I am probably the only person who is super excited to see the steel barrier. I find most van lifers are not prepared for a high impact collision with all these propane tanks and battery banks hanging about.
Love your van builds Brain, You inspired me to build my first campervan, I have built over 130 stealth campervans and Im running my own campervan manufacturing bisiness for the last 7years so I need to say thank you for the inspiration, All the best for 2025 Brian, William.
I agree with you it is easier to travel light. I car camp in my GMC Acadia. It is amazing how you can get along fine with a few items. I do have a pop up tent for changing and toileting. Not bad for a 75 year old on my own. Enjoy your adventures.
Van looks awesome. The only change I would make would be having my pillow behind the drivers seat for sleeping position just in case you get rear ended while sleeping I would rather have my feet take any impact vs hy head. Safe travels.
From our experience, it's important to have an insulation layer in/on the cot. We nearly froze to death as our cots had no insulation and you are just hanging in the cold air on that cot as opposed to what you were on in the box truck. Your blanket and foam mattress might be enough. You will know when it gets cold! Nice setup Brian!
I sleep on old couch cushions elevated like that. I have a comforter underneath me for warmth and to hold the cushions together. Never cold from underneath. That's a good tip.
Wow - starting over so to speak. Sometimes things we THINK we need, end up complicating our lives. This should allow you to re-evaluate what you really need and what allows the fun we all need to enjoy life. Woot.
I'm really enjoying this new adventure. I outfitted my minivan several years ago very simply for weekend camping. To see you going from "having it all" to this is so interesting as to what all you're choosing. The adventure continues.....✌️♥️
Stick some of those glow in the dark stars to the ceiling, really get the feeling of looking at the sky. Awesome video. Really shows that you can get by with a minimal setup. Hoping to be out on the road once my daughter graduates in 2 years. Safe travels!
A very simple build Brian. But, you've put a lot of thought and quality components into it. I still think your box truck is amazing. I understand we all need a change now and then...
Hi Brian, great to see the refrigerator back in use, I always had it set on 25°f, hope it gives you plenty of service. Works good with the freezer packs in in rotation in a regular cooler. I'll throw my airbrush in the Jeep and make you some clouds in your sky/ceiling next time I see you. Maybe a sunrise or sunset on your upper walls. I'm in process of building the Jeep out now, minimalist style, have all the parts, ready to get some plywood and make the sleeping platform storage cubbies. I'm getting the itchy feet too ! Happy Trails y'all !
All my positive thoughts about this excellent almost-no-build are in the other comments, but what the heck, I HAD to type something, so here goes: You're amazing, Brian! Thanks for sharing. 😁
Loving how simple this is! I have the same two Bluetti set up and 200W panel in my Toyota Rav4. No space for me to bring my bike or guitar, though. I make up for it by bringing my knitting and crocheting supplies, lol. Can't wait to see the final setup! ✌️
Brian you can buy little glow in the dark Stars, Planets, Galaxies and moons that pin to the ceiling when you get the blue foam up there. Looks really neat in the dark. Sold normally for childrens rooms. Love what you've done with the mini van.
My van has a similar divider wall. I cut a sheet of magnet on the roll to fit the opening. It covers the holes and I just peel it off and stick it down lower on the divider when I don’t need privacy. Love the back to basics idea.
Can you get to the driver’s seat from the back without going outside? Would be nice if you could for emergencies. Great job with keeping it simple. Can’t wait to see your next adventure.✌️
I'm very excited for you. Also from San Diego, enjoying Fiesta Island this week/month. I watched your No-Build Build and envy you have the cargo/driver bulkhead to keep items coming forward (ballistic) in the event of even harsh braking. So I was still building some unfounded anxiety, until at 9:00 you reinforced there will be adequate securing - restraints for van contents. I have the restraints, but I don't yet have he bulkhead. I'm also keen to build-up the driver-side wall, as my bedding/couch also run along that wall. A little paranoid, I don't like the idea of parking on the curb at night, but that thin wall is between me and crazy drivers. So I installed wall holders for my traction recovery boards and also insulated with an 8" thick mattress. My head and trunk are now 1 foot away from the metal. Oh, in a crash I'll still get messed-up, but next I can rig into a handicapped van LoL
Nice setup, Brian. Your years of experience in living in small mobile spaces is really paying off for you now. I look forward to traveling vicariously through your videos. Best of luck!
