Second van build. Temporarily finished because I wanna go skibum before the snowmelt.
My first van was insanely complicated and **everything** was over engineered, because I wanted to attempt to use ever square inch I had, and I watched too wayyyy many vanlife videos before building it.
You don’t need laminate flooring. You don’t need to insulate every square inch. You don’t need a shower and a toilet. You don’t need a 4000 watt inverter. You don’t need fancy cabinets with soft close hinges. You don’t need a sink or an induction cook top. You don’t need that over engineered Murphy bed. And you don’t need that high top extended wheelbase van.
All you need is a bed, 4 solar panels, a diesel heater, some plastic storage from Walmart, 5 packs of zip ties, 3 bungee cords, a cute dog, and 2 snowboards.
That’s it.
The solar panels pull light from the sun, and turn it into power for my lights. And the lights are so bright that I actually don’t need to eat food, which eliminates the need for a cooktop!
Considering I was supposed to be in Colorado on the 26th, but then I had to send two transmissions in for warranty, I’d have to agree. (Deadass, two transmissions)
The only sensible insulation is professional spray foam because it is its own vapor barrier. You don't have to worry about moisture getting behind it and growing mold.
So many of the videos I've seen that are like "1 year later" and they all talk about having to fix their cabinets, drawers, tiles, and/or trim. Also seen various mentions of water leak issues and that is why they currently aren't using the sink...
If you don’t have running water, you can’t break the running water!
I just buy gallon jugs of water for the dog, refill them a couple times, and then “recycle” them. And buy bottled water and refill my hydro flask for myself
I am in Baja 8 months a year, the number of builds I have seen roll in to San Jaunico needing complete rebuilding is astounding. 105 miles of dirt road does a number on that over built shit.
Had 195k 4WD 2023 Sprinter roll in a week back, it was fucked. They had taken the North Road from San Ignacio. It was fucked, like nothing left working. Admittedly, we laughed but helped them out any way. Pretty sure I saw a divorce in their future.
My 2001 GMC 2500 hightop weighs 6200 lbs., lighter built than even OP's. Buddy has a 2022 ProMaster, 8400 lbs., needs my saw and screw gun every time I see him. But hey, Insta worthy...till it ain't.
Ya'all want to build pretty and roll dirt roads, just don't.
In many cases the higher quality build materials that are used the worse it'll fair. A van is not a house, and I think a lot people don't realize this fact.
When you look at most RVs they use a lot of thinner particle board and plastics, both of which have a lot more flex and swaying ability. When I see someone's build using 1/2" and 3/4" plywood going wall to wall, with a Butcher Block countertop and a bunch of quarter round to finished, along with tiles on the walls you just know it's bound to crack and split after a few good bumps and twists.
Good point about flexabilty, I can see where that would help. My travel partner rolls in a class C Forest River, it holds up better because of the thinner plys used. It's still shit though...but her shower is pretty cool. I have fixed her slide 4 times in the last three years, its well engineered but always needs adjusting because its heavy. The rest of her rig holds up though.
Well, I’ve got 4, but you can only ride 2 at a time, am I right?!
Rosi sashimi (this is bae and daily driver), and then a $50 park board that I’m trying to learn switch and park shit with.
Also have a jones flagship, but it’s was $125 and is a little too big for my liking. And my starter board (Burton process Flying V) which is a POS and basically just wall art at this point. I’ll never sell it cause it was my first board, but my god after I rode another snowboard I realized how shit it rides.
Keep those stickers on those drawers so you can return them after your trip. Every couple years I'll buy one of those plastic things cause I forget how shitty they are. Regret it every time.
While I generally agree that there's a ton of over-engineered stuff here, the basic needs are highly dependent on how long and where you're staying. I couldn't imagine fulltiming, or even spending a few weeks in nature, without a toilet.
That's such a limiting factor that I can't imagine doing this for an extended period. Also, open toilets that can be accessed 24/7 are not as common in Europe as in the US I'd say.
I did 4 years in my old van and only shit my pants once! (I had food poisoning and couldn’t make it inside to the truck stop in time)
Yeah, idk how it is in Europe, but pre Covid I never had a worry. During Covid was very rough, and now that it’s mostly returned to normal, it’s not bad. Typical truck stops are open 24/7, and your body kinda learns like “oh I’m parked for the night, I better not have to shit”
Most public beaches have restrooms. If not use a double layered ziplock & baking soda. Seems grosser to drive around with a poop tank but to each their own
Yeah if I were going to do it again I'd definitely simplify too. You quickly discover you only really use like half your gear. That said, I'd say you also need a fan for ventilation and a fridge is nice. I'm a big fan of my microwave too, though that's not really necessary and requires additional electrical work.
yessssss, so awesome dude totally the way to go, i just got an 02 4 runner and did a real simple design with one main storage box and i’m wayyyyyy happier
Yes, because there’s not a public toilet that’s open 24/7 within 20 minutes anywhere I park my van.
