I'm really impressed with the attention to health and safety in this build. Not only did you include detecters & different types of fire extinguishers, but always addressed venting issues with your battery bank and propane! I have seen many videos about builds where people were sleeping above such systems, but no one ever gives anttention to the health and safety of that! Thank you for modeling such a good example. I hope people will continue to think about these things. After all, in a tiny build people spend a lot of time closer to things than in a regular home.
I applaud sticking to your budget and stretching it as far as possible. You can always upgrade certain aspects like the batteries later, as money becomes available. In the meantime, you’re rolling! And not many can toss out “polyisocyanurate” in casual conversation. You’re my kind of people!
Thanks so much! That was our thoughts on working within a budget, we had an idea of the "base" van we wanted and knew we could build on that and upgrade as time goes on. Right now it fits our needs and our budget 😊
I LOVE that you recycled the packing from your Whole Foods orders for insulation. Also, the attention to detail was incredible- you both are obviously very talented.
@@Lifepothesis thank you very much! My landlord (I'm in a small efficiency apt) doesn't use the city trash so we do not have recycling nor will the city let me have a recycle bin. I am thankful my neighbor lets me put my recycling in his bin. Most veggie scraps I compost! I only have a few (one or two) little grocery bags of trash a week. Recycling is very important. I use plastic bottles & jars for various items in my home. For beads & sewing notions. Squeeze bottles from say carmel syrup for salad dressing. I reuse where possible! Thanks for showing us things in your build that were recycled!❤❤❤❤❤
Great build! Just wonder if you will eventually drill some ventilation holes in the bed frame, plywood area? Other van lifers indicate that solid plywood develops mold and mildew. Mattress needs ventilation on bottom as well.
Or there is a product found in the marine world that you put on the solid surface under the mattress that allows air to circulate below the mattress. I’m sure a marine store would know that product. Cheers, Mo in NJ
Brillant build - except for the toilet. I find any van build without a separate toilet space not my cuppa tea. I don't want my #1 to see me doing my #2s.
modelmanjohn, When you go to a boarding school from age 4.5 year old, you get accostemed real quickly , at someone using the toilet , or if you may be in the military too. Cheers 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Have to say I really appreciate the detail in this van tour. The explanations and the modest pace make it very easy to watch and helpful. The simple water-jugs-under-the-sink with foot pump is refreshing. For cold-weather use, having the modest plumbing in the living area and very easy to access is excellent. Thanks for this tour, and thanks to Lifepothesis!
JanM hi the water foot pump is a great idea in EUROPE, there is a company IRELAND, I believe it’s WHALCO, makes the very best foot pump, you DO NOT waste a FINITE amount , of WATER ! Cheers 🏴🏴🇬🇧🏴🇺🇸🇮🇪
Love this couple they did an awesome job. It is nice to see people doing the van life an a affordable way. Thanks Patrick for taking the time filming this videos 📹.
I absolutely fell in love with your beautiful van. It really looks so cozy, especially how you have it set up. That was a great idea, having both an indoor shower and outdoor, how cool the way you can simply grab a floor board, and not getting your feet dirty outside. The windows really make it look so big and open inside, and also lets you enjoy the great outdoors too. I really enjoyed your video, great camera guy. Thank you for sharing, it's a beautiful set up, with all the comforts of home, you did a great job, I know your wife must be so proud, it's perfect.♥️ Totally awesome van!😊 God bless you both, enjoy your journey.🙏
Really nice build. I discovered a few things I will incorporate into my van. Great that you are safety conscious re propane. One thing to note, all those propane connections, especially the high pressure ones up to and including the regulator, should be enclosed in your sealed propane box. You should also get a propane sniffer and alarm, which is different from a CO monitor. You connect the propane sniffer to a solenoid that automatically shuts off the propane at the tank if it detects propane. Happy travels!
Your attention to safety makes me very happy. First fire extinguishers I've seen mentioned in a build video👏🏽 I had no idea about the Hydrogen Sulfide off gassing and decay potential.
Just a lovely van, guys! Great job. Curtain suggestion: line the curtains with polar fleece (cheap at Walmart). It will insulate the windows as well as give you a total black out.
I am surprised that Austin never built cabinets before. They are gorgeous. Austin has it right too. There was no way to estimate how long this build would take so he and Becky shouldn’t feel bad that they went way longer. Besides the professional look at first glance, they didn’t cut corners or take any shortcuts behind the facade either. They took their time getting the basics right, made sure to insulate every nook and cranny and put a beautiful finish on everything. I wish them the best of luck in future endeavors. Thx for showing us your build guys. A wonderful interview as well, Patrick. Have a great holiday season y’all. Cheers, Mo in NJ
Wow what a beautiful and professional DIY! And I can’t even believe how well they managed to budget this! Congratulations, this is incredible! I would add a wet shower room with a compost toilet in lieu of the bed, but otherwise this is an excellent design! 👏👏👏
If you visit Lowes, they carry MAPEI tiling products - made in Italy. Excellent. Don't use silicone. The trick is to use smaller tiles - both thinner and smaller. I like 1/8" thickness and 1-2" length at most. The way to set them is to: 1. Use Schluter Kerdiboard instead of Hardie Backerboard or other. Pricey, but 100% waterproof and very light. 2. Use MAPEI Polymer instead of water to mix your thinset mortar to 'stick' tile on wall or floor. Follow mix directions exactly. This makes the mortar very flexible, not brittle. 3. Use MAPEI Grout Maximizer instead of water to mix your grout (any color any brand powdered grout). This makes the grout very flexible and also builds in the sealant, so no need to seal it separately with sealant. Grout Maximizer is a rubbery compound and absorbs shocks, preventing cracks. 4. I did my bathroom floors like this, using small mosaic glass tiles. Not a single one popped out after 5 yrs of use. The original non-skid finish on tiles was preserved and not made slippery with a layer of shiny sealant. I love your countertop and the cabinets. Very clean design aesthetic. The subway tile looks very nice too. Great to see ceramic tile instead of plastic ones. Terrific job on insulation! Exactly right type for RVs. Now you will both be snug as a bug in a rug! For curtains here are some tips: IKEA curtain tracks + large drapery hooks + shirring tape. Fabric.com for any fabric you like + Roclon Blackout rubber cloth you sew as curtain backing. Blocks out light + insulates nicely. If you want color try Kaffe Fassett designs - very high quality cotton fabric. Garage and electronics are very impressive! Including the rollout table on casters. Very nice! Great build overall, and smart functionality. Thanks for the tips on building, very useful!
