Practical Sienna Mini-Camper Van (1)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ต.ค. 2024
- This video shows how we converted our 2020 Toyota Sienna minivan into a mini-camper van. Not fancy, but functional and practical. It works out quite well for us. (The reference I mentioned in the video is from Bruce Parks, who showed how to remove the 3rd row seat and how to anchor the box frame to the van floor with hose clamps.)
More detailed information of the box platform can be seen in Part-2 of this series.
Window covering and front privacy curtain are shown in Part-3 of this series.
Traveling with a portable toilet is shown in Part-4.
Easier access to water through a faucet is shown in Part-5.
Ventilation and window screen are discussed in Part-6.
There are two additional videos discussing a flexible solar panel installation on rooftop and wiring issues.
Front window shades and ventilation using moonroof are shown in a later update.
A number of comments ask for folding mattress information:
We bought the mattress from Amazon:
amzn.to/3PhGiNp
The LED light:
amzn.to/3QlDdMI
![My Van-Life [Ep. #1]: The Van - 2023 Toyota Sienna Hybrid AWD](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/aAPC3LhUXZA/mqdefault.jpg)
What a simple, clever idea. An inexpensive conversion, created with precision. I must also add this: Mr Shen Ye, you are the most gracious tour host I have seen. Thank you for this lovely film.
Thank you very much for your kind words and encouragement!
Modern day miagi
He speaks so gently, clearly and with substance.
Thank you!
And also dignified.
I was thinking the same exact thing.
I'm going to practice being a calm speaker.
Even the bible says that a gentle answer turns away wrath.😍😇
I've looked at a ton of these types of videos. Yours really stands out for how smart the design is - down to the smallest details - and the excellent craftsmanship. Thanks so much for posting. Would love to know more about how you live and function in it during a typical day.
Hi Charlie, thanks for your kind words and encouragement! We had taken a few trips late last year and made improvements after each one. When weather gets better, we will take on trips again and will post.
This is a simple and practical Van Conversion. I like the idea of using 2 tripple-fold mattresses rather than a wide one. Also, the removable end part to be used as a table/bench, and the slide-out in the back to use as a cooking or food prepararion/serving surface, are both excellent ideas. Thank you for sharing.
Oh my gosh! I absolutely love the design! It is so practical and inexpensive. Your quiet, calm voice made the video even better and I very much enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing this with us.
I am glad you like it! Thank you!
I find this very relaxing to watch! The calmest , most gracious tour guide. Also exactly what I was looking for since I am planning to convert a Sienna
Thank you and glad it was helpful!
Thank you for Sharing your simple yet effective conversion. I appreciate your gentle tone and politeness!
what a soft spoken polite man, nice god luck in your travels
What a classy man he is!
Tons of storage under the bed and out of sight of prying eyes. Love your demeanor. Very peaceful, no self promotion, and no hype. Eager to watch how you built it.
Thank you!
Very simplistic and very practical approach. Yet, this design makes it easy to get to your storage areas. Many designs I have seen with under bed storage are very cumbersome to access. And, too high to comfortably sit up or too close to van ceiling, even when laying down. I like your design!
Glad you like it! Thank you!
What I love about builds like these is that everything is done manually.
You are absolutely right. Everything had to be custom made.
大叔，您做的真的很用心！一切都很仔细，甚至视频都是有准备了稿子。祝您旅途安全，健康出行哦！ 谢谢您的上传。
谢谢!
Your voice is so calming, you could be a sensei 🙏🏽. If I’m saying that right.
Thank you for the video, I didn’t search this, but it came up, I like the setup, it’s not for me, but I love the idea. It’s sleek and simple. I love your sienna and your set up, just showing some love! Hope everyone is safe and happy. Enjoy camping and traveling. We are going to do it someday (travel and camping) we are planing to get a sienna as well soon. Thank you so much, stay blessed 🙏🏽
So nice of you. Thank you!
I love seeing these Sienna mini camper van. Because finally got something that is possible lol. 2018 Sienna, if my parents dont ever want it anymore.
VERY, VERY IMPRESSIVE!
I sincerely loved your video.
