3 Unique Minivan Sink and Grey Water Ideas to Make Van Life and Camping More Enjoyable!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ก.ย. 2024
- If you want to see everything I use in my van, click here: www.minivancam...
Learn from my mistakes and trials as I show you 3 of my successful sink attempts. Having a minivan sink for van life and minivan camping can make ALL the difference. All three sinks have small grey water tanks attached. I consider all 3 ideas to be cheap van sinks as well! I also have a USB faucet that pumps water.
USB Water Pump: amzn.to/3mzTZ0P
Water tubing: amzn.to/3Jgb211
Tubing braided cover 1/4":amzn.to/3L3iVbw
Welcome to Minivan Camper Gal! I'm Kelly and I camp and travel in a Chrysler Pacifica Minivan, doing part-time van life, and minivan life. Here you will find van build videos, tips on the digital nomad lifestyle, general travel vlog videos, and more. I'm into minimalism, and I eat a mostly plant-based vegan diet. I'm still learning how to do vegan vanlife well! I have some great vegan camping recipes to share with you, but would love some suggestions, too! Sometimes I stealth camp in the city, but mostly I like to boondock. Join me and my camper van as we embark on all the car camping adventures!
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To see everything I use in my van, go to www.minivancampergal.com!
Thanks for your video, it helped me work through some design modifications to make a camp sink for my large camp group
I love the simplicity and function! Thanks for sharing ❤
People who don't do car camping or living can't really understand that amazing feeling of finding your perspective solution of a small detail requirement after several trials and errors.
Haha, yes it’s so satisfying! I’m glad I have a community that can appreciate it!
I don't do car camping but I relate very well I understand I think you don't understand😅
I actually just use bottles of water to wash my hair anymore..i just do it out in the open wherever i am in nature/sumtimes public parks, at camping sites they sumtimes have water pumps/hose hookups that u can bend over to wash ur hair underneath i like this since i dnt have to do so much ...and for the rest of ur body... wash cloth baths are necessary 💯 and essential 💯, 💯.
And car living u just gotta find a private place to do all this or do it behind closed doors [literally] gotta love tinted backseats ...along with 'ho baths' which is washing ur private parts while u use the bathroom in a toilet... which I also use a water bottle to do so....its really the same thing as washing ur private parts in the shower, also I adopted this method from my college roommate who was Muslim, and would always have a pitcher of water drawn over by the toilet.
...and after using the bathroom, especially this way, wash ur hands very, very well with soap as to not be a nasty/ indecent fn person
Lol
This is what has worked for me.
I do appreciate your new sink! I may have to make sumthing similar, but I want to have a pump instead of having to rely on electricity
Looks great! I use a 3 gallon bucket with holes in it. It fits inside the five gallon bucket. It’s deeper so you can wash bigger items even clothes. Not as classy or drainy as the stainless bowl but pretty functional.
WOAH, that’s a great idea John! I love it.
Great idea 😮
Great idea
In theory, you could use a heat gun to warm up the plastic on the bottom and then shove a mixing bowl or basket ball to bend it into more of a bowl/sink shape. Haven't tested it, but seems like it would work.
Thank you !
You are pretty creative and witty with your designs.... really cool!😊
I hope this isn’t redundant, but I didn’t go through all 258 comments to be sure. Here goes. Perhaps instead of the wooden platform for the pump, you can hang a cup holder? Can cut a slot to allow for the hose. Any way, I’m doing a camper van build and I definitely appreciate all your wonderful ideas and trials.
Ooh, thanks! That’s a unique idea! I’ll look into it!
That's a great idea. Thank you. You just solved my problem. I want a USB tap for my pull out sink this will work perfectly. ❤
Could do it super cheap with just a round plastic container that would fit the tap. Cut a line and hole for the water tube and just glue it on to the side of the bucket. You could even just hot glue some magnets on the side and the you could mount it anywhere you have metal.
That would be easy enought to heat up and mold as needed, too!
I love that you smile when you talk.
Thank you!
I bought that same USB faucet -- it just seemed like the simplest/best solution. I haven't built out my sink area yet but I like the idea of magnets holding it in place. Great job on your many versions!
Thank you! Glad you like your faucet too. Thanks for watching, and good luck on your sink!
Great. Sharp lady.
Creative and practical 😊
Thanks!
I am in awe of your mechanical skills. Well done!
Well done thats my kind of cheap but suprer functional solution
Thanks Mark!
Ingenious! Thanks for sharing all your experiments that are very useful!
Thank you!
