15 Smart and Stupid Details On My Van | RAM Promaster camper conversion 

Dougie Graham watch a guy called basket case if you like that

@@harrydestcroix5516 whats that

If you're driving US stuff. Just buy a better stereo! Lol. Because I've had both Hondas, (bike and Accord) and GM, Ford and Dodge. Both Dodge and Ford have an array of inexplicable rattles my mechanic and I have deemed not worth chasing down. They won't kill anyone and don't affect how it runs. Minus a throaty rattle from under the back wheel wells. That's springs. Replaced both on the Ford (ok, Mercury Sable, but SAME thing, lol). I wasn't hauling rocks or anything. Low miles. We do have snow/salt here. Garage space is expensive. You CAN replace ONE if you want to hold onto 500+ dollars til the other actually breaks. I got 2 years that way. If it's lopsided, you can fix that then and replace the other side, too.

Dolphins are awesome! Good old Toyota bones and engineering. Just saw a van tour of one and was super impressed by the amenities for the compact size. Sorry to hear about your situation. Glad you still have your home on wheels. Check out CheapRV Living's channel and website/forum. You may find some of the info helpful. Also check into the Homes on Wheels Alliance (HOWA) for possible resources they can point you towards.

Be aware of the AS1 line neR top of windshield. Some states allow nothing below that AS1 line & often have other tinting restrictions.

What about the vinyls that do sound damping? There's also paint, tho I dunno about car paint...

I think all of his reviews are my favorites. He's great at relating his thoughts and experiences with a product, and that's what I'm into. I don't have the time or energy to get a PHD in every item I build or buy.

Does the black card let you go anywhere? What is the cost of a truck stop shower? I take it that it's more than just a few bucks.

@@matthewk6731 the black card allows you to use any PF nationwide, as well as amenities. Truck stop showers usually cost about $12 if you don't have any shower credits from fueling.

@@mothrone Thank you. I like frequent showers and working out. PF Black Card sounds like a good way to go.

Especially with that fluffy insulation that holds moisture like a damp rag.

@@moregrouchy if that is sheep wool, thats a good thing IF there is proper ventilation and heating. But its also good to actually cover the metal with self adhesive foam to prevent condensation. Ive seen a few vans built by that company, and all i can say is that the company has a huuuuge profit margin. Id never pay that for that basic conversion. It seems they are doing everything to keep cost down and make cash.

The basic way wayfarer builds these vans, without extremely good heating and ventilation you are pretty much guaranteed rot and rust within a few years. Its a shame building out brand new vans like that :( its all about short term cash making here

@@torevalberg3510 exactly! They skip so many of vital things like sound proofing and proper dry heat to mack a quick buck and benefit from their customers trust and lack of knowledge. I find it to be gross and unethical because now this van is much more likely to rust out faster and he's dealing with crazy road nosie that $200 of material and an hour or two would have fixed.

@@torevalberg3510 Out of curiosity I checked out their website and was like heck no I would not pay that much for that little of an installation. Almost everything that they do it’s actually not that hard to do yourself. The thing you’re paying for mostly is time since he said he only takes four hours for them to install it.

that name sounds familiar 🤔

OmG YoU gUyS ArE sO DuMB SeTH AlvO. iS BerM PeAK hehe

@@defloco2000 i heard he has the smallest bike youtube channel...

He looks like a baby in that vid lmao

fuck seth alvo

Id love to see that video

Sounds like a very uncomfortable lifestyle. Pay for a heater setup.

@@markreynolds9135 Its not. I'm never actually cold. I am a hotshot driver so I'm literally driving with the heater on all day.

Boiled water in a bladder in your bag or some hand warmers help too. You may consider making your own reflectix window coverings

**one of our old conversion vans had an auto start button on the FOB and we wound up sleeping in it because there was too much family visiting and all of the beds were taken. So when We got cold, I just hit the start button and went back to sleep. Within a few minutes nice hot air was pumping out the front and rear heaters it had. 10° was NO problem at all..

@@Phougi that's a hot water bottle 🤣

What a pity that this isn't feasible right now. I'll be gone asap.

I've been watching RU-vid videos on it for 4 years, I've done hundreds of hours of research on van life, I've used 3D designing to make multiple possible build outs, but I still have quite a while to go before I can actually do it because I'm only 13.

