Thanks, Scott. I am learning so much from your videos! What are your thoughts on a full composting toilet with the urine diverting into a gray water tank similar to Sara and Alex? I love that functionality. Is that possible for the nature’s head? Could you do a more in-depth video on van bathrooms?
Hey Sara thanks for watching and thanks for your question. I personally have never used a composting toilet but they get really good reviews. My only issue is the size of them they are quite large otherwise id probaby use one. Im pretty sure the natures head is urine diverting as from what I understand the composting is only for #2 and the urine goes into a black water tankthats part of the toilet..Keep in mind Urine is not grey water its black water....Grey water is shower and sink
The way you fit and finish things is awesome. The process definitely shows the quality in the end. For example your ceiling I think is amazing. Just simple things like that.
the filtration system: Water that won't make you sick from drinking, cooking, or bathing with is such a critically overlooked feature in van builds, especially to those who plan on traveling in their van. No, I'm serious. Unless you don't leave your municipality, you can never be sure of the water and even then ... Flint, Mich.?
Im building my Van and ALL of the items you mentioned are essential. I don't nessesarily agree with some of the brands but all are a must. The people who are saying one doesn't need a toilet or shower aren't living in their vans.
Hey Kevin! Yeah every one has brands they love these are ones Ive had good experience with but lots of others work well and I totally agree about the washroom andshower situation. Im not one to judge but there is big different between full time living, extended travel and weekend warriors.
Its coming Im still working on the framine but its mainly for strength and weight. The stuff is amazingly strong. That being said wood is totally good as well.
Yeah Im the same way Im not big fan of doing the #2 in public but Im sure with some practice that would change....ha but in the mean time Im going ti avoid that.
Yeah I really like having it.... I dont use it all the time but after mountain biking or if I need to attend a gathering having the shower option is nice.
@@scottadamson6116 Great videos. I'm a wanderful subscriber. I'm converting a 170 3500XD. What size shower pan do you recommend? Plan on having the toilet in there, too.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how you’re going to include all the things you consider essential in your 144 sprinter. I have not experienced van life and will always own a sticks and bricks home but I’m anxious to try the Vanlife as a traveler for weeks or months at a time. I don’t have the DIY skills required to build a van unfortunately, so I purchased one already built. Truthfully I wish there was more storage but I think I may just need to learn how to do without things I think I need. Other than the storage, and the upgraded tires which I still hope to add, my van has everything on your essential list and because you’re an experienced Vanlifer, I was happy to hear your opinions, which gave me more confidence that my build is sufficient for the road. My van is the 170 extended so it’s pretty large. Thanks again for another informative video. I can’t wait to be able to travel to test out my van but will wait until this crazy virus 🦠 time is mitigated. Stay safe and healthy 🚐😷👍🏽
Hi Matilda! Thanks for watching and yes I think Ill be able to cram everything I need into this size van. Yeah even if you have the skill to build a van not everyone has the time or desire to do it and thats fine.... just means more time to travel and enjoy it. Glad you are enjoying the videos and let me know if you have any more questions.
Scott Adamson thanks so much. I’m sure I’ll have many but right now I don’t know what I don’t know yet 🤷🏻♀️. I’m anxious to see when you get to your heater. I’ve heard some mention of a high altitude kit and I’m not sure what that entails. Its a good time to have a project to work on with not being able to travel, as long as you’re able to get all the parts you need. My van is also framed in extruded aluminum like yours. Thanks again for all the great tips and great I’m looking forward to seeing more.
I just thought the 144 will be plenty of space for one person after spending so much time in the 170 and being in other peoples 144. What size do you think you would choose.
Always enjoy your videos and learn something from them!! I'm debating about windows. I'll be in urban areas about 50%, I think. I may not want them in urban situations. Not that I will be fooling anyone that it is not a campervan, but don't want people seeing inside. Plus I'll be in varied climates and think having no windows and better insulation all around will help me stay cool in summer and warm in winter. I'll have two little dogs and may need to have them in the van by themselves for a few hours at a time. I'll have neat and 12v AC, so they will be safe. That is a priority. Question for you. This will be my first van. What about starting without windows, then adding them later if I find I don't like not having them? Can the slider and opposite wall be designed to have them added later? Thanks!!