To Lifepothesis...From a pair of technical people, we love your van build, detailed explanations and obviously great relationship (obvious to other technically minded couples). This was a well thought out and budgeted build. Enjoy your adventure and time away! This was great experience if you decide to build your tiny home later. I will definitely follow your channel in a he future. Thanks to you Patrick for highlighting them on the channel!
PATRICK, hi , BECKY & Austin, did a great job, starting with FULLY INSULATING their SPRINTER , then going at their build , they are NOT the only ones without a shower HAPPY TRAILS TO THEM Have great trips , but maybe they might need to beef up + raise the road clearance , if they are going to some of those NAT parks . Cheers 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Great conversation about having a timeline and both a build and travel budget. I've been traveling in a 26' diesel RV for years and the actual cost of that can be expensive. I also appreciated the tips about the safety risks and how they solved those issues. Good luck to them both!
Some really awesome money saving tips, safety tips, and smart advice throughout and with the questions at the end made this very informative and useful for every van build, thank you for sharing!
Well done. Your van home is so warm and cozy and it doesn't look like you were first timers. I've watched thousands of builds over the past seven yrs, where I have hours and hours to watch since I'm a recovering paraplegic that has tons of time on my hands. And I can honestly say that I've seen builds that have a budget triple what you had but it looks much less luxurious than yours. So bravo to you both and happy, safe, fun travels.❤❤
Love the build! 9/10 Personally I'd be nervous to have gas and electricity all under my bed so consider putting a propane alarm under there and a emergency shutdown for all non OEM power by the bed/door. Toilet may fit on rollers and if you use eco friendly soap you could add a switch to street dump gray water to save on dumping fees for clean water from dishes and handwashing. Also making pillows from soft clothing or extra blankets may save space and storage bins. My favorite here is the real kitchen look/usable space and the lighting in this build. Also had a friend weld caps on a large pipe as compressed air storage underneath. Never know if you may need to air up a tire or blow water or dust off something so use what space you have to add tools that may be helpful. Enjoy your travels!
Wow, I was spell bound the entire 43 minutes of this show and tell van build. Your van is one of the best I've seen, and your attention to safety and quality is excellent. I have read some comments and I also would prefer a compost toilet or even a bucket with a proper top and using kitty litter or ground leaves to aid composting; and a shower is a simple installation with a drain in the floor for a movable shower base. Hard to believe you did all this with 8k budget. Congratulations to you both on your beautiful project and this awesome video. ciao.
What a great job guys! As far as the shower, I know that nomads will use wet towels to clean between showers. They are made for people into sports or who workout. I use Showerpill towels and they work great. They do a great job with oil and dirt. I'm pretty sure that the frig space would be too small for us. Also, I need to have a bigger freezer space. I prefer a chest unit. I noticed that your bed is laying directly on a platform. My concern is that condensation would build up and cause mildew. There are a number of solutions for that to allow airflow. Finally, is there a reason why you decided on a chemical toilet instead of a composting one? They have virtually no smell.
Thanks for your comment! We do use wipes for in between showers, or just "shower" in the sink. So far our fridge has been perfect for once a week grocery shopping. And as for the chemical toilet, we had budget constraints so unfortunately a composting toilet wasn't affordable for us. That is a potential future upgrade though!
Earned value and Gantt charts, you’re speaking my language! I’m an engineering project manager. This is one of the most exciting and informative van build videos I’ve seen. Thank you!
Completely agree on the smoke detector. You are the first builder that I've seen that put two fire extinguishers in the van and you actually made them accessible.
Yes, Ive seen a few, but they always bury it in a hidden box, under the xyz. You won't be able to dig up an extinguisher, under the "oh sh !+ Moment of a real fire.
I’m not sure if the kitchen sink faucet would work for me plus no shower would be a bust for me too!! Other than that, it’s not a bad build-it’s actually a very thoughtful build!
If it was thoughtful the sink and stove would both be on one end and where the tall cupboard is could be a shower and the bed and garage should be pushed back and the table on a swivel pole. Too much counter.
The garage is really big. Lots storage space. You have built a nice home van. I would liked a shower toilet room. You are happy so that's all that counts.I hope you both have a wonderful time traveling around.
These two were so knowledgeable & talented. The van was really great. Patrick I love your videos, you ask very good questions & allow your guests to fully show & display their build. You are an excellent host. I love watching your vlogs!! Best of luck to this young couple on this new journey of their lives. BTW are they married?
We agree, Patrick is an amazing host and interviewer. We are so happy to have been able to create this video with him 😊 We are not married yet, we've been together for 5 years and see marriage sometime in the future!
Hahaha I find it funny about the child safety lock on the fridge and then when it’s open something fell out the fridge…at least it was a safe drop..😂 anyways …I love the set up of your tiny home van…I’m dreaming and planning to buy a van and make it a home…one day…. Hopefully soon. Thank you for sharing your video..it helps me build the puzzle of my dreams little by little. Looking forward to more video updates of your tiny home❤️
A 12v fridge draws very little power compared to other items in a van. And the problem with those 'side opening" fridges is when you open it, all the cold air falls out. I like the top opening fridges for keeping cold air in and nothing can fall out.
Many have outdoor shower heads and curtains they add to the back. I'd put mine inside but it adds a lot of space and saves a lot of time and money to do it outside. Some prefer outside and when in the city they use GYMs and truck stops to avoid refilling and dumping water so often
Love the build! I personally would use the top half of the standing storage for a hanging closet and the bottom for the pantry. And maybe snuck in a hamper shoot in the bedside area ;)
Great ideas! We personally haven't had the need for hanging storage but it is something we considered for the tall cabinet. Laundry chute is a great idea, right now we just open the door to reach the hamper under the bed. 😊
Looks like a miniature house inside with the kitchen tile and skylighting above the bed. Also the sliding door to the cockpit very cool. If you had room for a small shower and toilet would be truly miraculous but great job.
