(Check the current prices on the items:) amzn.to/46jU9L3 - Renogy 100 Solar Kit amzn.to/41bjW7a - 3M VHB Tape (to mount panels) amzn.to/3ThI9qM - Eternabond Roof Sealant (to mount panels) amzn.to/3wAk4So - Browey Portable Power Station amzn.to/3GyRtif - Solar To DC8MM Cable (Browey/Jackery) amzn.to/3RzdaDO - Bluetti EB3A Portable Power Station amzn.to/3UnlI3u - Setpower PT55 Dual Zone Fridge amzn.to/3TYCTHa - Surdoca Seatback Organizer amzn.to/49kSfvj - Flush Toilet with Carry Bag amzn.to/3U6R4tV - Bucket, Collapsible 2.6 Gal amzn.to/3xHczKa - Ivation Rechargeable Shower amzn.to/4aG0fbv - Privacy Tent (Pop Up) amzn.to/3UqvBxp - Kindle Fire 8 Tablet amzn.to/3MAfg47 - Coleman Heavy Duty Propane Stove amzn.to/3lauw8v - Regular Buddy Heater (Mine) amzn.to/3QcDdkp - Urpower Solar Lights (4pk) amzn.to/43Ad7MF - Tire Repair Kit amzn.to/438CSnt - tire inflator (battery powered) amzn.to/48s60If - Noco GB40 Battery Jump Starter amzn.to/3W6izGA - Lug Nut Breaker Bar amzn.to/3xrbZjv - Fortem Ratchet Strap 4Pk (2300LB Break Strength) amzn.to/3W6MYo5 - Console Van Organizer, Locking amzn.to/3u8y3OD - Vantrue S1Pro DashCam amzn.to/47IASDH - Samsung Pro Endurance Dashcam Memory Card amzn.to/2HF3YOv - Heavy Duty Bed Frames (Twin, Narrow Twin, Twin XL) Then choose the matching mattress... amzn.to/2HCT4Zp - Mattress for Narrow Twin frame (75x31) amzn.to/3Jb7T1K - Fortem Trunk Organzier amzn.to/3JsWbzK - Hamilton Beach 5 Up Coffee Maker amzn.to/4cYHYbf - Thermos Insulated Coffee Mug amzn.to/4asm3ay - Rechargeable Wearable Headlamp amzn.to/3MTmwJ2 - My Favorite Camping Light amzn.to/3Rc0HXL - Similar Light (with solar) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- BudgetTravelGuy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for people to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I also participate in other affiliate programs where I may be compensated for referring traffic. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Go to Facebook and FOLLOW our page for other hints/tips/thoughts/fun stuff--- tinyurl.com/qqdx8lg -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Been thinking about this for A LONG TIME! Have my minivan, and alot of the gear. Almost 70, and don't know how long I can stay in unaffordable housing...
4:59 That could also be your toilet. Just line it with a compostable bag or doggie poo bag each time. After use, seal and dispose of thoughtfully. Pee goes into a separate sealable bottle.
Every time I return from a long camping trip, I remove anything I didn't use. Frees up a lot of space! The only exception is safety related tools...those always stay in for those Just In Case situations!
Kathleen, good point about eliminating things as SOON as a person returns from a trip, so everything is still fresh in their minds - I have been a bit lazy in that department at times! More soon - safe travels!
@@BudgetTravelGuy I did this with the tools that I'd carried in my car for years and reduced a 24" mechanics tool box to a roll with the surprisingly few tools I've ever needed to work on my car. Next up is my closet at home.
Well, I am glad I caught your video. I'm in the process of packing up my SUV for my first trip and I have my 12 ft hallway full of STUFF. Thanks for reminding me that less is more and there is usually always a Walmart everywhere you go.😂Safe travels and have fun in your journey.😊
Leanne, glad you found that 'minimalist van' vid useful to you, and they'll you'll enjoy some of the other stuff I'll be rolling out soon. Safe travels!
You've done a good job letting me know how to travel and camp without having to carry every little thing I think I MAY need. I'm tired of having to search everything for what I need. Soon I've got a major PULL EVERYTHING OUT job for just a can opener or some matches to light a fire or toilet paper. Your organization efforts are exactly what I needed to see. Thanks So much. Keep your videos coming. I want to see everything you've got to show me.
P.s. I agree about goodwill is your friend! I needed a quilt cause of a unexpected cold snap. For $8 got a really nice homemade quilt.. still using it!