Thanks Bernie! Ill do my best to answer your questions here Yeah when it comes to windows I love them because it makes the van feel like less of a cave....but yes that being said with stealth and dogs sometimes less windows is better. For the stealth part unless you are going totally stealth camper and on the outside it looks like a cargo van then I would say your cover is blown....but most people dont assume someone is actually inside and a great set of windos covers makes it so people trying to look in arent able to. When it comes to pets yes temperature control is huge and also window covers especially on the front windshield and windows so if the dogs try to sit on the front seat no one sees them. People dont understand that your van is a home and has all the temperature control needed so they might try to "rescue" the animal that needs to rescuing. Ive had my van in -40C temps and with the Espar D2 its been fine... I mean its not hot by any means but its tolerable...With a sprinter van and adding windows later your best bet is after a build out you can pretty easily install the sliding door window and the 2 rear door windows which would give a ton of light especially if you are coming from having nothing. Hope that helps.
Thanks, Scott. I am learning so much from your videos! What are your thoughts on a full composting toilet with the urine diverting into a gray water tank similar to Sara and Alex? I love that functionality. Is that possible for the nature’s head? Could you do a more in-depth video on van bathrooms?
Hey Sara thanks for watching and thanks for your question. I personally have never used a composting toilet but they get really good reviews. My only issue is the size of them they are quite large otherwise id probaby use one. Im pretty sure the natures head is urine diverting as from what I understand the composting is only for #2 and the urine goes into a black water tankthats part of the toilet..Keep in mind Urine is not grey water its black water....Grey water is shower and sink
I love seeing your ideas on stuff. I’m building out my Jeep for camping and it’s great to see how other people do things.
Yeah you can get ideas from everywhere. Sometimes thats a good and sometimes its bad hahah
The way you fit and finish things is awesome. The process definitely shows the quality in the end. For example your ceiling I think is amazing. Just simple things like that.
That is a great van build. I hope to do the Van life soon to travel across Canada.
Thanks! and if you ever get around to it you wont regret it.
perfect!! you actually need everything, everything. wondering how does it work in a small sprinter.
Love the series so far. Curious what camera setup you’re using for interview style filming? Your lighting is always on point.
Im just using a the a6500 and I have a few different lenses
the filtration system: Water that won't make you sick from drinking, cooking, or bathing with is such a critically overlooked feature in van builds, especially to those who plan on traveling in their van. No, I'm serious. Unless you don't leave your municipality, you can never be sure of the water and even then ... Flint, Mich.?
Yeah having a good water system is critical if you plan on doing any boondocking at all.
just getting back into the planning stages and need to catch up on your progress......loving the guide! So much info to absorb!
Awesome! Thank you!
Im building my Van and ALL of the items you mentioned are essential. I don't nessesarily agree with some of the brands but all are a must. The people who are saying one doesn't need a toilet or shower aren't living in their vans.
Hey Kevin! Yeah every one has brands they love these are ones Ive had good experience with but lots of others work well and I totally agree about the washroom andshower situation. Im not one to judge but there is big different between full time living, extended travel and weekend warriors.
Love the video overview! I’m still waiting on the video that explains why you went with the 80/20 aluminium frames hehe 😊👍🏼
Its coming Im still working on the framine but its mainly for strength and weight. The stuff is amazingly strong. That being said wood is totally good as well.
I would have to have a toilet and some privacy to be able to go #2 We are all not built the same, some of us can’t poop 💩 on demand.
Yeah Im the same way Im not big fan of doing the #2 in public but Im sure with some practice that would change....ha but in the mean time Im going ti avoid that.
what the brand and model of water filtration you have ? is it the same as last van or did you upgrade ? keep on creating
Im probably using the same system as the last build. I have been looking at maybe using UV as well but not sure.