Hey Brian! Love this simple build. Have you considered removing the partition in the Astro? Just curious what your reasoning is leaving it in. Be well friend!
Great progress Brian! You are inspiring me so thanks for sharing your set up so far. So practical. Your excitement shows in your voice and face. Woohoo! Off we go!
I'm so excited for you Brian. This set up is exactly what I aspire for myself & Little One 🐾 I do have some debt to pay off then I will be looking for a commercial van. My minivan only gets 12-16 mpg and has NO ground clearance. Thank you so much for filming this very inspirational set up. Safe travels and may God bless Sendin Grandmama love ❌⭕, Iris and Little One 👋🐾
Looking good Brian! It's going to be interesting to see whether the bigger rig and more comfort or the little fast scoot shooter is the way to go. Never a dull moment!
From a previous Astro van owner - please be careful. If you ever have to make an abrupt "panic stop" everything not bolted down is gonna turn into a missle pointing straight at your head. Glad you're gonna strap that stuff down...
Nice! I did two years full time in a van without heat (brrrr) and wo refrigeration, so nice to see your easy setup that I can duplicate if I ever get out there again.👍❣️happy trails
You have thought this out really well…everything you need and lacking nothing useful once you get the thrift store finds. Looking forward to the next video🎥👏🏼👏🏼
Well that set up makes living out of a Tacoma much more doable ( I was trying to think of how not to tap into the truck power system.) Im loving the simplicity of your new set up
Bob Wells is going to want to know where you use the bathroom 😂✌🏼Excited about the new rig!
Same fold up toilet seat I've been using for years.
Its a darn good question to ask. Too many out there do just what you think where they shouldn't.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
👀
Lol 🤣🤷♀️😎
I am probably the only person who is super excited to see the steel barrier. I find most van lifers are not prepared for a high impact collision with all these propane tanks and battery banks hanging about.
Love your van builds Brain, You inspired me to build my first campervan, I have built over 130 stealth campervans and Im running my own campervan manufacturing bisiness for the last 7years so I need to say thank you for the inspiration, All the best for 2025 Brian, William.
Love the simplicity Brian.
Cool little van for sure😊👏🏼
👍🏻 simple simple
Simple Brian's the man.
🫡🇺🇸🙏🏻✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻
Subbed since 1st van. Love the channel. Love the dude. May God keep your path safe and straight my guy! Love the humble reset.
I agree with you it is easier to travel light. I car camp in my GMC Acadia. It is amazing how you can get along fine with a few items. I do have a pop up tent for changing and toileting. Not bad for a 75 year old on my own. Enjoy your adventures.
How do you stay warm in the winter?
It reminds me of the first van you set up to hit the road. 💕
Nice simple setup👍
Loving these videos! Keep us posted as the adventure continues
Van looks awesome. The only change I would make would be having my pillow behind the drivers seat for sleeping position just in case you get rear ended while sleeping I would rather have my feet take any impact vs hy head. Safe travels.
I didn’t see a towel in there. “If you want to survive out here, you’ve got to know where your towel is.” Don’t Panic! 👍🏼
It's always at an arms reach. I keep my handbook handy as well😉👍🏼
@@AdventureVanMan You're living right , good sir. take care
Well done. Coming along nicely. 👍✌️🌞
This is looking great! There is much more room than I thought there would be.
The backpacker philosophy is coming out of you, Brian.
“Simple and light”
I love the way you are going about sharing setting up the Astro!
Man, that is looking sharp, very neat!!!👍🏼👍🏼
Clean, cozy, & neat- looks great, Brian! 😊
From our experience, it's important to have an insulation layer in/on the cot. We nearly froze to death as our cots had no insulation and you are just hanging in the cold air on that cot as opposed to what you were on in the box truck. Your blanket and foam mattress might be enough. You will know when it gets cold! Nice setup Brian!
