Yes, there are indeed lots of vans with showers ...and as Debbie s as, you can have one. Sara and Alex James for example, have designs with showers. Public bathrooms are not always ideal, there are videos by vanlifers showing why. Some major companies have designs that also include a washing machine. Bed, shower, washing machine, fridge, stove, microwave, aaah, just like a home on wheels.
Someone made a really cool shower in thier van that allows you to move, what's basically a cabinet on wheels, over the shower when it's not being used. The only problem i can think of would be letting the shower dry would mean it was open a fair amount of time, uncovered while drying, a lot if you shower several times a day. Maybe it would dry quicker than I'm thinking, so not sure. Just seemed like a great use of space and allowed a place to sit when the shower is not in use.
You guys should check out Slim Potato Heads videos. He did a great job building a convertible shower under the seat in his camper. You could have the shower with no lost space when not in use.
Reading all the comments, I think you'll be happier with a shower, everyone has some good ideas, I can't think of having to pay $12 dollars every time I needed a shower, also don't forget your sink don't get a dinky one because you so handy making the cut out to put back on as more space and use cutting board.. I think you all will do great building your van it your home for as long as you travel 😉 I will be looking forward to new video. Wow Nate you had the right job so I can see how you guys know what your live is going to be like don't have to worry about the two of you smart
Alot of Vans has just shower head that reaches out from sink or 5 gallon Water container to outside of Van to the side slider door or back doors. Use pop up shower tent use same way with just shower head and water container. Don't always "have" to use public showers. There is so many options without a "typical" standing shower area taking up room in Van.
Just for your information, you can buy van toppers for around $6000 to $8000. You can install yourself. Second thing is city transit companies, Airport rental companies, government agencies, all rotate out inventories some with low miles. There are bank repos from companies that have gone out of business the last two years.
Ford Transit van is the best value of your 3 vans. Estimate total cost of ownership for basic vehicle, with attention to cost and ease to maintain and repair.
If you don't include a shower in the build use a camp shower you could hang between rear doors on van and shower curtains to make enclosure. Good luck on future build.
Living in my SUV,I can tell you that you will be miserable without a shower. I've used Planet fitness most of the time but things are going to close up again I'm afraid. I will be building a shower when I get my van. I used a couple of truck stops but here in the South, they are already expensive. I paid $14 for a 30 min shower. It was nice and clean but not worth it. You have to rush at PF. So think hard. I have bought a shower bag and a magnetic curtain to hang on the back . Its great for camping or out of the city, but not so much in the city. With all that said, I'm excited for you guys. I'm sure it will be awesome. I'm still interested in your bus but couldn't get the email to work. TFS guys 💗
There are tons on RU-vid channels featuring couples doing interesting things. Very few of these couples have the chemistry and camera presence that you two do. So, your best advice for RU-vid beginners is to get an honest assesment of the channel’s main character’s likeability. Either you have it or you don’t. You two have it and would have a strong following no matter what you do. Many others don’t and would not have a following even if they were solving our energy problems or creating world peace.
I've been following you 2 since you headed out in the bus, although I don't think I've ever commented before ? Anyway, I am 73 now and live in N.H., divorced with 2 adult sons which I am very happy about. I was 35 when I finally got married, because I never intended on doing that, but I thought I had " found the right one" !! It was good for about 10 years, and then.......... Not blaming her, but it seems that something about that commitment that somehow ruins things sometimes. Do you guys know what I mean ? I don't know if it's the "thrill of the chase" so to speak, and then it's kinda over ? It might be totally different for you guys, but I'm just saying, "if it aint broke, don't try to fix it". Some people think it's wrong to live together....bla, bla, bla..... NO, IT'S NOT !! Take your time, don't let the social media bullshit make you feel hurried. You 2 have your shit together, obviously, and probably will be fine either way, but please just enjoy each other and your free lifestyle, and if you get to the point where you want to make it "official", then go for it, but if not just do your thing and enjoy what you guys have. And by the way----I'm jealous of you guys. I would have loved to live your lives. I was a long haul trucker for many years and have been all over this great country, but never had the opportunity to "stop and smell the roses" !! Enjoy the next chapter, and I'll be watching ☺👍
I used to drive professionally (non-emergency medical transport) and I can confidentially say that a 4-window van cutaway bus drives *exactly* like a large, hightop van. If you're having trouble finding a reasonably priced van, a short bus in gas or diesel flavors are a pretty decent way to go. Also, I totally knew y'all tabletop gamed! We've got to play D&D sometime in the future.
Here's a suggestion on possibly finding a van...you guys probably already know Trent & Allie on RU-vid. They live in the mountains near Salt Lake & have their own van building company there. Anyway, I bet they know a lot of people in the area that might have what your looking for in a van buy. Good luck in selling your bus & continuing on with van exploring!
