to great back country in the BLM areas throughout the west.
@@TJDawgs72 Hey there! First off, thanks for the kind words we really appreciate it. It is kind of insane where this truck has taken us over the past 1.5 years of living in it. We still haven't reached its limits, it literally walks through and up everything we throw at it! Great question in regards to the cab over, the box manufacturer we went with does offer a cab over option, but its tiny, the weigh limit is low and it's butt a** ugly LOL. If we had the budget we would have done a nice cab over composite box option for that extra sleeping space. Next truck will definitely be this route, though we are absolutely loving this build for now :)
@@the.desertcruiser OK, I wasn’t sure if you guys left that area over the cab on purpose for like storage specifically or something like that. Either way, the truck looks absolutely amazing and I’m sure it’s a blast to drive around and adventure in. Enjoy and happy trails…
@@TJDawgs72 we do have loads of storage on the roof, 20 gallons of extra fuel, fire wood, compost for our composting toilet etc. It's so dang fun to drive, cheers man!
I would suggest you check out "Our Way to Roam" sometime when you have time, they came up with some genius ideas, but also worked their butts of doing things the hard way in a smaller space. They glued their solar panels and other stuff on, but had to locate the right glue.
Beyond words! This build is exceptional! The attention to detail is unreal and the time you took to explain each step is so encouraging for me to some day do this. Congratulations to you both and Happy Camping!
you make it look so easy. I love that you're always smiling. I would be cussing so much. I love the shower and the fridge freezer. I got a 144 about to build out the inside and now I am hedging.
Nice. Smart to go Victron. My system has two Game Changers. Your 4 is massive! You’ll be living large with that much power storage. The rear deck off my rig is my favorite place to hang out. You’ll love it. Cheers!!
Fantastic. Bless you on your new adventure. 🌺 I love how detailed you were with each step. Understanding all aspects of your RV is so important. We've had many RVs, and not one was easy to use or built with quality in the details. I'm excited for you both! Congratulations
Well thought out and great way to build it out for full timing in it. I like the simplicity with just the right amount of creature comforts thrown in for good measure.
cheers, and thank you for this comment! It's definitely a leap of faith, and one we will continue taking as opportunities present themselves through out our lives!
I can't put into words how impressed I am, and I build stuff for a living. Congratulations! Only thing I want to know is how much did that cost you all in?
@@MichaelIngmanson Yes they started out with how much a built unit can cost so they should share some info like save 50 percent on average building your own.
Hey Tony and fellow commenters! Sorry for missing this comment, I've been trying to respond to all of them but some have been hidden from me at times! Thank you for the kind words, truly, it means the world to us! If you want to DM us we will share costs via our website or instagram both linked in the description. We didn't think we would have so many people asking about the cost so the plan will be to do a cost breakdown at a later time. As for right now we are also working on a full build conversion PDF that we will sell for a small fee. This will detail everything through out our build videos, but with more info on decision making for things like choosing a truck, box etc. With cost breakdowns! Again thank you for your support :)
Thank you so much for sharing this very informative video! Wow . . . massive off grid power system . . . precisely / cleanly installed . . . IMPRESSIVE! Nice . . . this is a really sweet build. Happy travels!
Nice build, I enjoyed watching the process. You guys did an incredible job & well thought out from the vehicles exterior to the interior down to the smallest details!💯🏆
Did you change your axle gearing to accommodate those larger tires? If you didn’t, your transmission is not gonna like you. Off the top of my head I would think you would need to go to at least a 5.12 gear set. You’ll never have to worry about top end as that 10 speed transmission has three overdrives. You need to worry about the low end so 512 would be minimum maybe even 588 or better you’re gonna need somebody to figure this out on paper for you unless you’ve already done it?
Hello, I got a 6” lift on an e450 4x4 24’ 6.8 liter V10 shuttle bus. Went from a 29” tire to a 33” tire. Not as drastic as this rig in tire size change, but do you guys feel I need to change gears in the rear?
I must say your truck color , doors and windows look like a factory made truck and even the inside looks magnificent you and your wife did an outstanding job and I'm subscribing to the channel . I wish you millions of miles and a whole lot of fun sightseeing .
Thank you so so much, that is exactly what we were going for and I'm glad you noticed the planning / effort that went into it all! So far, 20,000 miles later we are LOVING the setup.
love the shower and probably one of the most interesting and meticulous van builds i have seen....caught my attention the whole entire time along with how u described everything in detail without making it boring...did someone teach u on ur first van build about the electrical setup because it looks so complicated...great job, take care and have an epic time out there
hey Brian! Thank you for the kind words, we put a lot of work into the build and videoing / editing so this comment means a lot to us! For the electrical system I learned everything from TH-cam, most of it from @explorist.life TH-cam page back in 2019! No in person training, it looks complicated but you really just need to learn step by step on how to connect things. Focus on one component at a time, learn it, how to install it then move on until you've figured out how to tie it all together! We will!
You have done a great job on the build. You also did a great job on the video presentation. Iam a retired engineering trade person and part time RV traveller, so can I can appreciate what was involed fitting out the truck. I hope you have a great time in your travels, God Bless.
