No Holes Van Roof Deck with Solar, MaxxFan and Heki Hatch | RAM ProMaster Conversion Build Series 3
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ม.ค. 2021
- No holes in the roof - all the swag of a banging van roof deck! Plus win a ton of STRAIGHT CASH by entering our Van Build Gway here: fnavanlife.com/build-gway/
In this week's build series we are going to show you how to make a custom DIY van roof rack and deck without making any holes in the roof of your van. Well, except for the giant on we cut in for our Heki Roof Hatch but that was on purpose.
Not only are we building a custom DIY roof rack and deck for our Promaster 3500 extended, we also install a Dometic Heki Roof Hatch skylight for some amazing views in the back! And we are announcing a HUGE #fnagway you're going to want to enter right now!!! Click here to enter: fnavanlife.com/build-gway/
//SUPPORT FNA VAN LIFE
Buy a Sticker: fnavanlife.com/merch/ or
Become a Patreon: / fnavanlife
Enter our Van Build Giveaway: fnavanlife.com/build-gway/
//LINKS FROM ROOF WEEK
• Heki Sky Light - amzn.to/39csyjy
• MaxxFan - amzn.to/2KkNsEL
• Mounts for Roof - leonardaccessories.com/produc...
Grape Solar Set Up:
• Our Grape Solar MPPT: amzn.to/2SkoZzR
• Our Grape Solar Solar Panels: amzn.to/33rGR25
Not Ours but Other Legit Roof Racks
• 80/20 Roof Rack amzn.to/3iiHdh6
• Promaster Cargo Roof Rack amzn.to/2Nbm4Kr
//HOT LINKS
Facebook: fnavanlife
Instagram: fnavanlife
Podcast: anchor.fm/fnavanlife
Become a Health Coach: geti.in/2Jtd3JY
Get our music: artlist.io/FRANCIS-1148169
//STUFF WE LOVE
Camera Gear
• DSLR + Mic - amzn.to/2VzGfnl
• Mic Upgrade - amzn.to/3a3nkZl
• Go Pro Hero 9 - amzn.to/2Lr1sgn
• Drone - amzn.to/3cicCNm
Van Things
• Our Fridge - amzn.to/343fATg
• Water Fill Hack - amzn.to/373kAcr
We are pumped for you to step into the life of your dreams, break free from the norm, and create a positive life full of freedom. We post 2 new videos a week and 2 live streams to show you the endless possibilities van life has to offer.
Sending you love, health, and happiness,
XO Frankie and Alex *and Paco!
PS: 10% of all our earnings are donated to tree planting charities!
![อาจารย์ยอด : ลุงแว่วเล่าเรื่องผี [ผี]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Fd2Qsy4dqpM/mqdefault.jpg)
We are so excited to be running this contest and can't wait to share an amazing prize with you all!!!! Enter here: www.fnavanlife.com/build-gway
How long is this contest opened for? So that we can all be on the same Deck?
BTW My guess is 🇨🇦🏒 legend #88 times
Vie 🇨🇦
@@CallMeVie we are trying to finish the build by next month so hopefully only a month . Now we should all be on the sane deck. lol
@@FnAVanLife That takes away the element of surprise if you can enter on the last day. Should give everyone a week so like that we watch your videos up until your announcement! Just saying, something to think about! I love me a contest when we are all on the same deck aka playing field! 😊
Vie 🇨🇦
@@CallMeVie we from.this moment forward we aren't going to be talking about how many time we go to home depot. We might only show 1 trip per video which will not be even close to the amount of times we go. But maybe we will stop the sign up a week or two before hand.
@@FnAVanLife Thanks for keeping the playing field Fair Alex And Frankie! Much love always
Vie 🇨🇦
Get a couple stadium chairs to keep in your van for sitting on that really beautiful deck..make your backside happier 😉. Looks great! Have a wonderful weekend, y’all 🧡
hahah the pillows were nice!!! but yes chairs would be fabulous :) Hope you have a wonderful week too and don't forget to enter!!! www.fnavanlife.com/build-gway
Based on my van build I think you will make 60 trips to the hardware store thats how many I think I made by the 40th trip I had the van in a state I could start camping in the HD parking lot
This was a fair time ago now I think it was something like 48 trips for us. Best of luck on your build.
