Van Tour of Nomad Living in a Kia Sedona Minivan
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- Meet camera-shy Jim who is still working but insists on enjoying his life, so he has equipped his Kia Sedona mini-van to be a comfortable, live-in home. He shows step-by-step how you too can live or travel in a mini-van.
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Thanks for watching!
i'm in my late 50's and i've had 7 heart attacks, its amazing how your life perceptions change. i built a teardrop trailer that i use to visit my daughter, son in law and grandchildren when ever i get the urge which is often and they live about 1100 miles away and i've slept in the heat, cold, and rain and always had a great nights sleep and in fact im more comfortable sleeping out in my teardrop than in the house and i can cook outyof the back of it.........................life is good now
learn how to use your signal light - that was exactly my first thought. 😲
Tom, good for you. I'm really proud for you. I have always loved to drive and that trip would be wonderful every now and then. You must be loving every minute. Congrat's.
TomBrady's shirt Try cayanne pepper , cider vinegar and ginger!
thanks, i have,
Tahir Rana how do i make this how much of each ?
Love when Jim says something to the effect of "what better way, to do it on the ground rather than fly to a destination and go back, you never get to see the path."
HIS BACK KITCHEN SHELF AREA IS AWESOME
what I love about this is, most anyone can watch this video and duplicate what this guy has done. The carpentry in a lot of these van dwelling vehicles on youtube can look quite intimidating. This is doable! Thanks so much for sharing.
Praying Jim is still enjoying life on the road!❤
I'm in my early 60s and the happiest days of my life were living in a camper with my dog. We traveled coast to coast more than once. I have a KIA Sedona now and I want to go to Burning Man in it.
So much of what you say Bob resonates with me deeply.
I'm so tired of being "stuck" in my 4 walls with chronic illness. I can be miserable ANYWHERE! At least I'd have nice weather and a view.
I'm able to use a VA hospital anywhere in the US! So I've got my health care taken care of.
Now to get the other duckies lined up ready to swim! Fighting for my VA disability. Waiting for my daughter to turn 18 (she's made it very clear she's leaving home as soon as possible after 18). So it will be my turn next.
Abusive 30 year marriage. I DON'T want to DIE living like this! There's so much more out there! And I want to SEE it! I want to hear it, feel it, smell it! Nature us calling and I'm deeply yearning for a tribe to share it with.
This isn't the place for an email style comment. Just had to say something.
🦋Love what you're doing for people!🦋
You're a truly amazing person! I so appreciate you for that! Just had to let you know.💜
You go girl 💪👏
That sounds great👍🏻Please take care with safety as well. 🙋🏼♀️
Dear Lisa, have you escaped yet? Hope all is well.
I escaped from abusive marriage. Went whole food plant based and lost 30 lbs, no more joint pains, great skin and hair. Will make it easier when I adopt this lifestyle cause no worries about meat, milk, eggs. Not even sure I will need a fridge. Good luck. Hugs.
Hank you for your service
What you just said about if we are watching then we must have something there saying we want a little more out of life, YES. You hit the nail on the head. I'm 47 and my oldest is 21 and my youngest is graduating in June and my husband is retired. I just want to have some "me" time now that I've raised my kids. These videos are so great. Thank you for sharing your journey and showing us the journey of others. I need to go back and rewatch some to find out about the free camping and such. Got to get a notepad and take some notes. You give so much information. It's just wonderful.
We just had an ice storm here in St. Louis Mo. area over the weekend which did not get as bad as predicted, but I sure wanted to be somewhere else! This man really has an organized set up that makes van dwelling really seem doable to me. If I decide to take my first couple of trips in my Jeep Grand Cherokee, just to get my feet wet, I will refer to this video for sure. If you remember, I was having some trouble getting my husband on board for leaving before retirement? I think I may have made some headway with him and I stressed the fact that I need to go ahead and take a few short trips on my own. My feet are way to itchy to stay cooped up for even another year! The couple in the Air Stream with the reluctant to retire police officer who's wife took trips on her own, are what really sent it home for me. They were so inspiring and something you had replied to me about the fact that I can always make more money but one thing I will never get back is time really hit home. I absolutely feed off of these videos Bob! They keep me dreaming until I can get out there! Thank you so much for making these! As always, GREAT video and keep em coming! Your You tube friend and Rubber tramp wanna be, Tammie Miller
Tammie, thank you, your kind words mean a lot to me!! I find couples who make it work despite differences in their feet itchiness inspirational too.