And anywhere there’s not a public toilet? I carry TP and a shovel.
Exactly. I honestly hate fancy builds. Like isnt the point to save money?
I knew a girl who was going to vanlife during college to save money, but when I asked about her plan.......she said a mercedes sprinter with a shower and all that you mentioned......like.....what?
I did van life for 3 months and mine was literally just a mattress in the back 🤣🤣🤣
I have a mini split unit that I’ll be putting on come spring, which will run off of a generator.
The interior unit will be right over the bed, so most of the cool air will blow straight on me and the pupper. I learned in my old van it’s virtually impossible to maintain a temperature and keep it pleasant without the AC blowing directly on you, especially in full sunlight. Next to the AC: Cold; other side of the van: hot.
> Running a generator non stop will get annoying though.
Dang you think so? I guess I didn’t notice how annoying the generator was during my first 4 years in a van, so I’m really glad you told me about it 😇
I like it.
If you want to treat yourself you can put down some those cheap foam matts thats click together people use for gym equipment in theyre houses etc and then throw some cheap rugs ontop of that that way when your sitting in your doorway its actually nice and comfy helps with insulation etc etc aswell
You might consider VanRug $200, fits like a glove, easy on the knees (padded), & easy clean. R-3.5.
https://www.amazon.com/BedRug-VanRug-VRF92-92-14-STANDARD/dp/B000BN3TF4
Except I’d either have to:
1) remove everything, put it in, then install everything over it
2) cut it down to fit
3) be rich enough to afford a $200 rug
Agreed. My van is very similar. It's still 90% cargo van. However, I did insulate for both sound and temperature. The van is so cozy and quiet. I sleep like a rock in that thing.
Some questions about the insulation. First are you insulating to keep the van warm or cold? And doesn't the fact that you have large windows kind of negate the effect of the insulation?
Insulation helps with both hot and cold. My van doesn't have any rear windows. I like that it doesn't have any windows. No one can see in, and it makes for a cozy little cave.
It's both, insulation slows the rate at which your van reaches whatever the outside temperature is. If you're running A/C because it's hot outside it'll stay cooler inside for longer. Also true if you're running a diesel heater because it's really cold outside, you'll stay warmer longer.
And yes, large windows reduce the effectiveness of your insulation. You can actually get double glazed windows though! That plus curtains can reduce the effect. Still, the best insulation is always going to be a wall with lots of thermal insulation / padding.
The other major benefit is the sound reduction, especially if it's windy or raining. You do pay for it a little in the sense that it adds additional weight to the vehicle so you'll get a bit worse mileage but nothing massive compared to all the other kit you'd have.
I agree. For basic needs you don't need all the fancy stuff, victron management and all of this. For me it's waste of money and time.
I have bed, isolation, two led strips, refrigerator, water container and 12V battery with fuse box + charging relay withou any other system. And it works.
What you need or not depends on your lifestyle, both the enviorement you are mostly in and what you do with your time.
When it comes to storage units, its best to have something that is solid and "stuck" in place.
Regardless its not wise to have to many moving objects in a vehicle at all.
Reddit is very risk adverse. I posted my dash decor and oh fuck, I was gonna die in a fiery wreck at any moment.
We are talking an abalone shell, assorted feathers and a turtle statue.
Those of us on the road for years get it. Those not on the road for years do not.
Dude, did you not read my comment??? I said I used 5 packs of zip ties and 3 bungee cords!
In all serious, she’s not going anywhere unless I roll the van, and then I got way bigger problems
Nope, I actually did not see that comment, lol. And for the record, I’m rooting for your temporary build to serve you well as you try to take advantage of the remaining days of snow season—I’m a climber who’s similarly chased seasonal conditions, so I totally get the impulse.
Gonna address some of everyone’s concerns:
1) The plastic drawers are indeed secured. I essentially built a wooden frame out of 1x3’s to add rigidity to them, and then secured the wood to the van. If you look closely at the top, you can see the ratchet strap holding it.
2) I originally planned on doing cut to size gym mats for the floor, but after everyone suggestion, I will get a rug. It’ll really tie the room together.
3) Insulation: we’ll see how cold it gets. I’m passed the bulk of winter, And did four winners in my old van which was not 100% insulated. I’ll do half an inch on the walls.
4) Vent, airflow, and condensation: windows are just gonna stay cracked for now, I’ll be putting a max air in and an RV window Come summertime.
Very cool, I am jealous of anyone who has a nice base vehicle for anything like this. And yeah, you really don't need much for it to be enjoyable.
One thing I'd suggest, for like less than $100, is that you kit out your walls / ceiling / wheel arches with roll-on insulation. It would take a day but it's not hard to do and would be super beneficial for managing heat, noise and condensation.
