I think this is the first proper conversion of a minivan I've seen so far. Usually the conversion stuff happens with the larger vans. I'm sitting here inside of mine right now just proud of the fact that I managed to create some curtains with a couple of screws staples nylon rope. That was yesterday's project
We use one in our Ford Ranger with a topper. It is on a piece of /2 inch plywood over 2x4s We roll the Futon up with Bungee cords, and sometimes use it in our tent or in it's frame in the basement.
I'm doing a no- build very soon, and since I'm not handy at all, I've been looking at futons, but was unsure how I was going to secure one without installing a floor. Since I'm looking into Siennas, the straps are a great idea. Thank you!
Tom, you did a great job showing all the neat little fixes you and Shirley made to your mini van and to me it looks very, very comfortable for two people. All the things you need like cooking, sleeping, etc. is at your reach so it works out well. Tom and Shirley, thanks for showing your great set up to all watching your video. JoeP
A great build! The only thing I could suggest is replacing the wooden boxes with nylon backpacks. You could unzip them inside or easily remove them and carry into the hotel. Plus many pockets for organizing
I just started doing the “make coffee night before and keep in good thermos” option! It’s so amazing- hard to believe it took us this long to do this! Just removing that one task of making coffee when trying to wake up- is a BIG deal!!
Finally, someone doing what I have done for many years on thier dinners. I am a Over the road driver and I'm bake my meal's throw him in the freezer and when I'm on the road. I do mind a little different I just have a small cooler that I throw some ice packs in and then put icon it that lasts me for pretty much the whole week. The meals were frozen and they gradually threw out throughout the week and I just popped him in a microwave for a few seconds I also put meat and cheese and have bread with. But you sure save a lot of money and time cooking. If you don't have access to a microwave cause I stop at truck stops for the night. You can always like you have a little cooking stove and just use boiling water to throw them out and heat them up I use a vacuum chamber to Is vacuum pack all my meals. This way I can also do soups. I currently have about 40 meals vacuum packed in my freezer. Just some of the meals I have is regular chili that I made from scratch beef stew 2 different types of pasta meals Pour point with rice and green beans and pork gravy meatloaf Is with potatoes and green beans. A smoked rainbow trout white chili is another one I have. Several rice chicken and mix vegetable meals Is with teriyaki marinade. I also precook lots of hamburgers and freeze them
I like the futon bed a lot and the table and pull through drawers. And the sink with no drain.. lrss hassle, and you still have a trunk space.. great set up.
Great use of space and great tips. Well done. The interchangeable roof storage and flux solar panels good stealth modes. Simple , practical and useful ideas all around, Good job.
@@gallivantingwithtomshirley2261 Amazing set up! So simple, yet so sophisticated! You must be an engineer!! Ingenious!! Question - have you considered propping up the back of the bed, the one part that flips up so you can get to your storage, the one that your head rests on? I was thinking if that part had drop down legs underneath, so if you didn't want to lay flat but at least have your head up, it could create a lounge-type effect. Maybe you would want to read, or watch TV (or work on your laptop/tablet,). You would have to come up with a solution to fold up the legs when you were ready to sleep so you would not have to get out of the van.
A great set-up, especially like the way your table can be used both inside and outside, plus your storage for the roof with the solar panel! Thanks for the information.
Amazing set up and great video. I love the idea of cutting the futon frame to fit the size of the van, I never thought about that before!! Thx for sharing.
Thank you for sparing us the same details that everyone else gives us. Loved your video. Loved, Loved you guys set up, the way most things can be used from both sides. Genius!
YOUR SETUP IS AWESOME!!!!! I have a 2018 Honda Pilot that was modified into a handicap van; my husband was a disable veteran and was not physically mobile the lateral part of his life. Now I have all this room in the back and have been seriously thinking about converting it into a camper. Your design is great...I LOVE it!! Thanks for sharing. Safe and happy traveling.
