This is an updated version of my chevy express 2500 van conversion. hope you like my build. if you have and suggestions or questions let me know. / chukimusic : Instrumental produced by Chuki.
Here from Houston. Building a van out myself. Been at it about 6months. Kinda just going with the flow,figuring out what i need as i go seems to never end lol I first built an extravagant setup in a camper shell in the back of my truck..aanndd decided i needed a van. Im 26 and all of my friends thought i was crazy until they started seeing results. Anyway having a van now makes Kayak trips,hitting the trails on the bikes or just parking by the river and doing some overnight fishing Much more comfortable Nice to see fellow texans on here! SUBSCRIBED 👌
Thanks man. Its a beautiful wah of life. Really opens alot of doors when it comes to doing adventures and travel. Keep up the good work man. I was also 27 when I built me van lol
Coffee makes life better for sure. Love the bed/couch setup and the idea of taking a Ruckus with you. Ur killin me with the word "super" in every other sentence though.
bro i have a 99 2500 exspress van my boss got and gave to me and it came with those adsact locks u have on your side and rear doors they are great extra security but i am converting for van dwelling and i freakin love your sink and bathroom set up i always wanted to have certain things that are important to me and ability to bath.use the bathroom.sleep.and your set up is perfect i literally have been doing research everyday and i am going the same route..ty so much for your vid and info.i will be makin vids and ill totally give props to ur inspiration...
those locks are clutch, thank you!!! AND the coffee bin is exactly what I would have! Thanks for all of the info and insight! My girlfriend and I are currently shopping for a van. Cheers brother!
This my favorite. I think I would have to go with 1000 w of solar the roof allows it. I cant do propane unless the tanks were mounted outside. Very nice I love the full bathroom.❤
One suggestion... take off one of your lock braces off of the outside and put it inside the van... It will probably never happen... but that way, you won't ever get locked in. Getting locked in would s*ck.
I think using the two front doors on the van might be a way out. He doesn't have those locks on the front doors, just the cargo doors on the side and back.
Very creative ideas! That tub is a great idea. I was thinking of a pop-up tub, but the largest I've seen is for sinks. Thanks for sharing all your ideas!
What a cool guy, willing to go help someone build a van. Need more ppl like you in this world. Thanks for the amazing ideas, wish you where close to me, im thinking about getting a van soon as i found out i have black mold in my house and need to move out asap. Great video :)
You know you're a coffee drinker when...live that! This is the first time I've seen a tub set up like the one I had in my head! Only difference is that mine's inflatable but I like your idea of it being storage...hmmm. ❤️
Really nice job. I love the lock additions and I'm gonna do the same. I'm also gonna get some signs on magnets that I can keep under my mattress but when I'm in a sketchy area I'll pop them on the sides. They'll read 'ACME SEWER & CESSPOOL SERVICE '.
I just bought a Chevy 2500 Express with a low top. The bed and bathing are my two top concerns since I will be full-time living and... I'm old so want to be comfortable... Ha! Your vlog just answered my concerns. Thanks!!
The inside setup is cool- modular. Like you said... you can then put a bike in. Or if you rent a storage unit … $60 - $80 a month... you can then take everything out, put it into your storage unit and haul stuff. Too many people build up their van so much and so permanently - that they can't haul anything large in it. If you put everything into a storage bin, then you can hire yourself out as a 'Man with a Van'.... for $$$. Ka-Ching!
"So easy a caveman can do it" thanks, I like to keep things simple. Oh totally, I don't know how people do van life without a restroom! Its a huge part of day to day living for a human. I just wouldn't want to go to a public place every time ya know
@@marcoschwitau safe travels to ya. Ive saved this video so i can go back and cheat off your test. This was a great help so far. Im just now coming up with a plan and van shopping. Thanks for posting.
Turn your art into one of a kind black out pads for the windows, you can print them onto canvas or muslin with a common printer and sell them. No two alike and with more people van dwelling they would be in demand and it would be something beautiful to look at instead of that reflectic material.
I was a firefighter. It would be really easy to cut that lock. The manufacture put the locking mechanism right behind the logo. This way firefighters could cut it in less than 30 seconds.
Yeah and you could also put a stick of dynamite in the door an get in on less than 5 sec. There are ways for sure. Hopefully no firefighters want to break into my van.
I found that a cooler a/c setup can work, if you make a tent out of a sheet, as it reduces the air volume it needs to cool. I don't know the downside to pumping that much moist air into a space, but I assume it would be problematic. I suppose if you also ran a dehumidifier at the same time, that would help. But by taking the moister out of the air, it warms the air.
