You’re my New Favorite Van Lifer to follow… I know this because I get incredibly anxious waiting for a new video from you and , as soon as it’s over, I then get anxious wondering how long I’ll have to wait for the next one. ☺️❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Weigh your van before you start, then you know your base weight. If when you are finished and it's a bit heavy, you can choose what to change to make it lighter. You can keep a rough track of what you are adding and if you are getting close to your limit you can make changes not to go over. P.S. Being over weight is more of a safety issue than just fuel mileage, your brakes, steering, and suspension will be overloaded making you a hazard on the highway. Stay safe and have fun at the same time.
Open the drivers door and just look at the vehicle plate which is stamped from the manufacturer for vehicle weight, curb weight, height and so on. You've made some very good videos dealing with surprises on insurance and those pos dealership salespeople keep up the good work and be careful out there. Oh, I didn't know that about warranties being dropped by turning them into camper vans. Thanks for the heads up
PLEASE READ! IMPORTANT! In this series, I am inevitably going to forget things or learn something new along the way & so I plan on pinning a comment with any changes I wish I had in the video. 1. I read the wrong weight... ☠☠ I address this and get the vehicle weighed on a Cat Scale in the end of my Sound Deadening video. BUT I said it was like 8,000 in this video the empty weight (or CURB weight) is actually 4,644 pounds and the cat scale when I weighed it said the gross weight was 5060 pounds with a full tank and me in the vehicle. I explain this all better in that video linked below but if you don't want to watch I included the numbers above so you don't have to. th-cam.com/video/mK-9dxS_Xf0/w-d-xo.html 2. Other Tools I Will Be Using Not Mentioned In The Video: (I will keep coming back and adding to this list through out the build to make it 100% accurate & not leave anything out) -Clamps -Caulking Gun -Paint Brush, Rollers, Etc -Tool To Clean Paint Brushes So You Have Less Of A Head Ache -Auto Trim Removal Tool Set (Optional, I used this to get off my panels & after the build for repairs) My dad also owns a Miter Saw but it's not necessary & I won't have access to his tools after the first month of the build so I didn't mention it.
When are going to a videos 📹 on medical equipment. You never know if your in place doctor is too far away from help. Or stuff in case of emergency. Ex fire I saw video on fire balls for large fire
Hi Tory I would strongly suggest you consider a saw guide clamp or several in various lengths and the most important tool a router. You can use the router to make fixing free glued joints which will be much stronger and look neater. You can also add bevel or shaped edges. Sound and heat insulation require different physical properties but the best sound insulation will be found in the car audio catalogs. Wool is one of the best products for heat insulation. Remember lots of focus on the roof and floor for heat. Under floor heating pads just in the area you walk is a great boon and can make the van feel warmer very quickly. Fit as much water and waste storage as you can under the van. On your build spreadsheet note the weight of items. Use lighter alternatives where you can tambour doors, acrylic in place of glass. Aluminium shelves and draw bases. ( they also give you extra space)
Great video. One thing folks may not know is that libraries often have tools you can “check-out” like books. If you don’t want to purchase a tool you need only for one project, call your library! My friend got a floor sander for 3 days from the library!
The most important thing I learned in my first van build was test the van out before you invest a lot of time and money into a build. Do a no-build build first, and take it for a couple decent no-frills trips to make sure it is going to be reliable. On my first trip in my first van, I was climbing up a mountain a couple hours into a cross-country trip and the valley behind me was full of smoke. I thought, "that sucks, someone is having a bad day." A few seconds later, I realized that MY van was causing the smoke and [I] was having a bad day. I spent the rest of the day struggling home in "limp mode".
For the same reason you’ve got a budget tracker, it’s a great idea to have a weight tracker for your build. If you’re part way through your build and approaching your max weight, it will be helpful to know your baseline as well as how all major components affect its total weight. Just my two cent. Great video, as usual!!
Do some basic stuff and then go camping or just sleep in it at home? As u use it some things work? Some dont or cud be better? I am mid-build, have been using it as-is just fine? I went on 2 week trip and moved some things around? Hey, this works much better this way? Decide do u really want to set up bed, turn into a table the. Back into a bed Everyday? No! I have some bed lengthwise behind driver seat. SWIVEL FRONT SEATS Are a Game Changer! Add So much more living space and have comfortable seats ready to use!
Just this thought. Having the initial weight of your empty van is valid information. Gasoline weighs about 6 pounds per gallon. A 20 gallon tank, your fuel weighs about 120 pounds over the front driver's corner of your van. With you in the driver's seat that is another 127 (?) pounds over the front driver's corner. So, your van may be out of balance by 247 pounds at the front before you install anything. Keep that in mind when you design your layout to keep your van balanced. The more accurate the weight distribution the better handling, brake and tire wear. You might want to look into a four-corner weighing while the van is empty. I'm just sayin.
