Minivan Camper Conversion. Stock to Camper Mode in Minutes. Van Life
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- How I built a.Minivan Conversion camper van. Using home materials, and yard sale finds. Able to switch out van camper to stock van mode in minutes. Van life
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Coleman Stove: amzn.to/2GMmSSK
Coleman 12v Cooler: amzn.to/3jLHBom
Camping Toilet Bucket Seat: amzn.to/3lqRNDd
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Schumacher Battery Charger: rover.ebay.com...
Bestek 400w Inverter: rover.ebay.com...
Coleman 12v Cooler: rover.ebay.com...
This is a clever straight forward and inexpensive approach that would allow anyone to have a nomadic camping experience.
This is pretty straightforward, I love it👍👍👍
the PVC for curtains is a great idea... like the "stove dresser" too
Hello. Glad you liked the video. Hope it helped. Cheers
You got my vote for minimalist, good organization, well done! Good tour. Thanks!
Hello Dan. Glad you enjoyed the video.. Yes minimalist, without the price tag. Cheers!
@ Kruisin Kevin you did a great job Kevin. How did you hook the pvc pipes to the roof? 🌺😊
This is the best, simplest, most convenient “conversion” I’ve ever seen. Thanks for sharing!
Hello. Glad to help. Thanks for watching. Cheers
I second that
😊💜
I just showed my daughter. This is easy
Fantastic. Just what I need for quick weekend getaways without spending crazy money “building out” a van. Thanks for sharing.
Cheryl Maloney. Hello. Glad you enjoyed. Have fun with your van build. 🚐
Nice n’ simple! thanks
@@kardoyle Hello. And thanks. Hope video helped. Happy Camping
I got a 1999 caravan for free. I made a simple setup and took it from California to martel beach back to california. It doesent matter what the train looks like what matters is if you get on.
That sounds awesome. Hope to do both coast soon. Cheers
A 2003 version fell into my lap, I think I'm gonna go for it
That was gold!
Thank PPP pp pop pop pop
Happy for you. I'm gonna try
I am impressed with how neat everything is.
Hello. I guess I’m somewhat organized... lol.. Thanks for watching.
Cheers
This is probably the most economical no-build I've seen. For those who are starting out with little money, this should encourage them that they can do it. It's also a practical way to start out on an adventure to see if it's something you would want to do permanently. I love the black out curtains too. Everything looks so cozy and having the seat makes it comfortable to work or read. Great job!
Hello. Thanks. Glad you liked the video. Most of my material items came from yard sales. Yes, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get out and camp. Cheers
Man I simply love this, loving the no build simple builds it proves that this is doable for anyone, THANKS
Very straightforward build that anyone can do. Efficient and clean. Thanks for sharing.
I was gonna say this van is amazingly clean , has to be a southern vehicle. Then saw the plate sweet build 👍🏽👍🏽😎
Hello. Yes, Tenn vehicle. Not much road salt here. Thanks for watching.
Cheers
NICE! For my 2005 Caravan Im removing my rear folding bench seat and using a small roll top desk in the floor recess to use as a tear drop style kitchen and a fold out futon inside as seating and bedding.
Thank you sir. Your build sounds cool. Share a photo. Cheers
This makes me happy. Let me know a person can live in a mini van. And you're a big guy also and can do it.
I would totally do this in one with an entertainment system so I could watch movies on my trips too!
I like the one chair left up next to the bed for sitting. Great job.
Simple and easy just like my build good job a little power on the side little fridge stove potty bed comfortable to lay on
And good to go! Although I do have a portable shower as well... good job bro😎👍
Hello. Yes. Made the van function able. I like the shower idea. Thanks for watching.
I came across your video and WOW, straight forward with great ideas to get on the road. I have collected a gazillion youtube videos trying to finalize a design..... You have solved my problem in the short run. I am going to modify your design a wee bit just to get on the road when the weather turns a bit warmer (feb.14th in the NW burbs of chicago) and I will see just what my needs will be for my Ultimate Road Tour Odyssey. (no pun intended) You have given me the "practical" starting point. Thank You, Thank You.