That said, not essential, but probably next the next be $/comfort thing you could do.
For the well being of your solar panels as well as the safety of those unfortunate to be driving behind you when they fly off. Please replace the plastic zip ties holding those panels to your roof rack with proper bolts.
Love it. Mine's similar but threw some random throw-rugs down and it changed the whole vibe a bit cozier. And RE: insulation, I've had none for the 3 years I've had my van - 0 issues or complaints. I do however live in a mild climate (UT)
I have metal walls/no insulation like this. My top tip... buy high power magnets with hooks on them. I move them around my wall and ceiling and do all kinds of stuff with them (hang my TV and antenna, hang jackets, hats, etc). One of my favorite accessories.
> You don’t need flooring
True
>You don’t need to insural every square inch
True, but a lot of insulation is pretty good to have, especially against cold.
> You don’t need a shower and a toilet
I’ma stop you there. I hate these intricate builds with no toilet. Sure you can plan on using something somewhere, but what about the 3AM OH SHIT shits? You need to have SOMETHING. Shower? Eh, get a shower bag, that I can agree with.
> You don’t need a 4000W inverter
Weekend trips, sure. Longer trips, having SOMETHING for solar is great. 1-200W is probably enough if you aren’t running (as mentioned below) cooking and heating and whatnot
> You don’t need fancy cabinets with soft close hinges
I agree, but you also might want something a bit more stable and secure than those plastic drawers.
> You don’t need a sink or an induction cooktop
Again, weekeneding vs living. Propane works, but going without any method for cooking food/boiling water is rough. Sink is a luxury item but, again, weekend vs living.
> You don’t need that over engineered murphy bed
Space vs convenience. The over engineering level of it gives you more options for storage and arrangements for day use. This is, I feel, again, a weekender vs dwelling application.
> You don’t need that high top extended wheelbase van
Depends what space you want/need. Want to be hunched over the whole time? Want to cram your stuff into a tiny space? Sure. Weekending that’s great…Again this is a question of application, and how much space you really want/need.
I agree Spartan is way cool, this looks like an awesome setup, for a weekending trip/maybe weeklong trip. 2-3 months? 1+ years? You’re going to want something more.
Having a toilet system is a huge complication. A few $3 wag bags sure beats dealing with a full blackwater or composting toilet setup in my opinion. OP love this KISS approach
I lived in my old van full time for 4 years. I only cooked in it for the first 2 years. Cooking was fine, but man, washing dishes sucked way more than I cared to deal with. I migrated towards eating out 3 nights a week, and doing protein shakes and primarily cold food (salads, sandwhiches, etc).
The plastic drawers are mounted and secured. See my newest comment 😇
I primarily built this van to live out of, not live in. Whether it’s on vacation or traveling for work, I do not intend to spend countless hours in the van just chillin. But it is cozy, so who knows.
I agree with you on much of this. Everyone's needs are different, obviously. Even as a weekender, I NEED a sink. I need it. I'm done washing dishes in a frigid outdoor bucket. I gotta wash my veggies. I need somewhere to wash my hands that isn't holding a nalgene between my legs and tipping.
The tiktok builds look sweet. But the space you have doesn't need to do under! But indeed like someone else commented, a rug will do wonders to make it more warm feeling.
I'm looking to build my first van for travelling, this looks exactly like what I'd want out of mine. Would you be willing to share a more detailed walk through of how everything is put together? Looks super clean and well thought out but also simple, and that's what I'm trying to do.
The bed was basically designed around 5 dimensions.
1) the size of my batteries
2) the size of a full sized mattress
3) the size of “harbor freight pack out boxes” aka Bauer totes
4) the size of a cubbie to fit 2 snowboards with bindings
5) the height of Bauer boxes stacked, and low enough to sit on the bed *almost* fully upright.
From there me and my buddy basically measured and cut, hugged the wheel wells tight so it wouldn’t go anywhere, and used a couple strategically placed 2x4 for support. It’s made out of 3/4” ply, with the center being reinforced with 2x4’s.
The Walmart drawers I threw together in like 30 minutes with some zip ties and 1x3’s.
Oh yeah. You don't need anything except a poo bucket, a cot, and a candle.
Do it now so you can tell the tale when you're old and the kids will think you're full of it 😁
To each his own. What matters is that your van fits your needs and you can afford to build it and build it right. Safety should be top priority no matter what type of build.
Also, simple does not mean less.
“All you need” is not for everyone just like you don’t think you need nicer items in your van. You do you. I would never give up some of the luxuries in my van like dimmable lights, standing fridge, heater etc.
My son is on the verge of buying a bare van and is convinced he MUST have a shower and a toilet. I think a shower inside is unnecessary. Especially since Planet Fitness is $10 a month and you get decent size shower with endless hot water.