You could always do the shower under the couch where the couch lifts up and it's a Box in the shower curtain hooks to the ceiling a lot of people do that
Very nice Q&A, Very informative. Quick thought. If your not putting a shower in the van, Have you thought about a shower fitting that you can open the back doors and that area outside can become a shower area? (just an idea) Love and Blessings to You and Yours.
Natalie, you mentioned enjoying video editing, as almost a hobby. I'll say I'd LOVE to watch some video editing and here about techniques, tool, tips, and tricks you might use. Wouldn't expect anything like classes, just whatever. And, as I think about it, it could be REALLY interesting to watch some of the editing for an episode and then later watch the final product when you release it! - I wonder what others think; would that be a good idea?
I could not live in a van without a shower and toilet. I thought your answer was going to be missing the space you have in the skoolie compared to a van.
You will hate not having a shower if things closed down again . Covid is getting worse. Others had to move to someone land when covid first came. They regret not having a bathroom during covid.
You two have built a beautiful Bus. Unfortunately the gas prices has killed the market for living on the road. I hope you two can recover from this. Were all suffering from it. Love your videos!
75,000 miles on the Promaster we built out and we love it. The bed crossways makes a huge difference. Nice to be able to stand up also. We left ceiling as-is so no head space taken up. Enjoy the build!
Every couple days I,ll see your faces in my RU-vid feed and that reminds me to check your bus ad to see if it sold yet. Hoping to see a big SOLD graphic every time I check it. I know selling the bus is a major part of your plan. Wishing you two the best of luck!
Keep the shower! I am looking for a van now and have been looking at 20 footers like Pleasureway vans and they have toilet-shower combos that actually take up little space! Good luck on your build! Enjoyed the video!
We as an older couple in Canada have a 2000 pleasureway van. It's a very small space but if you can live outside alot, that'll help. It does have a shower in the bathroom which is really handy.
Kudos for staying the traveling course. Having health and youthful energy to explore new places is inspiring. Thanks again for YouTubing your adventures.
Good to see you both. Hopefully you will sell your bus and buy your van. I can't remember the middle van's name but if it's wider I would go for that 1.As far as the shower maybe try 1 of those hide away showers. Check Dawn of van life's video. Maybe hide it under a bench. I'm so excited for you in your new adventures. I'm so happy you are taking us along. Lots of Hugs, Love and Blessings
You guys, I like the idea of drilling a drain in the floor (near the sink) and putting a hook on the ceiling for a sometimes shower. Set the shower up with a collapsible shower pan and a curtain on a round rod (on Amazon) attached to the hook. Yeah, it’s got that “set up” part to it, but it’s an option. (In a pinch the bath & better athletic wipes will work, although there is expense)
When choosing a van , a good tip is to research the price of spare parts and servicing. How easy is it to replace a headlight globe or a tallight assembly on the side of the road, what is the fuel tank capacity, what fuel range. Do the research.🇦🇺👽👍
You guys will be successful because you work together as a team, and communicate. Your best advantage is having no kids. Couples with no kids are totally different then couples that do, especially the way each thinks. Keep pointing in the direction of your dreams.
A neighbor has a Ford Transit, 2017 I think, tall roof and extended body. Not sure of miles, less than 100K. they were going to make it a mobile dog grooming van but their circumstances have change so it's not being used. let me know if you might be interested. Cheers !
We just finished a Promaster build. Plenty of room for a shower! I recommend checking out Trent & Allie’s van tour. i got some great ideas from their build.
A Q&A video was an awesome idea!! I will be hopefully getting a van very soon and I want it completed in time for skooliepalooza!! It would be so awesome to meet up with you guys!!
I couldn't give up the shower. It would be such a hassle to go to public places for a shower. I'd do a shower behind the driver's seat, with some sort of a toilet. I would also do a bed lift so it would be out of the way during the day, leaving more room in the back of the van. Just my 2 cents. Wishing you good luck with selling the bus, and getting your van.
You guy's should contact Trent and Allie there in Salt lake. They are you tubers that lived in a van and now have a company in Salt Lake called Mountain Made vans. they could be a BIG help in ideas for your van. Check them out
We have a Promaster with a simple conversion for camping and traveling. Very happy with it . The extra width is important. As is the front wheel drive. Also it can be fully serviced at most Dodge dealers. Good luck
Y'all are pretty cool kids (not said in a condescending manner) , and it really is nice to follow along with what, and even how, you guys do the things you do. People can be intrusive and I'd say if your uncomfortable sharing certain aspects of YOUR lives, then don't share. No one is going to like you less because you don't answer a personal question. I personally would go with the Mercedes Sprinter van..though I know it's not as wide. Mercedes lowers the center of gravity More so than the others van types and THEY ARE built to last a long time. On top of that, yes Mercedes may be a little pricier than others, but longevity (to me) is a key factor. Last, I need a shower daily (some say I'm a crusty old man, but there is nothing than feeling clean (yes, OCD rules my life), but I've seen really ingenious ideas for having out of the way showers inside a van-preferably ones you can stand in. Wishing you the best of luck!