Good job guys! Love the custom deck!. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
We are really happy with how it came out.
The roof is dope. Its my first time seeing a deck of roof in van life. And its 2am here .
What we are glad ours is the first you have seen. We are also really happy with how it can out.
I love your roof. That is exactly what I want for my van! Thanks for all the links and instruction.
Happy to help Joanna make sure all the wood is fully dry before you coat it with anything that was our biggest mistake with the whole project.
-Frankie
Frank and Alex, you guys are a "friggin*" blast to watch! *As Alex would say!
▶️This episode should be called How good does our wood look?
Here are a few highlights for your promotional commercial:
=🎶🎤It's wood week! =You gotta get on board! =🎶🎤It's deck week! =Sorry for the bumpiness coz the road is kind of Woopa woopa woopa 💃 =🎶🎤Gotta fill them gaps with the caulk doo doo doo doo🕺=Don't forget to blow your wood off =How good does our wood look?
You had me in stitches laughing THANKS!!
Vie 🇨🇦
PS My guess is 88x to Home Depot!!!
Hahaha lmao this is great can't believe this is the first time I'm seeing this comment.
You guys have so much energy! A pleasure to watch.
Aww you rock we appreciate the love.
wow that looks amazing.... great layout guys
Glad you like it!
How awesome and she is going to be a GEM. Have an awesome day y'all ❤
Everyday she comes together a little more
Guys looks great! Will follow as you progress. I am in the same rehab place with my 159" Promaster van.
nice that is amazing! wonder what it will look like.
Smart to start on top with the deck so you always have a sweet spot to relax !
haha totally! we just need a ladder to get up there more easily! :P
I always used a collapsible and not the ones attached to my rigs, they were always too skinny and felt too light. Great days to you all !
Super job! Sunset looked amazing from your new perch!!🥂
Thanks a bunch! We are very happy with now it turned out. Many more sunsets to come in the future.
Not gonna lie the roof deck is a cool idea. I can see you guys sitting on there just watching the stars at night. what a great thing to add
yea man star gazing is going to be perfect now and then if it is to cold we go in the bed and look out the hatch lol
Congrats on finishing the roof!
Highlights “It’s roof week Frank you got to get on board! No sleep during roof week!”
Also Paco dozing off while Frankie is driving. What a happy pup.
Doing some mental calculations for my hardware store trip guess estimate. Excited for the next project. Have a great day!
hahah gotta make a good guess!!!! This prize is huge.
I didn't even notice Paco on the first watch and then Frankie was like, look how cute he is!!!! ahha what a sweet pup :) NO SLEEP DURING ROOF WEEK!!!
Have fun and take care and take it easy and enjoy it
Thank you so much David!!!
Great video :). We are at about the same point....and looking to work on the roof deck+solar+Maxx. This vid is really helpful.
Awesome glad we could help. We love our set up and the roof deck makes views even better 🥰
Just a heads up if you don't already know. We have been making videos of all the different sections of our van. It might help you with your build ideas, what works and doesn't. Here is the playlist. th-cam.com/video/qGprZejz2Z8/w-d-xo.html
@@FnAVanLife Thanks....I will check that out. One question.....how did you ever keep the cedar boards from flexing? One part of the video shows you bending the superstrut that goes across the van. But I didn't see anything that shows how you strengthened it.
We added another row of metal so the gap wasn't so big between the supports. It still flexes slightly but nothing major and we spent a lot of time up there :)
Looks great guys, good job!!! 😁👍
Thank you so much!!! We are lovely all the new chill space especially since there's no where to chill in the van yet LOL
cold here....a good day to watch Van Videos. like the roof deck idea.