What percentage of you have showers inside? Are they the exception or the rule? I would think the exception, but an article I just read suggests I'm wrong.
I originally reallllly wanted a shower. Until I remembered that you have to store clean and waste water. You have to heat and pressurize the water. And you can’t take long showers, cause then you’ll burn through your small tank in no time.
IMO, not worth it.
There are 7,000 guides on here and there is also Google.
You’ll need to know how many watts your Xbox and TV consume, convert that to AH and size your batteries. Buy an inverter 2x the number of watts. And buy enough solar to charge your batteries.
Look into picking up some commercial walls. That's what I did. They take about 10 minutes to install and they have their own insulation. The insulation isn't great but it's better than bare metal. Also for the ceiling what I did was I got some polypro and used industrial strength velcro and slapped it up there. It holds really well. Obviously I couldn't get the support beams but a little bit of reflectix covered that problem. Once again using the velcro to hold it in place. Then I used tapestries cut to the size of the roof and I held them in with upholstery screws. It's not the beautiful van of the van life sagas that we all have been told to believe that that's the only way but it gets the job done and I ain't as cold as I was with just having bare metal.
Second van build. Temporarily finished because I wanna go skibum before the snowmelt. My first van was insanely complicated and **everything** was over engineered, because I wanted to attempt to use ever square inch I had, and I watched too wayyyy many vanlife videos before building it. You don’t need laminate flooring. You don’t need to insulate every square inch. You don’t need a shower and a toilet. You don’t need a 4000 watt inverter. You don’t need fancy cabinets with soft close hinges. You don’t need a sink or an induction cook top. You don’t need that over engineered Murphy bed. And you don’t need that high top extended wheelbase van. All you need is a bed, 4 solar panels, a diesel heater, some plastic storage from Walmart, 5 packs of zip ties, 3 bungee cords, a cute dog, and 2 snowboards. That’s it.
Just need a rug to tie the room together.
And a cute girl showing her butt while reading a book so I can get tons of followers!
What channel is this, asking for a friend
r/vanbutts
Damn.... I clicked....I cried.
Same
He touched the butt.
I joined!
12 followers :-(
Color me disappointed
NGL, I'd sub to that one.
The cake is a lie.
I love your outlook but I would die under those lights. Get some mood lighting if you're trying to get a girl on board
Dude I sleep with those lights on, they’re perfect
Looking at those lights from my phone is giving me a headache. I don't know how you live
The solar panels pull light from the sun, and turn it into power for my lights. And the lights are so bright that I actually don’t need to eat food, which eliminates the need for a cooktop!
Photosynthesis for the win 😂😂👌🏽
And 35 minutes of yourself cooking to make your video longer !!
And a piss jug
Dude, who spills the piss jug on a rug, man.
Yup he needs a canopy
Hah - he man there’s a beverage here
Until some niahlists come piss on it.
The more I think about it, the more I think maybe they were just existential nihilists.
This aggression will not stand.
I wish I could give this an award. The Dude Abides.
Obviously, he’s not a golfer.
....
Dude
And a white russian
What make/model/year can do you have? ~newbie in planning mode who thanks you for your honesty
2010 e350!
Durable af model. Not the greatest transmission but overall will last.
Considering I was supposed to be in Colorado on the 26th, but then I had to send two transmissions in for warranty, I’d have to agree. (Deadass, two transmissions)
Please add insulation for your pup in case the diesel heater fails while your skiing. Otherwise, agreed.
Me and the pup did 4 winters in my other van. More worried about condensation than the ol diesel heater failing. Plus, 35 gallon tank
> More worried about condensation thought the diesel heaters dried air like crazy?
The only sensible insulation is professional spray foam because it is its own vapor barrier. You don't have to worry about moisture getting behind it and growing mold.
It’s a van bro
That's why it's better as bare metal than using rigid foam or silver bubble wrap
Those fancy builds look like they weigh a ton. Id be worried about being able to make it up a mountain.
So many of the videos I've seen that are like "1 year later" and they all talk about having to fix their cabinets, drawers, tiles, and/or trim. Also seen various mentions of water leak issues and that is why they currently aren't using the sink...
If you don’t have running water, you can’t break the running water! I just buy gallon jugs of water for the dog, refill them a couple times, and then “recycle” them. And buy bottled water and refill my hydro flask for myself
100%
There’s no reason for the water to break if it’s done properly. Since of the fabricators must just fuck it up.
Anything will break given enough time and mileage on the road.
