Minivan Camper Build Tour with an Innovative Bed Solution! (Dodge Grand Caravan)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2021
- In this video we meet Ben, who has built himself a spacious little minivan camper that fits his needs perfectly. His adventure vehicle of choice is a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. Ben has some great ideas and gadgets here!
DATE FILMED: January 2020
► BEN'S BATHROOM & SHOWER DETAILS
From Ben: "#1 in a bottle, dump where appropriate. For #2 I use a plastic Folgers coffee can. Doggie bags from WalMart fit it perfectly, then the doggie bag goes in the trash. For showers, most nights I take a sponge bath in the van using less than a quart of water. I use castile soap and just dump it out. When I want to wash my hair and get more clean, I'll go out to a private place in a gully or a forest and use 2-3 quarts of water. I'm not full time so I tend to be in non-freezing weather. I want to use magnets to fix a tarp to the rear liftgate on the minivan, which should give enough privacy to shower without having to wander off for privacy, and would make using a heated pot of water easier. I haven't tested this though; Quartzite this year was going to be the trial run. When traveling in Canada I use showers at the community rec centers. They range from free to $2.50. What a great place to go in the summer!"
► BEN'S GEAR
** Reflectix for window coverings: amzn.to/2NbM7kp
** Ikea bed slats (I think these are the right ones): www.ikea.com/us/en/p/luroey-s...
** Bike rack: XPORT Slipstream, which doesn't seem to be made anymore, but you can find pictures and reviews of it online if you Google it
** Backup camera: It was $24 on eBay and is no longer available from the seller.
** Ben's thoughts on his camping lantern: "Faulty Yeti lamp from REI scratch n dent sale, fixed by me, works after fix but REI had a lot of them so the product has a problem, not recommended."
** Single-burner butane stove: "Hmart sells these for under $25, butane is available there at $5 for a 4-can pack. I think WalMart wants $2.75 for just one can so Asian supermarkets are the right place to get butane."
** Perforated vinyl: amzn.to/3pajH85
** Suaoki 150Wh portable power station: amzn.to/36X4sJb
** USB fan: amzn.to/36UDv99
** USB charging base for electric toothbrush: www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-USB...
--------------------
► Adventure Know-How: adventureknowhow.com/
► The SUV RVing Website: suvrving.com/
► My online store (SUV camping/vandwelling/overlanding accessories & SUV RVing merch): KamchatkaGear.com
OTHER LINKS
** Gear I use: suvrving.com/gear
** SUV RVing the Book: amzn.to/2SUrtme (Affiliate link)
** The blog: suvrving.com
** The company I use for my web hosting: www.a2hosting.com?aid=5dd04ea50f139 (Affiliate link)
** Instagram: / suvrving
** My other TH-cam channel: / tenkaraaddict
#minivan #camper #vanlife
What's your favorite part of Ben's build? And be sure to check the video description for info about Ben's gear and also what he uses as far as shower and toilet needs.
The bed! A steel pole down one side and floating at the rear, genius! Has he tried warming his body with a hot water bottle or two? That's what I do in the UK, it's incredibly effective and they retain a level of warmth for at least 5 hours if they are kept under covers with your body heat.
The suspended steel/wood bed platform was fantastic, and the perforated vinyl on the windows was great too. I wish Ben would do a video on installing the perforated vinyl, since he already showed the bed on this video.
@@MelodyJuneInPa I’ve done that video, but haven’t ever uploaded it.
That bed. So did he put legs on the front
@@somenomad5332 YES
He got me when he said he was a “Combination of unimaginative and lazy.” I want to have a beer with this guy.
Honesty and humility is an attractive combination 🙂
I think we might be related 🤔
Then you sound very imaginative to me, you have done a very good job! I needed the information about the mosquito nets, thank you very much! 💕😊
That's one of the ways I judge various people I see on TH-cam. Would I want to have a beer with him or her? This guy, for sure!
It doesn't have to look pretty. It just has to work
Bed without the legs is the best idea. Thank you for the video.