@@emusparky6623 So I'm 26, but this takes me back because I was about 13 when I got hung up on doing stuff like this too! My thing back then was living off a motorcycle, and I wound up taking a bike around the states. Then I bought a van that was home for about 2 years, and now I'm converting a box truck into a tinyhome. Keep the dream alive until it's time, I think it really is the most rewarding way to live :)

@@mckenzieb1001 I am 21 now, i have also spent many hours researching van/skoolie life. I have spent the past two years of my life saving up to take the leap. My main issue is the confidence to leave and somehow find the ability to make money during my travels. I graduated college, but that hasnt helped me with a remote job. I have 20k saved up but no vehicle yet, what do you suggest?

@@keelanesquivel3854 Something I had to internalize is that if that if most of us want to make a change in our lives like this happen, you have to have a good degree of trust in yourself that you'll be able to deal with problems as they arise. You can only plan for the unplanned and be confident in yourself. Also get comfortable with helpful strangers, they come out of the woodwork! I've had some crappy days and kinda scary nights, but it's always worth it :) The work from home question is unanswerable I've decided. Personally I've stopped for work so far, and it gives me a great opportunity to really dive into a new locality- but I never actually want to stop :P I think that shouldn't stop you from going. $20k is plenty to build a rig if you're thrifty, and have some left over to get you moving. Going slower makes the money go farther, and you can stretch it until you hit a floor and decide to find some local work. All the while be thinking and experimenting with ways that feel right for you to work from home. I'm dabbling into buying small items wholesale for eBay, doing small solar installs, and metalworking stuff for Etsy- hoping one of those will take roots and become more stable income for myself. Hard to answer all that in paragraph or two! It's so different for everyone based on tolerances for this and that~ You'll feel out what's right for you! And you can always fix mistakes as you go, so don't be scared of them :)

This type of tip is why I scroll comments in these types of videos. Just looked it up on on AMZ, and this product looks perfect to install when insulatiing, or before the finished flooring. Thank you!

I don't like memory foam personally. I have a purple mattress at home but I plan on just using a Casper mattress in my conversion since they are comfy enough.

That's what I thought skinny, non supportive mattress! That looks like a cheap air mattress from Walmart!

Memory foam gets rock hard in colder temps. Not idea for colder van living imho.

@@jjns3991624 it does, but will soften up with your body warmth relatively quickly.

Im a 200 lbs 48 year old female, and i slept on a 2 inch thick trifold exercize mat in the back of an unconverted HHR for a month while working on location in louisiana. Worked well for me, but may not be for everyone.

Which one? The ones I searched for that consumers said actually work have been discontinued. The other's have crappy reviews.

Don't use when driving. Windows are part of structural integrity. You'll have a less solid vehicle w them open. Also, glass would be flying at your face at a very high rate of speed in a crash.

@@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 Okay nerd.

Good luck!

You film building it?

@@cerealspilla I actually just put the seats down and threw a cot in the back. Lots of space underneath the cot for stuff!

@@KinkajusRevenge hahaha, brilliant, no need to over complicate things!!

@@cerealspilla I do believe I will be building a convertible bench/bed this summer.

You should ask any woman about being patronized to, lol. It's frequent.

@@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 🤔😢

Never trust anyone making money to sell you sh*t. Be ready to argue. Spring is broke? Put in one. Unless it slants. That saved 500.00 and lasted 2 years before the other broke.

So, please share! It's been three years since you picked up your van! What has been *YOUR* experience? 🙂

They make vinyls for that purpose for windows. Don't know how well it works, especially not on a car. I consider it part of the experience. Lol.

Agree. At many thousands of pounds, yeah, you don't want to be racing. E=Mc2. Lol

We have 2 in our motorhome, usually have one pulling air in and the other pushing air out. Very efficient, low use of power.

She said “smarties”.

Not my blankets. Mine are friggin massive. Lol. Big, huge poofy things. Lol

Except your house cannot be in the mountains for breakfast, in the Valley for lunch and at the beach for dinner!

Go to RV shows and take VERY specific notes. Take off your shoes and hop in the shower in particular. See if the soap dish hits you in the spine (saw this) or the spigots are right in the way! Or you trip over the toilet or crack you knee on something stupid. Pretend you're actually in there doing stuff. What's cool vs. What's irritating? For 50k plus, you shouldn't find ANY annoyances, imo. Obviously, you put the spigots where the glass panels fold back along w soap dish and shampoo shelf over that. If you can't move your arms around, don't bother. If the skylight is 3 inches in a stupid place (if you're tall, you'll crack your head), move on. They SHOULD do better for that kind of bank.