Never saw somebody so organized before!!!! congratulations!
Thank you, Bob. I drove a van at a dealership yesterday. Taking steps. This video was truly inspirational.
I kind of like the minivan approach because it has a much more finished interior. It may not actually be cleaner but it appears tidier then metal framed work vans.
Plus you never have to worry about leaks!
Lots of great ideas here for the beginner, and I love how everything is so clean and organized. The kitchen area is beautiful, the bed looks comfy, and the battery isolator is perfect if you don't have solar. Another outstanding interview, Bob!
610 is when the FINALLY start the tour
I love this Bob. It lets people like me with very little building skills know that we can do this also. I have thought of getting a van, but kepwondering how I could build out the bed...etc. I could do all of this.
Bob, please stress to these fine folks to invest in a carbon monoxide detector/alarm and a smoke detector. Also do a tent camping video sometime. Thanks!
Just open the window anf turn a fan on
First time commenting Bob, but I've been watching for months now. What you just said in the intro here, brought me to tears, of joy! I really want to have a home base, but I want to travel. I'm not sure exactly why, but this has to be my favourite conversion thus far, and there have been many! I've always been a big organizer, decorated and lived in many small spaces. This gives me hope, that all my dreams can come true! Thank you for everything you do! You're a fantastic interviewer, ask the right questions, explain things thoroughly, I could go on... I look forward to more videos, and maybe even join my vanner buddy's on one of their excursions to the States, and give you a big hug in person!
Take care, from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada!
Tiina 😊
Hé Salut... allô....i am from Québec 👍🏻 and want m'y van campeur too..on may next...to live in ...i économisé m'y money for that ans to reconditionate the car...motor brake etc etc. First ....and after that to put m'y thing whit what i have actually ....may be we gone see IT others in that Time ....byee ...🧚💙🧚
What great organization of a small space. Good for Jim for taking some time out of life, to actually enjoy and explore, he sounds like he is a happy guy.
what I love about this is, most anyone can watch this video and duplicate what this guy has done. The carpentry in a lot of these van dwelling vehicles on youtube can look quite intimidating. This is doable! Thanks so much for sharing.
pa1attention
I agree with you
Absolutely! No need to construct a bed when a a good quality cot does just as well and, as he said, it can revert to being s soccer mom van whenever you need it to. LOVE the kitchen setup!
I plan to! :)
Agreed. My husband and I are in the middle of renovating an RV and it's been a HUGE task to complete. Ppl barely talk about what it takes to remodel or even repair RVs and vans. Plus its 95 degrees on a good day and we're on a time crunch. You definitely need a few skills to do it in my experience.
Doable and inexpensive!
This is one of my favorite kitchen set ups for a mini van I have seen. Thanks for all the good ideas.
I just love Ana White (I'm happily married for the past 43 years).
Ana's plans are detailed and her instructions/descriptions are to the point but FULL!
Bob I have been binge watching your videos for 2 days & watching the nomad, van & TV conversion videos for weeks. It's a fire shut up in my bones that I can't shake. I am an extreme introvert but used to be a huge social butterfly. I am almost 50 watching my life pass me by. Literally sitting in my house for the past year rotting away just waiting to die. I lost my Dad 2yrs ago to cancer & he had no regrets taking his last breath because he lived his life to the fullest. He would want the same for me. I DESPERATELY want the same for me. I have a guaranteed monthly income, not a lot but I do have one. My husband is a plumber & electrician as well as a carpenter & together we have renovated homes. I have learned a lot from him in our 17yrs of marriage. I've just been trying to convince him to get on board with this lifestyle. I watch him get up every day & kill himself to make someone else rich. We've paid almost $16,000 in rent in just the past year & a half. THAT infuriates me especially since I almost lost him 2yrs ago to an autoimmune disease. He was in the hospital for 64 days & on life support for 2 weeks & went through a 10½hr surgery. I think he's afraid of the unknown & leaving the business he has worked so hard to build. We lived in a camper for 6 months right before he went into the hospital & not by choice but because he couldn't work to pay our bills. I would think if anybody could see my point of view it would be him but he has this pipe dream of buying land before we take off living this lifestyle. I have even contemplated leaving out on my own THAT'S HOW MUCH I WANT TO LIVE THIS LIFE! He just finished watching your video about Jack London & your favorite quotes & I was praying THAT would open his eyes a bit more. Maybe it did. We just finished watching it. I just think it's AMAZING what you're doing & helping people accomplish their dreams. I even told him he could work on the road as there is a demand for plumbers & electricians to help either fix or convert buses, Van's, RV's, trucks etc. I'm sure he would never have a problem finding work. PLEASE keep me/us in your prayers. I can't take sitting in this house watching my life pass me by & just continue to wait to die. Thank you for ALL of your wisdom & what you do for so many but especially what you do for women who have been in my situation or worse.
