The Nissan Recon is the Camper Van You Don’t Know You Want 

Been following for 2yrs now. Best of luck! I would have focused the video more on STRENGTHS what the common use cases would be. (I realize this is a Fast Lane Truck venue, though). 1) The BIGGEST selling point is for urbanites/HOA affected people to be ABLE to GARAGE this campervan for ready access! 2) weekend getaway, camping situation where you'd go mountain biking or kayaking where 99% of the time there's easy dirt road access at worst. 3) Versatile super-commuter / sales portable office vehicle. 4) Great for soccer moms or family members for tailgating parties / homebase where it would be ridiculous to use a big RV 5) Great for spouse to hang out while significant other does chores/shopping. 6) I'd get the non-accessorized version to be a stealth camper to camp where ordinances are being created in response to the housing crisis (ie. Silicon Valley!) or where I'd need to park on-street. 7) A possible homebase for certain handicapped patients to travel far away to doctor appointments, especially where the parking is restricted (like the very low-height UCSF garage)! I've been thinking how I'd modify this for a person in a wheelchair. I'd definitely use it for #3, #6, & #7 to conserve the use of my big 4x4 converted Pleasure Way Class B (which is terribly expensive & expensive to maintain to risk in everyday commuting traffic! And, it won't fit into the UCSF hospital parking garage!!

Such an ideal little van, it works well on so many levels. Great for road trips and a weekenders at the beach

I drive NV200s for a living and I've thought of how one could convert one into a camper. This conversion is nothing less than incredible!!! Kind of reminiscent of my old '68 VW Komi Bus but BETTER! Great job!!!

You don’t need 4WD, just a van full of friends to help you push lol

Love it! This is a Win by any measure and that's from a guy who has owed three Westy's. I gotta say this is a better moustrap, well done. Definitely on the Want list.

Made me log in to thumbs up this van! Been researching for about 2 years--there's very few things I come across these days where I think "Hmm, they've managed to do that better than others I have seen" and this van nails it. Well thought, well designed, kudos guys! I'm starting my build here in about 2 months. And while this design doesn't fit my near-future plans, I could see it being an excellent fit for me in about 3-4 years. Cool stuff, thanks for doing it!

Great video as always Roman! Thanks for coming along with us on this adventure!!

I don't say this often, but Nissan, take my money.

The origami bench is probably the best feature.

I appreciate seeing these camper vans people come up with to offroad and explore they seem pretty awesome mobile homes. Though a requirement for me is 4x4.

Hi from Europe we love these little vans on diesel and get 50+ to the gallon combined .

THIS MAN THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING , the passion was real

12:23 “we are going to go 100 miles and none of us are going to need it” (50 seconds later) “we’re stuck” Moral of the story: better to have and not need it than to need it and not have it.

I have a self built T5 campervan,but this thing is totally awesome and the bed in it looks fantastic......I’d deffo have one!!!

You had me until you said it wasn't 4x4. Then come to find out it has a CVT. Great little rig though if you stay off the loose rocks and real steep hills. Otherwise, it's gonna be cut tires and over heated transmission. CVT's don't do well in an off road situaton. Too much wheel spin for my liking. But as far as urban stealth camping and easier roads, would be a nice little rig.

Just took a Caribbean cruise and have never seen so many Japanese vehicles in my life on all the islands,saw a lot of vans similar to this.

I love the future of these camper rigs

Wow! That's one of the most clever setups I've seen in a long while! 👍

As cool as this is, I'll stick with my S10 blazer and 8' utility trailer... they're already paid for 😉

This is the most efficient use of space I've seen yet on a camper van, phenomenal.

What's going on with your company? I thought I was going to see these at my "local Nissan Dealer .' I have never seen one in person. Are you still producing them? Can you post your schedule as to WHEN and WHERE you will be this year showcasing your Nissan Envy? Thanks in advance

I love this! Well thought out and similar to the Westfalia layout, which is genius. I only wish there was room for a portapotti when the bed is down. Don’t like to get out of the van at night.

I love the thoughtful engineering from a guy who has really used these types of campers and knows what works and what doesn't. I'm impressed.

Are hello, Mazda made a van very similar to this starting around 1994 ending around 2002, it’s still available as an import. It’s available in diesel and petrol, 4WD and rear wheel drive it’s called the Mazda bongo van. We have one and it’s a fantastic little camper.

An LSD up front and that is a perfect little go anywhere camper van..👍🏼

If only engineers ran the world, rather than bureaucrats, everything might be this efficient. It's my favourite build yet. Once we have ubiquitous high-speed (Starlink) internet, and these vehicles are 100% electric, builds like this will be even more simple and useful, even in an urban setting.

It's a damn shame they don't sell the eNV here.