If he parked on unlevel ground, he can just adjust his ropes.
@@DannyB-cs9vx dang I didn’t even think of that. What a great advantage.
Awesome with no legs
I love your interviewing skills. Let them tell their story. Genius. Good stuff.
Yassssss, I didn't know how much I missed this... 'ask the question & let them answer/tell their story'!!! So many influencers forget this... 💯
What a genuine person. I wish I was as content with things/life as Ben.
Loved how he said he was basically equal parts unimaginative and lazy... that gave me a little laugh. I can totally relate, even though it’s obviously not so true in his case :)
Ben is my kind of guy fo sure. Chill with Ben.
Agreed
Sardines - protein and Omega 3 - good stuff!
I take camping trips in my 2012 Town and Country, ( 180,000 miles). and love it! I especially loved the bed design and use of the seat in the third row. I started out with a cot from Walmart and thought I was high tech! I also love my little Suaoki power station. I am 80 so this could be my last year in my "camper". Thank you for the very interesting tour. Happy camping!
@Joyce Franklin, I also have a T&C with the same mileage. It’s a 2006. I had to replace many things over the last 3 yrs, so I will drive it, till it falls apart. I love my minivan. Been on the road since January. ✌️
He's like a cross between your favorite uncle and MacGyver. Love it!
The floating bed. He could probably do something similar with the front legs too.
Ben would be a great TH-cam channel host. Very natural, humble, and friendly.
I really like that he can have a bed *and* a chair! And a foot rest! Very cool.
Ben is anything but unimaginative. Great idea w/ the bed design. Nice van
Great van tour video. I loved how he used the seat belt mounts to hang the end of his bed so he doesn’t waste floor space. Very minimal with light weight components and removing his seats is great for gas mileage.
I am disabled . For the last 9 years I have been pretty much bed bound excepting doctors visits , etc . I spend every day in my bed room qith an en suite bath room . In doing so I discovered that I only needed about 750 sq feet . I imagine I could easily adjust to living in a large van pretty easily . The spirit is willing .
I love the side chair and stool for putting one's legs up!
Hubby and I JUST bought a 2016 Chrysler Town and Country 4/8/2021 (basically the same as Ben's 2016 Dodge Grand caravan - after our 2007 Dodge grand Caravan 'croaked' once too often). Our T&C has the trim levels he wants - with the adjustable cabin windows! :-) trying to convince hubby to 'boondock' in our 'new' minivan or at least sleep overnight to avoid hotel room $$$...LOVE Ben's sense of humor!
I'm 67yrs old and bought a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. I'm living in a Stationary camper right now, but after seeing all these ingenious ideas I'm ready to take the plunge !! Freedom awaits ✨ 🙏 ☺
"Hey, that's what makes it bespoke!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Love this!
My favorite part of this van is it's not all wood lining and $200 faucets in a cast iron sink. 👍👍
Super cool comment!
So efficient and resourceful, but must have the powered toothbrush 😂👏👏👏
If you're getting good mileage, don't let the dealer tell you they have a software update. Don't let them reprogram the engine, transmission computer. It can kill your fuel mileage!
Fuel economy, pfft! Drive it like you stole it! 😀
I'm about to start living in my 2009 grand caravan so I'm so grateful for videos like these to show me its possible. Im so excited and look forward to the road ahead especially when I have videos like this to learn from. I do love his form of laziness because being broke I need to know whats absolutely needed and cheapest
My favorite part is the bed build using steel to eliminate the middle leg & also the suspension at the rear door so it’s easier to get into his storage. Thanks for the tour, Ben. Great video as usual, Tristan. Safe travels. Mo in NJ
Hi Ben....get it set up for 2 of you...somehow. 😀 What about a tiny utility trailer? Not sure of the towing capacity of the Dodge....your knowledge can answer this decision. It is important that a husband and wife be together to enjoy things....shared experiences. Your Dodge van is wonderful!
That back part is super clever! Also the duct tape on the screens.