Your craftsmanship is amazing! The one thing I have a concern with, is removal of structural elements. I believe the reinforcement of the aluminum ribs adjacent to the openings may have been something to ensure the box has the strength for off-roading. (Like a door or window in a home). Have a great time!
thank you so much! There definitely could have been re-welded material added back to the box BUT with the wood framing we did, and additionally framing once walls went up behind cabinets everything has been rock solid :)
Beautiful Box Rig for a Beautiful Couple and Loving the details that went into start/finished of Woodwork, Plumbing and Electrical Work, Be Safe on the Road and Thanks for Sharing Enjoyed and Blessings 🙏❤️🥰😇🚚 From Pennsylvania,USA
Hey there, thank you so much for the kind words! It was so so much work, but we are so dang happy with the end result some 1.5yrs later! Have a great one and stay tuned for the tour!
AMAZING build! So glad to see Pex-A. It never ever leaks! However, a WARNING: the brass bulkhead fittings you used in your fresh tank contain lead. I literally tested mine today. Please replace with stainless steel fittings!! 🤞🏼
Hey! Seriously appreciate this, maybe naive of me but I took the “Amazon listing” at its word for lead free 😂 guess that’s what happens when I trust the internet haha
I don't have to even finish watching this. I've been fulltiming for 15 years and considering your cost, the off road capabilities and right angels and your choice of components this is the best in class DIY I've ever seen. I was initially concerned about the cabin skin but with the right AC and PV that's not an issue. Your choice of Fridge/Freezer is precisely what I want. You had close attention to detail and your video is just as impressive as the build itself. If I had a shop to do all this, and I were a bit younger I'd do the same. Huzzah!!!!
Love it. These tiny homes could replace temporary housing in states that hit hard by natural disasters or even lack of housing. Just gotta get through the red tape. Great job.😊
This is so freakin incredible! One of the best builds, IMO. I think the only change I would make is building the master “suite” bed over the cab, basically extending the living space to the entire box and making the sleepy space over the cab of the truck, like you see with campers. If you considered this and didn’t do it, can you tell us why or why not?
Thanks, appreciate it! Definitely will be doing a cab over camper on the next truck! Budget constraints are the main reason for not going this route on this first truck! The company that makes this box does do a cab over, but it’s butt ugly, small and doesn’t hold much weight so that wasn’t even an option. Next box will be a proper composite cab over! We don’t need the space necessarily for the cab over now, but will want it in the future 🤙🏻
@@the.desertcruiseryou’ve given me so many great ideas for doing something similar. I have 2 young children so the cab over is a must! I love everything about what you guys did and it’s similar to the Overlanders you see out there but those approach half a million $$! This video is incredible as you guys touch on so many aspects of the build that you make me feel I could somehow start something like this! I like the fact you guys took this into your own hands to build it how you wanted it. Congratulations and cheers! Whats the company that makes the box?
Congratulations on the absolute most perfect build of all times! I think that because I actually don’t have any questions. I would love to live in a vehicle like that while I travel the country visiting and vacationing with my grandchildren.
How u ppl are doing whole work so professionally I am shocked woodwork plumbing electrical work flooring painting 😮😮😮 I wish even I could be able for all this
glad you enjoyed it so much and learned some things!!! Really appreciate the comment :) I think the video editing took as long as the entire build haha
That turned out awesome. The only thing I would have any trepidation for would be the electricity. The plumbing looked complicated, but all I need to do is translate what I learned about residential PVC into pex. I don't remember if you mentioned it or not, but did you buy the box new? Did you have the option for a cab-over? That would be my preferred sleeping arrangement. I have all the tools, skills, and free time(retired). Like I said, though, I don't think i could tackle the electric. Good luck and safe travels.
Very cool. You two are very innovative. The fan might be more aerodynamic/catch less wind and water if you face the opening towards the deck. The deck might benefit from simple drop down stands made from aluminum to support weight on it.
As a suggestion, and you may have done it already, but I would run the solar panel screws threads down to cut wind resistance…. There is also clay tape that the RV industry uses as a water barrier when screwing fixtures down.. I have built two off grind trailers now and I haven’t had any leaks…. Sadly the first one i had to sell due to current economy, the second one though I’m keeping due to it being built for ice fishing.
I initially was going to cut the solar panel bolts down, but never did as there is no wind resistance affecting anything, nor any sound coming off of it. Yep, I know what you are talking about, Butyl tape that many folks put under their fan flanges. I did this in our van but felt NO NEED to do this again, use Dicor Lap Sealant properly and you won't need the extra layer of Butyl tape protection. Ice fishing sounds fun, have a good one!
out of all the work that goes into these builds that electrical work and hearing it all click on after turning the switch on and not exploding has gotta be the best of the feelings of accomplishment 😂😂 i hate any sort of wiring out of all the cutting and fabricating and measuring that wiring would feel the best after finishing lol
Is there a cost breakdown available somewhere? This is an awesome rig. It’s a beautiful rig and you did a great job on the design and conversion. Have fun on your explorations.
