Stealth Van Tour // Low cost // Ford Transit Connect // Self Build
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 มิ.ย. 2024
- Stealthy, cheap, quick to convert and a such brilliant model for it's age! But thats enough about me.
This van conversion video shows the van in empty mode and full on camping mode. I also discuss the method of insulation, timescales and full conversion costs.
I completely forgot to mention the ventilation. I fitted a Flettner slimline van roof vent which keeps fresh air coming in. It is not powered in anyway, but a whirligig thing that self spins in the wind.
Please feel free to comment, feedback and share.
Update and FAQ video:
• Stealth Camper Update ...
#stealthvan #vanconversion #campervan #RV #selfbuild #vantour #stealthcamping #wildscotland #wildcamp #vancosts #offgrid
Great job, that is what van living is all about, why people want to fill vans up with everything they have in houses amazes me, van life is about getting away from all that stuff.
Thanks. I agree - for a holiday or festival, this is basically a motor-tent.
I think many people do that because their van IS their home
Less is more
Totally agree
@@CopperGravity thanks for replying, I hadn't seen your earlier post when I asked the question and didn't realise you'd put a vent in. But isn't there a a similar fear of a leak from the smaller hole. I'm going to follow your lead however and put a similar one in mine, could I ask the makers name of the one you installed. And thanks very much for your posts, simplicity make total sense.
You get a “like” just for the CAD joke. Great video on top of it.
Appreciated!
Camping in an insulated,, unassuming little Van,, Luv it
Thanks Ryan.
@@CopperGravity
5
The kid giggles in the background are a roll. :D
Haha. Thanks Renne
Thank you for sharing your van build. Well done. I just bought a 2013 Connect with 86,500 miles. Going to do a minimalist build similar to yours.
Best of luck!
Sweet 👏🏻
This is perfect for camping and short breaks, everything you need and nothing you don't.
Thanks River Rat. ✅
Simple but very effective I like it! Good job lad 👍
Impressive! I like this little van. Looks ideal!
Excellent job, well executed, a great build/no build, and a fantastic investment of $$ hope you enjoy many an adventure :)
Thank you kindly!
Love the simplicity
Such a helpful film, really appreciate your effort, will probably do exactly the same purchase and conversion late summer. Thank you so much. Harry
Glad it was helpful!
If you want to be even more stealthy, do as we van drivers do. Leave the cab a bit messy. Put the high viz vest on the back of the drivers seat. Leave maps and various bits of detritus on the dashboard along with a soft toy or two. I have stealth camped in 'very' public places using these techniques and have never been disturbed.
I would think about kit that folds away like buckets/toilets, washing up bowls etc. Then about a week before you go, make a list of the basics you need for your trip and pack it so it's ready. Over the next few days lose some items eg: 3 spare pairs of knacker crackers instead of 4. Personally I wouldn't use a camp bed, they are way too unstable. I made a rock and roll bed out of pallets and scrap wood and it works a treat and is removable too.
Well done my friend...ime going to do likewise...screw paying this rent!
Super useful video. Love you ❤️
Cool build, happy trails
This video popped up on my line for no reason but I like it. The only thing I would add is a C02 meter just in case, you sleep in a relatively small space and believe me, you won't notice rising levels of dangerous C02 until it is too late.... nice build !
Thanks my friend. I have one!! Good advice for anyone reading this. Totally agree. 👍
Amazing simplistic "conversion", thank your for sharing (I have a similar van, a VW Caddy, in a similar climate in Ireland)
Thanks Elaine. Caddy’s are good.
Clever design! Love it 🚗🐞🚗
Thanks.
Very cool. I really like the simplicity and functionality.
Thanks for the comment Dana. 🙂
Love the insulation covering for the cab area! Very unique idea!
Thanks! 👍
Very easy listening. Good job. Good sense of humor. Nice van, nice vid. Thanks.
Thanks! 👍
Yes, I agree - nice change from the "Hey - What's Up" style of presentation. Great van too!
that is the way I need find out too. just use simple bed frame and easy camping thing and add other necessary items one by one . very good
Thanks
One word BRILLIANT xxx🤗😀
Ahhh. Thanks!
Nice van, I like the simplicity of it, well done.
Glad you like it!
Great UK video and nice shorts too
great set up. nice and simple. 👍👍
Thanks! 👍
I have similar ideas in what im planning, starting with everything being able to be removed from the van in five minutes so im already your fan. Nice work.
You can do it!
Very good informative video! Brilliant
Cheers Noddy. 👍
Like this little van very much.
Thanks very much. Glad you like it.
I knew you'd be english from the first line of that description haha. Great vid, I'm looking to buy a transit connect to convert
Thanks Myles.