Im converting a similar size van to to yours. I definitely hit paralysis due to watching too many van build videos. Ive now got into a can do head space and things are progressing and Im excited again. Your videos have helped my enthusiasm and part of that is to learn to trust your own opinions and have a bit of faith.
@@torbot_ I took a break, I began to realise Id made so many notes of stuff to do Id created a huge road block. I couldn't even decide how to do the floor, then I went and bought some ply and ordered some insulation & I was away again. Im building it for me and not for the whole of TH-cam, I think Id fallen into a TH-cam will judge me mindset. If I keep it to myself only me will judge me. Good Luck! Sending you a huge chunk of can do.
Tori, as a structural engineer and a builder, I would be more than happy to help you in any way I can. Just give me a holler if you run into questions or problems. 😁👍 Also, from a mental health standpoint, if or when things go wrong, don't forget to just take a step back and breathe. There are no problems in a van build or van life in general that are unsolvable, they are just temporarily inconvenient. ❤ As always, BIG HUGS from Tennessee!
Btw, I’m watching your video from inside my van I bought a week ago! The van was already built, and now I’m doing a trial run to see what/if I want to change anything. I’ve been enjoying the “easy life” at a state park before I try Boondocking or stealth camping. I’m not ready for the dreaded “knock” yet. Gotta get my feet wet first😊.
Yes you have to weigh your van. First, Not all weigh the same. You cant just look it up. Options or deletions add or subtract weight. Every van also has a different cargo capacity. If they say you can tow 4000 pounds, that weight would be included in the payload you are carrying. A big 4x4 pick up with a big diesel engine often has more power but less carrying or towing capacity because of the extra weight it is already carrying. I'm a career truck driver so I know this stuff. The weight of a promaster 2500 IS NOT 8900 pounds, I gusrantee it. That may be the max or GCVW or Gross Cargo Vehicle Weight. That would be The MAX weight you can have including trailers, cargo, people, fuel, and anything else that would go in or on the vehicle. It is all the weight that your engine will pull at any given time. Maximum payload is what your van can carry or pull over what the gross weight of the van is with people, fuel, accessories etc. You can have that 4680 max payload IF your van weighs 4220, and it probably weighs more than that. You need to check inside your door jamb for the max payload for YOUR van, not a typical van. You need to weigh it so you subtract your weight from your max payload so you know how much you can put init , and maybe still leave some room for groceries or a boat or trailer etc. My 2021 Transit 250 is built a bit stronger with twin turbo chargers. It makes much more power than your van BUT, I can only pull or carry about 1300 pounds. WHY? Because it has a gross weight of 9300 and weighed 6000 pounds (6020 on a cat scale with me and half tank of gas). That leaves about 3300 pounds of max payload. I put in 2000 pounds of conversion weight. It now totals 8000 pounds. This leaves 1300 pounds left for luggage, etc. My boat is 2000 pounds. I am overweight when just towing a small boat. Here are a few other things to note. You said that yours is 8900 pounds. I guarantee it is not because mine is bigger, has more options, and is loaded with 4 wheel drive system that adds a lot of weight and has 2000 pounds of conversion weight. The Cat scale says mine weighs 900 pounds less than what you're telling me that your van weighs empty.. Here are 3 more reasons you need to weigh it. First, being overweight is illegal because it effects the handling to a potentially unsafe situation or the brakes cant handle all the weight etc. You can get tickets or cause an accident. Beigh overweight WILL void a warranty if it is found to be so. Third, Your insurance company will not cover you if you have an accident. They may not even pay for damages to the other guy if it is your fault "because you are overloaded". CHECK the inside of your drivers side door jamb. Every vehicle is different so the companies put vehicle specific info there Look for your gross axle weight so you are not overweight on each axle, not jsut the vehicle. Truck drivers know that they can be overweight because of axle weight even if they still have tens of thousands of pounds left before they hit the max weight of 80,000. If your rear axle can hold 3500 and you have 4000 in back then you are overweight even though you are nowhere near your max total weight. By the way, that doorjamb sticker is THE place where cops and insurance people look to see your capacities, and insurance companies will check it so they dont have to pay. Check your capacity on the door jamb and weight it no matter where you are in your build. This will tell you how far you have left to go. It will also tell you how much weight your front and rear axles can hold. You will go to a cat scale and you will run across 3 sets of scales. Put the front tires on the first one and the rear tires on the second one. Hit the button and tell them you want to weigh your personal vehicle. They may ask for a unit number. Tell them it is a personal vehicle, no number. Your cat scale ticket will have the weights of each axle and the total weight on it. Keep this for future use. Yhis is how I know my van weighs 8020 with half tank of gas and me in it. Then I add for my wife and dog and whatever we bring. Water weighs about 8 pounds per gallon, BTW. SOrry if I came off the wrong way but this is very important and many or most people dont understand it. They listen to a deal tell them "Yeah, you can pull this trailer, etc." You might physically pull it but not safely or legally and the insurance company may not honor any claims that you are paying for and think you are covered. BTW, I like your videos and wish you successI subscribed and have watched about 5 vids so far. Sorry you got taken by the dealer. You can do your homework but they do this stuff everyday. Next time, bring somebody with you who can handle the mean old dealer for you. Good luck. I'm looking forward to seeing how this works out for you
To weigh at the beginning you know exactly what the starting weight is, I gave myself a target weight and then that influences design and material choices...