Nice, you guys put a lot of thought into this van. I like the seats on the bottom. Lots of choices

This is what VW should have done not a 70.000$ van that no one that goes camping can afford

Love this tiny RV. Nissan is right up there with Honda and Toyota as far as high quality Japanese engineering and design. Love it!! Will definitely put this Nissan Envy RV on my short list to buy within a few months. Love how the founder designed it first for his own desires and needs. "Need is the mother of invention".

I'll pass. This California Recon would be okay for some hillside exploring I guess, but I'd be afraid to take it seriously off road without a bus load of people to push it through the tough spots.

The derp music when he got stuck is a nice touch.

I love my nv200. Made a crewcab . Use for work and play .

What did he say about not needing 4WD/AWD?

Nice ! To bad you guys over in the us, have fewer vans to choose from. Here we have so many more brands including your luxury vans

I like this van as well but not sure I would take it over the winnebago revel 4 x 4 built on the sprinter chassis .

This set up on a Hiace 3/4 gen 4WD would be the dream! Near-perfect balance of simplicity, flexibility and comfort!👏👏👏 Ironically, you'd need a 4wd vet drover to make this work off-road consistently. ps: I respect your approach and 90%+ of time its fine, but I'd insist on the 4wd because half of the reason I'd get a rig like this would be to get away from people so I don't know if I'll have a dozen friends willing to help me get unstuck! Simple 4wd (or even AWD) plus a tow-hook & a winch are a must for me! 🤣

Element Van Life should get this.

Love it! I’ve been considering getting an NV200 and now this has convinced me.

Put an awning with sides and front, add a winch to the front , i think would complement the amazing design fascinating workmanship, i wish them total success for the future.

I love this van and am so tempted to move back to the US just to buy one. =)

Very cool, love the thoughtful design. Not sure a family of four would enjoy this size, but family of 2-3 would probably work great.

This is a great camper

I take one, please. Boys, I believe y'all filled a need with this one!!

I like this vehicle. Very well thought out

If it's cheap enough, I think its perfect. Just need to add a decent sized TV ssomewherein there and I'm set. If 4x4 was an option I wouldnt be able to afford it anyway.

I love it, I'm so ready to go adventure. I feel they can make it more esthetically appealing and what If i want a option without the sink that way you more space with an option of transparency roof.

Really clean, efficient conversion and I hope this takes off and maybe Nissan makes a 4x4 version although even then it will never be a strong off-roader. Nice van!

Love it! Great camper. I think TFL should do more camper reviews

Love it. SO well thought out and engineered. A Jeep its not but an elegant product never the less. Less bulk and complexity equates to more time and money to do the fun sh*t. My neighbor spends all of his time maintaining his full size RV and very little time enjoying it.

Nice little trail. Kinda looks like Palatki Heritage trail out across the highway from Page Springs Rd & Lo-Lo-Mai in between Cottonwood & Sedona. Makes me want to run up north.

Needs AWD/4WD for my intended use. Last year I took a "shortcut" in Montana over to Idaho on a Forestry Service road and this Nissan wouldn't have made it up the steep parts, especially with the snow I hit near the top. That's the problem with exploring is that you never know what you may run into and I'd rather be prepared. It's a nice step in the "affordable" direction. Maybe Subaru needs a van with their AWD system.

Influenced by this video, I bought an nv200 and made my own camper. It does the job for a low price, but its very small (getting from front seat to cargo area becomes a pita) and very underpowered w/ no accelleration...people frequently honk at me for going too slow and hills are murder.

With the gold standard Westies it's well known that the kitchen in the car thing sucks for camping. The better rig is without the kitchenette. You just camp stove it outside the rig, and use a 5 gal bucket for dishes etc., saves tons of space. They need to work on the 2cd door pantry nonsense, obviously the stuff just goes flying into the space between door and cabinet. Neat rig, it need fender flares or it will throw water everywhere with those wide tires.

Neat van. But, bathroom... I can cook comfortable outdoors, I can sleep comfortably outdoors but I want a peaceful comfortable place to crap and shower...

Couldn't you have had the 2 front seats to turn around making a larger area for sitting and eating?

I’m really liking the concept but there’s some definite drawbacks. 1) Clearance underneath. 2) No 4WD/AWD. (Drop the tire pressure? Lower the clearance underneath.) 3) No awning over pop up windows. Enjoy a nice breeze? Until it rains. If not for these I’d be standing in line for one.

Need to carry at least an extra three transmissions and know how to install them if you're going to actually own one of these. Camper part is awesome but poor choice of a vehicle to use as a base. At least imo.

I would want this van with a diesel straight 6. that would be freaking awesome, especially if it was a 4X4!

Great job! More vans please! How about cargo vans? Love to see that.

It needs a lift kit for clearance

Love to be able to purchase that van down here in New Zealand... left hand drives not an option down here dam it totally perfect set up for most situations well thought out ... well done on designing it 😊

What a lovely cute little van....

great vid

I hope vw is listening. Great functional van, very nice.