The ONLY thing that I did not like was that I was dead set on buying myself a 2022 Ford Transit Connect XLT (approx. $30,000.00) this year to vandwell in, but now after seeing your video, I think that you have changed my mind in buying a 2022 Toyota Sienna Platinum (aprox. $50,000.00) with all the bells and whistles. Anyway keep making those videos because they are a very important tool in my tool box that keeps this wannabe vandweller educated. Thank you again.
Thank you and I am glad that the videos were helpful to you!
Really enjoyed your video, Sir, looking into converting our van into a campervan, as the idea of camping off the grid really appeals to me lately. Thank you again
Glad it was helpful!
He's majestic like a Crane and intelligent like a dolphin, and practical like a Corrolla
Beautiful conversion, job well done and explained
Thank you!
Great video! my husband is 6'4" and this might actually work for us if we decided to do car camping
Thanks and good luck!
First of all, that garage is so neat and clean. Kuddos! Great ideas for my van. Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
Nice job! Well thought out! 👍 I have a 2020 Sienna as well. I can't build it out fully because I still need it as a passenger vehicle, but I did use a couple of Bruce's ideas for the solar panel and removing the 40% side seat. In the place of the 40% side I have a storage bin sold by Toyota that fits in that space and built a platform for a 12 volt fridge and power station (Bluetti) which I keep there always for grocery shopping.
Hi Lilian, thanks for your comments! Nicely done for your Sienna to best suit your need. We also use our Sienna as a flat-bed cargo van. Cheers!
What is the Toyota part number for the storage bin?
@@GT705 try PT9240815010
Very Nice, if I decide to do something similar, I'll check out your videos! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful time on the road!
Thank you!
Absolutely fantastic design. I love it. Simple, utilizes space very well. Would love to know after many uses if there are some changes you might like to make for improvements?
Thank you! The current version has included quite a few changes based on the trips we had taken. I am sure that there will be more to come :-)
Good job! Glad more asians are looking into van life... waking up to nature is such an amazing feeling
Agreed.
@@ShenYe01 I did a 10 day trip from Los Angeles to Utah with 3 dogs a few years ago... not a single night in hotel, spent all 10 nights sleeping in state parks in a minivan... best thing I’ve did...
@@VincentS327 👍👍
@@ShenYe01 Be safe!! I would recommend getting a license and carrying a firearm if you’re in the States, take advantage of the 2nd Amendment to protect yourself while travelling out there.
Love how practical and simple this is. It looks like they have a great time on the road with it!
What a clever transformation of that bed! I love me a clever build and yours is impressive. Thanks for sharing it.
This is so excellent. Might do it! So many simple and practical approaches
Very well thought out, designed and executed. Simple and excellently crafted. Thank you very much.
You're very welcome! Glad that you liked it!
What a brilliant design and beautiful build! Thank you for sharing. We haven't started ours yet and are searching for ideas.
Thank you!
To keep mold down drill some holes in platform to aerate the pads. Great job looks simple and easy.
Thanks 👍
You are amazing, thank you so much for sharing this. I currently live in a Prius and have been looking at Sienna videos and yours was recommended to me. I hope you have been doing well since you posted this
You are so welcome! We owned a Prius and for its size the interior space is amazing. However, it is still no comparison to the Sienna. So far, we have been enjoying our mini camper.
Thank you so very much for sharing this with us! Your conversion has given me many ideas for my own and I am very grateful for your help. Your presentation was one of the most helpful I've seen on TH-cam and I wish you all the very best!!
Thank you!
Your video answered the many questions I had and inspired me with your clever solutions! Thank you, and stay safe!
Glad I could help!
Great, simple conversion. Has everything you need. Such a wonderful job you did. Best of luck in your travels.
Thank you! You too!
Thank you for sharing this simple yet functional build.
This is brilliant. Thank you for sharing your creative and practical solution.
You're very welcome!
You have a great mini camper. Also your video is nicely presented.
Thank you very much!
I'm so charmed by him. As well as educated. What a lovely find this was.
Ohh I just loved this. What a sweet and genuine man. Thanks for the tips!
You are so welcome!
So many great ideas in this build! I took a Sienna to the Grand Canyon on my first major road trip, this one is much more luxurious.
Thanks for watching!
That was an awesome conversion! I love your ideas and how everything just works well together! Thanks for sharing.
Glad you liked it!
I was having trouble figuring out how you managed to keep your rear slide out work surface from tipping forward...and then I spotted the little slits in the forward cross member that engage with the metal angle rail. KISS principle...well done.