I appreciate that you involve your inner child a la Sponge Bob, while being a very informative and competent adult. You have integrated your selves into a wonderful and entertaining source of van life information for us new-bees.
I did the same thing, I went All Ryobi so batteries fit all the tools! I bought my Maxxair fan before I bought the van becuz I found good deal? It was brand new but the box was messed up so the reduces the price!
Weighing the Van up front, gives you the amount of your weight, never trust what you read about everyone else weight. Then you can add to it helps. Few dollars to weigh it is a few dollars. I've done my share on cat scales driving the Semi. Also a tip by weighing the Van you can keep up how much weight goes towards the front end and the back end. Example you build your van and end up front end heavy, that's a ticket, wear on the front end, to heavy for the breaks etc things "Safety"
Right up front let me say I am not a vanlifer (I wish I was). One concern I have is your decision not to have a water system and here is why. You had mentioned that you would like to travel out west and explore some remote areas. What happens if you break down. A person can survive 3 weeks without food but only three weeks without water....that is basic survival rule of thumb. The more water you have the safer you are. You can conserve water by using vinegar to clean dishes and water to rinse, A solar shower works great as well.
Hey! I’m so sorry, I must have said something in a confusing manner! I am ABSOLUTELY going to have a water system! It won’t be super boujee and likely still be the $7 Amazon USB faucet but I will definitely still be carrying lots of water on board ☺️
@@ToryDelury I must have misunderstood in previous video...my bad. It was two videos or so back and I thought you were relying a a couple water jugs and it's worried me since. I guess a had a little brain fog. I can sleep well tonight. Looking forward to the build
So first of all Sweetie, you are not dumb. I love the name, that's SANTANA's album name. Be very safe out there, look forward to your adventures. Hugs from Toronto, Ontario. CANADA.🎉
Like everything the critical path is the most important thing start with one thing through and then go to the next everything is connected whether you believe it or not you have to have the right process, clean the van insulate soundproof that’s all in one wiring electrical get that figured out plumbing get that figured out then worry about what your vans gonna look like when you’re done but but you don’t do the underneath the first you’ll have big problems later on so do all the stuff you’ll never see right the first time so you’re not tearing stuff apart to repair it for plumbing uses met a few and fittings. Have you possibly have you not a lot of connections because you’re gonna leak electrical try to avoid splicing wires from one into the other run the home runs and then branch off the home runs so that the connections are only where you have your outlet or are you have your lights? It’s really simple it’s just time consuming but then again, I worked on everything from lawn more of the bulldozers and build houses so race cars all kinds of things I’ve done in my short 63 years down. Been there done that.
I did, I loved the box, great job for last minute. You should have asked your sister to help lol Also a good tip with anything that you'll be working on. Always think in the way of "if I install this and something goes wrong, what are things that could go wrong and what will it affect? If this does get affected or that does, which out of the two will be easier & cheaper to fix?" Did you hear about Dumbledore? 💔
vehicle weight and vehicle gross weight (maximum weight the vehicle can carry, which in your case would be van build PLUS your contents) is listed on the door sticker from the manufacture.
Your van doesnt weigh 8900 lbs that's the gvwr or the maximum the vehicle can support including you. You can subtract that payload from the gvwr to get the curb weight of the van itself--obviously each van varies slightly
Thank you! Yeah, I knew it was a much more facts > vlog type video so I posted it mid-week & tried to put “Tips” in the title 😅 BUT I already planned my first road trip coming up before I build too much, so I’m excited to vlog that too 🎉
Tory ! The Right Way is your way . Isn't this why your out adventuring . no one wrote the book . Hey look you write the book in your head and visualize the out come no Stress life is to short to worry about the tiny or heck even the big things. I was a Mortgage Broker for 9 years and in 2008 the backs crashed and I lost it all *kids gone girl friend gone my close brothers and sister and mom GONE Everyone gone but Not my dignity. and now I am off the streets and have proven to myself and my family that I wrote my book and it's me and I wish I had a girlfriend to share this wild crazys life . Some day when it's right. so keep yourself positive n happy free . Looks to me your on Top of Your game. Cio! Marty guarneros the River hunter .LOL.
