I hope you guys liked the video and if you have any questions then please feel free and comment down below. Here is a link to Alan's TH-cam channel - / @theomwagon8564
I apologize if there are people upset about their questions not being answered. My uncle in the video had a stroke a couple months back. The original plan was for him to to answer your questions since he was the one who built this camper van. He was doing van life up until the time he had his stroke which has been like almost a year now. So I haven’t really felt like putting it on him to answer questions. He’s actually selling the van at the moment, in the Jim, Thorpe, Pennsylvania area if any of you guys are interested. Just leave me a comment and I’ll get back to you guys. I hope you guys understand and I just wanted to let you all know what’s up because some were upset that we weren’t helping you guys out. Thank you guys.
I just found this video. So sorry to hear the news about your uncle. I was looking forward to check out his channel and adventures. When he said Chattanooga, I was like, that is in my area! You can find a link to my Facebook on my about page. If you can PM me the details of the van I would like to know.
So sorry to hear this. I just saw this video today. Alan seems like a really good guy. Great video, full of lots of great ideas! Thank you for posting an update of your uncle's unfortunate situation, hope he continues to make a full recovery.
the milk crates holding the solar system are a great idea! Love your van! A setup like this seems much more achievable to me than a lot of van influencers
Im sorry for what happened to your uncle i hope he's alright right now, but man this van tho.... This is the REAL vanlife simple, modest, only what you need. I love these builds.
I really love this, I am so tired of videos from people that are about van life, yet have $30 candles and fake plants stuck down with velcro. Your build has what you need and use, solid imo bro!
Some Vanlifers go for too much design and expense, but I love your pure essential utilitarian build. Plus using recycled materials is better for the environment than all than rampant consumerism. Good job.
Thanks for posting. My conversion had two core rules; a fixed bed so I don’t have to fold it every morning & a storage system that allows access to everything without having to move anything out of the way. It required a commitment to minimalism.
Nice Ideas especially the Clothes Rack across the back & the 1/4" Foam Insulation between the Door Panels to deaden the Sound & Insulation. I will definitely implement these in my 2009 GMC Savana Cargo Van. The GMC & Chevy Vans are the Best Vans on the Road and there is plenty of Spare Parts readily available as there are so many of these Vans on the road. Thanks for sharing & enjoy your Travels! Cheers! Cedric
I like this van build very much. Especially the part of all the attachments being de-mountable! And also one more thing I really like about this, is the use of plastic drawers and milk cartons. The idea of having same wood paneled drawers which always look good just doesn't appeal to me. Heck, I have no such uniform panels in my actual house, so I would be pretty okay with such non uniform drawers in a van, if they get the job done! Great purpose driven build. I like it!
I don't put chemicals in my toilet and my toilet is exactly the same one that you have. But the Wastewater that you would just throw away I use that to clean my potty. It works really good and you can always dig a hole about 6 in deep and dump the Bop party waste into the hole and cover it up. That works out really good for me
Finally a build that's simple and works. I've been crawling for weeks through builds that have folks making fancy walls, ceilings, and floors. Mines going to be for oversize escort so it doesn't need to be fancy at all. This gives me a great feel for interior space and layout, much more than other videos. Thank you!
"one of the most important things in Van Life is to have good Vannillation" 🦊💯✔🦊 #12:14 Gotta have a Good Van Fan! I F*%C%ng Love this guy! Probably about how my van is gonna look in the beginning. Cant wait to get mine soon! I plan to get the van and just upgrade as I go. This lifestyle is right up my alley. I cant wait to join the Van Clan! ! 🦊😉😎
OMG! My wife has been watching all these fancy ($$,$$$) van conversion videos over the last three days (she's an Honda Element camper, but has been looking to upgrade). She was playing your video and told me to come check it out.. After 5-10 minutes we were convinced this was a 'parody' of all the people making the high cost conversions (and most don't mention how much it costs them). We were rolling on the floor laughing our asses off! Please don't take this as criticism! Not at all, outside my wife's roof mounted 'eCamper' that was a few $$$$, her set up is very similar to many things in this video. Great ideas on a budget!
I really like the set-up, low ceiling vans (like I have) are harder than camper ceilings. I really love the shelf on the back above your bed and I will use that idea in my own build!
