They Built a Dream Full Time Camper Van for Under $45K

Tiny Home Tours

16 Apr 202410:20

Summary

TLDRThe video script offers a detailed tour of a meticulously organized van conversion, showcasing innovative storage solutions, a compact kitchen, and a multi-functional living space. The couple living in the van shares their experiences with van life, highlighting the challenges of living in a small space and their strategies for maintaining organization and functionality. They discuss their journey, from the initial purchase of the van to the completion of the build, and their adventures on the road, emphasizing the importance of compromise and communication in their relationship.

Takeaways

🏠 The van has a dining area and a garage space underneath, with the latter being designed to accommodate the height of a guitar case for storage.
🍳 They have a three-burner propane stove for cooking, which is particularly useful for making tacos, and an oven for dishes like enchiladas and pizza.
🚰 The van features a deep well sink with ample storage space for dishes, and a 26-gallon water tank for washing dishes.
🧳 Storage solutions include custom-made shelves and bungee cords for categorization, as well as pullout drawers from Amazon for electronics, canned goods, and dishware.
🛋️ The kitchen has custom countertops for extra space and a fridge on drawer sliders for easy access. There's also a cutting board for food preparation.
🧴 Drawers are used for storing items like plastic bags, which are used to store meat or bulky foods to save space in the fridge.
🧴 Toiletries and medicines are stored in separate designated areas, with a mirror that can be moved for space efficiency.
🛌 The sleeping area features a custom mattress made from four sections bought on Amazon, with clothing storage underneath.
🛋️ The dining table is an epoxy table from Etsy, with a swivel seat and a single table leg that can be raised and lowered for storage.
🧘‍♂️ The garage space doubles as a storage area for camping supplies, first aid kits, tools, and miscellaneous items, with back nets for additional storage.
🔋 The van is equipped with a 300 amp lithium battery, a solar charger on the roof, and a B2B battery charger connected to the alternator for power supply.
👫 The couple shares their love for van life and emphasizes the importance of communication and understanding each other's needs in a small living space.

Q & A

What was the primary consideration for the height of the garage space in the van?
-The height of a guitar case was used as a determining factor for the necessary space.
What type of stove do they have in their kitchen?
-They have a three-burner propane stove which is useful for cooking dishes like tacos and enchiladas.
How do they manage dishwashing in their van?
-They have a deep well sink for washing dishes and a 26-gallon water tank. If they don't feel like doing dishes, there's ample room to store them in the sink.
What is the purpose of the shelves and bungee cords in their kitchen?
-They are used to categorize and store items like sauces, snacks, bowls, and plates to prevent confusion.
What is the function of the pullout Amazon drawers in their van?
-The pullout drawers are utilized for storage, housing items such as electronics, canned goods, and tableware.
How do they handle food storage in the van?
-They use plastic bags to store meat or bulky container foods in the fridge to save space.
What is the cost breakdown for the van and its build?
-The van itself cost around $25,000, and the build cost was approximately $20,000, totaling $45,000.
What was the inspiration behind the custom-made bed system in the van?
-The bed system was designed to serve as a workstation, allow for guests during dinner, and provide a sleeping area.
How did they manage to find the van they converted into an RV?
-The van was found during a motorcycle trip from New Hampshire to North Carolina. It was an old electrician van in Connecticut.
What is the significance of the epoxy table they purchased from Etsy?
-The epoxy table is a multifunctional piece that connects to a swivel seat and a single table leg, allowing it to be raised and lowered for storage.
How did they meet their partner, Taylor?
-They met Taylor through a small hiking group in the White Mountains, where they were the pioneers of the group.
What is the capacity of the upgraded battery in their van?
-They upgraded to a 300 amp-hour lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery.
How do they manage their power needs while on the road?
-They have a 2,000 W inverter to run appliances, a 360 W solar panel setup on the roof for charging the battery, and a B2B battery charger connected to their alternator.

Outlines

00:00

🏡 Van Kitchen and Storage Solutions

The first paragraph introduces the van's kitchen area, emphasizing its multifunctional design. The narrator describes a propane stove ideal for cooking tacos, an oven for making enchiladas and pizza, and a deep well sink with ample storage. The space also features a 26-gallon water tank, custom-made countertops, and pullout drawers for electronics and canned goods. The fridge is mounted on drawer sliders for easy access, and there's a dedicated drawer for storage items like plastic bags. The narrator also mentions a custom-made cutting board and a unique bed system that includes a workstation and a dining area with an epoxy table from Etsy, a swivel seat, and a convertible couch.

05:03

🧳 Efficient Space Utilization and Power Management

The second paragraph focuses on the van's storage solutions and power management system. The narrator discusses the use of a collapsible clothing rack for wet gear and towels, and the challenges of living in a small space with a partner who prefers minimalism. The van's power system includes a 300-amp lithium battery, a main power switch for safety, and a connection to a solar charger on the roof. The solar panels provide 360W of power at 30 amps. There's also a battery charger connected to the van's alternator and a 2,000W inverter for running appliances. The narrator concludes by sharing their love for van life, the importance of communication in a small living space, and invites viewers to follow their journey on Instagram and their website.

