What a beautiful job! I do recommend that you enclose your propane in a propane locker vented through the floor. They do off gas in hot and cold. I would hate to see you get hurt. Best of luck on your travels!
Thanks!! Yeah Tomas has put a lot of hours into it 😃 hopefully get to use it more come spring/summer again! And maybe get a catch up ride with you once we can!
Aquired a Transit Mark 7... Mostly already converted... Looking forward to getting out and about in it... Will stay around home.. Cornwall first then venture a little further..
Thank you! Tomas is the handy one! He's done a great job and we're away in it most weekends. If i'd try to build it there definitely wouldn't be a video 😂
Really good to finally see a video of it. I remember you showed me the photos from a while back but for some reason I thought the bikes went flat under the bed rather than upright. Looks much better this way :)
Yeah works really well! Can’t remember what stage that woulda been when I showed you - probably similar ish to this as it’s been set for a while now. Well happy with how it’s turned out 😁
Awesomee set up! The simple but effective sliding ply bed is such a good use of space! I just bought the exact same van as you and am looking to use the same type bed set up. I noticed that there are no extra supports holding up the bed, just the two beams running down the sides of the van. Is this correct, and are the beams simply just screwed in to the walls/fixing points of the van?
Thanks! Oh super, it works really well in this van to maximise your living space. That's right - It's held up by the batons on the sides screwed into the plywood and there are additional batons behind the plywood between that and the metal to take the bounce out of it and somewhere extra for screws. These extra batons are just glued to the metal using Stixall. The partition of the garage area provides a bit of support too. Hope that helps!
Hi guys, thanks so much for this really helpful video! Your van is brilliant! I was wondering if I could ask a quick question about your bed frame? I love how you’ve just used a separate piece of thick ply to create the mattress support for the slide out portion. I just wondered how thick this ply had to be for it to support both of you? I’m looking at building something similar for my transit! Cheers! :)
Hi thanks and I’m glad the video is useful! For both parts of the bed we use 25mm ply which gives the strength needed to support our weight. Hope that helps and enjoy your build!
Hey, guys! A wonderful conversion and well-presented video. If you don't mind could you please provide some links of how you have made the brackets for the slide our bed?. This is a great idea. Thanks.
Sorry just getting around to detailing the bed :). Had a couple of questions about it! The brackets are wooden batons on the sides screwed into the plywood and there are additional batons (offcuts of wood) behind the plywood between that and the metal to take the bounce out of it and somewhere extra for screws. These extra batons are just glued to the metal using Stixall. There are grooves cut too for the castor wheels to slide into once the bed is fully extended. Hope that helps!
Hey guys I'm absolutely loving your van! I've just started mine and using your ideas as inspiration!! Could you please comment about your Mobicool compresor fridge. I'd like to know roughly how much power it draws?? I've read mixed information about this one. Basically I've got a 140ah battery and considering not having solar and want to know if I can reasonably run this fridge. Can you please tell me what size battery and what size solar panel you run as well please? Thanks so much, see ya on the road/trails ;)
Hi oh thanks! That's great to hear :). The most exciting part is designing it all! Afraid I can't give much of an estimate on how much the fridge actually draws as we've got a few things linked up to the battery and with the solar panel the battery almost never drops below 100%. That's been mostly over summer though. Asked my brother as he got the same fridge too and he reckons very roughly 12w once it's at temperature. I'll check the solar panel and battery tomorrow (it's been that long since we did it I can't remember!)
@@LauraJaneWeeTamMTB thanks for the reply. I'm still in two minds about solar as I've got a 140ah battery I'd need over 300W solar panel to charge it which is ridiculously huge! I'd be interested to know what solar and batter combo you have and whether I could get away with having a smaller solar panel that just keeps it topped up rather than fully recharging it. I'm a total novice and it's such a minefield. Thanks for any advice ✌
oh wow yeah that would be crazy big. Checked out exact setup today - so we have two 120AH batteries and one 150W solar panel and the batteries are almost always at 100% between Spring-Autumn when parked up for days using the fridge, laptop charger, lights etc so reckon we could easily get away with one battery and that 150W panel. It really is complicated trying to work it all out - such a headache but once you've got it sorted you'll soon forget about it :)
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate that. Super helpful to get some perspective on what we might need. I suspect a 150w panel will do the job then!
great stuff very impressive video, due to loads of info ,so thank you for that... looks the nuts too..! lol ...made me think about it ....could i ask service cost for the year ? how much do you think you spent in getting it to the condition it is now...... will understand if you dont want to give this information,just wanted to know a rough cost...thank you..