Hello. Glad to hear the video helped out. Yes, lots of over build vans and cost. Doesn’t have to be that way.
Have a great trip in your mini camper van.
Cheers
*Great set-up for a weekend warrior or occational camper! Thanks for sharing.* 👍🏾
Won't win you many points in the "vanlife" community with their endless builds an upgrades, but for something that just works and can be done asap for limited expense, it's perfection!
Out of 300 TH-cam videos on the subject, you are the only one who have shown common sense....which isn't that common anymore, infact you may be the only one.
I like the pvc pipe curtain rod idea. I would use 90s at front, so curtain can wrap a bit, but great idea!
Thanks. I did not know Coleman made a fridge. I am ,definitely looking into getting me one now ❤
I don’t use it anymore. There are such better cooler refrigerators out there now. It kept drinks cool but you couldn’t store meats with a temperature above 42°. I did a video on BourgeRV fridge. They work great for the price
Love this idea no hassle just simple
I really like your setup for its outstanding versatility. Haul lumber before lunch. Go camping after lunch!
Hello. Yes. That’s funny. Glad the video helped. Cheers
Awesome setup! I have a 2007 Dodge. I also have had my trusty Schumacher for years. Stays in my minivan for power. I also have my bucket. I went with a Coleman cot. Still need a 12 volt fridge. Love your curtains with the pvc! I've been just using clothesline threaded through the hems of black sheets that I tie to the windshield visor and rear seatbelt and tuck up on the side fold down hooks. I did a trial stealth for a few days in my own town and found out that I am invisible in a minivan. Had vehicles drive past me, and park next to me. No one knew I was in the van. I felt very safe and so comfortable. Happy travels! Thanks for sharing your setup!
Hello Lissa, Great to hear about your van camper. So many Similarities. Great minds think a like. lol.
Yes, The mini vans are great for stealth. Happy Camping
The way you did the curtains is a great idea!
Awesome build! I'm slowly but surely getting the Hubby into van life, wish me luck. Thanks for sharing.
I'm trying with mine but no luck .☹☹☹☹
@@dhurley53 keep at em! 😃
The curtains! Genius idea. I love the quick change from car to camper. Thanks for sharing.
Heads up, if your going to hot or desert locations, you might consider reflexite glued on gator board, with black out materials on the outside face, fit to your windows & roof, makes a big difference on heat build up inside the van. When camped, I make a 20’x20’ camp fly ( shade cloth ) that covers my van & table, leave canned groceries, water & stove on table, ( not in bear country tho!) I spend most time under the fly in shade , only sleep inside at night. Shalom!
Hello. Thanks for the tip. Currently fitting reflectix for my other van. Should have a video on it next week.
I like your shade idea. Cheers
@@KruisinKevin You are doing the Reflectix yourself? There's a company that makes them specifically for various vehicle models, and I've been debating if it's worth the cost to just order them ready-made like that.
Wow, awesome day fishing. You brought back fresh water reflections for me. My late husband and I spent hours on Dale Hallow chasing the small mouth bass. Great memories!
As someone from the upper midwest, it's alarming to see one of these without rust.
If you buy a southern van. They dont have rust because we dont salt our roads. FL Gal.
Good video. I like the bed. I like car van camping.
Awesome ideas here. That van is so cool inside. Not having to spend $200 on motel fees just one weekend pays for this build! To save more space, a slim 48” long camping table could slip under the bed along with the rest of the plywood sheet and serve as a way to slide camping gear in and out of the van when at the site. The plywood could hold the stove and act as an outdoor counter. I am debating what vehicle to buy next if and when my little 2009 Scion xB gives up. Best little car ever. TFS 👍
He says “speaking of curtains, this is all PCP pipe.” I think you mean PVC, made me laugh.