I just subscribed and I appreciate this video. I plan to buy a large refrigerator and a power station for it and my CPAP. I think 1K power will handle these requirements with 350 on the roof & plugged in while driving. I plan to use a cheap tarp clamped to the rear lift door for privacy instead of the shower pop-up or just hit a truck stop. I love that you live out of the van and not in it, we are on the same page with that. Stealth in the East with a '05 Grand Caravan, my retirement plan! Thanks for all the great tips and have a safe journey!
You could buy a cargo box and put it on top of your van for extra storage which i have done. I have a camping chair , propane & a portable fire pit up there. The last few years with all the forest fires and fire bans i can still have a fire on my propane fire pit. I put the solar panel in the front window window dash board as it is not weather proof anyway. I have a curtain across the front seats that pull across at night for privacy. If it rains solar panel is protected as well as safe from theft. I do have to move the solar panel when i drive but that is fine. It folds up and i plug my power station into the van for more charging as i am traveling. I slide the solar panel in beside the bed. That way its out of the way if i need to stop and eat or have a nap. At night before i turn in all thing in my camp spot great put away camp chair propane & portable fire pit that way they are safe from theft or if it rains. I have had to put things away in the morning wet which is never fun to do. I was out camping a few years back my camp chair got blown over into a tree which broke the frame of the chair overnight. It make more since to put it away at night as i don't have to replace it when it brakes or some one takes it from your site when you are sleeping. Just a few thoughts for you.
Here’s the thing about the turned front seat. You can get ticketed for blocking line of vision regarding the windshield. Take the headrest off while driving.
Good point...I could see over/around that headrest perfectly fine, but I DID end up removing it just to be safe and avoid the possibility of a ticket. The state police in my state as sticklers for small things (nothing on the rearview mirror, no license tag inside the vehicle, etc). More soon..safe travels!
Wow, you've actually sold me on a minivan. I live in an SUV, and the way that you've set up your van looks so much easier than what I'm dealing with. I'm constantly moving things around just so I can go to bed. In the beginning, it took me a couple of hours to get re-setup so I could go to sleep. Thank you for all of your great ideas.
Rita, glad you found that minivan camper build vid useful to you, and that you'll get some tips/ideas from some of the other stuff I'm rolling out. More soon....safe travels!
We finally took the plunge and the two of us (including the other half's electric wheelchair) and a large dog camped our way South to Florida in a week and then back to the Midwest in another week. It's a bit harder to avoid moving stuff around every day with storing stuff for all three of us plus the suitcases we used on the cruise we caught in Florida, but we had the trip of a lifetime! The closest we got to free camping was $12/night at Mammoth Cave national park with the other half's America the Beautiful access pass and that was probably our favorite campground of the whole trip. Just like you can feed your solar panel "through" your window, we learned we can feed our 12 gauge extension cord through the gap in the weatherstripping at the bottom of the rear hatch so we could be fully buttoned up at night while still charging our Jackery. We were running our Alpicool C50 off a Jackery Explorer 1000 and it was staying pretty much fully charged while driving. When stopped it would sip about 2% of the battery per hour, which for a battery just over 1000 watts is about 20 watts/hour. There were a lot of picnics at highway rest stops and we had the time of our lives! We're already looking forward to hitting the road again when we can afford to, though with a lot less stuff. The only thing we'd change if we somehow could is the sleeping arrangements - our bed is as wide as the van allows and it got kinda cramped at night with the three of us. There were two "surprise" stars of the trip - the first was our dual-power Ryobi fan that could plug in to an extension cord or use the same batteries as our flashlights. I knew it would come in clutch at night to keep air moving, but the other half had no idea so it was great to surprise her with how effective it was since we could just plug it in when tethered or charge battery packs while on the road via the van's inverter (that inverter was also invaluable for charging her wheelchair while we were traveling!). The second was a set of USB string lights that could wind into a case that also held their power supply, it was easy to string up around the inside for nights we buttoned up early, but just turning on the small exterior light and pointing it at the ceiling from on top of the fridge was enough to light the van. We completely forgot the motion activated solar lights, since we'd left them on a window sill at home to charge they never made it into the van. As you've mentioned, having the stuff you use the most within easy access is important. There were many things that I repacked or relocated through the trip and I'll probably be tweaking things for a while before our next trip. We also did use our tiny electric heater one night too! - note for folks who don't routinely use one, plug the heater into the pedastal, NOT your power bank. We didn't completely drain our battery, but came pretty close and I only realized it the next morning when striking camp. If we're ever in a situation like that again, I'll use the same extension cord that the fan uses for the heater so I don't repeat that mistake.
