5 Things I Would Change About My Van - Camper Van Conversion
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 มิ.ย. 2024
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Hello! In this video, I discuss things I would like to change about the design and build of my van conversion.
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Dude! You are amazing. So structured and clear. Technically top notch. You provide so much value. Thank you so much!
Instead of adding another roof vent you could also add a small sliding window on one side of the bed (just like Trent&Allie had in their van) :)
I wish you did audiobooks... your very distinct voice is pleasing to listen to. As for a van shower, you can multipurpose the space by putting deep shelves on the inside of the door. You just leave the door open when using shower (with shower curtain).
White. Used to be a dark wood and paneling guy. Now I like white paint for its bright airy feeling. Maybe a more durable gloss trim paint in areas easily scraped? Man made materials in bad areas?
I appreciate your insight. My problem is I’ve been planning and ordering stuff for two years. I want everything to be perfect. I can see not everything is perfect in your van, but you did it! Your enjoying it and I’m still driving around and paying for hotels!
You can get small vent fans to put in the top of your back doors. That way you don't have to mess with all that moving panels...I found them on amazon and they should be small enough. My suggestion would be to get 2, one for each door.
they too are made by Maxxair, and cheap! The only thing is they only blow out, but it will work!
@@omalo3645 Well then they become passive to alow air flow when the main vent is running...so still an idea that may work.
Oh my gosh! You young people are so smart! Now another channel that really interests me! I'm going to be converting my Honda Odyssey into a little camper. Super simple! 🤣💜
I've never understood the idea of using colors that don't show the dirt. The dirt is still there! Wiping down the areas that get dirty or scratched doesn't take a lot of time, and the white and the shade of blue you have are so peaceful and pleasant. I'd leave the colors like you have them and have a dedicated rag to do some quick swipes!
Buy magic erasers
I always enjoy your videos, and your honesty about things you would change. Keep it up man!
On the bed - maybe separate your cabinet sections in the garage from the bed totally. Hang several feet of utility rails on both sides of the van, get 4 or 6 of the 2x4 accessory clips to snap into the rails, cut 2x4 or 2x6 to span the width and lay your bed base supports on top of those, hold them in place with a pin and kotter key so they're easy to remove quickly. . When you need an open gap for stuff - lift out the mattress and its support section(s), take the 2x's out and you're good to go. The way it looks - you could probably move the center out of the way for such use if the bed were up... - put the center items on a slideable plate and lock it to the other sections but so it's detachable and still runs in either condition. Your videos are excellently done - be interesting to see your stuff with 20 years experience someday :)
Locker. Yeah. Tires - I put aggressive studded snow tires on my civic and it would climb trees and peel up blacktop in an aggressive stop 😃 Fun. Got some “high performance” summer tires, and it would get stuck on wet grass😬. Big fan of tires for traction.
Dude I don't normally make TH-cam comments, but you are awesome! Straight to the point, no fluff, very informative, constant supply of useful information that keeps me interested, and you are a really good communicator! Mad respect man, keep it up!
For a shower you might want to put a collapsible shower underneath your vent. Use the vent to extract the moisture. Use the hour shower and a half gallon of water can be used almost forever. Use quick disconnects for hot water and drain. Just make sure you use biodegradable soap and a teaspoon of Epsom salt to get rid of the soap suds and protect the filter. Store the shower underneath one of the cabinets or in the garage.
Hour shower: th-cam.com/video/8s3jsleHXcI/w-d-xo.html
If you don’t want a heated shower, use version one of his hour shower and dump a half gallon of warm water in the bottom.
Use a teak floor mat at the bottom of the shower so you’re not standing in water.
As far as the rear end a limited slip is going to take care of most of the stuff you would want to do. If you’re really crazy you might want to a full locker. Just depends on you what you want to do. Your tire choice is going to be the most important thing that you can do.
Living in an actual van conversion the game changer for air circulation is a window by your bed. Even a very thin window that doesn’t compromise security would be enough.
Ox locker is the answer, its a limited slip until you lock and then its a spool. Another thumbs up 👍 for the video
I agree, a limited slip differential would really do for 99% of the traction areas this van would be able to go with only two wheel drive anyway. The locker would be a nice feature just in case, but even just an LSD would likely be sufficient and significantly cheaper.
Great Fantastic design and research! Love these “what I would do differently” videos. It is the reasons for them that adds so much more information. Thank you for sharing!
Grey water. Dual. Leave/allow plumbing for the warm-interior grey water tank if ever needed.
A possible solution to your fan problem would be to get a pop top fan. The top just pops directly up a couple inches and could fit under your solar panels if there was enough room under them.
I would love a update on your van. Hope all is well.
Love your videos and how you explain your ideas and methods. Thank you.
Nice job on this van build series! Definitely one of the most helpful and informative that I've seen. Looking forward to watching what you tackle next. Thanks.
Excellent Series!! Your level of detail and clear explanation is much appreciated!