My stove top can be noisey while driving, so I'll put a dish/hand towel under the cover to travel without the raddle. Still learning to make better use of space. Like your set up. Thanks for sharing.
This is an amazing build. Please let Alan know my prayers are with him. I saved this video in Hope's of someday building out my Chevy. I use it to haul freight & live in just the area behind the seats (think rig set up) I actually thought of reaching out to Alan to help with the build cause my health and strength are not the best. I have to figure out an alternative income cause freight hauling doesn't allow much room for living, plus it's hard on Van & me :( Stay Strong Alan. I've seen others get back out on the road after major health set backs. I pray this may be your route if you wish.
Tank you, thank you, thank you. I'm setting up a 2019 Chevy Express. Same van for the most part. You gave me great ideas. I'm trying to do what you've done for storage. I dont have the electrical, carpenter or tools knowledge. But I can work with bungee cords and clips.
Awesome build,young man! Just got a 2019 Chevy express passenger extended...so length long windows both sides...can you tell me where you got the window coverings. Stay well, Rick
I'm just finishing my 09 Express 2500 build (or as much as I want to do to leave). I like the rack you have over the back doors for clothes. I think I will put that in mine as well. I went another way though with the bed, stove, and cabinet setup. I have barn doors and build a folding table into the left barn door where I cook. I use the same stove bot bungee it on that same door under the folded down table. The cabinets and the bed were frustrating and I redesigned/rebuilt the bed 4 times before settling on a Teton cot. I fold it up when not in use and it lays on the floor out of the way. I then bought 2 Ikea Kallax cabinets (2 doors tall by 4 doors long) with one on the passenger side which I shaved 5 inches off to fit and one on the drivers side. The drivers side cabinet left me 12"+ by the back doors which is where my 2 6 gallon water tanks stay. In back on the drivers seat I built a bulkhead using 2x4s and plywood and have all my solar electrics on the backside and using the 2x4 as shelving, I keep my paint cans and odds and ends on the side facing the back of the drivers seat. Like you, a fridge between the seats. I put a 1x5 down both sides of the van where the wall meets the ceiling so that I could put 4 18" hanging baskets for all non refrigerated foods. Because of the wheel wells, I lost 1/2 of the 3 left bottom and right bottom cabinets but still store odds and ends. The use of these cabinets and the cot give me 34 inches of open space down the center of the van when the cot is folded up. And oh, batteries are behind bulkhead on drivers side and I even have 2+ feet for what I call a garage for my woodworking tools that I fixed to the wall using french cleats I made. I wish I had seen your vid earlier because you gave me a few idea I could have incorporated but you know how it is, you're never really done with your build right? But I will steal that idea on the rack for cloths above the back door. My cloths are in 3 of the drawers(?) on the drivers side cabinet but this will free up that space. And every inch in my van is at a premium! By the way, did you ever look into using lump charcoal to handle humidity/condensation? I did a bit of research on it months ago and found that the japanese have used it for centuries to control humidity. I have 3 2 liter jugs of it in my van but have not had a chance to test whether it works or not yet.
I know this was a while ago, I hope you and your uncle are doing well. I would love to know where you purchase the perforation for the windows, its so neat. Brilliant.
I would love a link to the stuff you put on your windows on the outside that is white with little holes that lets the light in, but no one can SEE in!...Thank you! Love your set up!! I think I'm liking this type of van the best now too....
Have you considered a 5000 BTU standard house window air conditioned mounted in the rear door window of the van with about a 3500 watt Harbor Freight quiet inverter type generator sitting on a carrier that plugs into the trailer hitch for them unbearable hot days ? Those trailer hitch carriers will hold 500 pounds.
Enjoyed your video. Love the window covering. I don’t think it is safe carrying propane in front. I have a Honda Element and I carry a small basket on my tail hitch.. Think that would be a good place to secure a portable propane tank
After all these years in Arizona I am being 'bought' out of my condo at fair market value. Have been looking at the huge Ford Transit van to convert into RV started reading horror stories concerning Ford engines. Now considering downsizing to 2019 Chevy 2500 extended van with the Dependable V6. Still making up my mind as I have family so it's not like I won't have a house to touch base with.