I don't drink coffee but the thermos idea is also good for soup. I can buy soup from Wawa and it will keep hot for many hours. I also make homemade chicken noodle soup. My wife likes a good potato soup or zupa from Olive garden, but better is the recipe on the net for even better, more kale. The only negative is the kitchen cabinet it's too close to the driver seat if it was for me I must recline all the way back when we stop at a rest area. My wife would not sleep on the futon. I think I would tear drop the kitchen in the rear. The hatch would be good enough to keep you dry in light rain. They even make tents for hatches. Solar on the roof is excellent, I would have two panels maybe 200 watts. I would have to think on the inverter and charge controller and batteries. The Zachery type are short run. The batteries can be hid in the panels as with the inverter. There is open space behind the van panels. I would also like a small refrigerator where the console was so I can keep soft drinks cold and sandwiches. I don't want to eat junk food on a trip protein is best to keep me awake and alert. Especially these all nighters. I won't cook inside the van not even microwaved meals I don't want food smell inside the vehicle. Also the bathroom will be done at rest areas if I over night at a campground I would use their facilities and especially the shower. I know the scoop you can get shower tents but I like the hard floor under me. When I get out of the shower I don't want dirty feet. Indoor showers are the best. 73
Great all the way around! Love the table!! Like the tip much on freezing meals, the bedding tuck, and the hot beverage prepared night ahead. Gladly subscribed & wish you both many more joyful adventures! ☺
You’ve done a very nice job of demonstrating your van to mini camper conversion. I like that you kept the conversion simple so that you can return the van to its original setup. It might be a good idea to use a zip tie to hold the piece of hose up and out of the way. Without zip ties my dogs crate would be in pieces. He loves his crate. He associates it with peanut butter sandwiches and cheese snacks, along with naps. Anyway…your van is usable and comfortable and something you didn’t mention was is you stay with family/friends you don’t have to haul anyone around because there are no seatbelts. 😊
your van is so close to my ideal here are a few tweaks if you want to open up the space that I thought of for my next build. 1 the Toyota matrix passenger seat has a trick to fold totally flat the back has hard plastic so you could just Velcro or screw a easy chair cushion with a stadium seat style back super easy and faster than a swivel chair . It might even work on the driver seat if you remove the headrest. 2 not for the faint of heart but I would rather be the man that enters the arena so here you go. You could get the largest removable sunroof possible installed then they make higher roof top boxes cut out a matching hole in the bottom reinforce with steel, fiberglass, maker pipe whatever but from the inside. Mount on hd foam so no light cracks and you have standing room for kitchen shower and such. Anyway I love that you are a maker I will do this build myself but am building an eco community in Baja right now van dwelling welcome when we open so come on down
Excellent ideas. You've definitely thought this plan through well. Also, thank you so much for not discussing your underwear and other private stuff. Minutia, as you said, is soooooo annoying.
I really like the build. I do have one tiny suggestion: when you're filming, turn off autofocus. It's obsessed with your forearm. Your arm is always in focus. ☺
Really neat setup using a cut-down futon! It would be great to see a few more details of how the rear platform is constructed/fits into the third seat well.
Wow super cool i love this ideas i wish i could do the same for my van i have an older model van n i love going to mexico baja man this would bebduper cool if i could do this on my van hey thanl you for sharing your ideas
Tom, Shirley, I absolutely Luv your Whole design! Compared to all of the good designs & styles that everybody brings to my attention, they all keep finding & suggesting much more laborous, time consuming, rediculously expensive set-ups for my current travel van project. Your Design, Style & Simplicity Is Top Notch! The clothing storage, ez access kitchen w/pull through drawers are Great. Thank you so much for Posting Your Van on U-Tube Sir. Thanks again for the help pointing me in a Great Direction coming into my future Mini-Motorhome Plan when I find the time & energy to start on anyways. Happy Travels & Happy Camping to you both. 😁👍
Loved the whole video. I did wonder why you have a cooler ands a fridge. But maybe it’s easier to get to stuff in the cooler and the electric fridge is your freezer? Loved your easy going spirit too.
Great to see you doing this. It's encouraging to see a simple, possible, home-made set-up for travelling. It's not a tiny house you could live in, but a great base for roaming with. 😊 Well done! I have grey hair too, so if you can do it, so can I!! 😊
Very neat ideas! Love where you located the cooking station & storing the bedding. That bed is ideal. Excellent idea about making the coffee at night. Thank you so much for the video.
Brilliant build! Love your table build too! I have a ‘98 Ford Econoline high top converted van which I love for all it’s storage space BUT my husband wants me to get a newer and more reliable van as i would be traveling alone along with my sister and her van. Your video is giving me a few thoughts about that now.🧐🧐🧐