Nice video, helpfull, were still debating a shower, maybe a solar shower or something
Yeah I really like having it.... I dont use it all the time but after mountain biking or if I need to attend a gathering having the shower option is nice.
@@scottadamson6116 Great videos. I'm a wanderful subscriber. I'm converting a 170 3500XD. What size shower pan do you recommend? Plan on having the toilet in there, too.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how you’re going to include all the things you consider essential in your 144 sprinter. I have not experienced van life and will always own a sticks and bricks home but I’m anxious to try the Vanlife as a traveler for weeks or months at a time. I don’t have the DIY skills required to build a van unfortunately, so I purchased one already built. Truthfully I wish there was more storage but I think I may just need to learn how to do without things I think I need. Other than the storage, and the upgraded tires which I still hope to add, my van has everything on your essential list and because you’re an experienced Vanlifer, I was happy to hear your opinions, which gave me more confidence that my build is sufficient for the road. My van is the 170 extended so it’s pretty large. Thanks again for another informative video. I can’t wait to be able to travel to test out my van but will wait until this crazy virus 🦠 time is mitigated. Stay safe and healthy 🚐😷👍🏽
Hi Matilda!
Thanks for watching and yes I think Ill be able to cram everything I need into this size van. Yeah even if you have the skill to build a van not everyone has the time or desire to do it and thats fine.... just means more time to travel and enjoy it.
Glad you are enjoying the videos and let me know if you have any more questions.
Scott Adamson thanks so much. I’m sure I’ll have many but right now I don’t know what I don’t know yet 🤷🏻♀️. I’m anxious to see when you get to your heater. I’ve heard some mention of a high altitude kit and I’m not sure what that entails. Its a good time to have a project to work on with not being able to travel, as long as you’re able to get all the parts you need. My van is also framed in extruded aluminum like yours. Thanks again for all the great tips and great I’m looking forward to seeing more.
Love your videos ... why did you go from a 170 to 140?
I just thought the 144 will be plenty of space for one person after spending so much time in the 170 and being in other peoples 144. What size do you think you would choose.
Really enjoying this series, thanks. I get a real chuckle when I imagine you guys Austin Powering that van in place for the thumbnail.
Haha yeah it was but now I just leave it like that for the build
Or it can be a very nice, very expensive built in!
Always enjoy your videos and learn something from them!! I'm debating about windows. I'll be in urban areas about 50%, I think. I may not want them in urban situations. Not that I will be fooling anyone that it is not a campervan, but don't want people seeing inside. Plus I'll be in varied climates and think having no windows and better insulation all around will help me stay cool in summer and warm in winter. I'll have two little dogs and may need to have them in the van by themselves for a few hours at a time. I'll have neat and 12v AC, so they will be safe. That is a priority. Question for you. This will be my first van. What about starting without windows, then adding them later if I find I don't like not having them? Can the slider and opposite wall be designed to have them added later? Thanks!!
Thanks Bernie! Ill do my best to answer your questions here
Yeah when it comes to windows I love them because it makes the van feel like less of a cave....but yes that being said with stealth and dogs sometimes less windows is better. For the stealth part unless you are going totally stealth camper and on the outside it looks like a cargo van then I would say your cover is blown....but most people dont assume someone is actually inside and a great set of windos covers makes it so people trying to look in arent able to.
When it comes to pets yes temperature control is huge and also window covers especially on the front windshield and windows so if the dogs try to sit on the front seat no one sees them. People dont understand that your van is a home and has all the temperature control needed so they might try to "rescue" the animal that needs to rescuing.
Ive had my van in -40C temps and with the Espar D2 its been fine... I mean its not hot by any means but its tolerable...With a sprinter van and adding windows later your best bet is after a build out you can pretty easily install the sliding door window and the 2 rear door windows which would give a ton of light especially if you are coming from having nothing.
Hope that helps.
Bernie - what 12v AC did you go with?
@@kevinmctarsney36 I’ve had a change in life circumstances and haven’t even started on a van yet. It will be a couple more years now. Thanks
Great video
Thanks!
Great Vid!!
Thanks Billy!