Clever Ideas! And let me add my solution for a sink. Auto supply stores carry several types of inexpensive PORTABLE OIL DRAIN PANS that hold 5 to 12 quarts. The top has a shallow depression with a twist plug that drains into an enclosed cavity below that is emptied by a side twist plug. The shallow depression works for light needs. Add a bowl when you need a deeper catchment, and pour the waste water into the shallow depression. Disposal is super easy with no splashing by twisting the plugs closed to carry the pan outside.
Yes,my thought also. Easy to carry with the built in handle. And cheap if you get one of the black ones. Gray water contained so little odor.
Hmm. Yes. But might that not be a bit harder to sanitize though, after a while?
@@mfb6310 The oil change receptacle I use holds about 2 gallons. I empty and clean it after every use, usually with vinegar or OxiClean.
Your videos provide very practical, simple, cute, clean and logical approach!👍😊 Excellent job!🫶 God bless and stay safe, dear! 🌷
This vid have me smiling all the way through, I just love people who invent stuff and use inichetive to complete a task, and the presentation was clear and informative with no annoying music. I will definitely subscribe.
Hey David! Thank you! Yes, I’m loving coming up with ideas! I’ll have to start creating other problems to solve soon, now that the van is getting dialed in, lol!
I love the realistic feeling of the process of making something from what you got to what you need. I identify a lot with this process of thinking (simple and efficient) and inspires me to go back to building stuff for our car. Thanks for sharing and keep it coming!
I like it! That USB powered faucet is a game changer - IMO.
I’ve gone through a series of sink myself and most didn’t work out well. Mainly because of the amount of water that spills or that smells. In a small space, I found it better to dispose of gray water as soon as possible. and And to help minimize spills, gray water needs to be kept in an enclosed container.
Just my experience! Good Luck 🍀
Yeah, I agree! My bucket sink works the best because the water I use doesn't come close to 5 gallons, so the level stays pretty low. And the sink with the rubber bungee seals it up pretty well. What's the saying - Don't ask me how I know? Haha.
You could just pull the bowl out and add a Menards bucket lid to the top. I think I'd dump it right away and store everything in the bucket with the lid when not in use. Still clever all the same though!
Brilliant
How about getting a 2nd ikea bowl to hold water , then pour it into the one with holes when you are done with that water. Like a stopper-only another bowl. I really love your idea 😊
WOAH! That’s a really cool idea! I’ll definitely think about this. Thank you!
absolutely love the bucket idea.. Can i suggest a black bucket, black pvc piping with a diameter that allows for the tap pump to sit in snug and metal strap to keep the pvc plumbing down the side of the black bucket to stay in tack.. it will look solid and you could possibly run a drain off the bucket with a side tap that runs tubing to under your car for water to be drained too..
Ooh, thanks for the idea! Yes, a drain tube would be very handy.
Thank you
I absolutely appreciate this incredible idea!❤
Great video...well done
That helped me thanks. Have a fun Summer 😊
Great,innovative,cheap & practical!
Thank you. Good to know for future
Hey Michelle! Glad it’s helpful!
Glad she’s so resourceful. Great ideas. Would a simple home water hose and adjustable sprayer handle attachment like the ones used to water a garden or hose down a driveway work - that way she can pull it out the door as well for washing her hair and hang it on a hook near a 5 gallon container for indoor use. The water pressure on a sprayer is adjustable. The bowl doesn’t seem deep enough for hair washing or washing dishes and the faucet isn’t tall enough. But if the hose is removable from a sprayer by simply screwing it off and also the the rear water supply she can also screw the hose to a campground water supply to refill and for other water needs such as rinsing off shoes outdoors - that way she doesn’t use up her 15 gallon water supply.
I’d also recommend a small solar panel for the rear water supply to keep the water warm - if even just a window pane above the storage tank. .
Hey Bonnie! Thanks for the suggestions! I have a video coming out soon about a new way to shower in the van! I do have a hose that I use to refill my water jugs. Most of the time I camp in the wilderness without water hookups.
You are very smart....
Thank you for sharing.
Enjoyed watching. Solutions that work.
Rite on, glad ya got it figured out, thanks
Great final sink!
Excellent idea with the bucket: but have you thought about a plug? when you want to just wash your hands, or perhaps a small item of clothing, a plug of some sort would be a good idea. Even a circle of thick'ish silicon sheet cut to size would probably work. good job though.
This is awesome. I camped with a small trailer that was a box on wheels for 10 years. I never really figured out the sink part. I would use CleanWaste bags that took water and congealed it so I could throw it away at the next trash can. Now I know how to do the sink for my next camper. Although I think I will use the larger CleanWaste bags for the bucket to keep the bucket clean.
AMAZING! SUPERB content! Thanks a lot!
Wow you’re a pretty clever young lady. Great video
You are awesome, thank you for the IKEA sink idea…just ordered mine!
*Great sink idea! Thx for sharing.*
Thanks. Will try this first.
Good luck!