So much forethought & planning resulted in a great build. Knowing that I'm sure you thought of my question. but just didn't mention in video (unless I somehow missed it): Do you have something between the mattress and flooring to prevent mold from developing??? Thanks
Thanks Donna! You're right we didn't discuss this in the video. After the video was shot, we insulated under the bed platform and we have flooring on top of the bed platform to minimize the temperature differential which will reduce the chances of condensation and mold. We also placed cardboard under the mattress to further insulate and provide a small amount of airflow.
I loved your van, with the exception there is not any color. I know the all white makes it feel bigger. I am eager to see if you use any command strips to hang any pictures or something to make the van feel homey. One other observation is you do not have any kind of oven. I strongly recommend getting the Emeril Lagasse airfryer/oven/rotisserie. It is extremely versatile and will serve as an air fryer, toaster, slow cooker, broiler, dehydrator, oven. In this appliance you can cook just about anything. I use mine 90% of the time and my gas range only 10% of the time. 75% of the time I cook our entire meal in this. It uses much less power than our microwave which I know is a concern. This would add alot of versatility to your kitchen. If you still have you left money from your build budget you should have enough to cover this cost. I look forward to future youtube videos to see if you purchased one. Lastly, where do you shower?
We added a few pops of color to our neutral pallette 😊 Thanks for the airfryer recommendation, we'll keep it in mind. As for showers, we typically use Planet Fitness gym showers or we have an outdoor shower setup with a 7 gallon tank and pump with shower head.
After retiring from acting, Jodie Foster fell on hard times, turned to and embraced the van life! All joking aside! This has to be the best example of a van build. That's because the owners did it on a strict budget that forced them to get creative, as to figuring out where and how they would source the materials for their project. That their choices were Habitat for Humanity Restore, Ikea, yard sales,, and the local junk yards, cemented my feelings about it. That's because those would be my exact choices to source materials, if I were inclined to build one. Thanks for sharing your ideas and experiences! 🙏 Well done!
I love your channel. I have been following it since its beginning l. I have gotten my van to start van life but run into a problem. I have a leak and am now going to the mechanic to see if I need an engine or a gasket. I will keep posting about my build.
His van looks like a cabin in the woods. I like his sink and stove upfront, I think that’s the first time I’ve seen that. The couch fits right in with the small homemade table. He hit it out of the woods. He’s fortunate to be able to work with his dad on this masterpiece, money can’t buy that kind of experience.
@@sweetvonbettie1 you still have to have counter space & prep space to cook! The table being pulled out would be in the way of the pantry and work. Space!
Danger Will Robinson: Your K class kitchen fire extinguisher is different from a normal vehicle extinguisher. Kitchen extinguishers are designed to be used up close to the stove top three feet close, you don't want to be that close to a vehicle fire those extinguishers are designed to be used 7 - 12 feet away, the nozzles and chemical powder are different. please read and understand the instructions on the extinguisher you don't have time to figure it out when you need it. Your propane regulator can also vent gas into your van it should have been mounted tank top in your vented compartment. other wise great looking van. be safe out there.
Excellent job. My husband and I are retired, on a budget and want to travel. We rv'd all the time with our kids now it's our time. Your budget ideas are great and we plan on using some. Hey tell your parents they should be proud. You should build them one.
Impressive home build, especially the mechanicals. But what is the weight? It looks like you added 2 tons (or tonnes) of weight very high in the van raising the CG such that the van might be a struggle to drive.
We plan to weigh the van soon. Best estimate is roughly 2500 pounds added, and driveability hasn't been noticeably affected. CG is still low in the van, batteries and water are all floor mounted and light items are stored higher.
That's the first impression I got. Nice nice build but everyone's needs are different, I have to have a regular toilet and shower even if it uses the aisle. Maybe they covered this in an earlier video but it might be helpful to list the Chassis model used and the overall cubic square footage because that's your starting point and will limit how much you can put in. For instance my 05 Roadtrek 170 has roughly 400 cubic square ft because I consider the front cab as the seats turn around and can be used for a dining area. The propane, water tanks and generator are all underneath so that's not in the calculation. Good luck and have fun!
Hello ! Ur van is soooo awesome. When I get ready to get my van , I want u guys to do mine. U all did a fabulous job. Happy Holidays to u & ur families.
Do the knives and the spoons and serving utensils get hot so close to the propane burners? It might be an optical illusion from the video, but it looks almost on top of the burners.
The utensils don't get hot but they are close enough to get noticeably warm. It's mounted high enough to not be a problem. I don't think we'd change the location of the kinfe rack or stove.
@@Lifepothesis Makes sense. You only have so much space to work with too. I think a lot of my concern was an optical illusion though. Your van is very nice! Happy travels!!
Beautiful, nice looking, best thing - mattress. One thing that confuses me is all of the weight was located on one side, dendja. Otherwise thanks for the ideas and wish you well.
When they showing the orientation of the bed , she said we both are pretty tall 5’ 9’’ and 5’ 10’’ I was laughing 😂 I play basketball and I’m always the shortest guy with my 5’ 11’’ ,she made my day 😜
You got the right idea guys ..the Maxi fan is the best fan ever it's very very quiet.. no other fan Come Close not even the fantastic fan.. which is very crap it's very loud the Maxi fan rocks good choice..
@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures you're so right my friend they're the best I've got a 10-speed myself the one with the mote control you don't need that it's just more electronic parts you don't need..
@@Lifepothesis definitely no. It's the best time ever I haven't done my van it's awesome as hell and the choice you made no remote control is back at the less Electronics the less problems you will have...
PS, ignore all the snarky comments about a shower, storage details, or using big words! LoL lots of us know what a gantt chart is, and appreciate the detail of how you approach this project. A little backstory is nice. Shake off the naysayers!