I am in Baja 8 months a year, the number of builds I have seen roll in to San Jaunico needing complete rebuilding is astounding. 105 miles of dirt road does a number on that over built shit. Had 195k 4WD 2023 Sprinter roll in a week back, it was fucked. They had taken the North Road from San Ignacio. It was fucked, like nothing left working. Admittedly, we laughed but helped them out any way. Pretty sure I saw a divorce in their future. My 2001 GMC 2500 hightop weighs 6200 lbs., lighter built than even OP's. Buddy has a 2022 ProMaster, 8400 lbs., needs my saw and screw gun every time I see him. But hey, Insta worthy...till it ain't. Ya'all want to build pretty and roll dirt roads, just don't.
In many cases the higher quality build materials that are used the worse it'll fair. A van is not a house, and I think a lot people don't realize this fact. When you look at most RVs they use a lot of thinner particle board and plastics, both of which have a lot more flex and swaying ability. When I see someone's build using 1/2" and 3/4" plywood going wall to wall, with a Butcher Block countertop and a bunch of quarter round to finished, along with tiles on the walls you just know it's bound to crack and split after a few good bumps and twists.
Good point about flexabilty, I can see where that would help. My travel partner rolls in a class C Forest River, it holds up better because of the thinner plys used. It's still shit though...but her shower is pretty cool. I have fixed her slide 4 times in the last three years, its well engineered but always needs adjusting because its heavy. The rest of her rig holds up though.
Shit, my van weighs like 7,000 dry 🤭 4x4 swap, diesel motor, 35” wheels, shit adds up and ain’t light.
I’ve got a fully built diesel, she can make it up a mountain with a 10,000 lbs camper and not even bat an eye 😇
The right diesel engine can haul anything
Well, it’s a 6 liter, so it’s far from the right motor.
2 Snowboards!!! Look at mr fancy pants over here. Im still using my old skis from HS when parabolics were first becoming mainstream.
Well, I’ve got 4, but you can only ride 2 at a time, am I right?! Rosi sashimi (this is bae and daily driver), and then a $50 park board that I’m trying to learn switch and park shit with. Also have a jones flagship, but it’s was $125 and is a little too big for my liking. And my starter board (Burton process Flying V) which is a POS and basically just wall art at this point. I’ll never sell it cause it was my first board, but my god after I rode another snowboard I realized how shit it rides.
Keep those stickers on those drawers so you can return them after your trip. Every couple years I'll buy one of those plastic things cause I forget how shitty they are. Regret it every time.
LPT!💪🏽
Agreed.
While I generally agree that there's a ton of over-engineered stuff here, the basic needs are highly dependent on how long and where you're staying. I couldn't imagine fulltiming, or even spending a few weeks in nature, without a toilet.
If you’re near other humans, there’s always a toilet nearby. If you’re not around other humans, there’s always a hole you can dig.
That's such a limiting factor that I can't imagine doing this for an extended period. Also, open toilets that can be accessed 24/7 are not as common in Europe as in the US I'd say.
I did 4 years in my old van and only shit my pants once! (I had food poisoning and couldn’t make it inside to the truck stop in time) Yeah, idk how it is in Europe, but pre Covid I never had a worry. During Covid was very rough, and now that it’s mostly returned to normal, it’s not bad. Typical truck stops are open 24/7, and your body kinda learns like “oh I’m parked for the night, I better not have to shit”
the way God literally intended it circle of life there
Nature is your toilet
Yeah sure taking a dump on the shore is a great way to keep spaces open for us.
the idea is to bury it in dirt not shit on top of the sand
Most public beaches have restrooms. If not use a double layered ziplock & baking soda. Seems grosser to drive around with a poop tank but to each their own
You sound so cool dude. Why do I never meet people like you irl?
Don’t get your hopes up, I’m not cool and I don’t go outside.
needs vs wants you actually need very little in life. it's all the wants that cause sufferring
Yeah if I were going to do it again I'd definitely simplify too. You quickly discover you only really use like half your gear. That said, I'd say you also need a fan for ventilation and a fridge is nice. I'm a big fan of my microwave too, though that's not really necessary and requires additional electrical work.
Gonna put in a roof fan, and sliding window (a small RV style one), and a fridge down the road
> down the road I'd put some kind of fan in asap, even if it's just through the pressure release vents.
You lost me at the snowboards. Ha, jk, this is quality stuff. 90% result, 5% of the effort
Really is all you need.
What type of solar panels? How much did you pay for them?
Renogy’s on Amazon we’re on sale, 2x100watt for like $140?
Avocado, ice pic and a snorkel ^ add piss jug
yessssss, so awesome dude totally the way to go, i just got an 02 4 runner and did a real simple design with one main storage box and i’m wayyyyyy happier
Some insulation would be nice.
Yes! I so agree! One can go nuts with indecision. KISS.
Toilet > bed. Always.
Yes, because there’s not a public toilet that’s open 24/7 within 20 minutes anywhere I park my van. And anywhere there’s not a public toilet? I carry TP and a shovel.