Flyswatter! Yes, so very useful. The backpacking stove is not a good idea for a van. Its ideal for backpacking but not a van. It is unstable and refills are costly. Instead, get a Magic Chef Propane 2 burner compact stove which is small but burns high at 17000 BTU. Get 1 lb REFILLABLE propane bottles 2-3 of them and use these or you can buy the disposable ones. This is flat and stable and nothing will fall over if you bump into your table. The stove is a really big deal. One mistake and your van is on fire. I would strap down that Yeti Goal Zero battery and keep it far away from your stove. Should not be up there when driving. You have your priorities right. Wonderful bathtub arrangement, smart! Also the toilet. I would put the toilet in a box with wheels and seat cushion on top to double as a seat. You don't want to see a toilet as you open your door... better for stealth! Now all you need is a fridge.
Not sure if someone already asked, but could you go into detail on your camera setup? It'd be awesome to have a camera on each corner that you can toggle through on a screen while inside!
Have you thought about a screen fastened by magnets to cover your side door and /or back door, even the driver's and passenger window can have screens. Where is your frig ? A cooler with ice doesn't hold up very long. Also I see you don't have your wheel covers insulated, the noise and weather will come thru that space. It looks fabulous !!! Let us know how it 'feels' once you are using it more, what you have find you have changed your mind on after using it more. Super Velcro, magnets and hooks are the RV'rs friend. Thank you for sharing.
You have the sink and toilet I hot 4 my Ford Transit Connect I converted 2a micro camper. Love your TUB...I went with a collapsible tub because of the limited space.
For the rear blackout curtains, instead of a bungee cord, sew some magnets down the edges. They will hold the curtains against the door, seal out any light and when pulled back keep them tidy out of the way. Otherwise, you did a great job, happy trails.
Rare are the lightweight applications on the Tube. Tks for the inspiration. I will look into a similar setup and the couch-bed for mine. To be continued...
And the sink/potty/bathtub which are just right for my frequent visits to the loo. which is why I got myself last summer the Chevy 2500 extended 2004 version, from Marketplace where you find great deals on FB. I am in the Gaspe peninsula in Quebec, Canada, alone on a mountain, come all by. RSVP. Good call, vanbro !
i have a similar van. that wiring harness on the top on the drivers side that goes to the back, i was able to fish thru that hollow channel. just had to drill a bit of a hole at the front of it to get it thru but it works great! then its easier to finish that part
I love you set up. Good Job! Will you tell me more about your back camera set up? Is it wireless (wifi) and is that a cell phone you watch it on? Can it be used to go to your cell phone when you are storing the van (not in it)? I want to be able keep an eye on my vintage Airstream while I'm away.
Bro your house is made of flammable materials too and it's got a kitchen....just don't lite your wood...lite the stove...I've been living in my van and trucks for years and cooking inside the same way
A nice build...the only thing I would change is the toilet from wet to dry. It's much easier to dump dried turds and liquid piss than a foul wet mixture of the two.
While the outside door locks are nice for additional security, they make it unsafe do to the close off to exit through the front. Someone could lock you in, making escape difficult. Just something to think about.
Those are the kind of outside locks that human trafficing organizations use. There are warnings posted about how to look for vans like this. I'd take them off!!!!
The Chevy vans are built in models number 1500, 2500 and 3500. I'm sure they can differ with interior(s) but the model numbers are associated with the weight of the vans. So a 2500 would be a 3/4 ton van etc....of course that also has lots of different options.
@@marcoschwitau Hey there.. Just purchasing my first Chevy 2500. Would you mind telling me where you bought your sleeper couch? Love your set up! Thank you!
What are your thoughts on the jackknife sofa? Do you like it? Is it just as comfortable as a regular bed? If you could do it over again would you still go this route? Could it fit two people? Give me a review on it, brother! Cheers!
I love it for what I use it for. Great for having a couch and a bed combo. But if I did it long term I would need a bit more padding like a thick memory foam pad. Otherwise its great.
@@marcoschwitau I have a similar bed in my house.... It's like that... a bit hard. Found out once when there was a liquid spill on my sheets.. and I used a blanket underneath instead while the sheet set was being laundered... that it was just soft enough to make it real comfy.
@@kimberlyw.5712 it will fit two people. And if you have enough padding it will be comfy for sure. But in a van so much more contributes to a good night's sleep. Like a good breeze from a fan so your not overheating while you sleep...I could go on. But yeah it can work. Its just so different and takes getting used to. Hope this helps.
I've been looking at that sofa at Walmart. It sets up on a shelf so you can't try it out. It felt real firm when I mashed it with my hand. His pad looks soft.
How do you leave the side doors open without killing the battery. my light doesn't turn off unless you hold that button down by the door. Did you like invent a way to hold that button down?
Yes its insulated pretty well. The sink and toilet were both purchased on Amazon. Type in "travel/camping toilet" same for the sink. Portable sink, portable toilet.