Thanks Tom we are excited to start using it. Glad you choose ours bud. You are the man.
This is an awesome set up love the roof we just got a ram pro master 2500 and plan to do the same what sizes are the washers,nuts, and lock nuts?
So cool!!!! When you're at the hardware store with the unistrut they have a whole second with bolts and nuts and screws, just play around still you find everything that fits! We're almost done with our build guide for this one so stay tuned!!!
Very COOL! Thx for all the details!
Thanks so much!!!
Looking good, nice to see you making progress
👍
it's coming along!!! Now to do something on the inside... hahah
Frankie can make a face that he looks like a young Bob Villa with that facial hair and the power tools. 😳
Hahah he's already half way there on the grey hair to be the now bob
The roof deck looks great, guys!
Thank you so much! Hopefully we'll be toasting a drink with you guys up there soon!
@@FnAVanLife Sounds great! We'll message you about plans!
Great video. What exactly are the metal pieces called and will they rust? Do you have to paint the cut pieces to prevent possible rust? Would like to know what lengths/sizes you purchased and how many of the roof brackets you needed for your size Promaster. Thanks so much.
They are called (uni strut ) the lengths are the longest ones they had at the store which I think are 10 feet. So you will have to cut an extra piece down so you can finish the full length. I would paint prime it and paint it cause over time it will rust. But you want to leave the channel clean so you can put the hardware in the slot. We bought a bracket for all the hooks on the roof. We have the 3500 extended so we but 10 or 12 of them.
Hope that is helpful.
Van is coming along. The deck is amaaazing
Thank you so much!!! We are loving it!!!
New sub! You guys are very enjoyable to watch🙏🏻✌🏻thank you for all of the info on this. (may be replicating for my build haha)
Well shucks TravTravels, thanks so much! If you have any questions about the rack let us know, we are always happy to help fellow van lifers!!! Happy building! Alex
LOOKS GREAT!!
Thanks so much!
Hi there.. I just bought a Promaster1500 high roof 136WB. And I am in great need of a affordable roof rack and your idea of just ordering the mounts and building the rest is great!
Do you have have pictures you can share with me pls? So I can follow exactly what you guys did?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 🙏
Hey NetCaps! Send us a DM on Instagtam and we'll help out. @fnavanlife
Love that crescent wrench with socket combo
yeaaa he fancy - gotta hold back somehow! haha
hi there, looks great. i was wondering if you can hop out of the skylight onto the roof, or is it too small of an opening? Does the hatch lid open wide enough? I'm looking to install a similar one. thanks!
Hey Samantha! We can both technically fit through it but you need some serious upper body strength. Frankie can manage it but I got full stuck the other day 🤣
@@FnAVanLife haha, thanks, good to know!
Looks awesome!. Great job! 👏👏👏👏🤜🤛
Thank you! Cheers!
Can you comment on the crossbars in terms of flexing and also if you solved the rattle wind noise from the solar panels when you’re driving down the road please? I’m building a similar rack with superstruts on a ProMaster 159. Thanks!
No wind noise from the panels at all. The flex is fine we have zero issues with it and it's been over a year like this now. I hope that helps 🙏 any other questions please just ask.
@@FnAVanLife Thanks for answering my questions and so quickly! I have one more question here, and then I will tell you what I’m doing with my rack build. After being in the elements for at least a year now, is the superstrut showing any signs of rust?