Since you’re keeping track of all your receipts on your computer then you should back them up to a phone drive just to make sure if your hard drive in your computer crashes you don’t lose all of your information
I just use google spreadsheet - it is in cloud so accessible from different computers. Just need about 3 columns - date, description, price And sum() function below to get total price. Would be good idea to use other sheet for weight tracking - what you remove and what you add
Firstly try and get past the Miss USA gorgeousness and just listen as Tory has unique advice built on good and bad experience and is passionate on her subject and will save you $$$ and time Ok she is adorable but remember to listen too ❤🏴🌸
I know that all the motor home and camper van dealers have warrantees that are not worth the paper they’re written on. Thats a standard policy of all camper dealer/ companies. Theres a ytube lawyer that does a whole video about the subject.
Not envying you having to start from the ground up, personally, I prefer buying other people’s already made’s and correct what needs it, much cheaper because the vehicle is already severely discounted by individuals’ idiosyncrasies.
So, um, I googled the curb weight of a 2021 Ram ProMaster 2500 … and google told me 4,644 pounds. So, that’d be empty van but with all fluids including full gas tank. Doesn’t include driver, passengers & cargo. Gross weight is how much it weighs with those. Google says that’s 8900 lbs. So now before you add too much weight while building, you can keep it below the gross weight - and not have to get rid of something later that you really like, but is too heavy … like passengers. 😏
@@ToryDeluryoh ok gotcha I'm in the US. I like the step by step but I just want someone to do the build for me lol! I want to be the project manager 😂 So been watching you like crazy got hooked onto your toilet video haha! I fell asleep listening (it was bed time) to you negotiating buying a van. What did you end up buying and where can I get the checklist ✔ to buy a van???
Oh my goodness, thank you so much! 😊 And I totally get that 😂 There are definitely great builders all across the country where they let you walk in and tell them what you want & design it & they make it for you! I had Steven Stolp at Sandy Vans in San Diego do some components in my van! The electrical & AC, because I wasn’t comfortable doing it on my own 🙃 And I ended up keeping the Promaster! I’m happy with the choice! Though there have been times I wasn’t FWD, if I wasn’t such a city dweller though I would have gone for Ford for sure.
No paying attention to what you starting starting weight so as you go and you start figuring in what we can put in you can keep track of us not to go over the most expensive thing you’re gonna have is your power system if you put multiple batteries in a water tank no the water weighs 8 pounds per gallon so you have to consider that what is it gonna be your two heavier things then again there’s your refrigerator your cooking stuff are you gonna be all electric or are you gonna have to have a propane bottle and where are you going to put it and where are you going to put your tank for your gray water and figure this is all coming up but all of that comes up to weight so you should start with your beginning weight it’s just like going on a diet in reverse. How are you start with your highway and then you say you lose your precedent, you go down same thing here except if you’re going to proceed to a point where you can only go waste so much with you in the van vehicle because gross weight include passengers and cargo
Love the makeup
good tips, well done! beautiful life in van :)))
This is a lot of really good "planning-ahead" advice for most projects, not just van builds.
You’re my New Favorite Van Lifer to follow… I know this because I get incredibly anxious waiting for a new video from you and , as soon as it’s over, I then get anxious wondering how long I’ll have to wait for the next one. ☺️❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Weigh your van before you start, then you know your base weight. If when you are finished and it's a bit heavy, you can choose what to change to make it lighter. You can keep a rough track of what you are adding and if you are getting close to your limit you can make changes not to go over.
P.S. Being over weight is more of a safety issue than just fuel mileage, your brakes, steering, and suspension will be overloaded making you a hazard on the highway. Stay safe and have fun at the same time.
Open the drivers door and just look at the vehicle plate which is stamped from the manufacturer for vehicle weight, curb weight, height and so on. You've made some very good videos dealing with surprises on insurance and those pos dealership salespeople keep up the good work and be careful out there. Oh, I didn't know that about warranties being dropped by turning them into camper vans. Thanks for the heads up
PLEASE READ! IMPORTANT! In this series, I am inevitably going to forget things or learn something new along the way & so I plan on pinning a comment with any changes I wish I had in the video.
1. I read the wrong weight... ☠☠ I address this and get the vehicle weighed on a Cat Scale in the end of my Sound Deadening video. BUT I said it was like 8,000 in this video the empty weight (or CURB weight) is actually 4,644 pounds and the cat scale when I weighed it said the gross weight was 5060 pounds with a full tank and me in the vehicle. I explain this all better in that video linked below but if you don't want to watch I included the numbers above so you don't have to.
th-cam.com/video/mK-9dxS_Xf0/w-d-xo.html
2. Other Tools I Will Be Using Not Mentioned In The Video: (I will keep coming back and adding to this list through out the build to make it 100% accurate & not leave anything out)
-Clamps
-Caulking Gun
-Paint Brush, Rollers, Etc
-Tool To Clean Paint Brushes So You Have Less Of A Head Ache
-Auto Trim Removal Tool Set (Optional, I used this to get off my panels & after the build for repairs)
My dad also owns a Miter Saw but it's not necessary & I won't have access to his tools after the first month of the build so I didn't mention it.