A heating blanket might work too for draining less power. I keep reptiles and live 4 seasons and encase we lose power i keep something like hot hands around. Uniheat are for shipping reptiles and plants and max at 100f, hothands can scald. The packs come in 24 to 96 hours. I keep 40 and 72 hour ones on the stand by, they work for us too.
@@lunarminx Good info, thanks for sharing! It wasn't really that cold (for me), but my wife is diabetic and almost always feels cold. The heater was more of a happy thing for her than a necessity.
So many great ideas here. Just now starting to explore buying a minivan to do some camping and your videos and ideas are very well thought out and appreciative. Safe and happy travels.
Kevin, thks for showing the realistic scenario of a simple and functional camper at budget cost. Most often we forgot the camper is just a mode to get us to where we’re heading. No matter how simple, it’s a luxury when you had to ride or backpacked.
grandmarais, definately need to add tow straps. (The ones shown as high capacity ratcheting straps, and a pair should work in a pinch, but real two straps would be better.) More soon...safe travels!
How do you keep your power station cool in the summer 🌞 heat in the van? Your set up is PERFECT. Marriott cost $ 150 a nite on west Coast...had bugs and problems so we don't waste time anymore
I know! My last trip early winter I ran into bugs, roaches and centipedes both ways and noise and sleepless in unfamiliar bed. In decent motels. It's what decided me to try campervanning. Just bought a Dodge Grand Caravan and am no-building it right now! Had a small motorhome last 7 years that i sold last fall, and while I don't regret it I missed it so much. Need to carry my own bed with me for here on out, until I'm too old to ramble.
I live full time in a retired ambulance Even though it has a ton of space for storage I try to keep only the things I really need. Yes I do carry fishing equipment and skis, but I learned very quickly the more stuff I carry the less happy I become. Less really is better!
Always enjoy your videos and your energy...information is good sense.... As a woman, its just hard to downsize... However I've done some and your right...light loads are best....stay safe and enjoy your travels
Bravo Kevin! Thanks for sharing your vast experience. I am in agreement with your approach and your end objective. Well spoken from the heart. Thanks for keeping it real amongst all of the glamorous Instagram Bullshit.
Thank you for sharing what you have learned, I took notes and am going on my first camp out, 3 nights this weekend. I would point out one tip for you. There is nothing of any nutritional value in sweet beverages, colas etc. I gave them up years ago so all I need is water. I drink coffee and brew tea but that takes very little space. Just think about the space you would save. Beer and wine can at least give you a little relaxation but colas and sweet drinks are just an unhealthy, space hogging, mental addiction.
desertrat, you're right about the sweet drinks, and I have cut back in the last couple of years. Hope your first camping trip went well!!!! Safe travels!
Good job going minimalist, Kevin! Years ago I picked up a couple of widemouth stainless steel thermal jugs on sale that hold about 36oz water hot or cold (that’s a little more than a liter). I use a 1L kettle that runs on 12v to heat the water to make my pour over coffee (my luxury), and if I want shower using a shower pump like yours later I heat up a kettle full & put into one of the stainless steel jugs (1:2 ratio of hot water to cold is my preferred temperature).