The beginning of this video is probably one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard ... thank you Bob. 🌿
You may never know just how much this video means to me at this time in my life! Thank you so very much! 😊
Yes Thank Everyone!
Very clever set-up! I am very impressed with small things that do a big job. Back in 2005 I bought a new Kia Sedona minivan. A year or two after I became interested in vandwelling but never even dreamed I could pull it off in the Kia. A couple of years later I bought a Ford E-250 cargo van that to this day I have not built due to my job entertaining on cruise ships at sea. I plan to build the van as my retirement home...lol! After seeing this video I kinda wish I had the fuel efficient Kia Sedona back. I loved that van! Great video Bob and Jim. 🚐💨
LOVE the nets. I am in a Dodge Caravan and hadn't even thought of it. Great idea.
This is a fantastic set up that anyone can do. I’ve often wondered why people build wooden platforms and drawers which all adds weight which can affect gas mileage. This is efficient,neat, portable, reasonably priced and requires little skill to set up. This is the best set up I have ever seen. If I decide to travel around this is the way I would it. Brilliant!
Nice to see this one back, this will be my starting point.
What an inspiration!! Now I have all kinds of ideas spinning in my head! My thing is photography these days after 44 years in a profession that I loved. So the idea of BLM land and a camera somewhere is item number one in my life. I do have a home and wonderful wife, but you know what I'm saying at 74 years old and wanting to live life as it presents itself. A delicate balance to deal with. Thank you Bob Wells, I just found you at a providential time along with this video with Jim to show me how simply I can do trips and live my other life effectually. I'm hooked so keep them coming.
Nice ty🌿 I just threw an air bed, loaded a few bags.. and that's it.
Love it! Great idea for intro camping/van! Nothing like a scare in life to make one rethink everything, that is what happened to me, I realized how much less I needed of stuff that didn't matter/make me happy.
Thanks again Bob! Love your inspiring videos!
Take care
Vicki
This is EXACTLY what i needed! Thanks, Bob! I am planning to tour New England in my
2005 Dodge Caravan in July. You just put the most informative video on for me. I love the simplicity of his set up, especially the kitchen. Now I have a set-up guide! Thank you, Jim for sharing this!
Really liked this video. Jim's set up is exactly what I was hoping to see and I did not even know it! I can see my way to making his system work for me! and a big hello to Cody, love his chill factor!
I agree, I really liked the way he had the back of the Sedona set up for cooking and eating outside. I'm wondering what kind of table that is that he has setting outside with a good shot of it at 17:38. If anybody knows, I would appreciate the information.
Thank you Bob, that's a great help. I have an REI here in Las Vegas and will go check them out. The exact model may not be available any longer depending on how long ago that interview was done.
Pat Chandler I think you can find them on amazon I forget the brand or name but search for lightweight aluminum folding table
My diesel gauge Speedo Windows wount work on kia anyone got that trouble
I LIKE Jim's van set-up .... It is "simple" ,,,, yet he has set it up to give himself all the comforts of home :) :) .... Practical, and SMART in his use of just what one needs to survive and enjoy one's self out on the road !!!
"Thanks" Bob for re=posting THIS ONE :) :) :) :)
Rick S. (Massachusetts)
Jim is a genius! I really like his set up...so functional and TIDY! He must be an engineer. Another great video...thanks, Bob!!!
I have watched this video so many times just dreaming of moving into a van!! 😂 Cant wait to start my van life journey!!! Love this set up! So simple, neat and do-able!
Another great video Bob! I really appreciated the details of the how & why for everything in his van. Really, really like the battery thingy. My main concern is keeping a fridge cool, sleeping, and potty issues, & keeping everything charged such as Phones, etc. Really like the Ryobi gadgets that I didn't know existed!
God Bless you Bob and thank you so much for your encouraging words! They are welcoming and possible and it gives many of us hope.
Hello, I doubt that I will ever be a full time Rv'er, but want your videos frequently and find them uplifting. I recently downsized to a manufactured home, (no mortgage) and purchased and old class B van to renovate. All of the help you provide to people helps to remind me of the kindness of people. Thank you
Natalie, I know many of my viewers will never do this, but only dream about it or maybe do it for a few rips each year. But that's just fine with me, I hope to bring some new ideas and brightness into their lives anyway!