I started out looking at the fords as well and heard about the issues with tritons. Every Sprinter I see on the road is full of rust. Looked at the new promasters but settled on an 09 express 2500. Bought it in 09-2018 and happy so far (although it's not a long time). But I gotta tell ya, having square sides like the promaster would make the build a lot easier. But again, you do that once right?
@@suprapike I agree the engines are decent but I'm reading horror stories about brakes steering boxes and drive shafts. If it's working for you great I'm not going to take any chances going to stick with Chevy van thanks very much for getting back to me
Not so sure about horror stories, but there were some issues with the Transit when they first came out. They've gotten the bugs worked out of them, except for the diesel engine. I wouldn't buy one with that engine, but the other ones are fine. The Transits are known for being the easiest of the euro-style vans to drive. Not knocking the Chevy, but I wouldn't do vanlife in a van I couldn't stand up in. That 4.3 is a bulletproof engine, that's for sure.
Safety pin a blanket to the back of your curtain to make it thicker & more thermal. You'll stay warmer & have an extra blanket or two with you at all times.
Why didn't you wire a strip of LED lights to a 12 volt attachment to the battery? They are brighter and all the power goes to the light instead of conversion and inverted cooling. They are 9 to 15 on amazon.
I apologize if there are people upset about their questions not being answered. My uncle in the video had a stroke a couple months back. The original plan was for him to to answer your questions since he was the one who built this camper van. He was doing van life up until the time he had his stroke which has been like almost a year now. So I haven’t really felt like putting it on him to answer questions. He’s actually selling the van at the moment, in the Jim, Thorpe, Pennsylvania area if any of you guys are interested. Just leave me a comment and I’ll get back to you guys. I hope you guys understand and I just wanted to let you all know what’s up because some were upset that we weren’t helping you guys out. Thank you guys.
I just found this video. So sorry to hear the news about your uncle. I was looking forward to check out his channel and adventures. When he said Chattanooga, I was like, that is in my area! You can find a link to my Facebook on my about page. If you can PM me the details of the van I would like to know.
Ok I’ll check it out man.
So sorry to hear this. I just saw this video today. Alan seems like a really good guy. Great video, full of lots of great ideas! Thank you for posting an update of your uncle's unfortunate situation, hope he continues to make a full recovery.
Sorry to hear about your Uncle - how's he doing & did he ever sell the van?
Very unfortunate but very inspiring build
the milk crates holding the solar system are a great idea! Love your van! A setup like this seems much more achievable to me than a lot of van influencers
Im sorry for what happened to your uncle i hope he's alright right now, but man this van tho.... This is the REAL vanlife simple, modest, only what you need.
I love these builds.
I really love this, I am so tired of videos from people that are about van life, yet have $30 candles and fake plants stuck down with velcro. Your build has what you need and use, solid imo bro!
Yeah !!! Luv his side windows! Even if you had to pay a lot of $$$ to install them in a regular cargo van it would be worth it !!!
Some Vanlifers go for too much design and expense, but I love your pure essential utilitarian build. Plus using recycled materials is better for the environment than all than rampant consumerism. Good job.
I love the no-build builds! Especially since, if I ever moved into a home on wheels, I'd have to do that too!
Thanks for posting. My conversion had two core rules; a fixed bed so I don’t have to fold it every morning & a storage system that allows access to everything without having to move anything out of the way. It required a commitment to minimalism.
could the bed be a cot with memory foam bed ............................
Good planning. Young man. Stay safe. Enjoy your travels.
That soo cool how u said you like to help others on the road with your tools thats great nice to know theres good people out there
So simple yet so efficient. I saw so many with fancy set up and so expensive but yours is great
Love how your stove fits perfect in that area in your drawer set
Really like that you like to help build out other van for people, when yours isn’t done. 😊
This guy has great ideas and vision.....plus, a very humble soul. I love the simplistic way he has his on-the-road home set up!
I love your setup!! I'm preparing for van life and will most likely build out my future Chevy in a similar manner. Thanks for showing us your rig!
great basic set up. I like the simple easy ness of it. love those magnetic curtains!