Realy like your build one of the best I've seen and easy to do, I'm going to do one this spring I'm 68 and tired of tents up and down so my van is going to become my sleeping and camping outfit for me and my granddaughter that's 6 and blind we love camping go about 6 or 8 times a summer
I like the screen cover for window
Love how he goes on trips without his wife.
She probably loves it too 😉
The bed frame is a revolutionary one in my mind. 2x4s are heavy. The ventilation under the bed is a must have for mold but it may be his heat loss problem. Summer camping for sure. Portable solar panels and a jackery type system. Thanks for the great ideas and safe traveling for you both.
Ben is one cool dude...the type you like meeting at a campsite, share a beer and talk story. I like the bed set up that allows storage underneath.
What a pleasant fellow. Thank you for sharing his build.
I have a 2010 grand caravan that I camped in in the western u s for a year. Also make yearly winter trip from east coast to az and ca (pre covid). I use a Coleman comfortsmart cot. This allows me to tent camp and sleep on the cot. I use larger storage containers. I cook outside using the containers as tables. They are stackable. Made two risers that level the cot in the van.
Turns out, sardines are about one of the most health beneficial foods on the planet!
Really? Aren’t they salty? I would think it is too much sodium. Maybe they could be soaked to get rid of most of the sodium. Mo in NJ
@@monnaprovost7294
Sardines are not that salty. The best are the ones packed in water. No oils! You may be thinking of anchovies, now those little suckers are packing some sodium!!!
I live out of my Prius, and eat a lot of sardines.
Enjoyed this video interview with Ben...1) He's an engaging, funny guy with interesting information, and, 2) I *always* love your minivan no build videos. Getting ready to take the leap myself. Thanks so much! :-)
Camper van not a living van and that makes a difference!
Great tour! Simple, minimalist solutions and clear open space inside, really nice! Thank you Tristan for showing us those happy people enjoying freedom and being creative!
OMGosh you are adorable. ❤️
Really enjoy these types of videos. I like the bed design.
Bed hanging in the rear is GREAT!!! Lots of bed slats, some covered on Amazon...just found them a few days ago before watching this!
Nice idea using the tubular steel to construct the bed. Definitely would save some weight and allow more versatility and accessibility for underbed storage.
Saw the Peachtree road race shirt and clicked immediately. Watching sunrise from my condo balcony over peachtree street now and shopping for my caravan camper. Great job, neighbor.
Ok. Adore this guys vibe. Hope he makes his own channel but I assume he’s too chill. Maybe a TikTok. 😂👍🏼
Good simplicity. I like the suspended 2X4 on seat belt supports.
Love that bed!! I wish I could see more details of exactly how it was built. I'm already researching how to do this in my Windstar. Thank you!
Will you please post if you find a good lead? I’m interested as well!
@@darcynorth1862 Me three! :)
Awwww your wife can do it....just hop in and go live this awesome journey with your hubby!
Absolutely 👍. Cozy and carefree. If mine was here, he would be cheering me on 💫💥🌹
Simple but smart! I did it similar, but I took a bed from the army with woolen covers in the right side and my bike inside near the bed in the left side. No "go pro" and no solar only for the small batteries. Cooking with petrol outside, water for drinking and washing in several small containers. I have no 4wd only a small van but I hope to make soon a little money to "relive" the old french lady for hikes in nature. Have fun! 😉
This is similar to an idea I had: Zero build-- find some kind of bed frame for your "platform"...take the legs off the driver's end so it sits on the folded seat, and on the tailgate end the legs are used to keep the bedframe level. Being that its a "bedframe" it should be rigid and light and have ventilation. Presumably also less bulky than a wooden frame.
I have a similar setup in my 2009 4runner. I used aluminum rather than steel. And the sleeping shelf is above the inner wheel well. No 3rd row, and I removed the seat bottoms of the 2nd row. My sleeping shelf is on the passenger side 60% with that seat back down. I leave the driver side back up; works great for groceries, etc.
For mattress, I use a 3" Thermarest; for mattress support, I use plywood. When I am not camping, I remove the mattress to give me a shelf for general use (hauling stuff from Home Depot)
That's so smart!! That bed is brilliant👏👏👏👏
I love all the different ways everyone figure it out.