Love his kitchen setup.
I know this video is 7 years old, but to anyone wanting to copy this…
1) FUSE. His fuse should be as close to both batteries as possible.
2) Get a crimp tool. Those terminal crimps are not safe.
3) This solenoid trick is useless on a modern vehicle with a smart alternator; you will need a dedicated DC-DC charger. This solenoid trick also shortens the life of the auxiliary battery, and never charges it to 100%.
If you take one thing from this, FUSE as close to the battery as possible, AND fuse close to the auxiliary battery as well. 12v is easy, but it’s also easy to fuck up and cause a fire.
Fuse. Fuse. Fuse.
He is so neat and organized! I love this set up.
The net on the ceiling is genius!
nice!....simple, comfortable, organized and inexpensive!..... thank you...
Wow the Van Travelor had good ideas. His mini van was amazing to see how much you can make it work for you.Thanks for sharing that with us. Showed this to my neighbor who will travel to Four States in a mini Van . She appreciated your channel n ideas.
When traveling in my 2007 AVEO5 I jammed a crib mattress into the back seat and slept like a baby! I stored boxes/totes in the hachback..removed the plastic hatchback cover..covered all of those boxes/ totes with a sleeping bag which is where my dogs slept. I covered the mattress with a plastic tarp during the day and stored things on my passenger floor..all of my food in a cooler on the front seat along with eating utensils and plates. It worked out nicely.
I love this setup. I will be a beginner soon. This van size will be perfect with something similar. thank you for sharing.
He has a great set up. I have an SUV Trailblazer and I would love to do something like this. We already have supply's because we are tent campers. Thank you for reposting this Bob. Your viewers have learned so much from you.
The kitchen setup is helpful. My fiance, dog, and I live in a small 4 door sedan in a major city; we are going to be buying a minivan soon to have a more comfortable existence. We both work fulltime (decent income too) and drop our pup off at daycare. Eating out all the time gets very expensive (not as much as rent) and unhealthy so creating a small kitchen area will be ideal. I'd like to install solar at some point and get a 12v fridge but keeping costs low is the main focus.
bob i like lots of good ideas in a small space.
I understand why he used what he had. Now to have you interview someone with a great RAV 4 setup! I would like to do some trial camping runs with my wife to slowly get her into this life style.
Herb Clark RAV4? That’s compact SUV. Unless it’s like Chevrolet Suburban or Ford Expedition which is a large SUV or even a large van, nothing can beat minivan.
TRistan Higby of SUVrving camps several weeks at a time out of Rav4.
@@bhbae1 Honda CR-v for engine and transmission reliability will beat any minivan.
@@davidleigh443 Read again what I wrote dumby. I was talking about space. Spacewise nothing beats minivan.
Hi Bob. I'm really enjoying watching all your videos. This one was particularly inspiring for me. Jim did an incredible job setting up his van, its so great to see that I won't necessarily need to have a fully converted vehicle to make a comfy nest on the road. Hope you have a great day, best wishes from Melbourne, Australia. :D
hi Melbourne,Australia from Oregon USA...its nice to enjoy these videos with others....
jim is really smart.
A camping cot is the best thing to use if you wanna make a simple van conversion.
Another key component to my "freedom" deposit knowledge bank future! Thank you Bob
My mother had a Dodge Van a few years old and it was a Handicap Van.
The rear area had a long section that they took the top floor out and it had a long "Bay"down the middle
where a long ramp folded out onto the street. I'm thinking about a van just like that more head room big time and space. For a small shower/ toilet area and kitchen along the side walls. Goggle these Handicap vans with ramps to get an idea if what I'm talking about.
Hard to explain...
Everybody enjoy life and take care out there. : )
Awesome set up. Leaves the mind open to many possibilities and options for me and my kinda big pick up truck.
Daryl Phipps
Now this young man has it done! Congrats on figuring it out. I learned a lot from this video.
Bob, were you talking to me when you mentioned not having the skills to convert? 😊 Another good one!
A tailgate tent and you have it made.Real good job on that Kia well impressed.
Well MPG is great with this idea! :)
I like you Bob. So encouraging.
Very inspirational opening . Great to hear it again and thanks for everything Bob :-)
Great design..no build..awesome :)
Wow, you have an awesome set up there in that van. Very impressive.