As for my own rack project, i’m using the same superstrut as you guys. It comes in two heights, and I’m using that lower profile stuff that you used. I must say I’m a little disappointed that it has so much flex on the crossbars, which is a 5 foot span, but I like your idea of using that foam pipe insulation between the superstruts and the roof. I’m also using Unaka mounts as you guys did. But the big difference with my rack compared to virtually any other I’ve seen so far is I’m building it so it overhangs the sides and the rear of the van by 6 inches on each side. I need enough space to accommodate a 24 foot extension ladder for my business, plus four 100 W solar panels, plus a max air fan and a 23” x 30” skylight/roof hatch, and finally a 4 x 6 1/2 foot deck. It’s been very complicated to build, but all the superstrut is cut and assembled now. I’ve taken it off the roof for now so I can paint it black since it will be visible along the sides where it overhangs 😅
I'm going to change my original guess 🤗
I have the official link brought up on my phone but I'm going to have to do some things to follow all the instructions you have LOL that's not a problem for me but it will be probably tonight when I complete it 😊
Having a place to build can be a struggle. I did a no-build build at first and have slowly switched over to more permanent but sometimes it has to wait for a friendly area - even some remote/blm areas might not be okay
You have a little time to think. It's going to be a good prize this time. Love the fact that you stuck it through Alex and I were talking tonight how we are so grateful.
Hey from FB!! Would so love to have a deck on the roof of my truck but getting up there 😱😱😱. Well done you guys!!
You can do it! just have to build a ladder lol
@@FnAVanLife i wish it was that easy. Never mind, I'm okay without one
Looks great!
Thanks!
That is sweet! 😎
Well thank you so much!!!
@@FnAVanLife 🍻 and 🍷 ! 😀
Roof looks great!
I'm going to go for 116 visits to home depot (hope I can enter in the uk 😁)
omg US TOO!!!! hopefully some day that will be possible.
Make your guess official so that you can actually win the cash - sorry it's USD haha www.fnavanlife.com/build-gway
Looking good ! I'm going to stick with my original bid of 88 trips !!! You haven't even started on the inside and your up to 10 trips ! LOL ✌️💜🎸
nice!!!! Make it official!!!! www.fnavanlife.com/build-gway
There's no Lowes or other home improvement stores, besides the orange one, in Florida?
Yeah there is for sure. This was just close and had most things and a very easy return process
Is the Heki solar hatch large enough for you to climb through onto your roof?
Hey Joanna, I think as smaller people, yes we can make it though but it would definitely be tight. even for us. It's not technically meant to be an emergency escape hatch like a bus would have but we'll definitely be passing snacks up to the deck from it LOL
Did the dealer you bought the van from, end up repairing the issues with the back light, leaking windscreen etc?
some yes some no! They paid for some back lights but not the main expensive one and sent us $300 for the windshield to be repaired sooooo we re happy enough!
Nice job so far good information
we're doing our best! Glad you enjoyed it!
that skylight is so cool
right and all that natural light!!
which seat covers are those?? I love them!
Hey John!! They are great!! We have them in our store, lots of people have asked for them! www.amazon.com/shop/fnavanlife?listId=1B2A552ERMP4Q
Deck rocks!
we're gonna rock out on the deck haha
Save time and drive to Home Depot every morning and build in their parking lot! I like the deck, now you just need a ladder installation.
That's the plan! Right now we have a telescoping ladder but we have some ideas for a ladder for the van. Problem is we don't have power to use tools if we try to do it in the lot. but lucky for us home depot is 10 mins away.
Love u guys, keep it natural 😉😘💜
Heck yea we love the natural wood as the deck. This wood is to pretty to change.
I'm thinking I already put a number in and it was 74 time because that was the year I graduated. I will go enter the number on your site. Thanks and great video . #fnaway
yay Armando!!! I do hope you win!!! Would be amazing to give the prize to someone who loves the channel so much :) Have an amazing day!!!
Did you ever get your windshield leak fixed
Yes we had a company come out and do it. Thanks for asking Tom.
Verynice good video like 👍🏼🌺🌺🌺
Thank you so much!!! We are loving our deck!
I like it natural
natural for sure won this time. Alex and I agree.
I can’t find a link🥺. Love the deck......now back to sleep at 3.30 am 😂
omg Val!!! haha here it is www.fnavanlife.com/build-gway
Frankie are you keeping up on the playoffs?
yeah for sure. I'm kind of sad Baltimore lost. I would have liked to see them play KC in the AFC championship. who are you rooting for?