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful van conversion. While I don't own a minivan, I will take some of your ideas to my Subaru Crosstrek. Your video was so pleasant to watch.
Thanks and glad the video was helpful!
Wow I’m impressed!!! Very well and thought out camper van!
Thank you!
Practical indeed. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you!
Beautiful job. We love our Sienna. It sounds like you love yours too.
Yes we do. We had a Sienna for 15 years before trading in for this one😊
Most tranquil voice on the internet
Thank you!
The simplicity is very impressive. If you sold the plans for this build with all of the dimensions, I am sure you would have several buyers.
Many many years ago, a seasoned engineer told me that a good engineer would always follow the "KISS" rule: Keep It Simple and Stupid :-)
simple and more useful. I like this van build
What a beautiful build. I think the woodwork very concise and simple! I'll look for Bruce Parks video. Happy travels to you both. 👍 😊
Thank you!
Super video. Very meticulous craftsmanship. I had considered the 2021 Sienna, but the inability to remove the 2nd row is the problem. Even the 2020 leaves you with limited space. I am of similar stature, but thinking I just want more space. Alot more! Maybe a 2021 Mercedes Sprinter. Maybe Toyota has something in between the size of the Sienna, and a Mercedes Sprinter. Well, enjoyed your tour. Thanks very much
Thank you for your comments! Toyota does have vans bigger than Sienna and smaller than Sprinter. Unfortunately those models are not offered in the US. We had considered Sprinter but our garage is too small for it.
Thank you Sir for a lovely explanation of a simple effective conversion sometimes people overcomplicate things this proves it does not have to be so.
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your idea., Mr. Shen Ye. Practical and simple. I hope I could find someone to do what you have done to your van for me . Peace be with you and your family.
This is awesome! Really well done. Thank you for sharing and safe and happy adventures with your van!
Thanks so much!
Love your build. Simple, elegant, functional.
Great video with an easy build. Problem is the bed takes up the inside. Very limited workable space because the bed is built for total space.
Thanks
It is very true. We want to have a good sized bed to get good night sleep. I guess that's the price we have to pay :-)
@@ShenYe01 fully understand. I have to dismantle every morning because I make my income driving rideshare and delivery during day.
Nicely done simple but practical.
Great job Mr. Shen!! 👏👏👏
Nice design! I have learned while actually living in it; if you have to move your bed to access things, it had become time consuming and bothersome. Safe travel and camping.🙏
Thank you! The "split mattress" design was my 2nd iteration. It makes life much easier :)
I'm gonna need to convert my minivan very soon. Looking for an idea. This video gave me a great & brilliant idea 💡 👍
Glad it was helpful!
Quality conversion and explanation. Thank you.
Very neat and tidy, and practical. Thank you for this tour of your van conversion. Many great tips. Happy travels
Thanks for watching!
好认真的TH-camr， 几乎回应了每一个网友， 赞👍！
谢谢🙏
Great video by a humble, polite and intelligent person. Thank you sir. I am using your ideas for my Odyssey. Good job.
Thank you!
Nice camper. Well thought out and nice execution.
A couple of points
1. Make sure you have everything secured. During an accident, or even a sudden deceleration, the plywood and camping gears can fly forward and become projectiles.
2. I would keep the heavy weights ahead of the rear axle. Your water jug is too bad as is. I don't know what other heavy stuff you will store there. I would store the water more forward because it is heavy. During fast manuvers (eg during emergency), the weight behind the rear axle can quickly unhinge your rear tires from the ground.
Anyway, nice work. Happy camping.
Since the van had two heavy seats in rear, I can't see why it is not designed for weight there. Two people in two heavy seats surely weigh more that his supplies.
Thanks for your excellent points! I tried not to make the video too long and many details had been left out. There are many safety locking mechanisms even though lots of them are simply using ropes. The total weight of my rig including fridge and battery but not water container is less than the seats removed. Besides the center of gravity is lower as well. So I think the driving characteristics should actually be better. Thanks again your comments!
@@ShenYe01 That's good to hear. Thanks !
Mr. Shen Ye... you made a great informative video highlighting you ingenious approach to building a simple and efficient camper. Thank you so much. I only wish I had your talents so I can make one also. It has become my dream.