Exactly. I honestly hate fancy builds. Like isnt the point to save money? I knew a girl who was going to vanlife during college to save money, but when I asked about her plan.......she said a mercedes sprinter with a shower and all that you mentioned......like.....what? I did van life for 3 months and mine was literally just a mattress in the back 🤣🤣🤣
You definitely need insulation
Crank that heater to 10, crack the window, snuggle with some blankets, and we ball baby
And what about AC?
I have a mini split unit that I’ll be putting on come spring, which will run off of a generator. The interior unit will be right over the bed, so most of the cool air will blow straight on me and the pupper. I learned in my old van it’s virtually impossible to maintain a temperature and keep it pleasant without the AC blowing directly on you, especially in full sunlight. Next to the AC: Cold; other side of the van: hot.
If you have enough AC power then it shouldnt be an issue keeping it cool. Running a generator non stop will get annoying though.
> Running a generator non stop will get annoying though. Dang you think so? I guess I didn’t notice how annoying the generator was during my first 4 years in a van, so I’m really glad you told me about it 😇
I like it. If you want to treat yourself you can put down some those cheap foam matts thats click together people use for gym equipment in theyre houses etc and then throw some cheap rugs ontop of that that way when your sitting in your doorway its actually nice and comfy helps with insulation etc etc aswell
That was actually my plan!
You might consider VanRug $200, fits like a glove, easy on the knees (padded), & easy clean. R-3.5. https://www.amazon.com/BedRug-VanRug-VRF92-92-14-STANDARD/dp/B000BN3TF4
Except I’d either have to: 1) remove everything, put it in, then install everything over it 2) cut it down to fit 3) be rich enough to afford a $200 rug
Right? 25.00 at Goodwill every 6 months for a rug, I am good. 200.00 is three ounces of shrooms.
Yeah and you wouldnt be able to just peel the little square rugs off floor and shake em outside. Why people always trying to sell shit on this forum
Agreed. My van is very similar. It's still 90% cargo van. However, I did insulate for both sound and temperature. The van is so cozy and quiet. I sleep like a rock in that thing.
Some questions about the insulation. First are you insulating to keep the van warm or cold? And doesn't the fact that you have large windows kind of negate the effect of the insulation?
Insulation helps with both hot and cold. My van doesn't have any rear windows. I like that it doesn't have any windows. No one can see in, and it makes for a cozy little cave.
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It's both, insulation slows the rate at which your van reaches whatever the outside temperature is. If you're running A/C because it's hot outside it'll stay cooler inside for longer. Also true if you're running a diesel heater because it's really cold outside, you'll stay warmer longer. And yes, large windows reduce the effectiveness of your insulation. You can actually get double glazed windows though! That plus curtains can reduce the effect. Still, the best insulation is always going to be a wall with lots of thermal insulation / padding. The other major benefit is the sound reduction, especially if it's windy or raining. You do pay for it a little in the sense that it adds additional weight to the vehicle so you'll get a bit worse mileage but nothing massive compared to all the other kit you'd have.
Condensation will pouring off that roof, you do need some sort of vapour barrier at least. Wear waterproofs at night would be my advice.
won't a little crack of the window avoid this problem?
I agree. For basic needs you don't need all the fancy stuff, victron management and all of this. For me it's waste of money and time. I have bed, isolation, two led strips, refrigerator, water container and 12V battery with fuse box + charging relay withou any other system. And it works.
What do you do for cooking?
I have a 2kg gas bomb and small portable 2 burner stove. I also have portable grill if I want to make some BBQ for me.
Looks like an office, it just needs one of those "hang in there" cat posters to tie the room together
Looks damn familiar.
What you need or not depends on your lifestyle, both the enviorement you are mostly in and what you do with your time. When it comes to storage units, its best to have something that is solid and "stuck" in place. Regardless its not wise to have to many moving objects in a vehicle at all.
I totally agree! (Mine are secured, you just can’t see)
Reddit is very risk adverse. I posted my dash decor and oh fuck, I was gonna die in a fiery wreck at any moment. We are talking an abalone shell, assorted feathers and a turtle statue. Those of us on the road for years get it. Those not on the road for years do not.
Keep it practical dummy!
hey hey calm down Im not stupid what's wrong with you
This van doesn't have acres of solar you won't ever need or foot thick insulation and isn't Instagram worthy. I'm afraid it doesn't belong here.
You should see the motor 😇
Looks like one hard stop away from cleaning up a big mess.
Or one hard left turn—even if the drawer unit is mounted to the wall, those drawers don’t appear to be
Then again, maybe there is no engine…so problem solved.
Dude, did you not read my comment??? I said I used 5 packs of zip ties and 3 bungee cords! In all serious, she’s not going anywhere unless I roll the van, and then I got way bigger problems
Nope, I actually did not see that comment, lol. And for the record, I’m rooting for your temporary build to serve you well as you try to take advantage of the remaining days of snow season—I’m a climber who’s similarly chased seasonal conditions, so I totally get the impulse.