10:03

🤣 Humorous Personal Anecdotes

The third paragraph provides a humorous anecdote about the narrator's partner's love for ranch sauce, to the point of preferring it over all other sauces and regularly purging them from their van. The narrator playfully describes the partner's lactose intolerance and her willingness to risk it for the biscuit, highlighting the personal and lighthearted aspects of their van life experience.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Van life

Van life refers to a lifestyle where individuals live in and travel using a customized van, often equipped with living spaces and amenities. In the video, the couple has transformed a van into a mobile home, showcasing how they manage their day-to-day living in a compact space while on the road.

💡Customization

Customization in this context means altering the van's interior to suit the couple's needs, including a kitchen, sleeping area, and storage solutions. The script describes how they have personalized the space with features like a three-burner propane stove, a deep well sink, and custom-made countertops.

💡Storage solutions

Storage solutions are creative methods for organizing and storing items efficiently in a small space. The video mentions the use of shelves, bungee cords, pullout drawers, and a collapsible clothing rack to maximize the limited space in the van.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability is the ability to maintain a certain level of usage without causing negative impact or depletion of resources. The couple's van life is an example of sustainability as they use a 26-gallon water tank and a 300-amp lithium iron phosphate battery for power, along with solar panels for renewable energy.

💡Multi-functional furniture

Multi-functional furniture serves multiple purposes, optimizing space in a small living area. The video features a mattress made from four sections that doubles as a couch, a table that can be disassembled for storage, and a swivel seat that can be used as part of the dining setup or in the van's front area.

💡DIY (Do It Yourself)

DIY refers to the practice of individuals creating, modifying, or repairing things without the help of professionals. The script mentions several DIY projects, such as cutting a mattress into sections to create custom cushions, sewing outdoor material for washable covers, and building a platform for additional storage.

💡Compact living

Compact living is a lifestyle where people live in small spaces with minimal room for possessions. The video is centered around the concept of compact living, as the couple demonstrates how to live comfortably in a van with limited space, emphasizing the importance of organization and multipurpose items.

💡Amazon finds

Amazon finds refer to products discovered and purchased on the Amazon platform that have proven useful for the couple's van life. The script mentions a few items like a collapsible clothing rack and a mattress, highlighting how online shopping can be a resource for finding space-saving and travel-friendly products.

💡Van conversion

Van conversion is the process of transforming a standard van into a livable space by adding living essentials like a kitchen, sleeping area, and storage. The video provides a detailed account of how the couple converted an old electrician van into a fully functional RV for their travels.

💡Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby is a retail chain that sells arts and crafts, home decor, and other items. In the video, the mention of Hobby Lobby refers to a place where the individual sought advice and materials for sewing, showcasing the resourcefulness in sourcing everyday needs for their van life.

💡Vanlifer

A vanlifer is a person who lives in a van, often as a full-time residence. The video features a couple who have embraced this lifestyle, sharing their experiences and the practicalities of living and traveling in a converted van, which is a common theme in van life communities.

Highlights

The van has a garage space underneath the dining area, with enough height to accommodate a guitar case.

A collapsible clothing rack was an Amazon find that helps with storage, especially for wet gear.

The kitchen is equipped with a three-burner propane stove and an oven, ideal for cooking tacos, enchiladas, and pizza.

A deep well sink provides ample storage space for dishes, with a 26-gallon water tank for washing.

Custom shelves and bungee cords keep kitchen items organized and prevent confusion.

Pullout Amazon drawers offer additional storage for electronics, canned goods, and dishware.

Countertops are custom made by Taylor for extra workspace in the kitchen.

The fridge is mounted on drawer sliders for easy access and space efficiency.

A drawer is dedicated to storage items like plastic bags, used for storing meats and bulky foods.

Toiletries and personal care items are stored in a compact, easily adjustable cabinet.

A custom mattress from Amazon is used, cut into four sections for a comfortable sleep space.

The bed system doubles as a workstation and dining area, with a convertible epoxy table.

The table is connected to a swivel seat and a single table leg for space-saving storage.

A platform was created under the dining area for additional storage of camping supplies and tools.

The van's power system includes a 300 amp hour lithium iron phosphate battery and a 2,000 W inverter.

Solar panels on the roof provide 360W of power, charging the battery at 30 amps.

The van was purchased as an old electrician van and cost around $25,000, with a $20,000 build cost.

The van life journey began with a motorcycle trip and evolved into a shared adventure with Taylor.

The couple documents their van life on Instagram and their website, Vesper Vanlife.

Living in a small space requires compromise, such as managing differences in personal belongings and preferences.