I wonder if the collapsible electric tea kettle would work for him with the power station he has. That way he can enjoy some coffee!! Awesome build!
Ben's design for his bed is truly inspired "out of the box" thinking. I also loved that he, like I would choose use one of the Caravan's far rear seats. My thinking is that when I get my van set up, I do not want to be sitting on my bed for daytime relaxation, reading or eating.
I choose to use as much of what comes with the van as possible and then try to be innovative with the other necessities like bed, water, cooking and power (etc).
Kudos to Ben on his great build/non-build! Add him to the list of Nomads I would like to meet when I get out there.
My daughter and son an law have the dodge van . The kids say mama loves that van , she goes everywhere in it .
Ugh! Why did I have to watch this? Now I feel the need to rebuild my bed like Ben's. LOL.
LOL. I'm just glad I watched it before I built mine. I was going to do a slat bed, but with all wood. The metal sides are brilliant.
@@freedomdove Ikea has READY MADE slats for single and double beds, no need to buy separate slats and secure them with tier-ups. Also, Ikea’s concave slats provide further cushioning and make for a more comfortable bed.
@@arcenciel2968 I'm working with a 23" x 70" space so I have to make a custom bed.
@@freedomdove In that case, if the ready ikea slats don’t fit (although I remember that for the length you can remove/cut away the excess slats as for the width you can manage some trimming on both sides), another idea which is easier and cheaper is to get a marine ply cut to your dimensions, and then, so as to achieve aeration for the mattress and weight reduction, fill it with a pattern of holes made with a hole saw. It’s sturdier, easier, cheaper and possibly of similar weight to the slats. Good luck.
@@arcenciel2968 Thanks. I've thought about doing that. I will just cut down the slats to fit my width of bed. I don't really want to do the plywood with holes cut out. It seems better to me to go with the slat system since plywood is so expensive right now. I don't weigh very much so it should be plenty enough support for me.
Awesome rig! Thanks for sharing your van with us! Love the no legs bed!
I love to see how other people get creative. Great idea. It helps me a lot watching these videos 😀
"I'm a combination of unimaginative and lazy."🤣🤣🤣
To build my sleeping platform in my Dodge Caravan, I used two milk crates in front turned on their sides. In back, I placed two milk crates simply upside down in back. On top of the 4 milk crates, I attached two 73 inch long steel L-bars.
The floor is deeper in front in most minivans, so two milk crates placed on their sides in front help level out the bed from front to back.
On top of L-bars, I placed a sheet of plywood that matches the width of my single mattress.
Of course, milk crates also make great floor drawers.
I can remove my bed in two minutes when I get home from camping. I don't have stow'n'go so I take out the back seats, but leave the middle seats in the floor.
I really love the simplicity of your setup. When I got my used escape, I laid the back seats down, got my sleeping bag washed, and was sure I was going to do what you're doing, but never have. Might be getting too old, but you're inspiring. Keeping things simple is great.
I loved my old miniram. The running gear lasted even longer than the body. Nice job, Ben! Great use of existing features.
He has some ingenious ideas, the bed being just the beginning!
He's adorable
I've seen those slats on Ikea's website and I love how he created a bed with them. Great idea.
Ahhhh, strong work Trist in having the man actually sit in his rig reading his book physcially demonstrating it. Gives an idea of his size in comparison to the inside of his van. What was his height btw? I didnt catch that in the vid.
Good basic design. Like how you maximized you're rear storage with the suspended bed support. Haven't seen that before. I'd add a small foldable table.
I love it. I wish he shows the details how he built the front legs.
Pls patent the RV Hovering bed. Great work Sir.
👍👍 The toothbrush-sock-prop was the winning design feature for me. Keeping your toothbrush vertical is a frequently overlooked necessity. Socks are so cool.
