Great job, that is what van living is all about, why people want to fill vans up with everything they have in houses amazes me, van life is about getting away from all that stuff.
@@CopperGravity thanks for replying, I hadn't seen your earlier post when I asked the question and didn't realise you'd put a vent in. But isn't there a a similar fear of a leak from the smaller hole. I'm going to follow your lead however and put a similar one in mine, could I ask the makers name of the one you installed. And thanks very much for your posts, simplicity make total sense.
It's so refreshing to see someone do a sensible conversion that proves you don't need a whole run of kitchen cupboards, a full cooker, fridge, etc etc etc!!! Just install what you'll need, just the basics! You won't be cooking full meals, guaranteed! After all, you're on holiday, so eat out, buy takeaways, eat junk!! I'm definitely doing this with my next car, probably a Ford Galaxy, or very similar, & like this conversion, mine will be just a simple, uncomplicated sometimes van/or car/or camper, but just remembering that important acronym, K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple, Stupid!! 🤣🤣🤣
Yes James. Exactly. This van is still going strong and is currently empty due to recently moving a piano. I also love proper little homes and if I lived in a van I would do something more permanent. But as a hobby camper this is a great option. Good luck with yours. Ian
The bottle insulation and floor tiles was from B&Q, the plywood and timer from Travis, the sound deadening insulation and carpet from Kiravans. Bed and lights was Amazon. Drawers from FB. Power pack from Draper. Lots of other stuff I already had.
now that's a super stealthy van - no tell tell solar or max air vents on roof, no windows... maybe it's small, maybe it doesn't have all the comforts, but stealth is 100%
When you have yourself, your fuel, with everything in the back, how much does it weigh? Just interested to know. Looks like a great little getaway van for the odd night out, for me, photogrpaphing the night sky in some remote wilderness. I am not light. I weigh 14 stone. I would need to fill it right up with fuel. I have a couple of Bluetti power banks, an inverter, a laptop, camera gear and a little gas stove. All things together, like food, clothes, boots, water, all the things to survive for a few days. Is the maximum carrying capacity about 900-950kg? I know it's the best part of a metric tonne, I would just need to be sure is all.
Hiya. I never weighed my van before, during or after. But these are built for builders and their materials and although the fuel economy gets worse with weight, they really won’t struggle with anyone who goes off camping.
Warren Simpson the guy said he has 196 odd thousand miles on it .. goes too show they last the time I have a van like this but low roof and a 2012 model as why am looking mines only has 74 thousand on it but being done differently instead ... logical thinking needs done is size & space off these vans but practically & being basic is where am heading does the job just fine ...
Good question. I never planned one. I wanted the back to be totally dark and decided that the vent would provide enough air. Also, I was worried about leaks and the cost. But mainly I just didn't want one.
@@CopperGravity I didn't realise when I asked the question that you'd put a vent in, i share your fear of leaks. Can I ask the makers name of the one you installed, and thanks for your vids they make total sense
@@bronte3663 sure. It’s a Flettner Slimline and is covered in my more recent FAQ video…. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3NrsdZLMuK4.html
Hello again, you know the charger thing you bought, does it have a name and where did you buy it. You seem to be there person I'm most influenced by but the connect I've just bought is a SWB,. Thanks.
Hi. It’s up to you to find a solution that fits you. Maybe a longer van or admit that you may be a bit squashed in. For me, I was not too tall and I really wanted a small van.
As long as the van has been well maintained should not be an issue. A low mileage van that has had a tough life would be less reliable. My old Nissan NX had over 300,000 k on the clock. Engine still sweet .
If you want to be even more stealthy, do as we van drivers do. Leave the cab a bit messy. Put the high viz vest on the back of the drivers seat. Leave maps and various bits of detritus on the dashboard along with a soft toy or two. I have stealth camped in 'very' public places using these techniques and have never been disturbed. I would think about kit that folds away like buckets/toilets, washing up bowls etc. Then about a week before you go, make a list of the basics you need for your trip and pack it so it's ready. Over the next few days lose some items eg: 3 spare pairs of knacker crackers instead of 4. Personally I wouldn't use a camp bed, they are way too unstable. I made a rock and roll bed out of pallets and scrap wood and it works a treat and is removable too.
The wall is actually worth it, when you travel in colder climates.. I didn't want a fixed wall, but might rethink it for later. First I need to finish my build, travel with it, then I can fix things for the next trip. 😉
This video popped up on my line for no reason but I like it. The only thing I would add is a C02 meter just in case, you sleep in a relatively small space and believe me, you won't notice rising levels of dangerous C02 until it is too late.... nice build !