When are going to a videos 📹 on medical equipment. You never know if your in place doctor is too far away from help.
Or stuff in case of emergency. Ex fire I saw video on fire balls for large fire
Hi Tory
I would strongly suggest you consider a saw guide clamp or several in various lengths and the most important tool a router. You can use the router to make fixing free glued joints which will be much stronger and look neater. You can also add bevel or shaped edges.
Sound and heat insulation require different physical properties but the best sound insulation will be found in the car audio catalogs. Wool is one of the best products for heat insulation. Remember lots of focus on the roof and floor for heat. Under floor heating pads just in the area you walk is a great boon and can make the van feel warmer very quickly.
Fit as much water and waste storage as you can under the van.
On your build spreadsheet note the weight of items. Use lighter alternatives where you can tambour doors, acrylic in place of glass. Aluminium shelves and draw bases. ( they also give you extra space)
Great video. One thing folks may not know is that libraries often have tools you can “check-out” like books. If you don’t want to purchase a tool you need only for one project, call your library! My friend got a floor sander for 3 days from the library!
It's called a "Library of Things".
The most important thing I learned in my first van build was test the van out before you invest a lot of time and money into a build. Do a no-build build first, and take it for a couple decent no-frills trips to make sure it is going to be reliable. On my first trip in my first van, I was climbing up a mountain a couple hours into a cross-country trip and the valley behind me was full of smoke. I thought, "that sucks, someone is having a bad day." A few seconds later, I realized that MY van was causing the smoke and [I] was having a bad day. I spent the rest of the day struggling home in "limp mode".
For the same reason you’ve got a budget tracker, it’s a great idea to have a weight tracker for your build. If you’re part way through your build and approaching your max weight, it will be helpful to know your baseline as well as how all major components affect its total weight. Just my two cent. Great video, as usual!!
Some great tips on this video, one of my biggest struggles is overthinking and perfectionism, it stops me constantly from just going for it 😂
Do some basic stuff and then go camping or just sleep in it at home? As u use it some things work? Some dont or cud be better? I am mid-build, have been using it as-is just fine? I went on 2 week trip and moved some things around? Hey, this works much better this way? Decide do u really want to set up bed, turn into a table the. Back into a bed Everyday? No! I have some bed lengthwise behind driver seat. SWIVEL FRONT SEATS Are a Game Changer! Add So much more living space and have comfortable seats ready to use!
Just this thought. Having the initial weight of your empty van is valid information. Gasoline weighs about 6 pounds per gallon. A 20 gallon tank, your fuel weighs about 120 pounds over the front driver's corner of your van. With you in the driver's seat that is another 127 (?) pounds over the front driver's corner. So, your van may be out of balance by 247 pounds at the front before you install anything. Keep that in mind when you design your layout to keep your van balanced. The more accurate the weight distribution the better handling, brake and tire wear. You might want to look into a four-corner weighing while the van is empty. I'm just sayin.
How and why did you pull 127 out of there?
4:00 I love your more natural look here. Ok... Now back to the build 😊
I hope this time your design includes bathroom space
The only thing you could get rid of on the empty van is the spare wheel and use a tire repair kit with a small co2 bottle instead.
Great video and I am really looking forward to this series.
Im converting a similar size van to to yours. I definitely hit paralysis due to watching too many van build videos. Ive now got into a can do head space and things are progressing and Im excited again. Your videos have helped my enthusiasm and part of that is to learn to trust your own opinions and have a bit of faith.
I am currently in paralysis myself!! Ughhh
How did you get moving again?
@@torbot_ I took a break, I began to realise Id made so many notes of stuff to do Id created a huge road block. I couldn't even decide how to do the floor, then I went and bought some ply and ordered some insulation & I was away again.
Im building it for me and not for the whole of TH-cam, I think Id fallen into a TH-cam will judge me mindset. If I keep it to myself only me will judge me. Good Luck! Sending you a huge chunk of can do.
Tori, as a structural engineer and a builder, I would be more than happy to help you in any way I can. Just give me a holler if you run into questions or problems. 😁👍 Also, from a mental health standpoint, if or when things go wrong, don't forget to just take a step back and breathe. There are no problems in a van build or van life in general that are unsolvable, they are just temporarily inconvenient. ❤ As always, BIG HUGS from Tennessee!
Btw, I’m watching your video from inside my van I bought a week ago! The van was already built, and now I’m doing a trial run to see what/if I want to change anything.
I’ve been enjoying the “easy life” at a state park before I try Boondocking or stealth camping. I’m not ready for the dreaded “knock” yet. Gotta get my feet wet first😊.
Always make plumbing and wiring and fuel/lp lines easily accessible in case you ever need to repair/replace any of that.