I used to travel in my parents Chevy van w/ a simple buildout. Wish we still had it, but it got lousy mileage 10mpg. I like the simplicity.
Nice Ideas especially the Clothes Rack across the back & the 1/4" Foam Insulation between the Door Panels to deaden the Sound & Insulation. I will definitely implement these in my 2009 GMC Savana Cargo Van. The GMC & Chevy Vans are the Best Vans on the Road and there is plenty of Spare Parts readily available as there are so many of these Vans on the road. Thanks for sharing & enjoy your Travels! Cheers! Cedric
Really nice!! And the fact you carry your tools to also help other people.....what a nice guy:)
Thank you.This is so real. Just what I need to guide me into the van life.
I like it a simple and practical build out. As I get my life together I will live this life wish me luck!
Very cool set up! I personally don't like fancy, (like many I've seen), but this is attractive, very practical and neat! 🙂👍🏼
... and it looks like you have a nice cast iron skillet... the shape of the handle suggests and older one but hard to tell. Nice job!
Okay I love the perforated and tint.
This would is the best and most realistic set up of any camper van build !!!!
I like this van build very much. Especially the part of all the attachments being de-mountable! And also one more thing I really like about this, is the use of plastic drawers and milk cartons. The idea of having same wood paneled drawers which always look good just doesn't appeal to me. Heck, I have no such uniform panels in my actual house, so I would be pretty okay with such non uniform drawers in a van, if they get the job done!
Great purpose driven build. I like it!
I don't put chemicals in my toilet and my toilet is exactly the same one that you have. But the Wastewater that you would just throw away I use that to clean my potty. It works really good and you can always dig a hole about 6 in deep and dump the Bop party waste into the hole and cover it up. That works out really good for me
Finally a build that's simple and works. I've been crawling for weeks through builds that have folks making fancy walls, ceilings, and floors. Mines going to be for oversize escort so it doesn't need to be fancy at all. This gives me a great feel for interior space and layout, much more than other videos. Thank you!
"one of the most important things in Van Life is to have good Vannillation" 🦊💯✔🦊 #12:14 Gotta have a Good Van Fan! I F*%C%ng Love this guy! Probably about how my van is gonna look in the beginning. Cant wait to get mine soon! I plan to get the van and just upgrade as I go. This lifestyle is right up my alley. I cant wait to join the Van Clan! ! 🦊😉😎
👍 great work/ Nice setup
OMG! My wife has been watching all these fancy ($$,$$$) van conversion videos over the last three days (she's an Honda Element camper, but has been looking to upgrade). She was playing your video and told me to come check it out.. After 5-10 minutes we were convinced this was a 'parody' of all the people making the high cost conversions (and most don't mention how much it costs them). We were rolling on the floor laughing our asses off!
Please don't take this as criticism! Not at all, outside my wife's roof mounted 'eCamper' that was a few $$$$, her set up is very similar to many things in this video.
Great ideas on a budget!
I love the idea of the window mesh if you get a van with all widows
I really like the set-up, low ceiling vans (like I have) are harder than camper ceilings. I really love the shelf on the back above your bed and I will use that idea in my own build!
My stove top can be noisey while driving, so I'll put a dish/hand towel under the cover to travel without the raddle. Still learning to make better use of space. Like your set up. Thanks for sharing.
This is an amazing build. Please let Alan know my prayers are with him. I saved this video in Hope's of someday building out my Chevy. I use it to haul freight & live in just the area behind the seats (think rig set up) I actually thought of reaching out to Alan to help with the build cause my health and strength are not the best. I have to figure out an alternative income cause freight hauling doesn't allow much room for living, plus it's hard on Van & me :( Stay Strong Alan. I've seen others get back out on the road after major health set backs. I pray this may be your route if you wish.
That is how I am to, I don't want to have to do videos all the time, I like all your ideas, thanks for sharing.
This is my favorite of them all. Very simple and functional. S hooks! Perfect. Hope it all works out. "Rubber tramps". 👍
Simple build. I like that. Would do the same. Nothing fancy, keep it simple and open.
work vans are the awesome , it is the only vhehicle that is a clean canvas to , coustomise for youre needs , nice job!