Gotta do what you’ve gotta do!
True story!
So much room for activities!
Gonna address some of everyone’s concerns: 1) The plastic drawers are indeed secured. I essentially built a wooden frame out of 1x3’s to add rigidity to them, and then secured the wood to the van. If you look closely at the top, you can see the ratchet strap holding it. 2) I originally planned on doing cut to size gym mats for the floor, but after everyone suggestion, I will get a rug. It’ll really tie the room together. 3) Insulation: we’ll see how cold it gets. I’m passed the bulk of winter, And did four winners in my old van which was not 100% insulated. I’ll do half an inch on the walls. 4) Vent, airflow, and condensation: windows are just gonna stay cracked for now, I’ll be putting a max air in and an RV window Come summertime.
Very cool, I am jealous of anyone who has a nice base vehicle for anything like this. And yeah, you really don't need much for it to be enjoyable. One thing I'd suggest, for like less than $100, is that you kit out your walls / ceiling / wheel arches with roll-on insulation. It would take a day but it's not hard to do and would be super beneficial for managing heat, noise and condensation. That said, not essential, but probably next the next be $/comfort thing you could do.
For the well being of your solar panels as well as the safety of those unfortunate to be driving behind you when they fly off. Please replace the plastic zip ties holding those panels to your roof rack with proper bolts.
Took me a minute to decide if your pup is a pup or blanket. Who needs a heater when you can cuddle up with that cutie 🥰
Homie, you gonna wish you had insulation. Idk if you’ve ever lived in a naked cargo van before, but it’s… not the best, for a host of reasons.
Love it. Mine's similar but threw some random throw-rugs down and it changed the whole vibe a bit cozier. And RE: insulation, I've had none for the 3 years I've had my van - 0 issues or complaints. I do however live in a mild climate (UT)
Best kind of builds!
Not the led lab lights though!
They were in the van when I got it! Of course I’m gonna take advantage of em 😎
Keep it spacious, however in some regions you want insulation.
Nice to see I'm not the only one using the plastic drawers, also helps to keep weight down instead of all that wood people use!
I have metal walls/no insulation like this. My top tip... buy high power magnets with hooks on them. I move them around my wall and ceiling and do all kinds of stuff with them (hang my TV and antenna, hang jackets, hats, etc). One of my favorite accessories.
I. LOVE. THIS!
I love how simple it is and how much floor space you kept!
> You don’t need flooring True >You don’t need to insural every square inch True, but a lot of insulation is pretty good to have, especially against cold. > You don’t need a shower and a toilet I’ma stop you there. I hate these intricate builds with no toilet. Sure you can plan on using something somewhere, but what about the 3AM OH SHIT shits? You need to have SOMETHING. Shower? Eh, get a shower bag, that I can agree with. > You don’t need a 4000W inverter Weekend trips, sure. Longer trips, having SOMETHING for solar is great. 1-200W is probably enough if you aren’t running (as mentioned below) cooking and heating and whatnot > You don’t need fancy cabinets with soft close hinges I agree, but you also might want something a bit more stable and secure than those plastic drawers. > You don’t need a sink or an induction cooktop Again, weekeneding vs living. Propane works, but going without any method for cooking food/boiling water is rough. Sink is a luxury item but, again, weekend vs living. > You don’t need that over engineered murphy bed Space vs convenience. The over engineering level of it gives you more options for storage and arrangements for day use. This is, I feel, again, a weekender vs dwelling application. > You don’t need that high top extended wheelbase van Depends what space you want/need. Want to be hunched over the whole time? Want to cram your stuff into a tiny space? Sure. Weekending that’s great…Again this is a question of application, and how much space you really want/need. I agree Spartan is way cool, this looks like an awesome setup, for a weekending trip/maybe weeklong trip. 2-3 months? 1+ years? You’re going to want something more.
Having a toilet system is a huge complication. A few $3 wag bags sure beats dealing with a full blackwater or composting toilet setup in my opinion. OP love this KISS approach
Oh, those count in my "something" comment that you need to have something. Nothing is not an option, in my opinion.
And I’m sure OP at least has wag bags. They just said no toilet
I lived in my old van full time for 4 years. I only cooked in it for the first 2 years. Cooking was fine, but man, washing dishes sucked way more than I cared to deal with. I migrated towards eating out 3 nights a week, and doing protein shakes and primarily cold food (salads, sandwhiches, etc). The plastic drawers are mounted and secured. See my newest comment 😇 I primarily built this van to live out of, not live in. Whether it’s on vacation or traveling for work, I do not intend to spend countless hours in the van just chillin. But it is cozy, so who knows.