Thank you for sharing your field tests! I am in the process of researching and acquiring the items I will need for the no-build conversion of my Sienna, and this really helps. I like your super speedy wood working montages, too! :). Fun to watch.
Hey Kelly! Ah yes, I researched so much when I was first building mine out! I tried and failed at quite a few builds too. It's so fun creating something that is absolutely perfect for you. (Well, once you get it right!) I hope you enjoy you van once you get into it, and thanks for watching!
I have yet to come up with a running water or sink idea that works for my situation in my minivan.
Brilliant. Thank you so much! Was about to say for aesthetics, with the right cleaning, scuff sanding, priming, paint, and clear top coat could make bucket look any color/finish you want...but then saw you got it covered. Stainless steel is an excellent material for sinks. I once did a deep-dive on researching sinks abd stainless steel was the affordable but sanitizable one I liked best even if I find other metals prettier. Excess water may splash so im wondering about some sorta basin
Now Im curious to hear your toilet ideas and more...
Cont....was saying so I wonder about some basin or bin to stand the sink in. And washcloth hanger nearby or right on sink.
Maybe a larger version of the sink too if ever needed like for larger dish load or soaking feet or washing hair or washing small pet etc. Stowed away when not needed. Uses same faucet.
Ooh thanks, yeah those are interesting ideas!
skillful
Great sink ideas. The bucket is great!
I like how the bucket style lowers the center of gravity which has to be more stable than your previous attempts. Thank you for sharing this concept as I'm currently working through my plans
Thank you! Yes, it continues to work quite well. Good luck on your build!
I have the same faucet. I love it. I took a rubbermaid bin and cut a hole in the top for my collapsible sink. self contained so the clean and grey water are both in the bin in different containers. if you're on an angle a lil, you just collapse the sink in the direction you need to allow it to drain. I do things in 1 gallon jugs so I never have to carry more than a gallon of clean or grey water at a time.
Ooh, that's a great simple idea! How do you drain the bin into the gallon jug? Oh - maybe you have the jug inside the bin?
@@minivancampergal1554 you got it. Jug in the bin and some tubing
Perfect for outside
Yes, you could totally take it right outside.
I haven't even thought about this..
I actually have 2 of those taps (because I ordered the wrong colour, so I decided to get another one too)😅
I had a trip this summer, and after that, I ripped everything out, and are starting new.
I had the sofa -bed, but I need the space, so are going to have a fold down hammock like bed instead.. 😊
Ooh a hammock bed, that sounds awesome!
I need to hear more about the fold down hammock ...😊
@@CitizenCWQ I wasn't able to figure it out, so I had to just make a Murphy bed solution.
But now, coming back from my 2 month trip, I'm thinking of redoing the whole interior, so I don't have to deal with the seat every time I use the bed, and can have some more headspace.
I think it will be great, you can see updates on my channel in a couple of months. 😊
@@minivancampergal1554 Yes, I just wasn't able to figure it out, so I ended up with a Murphy bed solution instead. 😅
Sheesh, I got bumped out and had to search for you so I could subscribe. I have the parts, so I am going to make a sink. I pick up ANY stainless bowl at the thrift store. About $3. I use them for everything, after I fell off a roof, I drop things, and stainless survives that and sooo lightweight.
Thanks for the pump links.
Hey Janet, thanks for finding me again! Yeah, I’m really loving it so far. Good luck on your construction!
Thanks for this nicely-edited, well-explained, and clear exploration and how-to video.
Subscribed.
Awesome, thank you!
Girl you just made my dayyy. Thank you for the ideas
Awesome! Thanks for the comment!
Love seeing the process!
excellent!!
Thank you for your video ❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks for watching!
------love that you're super down-to-earth about repurposing items without it being cute to have it----so me appreciate you being relatable. Me enjoy that your content isn't "Instagram-ish perfect" or look like a Rich person could only have it. Malave' Contreras Sunday the 4th of June of 2023.
Thank you! Sometimes I wonder if I'm a little too down-to-earth, haha, and maybe I should spruce things up. I really appreciate your comment! Thanks for watching!
Success! Well done!
stumbled across your video, i'm so impressed with your out of the box thinking & creativity....nice work & now I'm going to binge watch the rest of your videos. Cheers from Texas :)
Hey Mister! Aw thank you. Thanks for watching!
I really like the mixing bowel in the bucket!
Great ideas!!! I have a GMC high top conversion van and I intend to use the last bucket idea. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Phil! Oh great, I'm glad it was helpful!
Very ingenious, thanks
Thanks for showing us this pump. Thanks for sharing your inventions. I believe you have helped many avoid issues with your “smart sink”.
Thank you!
😊 Thankyou Darling..🦋
Thanks Cheryl!