Thanks glad it’s was useful. Had a lot of questions about the van over the last while so thought I’d put a video out there on it. The cost... I kept a log of some of the bigger things like windows, heater, ply, fridge, solar panels, batteries, hob etc. Probably overall 3-4 grand but that’s a rough guess. All the small things like screws, wood etc end up adding up to a decent bit. Once it’s done though there’s minimal cost, just the normal cost of keeping a vehicle so that part is good. Of course the more big trips you do the more tyres and brake pads and things you go through but it’s not too pricey. The road tax is a fair chunk - about 260 I think but insurance etc is fairly normal as it would be for any other vehicle. Hope that helps!
@@LauraJaneWeeTamMTB cool, could u maybe give me some youtube tips, and maybe give me some pointers to make my channel better? th-cam.com/channels/_-Sr2TuPtWFwbGHmquP7EQ.html appreciate it 🙏❤🤙
Hi sorry didn't see the reply! Great channel :) you have a good variety of videos so there are lots of different reasons for people to watch. Just keep putting out regular content and I'm sure you'll get lots of views. The video editing is really good imo, better than quite a lot of other stuff on youtube so keep at it!
Hey we covered the bikes at the end when talking about the garage, just explaining the front wheel comes off and they slide in sideways with a picture at 10:56 and talking about some other options people do. We don't have any special holders or mechanisms it's just placing them in that space
@@LauraJaneWeeTamMTB jasně, hele můžu mít otázku? Poslední dobou pokukuji po dodávkách s vestavbou. Mám tu vyhlídnutý jeden kus z roku 2007. Ale co pročítám info o motorech 2.2 tdci v transitech tak jsem docela silně znepokojen. Viz praskání pístů. Jaké jsou vaše zkušenosti? Díky za odpověď.
@@LauraJaneWeeTamMTB oh OK fair enough, theres lots of easy cable management systems available that are super easy to install, I use one for motorcycle wiring looms that splits to wrap around, look up split braided expandable sleeving loom cable wrap, best stuff I've used, don't have to disconnect anything either.
Nice van tour, I’m heading up to Scotland this year in my Transit custom, we toured all around loch lomend 3 years ago and it was fantastic, check out my channel
What a beautiful job! I do recommend that you enclose your propane in a propane locker vented through the floor. They do off gas in hot and cold. I would hate to see you get hurt. Best of luck on your travels!
Thank you! Yeah I think we ll get on that before we start using it again in spring hopefully. Sounds the sensible thing to do just in case. Cheers :)
Opening shot of the van I thought "I recognise that" and then you panned round to the sheepfold on the other side of the road. Cracking climb that.
Ah it is isn’t it! One of my local climbs on the gravel bike!
This is perfect!! Cannot wait to build mine now, so hard to find mtb campers! So Thankyou very much! Safe travels ✌🏼
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the vid. It’s great building it out and so worth it when it’s done!! Enjoy! 🤟
Fab job guys. Your van has come a long way since I last saw it !!! Respect Tomas for doing such a professional job. 👌
Thanks!! Yeah Tomas has put a lot of hours into it 😃 hopefully get to use it more come spring/summer again! And maybe get a catch up ride with you once we can!
Laura Jane & Wee Tam MTB Laura, that would be great. I can’t wait for this lock down to lift to get back into the borders for some proper borders mtb🤘
Same, at least the end is pretty much in sight :). Definitely, will keep in touch!
What a great intro
thanks!
Aquired a Transit Mark 7... Mostly already converted... Looking forward to getting out and about in it... Will stay around home.. Cornwall first then venture a little further..
Nice one! Van life is great. Makes it easier to get away for trips without loads of planning and you meet lots of amazing people on travels. Enjoy!
Nice van, done a cracking job 👍 🚐
Thanks!
That is phenomenal guys.... Wish I had the skills to convert something like that!!
Thank you! Tomas is the handy one! He's done a great job and we're away in it most weekends. If i'd try to build it there definitely wouldn't be a video 😂
@@LauraJaneWeeTamMTB Snap!! haha!
Really like your van guys good idea to get a company to do electrics and love the way you've done the bed top job
Thanks! Yeah the bed works really well for us still being a decent size yet having the living space too. Cheers 👍
Thats some set up fantastic well done guys.
Thanks! It’s been a good wee project!
Very nice build!