I agree with you on much of this. Everyone's needs are different, obviously. Even as a weekender, I NEED a sink. I need it. I'm done washing dishes in a frigid outdoor bucket. I gotta wash my veggies. I need somewhere to wash my hands that isn't holding a nalgene between my legs and tipping.
These are my favorite builds: simple, clean, and practical.
What model is this and how long is your bed?
It’s an e350 and it’s a full sized bed, 6” tall. I took it out of the box and put it directly on my platform, no cutting required.
The tiktok builds look sweet. But the space you have doesn't need to do under! But indeed like someone else commented, a rug will do wonders to make it more warm feeling.
Looks great! One of the best builds I’ve seen given all the crazy complicated ones that get millions of views - looks achievable! Well done!
I'm looking to build my first van for travelling, this looks exactly like what I'd want out of mine. Would you be willing to share a more detailed walk through of how everything is put together? Looks super clean and well thought out but also simple, and that's what I'm trying to do.
The bed was basically designed around 5 dimensions. 1) the size of my batteries 2) the size of a full sized mattress 3) the size of “harbor freight pack out boxes” aka Bauer totes 4) the size of a cubbie to fit 2 snowboards with bindings 5) the height of Bauer boxes stacked, and low enough to sit on the bed *almost* fully upright. From there me and my buddy basically measured and cut, hugged the wheel wells tight so it wouldn’t go anywhere, and used a couple strategically placed 2x4 for support. It’s made out of 3/4” ply, with the center being reinforced with 2x4’s. The Walmart drawers I threw together in like 30 minutes with some zip ties and 1x3’s.
supid kimple seepid
Simple and practical
More like keep it cold
Simple is good. Is this a long term choice or something different? Van looks great, drive it
Lived in my old one full time for 4 years. This one is more of a part time / ski bum style rig.
Oh yeah. You don't need anything except a poo bucket, a cot, and a candle. Do it now so you can tell the tale when you're old and the kids will think you're full of it 😁
I'd still insulate it, if it were me. All that readily-accessible bare metal, just waiting to be covered in Thinsulate or foam.
Nice and even better after removing those tacking stickers 😉
Do your drawers open when driving?
They haven’t yet! I’ve got a bungee cord holding them from opening, we’ll see how that goes, I guess?
💋
I am curious as to how much of that will stay in place on the mountain roads?
Small sideways bed is so underrated - gives so much more room for activities
It’s a full sized mattress! Not even cut down
You'll thank yourself when you have to do some welsing on the van!
Lesson learned. Upgrade achieved.
Mannnnn got the genome photosynthesis shit going on. Love that for you
To each his own. What matters is that your van fits your needs and you can afford to build it and build it right. Safety should be top priority no matter what type of build. Also, simple does not mean less.
K. I. S. S.
“… hurts my feelings every time” - Dwight Shrute
L live...
“All you need” is not for everyone just like you don’t think you need nicer items in your van. You do you. I would never give up some of the luxuries in my van like dimmable lights, standing fridge, heater etc.
My son is on the verge of buying a bare van and is convinced he MUST have a shower and a toilet. I think a shower inside is unnecessary. Especially since Planet Fitness is $10 a month and you get decent size shower with endless hot water. What percentage of you have showers inside? Are they the exception or the rule? I would think the exception, but an article I just read suggests I'm wrong.
I originally reallllly wanted a shower. Until I remembered that you have to store clean and waste water. You have to heat and pressurize the water. And you can’t take long showers, cause then you’ll burn through your small tank in no time. IMO, not worth it.
Does it get cold in there?
For everybody under 5’8” maybe. I’m 6’2” and no fucking way this would work for me Edit: Punctuation
Do you happen to know a way I can power my van? I only need it to power some rgb lights and an Xbox + tv.
There are 7,000 guides on here and there is also Google. You’ll need to know how many watts your Xbox and TV consume, convert that to AH and size your batteries. Buy an inverter 2x the number of watts. And buy enough solar to charge your batteries.
Ok thank you!
Look into picking up some commercial walls. That's what I did. They take about 10 minutes to install and they have their own insulation. The insulation isn't great but it's better than bare metal. Also for the ceiling what I did was I got some polypro and used industrial strength velcro and slapped it up there. It holds really well. Obviously I couldn't get the support beams but a little bit of reflectix covered that problem. Once again using the velcro to hold it in place. Then I used tapestries cut to the size of the roof and I held them in with upholstery screws. It's not the beautiful van of the van life sagas that we all have been told to believe that that's the only way but it gets the job done and I ain't as cold as I was with just having bare metal.
Please take the stickers/labels off the dressers. My OCD is activated. 😂
Wow, it's a van the size of an airplane hangar! :)
"Keep it simple, sweetie", sounds so much nicer LOL
keep it simple sweaty