Y'all should buy an annual state park pass. The annual fee is $95 for one person and $25 dollars for a second person that has the same address. Use of certain facilities may have an additional fee which I believe is 50 percent of for annual Park pass holders.
Looks like the outer loop at Pedernales. I remember the good old days when Texas state park camping fees were only $8 per night for sites with water and electric hookups and $4 per night for sites without. Nice find for the roof rack cross bars with integrated T-track. Also like your interior window bug screens. I've had a 2015 GEN3 Sienna for about a year now and have been in research and design mode watching all the YT videos for ideas and approaches. Mostly I'm waiting to finish converting my garage into a workshop which I'm in the middle of right now -- can only do so much on weekends and holidays when still doing the 40hr work week routine. Anyway, thanks for doing the video -- very helpful for those of us following along a similar path.
We love Pedernales but can never get in - it was booked until April. I hear you on the fees - it's crazy when three nights of camping financially justifies the yearly state park pass! It's the whole "charge you per-person day use fees even when you are camping" that seems unique to Texas. On the screens - look into using a series of rare earth magnets around the window area to hold in some screen material. Not sure if you have exposed metal on the '15, but that approach would have been way faster and cheaper than what I did (which ended up costing like $150...).
That's my 2nd panel. The first was a Renology 200W. After adding the CPAP we were draining the battery more so I bought a no-name 300W panel off eBay. It might have been a step backward as I haven't seen >100W from it yet. But the sun is low right now and I didn't build the ability in to angle it. But I also bought a EcoFlow Alternator Charger which connects to the vehicle charging system and can send up to 800W to the battery. The upshot is I may not need solar at all as we don't typically spend more than two nights in one spot.
Thanks! I've been busy on the Suburban but more fixing odds and ends and getting it detailed. But I'll work on a getting a video posted of it as a starting point soon.
@ Yeah, I’m heading to Quartzsite, I plan to be there the whole month of January then I’m gonna go check out some other places. I’m coming from Pittsburgh Pa. Long drive lol
Nice! We never stayed in Quartzsite, but have been through that area. The Maricopa county parks are nice - we loved Usery Mountain (if you can get in). Tonto NF/Saguaro Lake/ Lost Dutchman SP all pretty to explore as well.
Newbie to your channel, I'm diggin' it. and will be following you now. You said your from Tulsa, and I'm in SE Kansas (Baxter Springs actually) so this is all extra cool for me :) Dreaming on Van dwelling for many years now , getting ready to turn 61 soon and I"m just about ready to start building soon . LOL gotta buy a rig first ( mini van)
Howdy! Honestly I didn't really think of having a "channel" as I've always been more of a writer and photographer with my own blog (boyink.com). My intent here was a "one and done" video just to document this build before I break it down. But based on the response so far I think I'm going to track my Suburban build here just to see what happens. Good luck with your minivan search - do you have a target make/model yet?
Really enjoyed this helpful tour. Just starting to think about getting my vehicle organized for camping and looking for ideas. Really appreciate your helpful expertise and the insights you are sharing. Happy trails.
Nice setup! -I'm changing the spark plugs on my 2007 Toyota Sienna. OMG, there is not much room to work on those back 3 cylinders! You're smart to sell your Sienna before you run into difficult maintenance tasks. Nevertheless, I still love Sienna as a campervan... I made a youtube video of my minivan camper that's on my channnel. Good luck with your next camper build!
I always love seeing different solutions on the same platform. You solved the heat issue - we've used electric mattress pad and blanket solutions with mixed results. One of the reasons I choose the Suburban for the next rig is the capacity to tow a small travel trailer - just the easy button for heat/AC/potty/shower that are difficult in the smaller rigs.
@@boyink Thanks for your nice words! Don't give up on the idea of building out your Suburban without the need for a trailer. Perhaps a tent could provide the extra space you need.. Also, the Oyster Performance Cooler MIGHT replace the need for a 12V refrigerator. This cooler is expensive, but if it works as well as the reviews say, this cooler could save space and electrical complications. -The walls of the cooler are in a vacuum, so there are no air molecules to bounce around and warm up your cooler. Anyway, good luck!
Oh, we had a nice cooler to start with - not that brand but a similar Yeti-equivalent. Got tired of wet food and chasing ice - and not being able to find ice at times. Not going back from the 12v fridge! I need the electrical for other stuff anyway (CPAP etc). Can't get excited about tents - too much hassle and still very weather-dependent (carried a screen room for a while and gave it up). A small trailer would extend our camping season with easy heat for cold nights and AC for hot afternoons. And easily sold off again if it doesn't work out.