Hey there! There isn't, but we've had a lot of requests so seems like something we should do! Thanks for the kind words and stay tuned for the tour either this Thursday or Friday!
When you build your next one! You should watch videos by Chuck Cassidy on how he insulates and builds skoolies. Having lived with a commercial RV for the past 7 years my advice would have been to not have the roof mount AC and the MaxxAir fan. A clean roof would have allowed for much more solar, and been more aerodynamic. With a slight gap between your solar panels and the box roof it would act like a thermal break for a cooler interior. Your AC needs could have been better served with a split system heat pump. One inch of foam insulation under your floor would have been a bonus also. I know criticizing from afar is easy but is meant for your next build.
It's the way to go, cheaper than some vans and way more space!!! Plus really meant to take a beating haha Have a good one Ryan, and stay tuned for the tour tomorrow!
Wow, fantastic. Best of luck to you. Two questions...(1) Perhaps I missed it, but where is the toilet? and (2) I did not know it was OK to dump gray water overboard just anywhere. It makes total sense to me that it should be OK, as it is only wash water. If I understood the build correctly, you have provisions to store sink water for dumping overboard when you feel it is appropriate and will shower only in locations where it is also OK for the shower water to runoff on its own, correct?
Hey there thank you so so much! The toilet is in the shower, we didn't have the toilet at the time of filming the build, but its linked in the description... It's a Compo Closet CUDDY composting toilet. As for the grey water question, it's a gray and often hidden from discussion area. You are dead on correct, if we are visiting family in a residential neighborhood we can either drain the sink into the jug, or outside. We felt there are certain areas that we should keep the sink water inside, we don't want to drain water in front of someones house! haha But for the shower it only drains outside, when visiting family we can simply shower inside so no need to even use it at that time! We use Dr Bronners Pure Castille Soap which is extremely environmentally friendly, probably cleaner then people spitting toothpaste outside when camping haha Thanks for the comment and I hope I cleared everything up for you :)
That’s a beautiful build! I have no skill with building things so I would never be able to do that! When I hit the lotto though, I’ll start looking at the earthroamers!
To be honest we had 0 skill building anything 5 years ago, learned everything off of TH-cam to build our van and then started planning this one out. I really believe most anyone can build their own rig! But hey I wouldn’t complain about winning the lotto so I don’t have to build another rig either 😂
Hey there thanks for the vid. First one I have watched. Awesome overview of the project. I could clearly see you are passionate, perfectionist. Will now have to go back and watch all your other videos. Nga mihi/much thanks. From Aotearoa NZ.😊
Nice work on your van build! The great thing about a 'square box' is that building an interior in it is much easier compared to something like a Ram Promaster. That said, it's still a lot of work, as you surely know!
Please have an eye on those holes in the roof for the solar mounts. All the movement on the road can easily create small cracks in the sealant. Make double and triple sure that it’s sealed. Because water in the insulation really sucks!
Holes on the roof are of 0 concern when properly sealed... I think folks have an exaggerated fear of roof penetrations, we have no worry. BUT, you are absolutely right in the sense to check it every few years to make sure the sealant is still holding well.
I noticed on the lip of the roof where the solar panels are screwed in that the bolt is on top, and the screw is pushed from below. Is there any chance of driving vibration loosening the screws and losing them? I believe there's a spray product called screw lock or something like that, was that used? But what a great job !!!! Congratulations
Hey there! The storage boxes are sitting in a cage so to speak, it's welded together with a mixture of 1.5"x1.5" tube steel and angled steel. This way there is no "hanging weight" on the roof of the box, and rather it's sitting in a sturdy cage to support the weight of the box and gear in it. The truck just as a chassis was 8,200ibs, truck and EMPTY box was 10,200ibs so roughly 2,000ibs for the empty box!
It is clear that you studied for this build. There is a lot of wood. I assume you calculated for that weight. I am always amazed at how a young man knows so much about the electric and plumbing install. Well done. Cant wait for the grand tour.
Hey there - we studied and planned SO MUCH it was insane. haha We had a rough idea of weight, but unlike a van with a lower total carrying capacity we were not worried what so ever with the final product. It's crazy to look back at what we've learned over the last 5 years from our first van build till now. I knew nothing of plumbing, electrical etc. but when you want something bad enough you figured out a way to attain it. Have a good one and stay tuned for the tour in JUST A FEW DAYS!
I am 78, was always a jack of all trades, which was much easier back in the mechanical days, but the library was the Google and TH-cam which took way more time and energy. When digital cameras came along I would take pictures of ideas I liked, or if replacing brakes etc, I would take a photo before starting and put it back the same way. Life is so easy now, but with two computer in the house, a laptop in the bedroom and one in my camper, I can't ever get bored. I give away my old computers and my latest build it water cooled, not because I need that much speed, but it does edit videos really fast, and impresses younger people.
@@vonheise Hey there! I would have been absolutely lost back in the day before internet! haha I didn't grow up with anyone to show me this stuff so I learned everything online. Grateful to always be evolving and adapting! What kind of camper do you have?