Yes, Glad you and others, noticed the blooper. Cheers
PCP 😂
My sister corrects me on that one a lot and when I make the mistake of calling the narcotics cops the std's!!!
I love your setup and the simplicity of it. Great job!
That is AWESOME! 😂👍
This was awesome! I have the same van but a 2007. What great condition this van is. I glamped out my van for camping and put a rug in it, blow up mattress, table and small refrigerator. Love the PCP pipe idea!
Hello. Glad you liked the video. Hoped to give some pointers. It doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive to build. Happy camping
Cheers .
I think I’ll start calling it PCP pipe from now on. That is hilarious! Love the build (or lack thereof)! You have lots of storage space and probably music gear too! The cabinet at the back was a super fine find! You have proven that a van build can be done on a budget.
Note: if you happen to decide to get rid of this van in the future I would encourage you to donate it to HOWA. It’s a non-profit, 501(c)3, org. They build out mostly minivans for displaced people (women mostly). HOWA stands for Homes on Wheels Alliance, I think.
Thank you sir. Glad you like the video. Yes, took a lot of thinking on the build. And the pcp. Lol
Cheers.
HOWA is a great organization, and I second your recommendation.
@@KruisinKevin I'm really curious how you mounted the pcp pipe? I couldn't tell how it is held in place. Great video!
Tractor Supply.....horse pelleted bedding is GREAT for the toilet....absorbs wet and you can pre-wet some with water and layer it over solids to mask odors.
Good to know. Thanks
I have a 1969 WV Kombi that I toured around in for years. It's been garaged since 1994, but I now drive a 2003 Dodge Grand caravan. This video gives me some good ideas. I also transport musical equipment so that's an issue as well. Great video!
Hello Richard. Nice to know a fellow musician. Yeh I like these vans for that reason. Easy turn around. Glad the video helped. Have fun on your build. Cheers
You did an awesome job with this quick setup for your van. I hope get to enjoy many camping trips with it.
This is an EXCELLENT camping setup. Well done.
Thanks Amy. Hope it can help others with some ideas. Cheers!
The smartest way I've seen to add privacy curtains to a minivan camper setup! 👍✅😀
Hello Glenn. Thanks for watching.
Cheers
nice work. Love that it is all convertible, nothing permanent.
Hello. Yes sir. Needed the van to function in both ways. Cheers
I'd recommend using compactor trash bags for your porta-bucket-potty. They are a lot thicker and won't leak. My trucker sister used them.
Thanks for the tip. I usually double up on the trash bags when in use. I’ll check out the compactor bags. Cheers
Exactly what I've been looking for. Practical, economical, easy tear down and doable. Great video! 👍🏾
I've watch a lot of quick van builds, and I think I enjoyed this one the most. This is for quick exits, overnighters, beer nights, poker nights...lol Thanks, I'll use some of these ideas.
Hello. Glad to hear the video was helpful. Happy Camping. Cheers
Looks good
Replace that non foldable plywood bed with a good quality foldable cot and you have a winning setup!
Cheers
BB
Hello. Yes. That’s a good idea. I was on a budget build. The wood was free. I’ll probably upgrade down the road. Thanks for sharing. Cheers
Yes, those curtains! That's the simple solution I've been looking for. Thanks.
great job, and I love the simplicity! well done sir!
Perfect! Low cost, use as much of what you have or buy 2nd hand. And thanks for the good description of the Schumacher power bank (?) And how you have it hooked up.
Hello Marian. Glad to hear the video helped. Yes, the power bank has served well over the years. Cheers
Perfect for a single person who has little money to start. You had very practical ideas that are affordable and do able for a woman to build out on her own. Thumbs Up.
Hello. Thanks for watching the video. Glad it helped. Yes, You can travel with little money and have so much fun doing so. Happy Camping
Awesome transformation
*this was super cool I love everything it was so easy and simple*
Very low key easy set up. The cabinet was a great find. Well done
Hello Anita. Glad you liked the video. Yeh I lucked out with the cabinet. You can find good fines at yard sales. Cheers
Beautiful and clean set-up!