Thanks Gary! And we really like Sprinters, I think we’d like to have one someday! Unfortunately the price is the biggest factor for us right now. They do seem worth it though! 😄
Please research Promaster carefully before you decide. At least one of their engines tends to have problems if you idle a lot. Check out Linnea and Akela. She's had her van in the shop several times in the past year. Depending on where you are , Sprinter parts can be hard to get.
Have you seen any of Trent and Allie videos. They traveled the world in their van. Have now settled in Park City, UT and have recently opened a van building shop in SLC. They would probably let you tour their shop.
Hello Jimmy and Natalie. You know you still can have a shower in the van or outside the van. You can open both back doors and put up a shower there or buy the shower kit that would mount to the van. Or do a shower tent.
You can check out 'Our Way to roam.' Ghey have built out two vans and are now building out a unicell truck. They film their build outs and very informative.
I really admire the way you two are able to lay out and plan your next moves. You seem to always have a working strategy. Between using logic and including reality, you guys are in for an amazing life. Never settle for less than being totally fulfilled and satisfied with the choices you make. I wish you two many blessing and great success. Hugs, Louise
You can find a way to fit a shower. With Covid still out there you need to remain as self contained as possible. You are a young couple and hygiene is important.
Buy the van that works for you. I have a 2020 Ford Transit and feel it is the best of the 3 big sellers. Ram is a Fiat and have seen many problems. MB is big money and diesel is more $$$. Service on the MB is also $$$. Ford made some big changes in 2020 drive a few vans before you spend a lot of money. Looking forward to your build.
Hi I have watched your bus build from very early days from here in the uk south of England and have enjoyed every minute glad to watch you build out a van you both come across as really genuine and nice people keep on being the couple you are 👍👍
I wouldn't worry about finding a van. Seems like everyone is dumping buses and vans these days. I don't understand it but it's like everyone has given up on nomadic lifestyles.
Great Q&A.. I’m sure you’ve thought of this but if you don’t have a shower in your new build, have an outdoor shower plumbed in for those more secluded camp sites.
I am so excited for both of you! It is so fun knowing both of you as individuals and I love watching your adventures in life together. Keep living the dream!
I used to haul the Dodge pro masters at a Laredo tx yeah the front will drive the rear axles are trailer axle I rather have the Mercedes sprinter It's cooler looking
Maybe Amazon would be a good idea to contact in finding a van. Keep looking at what some van builds have and configured. A shower is important to have. Looking to find a shower is a big inconvenience. People are short of being clean and truck stops, fitness centers are used hundreds of times a day. Consider keeping the shower. Off subject you need to explore going back to New Mexico. It's a beautiful state living in Arizona and new Mexico, I way more to see and do in New Mexico. Plus expenses are way lower. Follow your dream you can do anything you make your mind up doing.
I'm with you on no rush to get married but keep in mind, many states don't allow boyfriend/girlfriend to make major medical decisions in the case of emergencies. Just keep that in mind.
@Jimmy & Natalie, You can have a pop-up shower IN the van if you build a shower tray into the floor of the cupboard where the toilet will be, under a section of counter that is hinged, or you lift that section off altogether. After the shower you can pop the toilet back in and leave the curtain up to dry without losing any other functionality in the van. Jay and Kels who downsized from a bus have a full time shower in their van, a compact kitchen with click up extra counter and several ways to sit at a table to work. And a cat.
Hi, love to follow you guys! One bit of input.. don't skip the shower in your build :)) I have been living on a property hauling water for 4 years.. even without the travel component, the extra steps to take care of basic needs such as a shower, toilet and even laundry can de-rail a day and over time contribute to burn out. The beauty of the lifestyle is that you have everything you need anywhere you choose to be... trust me there are days you need a shower (not a ho bath :) before you can get to one, to get one - especially in Mexico 😅😎 best of luck on your build.
Think about doing an outside. Open the back. Doors add a privacy curtain and bobs your uncle. Seen them on some vans. You can have a roll out wood mat to get you off the dirt, then store that in your garage. Have you max and Cody channel. Check his van out too. Great job guys, hope things just fall into place.