HEY EVERYONE! Thank you all so much for your kind words and interest in watching this build video! TOMORROW, November 15th the FULL TOUR WALKTHROUGH is going live here on Nate Murphy's TH-cam channel. You won't want to miss it!
Curious…Why didn’t you guys extend the living space out over the truck cab. With as large as the truck cab is you could’ve fit an entire bedroom into the overhang, which would give you a ton more living space in the main part of the box. It’s an outstanding build and I’m sure the huge tires and ground clearance is gonna give ya access to great back country in the BLM areas throughout the west.
@@TJDawgs72 Hey there! First off, thanks for the kind words we really appreciate it. It is kind of insane where this truck has taken us over the past 1.5 years of living in it. We still haven't reached its limits, it literally walks through and up everything we throw at it!
Great question in regards to the cab over, the box manufacturer we went with does offer a cab over option, but its tiny, the weigh limit is low and it's butt a** ugly LOL. If we had the budget we would have done a nice cab over composite box option for that extra sleeping space. Next truck will definitely be this route, though we are absolutely loving this build for now :)
@@the.desertcruiser OK, I wasn’t sure if you guys left that area over the cab on purpose for like storage specifically or something like that. Either way, the truck looks absolutely amazing and I’m sure it’s a blast to drive around and adventure in. Enjoy and happy trails…
@@TJDawgs72 we do have loads of storage on the roof, 20 gallons of extra fuel, fire wood, compost for our composting toilet etc. It's so dang fun to drive, cheers man!
I would suggest you check out "Our Way to Roam" sometime when you have time, they came up with some genius ideas, but also worked their butts of doing things the hard way in a smaller space. They glued their solar panels and other stuff on, but had to locate the right glue.
Shoulda put plastic sheet vapor barier over insulation before covering w wooden boards.. to prevent condensation moisture ❤
We had such a great time building our new rig out, and grateful to share it with you all! Please drop any comments here and we will get back to you!
Good job yall ❤
Just curious if you could tell me where the rock canyon is in the beginning of this video ?
I was curious about how much it costs?
@@Masonwmasters$200k
@@omarvasquez-alpizar7606 thank you so much!!!!
Beyond words! This build is exceptional! The attention to detail is unreal and the time you took to explain each step is so encouraging for me to some day do this. Congratulations to you both and Happy Camping!
You guys did a fantastic job. Nothing is better than putting loved in the home you built from your own heart.
It’s like watching a magician at work . Incredible job. ❤
Dang, thank you so much really kind of you to say ❤
you make it look so easy. I love that you're always smiling. I would be cussing so much. I love the shower and the fridge freezer. I got a 144 about to build out the inside and now I am hedging.
Nice. Smart to go Victron. My system has two Game Changers. Your 4 is massive! You’ll be living large with that much power storage. The rear deck off my rig is my favorite place to hang out. You’ll love it. Cheers!!
Great job! We enjoyed working with you and can't wait to see your future adventures!! 😎
Thanks guys - loving our AC, appreciate yall!
Fantastic. Bless you on your new adventure. 🌺 I love how detailed you were with each step. Understanding all aspects of your RV is so important. We've had many RVs, and not one was easy to use or built with quality in the details. I'm excited for you both! Congratulations
I never knew there were so many van shops here in Colorado. I’ve wanted to work for someone doing what I love. Awesome
There are 50+ just in Denver hahah get after it 😊
Well thought out and great way to build it out for full timing in it. I like the simplicity with just the right amount of creature comforts thrown in for good measure.
Epic build. So proud of young people who think outside the normal. Safe travels
cheers, and thank you for this comment! It's definitely a leap of faith, and one we will continue taking as opportunities present themselves through out our lives!
I can't put into words how impressed I am, and I build stuff for a living. Congratulations! Only thing I want to know is how much did that cost you all in?
As one of the very few comments without a reply from OP I suspect they want to keep the exact cost private. Or perhaps it is coming in a future video?
@@MichaelIngmanson Yes they started out with how much a built unit can cost so they should share some info like save 50 percent on average building your own.
Hey Tony and fellow commenters! Sorry for missing this comment, I've been trying to respond to all of them but some have been hidden from me at times! Thank you for the kind words, truly, it means the world to us! If you want to DM us we will share costs via our website or instagram both linked in the description. We didn't think we would have so many people asking about the cost so the plan will be to do a cost breakdown at a later time. As for right now we are also working on a full build conversion PDF that we will sell for a small fee. This will detail everything through out our build videos, but with more info on decision making for things like choosing a truck, box etc. With cost breakdowns! Again thank you for your support :)
@@MichaelIngmanson hey! just replied, I hadn't seen Tony's comment till today!
@@Tommyjamesrb Hey Tommy! Just replied above, Tony's comment was hidden from me until today!
Magnificent job. It's beautiful. Well done. My favorite part is that you and your friends did much of the work yourselves. 😊
Thank you so much for sharing this very informative video! Wow . . . massive off grid power system . . . precisely / cleanly installed . . . IMPRESSIVE! Nice . . . this is a really sweet build. Happy travels!
Such A Allrounder Adventure Wagon, Certainly Not Much Expense Spared On This Once In A Lifetime Wagon, Respect 🫡 From Scotland 🏴.