I sleep on old couch cushions elevated like that. I have a comforter underneath me for warmth and to hold the cushions together. Never cold from underneath. That's a good tip.
Way to go Brian. Back to basics.
Less is more and simple is better in my opinion too!
Looking good!
Wow - starting over so to speak. Sometimes things we THINK we need, end up complicating our lives. This should allow you to re-evaluate what you really need and what allows the fun we all need to enjoy life. Woot.
I'm really enjoying this new adventure. I outfitted my minivan several years ago very simply for weekend camping. To see you going from "having it all" to this is so interesting as to what all you're choosing. The adventure continues.....✌️♥️
"And away we go" !! Looking good Brian, simple yet effective!
I think your set up is great Brain. You have made it to suit your needs. I hope you find happiness and peaceful living on the road again. 😊
Stick some of those glow in the dark stars to the ceiling, really get the feeling of looking at the sky. Awesome video. Really shows that you can get by with a minimal setup. Hoping to be out on the road once my daughter graduates in 2 years. Safe travels!
I've peeled bunches of those off the ceilings of my rental properties!
A very simple build Brian. But, you've put a lot of thought and quality components into it. I still think your box truck is amazing. I understand we all need a change now and then...
Just the bees knees Brian. 🙌 All you need.🤗 🚐 🌏
Getting all things set up. Cooking outside makes everything taste better. Fresh air, not left over food smells. Looks good. 😊
Man that is a pretty thorough equipment list. Thanks for sharing.
definitely a KISS Van!
Great progress... looking really good!
That's a cool little setup I like it
Looks great Brian. Can't wait to see the adventures in your new setup!
Hi Brian, great to see the refrigerator back in use, I always had it set on 25°f, hope it gives you plenty of service. Works good with the freezer packs in in rotation in a regular cooler. I'll throw my airbrush in the Jeep and make you some clouds in your sky/ceiling next time I see you. Maybe a sunrise or sunset on your upper walls.
I'm in process of building the Jeep out now, minimalist style, have all the parts, ready to get some plywood and make the sleeping platform storage cubbies.
I'm getting the itchy feet too ! Happy Trails y'all !
Great progress! Thanks for sharing! 😎and away we go!…..
All my positive thoughts about this excellent almost-no-build are in the other comments, but what the heck, I HAD to type something, so here goes: You're amazing, Brian! Thanks for sharing. 😁
Loving how simple this is! I have the same two Bluetti set up and 200W panel in my Toyota Rav4. No space for me to bring my bike or guitar, though. I make up for it by bringing my knitting and crocheting supplies, lol. Can't wait to see the final setup! ✌️
I love our clam”gazebo “ with our teardrop set up.
Da..da..da..da..da..da...dah, AstroVanMan! Great way to relax on a sunday.
lookin good! nice and organized.
Thanks man!👍🏼✌🏼
Cant wait to see where you go!
Can't wait to see where you take us 👍✌
Thanks, Brian!
Brian you can buy little glow in the dark Stars, Planets, Galaxies and moons that pin to the ceiling when you get the blue foam up there. Looks really neat in the dark. Sold normally for childrens rooms. Love what you've done with the mini van.
Great idea!👍🏼
This is a great concept/project. Looking forward to seeing you put it to use. Thanks for sharing!
This is getting me excited!!!
I love how excited you are. Happy trails. ☮️
It looks great, Brian! Excited to see your adventures in it!
The van arrangement is a good practical way to go.
I also have a canvas cot in my Frontier camper.
Way...way better than trying to sleep on wood!
I like the set up, safe travels. Away we go.
Great set up. So excited for your new adventures. Looking forward to the videos 👍
My van has a similar divider wall. I cut a sheet of magnet on the roll to fit the opening. It covers the holes and I just peel it off and stick it down lower on the divider when I don’t need privacy. Love the back to basics idea.
Can you get to the driver’s seat from the back without going outside? Would be nice if you could for emergencies. Great job with keeping it simple. Can’t wait to see your next adventure.✌️
Yes there is a little door to pass through.