Excellent budget transformation. Love it!
Nicely done! maybe the bucket should go in a "crate" I do that with bbq propane tanks in the back of my p/ju so they don't roll around.
This is truly a great simplicity build and smart!
Hello Carolyn. Glad you enjoyed the video. Hope it helped out. Happy Camping
Brilliant. Simple. Reasonable. Sweet!
That is my van! I was starting my build tomorrow. I put a deposit on tung and groove wood look water proof floors. Here is the kicker. I have watched 100's of these vids and never knew I had stow and go! Tomorrow I would have covered up all that storage, cuz when I bought the van, there were no seats in the cargo area! You saved me. I hope I can get my builder to rework the plan, he has my money! Thank you. 🚐
Hello Serna. So glad the video helped out. Yeas the stowaway compartments are great and out of the way. I’m excited for your build. Holler if you have any question.
Happy Camping
@@KruisinKevin Thank you. I sold cruises and then Covid. So I am under the CDC Eviction Moratorium. I move into my van full time on eviction day, New Years Eve. I may take you up on the offer. 🤗🚐
@@serenas8144 So sorry Serena. Yes Covids affected everyone. Though, glad you have a back up plan with the van. No Rent. 😁👍. With winter, I would follow warmer climates if possible. Of course there’s always the buddy heater.
@@KruisinKevin I an in Ft Lauderdale. Super excited to go to the Keys and Bike Week. My challenge is Air Conditioning. Lol.
New Sub - Dude that was super cool, simple yet effective proves you don't need to spend a fortune to just get out there! - Bill
Hello. Thank you. Yes, easy, affordable ,and function-able. .
Thanks for subscribing. Got a few more Van videos coming. Cheers
Thank you for sharing. I have a 2015 Town&Country and this conversion into a camper will help when I drive to pick up mum from Canada and bring her down to Louisiana in the fall.
Hello. Great to hear. Happy Van Build 👩❤️💋👩
Very clean van but I think you need a new headliner.
I live in my van have been looking for a simple idea myself. But I love what you did for your curtains. Thank you for that idea. That's what I'ma do
Hey! That conversion is awesome! I suggest to custom make a shelf or pantry storage on top of the frigde space. Or may be install some small sink on the table of your kitchen furniture and install the drain pipes down to the drawer or down to the lower storage with gray water receiver containers, clean water container and the water pump.
GENIUS SET UP. Thank you for the ideas!!!!!!!
Glad you enjoyed.
Cheers
That is an unusually nice looking’06 Dodge Caravan. But, I see you’ve got that saggy headliner. You can use the little t-pins to hold it up way cheaper than a new headliner.
use magnets!
Thanks for the simple built and description. Not that I don't care about your family ,your trips, how you went to see the rainforest and touch the whales but I really appreciate you getting right to the point. You had me at let me show you how I did it.
This is awesome, super functional and compact, I love it! Thumbs up :)
Hello. Thank you Angie. Glad the video was helpful. Cheers
The toilet set up is great, you don’t need get out the car at night.
Great job, Kevin! I have a 2016 Town & Country, so this will be really helpful. My configuration is somewhat more limited because mine's a wheelchair conversion with a foldout ramp, I can only fold the rear seatback down to its seat, and with the wheelchair in there, it's tight. The lowered floor gives me more height to work with, though, the front seat comes out as easily as your middle seat, and there's no arm rest thingie, so I do actually have quite a bit of even floor space to work with. I'm trying to figure out how to keep my kitchen inside - and stable - though, because weather. And stealth. And safety as a woman alone on the road, when necessary.
I just took a test run trip a week or so ago and learned a lot of things, but especially how great it is to have the Luggable Loo. I like that so much I'm going to just keep it in the van all the time, especially until the pandemic is over or safely contained. No more *having* to expose myself to people when out and about by *having* to use gas station restrooms! I can use it anywhere, really. I just pop a rain poncho over my head and make sure to drape it around the back of the bucket before I open the lid. Because I'm really short, it touches the floor while I'm sitting, and no one's the wiser. It's a little hard for me to get up from since it's so low and I'm not very strong, but I was really surprised at how comfortable it is.