OMG ! @NeilBarrett, you are so funny! Loved your response! I thought it was sooo Bushcraft! Or maybe brushcraft 😉
Nice video. The mileage he states (25 City / 30 HWY) is more along the lines of a 4 cyl engine. All I see online for that van is 17 City / 25 HWY, like most 6 cyl engines.
I have a 06 C/V van (post office) with the 3.3 V6 and I get around 22 Hwy. I'd take his van any day! Nice build.
I have a 2013 Ram C/V which is essentially the same as the Caravan. I can confirm i have gotten as high as 28 mpg on the highway. My mixed average is around 23 mpg so he's not too far off.
Some seats removed makes it lighter.
I am not one bit concerned about mpg in my Grand Caravan. I enjoy my Thule top box, and a truck cross box on my hitch carrier. It's all about the fun in the woods and snow 🍻 . Those good times I will reflect upon with a smile on my death bed 😎
I love his set up & the purferated vinyl on the windows. Thank you for letting me know that Dodge makes a Grand Caravan that the side windows roll down 👍 My dog thinks this is necessary 🤗. Look forward to meeting you both on the road someday 🙋
The bed frame is my favorite part. I was already going to make a bed platform with those slats. It never dawned on me to use metal for the sides, though. Great idea. I'm thinking that design or something similar would work for my bed. Thanks, Ben.
A great source for cheap, or free, bed frame angle iron is actual metal bed frames. People give away old frames. I usually just need to put the word out via "Craig's List" or similar (we have a local one called "One Man's Junk")
@@norsefalconer Great idea, thank you. I was already thinking of using regular angle iron instead of tubular.
@@freedomdove You're welcome. I'dbe willing to bet there's someone in your circke that has one stashed away.
The steel parts could be even lighter by using aluminum
Get yourself a small domedic refrigerator like Tristens and a solar panel.
Ben, what a great build ! You're a very crafty man !
That's a smart van build with hardly any nuts, bolts or screws! Bed design is very clever by eliminating so many legs that get in the way of storage bins. Thank you for shariing!!!!
Really champion vid, ta. I've subscribed- Your use of a pleasant and efficient video with additional text explanation is grand, and from my experience unique! Of course the bed set-up was quite innovative, loved it. I have a 2010 Chrysler Town & Country and I would like to do a 'simple build'. Have to go along with Roam4Fun, LifeisGood, and batwood below! Sorry, Ben, unable to do the coffee container toilet. I'll buy a cassette type (probably due to the fact I'm nearly 70). Also, as I'm in a winter cold region I was planning to try the single burner cook stove set-up for heat as needed. It's on the channel CheapRVliving, video "Cheap Heat for Van Living'. I've gotten a battery powered carbon monoxide detector. Brilliant job, lads- best to ya!
Been a long time since I've heard the expression " Champion"', Are you from Manchester Jack? ee by gum..! My grandparents lived in Ardwick during WW2. I now live in Virginia, always love traveling home and visiting all the sights I remember around Lancashire and Yorkshire. All the best to you. John
Changed from a 2019 tucson it was just too small even with the seats pulled. To a 2014 dodge caravan. I def miss the suv but I do love the caravan My delema was accessing the sto n go seat Wells with the bed legs Thank you !!!
Ha ha ha ".... you can probably buy one on Amazon for twice that..." ha ha ha, so true.
Nice van. Good ideas. Thanks for the laugh. 😀
That was so funny ...he was quick.
Great solution for the bed. I could never understand why people do wooden legs instead of thinner, stronger metal legs. Using metal for the sides of the bed is going to another level.
I agree 👍
Thanks. So sorry for the loss of your van recently. The good thing is that you did not get any serious injuries by yourself. Keep pressing on.
Did Ben get in a wreck? Or maybe you're referring to Tristan's Yukon tipping over. th-cam.com/video/EhppaZ-WeTQ/w-d-xo.html
Great build! Very approachable for a new van camper with building equipment that’s easy to find. Thank you!
I really liked Ben’s setup. I have a Town and Country which is very similar. I really like the bike rack and the leg less bed!