Nice Job. Agree with other poster. Why bother with a useless minature sink or a portable toilet etc. A roof vent would be nice in case it gets hot but thats about it. Most important thing is a comfortable and cheap nights sleep. The only pity is that the manufactures only seem to do white vans. A dark green would blend in so much better.
Bangyai: look into getting a 'wrap' in your chosen colour - but even re-sprays are not very expensive. You don't have to live with white if you don't like it ‼️
This is great, well done! Even for anyone wanting to do a more elaborate built-in mini camper, it's really useful to know the bare bones starting costs. Thanks. Can you please share your kit specifics for the electrical and ventilation?
The electrical was from Draper and is just a power pack for starting cars. The ventilation was a non powered rotating roof vent from Flettner . I chose the slimline one.
Glad you enjoyed visiting Scotland in your cosy van. I was wondering about condensation, as you have it all seaed up pretty tight there in the back. I notice you quote a price for ventilation, but I don't remember you mentioning it in the video. I've watched a lot of Connect van conversions, as I wan something stealthy myself, but so many of them are US based, so it was great to come across a UK conversion tested in Scotland. Happy camping!
Hi Carol. Yes it works great. No condensation in the sleeping part. But as soon as remove the foam partition in the morning, the hot air rushes forwards and the front windows steam up. Easily fixed by the hot air blower.
Hi. I just bought a 2013 and love it. Would you happen to know where I might be able to get a used foldable passenger seat like yours? As far as I know, they don't have them here in the U.S..Thanks.
What a great video. No bs unreachable luxury of a setup, everything extremely practical and very well explained.. Mate I wish I was in Scotland honestly, it looks gorgeous
I have similar ideas in what im planning, starting with everything being able to be removed from the van in five minutes so im already your fan. Nice work.
Great built.Nice and basic. That insulation you used would that also work for keeping out Heat ?since I want to go to southern Europe. And what did you do about ventilation ?
Well done! I too concentrated on insulation and ventilation on my Promaster City. I have been able to stay warm using a flowerpot candle heater, even in temperatures as low as 5C. Greetings from Canada ! 🇨🇦
I camperized my connect, but did not insulate or put up siding inside. It just makes a place for mold to grow, and since I camp where it dosen,t go below freezing, don,t need insulation.
nice job, didnt catch were the ventilation cost was spent?, not a big fan of well insulated vehicles with poor ventilation to the outside, me and my wife woke up one night staving of air after sleeping just in my car one night with the windows closed having spent most of the oxygen inside the vehicle, ventilation as it is in a house, is important in a van too.
I accidentally didn’t mention the ventilation in this video. But I did make a follow up video that shows I fitted a Flettner slimline ceiling fan thingybob. This ensures plenty of airflow to the rear living space. It’s great.
I love how you have done your finishing! Thanks for sharing... I'm sure you've seen the flat folding passenger seats - Any idea where I can order a couple of scrapped ones online?
Haha. Thanks for the comment Michael. Made me smile. Lots of van life videos show perfect tidiness. Mine in just mine! About to head away for a night or two, will make a tiny effort to pack things more neatly from now. ✅
I have a 2011 connect can you tell me we're the gear oil dip stick is please love your van mine is white not as clean as yours but I just want it to bring my dog camping and to the beach lots of love from Dublin Ireland ❤
Hi Robbie. I’m sorry but I’m not the right person to offer an answer to your question. I think you need a mechanic forum or FB group etc. good luck with your camping project!! 💚
Tricky to describe. The shelf is 9mm okay cut to shape and it rests on a 35mm square baton. The baton is attached to the van sides using a small metal right angle bracket on each end. Then it is insulated on top and carpeted. The cab side is covered in black out material to make the cab dark.
I just bought one 1.8 TDCI 90T200. It looks good. What do you think? Any advice to lose some weight of it? -50 KG would be great for both economical and accleration.
Hi. Do you mean the 12v battery thing? If so it’s a jump starter product that you charge up at home before setting out. It’s got a 12v socket that I plug the van lights and USB phone charger into. Hope that helps.
Hi. Not sure on the exact model as it actually broke and I replaced it. They are generally called something like a 12v power pack. Draper make one. Halfords in UK or Amazon should have something like this.
Have you had any issues with your Connect having leaks? I have a 2011 version and discovered the passenger footwells were wet. I ditched the factory flooring and it's bone dry now, so the hunt is on to discover where the water got in? I've read that Transit Connect are notorious for leaking like sieves!?