Love how well thought out! Wish there was a shower. Could it have been done if side bed? How much was total cost 8k but the cost with vehicle? My difficulty is choosing a Van that drives well and not a maintenance headache!
Most people have a drawer pull out from the bed and use it for a table. Many use a different faucet that will hang outside of the kitchen window for showering and then they buy the cheap shower curtain setup.
You have to remember a lot of people don't shower every day they shower like 2 maybe 3 times a week when you're living the Van life. I know that sounds gross I personally couldn't do it as I have to shower every day that's just my preference but that's what you have to think about when you wanna live this lifestyle. Ppl like me would be more comfortable in an RV vs a Tiny van as I'm claustrophobic and need my space lol. I think they did a VanOminal job on this build, and under budget!👍🙂
Thanks Marie!! We didn't put holes under the bed, we actually just placed a piece of cardboard and check weekly for dampness. No issues at all in 8 months!
I did not catch what year the Van was or was it new. The Van looks great. I would surely have a shower somewhere. You will get to live very well on a $2,300 budget per month. That is if you don't have Van Payment each month. Wish you'al the very best & then some. Safe Travels. always, Tommy :-)
One of the best builts I seen. They paid attention to safety factors. Like the way he rolls out his table.
Yoinking three things: the pocket door, the silicone grout, and the roller table. Very clever, much appreciated.
Thank you. I am glad it was helpful
Love this, thank you 😂
You can tell they are very proud of their build, and they should be
Thank you 🙏🏼
Thank you! 😊
@@Lifepothesis just an awe inspiring build!!! Thank you guys for sharing this!
@@SindyJ37 Thanks for your kind words!! That just makes our day 😊💙
@cigarmann
It's gorgeous! For that tiny budget? Excellent!
I'm really impressed with the attention to health and safety in this build. Not only did you include detecters & different types of fire extinguishers, but always addressed venting issues with your battery bank and propane! I have seen many videos about builds where people were sleeping above such systems, but no one ever gives anttention to the health and safety of that! Thank you for modeling such a good example. I hope people will continue to think about these things. After all, in a tiny build people spend a lot of time closer to things than in a regular home.
My husband is tall and a big guy is your bed able to accommodate two fair sized adults
I applaud sticking to your budget and stretching it as far as possible. You can always upgrade certain aspects like the batteries later, as money becomes available. In the meantime, you’re rolling! And not many can toss out “polyisocyanurate” in casual conversation. You’re my kind of people!
Thanks so much! That was our thoughts on working within a budget, we had an idea of the "base" van we wanted and knew we could build on that and upgrade as time goes on. Right now it fits our needs and our budget 😊
I LOVE that you recycled the packing from your Whole Foods orders for insulation. Also, the attention to detail was incredible- you both are obviously very talented.
I lost my mind when my wife wanted to throw those precious resources away, rejuvenated my Sam's club insulated bags with them, they're so handy.
Thank you Lisa! We enjoyed recycling and salvaging as much as we could for this build. Good for the earth and the wallet!
@@Lifepothesis thank you very much! My landlord (I'm in a small efficiency apt) doesn't use the city trash so we do not have recycling nor will the city let me have a recycle bin. I am thankful my neighbor lets me put my recycling in his bin. Most veggie scraps I compost! I only have a few (one or two) little grocery bags of trash a week. Recycling is very important. I use plastic bottles & jars for various items in my home. For beads & sewing notions. Squeeze bottles from say carmel syrup for salad dressing. I reuse where possible! Thanks for showing us things in your build that were recycled!❤❤❤❤❤
Great build! Just wonder if you will eventually drill some ventilation holes in the bed frame, plywood area? Other van lifers indicate that solid plywood develops mold and mildew. Mattress needs ventilation on bottom as well.
Or there is a product found in the marine world that you put on the solid surface under the mattress that allows air to circulate below the mattress. I’m sure a marine store would know that product. Cheers, Mo in NJ
Eventually
We usedcthecfroli system under the bed as yes mildew can be an issue and circulates air...just a thought
Interesting Froli link.
nickleatlantic.com/products/froli-travel-modular-bed-system
Minus the drilled holes HYPERVENT would work too
Brillant build - except for the toilet. I find any van build without a separate toilet space not my cuppa tea. I don't want my #1 to see me doing my #2s.
modelmanjohn, When you go to a boarding school from age 4.5 year old, you get accostemed real quickly , at someone using the toilet , or if you may be in the military too. Cheers 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
A simple sliding curtain will fix that, but I would want a composting toilet.
😂😂
@@The_Red_Pill__ But would that stop modelmanJohn from flinging his #2 at his #1?
when your are in a van and need to use the bathroom, you will discover you and your toilet have your own separate space.
Have to say I really appreciate the detail in this van tour. The explanations and the modest pace make it very easy to watch and helpful. The simple water-jugs-under-the-sink with foot pump is refreshing. For cold-weather use, having the modest plumbing in the living area and very easy to access is excellent. Thanks for this tour, and thanks to Lifepothesis!
Thank you very much
Thank you for your comment, we are very happy with our water setup and we're so glad you enjoyed the tour.
JanM hi the water foot pump is a great idea in EUROPE, there is a company IRELAND, I believe it’s WHALCO, makes the very best foot pump, you DO NOT waste a FINITE amount , of WATER ! Cheers
🏴🏴🇬🇧🏴🇺🇸🇮🇪
Love this couple they did an awesome job.
It is nice to see people doing the van life an a affordable way.
Thanks Patrick for taking the time filming this videos 📹.
Thank you! We think it's so cool that van life can be done affordably and are so happy to share that with others 💙
Glad you enjoyed it
I absolutely fell in love with your beautiful van. It really looks so cozy, especially how you have it set up. That was a great idea, having both an indoor shower and outdoor, how cool the way you can simply grab a floor board, and not getting your feet dirty outside. The windows really make it look so big and open inside, and also lets you enjoy the great outdoors too. I really enjoyed your video, great camera guy. Thank you for sharing, it's a beautiful set up, with all the comforts of home, you did a great job, I know your wife must be so proud, it's perfect.♥️ Totally awesome van!😊 God bless you both, enjoy your journey.🙏
Nico💖
Really nice build. I discovered a few things I will incorporate into my van. Great that you are safety conscious re propane. One thing to note, all those propane connections, especially the high pressure ones up to and including the regulator, should be enclosed in your sealed propane box. You should also get a propane sniffer and alarm, which is different from a CO monitor. You connect the propane sniffer to a solenoid that automatically shuts off the propane at the tank if it detects propane. Happy travels!