Thank you for your kind words! Everything starts from small. Best wishes!
What a great conversion. I'm going to have to check out Bruce's video. I hope you have lots of great memories traveling in this van! Blessings, Helen
Thanks! We do have quite a few plans ahead of us :-)
This exactly what I'm looking for. Something simple so I can revert back when not camping.
Terrific, simple and well executed Sienna conversion! Congrats on a great job!
Thanks so much!
This is a great conversion. Thank you for sharing. I will use some of your ideas.
Glad it was helpful!
Great built, I like how you are able to sit in bed. All the reviews of the 2021 Sienna mentions that you cannot remove middle seat. I haven't seeing one in person but yes it looks like you cannot easily remove seat and put them back for the occasional time you need to. But if you are buying a 2021 Sienna for the purpose of building it, most likely they are bolted down so you should be able to removed them. I like the idea of a hybrid Sienna.
Hi Alex, well made points! We had a 2005 Sienna before our 2020 model. We liked the interior space and flat floor of the 2005 model. We had a very high hope that 2021 hybrid model would be a perfect fit. However, when it made its debut in May last year, we found the non-removable 2nd seat, smaller interior volume and the huge center console. (It was good move for Toyota to reduce the center console back to a more traditional form in final release.) Those were the factors pushed us back to 2020 model. The “boxy” image of 2020 model which 2021 model tries to replace is a plus if we want to use it as a camper van. I am sure that the 2nd row seat of the 2021 model could be taken out. But that’s not something we wanted to do. (We left the 2nd row seat rails of our 2020 model and worked around them.)
Thanks for watching and your comments!
Great set up. Beautiful work.
Thank you!
Very Nice. Simple & Practical 😊
Thank You Very Much !!
Welcome 😊
Beautifully, and thoughtfully done. 👍👍
Thank you!
Thank you for a great video! I don’t have a minivan but this could also be used in an suv,
I am glad that it was helpful!
Nice video, thank you for sharing your knowledge and time 🙏
Thanks for watching!
Very nicely done! It all looks well-designed and sturdily built, and I like all the easily-accessed storage.
Glad you like it!
It's very neat and I like it very much. I don't have wood working skills so I have a lot to learn. Thank you for sharing your design, Sir!
You are very welcome
Excellent /straight forward-thank you
Thanks for watching!
Beautiful simplicity. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Mr. Ye. I'm going to be converting a Sienna in a few months and you've got some neat ideas here.
Glad it's helpful to you!
I did something similar as your on my 2010 Sienna. It works great.
Very nice layout for your van! I wish I would have bought such a van now instead of the Rav4.
Thank you! I like Rav4, very nice car.
One of the best builds I have seen.
Thank you!
Mr. Ye. What an excellent use of space. I may try this on my Sienna. Thankyou and enjoy.
Thank you!
Very nicely done and very nice manner
This is fantastic!
We converted our 2008 sienna and I'm thinking we may have to upgrade after looking at your van!
Thanks! I am glad that you found it helpful!
The non removable middle seats was a No fir me wuth the new Sienna. I decided to keep my 2011 model, which I have had from new, and look for a good non- permanent mini camper set up. maybe elements of this will work for me. Its a great minivan and perfect for this conversion.
好棒的设计，收藏了，祝您旅途平安顺利🎉🎉
谢谢🙏
Thank you very much. There are some great ideas there. Much more sophisticated than my current bed.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for coming to this crazy USA, even though it must be tough for Asians right now. Stay safe and well.
Very well thought out plan and I love the versatility of bothe the table top
Thank you!
Now that is a solid, practical conversion. Gave me some great ideas! Thank you very much. ♥
Glad it was helpful!
vey good for a senior home build ..
I did not think about that, 😊
This was beautiful to watch. Great information and fabulous design.
Thank you! Cheers!
Cool video and cool build, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
I feel like I could learn so much from this man. Thank you
Nicely done conversion. At this point Bob Wells from CheapRV leaving would ask: 'How do you go the bathroom.....'
There are 5 videos in this series. "Bathroom" issue is discussed in Part-4, "Traveling with a Portable Toilet".
Nice. Very inspiring. Many useful ideas.👍
Wow I had no idea you could do this all in a van ..thank u for the video sir very nicely done!
Thank you!