How did you secure the curtains to the roof? I like how you've got them connected to one another, but I can't really tell what's holding them in place.
Hello, thanks for watching. Sounds like you have a great setup.And yes, a camper van changes everything for the better. I just did a more in depth video on the curtains. Check it out. Cheers
In a word EXCELLENT! This is a great way to 'camp' when on long trips or even for a camping trip where vehicles are allowed to park. Saves on hotel rooms, or the hassel of tent set up/take down on a short camping trip
Hello. Yes sir. All the above. Planning a trip as week speak.
Cheers
Well done. Cool van! I'm not sure if that stuff is called "PCP" pipe though.
Thank you. Correct.. lol. PVC.
Glad you enjoyed the video.. Cheers
Is the PVC pipe only attached at the little hook by the had grips? Not bolted in somewhere towards the back.
Hello Nancy. Yes, The pvc pipe is snapped into the hook hangers. The van has two stock ones on each side.
@@KruisinKevin Aha, thanks!
So what size is the pipe?
Lol I was wondering if anyone else caught that. It's a great van conversion tho.
I have the exact same set up minus the cabinet 🗄️ in the back. I have drawers in the front for clothes and my power station. The back seat is awesome to watch movies on my iPad. Since I live in my van, I did reflectix on the back windows for blackout and only one blackout curtain in the front behind the driver seat. No pvc needed it tucks away inside the trim panels 👍
Great non build build..I was looking for ideas for my grand caravan...new sub here...Take care..
Thank you sir. Hope the video helps in anyway. Hoping to camp soon. Cheers
Bout to stealth camp at my job. Perfect timing... Goin to use a sofa cushion bed from amazon with a 6 inch memory foam... Will need a battery, water & a stove with a cooler & I'm set.... Thanks for the info...
Perfect set up keeping one chair in my dodge caravan to sit on. I now have the answer I was looking for. How does the pvc piping stay up?
Hello, I just did a video with more depth on curtain set up
Cheers
Kruisin Kevin curtain setup
Ingenious isn't it! ... looks like they hook into the hooks all cars have for hanging a few things.
I really like the black out curtains much more than the normal window covers. Great idea, yard sales and thrift stores usually have these kinds of things. Some cloth lined showers curtains might work also.
Sweet and easy build! Cheap and it looks great. Thanks for sharing. How do you get the curtains to stay up? How did you attach them to curling?
Hello. The PVC pipe is attached to two of the stocked hangers on each side of the van. Snaps in place. Thanks
Nice job. Needs a fluffy carpet underneath
Good set up, however the headliner looks like it needs some work.
I'd use those corkscrew pins or just pull it and spray glue it.
Sir you have the most practical camper conversion..
Hello. Thanks. Yes I wanted an easy Functionable, inexpensive camper build. Hope the video helped out. Cheers
Great job making things fit and work for you!
You gave me confidence that not a lot of $ has to be spent. We have 2 travelers though so would lose your perfect seat😔
Hello. Glad to hear the video helped. Yes, you don’t have spend alot. Enjoy your build. Cheers
You could either try to make it like a bunk bed, or build it so you can flip the platform over to a second bed, depending if you have one or two people. So just use hinges and have the 2x4s stick out a few more inches and a couple extra boards. You could do something like a couch leg that screws on by hand and a metal plate to hold it in place. That's what I'd do, depending on how big the two of you are. If you both are built like linebackers, that's a no. If you're smaller, not a problem. There are other things you can do to get the same outcome. They make brackets that fold out and hold hundreds of pounds. I bought 4 for $25, and each hold 100 pounds. Build that on and you could add an extension for when you need it. I'd do that on the side of his vanity.