Two ideas that could quickly alleviate your first issues, until you have the time and money to do it right:
1. Vehicles have a hidden air outlet so the cabin air gets circulated. In my minivan it's behind plastic, behind the left rear wheel, completely hidden. I've seen a build where there were two 5" 12v computer fans pushing air out of the outlet. Maybe that would improve circulation with your roof fan blowing in. Adding a roof rack and overhanging the curve of the roof will clobber your aerodynamics.
2. Hot water's great and it can be provided by the stove. IMHO the most important thing is a waterproof area to wash hair and do a sponge bath. Maybe drain into a container or pan in the entry footwell. Running water is 80% of the work and 20% of the benefit -- nice but not critical, to me.
AWD on the 2020 Transit costs about $4750 and no doubt reduces fuel economy. I like your diff idea. Thanks for the video!
Hello really enjoying all your videos and the time you’ve taken to explain everything probably some of the best videos on everything you’ve done that I’ve seen on the Internet especially all the details on camper design. Thanks for making all these videos you’re doing a great job, take care.
If the van build series is any indication of how awesome your next videos will be I look forward to your new projects! I'm trying to teach myself a bit more self-sufficency when it comes to making things or repairs so these videos are very helpful and informative. Thanks for all your hard work - it is appreciated.
Put a fan under the cab and make flow that way. That is how THE FRED VAN did it
Great info!! Thank you for sharing!! I love your van
Awesome video man very valuable information
Not a fan of rear vents/fans. There is a reason manufacturers stop putting opening windows on the rear. Exhaust gets sucked into the vacuum behind the vehicle and actually gets pushed into those rear open windows (my old van and station wagon were proof).
I am sure you know this already, and could figure out correct placement and sealing.
Excellent video! 😎
Did you know that vent fans can be mounted in the back door? They are designed to be mounted vertical as well as horizontal. Cheap RV Living Channel has an episode where one lady did it.
Locking rear differential would be awesome.....Air locker like a ARB ....Small lift kit and some bfg all terrains and you would be golden... I was thinking if you put a water tank under your rig your gonna loose all that ground clearance you gained from the lift and tires though.........
I watched all your videos.It's interesting and great.Thanks a lot.
Such a useful channel. Thank you so much, Moser.
P.S.
Would be so interesting in the future to see your next version of van conversion, improvements, changes, etc.
Great stuff!
I have also seen a roof fan mounted on a rear door, would save a lot of work.
Maybe throw a Trailer hitch on the front for bikes.
I just saw a video with the fan on the back wall of the van.
Grey water. Wow. I would have thought 5 gal would be great. Thanks. Tons of spaces under my truck for tanks. Always wondered why someone did not make custom tanks/storage for those areas.
We have 30 gallons of gray water storage!
Excellent build and educational videos 👍There are shower designs that don’t take up cabin space and remain hidden. Why not have a locker the swings out off the rear bumper for bicycles. The partition has security benefits but takes away a lot of lounge seating and living space a sliding roll up aluminum partition could be a solution.
More Videos like these!
Can you do a video about your garage slide?
Hi Sam! I have appreciated how careful you are to explain whatever you are up to (van build, needs...) thank you! I am writing since you just posted and if any of my suggestions are helpful, yay! 1st, the fan, I have seen a new item come up which is the skylight with built in shades...what I like about it is: 1) it could pull in air while the maxxair is sucking it out 2) a person could use it for an escape hatch if needed, (it would also be a safe way to check out whats going on outside(I'm a single older woman), it would make easy access to the roof. Check out Max and Lee (YT) recent van build series (will be Max and Occy). Max is like you in that he is careful to teach as he goes, he has other great ideas...). I heard Joni (The Galavant, also YT) mention building so the fridge stays away from the door to reduce how hard the fridge has to work. I wonder if you could flip the power and the bikes, keeping the fridge away from the door? Two things on Solar rack, I have heard some folks are installing the panels directly to the van, bypassing the rack, I think you'd have to leave some room for them to breathe underneath, perhaps placing them on tubing or something? I am not sure I'd have the rack go ahead of the curve, seems you'd loose a lot of mileage. For hauling: I'd just put on a used trailer hitch (I say used, I am trying to do 'used' for things that won't matter (no used Maxxair , yes used trailer hitch, ~and trailer!) I recently bought a used cargo trailer that folds up and has a swing hitch (!) so I can access the stuff in the back easily. It also has another trailer hitch to pull a full sized trailer! I got the fold up/swing away cargo trailer and hitch system on Craigslist for $100. FYI I watched the ads for only one month before I scored. For the shower, I too have a tiny space and have designed (in my head only) a system that will work for me. I saw a vanlifer with a bendable curtain system called recmar (www.amazon.com/RECMAR-4108-Bendable-Curtain-Track), there are several systems out there, if you do this I'd be curious about what you go with, I'm sure you will get at it before me!. I already have a collapsable dog bath tub(laundry basket) but I wonder if the kind rectangular pool bathing tub (amazon) might work better, it has a drain. BTW I just saw that Cheap RV living posted a new recent video (the woman is wearing a rainbow shirt) and she placed solar panel on her door, I think this is a great use for an inexpensive flexible panel. The benefit is that it catches the water sun! Have you ever considered doing van builds for hire Sam? You are so intentional and careful (I loved the care put into not having aluminum filings anywhere). No matter what, I look forward to watching whatever projects you do next!
lots of good suggestions. Thanks for sharing and for mentioning the other YT channels and vids to see, and the products, and the link. I also like your idea for a towable cheap, used, trailer for occasional large haul needs.