Heh..I didn't realize what I was getting into. I tried YT years ago during our life as fulltime RVers and just never found traction. This video has already surpassed everything I tried back then, so what the heck. I'll give it another go and cover the Suburban build here. I see Lions gear in your rig - you a Michigander?
@ I only have room for one panel on top (I forget, maybe 435 w?). I could carry my folding panel if I had room. I plug in my largest unit to the panel. I could switch the mp4 plug to my lesser unit, or charge it with 110 when I get the chance, or charge it from the larger if I wish. I actually do whatever is easiest at the moment. Sometimes I leave some in storage. My largest is almost 100 lbs and difficult to move. My smallest 2 I often use for my phone and can be taken inside somewhere to charge. I have 5 right now, but had 7. Delta Pro, Delta Max 2, Delta 2, RP600 pro, and Delta mini.
I have a 2005 Toyota that I will most likely have to go out alone with. It has about 183k on it. Is that anywhere near the miles you have on yours? Sure was a pretty area to camp. Lot different than Wisconsin this time of year.
Thanks - I was just looking at those. They're an interesting option but I'd probably look for something a bit bigger - like in the 20' range. Enough to come with a potty/shower/furnace etc as those are tough to work into a Sienna/Suburban.
I was looking at those too. I need to get inside one to experience it. Ideally if we get a trailer it would be tall enough for me to stand up in. We had a Class B that was 6' and at 6'3" I always came out with a new hairdo...;)
great design i was think the exact thing in my head, nice to see it come true
It works well - go for it!
Y'all should buy an annual state park pass. The annual fee is $95 for one person and $25 dollars for a second person that has the same address. Use of certain facilities may have an additional fee which I believe is 50 percent of for annual Park pass holders.
We did,. ;)
Looks like the outer loop at Pedernales. I remember the good old days when Texas state park camping fees were only $8 per night for sites with water and electric hookups and $4 per night for sites without. Nice find for the roof rack cross bars with integrated T-track. Also like your interior window bug screens. I've had a 2015 GEN3 Sienna for about a year now and have been in research and design mode watching all the YT videos for ideas and approaches. Mostly I'm waiting to finish converting my garage into a workshop which I'm in the middle of right now -- can only do so much on weekends and holidays when still doing the 40hr work week routine. Anyway, thanks for doing the video -- very helpful for those of us following along a similar path.
We love Pedernales but can never get in - it was booked until April. I hear you on the fees - it's crazy when three nights of camping financially justifies the yearly state park pass! It's the whole "charge you per-person day use fees even when you are camping" that seems unique to Texas. On the screens - look into using a series of rare earth magnets around the window area to hold in some screen material. Not sure if you have exposed metal on the '15, but that approach would have been way faster and cheaper than what I did (which ended up costing like $150...).
@@boyink I forgot to ask -- what brand/model of solar panel did you use? Thanks.
That's my 2nd panel. The first was a Renology 200W. After adding the CPAP we were draining the battery more so I bought a no-name 300W panel off eBay. It might have been a step backward as I haven't seen >100W from it yet. But the sun is low right now and I didn't build the ability in to angle it. But I also bought a EcoFlow Alternator Charger which connects to the vehicle charging system and can send up to 800W to the battery. The upshot is I may not need solar at all as we don't typically spend more than two nights in one spot.
agreed... Lil Magnets 🧲 are sooo versatile & handy
Very nice. Looking forward to seeing what you do with a Suburban.
Thanks! I've been busy on the Suburban but more fixing odds and ends and getting it detailed. But I'll work on a getting a video posted of it as a starting point soon.
💥Really cool presentation
of ur rig💥
Simple & concise... Not a lot of 'filler' just direct usable info...😎
Goodluck with the Suburban
Thanks! 👍
Great video, love the setup!
Appreciate it!
Very nice setup!!! I have a 2015 sienna and a no-build conversion. I’m leaving for a cross country trip 1/1/25. I hope you make more videos. 😊
Thanks..good luck on your trip! Based on the season I'm guessing you'll see a lot of I-10?
@ Yeah, I’m heading to Quartzsite, I plan to be there the whole month of January then I’m gonna go check out some other places. I’m coming from Pittsburgh Pa. Long drive lol
Nice! We never stayed in Quartzsite, but have been through that area. The Maricopa county parks are nice - we loved Usery Mountain (if you can get in). Tonto NF/Saguaro Lake/ Lost Dutchman SP all pretty to explore as well.
Newbie to your channel, I'm diggin' it. and will be following you now. You said your from Tulsa, and I'm in SE Kansas (Baxter Springs actually) so this is all extra cool for me :) Dreaming on Van dwelling for many years now , getting ready to turn 61 soon and I"m just about ready to start building soon . LOL gotta buy a rig first ( mini van)
Howdy! Honestly I didn't really think of having a "channel" as I've always been more of a writer and photographer with my own blog (boyink.com). My intent here was a "one and done" video just to document this build before I break it down. But based on the response so far I think I'm going to track my Suburban build here just to see what happens. Good luck with your minivan search - do you have a target make/model yet?