@@FnAVanLife I want KC to win it all. Just praying Mahone does not have a concussion.
what's the name of ya seat covers and the seatbelt cover?? or do u have the link??
They are a combo pack! amzn.to/3oYGu7p
@@FnAVanLife great I looked at them..do they have the cutouts for headrests?
@@thomas-ms6st no they don't 😔
Sorry I hate that burn look - I think that it would look way more beautiful to stain the cedar - I have a cedar fence and porch on my house and it is beautifully stained - but that is just my opinion - you guys are so much fun and that Paco!!! LOL
No need to be sorry everyone can have there likes and dislikes. We didn't want to burn this wood either it is to pretty. Glad you enjoyed.
Natural
You win!!
Put me down for 36 trips! 😆
Haha you've got to put yourself down!!! Enter here for a chance to win up to $1000!!! Www.fnavanlife.com/build-gway
She's loves a good Deck...
Hello I'm Frankie and I lay a good Deck.
Thanks for the vid, I like the enthusiasm and energy. Not sure about all the singing. Maybe singing just for a couple spots. I don't like most musicals not even "Fiddler on the Roof" or "Van-lifers on the Roof".
hahahaha Van Lifers on the Roof 😂😂😂😂 You are hilarious Valorian! We don't sing very often anymore, our souls have been crushed by the weight of being so faking awesome all the time. I'm joking! But this video is actually one of our older ones, we've been living in this van and enjoying the roof deck for over a year now!! Come check out our newer videos and have a look. I can't promise no singing buuuuuuuut it's rare lol xo Alex
You guys look like you’d enjoy a nice jar of med weed! Haha
hhah who's is that?!?!
@@FnAVanLife you guys look so happy. It’s beautiful.
@@chroniccare409 hahahaha awww that is so sweet of you. We like to try to keep a positive mind set no matter what is going on lol.
@@FnAVanLife yeah no bullshit! Dude ppl look there whole life for what you two have. It’s very unique and I hope you both realize what you have. I still got 20-30 years to find it hopefully! Thanks for sharing these rare moments of happiness!
@@chroniccare409 hell yea man we realize it and we are so grateful. Tonight while we walked Paco, Alex and said things we are grateful for and it was a 30 minute walk and we were able to go almost the whole walk each saying things we are grateful for. Thanks you for your kind words.
Are you guys sure you are not related like siblings or cousins. You two look alike already
Omg no hahah
I'm guessing 150 visits in Total at the of the van build.
Make it official by submitting it here. www.fnavanlife.com/build-gway
@@FnAVanLife I would be I think someone else desrvers the money more than me so mine a fun guess
@@thefoolsadventures Love that. But if you win you can always give the money to someone you think needs it. just another way to think about it.
@@FnAVanLife ❤️
@@thefoolsadventures The feeling of paying it forward would be the prize.
Keep it natural, don’t burn it
We decided you are right!!! Au natural!!
@@FnAVanLife Can’t wait to see your guy’s final product, much love. Look forward to watching your video’s
@@crouleau13 oh it is going to be 😍😍🤩
Baby talk has been in a few of this period of episodes, something missing from the present. 🤔
No we still talk about it 😁 one of the reasons we aren't going to head to South America.
39 trips hd
It's not an official guess until you make it official!!! Head here to enter your guess :) www.fnavanlife.com/build-gway
The sex video wad the one i shared lol my best friend is cracking up with her grand daughter grown lol
Hahaha the best
Don’t burn please!
We won't!!! haha it looks so good natural :)
It will go grey with time of course. Frankie do you realise how stupid you look rockin Paco like a real baby. 💗😂😂
What did you mean by NO HOLES. Click bait.
Did you watch the video? We didn't tap any of the board or unistrut into the roof, it's all connected with the metal brackets and hooks that are already there on the Promaster. You have to make holes for things like the fan, hatch and to run wires into the van. But the actual Roof deck is no holes, that's what we said. Sorry you felt mislead in someway, not sure how you would get a fan into the van without cutting a hole, you'd be blowing air right to the metal.