Yes you have to weigh your van. First, Not all weigh the same. You cant just look it up. Options or deletions add or subtract weight. Every van also has a different cargo capacity. If they say you can tow 4000 pounds, that weight would be included in the payload you are carrying. A big 4x4 pick up with a big diesel engine often has more power but less carrying or towing capacity because of the extra weight it is already carrying. I'm a career truck driver so I know this stuff. The weight of a promaster 2500 IS NOT 8900 pounds, I gusrantee it. That may be the max or GCVW or Gross Cargo Vehicle Weight. That would be The MAX weight you can have including trailers, cargo, people, fuel, and anything else that would go in or on the vehicle. It is all the weight that your engine will pull at any given time. Maximum payload is what your van can carry or pull over what the gross weight of the van is with people, fuel, accessories etc. You can have that 4680 max payload IF your van weighs 4220, and it probably weighs more than that. You need to check inside your door jamb for the max payload for YOUR van, not a typical van. You need to weigh it so you subtract your weight from your max payload so you know how much you can put init , and maybe still leave some room for groceries or a boat or trailer etc. My 2021 Transit 250 is built a bit stronger with twin turbo chargers. It makes much more power than your van BUT, I can only pull or carry about 1300 pounds. WHY? Because it has a gross weight of 9300 and weighed 6000 pounds (6020 on a cat scale with me and half tank of gas). That leaves about 3300 pounds of max payload. I put in 2000 pounds of conversion weight. It now totals 8000 pounds. This leaves 1300 pounds left for luggage, etc. My boat is 2000 pounds. I am overweight when just towing a small boat. Here are a few other things to note. You said that yours is 8900 pounds. I guarantee it is not because mine is bigger, has more options, and is loaded with 4 wheel drive system that adds a lot of weight and has 2000 pounds of conversion weight. The Cat scale says mine weighs 900 pounds less than what you're telling me that your van weighs empty.. Here are 3 more reasons you need to weigh it. First, being overweight is illegal because it effects the handling to a potentially unsafe situation or the brakes cant handle all the weight etc. You can get tickets or cause an accident. Beigh overweight WILL void a warranty if it is found to be so. Third, Your insurance company will not cover you if you have an accident. They may not even pay for damages to the other guy if it is your fault "because you are overloaded". CHECK the inside of your drivers side door jamb. Every vehicle is different so the companies put vehicle specific info there Look for your gross axle weight so you are not overweight on each axle, not jsut the vehicle. Truck drivers know that they can be overweight because of axle weight even if they still have tens of thousands of pounds left before they hit the max weight of 80,000. If your rear axle can hold 3500 and you have 4000 in back then you are overweight even though you are nowhere near your max total weight. By the way, that doorjamb sticker is THE place where cops and insurance people look to see your capacities, and insurance companies will check it so they dont have to pay. Check your capacity on the door jamb and weight it no matter where you are in your build. This will tell you how far you have left to go. It will also tell you how much weight your front and rear axles can hold. You will go to a cat scale and you will run across 3 sets of scales. Put the front tires on the first one and the rear tires on the second one. Hit the button and tell them you want to weigh your personal vehicle. They may ask for a unit number. Tell them it is a personal vehicle, no number. Your cat scale ticket will have the weights of each axle and the total weight on it. Keep this for future use. Yhis is how I know my van weighs 8020 with half tank of gas and me in it. Then I add for my wife and dog and whatever we bring. Water weighs about 8 pounds per gallon, BTW. SOrry if I came off the wrong way but this is very important and many or most people dont understand it. They listen to a deal tell them "Yeah, you can pull this trailer, etc." You might physically pull it but not safely or legally and the insurance company may not honor any claims that you are paying for and think you are covered. BTW, I like your videos and wish you successI subscribed and have watched about 5 vids so far. Sorry you got taken by the dealer. You can do your homework but they do this stuff everyday. Next time, bring somebody with you who can handle the mean old dealer for you. Good luck. I'm looking forward to seeing how this works out for you
The yellow caution ⚠️ light meant you still had your back door open. New to the channel love the content so far..😊
In the lyrics of one of my favorite Queen songs, " I've been waiting for the hammer to fall." 🔨💪😊 Yes fall, not fail.
To weigh at the beginning you know exactly what the starting weight is, I gave myself a target weight and then that influences design and material choices...
I appreciate that you involve your inner child a la Sponge Bob, while being a very informative and competent adult.
You have integrated your selves into a wonderful and entertaining source of van life information for us new-bees.
This is great! Thank you. I just got a RAM Promaster and will start building soon. I'll get the guide because I definitely need some help :)
I did the same thing, I went All Ryobi so batteries fit all the tools! I bought my Maxxair fan before I bought the van becuz I found good deal? It was brand new but the box was messed up so the reduces the price!
oh yay, surprise Tory vid! I definitely welcome more weekly vids :) YES I love that ol reliable box!
