This is the best van conversion I've seen anywhere. You two do a great job, the practical use of space and workmanship are top notch. My favorite is the two ships hatches, never would have thought of that, but in a small van they are perfect.
@@annwallace9537 You may have a point about the fixed location of the sink but you can use the stove anywhere (on the fold-down desk inside the van, on the pull-out table outside the van (even better for ventilation safety) or even completely away from the van on a picnic table if one is available). I didn't study their design that thoroughly but even the sink might have been placed on the very end of that pull-out drawer (where the groceries were kept) such that it could have also been used while standing outside the side door. Also placing the water tank on that side of the van would have helped counterbalance the weight of the heavy battery on the other side of the van.
I find the inventiveness of many of the conversions to be interesting, but for my taste most feel claustrophobic. You, however, have nailed the simplicity and spacious feel. Could easily see myself living in this van for an extended period of time without feeling closed in.
I have watched a LOT of bus, van, car...you name it conversions. A big observer of tiny homes too. This van looked like it had just a bench seat in the back, but had every feature you need. The van met the clients brief whilst also demanding it function somewhat like architectural purpose. What an absolutely fine achievement in craftsmanship.
Wow, this is a beautiful build - the best small van build I've seen so far. The woodwork is beautiful. So open, bright and roomy appearing. Great job!!!!
That was a great design, I like how the kitchen slides away when not needed, do the same with a spot for a porta potty and keeps that nice open feeling which is crucial in such a tiny van. Great Job!
This has to be by far the most practical functional and amazing small van build on RU-vid after watching tons of videos I always come back to this one it’s an effective excellent spacious design truly incredible
Incredibly well thought-out and considered design, and the craftsmanship looks superb! I love the fact you have used light, natural colours. Plenty to think about for my final design, thank you!
There are some very clever tradesman and fitters and then there are people at this level, artisans and artists, it goes beyond skill to a level of thinking and care and pride in the work, very clever ideas well executed.
Lovely way of life you have. Enjoy and be safe! This is the kind of life my wife and myself aspire to when we retire. It's quite sad to see so many young (and some not so young) people posting clips of their van life/downsizing lifestyle due to the deminshing wages, crappy jobs and escalating house prices.
I actually missed the music altogether because the design aspects I was being shown were so AWESOME & PRACTICAL for such a small space!! Best yet. Good design & ideas guys, thanks. cheers, james~
Hello there. In 2020 I was getting ready to retire and thinking of traveling the USA in a small converted van. Your video inspired me so much, and started me on an wonderful trip in my 2017 Nissan NV200 van "Kate the Van"...very close in size to this Ford Transit Connect. I was lucky to have a brother-in-law with a woodshop so I could learn some basic woodworking and convert the cargo van into a camper. Nowhere near as gorgeous as the work you did, but the same layout and it served me well. In January 2023 I bought a small travel trailer. I don't plan to every go back to apartment living, when I can simply have my trailer (aka "apartment on wheels" towed to where I want to live, and continue to use my van for camping trips. The money it's saving me in rent at RV parks compared to paying apartment rent is allowing me to live off my Social Security check. Your video was what made me know this gypsy-like life style was possible, and I will always be grateful. Kind regards :)
Wow what an amazing comment! We are so happy to hear that we had such a positive impact on your life, we never thought we could help people so far away but I guess this is what RU-vid is for. Thank you so much for taking the time to write to us it means the world to us. We wish you happy travels in Kate the Van!! All the best!
after all the overbuilt, over-designed, over-engineered, overpowered, pretentious hipstery crap we get ... this lil thing comes along, functional, humble, practical,.. awesome work... awful video/music. Richard and Sophie THANK YOU.
Excelent! I love the very practical kitchen design. I was getting tired of seeing household kitchen counters in tiny vans, this is surely refreshing. Great use of space!
Well thought out design. Simple and elegant. The neutral colors, use of space along with the light wood tone does feel like a fusion of Japanese and Scan design. I didn't find the music distracting.
I've never seen this two-style table before, ingenious. I love the quality of the work and the idea of the slide-out kitchen, but I'd definitely opt for a larger fridge (if I were to stay in the van for extended periods of time, not necessarily full-time) and I'm afraid the cushions are going to separate when the owner turns over at night and make for an uncomfortable sleep, but maybe you've thought of a way to deal with that? Btw, pls reduce the volume on the background music. It's too loud (in my opinion, at least) and disturbs a bit. But a very nice job and video overall!
Is it Christmas?? I’ve always loved your original van - one of my all time faves. And now a layout for the connect - dream come true. Thanks for sharing!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼👍🏻👍🏻
Tony Hawk with New Zealand accent.... Cool conversion and New Zealand is a place I wanted to go to since I was a kid, as well as small islands; also New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Madagascar would be fantastic. Soon as I get my Light Body activated and then no need for metal flying machines, money and paperwork...... Thanks for the upload and enjoy your travels. Love Chris
What a nice surprise to get notified of your first video. Congratulations and Great work on a small van. One small thing - music was a bit loud on certain parts of video when you were both talking 😉
Bed with slats resting on storage boxes is a great concept, where did you get the aluminium frame rail? IMHO, kitchen is overkill, replace with storage for clothes, room for foldable toilet. Otherwise great execution. Watched it three times and now speak New Zealandish,
This one somehow didn't bother me, but probably because I was so caught up in the beauty and functionality of the build. Soften the music would probably be an improvement for most viewers.
@@manawearblack Isn't that like saying a teardrop trailer isn't functional because the kitchen is on the outside? There are constraints when you've only got 80 cu ft to work with, lol. I'd rather have a little more space, but the design is inherently efficient, and a lot of those techniques can be transferred to a bigger van. Sometimes I watch car and minivan conversions because the constraints of so little space forces more creative solutions.
Excellent build. Well done, love the folding desk! But Gawd, the music moaners are out in force in the comments. Like the pedants who pick up on minor spelling errors the music moaners always miss the point of the production. The music was fine, rather nice. THE VAN!!!!
I like how she talks. Their funny accents and the background music makes it feel like an old national geographic documentary from the 1950's or 60s. Which is very cool!