Wish they would try to build out a 4wd Toyota Sienna.

All this needs is a cassette toilet and maybe an outdoor shower hose. Fingers crossed for the 2023 update!

Man, that's an amazing job on the interior. If he's not careful, someones gonna make him an offer too good to pass up to do a Sprinter or something.

Great idea, I wish you guys lots of success

This would be the perfect size for touring the west coast of Scotland. I'll bet it won't come to the UK though.

Wonder what those wider/taller rims and tires did to the fuel economy? Your MPH reading might be incorrect now. The look and stance is MUCH nicer. Got details on them?

Wow, so cool! I am totally impressed with this van.

Wow! This is an thoughtful, incredible vehicle.

I am so ready to get this thing but you need to get an all-wheel drive version it's going to take me a year or two so maybe in a year or two Nissan will add an all-wheel drive version of this van for you guys to build the camper on

still need rear wheel power，lsd. remember it's an unloaded van on dry surface. with all your stuff，2～4 passenger might not get you out. yes，with my f150 and bfg ta ko2，it can handle 80～90% without the need for my 4x4 or rear lock. but they are there in case you need them at remote area

Innovative would have been converting the open rear doors to a shower and bathroom. Also needs a generator, small ac unit

It is kind of a cool van, but it isn't dirt-road worthy enough for me. A better solution for my family camping needs is the M-416 military cargo trailer I already have, coupled to something like the Discovery that this channel's Roman Mica paid $5,000.00 for. Mr. Mica's Discovery will go a whole lot more places in the backcountry than the van in this video can, and my M-416 will pretty much go wherever the vehicle pulling it can, including trails like California's fabled Rubicon. Been there, done that. The trailer has been customized in such a way that it be configured for various types of outing by adding or subtracting cargo racks to it, so additional items can be carried without invading the cargo box. I can put a high-clearance rack on the back for a big YETI ice chest, enough propane on the front of the box to run camp appliances for multiple days, up to 30 gallons of liquid, and I can run a Yakima on the bed rails to carry mountain bikes, my fly fishing pram, or a combination of the two. In the cargo box, there is enough space to set up a camp with a shower, portable toilet, covered cooking area, tables, chairs, bedding, tentage, and so on, all adequate for four-season camping.

Great idea. Easy to take out to the National Forest up logging roads or whatever. Plus it's dual purpose. One thing, the towing capacity of the NV200 is listed as N/A. They make hitches, but would it even tow a small trailer with a couple of dirt bikes?

Very nice and smartly designed little van.

This is the best American available small camper I’ve seen. But he says it weighs 3200 lbs? Stripped? I’m also afraid to check out the price.

American innovation, can do attitude, i love it! This would sell well in Europe too i should think.

needs a locker and it would be a BEAST

this look proper badass and not one i considered before. Love it!

That's an awesome little vehicle. Lots of fun.

The next campervan u guys should review is the dodge grand caravan illusion campervan

Excellent ideas! snd very well thought out, bring it to the UK

Agree 100% with Stephen Schank, NA does not have a great small camper van offering like we see in EU. You guys filled that gap with solid engineering and stylish design. Love the van. Congrats!!! Would the Ford Transit Connect LWB be a good base vehicle as well & are there pop tops available for them? It would have a bit more length to it, otherwise very similar.

This is a cool little van. Would be nice here in europe.

That is a awesome bike rack on the back

they just jacked the prices up. Just last week they were charging about 25 grand for the mods shown in the video. Now it's $28,500. Time to either get the Nissan dealer to come down in price...or I can't afford it.

I just got a 1999 4Runner for less than $3k... I don't understand why one would need to spend over $50k to go car camping? Fits in a garage, TONS of aftermarket parts, even still to this day! Can put a TDI in it if I want to for more low down torque and nearly 40 mpgs.... and I'll still be less than $8k invested, with upgraded suspension and stuff.

When u say u wanna get out of LA on the weekends, how are weekend trips viable when u need 4hrs to get from one end of the city to the other on Friday afternoons? I'd be exhausted when I get to whatever destination on Saturday.

I presume the fully automating screen has an independent thought alarm too, wouldn't want any uniqueness or authenticity breaking out, although no doubt it's designed and priced for elites only so, most of us will never know. Very nice though.

Competition is cascade campers very nice build for the $6,000 conversion!

The Best and comfortable ,I Hv seen ever

Has lots of Westphalia DNA in this build, very cool. AWD would be a nice option...are you listening Nissan?

It's low to the ground though! I was just looking at a Toyota Sienna for camping and the mechanic agreed that it was too low to the ground and wouldn't advise it just on trailheads. I wasn't talking off road. So why would this be any better? I thought Nissan was going under? Hope not.

Where is the shiter?

What it could use is a little front and rear winch

Really cool little camper. I love it!