Nice build! I have a very similar setup on my Subaru.
Thanks! 👍
Hey thanks for making this video! Really neat to see your setup. Glad I found your channel.
You're welcome!
Really enjoyed this helpful tour. Just starting to think about getting my vehicle organized for camping and looking for ideas. Really appreciate your helpful expertise and the insights you are sharing. Happy trails.
Organization is key! Good luck with the planning.
Nice setup! -I'm changing the spark plugs on my 2007 Toyota Sienna. OMG, there is not much room to work on those back 3 cylinders! You're smart to sell your Sienna before you run into difficult maintenance tasks. Nevertheless, I still love Sienna as a campervan... I made a youtube video of my minivan camper that's on my channnel. Good luck with your next camper build!
I always love seeing different solutions on the same platform. You solved the heat issue - we've used electric mattress pad and blanket solutions with mixed results. One of the reasons I choose the Suburban for the next rig is the capacity to tow a small travel trailer - just the easy button for heat/AC/potty/shower that are difficult in the smaller rigs.
@@boyink Thanks for your nice words! Don't give up on the idea of building out your Suburban without the need for a trailer. Perhaps a tent could provide the extra space you need.. Also, the Oyster Performance Cooler MIGHT replace the need for a 12V refrigerator. This cooler is expensive, but if it works as well as the reviews say, this cooler could save space and electrical complications. -The walls of the cooler are in a vacuum, so there are no air molecules to bounce around and warm up your cooler. Anyway, good luck!
Oh, we had a nice cooler to start with - not that brand but a similar Yeti-equivalent. Got tired of wet food and chasing ice - and not being able to find ice at times. Not going back from the 12v fridge! I need the electrical for other stuff anyway (CPAP etc). Can't get excited about tents - too much hassle and still very weather-dependent (carried a screen room for a while and gave it up). A small trailer would extend our camping season with easy heat for cold nights and AC for hot afternoons. And easily sold off again if it doesn't work out.
@@boyink Yup. That makes sense.
You did an awesome job!
Thanks!
Loving the channel, new subscriber here, just starting my own channel, having a blast with it. Keep up the good work and be safe
Heh..I didn't realize what I was getting into. I tried YT years ago during our life as fulltime RVers and just never found traction. This video has already surpassed everything I tried back then, so what the heck. I'll give it another go and cover the Suburban build here. I see Lions gear in your rig - you a Michigander?
Nice job. Looks comfortable and well thought out.
Thanks!
Good Build 👍
Thanks 👍
I have a 2006 Sienna with 84k. Nice van but like you I am looking to something with tow capability/drive off access.
The nice thing is your van is worth a fair penny on the used car market. Should be able to almost trade straight across for a number of vehicles.
Nice setup. I have a 2015 Sienna with a solar panel up top and a couple of Ecoflow solar generators inside.
How do you setup the multiple Ecoflow units? Do they each have a dedicated solar panel?
@ I only have room for one panel on top (I forget, maybe 435 w?). I could carry my folding panel if I had room. I plug in my largest unit to the panel. I could switch the mp4 plug to my lesser unit, or charge it with 110 when I get the chance, or charge it from the larger if I wish. I actually do whatever is easiest at the moment. Sometimes I leave some in storage. My largest is almost 100 lbs and difficult to move. My smallest 2 I often use for my phone and can be taken inside somewhere to charge. I have 5 right now, but had 7. Delta Pro, Delta Max 2, Delta 2, RP600 pro, and Delta mini.
I have a 2005 Toyota that I will most likely have to go out alone with. It has about 183k on it. Is that anywhere near the miles you have on yours? Sure was a pretty area to camp. Lot different than Wisconsin this time of year.
Ours has ~237K. I bought it with about the mileage yours has now. Yea - we're from Michigan originally, not camping season up there!
@@boyink Thank you for your reply!
Check out the Runaway dealer in Tulsa.
Thanks - I was just looking at those. They're an interesting option but I'd probably look for something a bit bigger - like in the 20' range. Enough to come with a potty/shower/furnace etc as those are tough to work into a Sienna/Suburban.
@boyink Older Casita's are nice, but pricey.
I was looking at those too. I need to get inside one to experience it. Ideally if we get a trailer it would be tall enough for me to stand up in. We had a Class B that was 6' and at 6'3" I always came out with a new hairdo...;)
🎉🤩🤑
Didn't see a toilet
'Cause there isn't one? I have a bottle. Otherwise we try and camp places with at least a pit toilet.