It is and you are correct! Hahaha thank you and have a good one!
Incredibly thoughtful build, as evidenced by the fact that, after all the gear you've packed in, the inside of the box feels larger than the outside.
thank you so much! You nailed it, we wanted ALL OF OUR GEAR, without feeling crammed. I think we struck a really good balance! haha
Impressive build! Your electrical wiring is magic and the water hook-ups... Can't wait to see more! Thank you both for taking us along for the ride!!!
Wow! Spectacular! Can't wait to see the walk through!😊😊
Thank you so much! Next Thursday full tour will be out!
Nice build, I enjoyed watching the process. You guys did an incredible job & well thought out from the vehicles exterior to the interior down to the smallest details!💯🏆
thank you so much! We really tried thinking through it all and glad you saw that as well!
Did you change your axle gearing to accommodate those larger tires? If you didn’t, your transmission is not gonna like you. Off the top of my head I would think you would need to go to at least a 5.12 gear set. You’ll never have to worry about top end as that 10 speed transmission has three overdrives. You need to worry about the low end so 512 would be minimum maybe even 588 or better you’re gonna need somebody to figure this out on paper for you unless you’ve already done it?
Hey there! You are dead on correct, and we did! I believe the gearing was swapped to a 6.10 or right around there! Thanks for the comment 🤙🏻
@@the.desertcruiser when did you swap gearing? when you ordered truck or when you did tire upgrade...? BTW...
I LOVE YALL'S RIG!!!!!!!
Hello, I got a 6” lift on an e450 4x4 24’ 6.8 liter V10 shuttle bus. Went from a 29” tire to a 33” tire. Not as drastic as this rig in tire size change, but do you guys feel I need to change gears in the rear?
@@prepparig144shit dude. You need a whole new rig now!
@prepparig144 i think modern vehicles have electronically configurable tire circumferences....
I must say your truck color , doors and windows look like a factory made truck and even the inside looks magnificent you and your wife did an outstanding job and I'm subscribing to the channel . I wish you millions of miles and a whole lot of fun sightseeing .
Thank you so so much, that is exactly what we were going for and I'm glad you noticed the planning / effort that went into it all! So far, 20,000 miles later we are LOVING the setup.
love the shower and probably one of the most interesting and meticulous van builds i have seen....caught my attention the whole entire time along with how u described everything in detail without making it boring...did someone teach u on ur first van build about the electrical setup because it looks so complicated...great job, take care and have an epic time out there
hey Brian! Thank you for the kind words, we put a lot of work into the build and videoing / editing so this comment means a lot to us!
For the electrical system I learned everything from TH-cam, most of it from @explorist.life TH-cam page back in 2019! No in person training, it looks complicated but you really just need to learn step by step on how to connect things. Focus on one component at a time, learn it, how to install it then move on until you've figured out how to tie it all together!
We will!
You have done a great job on the build. You also did a great job on the video presentation. Iam a retired engineering trade person and part time RV traveller, so can I can appreciate what was involed fitting out the truck. I hope you have a great time in your travels, God Bless.
What a gorgeous camper! I am really impressed. Amazing work! 👍🏼 I wish you all the best and a good ride. 😊 Greetings from Northern Germany 🫶🏼
Hey again Eric!! Thanks for both comments!!! Appreciate you :)
Your craftsmanship is amazing! The one thing I have a concern with, is removal of structural elements. I believe the reinforcement of the aluminum ribs adjacent to the openings may have been something to ensure the box has the strength for off-roading. (Like a door or window in a home). Have a great time!
thank you so much! There definitely could have been re-welded material added back to the box BUT with the wood framing we did, and additionally framing once walls went up behind cabinets everything has been rock solid :)
Beautiful Box Rig for a Beautiful Couple and Loving the details that went into start/finished of Woodwork, Plumbing and Electrical Work, Be Safe on the Road and Thanks for Sharing Enjoyed and Blessings 🙏❤️🥰😇🚚 From Pennsylvania,USA
Hey there, thank you so much for the kind words! It was so so much work, but we are so dang happy with the end result some 1.5yrs later! Have a great one and stay tuned for the tour!
My god that first shot when you see the before and after is a complete jaw dropper
AMAZING build! So glad to see Pex-A. It never ever leaks! However, a WARNING: the brass bulkhead fittings you used in your fresh tank contain lead. I literally tested mine today. Please replace with stainless steel fittings!! 🤞🏼
Hey! Seriously appreciate this, maybe naive of me but I took the “Amazon listing” at its word for lead free 😂 guess that’s what happens when I trust the internet haha
kind of like being able to go to Petra, in Colorado. 🌳🥘🏡🏛
I don't have to even finish watching this. I've been fulltiming for 15 years and considering your cost, the off road capabilities and right angels and your choice of components this is the best in class DIY I've ever seen. I was initially concerned about the cabin skin but with the right AC and PV that's not an issue. Your choice of Fridge/Freezer is precisely what I want. You had close attention to detail and your video is just as impressive as the build itself. If I had a shop to do all this, and I were a bit younger I'd do the same. Huzzah!!!!