Van is looking good. Love how you can put together such a simple and easy living space. Looking forward to where your travels take you next.
I'm very excited for you.
Also from San Diego, enjoying Fiesta Island this week/month.
I watched your No-Build Build and envy you have the cargo/driver bulkhead to keep items coming forward (ballistic) in the event of even harsh braking. So I was still building some unfounded anxiety, until at 9:00 you reinforced there will be adequate securing - restraints for van contents.
I have the restraints, but I don't yet have he bulkhead.
I'm also keen to build-up the driver-side wall, as my bedding/couch also run along that wall. A little paranoid, I don't like the idea of parking on the curb at night, but that thin wall is between me and crazy drivers.
So I installed wall holders for my traction recovery boards and also insulated with an 8" thick mattress. My head and trunk are now 1 foot away from the metal.
Oh, in a crash I'll still get messed-up, but next I can rig into a handicapped van LoL
It looks wonderful!!
Great ‘new start’ and nice for us seasonal or weekend camper van dreamers.
Also nice to see what could be done with just a rental van.
Nice setup, Brian. Your years of experience in living in small mobile spaces is really paying off for you now.
I look forward to traveling vicariously through your videos.
Best of luck!
Looks good safe travels!
Your Astro was a great find!
Hey Brian! Love this simple build. Have you considered removing the partition in the Astro? Just curious what your reasoning is leaving it in. Be well friend!
Great progress Brian! You are inspiring me so thanks for sharing your set up so far. So practical. Your excitement shows in your voice and face. Woohoo! Off we go!
Low cost and functional 👍👍☮
Love it.
Badass set up!!
Looking very good. 👍👌
Cool dude. Lookin good
Very cool.
its looking great!!
Wow that was a fast transition. Love it❤
I'm so excited for you Brian. This set up is exactly what I aspire for myself & Little One 🐾 I do have some debt to pay off then I will be looking for a commercial van. My minivan only gets 12-16 mpg and has NO ground clearance. Thank you so much for filming this very inspirational set up. Safe travels and may God bless Sendin Grandmama love ❌⭕, Iris and Little One 👋🐾
Awesome build out.
I like your weekender house at the lake. Safe and healthy travels
Looking good Brian!
It's going to be interesting to see whether the bigger rig and more comfort or the little fast scoot shooter is the way to go.
Never a dull moment!
Looks Great good ideas
From a previous Astro van owner - please be careful. If you ever have to make an abrupt "panic stop" everything not bolted down is gonna turn into a missle pointing straight at your head. Glad you're gonna strap that stuff down...
Looks quite comfortable 😊
Great build 👏🏾 🏕✌🏿
Awesome!!👍😎🇨🇦✌️
Thank you.
I’m excited for you. I’m pretty new to the channel and so used to your box truck that I loved. This is a new adventure. Safe & happy travels
Nice! I did two years full time in a van without heat (brrrr) and wo refrigeration, so nice to see your easy setup that I can duplicate if I ever get out there again.👍❣️happy trails
Love it!
Looks Great
You have thought this out really well…everything you need and lacking nothing useful once you get the thrift store finds. Looking forward to the next video🎥👏🏼👏🏼
Well that set up makes living out of a Tacoma much more doable ( I was trying to think of how not to tap into the truck power system.) Im loving the simplicity of your new set up
Very well packed!
Yep pretty cool ✌️
Cool setup. Had my cot in the same place. Once my bed went in, everything else found a home. Had a 93 astro van.
Great organizing skills. Looks really nice.
Love it Brian ! All the best to you !
The setup looks great. I hope you're comfortable and happy.
Thanks, Brian The Van Looking good😃✌🏜
This looks so cool brian! I want to buy an Astro van and build it out now!!! Haha
Nebo lights with 2 magnets, clip, & hook - rechargeable, well made, works really well.
You have a very nice setup. It's very similar to mine. I think you're going to be comfortable.
Lookin' good! I like the blue.
Looks great! Is there a pass through to the front on this one?
yes, nice little hinged door.
Looking good Brian 😁👍✌️
Simple, but very nice setup😊. I wish you a great time with it on the road!