I plan on having a shallow bench that slides out to standard bench size, about 30" for a single sleeper, then a board folds down and rests the far side on those brackets hidden in the cabinets. Now I'll have a 60" bed and still keep built-in storage, and can pull my quad in.
You could have a 2nd bed with two legs on one side, which rests on top of the original single bed when not in use, and slides sideways to make a bed for two (with original bed supporting the side with no legs.) Or if you're handy, the usual slotted pullout bed extension. And for a 2nd chair, a rear-facing marine clam chair attached to the back of the passenger seat is a possibility.
@@a.w.thompson4001 Funny you mention that. I did have the two boards attached to hinges. That folded out. But I’m solo. And it was to much of hassle to unfold. Really didn’t need it. Cheers
@@DeliberateNRandom What do you mean by your "quad"?
Here’s a tip for the toilet. 5 gallon bucket lids fit on 3.5 gallon buckets if you don’t mind your toilet being a little shorter you can lower your bed a few inches.
Hello. Thanks for the recommendation. The 3.5 would be way to low for me. Really doesn’t take up much more room. I use it for mainly emergency.
Cheers
Great job and excellent for quick getaway vacations. Thanks for the simplicity of the ideas
This is one of the smartest non builds I’ve ever seen. Bravo!
Now I wish that when I bought my car, I paid extra for the model that folds into the base. Great build bro keep it up.
Nice job Mr. TN... this looks great.. very happy to see the commode arrangement.
Hello, Glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, commode incognito. emergency back up. lol
Happy Camping 🏕
I just bought a 2004 Toyota Sienna minivan and converted it to a camper van almost identical to what you did. Great minds think alike! I used bungee cords for curtain rods but I like what you did with the pvc pipes. How do you attach them to the ceiling though?
Hey. Mona Morgan. Thanks for watching. The pvc is attached to the stocked van hanger/hooks. There’s 2 on each side of the van. They just pop in
I love it!!Great job.Simple and comfortable
I took my sagging headliner out. Tore fabric off scrubbed it then spray painted it with heatproof paint. That sagging fabric drove me nuts not to mention that yellow stuff coming loose & flying around. Looks a lot better
Awesome work for single person ✌✌✌
Excellent job. So much better than all the awkward cluttered van jobs you see on youtube.
Hello James. Thanks for the comment. Glad you enjoyed video. Yes sir, you don’t have to invest a lot with extreme conversions. Cheers
@@KruisinKevin true, I built mine, looks like a cross between pirate ship and wild west saloon for £400 (about $500) and live full time in it
Brilliant! Real simple conversion. It doesn't have to be complicated. I can't get over the condition of your van exterior.. it's stunning!
Hello Alana. Thanks for watching. Yes your van build doesn’t have to cost a Fortune. Cheers
Easy and practical. I have a 2005 Town & Country and will use some of these ideas. Thanks
Excellent, No mods, Simple and easy to go. Very practical.
We have the same van and as recent empty nesters we find we have more time for quick weekend getaways. I've figured out pretty much everything for a 2 person setup except the curtains. Your idea is a brilliant solution!!! Believe it or not with all the back seats removed, all full size mattress will lay perfectly. A couple folding chairs and we're set for almost any campground. I like your idea for power supply as well to run a laptop for movies in case of rain. Thanks man, this is greatly appreciated!!
Hello. Glad the video helped out. If interested in curtain build. I’ve got a DIY video on the curtain set up.
Happy Camping
Cheers
Cheers
You did a great job and I love your chill attitude and demeanor! Happy camping.
ah shucks. Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the video. Hope it helped out. Cheers
You are very neat , love the way the camper is set up.
I love camping in my 2006 Toyota Sienna. I have my bed & all my camp gear in it. I custom make everything myself, including my awning. It's a lot of fun to stay in a mini van.
That’s great you custom build everything.. I like the awning idea. Major Savings.
Happy Camping
So organized and clean
Thanks, Kevin! GReat ideas!