I hope your uncle is doing ok. I really do. His van was amazing
Tank you, thank you, thank you. I'm setting up a 2019 Chevy Express. Same van for the most part. You gave me great ideas. I'm trying to do what you've done for storage. I dont have the electrical, carpenter or tools knowledge. But I can work with bungee cords and clips.
Regarding #1 jug: when rinsing it out, a drop of Dr Bronners soap left in there with a few drops of water will keep the smell under control.
Good tip, I use a few drops of dish soap.
Love it. Great modular set up, good looks on the deniro farar intro
Very nice layout! Thanks for sharing with us~
Nice van. Nice utilitarian build. Got some good ideas for my own. Thanks!
RULivingYou ? Same here!
Wow, very nice, very simple, so clean.
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight. It's hard to let it go.
Nice set up.. good job with the window tint and covers looks pretty stealth ✌️❤️
Cool ...what we’re looking for...Chevrolet 1500 express van...love the build
Awesome van my friend .....great layout
Sounds like pots and pans banging from behind :)
Nice guy... Good build. Simple.. Simple is good
Interestingly Simple & Comfy...Gud Job!
great review on both your parts thanks for letting us in
one of the best van builds I have seen. im in Chattanooga also.
Search up Bugoutmoto from cyclecruza. He has the sickest chevy express build
Very nice. Thanks for sharing an giving me ideas. This is the way I'm gonna go
Very nice build and great info..thanks for sharing.
That's a great job I need to run into you. Very nice...
Thanks. I enjoyed the tour and I like your build out.
Not fancy. Just a simple functional liveable home on wheels. I love it.
Major kudos on magnetic curtains
Have watched many van videos! This was a good one! Thank you.
Awesome build,young man! Just got a 2019 Chevy express passenger extended...so length long windows both sides...can you tell me where you got the window coverings. Stay well, Rick
I love it
I'm just finishing my 09 Express 2500 build (or as much as I want to do to leave). I like the rack you have over the back doors for clothes. I think I will put that in mine as well. I went another way though with the bed, stove, and cabinet setup. I have barn doors and build a folding table into the left barn door where I cook. I use the same stove bot bungee it on that same door under the folded down table. The cabinets and the bed were frustrating and I redesigned/rebuilt the bed 4 times before settling on a Teton cot. I fold it up when not in use and it lays on the floor out of the way. I then bought 2 Ikea Kallax cabinets (2 doors tall by 4 doors long) with one on the passenger side which I shaved 5 inches off to fit and one on the drivers side. The drivers side cabinet left me 12"+ by the back doors which is where my 2 6 gallon water tanks stay. In back on the drivers seat I built a bulkhead using 2x4s and plywood and have all my solar electrics on the backside and using the 2x4 as shelving, I keep my paint cans and odds and ends on the side facing the back of the drivers seat. Like you, a fridge between the seats. I put a 1x5 down both sides of the van where the wall meets the ceiling so that I could put 4 18" hanging baskets for all non refrigerated foods. Because of the wheel wells, I lost 1/2 of the 3 left bottom and right bottom cabinets but still store odds and ends. The use of these cabinets and the cot give me 34 inches of open space down the center of the van when the cot is folded up. And oh, batteries are behind bulkhead on drivers side and I even have 2+ feet for what I call a garage for my woodworking tools that I fixed to the wall using french cleats I made. I wish I had seen your vid earlier because you gave me a few idea I could have incorporated but you know how it is, you're never really done with your build right? But I will steal that idea on the rack for cloths above the back door. My cloths are in 3 of the drawers(?) on the drivers side cabinet but this will free up that space. And every inch in my van is at a premium!
By the way, did you ever look into using lump charcoal to handle humidity/condensation? I did a bit of research on it months ago and found that the japanese have used it for centuries to control humidity. I have 3 2 liter jugs of it in my van but have not had a chance to test whether it works or not yet.
How did the charcoal work out?
Great setup. Well thought out..
I know this was a while ago, I hope you and your uncle are doing well.
I would love to know where you purchase the perforation for the windows, its so neat. Brilliant.
He’s doing better, and I think he bought it from Amazon
Love your video and info. Can you share more about the window films that you’re using - and provide a link to the product if you can ... Thanks!!