I am glad this was helpful
Your attention to safety makes me very happy. First fire extinguishers I've seen mentioned in a build video👏🏽 I had no idea about the Hydrogen Sulfide off gassing and decay potential.
Glad to help
Thank you, we 💙 safety!
Just a lovely van, guys! Great job. Curtain suggestion: line the curtains with polar fleece (cheap at Walmart). It will insulate the windows as well as give you a total black out.
Thanks so much! We appreciate your suggestion, that sounds so cozy 🤗
I am surprised that Austin never built cabinets before. They are gorgeous. Austin has it right too. There was no way to estimate how long this build would take so he and Becky shouldn’t feel bad that they went way longer. Besides the professional look at first glance, they didn’t cut corners or take any shortcuts behind the facade either. They took their time getting the basics right, made sure to insulate every nook and cranny and put a beautiful finish on everything. I wish them the best of luck in future endeavors. Thx for showing us your build guys. A wonderful interview as well, Patrick. Have a great holiday season y’all. Cheers, Mo in NJ
WAit, did you just call her Becky? I guess it’s better than Karen
We really appreciate your comment Mo! 😊
Wow first time build Beautiful I’m very impressed.be safe
enjoy thank you for sharing .
Thank you very much
Thank you 💙
Wow what a beautiful and professional DIY! And I can’t even believe how well they managed to budget this! Congratulations, this is incredible! I would add a wet shower room with a compost toilet in lieu of the bed, but otherwise this is an excellent design! 👏👏👏
Thank you! You too!
They are tall she said… so using width of van would be uncomfortable to sleep every day…
So they had to forgo a shower.
If you visit Lowes, they carry MAPEI tiling products - made in Italy. Excellent. Don't use silicone.
The trick is to use smaller tiles - both thinner and smaller. I like 1/8" thickness and 1-2" length at most.
The way to set them is to:
1. Use Schluter Kerdiboard instead of Hardie Backerboard or other. Pricey, but 100% waterproof and very light.
2. Use MAPEI Polymer instead of water to mix your thinset mortar to 'stick' tile on wall or floor. Follow mix directions exactly. This makes the mortar very flexible, not brittle.
3. Use MAPEI Grout Maximizer instead of water to mix your grout (any color any brand powdered grout). This makes the grout very flexible and also builds in the sealant, so no need to seal it separately with sealant. Grout Maximizer is a rubbery compound and absorbs shocks, preventing cracks.
4. I did my bathroom floors like this, using small mosaic glass tiles. Not a single one popped out after 5 yrs of use. The original non-skid finish on tiles was preserved and not made slippery with a layer of shiny sealant.
I love your countertop and the cabinets. Very clean design aesthetic. The subway tile looks very nice too. Great to see ceramic tile instead of plastic ones.
Terrific job on insulation! Exactly right type for RVs. Now you will both be snug as a bug in a rug!
For curtains here are some tips: IKEA curtain tracks + large drapery hooks + shirring tape.
Fabric.com for any fabric you like + Roclon Blackout rubber cloth you sew as curtain backing. Blocks out light + insulates nicely. If you want color try Kaffe Fassett designs - very high quality cotton fabric.
Garage and electronics are very impressive! Including the rollout table on casters. Very nice! Great build overall, and smart functionality. Thanks for the tips on building, very useful!
Oh wow, thank you for the excellent information
That was awesome and generous information. Thank you!
To Lifepothesis...From a pair of technical people, we love your van build, detailed explanations and obviously great relationship (obvious to other technically minded couples). This was a well thought out and budgeted build. Enjoy your adventure and time away!
This was great experience if you decide to build your tiny home later. I will definitely follow your channel in a he future.
Thanks to you Patrick for highlighting them on the channel!
Thank you very much Katy
Hi Katy, thanks for your kind comment! We're so glad you enjoyed the build and our tour 😊
Great job! Love the high power supply and the slide out table! Hope you enjoy! Smart couple!
Thanks so much!
PATRICK, hi , BECKY & Austin, did a great job, starting with FULLY INSULATING their SPRINTER , then going at their build , they are NOT the only ones without a shower HAPPY TRAILS TO THEM
Have great trips , but maybe they might need to beef up + raise the road clearance , if they are going to some of those NAT parks . Cheers 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
May I ask what 'beef up and raise the road clearance' means, friend? And why that would be important for National Parks?
Great conversation about having a timeline and both a build and travel budget. I've been traveling in a 26' diesel RV for years and the actual cost of that can be expensive. I also appreciated the tips about the safety risks and how they solved those issues. Good luck to them both!
Right on!
Thank you David!
Some really awesome money saving tips, safety tips, and smart advice throughout and with the questions at the end made this very informative and useful for every van build, thank you for sharing!
Glad it was helpful!
What a nice job! I love builds on a budget, this is just as awesome as any expensive build.
Brilliant. Beautiful, well planned, organized, and quality. They've proven it can be done on a reasonable budget.
Thank you so much Suzanne 😊
Good evening from Texas, an exceptional build out. It's obvious a lot of thought went into your design based on your needs. Happy trails.
Thank you very much
Good evening, John. Thanks for your kind comment and well wishes 😊
Beautiful & lot of organization , as evidenced by the work/design. Congratulation on a well built Van. Thanks for the tour!! Have fun & happy trails!
Well done. Your van home is so warm and cozy and it doesn't look like you were first timers. I've watched thousands of builds over the past seven yrs, where I have hours and hours to watch since I'm a recovering paraplegic that has tons of time on my hands. And I can honestly say that I've seen builds that have a budget triple what you had but it looks much less luxurious than yours. So bravo to you both and happy, safe, fun travels.❤❤
Patrick, thank you so much for sharing the many designs of camping rigs. Each one is so personal in approach. From DIY to ARV. Awesome.