Thank you Bob for uploading this. Am really glad to recapture these details.
Enjoyed it Bob, I have a minivan gives me ideas
I’m in the process of planning my first 3 week semi cross country road trip with my doggy! Little scared but super excited and ready for a new adventure. Thanks for all the interviews you have done because it has given great ideas. Going from Chicago to South Dakota, to Colorado, to Utah, to California, to Arizona, to Texas, to Louisiana and finally back home to Chicago!!!!! Considering creating a channel to document my journey.
Guys us ladies eyes glaze over when all the battery technical talk start!! Very interesting info and a great build. I can tell your guest is an extremely technical in his thinking. But good for him he is getting out there!
Nice set up! I got an 03' Sedona with a pretty simple set up, just a twin bed thrown in there with the rear seats removed, a propane stove, and plasti-dipped the rear windows for privacy and curtains, works pretty good and can sleep 2 people in there no prob :)
Bob you and your tribe are an inspiration, sir. I have two children with a foot out the door and my youngest still has a bit to go. I don’t feel like I’m being held back in any way. I am at this point in my life but your videos make me excited for the next big experience. I have bought a Pontiac Montana after watching your videos and much research. I am very handy both mechanically and with woodworking. I have been testing hydrogen assistance for better fuel mileage and now I have begun to tinker with battery placement and isolators. Bob please keep up the good work. Your videos give me hope for a more fulfilling lifestyle than I could have ever imagined. One day my friend I’m going to catch that RTR and shake your hand. Until then, I’ll keep smashing that like button and doing my best to spread the good word. Lol thanks Bob
Who is reading comments after getting tired of staring at a van for 10min. But love his videos.
This is awesome! This guy is genius
Bob seeing you on TH-cam gives me hope💜🐾
I have written before about travelling in a Honda Ridgeline. This truck has a double seat front. And it's a full double front. I have slept in it before, in the full back seat. Of course I would need to study up on cooking, keeping warm, staying cool enough too. I am learning from you and others out there who also vlog. Thank you.
Hi Bob, Very inspiring ,thank you for sharing this video with us.
Great job Bob and Jim! Love your wow packed setup! Very cool kitchen! Always scoping for great ideas!
Thank you for even more inspiration and great ideas. -really appreciated!
That's the life
Just revisited this video because I'm thinking of an MPV car camping set up myself. Brilliant set up 👍
Great video! Thanks, guys!
This is how i like it. Simple.
I love how simple this set up is. So many great ideas in this. thanks for sharing.
jims van looks real nice. he did great for his first time!
How did you run wire from isolator to house battery ?
wow..exceptional build with easy to find/purchase items..I already have a lot of that stuff because I tent camp so it would be just like living in my tent but with a better set-up for inclement weather..you have given so many of us plenty of inspiration..thank you and blessings!!
Very organized guy. Cool video! Who knew a mini van could be so comfortable.
The perfect way to start. Thanks for sharing. Lots of inexpensive ideas. A good way to grade up from camping.
wow! What a great set up, Jim! Thanks Bob for bringing us this!
Thank you...
I stayed in a Kia Sedona for 4 mos then hadda come for my grandson' s sake boy. I miss it the rode.
Loved this vid! Easy peasy setup. So neat and well thought out.
I should actually be seeing all you fine van peeps in 2017, at long last! I am moving to Pahrump, NV in mid Feb. Will buy a van there , set it up for comfortable road trips with my frens. An acre to garden on...plenty of road ..can't wait to explore the Wild West!
Excellent set up! Great thought and execution on making the perfect rig.
I like the diversity of your videos that proves that anything is possible !
another great video from the best.thanks bob.
That battery set up is great thank you for the video Bob.
Awesome setup! It’s perfect for one person. I got a lot of ideas from your video so that when I upgrade from my Jeep to a van. Thanks for sharing!
Sooo many great ideas! Another terrific interview, Bob. Jim has made it look do-able.
Exactly my space, budget and what I need to start with! Thank you!
Thank you so much! This was the van setup I was admiring on your old channel and was using as reference for my future setup.
One of your best tours!
This was a great video for beginners and I'm looking to get more out of life by trying van life and starting with a mini van would be the thing for me. My daughter is 27, I'm 47 with a 4.5lb chimix. so I have nothing really holding me back and feel so blessed. My goal is age 50 to be fulltime vanlife, travel and work part time at my current job.
Cargo nets are the way to go! They are great for storage.
Wheres his toilet?
it a Cleanwaste portable