Hi,Keven You are really a beautiful humbleman. I cannot forget your face when you speak about the expensive thing we choose it buy it we choose the Expensive thing we have to buy it because we we thinking a lot about the bad situation when will come, and carrying on our back all the time and become bigger over and over . And you give me advice it's garbage. It's garbage. Don't think it’s last thing you owner. It's garbage and we carry garbage all the time . please man, you have to make another video and we have to see how is your life daily
Nice. Impressive video. New subscriber here. Me? I do city truck camping. It works for me and allows me to maximize the free use of city amenities. The gym, shower, library, parks, free power, close shopping, safe sleeping places, etc. It helps me cut costs and increase profits. - Space... I always rent a storage unit to supplement my truck camper contents. I rent a 10'x10' storage unit ($70 /mo) right now. I save and bank, so much money, via city van living, it's quite astonishing (about $1,800 a month positive cash flow after all living expenses). - Shower Tents I can't believe that people haven't found/use a black colored shower tent. Set a black shower tent up in the full sun. the inside are can reach hot tub temperature in no time, and no wind. Then strip and shower. I see that your shower tent is darker (camo color) than most. (Cue the Black Rit Black Dye). - Motion lights - great idea. I'll get a set. They are very inexpensive on Amazon. I can probably also get a driveway monitor man-trap that beeps; when set up in a certain direction (i.e. likely human avenues of approach). I sleep each night in a driveway that I rent ($150 a month) from a random homeowner or small business. Currently, I've rented an older widow lady's driveway for about 5 months now. In return she gets the $150 cash a month and my help, and pledge, to preserve, protect and defend her and her property. - Minivan Builds and Experience I really like watching and learning from minivan life video creators. I just found you. There are a couple of other minivan channels that I watch a lot. One is Minivan Lee and the other is minivan Amanda Travels. - Great advice and nomad wisdom. They all share your philosophy; more or less - all after 5-7 years of living the minivan life. - I use a truck camper right now; a little more room, but the same principles apply. I detest making the van life complicated too. - Oh...About Velcro. Two things: I get the INDUSTRIAL brand Velcro. It sticks like no other velcro to most things. All velcro adhesive has a weakness. It is subject to heat and soapy water removal. When velcro adhesive comes off, or won't stick, I spray the useless adhesive side with Gorilla spray adhesive. Gorilla adhesive spray makes old velcro reusable, better than new, and stickable to anything forever. Never throw velcro away again. - Power I have 4,800 WH Bluetti Power bank and 400watts of solar. The solar is mainly just a back up. My AC uses (averages 450 watts) to run (on average) and my refrigerator use 54 watts (average). I monitor each with a seperate power meter. - Free power- I can recharge my huge power bank each day using Free110 volt outlets. - at my gym, the library, three local city parks, and the senior center. Legally obtaining free power in my city is not a problem at all. I love city vanlife. - Safe travels, Tom
Tom, thank you for the kind words. Sounds as if you've gotten a lot of this stuff figured out well as far as what works for you. The idea of 'renting' driveway or parking lot space month to month is brilliant, especially in a city like you're doing! More soon...safe travels!
I love it! I pretty much have the same setup as you. I am always tickled looking at van builds where, to me, they just take up space with built ins and such. But, I do not have your turn around seat. How did you do that? Thanks for the info! Happy Travels! Conni
Very good overall. If I were going to stay in low occupancy areas, I'd prepare for accidents and injuries, adding a second basic (911) cellphone or a 2 way VHF handheld radio, a comprehensive first aid kit, and a set of hand tools in a roll up pouch. (The latter 2 only add value if you know how to use them.)
Paula, as you said, "Pared down" is the way to go with a camper van. I still run across people that have to spend an hour moving things to get ready for bed, etc...and trust me, I packed too much stuff on my first trips, too! More soon...safe travels!
I love it! We have owned everything from a tent, to a popup, to a motorhome and back to a popup. The rule was that they were for sleep. The exception was the motorhome because of the bathroom and we had to cook in it. Otherwise, get out and play!! Thanks for your advice Sir.
Very nice! I am glad I came across your channel. I can use some of this info. I am currently building out my van and documenting on my channel. Thank you for sharing❤
A butane stove, number 6 Griswold cast iron skillet and a wagner number 3 and a small pot for boiling water or making soup. All fits under the front seats including a couple of butane fuel cans. I have a small refrigerator but i do have a big one but its too heavy. 73
I have pretty much the same setup as you, except I left my back seat in and I have that Alpicool sitting back there, and I don’t have my passenger seat turned around. I even have that seat back caddy. Great minds and all. I have the same motion activated solar lights and the same bed.
if you have a body on frame like a full size van you could install a winch on the front bumper instead. you have a lot of good suggestions and although i have always hated minivans, you make them a viable option that can actually work pretty well for a single person. love me them BIG fridges.
Would of have been nice to show us the inside of your refrigerator freezer and by example showing us a case of bottled water in there because it doesn't look like it would fit a case plus the added food. Maybe next time you can do that
Carrie, I'll try to do that in a later video on the current trip..but the 55qt or larger will fit 12-24 (1/2 liter, 16.9 oz) bottles of water, 12 cans of drinks, plus food. Safe travels!
I may have missed it, but do you have the window coverings and what about a privacy curtain from the front to the back? Maybe the places you choose to stay in don't require much of all of that? This is a fabulous video to remind us to not overdo it! Thx!
tamara, the windows shades are kept under the mattress. I don't use a privacy curtain across the van (behind the front seats) like many do, but I may add one in the future. More soon...safe travels!