Thank you very much Tim
Patrick, I could listen to this couple for hours. They are so smart and I love how they broke everything down in a way I could understand.
Yes me too. It is one of my most watched videos for duration
O-M-G, the best van build video I have seen so far! The detail was amazing.
Thank you 🙏🏼
What a great van build. So comfy and practical. Very impressive!
It really is!
Thank you Hali! 💙
Love the build! 9/10
Personally I'd be nervous to have gas and electricity all under my bed so consider putting a propane alarm under there and a emergency shutdown for all non OEM power by the bed/door.
Toilet may fit on rollers and if you use eco friendly soap you could add a switch to street dump gray water to save on dumping fees for clean water from dishes and handwashing.
Also making pillows from soft clothing or extra blankets may save space and storage bins.
My favorite here is the real kitchen look/usable space and the lighting in this build.
Also had a friend weld caps on a large pipe as compressed air storage underneath.
Never know if you may need to air up a tire or blow water or dust off something so use what space you have to add tools that may be helpful.
Enjoy your travels!
Wow, I was spell bound the entire 43 minutes of this show and tell van build. Your van is one of the best I've seen, and your attention to safety and quality is excellent. I have read some comments and I also would prefer a compost toilet or even a bucket with a proper top and using kitty litter or ground leaves to aid composting; and a shower is a simple installation with a drain in the floor for a movable shower base. Hard to believe you did all this with 8k budget. Congratulations to you both on your beautiful project and this awesome video. ciao.
Thank you very much. I am happy you enjoyed it
Great van build. Love the interior. Impressive that this could be accomplished on $8,000. Hope they enjoy their adventure.
Thank you Sandra! 😊
We agree!
What a great job guys! As far as the shower, I know that nomads will use wet towels to clean between showers. They are made for people into sports or who workout. I use Showerpill towels and they work great. They do a great job with oil and dirt. I'm pretty sure that the frig space would be too small for us. Also, I need to have a bigger freezer space. I prefer a chest unit. I noticed that your bed is laying directly on a platform. My concern is that condensation would build up and cause mildew. There are a number of solutions for that to allow airflow. Finally, is there a reason why you decided on a chemical toilet instead of a composting one? They have virtually no smell.
Thanks for your comment! We do use wipes for in between showers, or just "shower" in the sink. So far our fridge has been perfect for once a week grocery shopping. And as for the chemical toilet, we had budget constraints so unfortunately a composting toilet wasn't affordable for us. That is a potential future upgrade though!
Earned value and Gantt charts, you’re speaking my language! I’m an engineering project manager. This is one of the most exciting and informative van build videos I’ve seen. Thank you!
Turned out wonderfully Patrick!
Nice people and they got exactly what they wanted!
Thanks for another nice video!
MommaFaye 🌺
Thank you for your kind comment 😊💙
Completely agree on the smoke detector. You are the first builder that I've seen that put two fire extinguishers in the van and you actually made them accessible.
Thank you John, safety is important to us.
yes, safety first.
Yes, Ive seen a few, but they always bury it in a hidden box, under the xyz. You won't be able to dig up an extinguisher, under the "oh sh !+ Moment of a real fire.
I’m not sure if the kitchen sink faucet would work for me plus no shower would be a bust for me too!! Other than that, it’s not a bad build-it’s actually a very thoughtful build!
If it was thoughtful the sink and stove would both be on one end and where the tall cupboard is could be a shower and the bed and garage should be pushed back and the table on a swivel pole. Too much counter.
@@debracottrill7989 but it was not your build it was theirs! When I am cooking I want some counter space to work at. I am sure they do, too.
16:43 YOU ARE SO RIGHT I hardly EVER hear anyone mention alarms and it bugs me especially ppl with children!
Thank you 😊
Thank you for so many excellent tips, Insights and suggestions. Both Becky and Austin are quite creative and inventive!
I am glad it was helpful
Safety first. I really appreciate that. Sticking to this amazing is truly awesome. Good one.
Right on
The garage is really big. Lots storage space. You have built a nice home van. I would liked a shower toilet room. You are happy so that's all that counts.I hope you both have a wonderful time traveling around.
Thank you Frances. We love our big garage!
These two were so knowledgeable & talented. The van was really great. Patrick I love your videos, you ask very good questions & allow your guests to fully show & display their build. You are an excellent host. I love watching your vlogs!! Best of luck to this young couple on this new journey of their lives. BTW are they married?
We agree, Patrick is an amazing host and interviewer. We are so happy to have been able to create this video with him 😊
We are not married yet, we've been together for 5 years and see marriage sometime in the future!
Hahaha I find it funny about the child safety lock on the fridge and then when it’s open something fell out the fridge…at least it was a safe drop..😂 anyways …I love the set up of your tiny home van…I’m dreaming and planning to buy a van and make it a home…one day…. Hopefully soon. Thank you for sharing your video..it helps me build the puzzle of my dreams little by little. Looking forward to more video updates of your tiny home❤️
Thank you for checking this out
Beautiful build! Thank for showing the budget aspect and the reality of the time frame in converting a van for first timers!
Your van is outstanding! The best self-build ever! Happy trails.
Thank you kindly!
Wow, thanks so much Evelyn 😄💙
A 12v fridge draws very little power compared to other items in a van. And the problem with those 'side opening" fridges is when you open it, all the cold air falls out. I like the top opening fridges for keeping cold air in and nothing can fall out.
Yes when you open the lid of a chest type frid or freezer the air is forced downward
Can’t understand how people would prefer all that counter space rather than a shower ?!..
Oh hell yeah ~~ I want that shower and proper toilet !
Tbh I’d put some sort of fold out counter top opposite the shower. That way you can have both the shower, then add counter space when needed
I thought the exact same thing. Different strokes for different folks, is what makes the world go round! Regardless, They did a beautiful job!
Outdoor shower🤷♀️
Many have outdoor shower heads and curtains they add to the back.
I'd put mine inside but it adds a lot of space and saves a lot of time and money to do it outside.