Cheers!
Great guys. Thanks for the video
Thanks for the comment! Glad you enjoyed it 👍
That’s a beautiful build well done
thank you!
Really good to finally see a video of it. I remember you showed me the photos from a while back but for some reason I thought the bikes went flat under the bed rather than upright. Looks much better this way :)
Yeah works really well! Can’t remember what stage that woulda been when I showed you - probably similar ish to this as it’s been set for a while now. Well happy with how it’s turned out 😁
awesome van!
Thanks!
Very nice van does the job!! Great video x😎😎
Thanks! I love it, hopefully get more use next year than this one! 🤞
Awesome vid, I remember meeting you guys last year in La Thuile 👌
Thanks! Oh I remember, we only met one guy from the uk (I think!) so I’m guessing it’s you. Was that at the river?
@@LauraJaneWeeTamMTB that was me! 🙂
Aw nice! It’s a small MTB world ! Hope you had an awesome time there
Very cool van 👌
Thanks!
Awesomee set up! The simple but effective sliding ply bed is such a good use of space! I just bought the exact same van as you and am looking to use the same type bed set up. I noticed that there are no extra supports holding up the bed, just the two beams running down the sides of the van. Is this correct, and are the beams simply just screwed in to the walls/fixing points of the van?
Thanks! Oh super, it works really well in this van to maximise your living space. That's right - It's held up by the batons on the sides screwed into the plywood and there are additional batons behind the plywood between that and the metal to take the bounce out of it and somewhere extra for screws. These extra batons are just glued to the metal using Stixall. The partition of the garage area provides a bit of support too. Hope that helps!
Awesome video 👍
Thanks!
Looks great - what mpg are you averaging on motorway's at about 60 MPH? Ta. Looking at a base van just like yours.
We were around 33 average I worked out when fully loaded for a trip. Since got an xlwb and that’s about 26!
How high off the ground are the seats and the bed? Very impressed with your setup!
Hi guys, thanks so much for this really helpful video! Your van is brilliant! I was wondering if I could ask a quick question about your bed frame? I love how you’ve just used a separate piece of thick ply to create the mattress support for the slide out portion. I just wondered how thick this ply had to be for it to support both of you? I’m looking at building something similar for my transit! Cheers! :)
Hi thanks and I’m glad the video is useful! For both parts of the bed we use 25mm ply which gives the strength needed to support our weight. Hope that helps and enjoy your build!
@@LauraJaneWeeTamMTB thanks very much for the info!
Van life = bliss 😃
Oh yep! It’s a lifestyle in itself 😃
Very cool
Thanks!
Hey, guys! A wonderful conversion and well-presented video. If you don't mind could you please provide some links of how you have made the brackets for the slide our bed?. This is a great idea. Thanks.
Thanks! We just developed the bed ourselves from an idea we had. I'll ask Tomas to note down the details here of what he did and materials :)
@@LauraJaneWeeTamMTB thanks 😊
Sorry just getting around to detailing the bed :). Had a couple of questions about it! The brackets are wooden batons on the sides screwed into the plywood and there are additional batons (offcuts of wood) behind the plywood between that and the metal to take the bounce out of it and somewhere extra for screws. These extra batons are just glued to the metal using Stixall. There are grooves cut too for the castor wheels to slide into once the bed is fully extended. Hope that helps!
Cool van but it's actually a lwb not mwb can tell by the side door runner length 👍
cheers! Haha so it is!
Where are u both from loving the videos
Thanks! Both in the Scottish Borders. I’m Scottish and Tam is originally from Czech Republic but in Scotland a very long time!
Hey guys I'm absolutely loving your van! I've just started mine and using your ideas as inspiration!! Could you please comment about your Mobicool compresor fridge. I'd like to know roughly how much power it draws?? I've read mixed information about this one. Basically I've got a 140ah battery and considering not having solar and want to know if I can reasonably run this fridge. Can you please tell me what size battery and what size solar panel you run as well please? Thanks so much, see ya on the road/trails ;)
Hi oh thanks! That's great to hear :). The most exciting part is designing it all! Afraid I can't give much of an estimate on how much the fridge actually draws as we've got a few things linked up to the battery and with the solar panel the battery almost never drops below 100%. That's been mostly over summer though. Asked my brother as he got the same fridge too and he reckons very roughly 12w once it's at temperature. I'll check the solar panel and battery tomorrow (it's been that long since we did it I can't remember!)