Love it. These tiny homes could replace temporary housing in states that hit hard by natural disasters or even lack of housing. Just gotta get through the red tape. Great job.😊
What the stainless fabricator did putting the wood grain into your shower walls was shear artistry! Beautiful build! Hope you share the cost.
100% agree, the guy is amazing at what he does! We will eventually do a cost breakdown!
This is so freakin incredible! One of the best builds, IMO. I think the only change I would make is building the master “suite” bed over the cab, basically extending the living space to the entire box and making the sleepy space over the cab of the truck, like you see with campers.
If you considered this and didn’t do it, can you tell us why or why not?
Thanks, appreciate it! Definitely will be doing a cab over camper on the next truck! Budget constraints are the main reason for not going this route on this first truck! The company that makes this box does do a cab over, but it’s butt ugly, small and doesn’t hold much weight so that wasn’t even an option. Next box will be a proper composite cab over! We don’t need the space necessarily for the cab over now, but will want it in the future 🤙🏻
@@the.desertcruiseryou’ve given me so many great ideas for doing something similar. I have 2 young children so the cab over is a must! I love everything about what you guys did and it’s similar to the Overlanders you see out there but those approach half a million $$! This video is incredible as you guys touch on so many aspects of the build that you make me feel I could somehow start something like this! I like the fact you guys took this into your own hands to build it how you wanted it. Congratulations and cheers!
Whats the company that makes the box?
Congratulations on the absolute most perfect build of all times! I think that because I actually don’t have any questions. I would love to live in a vehicle like that while I travel the country visiting and vacationing with my grandchildren.
Love this! haha thanks for the comment Mary, get a van or something simple and you will love it!
WOW 👏🏻 Very impressive!! Congratulations on your new home and build!!
Thanks so much, we’ve absolutely been loving it!!
The attention to detail on your build is insane! Congrats guys! Now come visit me in CO
Thank you so dang much! We were just in CO during fall! Haha
I've been waiting for this! One of the best, most thoughtful builds out there. Watching it come to life like this is spectacular. Well done!
Thanks for your support Riley! Means a lot to us 🤙🏻
What exceptional team work and a beautiful construct. You both are very talented congrats!❤
Thank you so much / really kind of you ❤
How u ppl are doing whole work so professionally I am shocked woodwork plumbing electrical work flooring painting 😮😮😮 I wish even I could be able for all this
Hey this is a really good build n ur attention to detail shows thru everything in it. Thanks for the informative video and quality editing
hey Lewis! Thanks for watching and the comment, glad you enjoyed!
That was very informative, I learned a few things tonight. Excellent work on putting this video together, and a beautiful build. Congratulations!
glad you enjoyed it so much and learned some things!!! Really appreciate the comment :) I think the video editing took as long as the entire build haha
Wow! What a build ! It’s gorgeous and so well thought out. Your videography is incredible too. Well done.
Thank you so much - it was a lot of work and a long time in the making but we are so happy with the entire process - finished result!
So much talent, forbearance and tenacity. How impressive!
Awesome adventure rig. The build process was very cool to watch.👍👍
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
Watched your ute build start to finish , fantastic job, absolute dream created by your own hands. Brilliant mate.
Hey there, thanks so much!!! We really are stoked you enjoyed watching the build, appreciate the comment :)
WOW...TOTALLY AWESOME.
Congratulations on a job well done.
Absolutely awesome, I throughly enjoyed your video. Great job of explaining everything you did, makes me want to give it a shot
The wiring and the build were immaculate. I’m gonna be buying a bed camper. I want to be able to get off grid
thanks so much man! I absolutely love doing the wiring side of things! You are gonna love the new setup when you get around to it!
WOW!!!!! This build is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!
thank you, we are absolutely loving it!
Such an awesome build. Even more impressive in person. Stoked for you guys.
Thanks dude, appreciate you!!!
FRIGGIN FABULOUS, looks amazing and thanks for sharing 🙂
thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed watching!
You guys are Legend for building this project! 👑✨👍
That turned out awesome. The only thing I would have any trepidation for would be the electricity. The plumbing looked complicated, but all I need to do is translate what I learned about residential PVC into pex. I don't remember if you mentioned it or not, but did you buy the box new? Did you have the option for a cab-over? That would be my preferred sleeping arrangement. I have all the tools, skills, and free time(retired). Like I said, though, I don't think i could tackle the electric. Good luck and safe travels.
Very cool. You two are very innovative.
The fan might be more aerodynamic/catch less wind and water if you face the opening towards the deck. The deck might benefit from simple drop down stands made from aluminum to support weight on it.
As a suggestion, and you may have done it already, but I would run the solar panel screws threads down to cut wind resistance…. There is also clay tape that the RV industry uses as a water barrier when screwing fixtures down.. I have built two off grind trailers now and I haven’t had any leaks…. Sadly the first one i had to sell due to current economy, the second one though I’m keeping due to it being built for ice fishing.