Nice video. Very informative and concise.
What is your opinion on insulation and something to reduce noise from the outside?
Shower. Each space has multiple uses. Roll out toilet. Ceiling shower curtain rod bigger than shower. Moisture removal will be the issue.
Good point. I think most people don't consider the moisture removal especially with hot showers.
Another 2 ideas to avoid the second roof fan is: 1) Install a floor vent. This enables the natural convection process to pull cooler air from below and vent the hotter air out the top. The concept is utilized in passive solar designed homes for better air quality and cooling. (See far out ride for details) 2) rather than a full sized RV fan/vent consider a smaller marine vent.
Haul bigger things. Yeah - that would be a great video. I go back and forth between modular and folding. It depends on amount of room needed and if the “hauling” space would need to be available while traveling.
All great ideas for changes. From what your saying it would probally be better if I started with a 4 wheel or all wheel drive van, for the times I'm on ruff roads?? ✌💕
What about mounting a Fantastic Fan in the rear door. I know they can be mounted vertically. (Don't know if the Maxx Fan can be, too.)
Hey Moser, have you thought about putting a 6" MAXXAIR Dome Exhaust only 12V Fan? (Product# 00-03812B)
The small size could be positioned easily at the rear with minimal space disruption...
I thought you regretted not having this phrase written on the side of your van "If the van is rocking, don't come knocking".
Do you have a video on how you built the partition?
Can you just put a fan in the rear window spot? No cutting your van. No moving things on the roof.
This was my thought too.
Hi, great content, very helpful!! I was wondering if you considered consolidating the information about your van conversation into an e-book, that would be awesome. I would definitely buy it and I’m pretty sure many other people would.
Just a thought. Thanks for what you do, I really appreciate your professionalism and accuracy.
Yes! I would buy it.
1:51 Another way to create space for mounting solar panels is to build a modular "attic" on the roof. Check out Snow & Curt's TH-cam channel & their conversion. I just recently discovered them and I think they have one of the coolest builds I've ever seen (cos they intend to live in it for a very long time, so they went all out on the build). Such "attic" has the following benefits:
A. gives you a ton of extra storage space, which is always welcome when living in a van
B. allows the fans to be hidden under the false roof, so you can keep them operational even if it's raining (even if you don't have a fancy/expensive fan with a cover)
C. gives you an entire roof-size flat area to mount the solar panels, so you can possibly mount even more panels, than you could otherwise, because of random things no longer getting in the way (like fans, antennas etc)
D. (fancy bonus) you can also add 12v actuators to your false roof to allow you to remotely tilt your solar panels in order get the absolute best solar efficiency (you can increase the energy production by 30-40% just by adjusting the angle of the panels throughout the day)
Can't you put a ventilator (e.g in your garage) that you have exhaust to the bottom, maybe with some inlets between the bed and the rear doors to create flow over the bed?
How are the cabinets attached to the floor? Did you drill through the laminate flooring?
I've been thinking about putting the solar over the vent when open.
could you explain?
Wouldn’t that mean having to raise the solar panels to do that?
Yes. I have seen that done many tines. Needed clearance is obvious and solvable. My choice also.
Thanks for sharing. Check out the conversion spelling on this video title. It might hinder search capability to find your video. Take care and be safe.
hi friend good work :))))
Check out the old toyota liteace conversion by Am Craft, for shower , you will be amazed
Oh, PS sweetie The only thing different between paint that is white and paint that is colored, is that you can see the dirt and you clean it with white paint. Darker paint, you don't see the dirt, you don't clean it! 🤣🤣🤣
Floor vent
By the way, what is your Transit's WB? and what is the interior dimensions.
Sounds like its time to do a moving truck conversion 😏
Hi there it is mwb? H2l2? The van?
Mercedes Sprinter, 4x4 would possibly been a better base.
nice van But your layout is terrible. The garage is a mess. Put a vented window in your sliding door that will help with airflow.
Get a Promaster and half of your problems immediately go away.
Is this DEJ's shadow clone or what?
If peppermint party was a guy
Dude, not to nitpick here, but as a cabinetmaker, all those dark gaps on your white surfaces are very very unattractive. You should at least caulk them.😀
You HAVE the WRONG size van.