The mattress you need to cover it with vinyl this way you Do not have to make the bed. And cover entire floor underneath floor you can lift up to get thing. The bed will joint inspection so you can stack or
Glad you found that 'camper van setup' video useful to you, and hope you'll find some of the new stuff I'm rolling out useful to you for your own adventures! More soon...safe travels!
Great video. I'm still absolutely, positively astonished you don't bring a TINY folding "chair" (no armrests). They are $10 bucks and HALF the size of those normal small $10 walmart chairs with arms many people use. Surely your van is sometimes in the hot sun (getting solar) and you might want to go sit in the shade under that nice try nearby? Surely your van is sometimes in the cold and you might want to sit 10' away where the sun is shining? So many other uses too such as a place for a visitor to sit, somewhere to set your coffee, coke, book, etc (outside), a footrest, etc. I can't imagine not being able to sit ANYWHERE but the van but I'm sure if you felt you needed it, you'd have gotten one for now.
To me the real point of minimal travel is to not have to dig for anything, or shuffle anything. Everything has a place and a purpose. The longer I live this way, the more the "shuffle" drives me insane. Never underestimate the luxury of empty space! I also agree about buying things for one time use. In the long run it's not a waste at all. It's far better than adding all that one time stuff to your permanent kit! I recently needed a rubber mallet. I bought one and used it, then I gifted it to the first old guy I saw walking by! Old guys can always use a mallet right? He was thrilled, couldn't believe someone would just give him a brand new mallet, and I'm not packing that thing around. One thing I do not condone is using something and returning it. Low life tricks like that are just one more reason for everyone to hate us.
I carry a battery charger in addition to a jump box in case my battery is too dead for the jump box to recognize. It happens, and I need to be able to get my pickip started by myself. You can't always rely on someone showing up to give you a jump.🔌 Sacramento, California USA 🇺🇸
My friend, those straps are not tow straps. They are ratcheting tie down straps. Please be very careful. I do appreciate your insights. I am setting my van up for camping trips.
Dan, you are correct about the straps - I should have elaborated on those a bit more. They are high enough capacity that several would work in a pinch, but real tow straps would be better for people to carry. More soon...safe travels!
What you showed as "tow straps" are actually tiedown straps, and those should NEVER be used to try and pull a vehicle. You really need to edit this video, because That could get someone seriously injured. I do agree with carrying a real tow strap with ways to attach it, or better yet a kinetic recovery rope.
Noah, in my setup the fridge is in the very back of the van (just inside the lift up hatch). I can access it from inside the van without having to go out, and the bed is NOT sitting on it. More soon...safe travels!
Thank you so much - I'm just staring and I'm going to use your philosophy - less is more - quick question what kind of a company when install solar on the roof of a car? I searched and searched and only found companies that install for buildings
katherine, you can do the solar panel install on a vehicle yourself (or find some teenager to do it for you, as long as they can follow the instructions in the video). Unfortunately, a lot of the "professionals" make their money by trying to convince people this stuff is waaaaaaaaay more complicated than it really is to do. Safe travels!
Joyce, I try to work in at least one 30-45 day trip every year, with some shorter ones mixed in as time permits. Glad you found that van build useful to you! More soon...safe travels!
Kathy, There's a vid on the channel on turning that seat around in the minivan, and I'll try to get a vid up showing how to plug a tire (and deal with other tire issues that can come up). More soon...safe travels!
Good question, Francine. I store the window covers under the mattress. If I'm in a campground (or deep in the woods alone) I often don't use them, but they're certainly nice to have when I DO need a little more privacy. (Or to block the direct sunlight on one side of the van on a VERY hot desert day.) More soon... safe travels!
Stephanie, I've not traveled with a pet up to this point, although I have many friends that do. I do know it's MUCH more of a challenge keeping the van cool if you have to leave a pet inside (while inside a grocery store buying supplies, etc). However, I'm not an expert on that and would defer to vids from people that have experience traveling with a pet. More soon....safe travels!
Suzanne, that's a good question. Actually I can tell little if any difference in power used with a giant fridge vs a small one. Once they are cooled down to temp it's roughly the same power to keep them at temp regardless of size. More soon...safe travels!
My question is what is a good but inexpensive power bank. Im using alot of stuff im going to use. I have to have my cpap and be able keep my mobility chair charged
Chris, I'd go with this at a minimum (and a size larger would be even better) based on your power requirements. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-u0OMKY2c1Co.html More soon...safe travels!
Catherine, here's the info on the bedframe I'm using in that minivan build... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tvLEKObSRZY.html More soon...safe travels!