@@LauraJaneWeeTamMTB thanks for the reply. I'm still in two minds about solar as I've got a 140ah battery I'd need over 300W solar panel to charge it which is ridiculously huge! I'd be interested to know what solar and batter combo you have and whether I could get away with having a smaller solar panel that just keeps it topped up rather than fully recharging it. I'm a total novice and it's such a minefield. Thanks for any advice ✌
oh wow yeah that would be crazy big. Checked out exact setup today - so we have two 120AH batteries and one 150W solar panel and the batteries are almost always at 100% between Spring-Autumn when parked up for days using the fridge, laptop charger, lights etc so reckon we could easily get away with one battery and that 150W panel. It really is complicated trying to work it all out - such a headache but once you've got it sorted you'll soon forget about it :)
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate that. Super helpful to get some perspective on what we might need. I suspect a 150w panel will do the job then!
great stuff very impressive video, due to loads of info ,so thank you for that... looks the nuts too..! lol ...made me think about it ....could i ask service cost for the year ? how much do you think you spent in getting it to the condition it is now...... will understand if you dont want to give this information,just wanted to know a rough cost...thank you..
Thanks glad it’s was useful. Had a lot of questions about the van over the last while so thought I’d put a video out there on it. The cost... I kept a log of some of the bigger things like windows, heater, ply, fridge, solar panels, batteries, hob etc. Probably overall 3-4 grand but that’s a rough guess. All the small things like screws, wood etc end up adding up to a decent bit. Once it’s done though there’s minimal cost, just the normal cost of keeping a vehicle so that part is good. Of course the more big trips you do the more tyres and brake pads and things you go through but it’s not too pricey. The road tax is a fair chunk - about 260 I think but insurance etc is fairly normal as it would be for any other vehicle. Hope that helps!
@@LauraJaneWeeTamMTB ...great help ,thank you very much......time to start saving lol
No probs! It’s so worth it 👌
nice caravana
Thanks!
where is it yous are from? 🤔
Is it the accent? Tomas is Czech originally and I’m from Glasgow but live near Innerleithen 😊
@@LauraJaneWeeTamMTB cool, could u maybe give me some youtube
tips, and maybe give me some pointers to make my channel better? th-cam.com/channels/_-Sr2TuPtWFwbGHmquP7EQ.html appreciate it 🙏❤🤙
Hi sorry didn't see the reply! Great channel :) you have a good variety of videos so there are lots of different reasons for people to watch. Just keep putting out regular content and I'm sure you'll get lots of views. The video editing is really good imo, better than quite a lot of other stuff on youtube so keep at it!
@@LauraJaneWeeTamMTB thanks so much !🙏❤
You kinda missed what I though would be the whole point of the video... you don't show where/how the bikes go in?
Hey we covered the bikes at the end when talking about the garage, just explaining the front wheel comes off and they slide in sideways with a picture at 10:56 and talking about some other options people do. We don't have any special holders or mechanisms it's just placing them in that space
Ahoj, vy jste asi češi podle tý angličtiny že :)
Zdarec, já su Čech a mladá je Skotka 👍
@@LauraJaneWeeTamMTB jasně, hele můžu mít otázku? Poslední dobou pokukuji po dodávkách s vestavbou. Mám tu vyhlídnutý jeden kus z roku 2007. Ale co pročítám info o motorech 2.2 tdci v transitech tak jsem docela silně znepokojen. Viz praskání pístů. Jaké jsou vaše zkušenosti? Díky za odpověď.
Nemám tušení 🤷🏻♂️
Já mám dva transity, jeden camper a druhej pracovní ale nikdy jsem žádný potíže neměl.
S tímhle ti bohužel neporadím
Who ever you paid to do the electrics needs to give you your money back. That looks like a fire waiting to happen
That’s our fault for sure. We just got the basic electrics done but wired lights and the other stuff ourselves. We should tidy up these wires 👍
@@LauraJaneWeeTamMTB oh OK fair enough, theres lots of easy cable management systems available that are super easy to install, I use one for motorcycle wiring looms that splits to wrap around, look up split braided expandable sleeving loom cable wrap, best stuff I've used, don't have to disconnect anything either.
Thanks that sounds ideal! Will take a look and get on it with that 👍
😎🙌
Nice van tour, I’m heading up to Scotland this year in my Transit custom, we toured all around loch lomend 3 years ago and it was fantastic, check out my channel
Just saw your comment! Sounds great. It’s stunning around that area! Will have a look 👍