🎉🎉🎉 I was really proud of myself for finishing two in one week LOL 😅 I am just super PUMPED about the van build ☺️✨ Thank you!!
LOVE the thumbnail tory😍😍
Weighing the Van up front, gives you the amount of your weight, never trust what you read about everyone else weight. Then you can add to it helps. Few dollars to weigh it is a few dollars. I've done my share on cat scales driving the Semi. Also a tip by weighing the Van you can keep up how much weight goes towards the front end and the back end. Example you build your van and end up front end heavy, that's a ticket, wear on the front end, to heavy for the breaks etc things
"Safety"
Right up front let me say I am not a vanlifer (I wish I was). One concern I have is your decision not to have a water system and here is why. You had mentioned that you would like to travel out west and explore some remote areas. What happens if you break down. A person can survive 3 weeks without food but only three weeks without water....that is basic survival rule of thumb. The more water you have the safer you are. You can conserve water by using vinegar to clean dishes and water to rinse, A solar shower works great as well.
Hey! I’m so sorry, I must have said something in a confusing manner! I am ABSOLUTELY going to have a water system! It won’t be super boujee and likely still be the $7 Amazon USB faucet but I will definitely still be carrying lots of water on board ☺️
@@ToryDelury I must have misunderstood in previous video...my bad. It was two videos or so back and I thought you were relying a a couple water jugs and it's worried me since. I guess a had a little brain fog. I can sleep well tonight. Looking forward to the build
following your new van build has been so validating thank you for sharing your experiences and perspectives you are a light
Love how organized you are!
Interesting,elegant.shamim zahuri,bangladesh✌🤝🤴
Ole Reliable was too fun. Great job with the editing of that.
" Just do it!! "
Finding out myself, there really is a step 0.5 in building a van. So much design and prep before the first cuts
Hi tory how are you doing today I hope you being safe
Your personality is incredible and awesome to see, hear and witness. Thank you for being You.
P.S. love your videos and instructive style.
На телефони пофіг, а от Наталка - 🔥🔥🔥 Слава й перемога Україні! ✌️🇺🇦
So first of all Sweetie, you are not dumb. I love the name, that's SANTANA's album name.
Be very safe out there, look forward to your adventures.
Hugs from Toronto, Ontario. CANADA.🎉
😂 that ending, one hot nerd aren't you ❤
I wish you all the best in your van build 😊
Like everything the critical path is the most important thing start with one thing through and then go to the next everything is connected whether you believe it or not you have to have the right process, clean the van insulate soundproof that’s all in one wiring electrical get that figured out plumbing get that figured out then worry about what your vans gonna look like when you’re done but but you don’t do the underneath the first you’ll have big problems later on so do all the stuff you’ll never see right the first time so you’re not tearing stuff apart to repair it for plumbing uses met a few and fittings. Have you possibly have you not a lot of connections because you’re gonna leak electrical try to avoid splicing wires from one into the other run the home runs and then branch off the home runs so that the connections are only where you have your outlet or are you have your lights? It’s really simple it’s just time consuming but then again, I worked on everything from lawn more of the bulldozers and build houses so race cars all kinds of things I’ve done in my short 63 years down. Been there done that.
Should install some 13.5" JL Audio subs. Make that van bass
Best thing to remember: There's no such thing as perfect solutions. Just trade-offs.
I hope it turns out exactly the way you wanted it to.🌹
Thank you so much! Me too!! ☺️
I did, I loved the box, great job for last minute. You should have asked your sister to help lol
Also a good tip with anything that you'll be working on. Always think in the way of "if I install this and something goes wrong, what are things that could go wrong and what will it affect? If this does get affected or that does, which out of the two will be easier & cheaper to fix?"
Did you hear about Dumbledore? 💔
vehicle weight and vehicle gross weight (maximum weight the vehicle can carry, which in your case would be van build PLUS your contents) is listed on the door sticker from the manufacture.
Your van doesnt weigh 8900 lbs that's the gvwr or the maximum the vehicle can support including you. You can subtract that payload from the gvwr to get the curb weight of the van itself--obviously each van varies slightly
I read that book it was very good. You have a.great personality. 😊
You are SO INCREDIBLY CUTE!!!!!!❤❤
Not my cup of tea but very well done and informative video.
Thank you! Yeah, I knew it was a much more facts > vlog type video so I posted it mid-week & tried to put “Tips” in the title 😅 BUT I already planned my first road trip coming up before I build too much, so I’m excited to vlog that too 🎉
Thats true my family is so negative that's why I need to live
Tory ! The Right Way is your way . Isn't this why your out adventuring . no one wrote the book . Hey look you write the book in your head and visualize the out come no Stress life is to short to worry about the tiny or heck even the big things. I was a Mortgage Broker for 9 years and in 2008 the backs crashed and I lost it all *kids gone girl friend gone my close brothers and sister and mom GONE Everyone gone but Not my dignity. and now I am off the streets and have proven to myself and my family that I wrote my book and it's me and I wish I had a girlfriend to share this wild crazys life . Some day when it's right. so keep yourself positive n happy free . Looks to me your on Top of Your game. Cio! Marty guarneros the River hunter .LOL.