Thats great! Stealth campers are defo the way to go nowadays. U'v dun a good job with that..
Thanks Steve. It’s pretty good.
LOVE it, thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks. Glad it helped. I’m just filming an update.
Well done, looks cool, enjoy
Thanks 👍
Well done!
I too concentrated on insulation and ventilation on my Promaster City. I have been able to stay warm using a flowerpot candle heater, even in temperatures as low as 5C.
Greetings from Canada ! 🇨🇦
Sounds great! 👍 thanks for the comment.
Great little project...
Super Car ... Really. Simple and Stealth. So i want this too.
Thanks Andre
Every time the giggles went off , just sent me into my own giggle 🤣. Easily amused! But love this . I need windows though !
Glad you enjoyed it
I’ve got a grand to get a van and this is the one I’m looking at as my first camper project. Some great tips there
Thanks 🙏
The wall is actually worth it, when you travel in colder climates..
I didn't want a fixed wall, but might rethink it for later. First I need to finish my build, travel with it, then I can fix things for the next trip. 😉
Just subscribed made a lot of sense thanks
Congratulations!
Thank you!
This is just perfect for camping !! I think is great for 1 person camping
Yep. Works well for me.
I will get one this summer and will show you base in your guide Again thank you gave me lot of idea
Glad I could help
@@CopperGravity thank you again
it's amazing... grt for small camping trips ❣️❣️❣️
Yes 😊
Really cool!
Thanks Alex
Nice build
In the good old days the 60's this would have been termed a passion wagon
Great job. Considering getting one of these for a similar reason… nice to see Minch common as well 😂😜
Thanks Adam. I like the big skys up there.
Some great tips here
Glad you like them!
CAD designed interior. i learned something new. nice van. good job.
Thanks James. ⭐️⭐️
Great job, I did similar to an English reg Sprinter- basic is best, now living in Spain I want a Spanish van to transfer all the facets that I enjoyed in the sprinter, this is a great sized model and I love Fords, a trade-in for my Ecosport is on the cards, good job.
Nice 👍
Sweet! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Glad you enjoyed visiting Scotland in your cosy van. I was wondering about condensation, as you have it all seaed up pretty tight there in the back. I notice you quote a price for ventilation, but I don't remember you mentioning it in the video. I've watched a lot of Connect van conversions, as I wan something stealthy myself, but so many of them are US based, so it was great to come across a UK conversion tested in Scotland. Happy camping!
Ah... saw a comment about your rotating roof vent... Did it do the job well?
Hi Carol. Yes it works great. No condensation in the sleeping part. But as soon as remove the foam partition in the morning, the hot air rushes forwards and the front windows steam up. Easily fixed by the hot air blower.
SUPER TOP!!!!💪👏👏
Many thanks!!🙏
Really excellent job. I'd love a list of the products you used as I come from the same part of the world as you. Best regards. G Ire
The bottle insulation and floor tiles was from B&Q, the plywood and timer from Travis, the sound deadening insulation and carpet from Kiravans. Bed and lights was Amazon. Drawers from FB. Power pack from Draper. Lots of other stuff I already had.
Ditto D Jackson...........Thank you and well done CG.
Thanks Frankie.
I love how you have done your finishing! Thanks for sharing... I'm sure you've seen the flat folding passenger seats - Any idea where I can order a couple of scrapped ones online?
Hi, sorry no. I guess you want a breakers yard for that sort of thing. Good luck with your search.
I would set up that overhead storage shelf of yours as a special perch 4 my 😺 kitties 😊.. ..their own hidy-hole.👌
Meow
Where can i download this CAD? 🤣. Nice build.
I camperized my connect, but did not insulate or put up siding inside. It just makes a place for mold to grow, and since I camp where it dosen,t go below freezing, don,t need insulation.
Thanks for the comment. I camp all year so I thought it needed it.
Nice Job. Agree with other poster. Why bother with a useless minature sink or a portable toilet etc. A roof vent would be nice in case it gets hot but thats about it. Most important thing is a comfortable and cheap nights sleep. The only pity is that the manufactures only seem to do white vans. A dark green would blend in so much better.
Bangyai: look into getting a 'wrap' in your chosen colour - but even re-sprays are not very expensive. You don't have to live with white if you don't like it ‼️
Love the van, just needs a CO2 alarm so you stay around to keep making videos
Thanks. Good point. I will.
Think you mean Co alarm not Co2
Definitely Co, carbon monoxide
@@abbeyjane1306 I know nothing about vans and looking to learn, why do you need a Co2 alarm, because of the little cooking cylinder or something else?