Some prefer outside and when in the city they use GYMs and truck stops to avoid refilling and dumping water so often
What an awesome build...and REALLY appreciate the thoughtful and articulate delivery...$8K...WOW! 💖💖💖👏👏👏
Glad you enjoyed it
The kitchen in this van is fantastic, as it has a two burner cooktop and a decent amount of bench space and deep enough stainless steel sink.
Thank you 🙏🏼
The kitchen is one of our favorite parts of the van, especially since we cook almost every meal in the van! A big sink is a must-have in our opinion.
Love the build! I personally would use the top half of the standing storage for a hanging closet and the bottom for the pantry. And maybe snuck in a hamper shoot in the bedside area ;)
Great ideas! We personally haven't had the need for hanging storage but it is something we considered for the tall cabinet. Laundry chute is a great idea, right now we just open the door to reach the hamper under the bed. 😊
I watched the first video when you were 1/2 way done, the van turned out beautiful, look forward to following your journey. just subscribed.
Awesome! Thank you!
Thank you Alicia! 🤗
Looks like a miniature house inside with the kitchen tile and skylighting above the bed. Also the sliding door to the cockpit very cool. If you had room for a small shower and toilet would be truly miraculous but great job.
Thank you very much Mark
This is so incredible and inspiring! We are just in the early stages of our build!
You got this!
Good luck with your build, feel free to reach out on IG if you have any questions!
Love the cockpit door...no highjackers will get threw lol
We love how the space is separated by the door, it also makes it more homey.
So much forethought & planning resulted in a great build. Knowing that I'm sure you thought of my question. but just didn't mention in video (unless I somehow missed it): Do you have something between the mattress and flooring to prevent mold from developing??? Thanks
Thanks Donna! You're right we didn't discuss this in the video. After the video was shot, we insulated under the bed platform and we have flooring on top of the bed platform to minimize the temperature differential which will reduce the chances of condensation and mold. We also placed cardboard under the mattress to further insulate and provide a small amount of airflow.
We're going to monitor it and if it seems like it's not sufficient we will pursue another method.
Awesome job! It's beautiful, functional, and comfortable. You should be very proud of yourselves!
Thank you very much. Many more van tours here
I loved your van, with the exception there is not any color. I know the all white makes it feel bigger. I am eager to see if you use any command strips to hang any pictures or something to make the van feel homey. One other observation is you do not have any kind of oven. I strongly recommend getting the Emeril Lagasse airfryer/oven/rotisserie. It is extremely versatile and will serve as an air fryer, toaster, slow cooker, broiler, dehydrator, oven. In this appliance you can cook just about anything. I use mine 90% of the time and my gas range only 10% of the time. 75% of the time I cook our entire meal in this. It uses much less power than our microwave which I know is a concern. This would add alot of versatility to your kitchen. If you still have you left money from your build budget you should have enough to cover this cost. I look forward to future youtube videos to see if you purchased one. Lastly, where do you shower?
We added a few pops of color to our neutral pallette 😊 Thanks for the airfryer recommendation, we'll keep it in mind.
As for showers, we typically use Planet Fitness gym showers or we have an outdoor shower setup with a 7 gallon tank and pump with shower head.
This couple is awesome! Especially all the details at the end of the interview :)
Thank you very much
We're so glad you enjoyed the video! 💙
After retiring from acting, Jodie Foster fell on hard times, turned to and embraced the van life!
All joking aside!
This has to be the best example of a van build. That's because the owners did it on a strict budget that forced them to get creative, as to figuring out where and how they would source the materials for their project. That their choices were Habitat for Humanity Restore, Ikea, yard sales,, and the local junk yards, cemented my feelings about it. That's because those would be my exact choices to source materials, if I were inclined to build one. Thanks for sharing your ideas and experiences! 🙏
Well done!
I love your channel. I have been following it since its beginning l. I have gotten my van to start van life but run into a problem. I have a leak and am now going to the mechanic to see if I need an engine or a gasket. I will keep posting about my build.
That is awesome!
Great build, so happy for them
Thank you 🙏🏼
Thanks Amy! We appreciate it 😊
Awsome build great ideas for building and budgeting!!! Thank you.
Thanks Dave, I'm glad we could help!
Their parents must be really proud of them. They are using ALL OF THEIR EDUCATION. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
His van looks like a cabin in the woods. I like his sink and stove upfront, I think that’s the first time I’ve seen that. The couch fits right in with the small homemade table. He hit it out of the woods. He’s fortunate to be able to work with his dad on this masterpiece, money can’t buy that kind of experience.
I prob would be happy with those removable camping grill thing u can cook inside, u can cook outside boom create more space
You'd still need a counter space to work on and a place to put the camp stove where it would have to be level.
@@cherifew3485 didnt say remove counter just the stove. Plus they have a sliding table for work n eat. Perfect !
@@sweetvonbettie1 you still have to have counter space & prep space to cook! The table being pulled out would be in the way of the pantry and work. Space!
@@cherifew3485 🤷♀️
Danger Will Robinson: Your K class kitchen fire extinguisher is different from a normal vehicle extinguisher. Kitchen extinguishers are designed to be used up close to the stove top three feet close, you don't want to be that close to a vehicle fire those extinguishers are designed to be used 7 - 12 feet away, the nozzles and chemical powder are different. please read and understand the instructions on the extinguisher you don't have time to figure it out when you need it.
Your propane regulator can also vent gas into your van it should have been mounted tank top in your vented compartment.
other wise great looking van. be safe out there.
Beautiful job, hope I am able to catch your adventures. Thank you!
Please do!
Thanks Pamela! Feel free to subscribe to our TH-cam channel and follow us on Instagram (@lifepothesis) to catch our adventures 😊
Excellent job. My husband and I are retired, on a budget and want to travel. We rv'd all the time with our kids now it's our time. Your budget ideas are great and we plan on using some. Hey tell your parents they should be proud. You should build them one.
That is awesome!
Excellent skills and creativity. Thanks for the share, you guys 👏🏼
Thanks for watching!