Really Awesome love the bucket idea great job Im converting a bus wanting to keep it simple this give me ideas
Hey Gypsy! Ooh, a converted bus, sounds awesome. I think simple is best! Good luck with it!
Try a hole saw the size of the pump to make a groove for it to set in. That might firm it up more
Awesome! I'm doing this! Thank you! 👌
Brilliant! Thank you so much.
Hey Nessa! Thanks for watching!
All great ideas.
Thanks!
it's always the little things that bring satisfaction
I love this too I'm going to use your ideas tks I'm glad I saw your video
Hi Olivia! Oh great, I hope it’s helpful to you. Thanks for watching!
Love it..!
Greetings from Denmark 👍
Thank you! Cheers!
Amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Grilliant
Very resourceful. Good job.
Hey Melinda! Thank you!
That is a good setup. I have the same pump. I mounted it to the top of my top loading refrigerator using magnets and ran the hose inside thru a hole and into a 1-gallon water jug. Now I just push a button and get ice cold drinking water without having to open the lid or use water bottles. I have been washing dishes using two spray bottles. One has water and dish soap, and the other just plain water. I wipe off my dirty dishes with paper towels, then squirt it with my soapy water mix, and then scrub it with a green pad, they rinse it with the clean water spray bottle. I found it to be easier than traditional dishwashing and only uses a tiny amount of water. I use the spray bottles to wash and rinse my hands, and to wet and clean my toothbrush. I highly recommend using spray bottles.
Ooh, I like this dishwashing idea!!
@@minivancampergal1554 With one gallon of water, I can wash dishes for about two weeks. Depending on how long you boondock, you could probably get rid of one of your five gallon jugs, and re-purpose that space for other things.
I think the bucket was a great idea!!
Thanks! It's been working out great so far!
Love the last choice!!! 😻
Thanks!
Bucket sink is great!
🙋🏼
Thank you!
Awesome idea thanks for sharing ❤
Thanks for the ideas
Really very smart!
Great job!
Thanks!
Brilliant!!!
Thank you!
Brilliant ideas! Thank you! Very impressive! G Ire
I love your creativity & willingness to design and redesign until you got what worked best for you. I also put a pump similar to yours in my Pacifica so I have running water in my van. I think it's fun to create and work out the little bugs that make minivan life more comfortable. Thank you for sharing.
Hey Jacqueline! Thank you! Yes, there’s nothing quite like the thrill. We’re Pacifica sisters! Thanks for watching.
Thank you!
Nicely done. I think I would strap the pump directly to the bucket with an adjustable metal strap instead of the shelf. For me, the fewer parts, the better.
Outstanding. I think I'm going to try this
All the sinks I thought were fabulous!!! You are a genius. Good job!!!!!!
Clever sink solution! I struggled a bit with mine as I didn’t want to cut a hole in the cabinet for the sink, had to come up with a solution to raise it to allow for drain. I love how you just drilled holes in the bowl and made that the drain directly into a bucket! The use of the rubber bungie for a snug fit, all of it. It reminds me of me and my “ridiculous contraptions” that I seem to always be forced to come up with. Good job! Love it when something works perfectly for the situation.
excellent! Thanks for sharing.
Very smart!
Thank you!
I appreciate your efforts! And I also like your voice, you should do audio books or something like that! Thanks for sharing!
Haha, funny you should say that... :) Thanks for the compliments!
You are amazing, best idea that suits me as well thanks
maybe a spout on the bottom of the bucket for emptying into a small opening.. or more stealth ?
not having to pull the bowl at the dump site ?
I do have exactly that USB-pump. I love it.
Glad I found your channel. I am a solo female part-time car camper. Thanks for tips and ideas 🇬🇧 when your trying to perfect and make your set up better, loss of money is involved. What works for others and your own ideas doesn't always pan out. I have been lucky, passed on things to others. Not to many failings but a few money wise. Stay blessed and safe on your travels. I have a basic sink set up. New item coming to hopefully use with it but if not can be for another two functions as a alternative.
Hey Happy! Thanks for stopping by. Good luck on your travels too!
That is a really smart idea! You found a brilliant solution to an age old problem, and this is a very low profile, cheap, compact and elegant solution to the problem. I love these bowls from IKEA. I have several. Bucket and bowl sink, very clever. The rubber ring to hold it in place, perfect.
I love that couch in the back with the turquoise colors. Nice color splash. Subscribed.
This is a freaking brilliant and simplistic space saving idea! I just bought a whole vanity with a sink and was going to modify it to be smaller however the bucket in between the seats is just so great
Minivan Camper Gal you are a genius..Peace
Hey Doc, haha, thank you!
Great solution!
Thanks Sheryl!
The Annette Benning of van life 😊