@@stevenb7964 That and the exhaust, when he's driving etc might be a leak and it seaps into the back.
I just bought a 2012 last month with 40k on it. I guess it will last a long time. I am surprised how long most vehicles last with good upkeep.
True. Thanks for the comment.
nice
I bought my trans connect new shortly after they came into the US. did a lot of traveling in it and then sold it which was a huge mistake. Sure wish I had it still. Like the work you are doing on yours. And the mileage is impressive. I just got home from a camp trip with family. I have a ford escape now and back seats out for room to sleep. It is ok but miss my trans connect. It was gas and when I first drove it got tons of questions. Now they are much more common to see.
Thanks for the comment Judy.
What year and what was the mpg?
Hi. 2006 and I don’t know the MPG.
@@starlightmckennah5241 It was a 2010 and gtbetween 29 and 32.
Lovely van stealth campa van
This is great, well done! Even for anyone wanting to do a more elaborate built-in mini camper, it's really useful to know the bare bones starting costs. Thanks.
Can you please share your kit specifics for the electrical and ventilation?
The electrical was from Draper and is just a power pack for starting cars.
The ventilation was a non powered rotating roof vent from Flettner . I chose the slimline one.
@@CopperGravity Thank you! If you don't mind one last question, how do you charge the power pack on the road?
@@GameofRugs the unit came with a car charger which I occasionally used on long journeys.
@@CopperGravity Perfect. thanks for the info!
@@CopperGravity I looked for it online. Did you mean Flettner??😄👍 Very cool item!!!
Nice camper
Love your CAD comment lol
Hehe. Thanks for the CAD comment comment. :)
Great built.Nice and basic. That insulation you used would that also work for keeping out Heat ?since I want to go to southern Europe. And what did you do about ventilation ?
Non-powered roof vent from Flettner. Slimline model.
최고의 캠핑카 입니다
Thanks very much!!! 👍
Really like this build and the way you did it! Would it be possible to get a MTB in there? Most likely sound crazy right now, but just a question.
I had one. No way would you fit a bike in there. You’d have to go to a full size van for that
Possibly. I moved my daughters flat contents.
Get a roof rack, sleep in back of van, bike on the roof
It's so refreshing to see someone do a sensible conversion that proves you don't need a whole run of kitchen cupboards, a full cooker, fridge, etc etc etc!!!
Just install what you'll need, just the basics!
You won't be cooking full meals, guaranteed!
After all, you're on holiday, so eat out, buy takeaways, eat junk!!
I'm definitely doing this with my next car, probably a Ford Galaxy, or very similar, & like this conversion, mine will be just a simple, uncomplicated sometimes van/or car/or camper, but just remembering that important acronym, K.I.S.S.
Keep
It
Simple,
Stupid!! 🤣🤣🤣
Yes James. Exactly. This van is still going strong and is currently empty due to recently moving a piano. I also love proper little homes and if I lived in a van I would do something more permanent. But as a hobby camper this is a great option. Good luck with yours. Ian
I just bought one
1.8 TDCI 90T200.
It looks good.
What do you think?
Any advice to lose some weight of it?
-50 KG would be great for both economical and accleration.
Really great job! Did you have to change your insurance or declare it now as a mini camper?
It doesn’t meet the official requirements.
I’ve done something very similar with an 04 Galaxy.
Sounds great. Simple stuff sometimes is all you need.
I'd have to pack things much more neatly. This would drive me nuts.
Haha. Thanks for the comment Michael. Made me smile. Lots of van life videos show perfect tidiness. Mine in just mine! About to head away for a night or two, will make a tiny effort to pack things more neatly from now. ✅
This is perfect a great job
May I ask what class of vehicle it’s licensed as?
Still registered as Panel Van. Cheers
Hi. I just bought a 2013 and love it. Would you happen to know where I might be able to get a used foldable passenger seat like yours? As far as I know, they don't have them here in the U.S..Thanks.
No, sorry. I have no idea.
5:46, that's what he said.
I have a 2011 connect can you tell me we're the gear oil dip stick is please love your van mine is white not as clean as yours but I just want it to bring my dog camping and to the beach lots of love from Dublin Ireland ❤
Hi Robbie. I’m sorry but I’m not the right person to offer an answer to your question. I think you need a mechanic forum or FB group etc. good luck with your camping project!! 💚
Have you had any issues with your Connect having leaks? I have a 2011 version and discovered the passenger footwells were wet. I ditched the factory flooring and it's bone dry now, so the hunt is on to discover where the water got in? I've read that Transit Connect are notorious for leaking like sieves!?
Hi Mark, no issues with mine. Good luck with yours.