Thanks Merry! 😊
Impressive home build, especially the mechanicals. But what is the weight? It looks like you added 2 tons (or tonnes) of weight very high in the van raising the CG such that the van might be a struggle to drive.
We plan to weigh the van soon. Best estimate is roughly 2500 pounds added, and driveability hasn't been noticeably affected. CG is still low in the van, batteries and water are all floor mounted and light items are stored higher.
That's the first impression I got. Nice nice build but everyone's needs are different,
I have to have a regular toilet and shower even if it uses the aisle. Maybe they covered this in an earlier video but it might be helpful to list the Chassis model used and the overall cubic square footage because that's your starting point and will limit how much you can put in. For instance my 05 Roadtrek 170 has roughly 400 cubic square ft because I consider the front cab as the seats turn around and can be used for a dining area. The propane, water tanks and generator are all underneath so that's not in the calculation. Good luck and have fun!
I believe they are well within the payload
Thank you for sharing the information
What a great setup and glad to see they are doing well.
Thank you 🙏🏼
We appreciate it 💙
Hello ! Ur van is soooo awesome. When I get ready to get my van , I want u guys to do mine. U all did a fabulous job. Happy Holidays to u & ur families.
Thank you Carolyn, we really appreciate that! Happy holidays!
Thank you! You too!
Awesome video beautiful build. Well done, you should be proud. Traveling grace.
Appreciate the support
I interviewed Jodi and just loved her a d her design. So inspirational
This is really great news
Do the knives and the spoons and serving utensils get hot so close to the propane burners? It might be an optical illusion from the video, but it looks almost on top of the burners.
The utensils don't get hot but they are close enough to get noticeably warm. It's mounted high enough to not be a problem. I don't think we'd change the location of the kinfe rack or stove.
@@Lifepothesis Makes sense. You only have so much space to work with too. I think a lot of my concern was an optical illusion though. Your van is very nice! Happy travels!!
I love the cabinets and kitchen but miss the shower. Very pretty.
Beautiful, nice looking, best thing - mattress. One thing that confuses me is all of the weight was located on one side, dendja. Otherwise thanks for the ideas and wish you well.
Good point!
Thanks for your comment! We haven't had any issues with our weight distribution 😊
I think it's perfect. They did a great job
We are so flattered 😍
When they showing the orientation of the bed , she said we both are pretty tall 5’ 9’’ and 5’ 10’’ I was laughing 😂 I play basketball and I’m always the shortest guy with my 5’ 11’’ ,she made my day 😜
Thanks for checking in.
But that's a BIG 5-10. Lol
Yeah, would definitely go sideways if I was that short.
You got the right idea guys ..the Maxi fan is the best fan ever it's very very quiet.. no other fan Come Close not even the fantastic fan.. which is very crap it's very loud the Maxi fan rocks good choice..
I love my Max fan
@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures you're so right my friend they're the best I've got a 10-speed myself the one with the mote control you don't need that it's just more electronic parts you don't need..
Thank you we love our fan too 😊
@@Lifepothesis definitely no. It's the best time ever I haven't done my van it's awesome as hell and the choice you made no remote control is back at the less Electronics the less problems you will have...
PS, ignore all the snarky comments about a shower, storage details, or using big words! LoL lots of us know what a gantt chart is, and appreciate the detail of how you approach this project. A little backstory is nice. Shake off the naysayers!
So true!
You guys ok great together! Thanks for this camper review!
Love the mesh drawers. Really great idea!
Love how well thought out! Wish there was a shower. Could it have been done if side bed? How much was total cost 8k but the cost with vehicle? My difficulty is choosing a Van that drives well and not a maintenance headache!
These two are geniuses. Great job.
They are!
What a fantastic build and video and couple! An exciting tour for sure
We really appreciate that Sindy! 💙
Glad you enjoyed it!
What an informative video, such a good job too. Thank you for sharing, got so many ideas now. 💡
Thank you very much
A beautiful van build! Looks very solid and comfortable!
We agree!
Thank you Monica, we love how cozy and homey the van is 💙
Is your bed platform breathable? I have seen van mattresses get moldy without air flow
Most people have a drawer pull out from the bed and use it for a table. Many use a different faucet that will hang outside of the kitchen window for showering and then they buy the cheap shower curtain setup.
Lots of great and different ideas in all the builds featured here
Very nice build, but no shower, that is just my preference.
...and the preference of most of the human race.
Thank you RC. We will be installing a roof shower system and using a national chain of gyms to shower as well.
Get a gym membership....you got like 20 square feet to live in.
@@danthemansmail sure, because you’re always parked by a gym. Lol
You have to remember a lot of people don't shower every day they shower like 2 maybe 3 times a week when you're living the Van life. I know that sounds gross I personally couldn't do it as I have to shower every day that's just my preference but that's what you have to think about when you wanna live this lifestyle. Ppl like me would be more comfortable in an RV vs a Tiny van as I'm claustrophobic and need my space lol. I think they did a VanOminal job on this build, and under budget!👍🙂
Love all the safety tips! Nice built.
Glad you like them!
Thanks so much, happy to share 😊
Awesome! Where did you purchase the planters next to the sink where you are growing your herbs/spices?
Good question.
We got them on amazon!
So far my most favorite build ever. Great job
Wow, thanks!
Thanks so much Silinda! 😊
Hi, I love your home, you thought of everything. Did you put any hole's under your bed for ventilation? It's lovely, well done guy's 👍😉🇮🇪🍀
Thank you very much Marie 🙌🏼
Thanks Marie!! We didn't put holes under the bed, we actually just placed a piece of cardboard and check weekly for dampness. No issues at all in 8 months!
👍😉🇮🇪🍀
It came out great. Love it. You 2 did a great job❤️
Thank you Pam
I did not catch what year the Van was or was it new. The Van looks great. I would surely have a shower somewhere. You will get to live very well on a $2,300 budget per month. That is if you don't have Van Payment each month. Wish you'al the very best & then some. Safe Travels. always, Tommy :-)
The van is a 2013
Thank you. The van is a 2010.
Hi. So is your $2300 budget with or without a van payment, may I ask?