I initially was going to cut the solar panel bolts down, but never did as there is no wind resistance affecting anything, nor any sound coming off of it. Yep, I know what you are talking about, Butyl tape that many folks put under their fan flanges. I did this in our van but felt NO NEED to do this again, use Dicor Lap Sealant properly and you won't need the extra layer of Butyl tape protection. Ice fishing sounds fun, have a good one!
wow its the best 1 i seen so far as i dont think nothing can beat that wow god job to you both
Thank you so much, it really means a lot to us! We planned a lot for this one 😂
Awesome shower you got there, stainless steel with a wood grain. Looks absolutely amazing
thank you so much! We are beyond in love with the shower, fabricator was incredible that we used!
You two are already having fun, and you haven’t even started the adventure yet. Congratulations on your masterpiece.
Thanks so much, we are loving it! Been traveling for 1.5 yrs in the truck now and are so happy!
Absolutely beautiful!1st time 6n the morning! will b watching ur journey bless!
thanks so much Sharon!
out of all the work that goes into these builds that electrical work and hearing it all click on after turning the switch on and not exploding has gotta be the best of the feelings of accomplishment 😂😂 i hate any sort of wiring out of all the cutting and fabricating and measuring that wiring would feel the best after finishing lol
ITS THE ABSOLUTE BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD! hahahhaha And it will never get old turning that switch on.
Is there a cost breakdown available somewhere? This is an awesome rig. It’s a beautiful rig and you did a great job on the design and conversion. Have fun on your explorations.
Hey there! There isn't, but we've had a lot of requests so seems like something we should do! Thanks for the kind words and stay tuned for the tour either this Thursday or Friday!
It looks great. Good luck and always have a safe journey!
Hey, thanks so much!!!
Congratulations you guys! Both the build and video are fantastic. Very well done!
Thanks guys, appreciate it!
When you build your next one! You should watch videos by Chuck Cassidy on how he insulates and builds skoolies. Having lived with a commercial RV for the past 7 years my advice would have been to not have the roof mount AC and the MaxxAir fan. A clean roof would have allowed for much more solar, and been more aerodynamic. With a slight gap between your solar panels and the box roof it would act like a thermal break for a cooler interior. Your AC needs could have been better served with a split system heat pump. One inch of foam insulation under your floor would have been a bonus also. I know criticizing from afar is easy but is meant for your next build.
I was a amaze with your job your passion you put in I just love what you did
coolest van build I've ever seen! Wish I could do it myself! Congrats!
Thanks Peter, you can do it yourself!!!
@@the.desertcruiser Do you guys share a cost breakdown?
I always wondered about living in a box truck. So good to see ya do this.
It's the way to go, cheaper than some vans and way more space!!! Plus really meant to take a beating haha Have a good one Ryan, and stay tuned for the tour tomorrow!
That’s hands down the best build yet! Amazing….
Love this comment, THANK YOU! Means a lot to us truly
Well Done!! Very well done vid and the thought process is outstanding!!
Thank you Tony, means a lot to us!! Glad you enjoyed 🤙🏻
Wow. You guys did a great job... Hope you continue to love it!
thanks so much John! Appreciate the kind words and glad you left a comment! We have been and will continue to do so!
Wow what an amazing incredible build. Beautiful job and great finishes inside and outside.
Happy camping travels.
Thank you so much!! Appreciate the kind words :)
You both did a FANTASTIC JOB 👏👏👏👏
Thank you so much, means a lot to us 🙏🏻
Wow, fantastic. Best of luck to you. Two questions...(1) Perhaps I missed it, but where is the toilet? and (2) I did not know it was OK to dump gray water overboard just anywhere. It makes total sense to me that it should be OK, as it is only wash water. If I understood the build correctly, you have provisions to store sink water for dumping overboard when you feel it is appropriate and will shower only in locations where it is also OK for the shower water to runoff on its own, correct?
Hey there thank you so so much! The toilet is in the shower, we didn't have the toilet at the time of filming the build, but its linked in the description... It's a Compo Closet CUDDY composting toilet. As for the grey water question, it's a gray and often hidden from discussion area. You are dead on correct, if we are visiting family in a residential neighborhood we can either drain the sink into the jug, or outside. We felt there are certain areas that we should keep the sink water inside, we don't want to drain water in front of someones house! haha But for the shower it only drains outside, when visiting family we can simply shower inside so no need to even use it at that time! We use Dr Bronners Pure Castille Soap which is extremely environmentally friendly, probably cleaner then people spitting toothpaste outside when camping haha Thanks for the comment and I hope I cleared everything up for you :)
@@the.desertcruiser You guys are incredible. A real inspiration. Great ideas for water storage and waste management. Super. All the best.
@@kqschwarz We appreciate you!!!! The full tour just went live on Nate's channel if you want to see the finished state in detail :)
Beautiful work! Amazing built. Thank you for the tec details!
Thanks for watching Joe, appreciate the kind words and glad you enjoyed!
Looks great! Lots of work and dedication. Good job.
So much work, glad it's done, but also enjoyed the process and ready for another build one day ;) Thanks Tim!
Well done! A clarification: The GVWR of the F550 is 19,500 lbs; not the payload. The payload = GVWR - Curb Weight. Approximately 12,750 lbs.