When you have yourself, your fuel, with everything in the back, how much does it weigh? Just interested to know. Looks like a great little getaway van for the odd night out, for me, photogrpaphing the night sky in some remote wilderness. I am not light. I weigh 14 stone. I would need to fill it right up with fuel. I have a couple of Bluetti power banks, an inverter, a laptop, camera gear and a little gas stove. All things together, like food, clothes, boots, water, all the things to survive for a few days. Is the maximum carrying capacity about 900-950kg? I know it's the best part of a metric tonne, I would just need to be sure is all.
Hiya. I never weighed my van before, during or after. But these are built for builders and their materials and although the fuel economy gets worse with weight, they really won’t struggle with anyone who goes off camping.
Hello again, you know the charger thing you bought, does it have a name and where did you buy it. You seem to be there person I'm most influenced by but the connect I've just bought is a SWB,. Thanks.
Hi. Draper 90643. Load of internet info on it and can be bought online. Cheers
Utilitarian!
nice job, didnt catch were the ventilation cost was spent?, not a big fan of well insulated vehicles with poor ventilation to the outside, me and my wife woke up one night staving of air after sleeping just in my car one night with the windows closed having spent most of the oxygen inside the vehicle, ventilation as it is in a house, is important in a van too.
I accidentally didn’t mention the ventilation in this video. But I did make a follow up video that shows I fitted a Flettner slimline ceiling fan thingybob.
This ensures plenty of airflow to the rear living space.
It’s great.
Nice vid! What is the mpg of your van?
Not sure. Sorry but I never measured it. It kinda feels okay ish.
Cardboard Aided Design 😂
I saw one of these used local, but research showed that year had many issues, how has your D engine performed?
The engine is good. Not yet seen any issues.
Hi, Please tell me how you made the over cab shelf
Tricky to describe. The shelf is 9mm okay cut to shape and it rests on a 35mm square baton. The baton is attached to the van sides using a small metal right angle bracket on each end. Then it is insulated on top and carpeted. The cab side is covered in black out material to make the cab dark.
I'm not sure about insulating vans, especially older vans because if the van dies all that money invested in the vehicle is lost and if you spent, say £500 on insulation, how much heat via diesel heater would you get for the same amount of money?
Good question. No idea on diesel heaters as I’ve not investigated them.
I do quite a lot of hot weather camping so the insulation works to keep the van cool as well.
Also it makes everything nice and quiet and dry from condensation.
So you get a lot more then heat.
Sure the van will die and my investment will eventually be lost, but after just a year I will have saved money by avoiding other forms of accommodation and alternative van hires.
Good job...., van was cheap, what was mileage ??
Warren Simpson the guy said he has 196 odd thousand miles on it .. goes too show they last the time I have a van like this but low roof and a 2012 model as why am looking mines only has 74 thousand on it but being done differently instead ... logical thinking needs done is size & space off these vans but practically & being basic is where am heading does the job just fine ...
The beginning, spinning 👎😁
Good insulation makes a big difference 👍 especially between the front and back.
Thanks. Insulation is definately key.
Hello, why did you veer away from putting a skylight in there, for air. Thanks for your efforts.
Good question. I never planned one. I wanted the back to be totally dark and decided that the vent would provide enough air. Also, I was worried about leaks and the cost. But mainly I just didn't want one.
@@CopperGravity I didn't realise when I asked the question that you'd put a vent in, i share your fear of leaks. Can I ask the makers name of the one you installed, and thanks for your vids they make total sense
@@bronte3663 sure. It’s a Flettner Slimline and is covered in my more recent FAQ video…. th-cam.com/video/3NrsdZLMuK4/w-d-xo.html
What are the dimensions inside? Length, width, height? Metric, please😄😎
🇲🇽👌😻
That unsecured set of drawers is lethally dangerous in a crash
Thanks for that. I now only drive with it against the rear seat and it definitely wont fit through the gap.
@@CopperGravity God forbid, but if you roll it buddy, the chances of it lethally connecting with you is pretty high. Maybe you could put some ratchet strap set up to secure it?
Do you have any build videos of the connect?
Hi. No. There are just two videos of the connect.
Unless I missed it you didn’t actually say how you ventilated the van?
Thanks. I realised that I completely forgot to mention it. I’ve added the details to the description below.
Can you use a crockpot for cooking or can you get enough electricity
Not for very long. The battery bank would be flat quite quickly if used for heating. I only use it for LED lights and phone charging.
Hi what is your ventilation solution, I may have missed it on the video
Hi Sam. This one a covered on my follow up video. It is basically a roof mounted ventilation system. Non powered. Works brilliantly.
@@CopperGravity Are perfect, been looking at very similar (possibly the same) for my connect, I'll check that video out