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

Summary

The 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.