Thanks for this! I’m always flipping the two 😂
What a gorgeous build! Enjoy!
That’s a beautiful build! I have no skill with building things so I would never be able to do that! When I hit the lotto though, I’ll start looking at the earthroamers!
To be honest we had 0 skill building anything 5 years ago, learned everything off of TH-cam to build our van and then started planning this one out. I really believe most anyone can build their own rig! But hey I wouldn’t complain about winning the lotto so I don’t have to build another rig either 😂
All respect for your build! Excellent work. Hard work does pay off. Quick question. What did you do for a toilet? Great work.
Thanks so much - we really appreciate it! Compo closet Cuddy - it’ll be in the tour!! link in the description 🤙🏻
@@the.desertcruiser Thanks for the clarification.
@@197008 absolutely! have a good one
Did you create a parts list or any documents on supplies used, suppliers, etc? Where did you buy doors and windows? Much appreciated , great video
Hey there thanks for the vid. First one I have watched. Awesome overview of the project. I could clearly see you are passionate, perfectionist. Will now have to go back and watch all your other videos. Nga mihi/much thanks. From Aotearoa NZ.😊
Hey, thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed watching the process! There's a lot of them, have fun!
Guys what a great build! Looking forward to more adventures
Thank you so much Andy!
Nice work on your van build! The great thing about a 'square box' is that building an interior in it is much easier compared to something like a Ram Promaster. That said, it's still a lot of work, as you surely know!
you are absolutely correct, SO MUCH easier with square walls! haha
Please have an eye on those holes in the roof for the solar mounts. All the movement on the road can easily create small cracks in the sealant. Make double and triple sure that it’s sealed. Because water in the insulation really sucks!
Holes on the roof are of 0 concern when properly sealed... I think folks have an exaggerated fear of roof penetrations, we have no worry. BUT, you are absolutely right in the sense to check it every few years to make sure the sealant is still holding well.
Impressive build, wow, and so descriptive . Great job guys.
thanks so much, glad you enjoyed!
Really coo part about DIY builds is that you can use so much more natural materials for the interior.
Yes, you are correct! It's not sterile inside, a sterile camper is not something we have interest in! haha
Absolutely beautiful. You should be proud of your work. 😊
Hey William! Thanks for the comment man, we really appreciate it and are so so proud!
It's pretty impressive that you guys did most of that yourselves.
I noticed on the lip of the roof where the solar panels are screwed in that the bolt is on top, and the screw is pushed from below. Is there any chance of driving vibration loosening the screws and losing them? I believe there's a spray product called screw lock or something like that, was that used? But what a great job !!!! Congratulations
What to build you guys do wonderful work I hope you have lots of fun with it. I’m sure you will. Thanks for sharing. God bless you and yours.
Thank you so much, we are glad you enjoyed it!!!
You two did a truly amazing job.
thanks so much, we really appreciate it!
Excellent design and execution. A homemade Earth Roamer.
Thank you very much! Yes it is, and we love it 🎉
Hi, great build, I'm wondering how does the storage box mount to the chassis? And the initial weight of the empty box? Cheers!
Hey there! The storage boxes are sitting in a cage so to speak, it's welded together with a mixture of 1.5"x1.5" tube steel and angled steel. This way there is no "hanging weight" on the roof of the box, and rather it's sitting in a sturdy cage to support the weight of the box and gear in it. The truck just as a chassis was 8,200ibs, truck and EMPTY box was 10,200ibs so roughly 2,000ibs for the empty box!
Wow, wow, wow.absolutely stunning build .Thank you🇨🇦👍🇨🇦
thanks so much, appreciate your kind words!
It is clear that you studied for this build. There is a lot of wood. I assume you calculated for that weight. I am always amazed at how a young man knows so much about the electric and plumbing install. Well done. Cant wait for the grand tour.
Hey there - we studied and planned SO MUCH it was insane. haha We had a rough idea of weight, but unlike a van with a lower total carrying capacity we were not worried what so ever with the final product. It's crazy to look back at what we've learned over the last 5 years from our first van build till now. I knew nothing of plumbing, electrical etc. but when you want something bad enough you figured out a way to attain it. Have a good one and stay tuned for the tour in JUST A FEW DAYS!
I am 78, was always a jack of all trades, which was much easier back in the mechanical days, but the library was the Google and TH-cam which took way more time and energy. When digital cameras came along I would take pictures of ideas I liked, or if replacing brakes etc, I would take a photo before starting and put it back the same way. Life is so easy now, but with two computer in the house, a laptop in the bedroom and one in my camper, I can't ever get bored. I give away my old computers and my latest build it water cooled, not because I need that much speed, but it does edit videos really fast, and impresses younger people.
@@vonheise Hey there! I would have been absolutely lost back in the day before internet! haha I didn't grow up with anyone to show me this stuff so I learned everything online. Grateful to always be evolving and adapting! What kind of camper do you have?
Thanks!
thank you for the super like!
Fantastic job! Looks great!
Thank you so much!
Cool build, I would like to see how everything holds up with not welding reinforcements in where all the cross members were cut.