I didn’t know how insurance works on build your own van ! If it was a nightmare to just find insurance can a person afford it ?
Since you’re keeping track of all your receipts on your computer then you should back them up to a phone drive just to make sure if your hard drive in your computer crashes you don’t lose all of your information
I just use google spreadsheet - it is in cloud so accessible from different computers.
Just need about 3 columns - date, description, price
And sum() function below to get total price.
Would be good idea to use other sheet for weight tracking - what you remove and what you add
Hi
Hi! Did you inverted the numbers when you talked about the weight of the van and the payload? Mine is 2100 Kg empty or 4630 pounds.
Smart!
Brilliant as always 💚 Why didn't you use the budget planner with Van life? A chosen to use another?
where do you put the bombs at night?
Isn’t the weight on the driver’s side door pillar label?
The weight should be on your title?
Wool is great instead of wood. Wood ads so much weight.
Toryyyyy..tienes pintaaaa..de fiera de leona uuuuuuuy🕵️🇪🇦😄😄😄😄🤭🤭🤭🤭
I wish you wouldn't Avada Cadavra at the camera. It's unsettling.
Firstly try and get past the Miss USA gorgeousness and just listen as Tory has unique advice built on good and bad experience and is passionate on her subject and will save you $$$ and time
Ok she is adorable but remember to listen too ❤🏴🌸
Beautiful honey. Good luck in ban build conversation 2.0. Love you. ❤❤❤❤
I know that all the motor home and camper van dealers have warrantees that are not worth the paper they’re written on. Thats a standard policy of all camper dealer/ companies. Theres a ytube lawyer that does a whole video about the subject.
RIGDIG TOOLS LAST FOREVER AND CAN BE ON SALE OFTEN AT HOME DEPOT... BOB, MESA AZ
That eye makeup makes ya look like a hooooorrrrrr 👀
Good 😊❤video
Not envying you having to start from the ground up, personally, I prefer buying other people’s already made’s and correct what needs it, much cheaper because the vehicle is already severely discounted by individuals’ idiosyncrasies.
my old tool is obsolete , darn it...
So, um, I googled the curb weight of a 2021 Ram ProMaster 2500 … and google told me 4,644 pounds.
So, that’d be empty van but with all fluids including full gas tank.
Doesn’t include driver, passengers & cargo. Gross weight is how much it weighs with those. Google says that’s 8900 lbs.
So now before you add too much weight while building, you can keep it below the gross weight - and not have to get rid of something later that you really like, but is too heavy … like passengers. 😏
You Beautiful Woman
I'm an engineer. Can I help?
Whats the name of the company you work for again? Where are they based from? I think there are ppl who will travel and do a van build too!
Project VanLife / VanLife Academy :) They are based in Canada!
@@ToryDeluryoh ok gotcha I'm in the US. I like the step by step but I just want someone to do the build for me lol! I want to be the project manager 😂 So been watching you like crazy got hooked onto your toilet video haha! I fell asleep listening (it was bed time) to you negotiating buying a van. What did you end up buying and where can I get the checklist ✔ to buy a van???
Oh my goodness, thank you so much! 😊 And I totally get that 😂 There are definitely great builders all across the country where they let you walk in and tell them what you want & design it & they make it for you! I had Steven Stolp at Sandy Vans in San Diego do some components in my van! The electrical & AC, because I wasn’t comfortable doing it on my own 🙃 And I ended up keeping the Promaster! I’m happy with the choice! Though there have been times I wasn’t FWD, if I wasn’t such a city dweller though I would have gone for Ford for sure.
projectvanlife.com/landing-pages/choose-the-right-van/
This should be the right ebook! & It’s Free! :)
🔨🪛⚙❓⁉⁉
Such a nerd.
Ryobi is mad cheap lol
No paying attention to what you starting starting weight so as you go and you start figuring in what we can put in you can keep track of us not to go over the most expensive thing you’re gonna have is your power system if you put multiple batteries in a water tank no the water weighs 8 pounds per gallon so you have to consider that what is it gonna be your two heavier things then again there’s your refrigerator your cooking stuff are you gonna be all electric or are you gonna have to have a propane bottle and where are you going to put it and where are you going to put your tank for your gray water and figure this is all coming up but all of that comes up to weight so you should start with your beginning weight it’s just like going on a diet in reverse. How are you start with your highway and then you say you lose your precedent, you go down same thing here except if you’re going to proceed to a point where you can only go waste so much with you in the van vehicle because gross weight include passengers and cargo
Awesome thank u
Bro organized.