He Has A Very Nice Cool Camper Van Yes I Do Like Alot YES
You answered all my questions, Tristan. Nice tour and thank you and Ben for sharing.
My fav is leaving third row small seat.
the two by four in the back is ingenious.
I love his bed. Much better than all wood
love this simplicity, thank you for the ideas... just add some kinda foldable addition to widen the bed... hmmm might need more storage though for her stuff.... :) but sure you could minimize on your end.. lol.. as long as your wife would enjoy the experience, you may be surprised are her willingness to accommodate... love rules always. God bless you
I loved that he suspended his bed! They make collapsible usb rechargeable tea/water kettles.
I love these video tours of different campers that you do. This is what brought me to your channel. I drive a 2012 RAV4 and last year i decided to look into camping inside my car instead of my tent. I've gotten a lot of ideas from you and have bought several items you have. Just completed my second camping trip. On the first, I arrived at my disbursed campsite in a howling wind storm. It was so cool that i was all set up and didn't have to struggle laying down a ground tarp and setting up a tent! I have a 100% No Build setup. But I still have too much gear. Id like to always have my bed free of stuff on top of it. So still fine tuning. That's why I love to see others setups. My favorite part of Ben's setup was the perforated vinyl. I've never seen that before. I have tinted windows so don't need it but still enjoy learning about new products. Thanks again for another informative video. 🥰
You can add window visors to your drivers and passenger doors. This allows you to open the windows an inch and the visors does not allow the rain to come in through the windows.
Great bed set up! Thank you for sharing...
Rather an honest person using what he has to make it work. Very passionate about camping. I do think he needs to do more homework with electric cooking requirements. I smile because my last test of a bed I used a bar across the rear end holding up with ropes. It saves a lot of space for crates and odd items. Keep up the good work!
Thank you 🙏 for sharing your van 🚐 build. Please stay safe.
Hahahahaha... this is a trip, as they used to say back in MY day! The subtle and not so subtle coincidences and connections thru time, over time, have encountered following your site has been truly amusing, as well as... In my travels had use of a, '69 Ford Fairlane, 302 cu. in., 3 speed automatic with 2WD and 116" wheelbase with 8" clearance. Later had two vans: 67 Chevy, 250 straight six and a 72 Dodge extended version that had a 318 cu. in. vs 360 cu. in, both commercial use type vans. As I modified both the vans installing beds and storage spaces I can attest to the logistics of managing storage areas. Prefer cabinets, drawers and doors over ramshackle pidge-podge storage in baskets. However in my day Organization = Efficient. Nowadays, less so. Take photography for example. Pre-digital picture taking required multiple bulky and delicate cameras and lenses or as a rule the bigger the negative, e.g., 2"X2" Hasselblad much closer to current digital technology. Your ph takes better pix than my old 35mm Nikon with a 70-222mm zoom, but not my 100mm telephoto lens. My first digital was a Canon I could toss around like a baseball and continued to zoom and have hands above better resolution and make picture perfect profile and landscape reproductions, with a camera the size of a baseball, I used for 15 yrs. Now admittedly I got a little carried away with my example, but the premise, Less nowadays is More than before holds water pretty much across the board. Cooking equipment is another good example - singular cannister propane cookstoves were around "Back Then", but tho their utility was easily recognized they didn't proliferate until a decade or so ago. And I don't have to tell you of all the advantages todays cell ph's provide - they've made the necessity of personal contact utterly ridiculous in this day and age, relatively speaking... yeah you missed that; it means relative to what it was back in the 1970's.
Unimaginative? Ben that bed settup is genius!
I like the bed build, very different, easy, and lots of usable space under it.
Baby that transmission!
I'm in love with my minivan too I call it whitey. Super great on gas.
Very nice man. I have a 2013 DGC and appreciate tips that was shared.
The bed and chair are my faves.
Yum...really good ideas you haven’t seen before!
Wow, you did great! This is awesome!! Thanks for sharing!
A very intelligent and humble soul, a combination that few have, much respect to this gentleman.
I really like the no legs bed thank you for sharing
Thank you