Thats a great build.i live in a ford e350 and love it got plenty of room
This is wonderful I have an 08 Chevy van that I am minimally customizing. Can you tell me what that stove is that uses both butane and Propane?
I would love a link to the stuff you put on your windows on the outside that is white with little holes that lets the light in, but no one can SEE in!...Thank you! Love your set up!! I think I'm liking this type of van the best now too....
It's called perforated vinyl. You can find it on Amazon or Google.
Have you considered a 5000 BTU standard house window air conditioned mounted in the rear door window of the van with about a 3500 watt Harbor Freight quiet inverter type generator sitting on a carrier that plugs into the trailer hitch for them unbearable hot days ? Those trailer hitch carriers will hold 500 pounds.
Enjoyed your video. Love the window covering. I don’t think it is safe carrying propane in front. I have a Honda Element and I carry a small basket on my tail hitch.. Think that would be a good place to secure a portable propane tank
After all these years in Arizona I am being 'bought' out of my condo at fair market value. Have been looking at the huge Ford Transit van to convert into RV started reading horror stories concerning Ford engines. Now considering downsizing to 2019 Chevy 2500 extended van with the Dependable V6. Still making up my mind as I have family so it's not like I won't have a house to touch base with.
Love it!!
I started out looking at the fords as well and heard about the issues with tritons. Every Sprinter I see on the road is full of rust. Looked at the new promasters but settled on an 09 express 2500. Bought it in 09-2018 and happy so far (although it's not a long time). But I gotta tell ya, having square sides like the promaster would make the build a lot easier. But again, you do that once right?
4.6 triton is s pretty good engine
@@suprapike I agree the engines are decent but I'm reading horror stories about brakes steering boxes and drive shafts. If it's working for you great I'm not going to take any chances going to stick with Chevy van thanks very much for getting back to me
Not so sure about horror stories, but there were some issues with the Transit when they first came out. They've gotten the bugs worked out of them, except for the diesel engine. I wouldn't buy one with that engine, but the other ones are fine. The Transits are known for being the easiest of the euro-style vans to drive. Not knocking the Chevy, but I wouldn't do vanlife in a van I couldn't stand up in. That 4.3 is a bulletproof engine, that's for sure.
I like this, simple practical build
I want to help other people you had me there so i subscribed because when i travel I want to do the same thing Blessings
I also subbed to your Channel
I like the magnetic curtains, but I would hate looking at that ceiling at night
I have a jug for number 1 myself. I call it my "Mr. PeeBuddy"
Can you tell me the exact perforated one-way vinyl that he used on the windows. I love it and want the same thing. Thanks!
does the window vinyl go inside or outside the window?
BIG JOE 245 Outside the window
Great job ... are you on the road?.
Good video. Straightforward good ideas, great layout
Safety pin a blanket to the back of your curtain to make it thicker & more thermal. You'll stay warmer & have an extra blanket or two with you at all times.
Great job. Works for you and that's all that matters 😉
“Number two happens in this guy”
I live in Chattanooga as well and would love to see your rig
good work and simple. a question. what is it called what you put on the crystals (WINDOW). Where can I buy it.
Beautiful ride. Any mechanical problems? Engine? Tran? Starter, alternator? Thanks.
What sort of batteries are u running? I've seen other videos where people set up a vent for batteries cause they put out gases when they are charging
Many great ideas! Thanks! What size engine and what is the current gas mileage?
Adon Lando it has a 4.8l and it gets 13/17 mpg.
You have a nice set up in your van we need someone to guide us on how to set hours up
This dude is legit
Very Nice Setup
Why didn't you wire a strip of LED lights to a 12 volt attachment to the battery? They are brighter and all the power goes to the light instead of conversion and inverted cooling. They are 9 to 15 on amazon.
Pretty cool easy setup... like it simple
Great van. Are you ever near Texas to help with my van? Where did you get your window perforated decals, did you have to cut them yourself to size?
Nice van.
The rack holding your clothes. Is that just a closet organizer
Was the limo tent exspensive
Good idea with the binder clips!
please tell me wher you got white vinyl wrap and did you do the tint yourself?
Great video for beginners ..............