I used to insulate, battens, shower, water heater, etc., on my first, second, and third built. I'm over 70 now and have built a large number of campers. And every new generation have been reduced in complexity. When I used to go to the alps or scandinavia for skiing, I found that the water heater might freeze, and be ruined, and even with a diesel heater (or a mini wood stove), the shower was hardly ever used. It was so much more convinient with a cloth "shower". During the summer along the meds I used to hang a blanket on the sunny sides of the vans and throw water on it. That cooled better with no insulation. The windows were a nuicanse when I were stealth camping in cities or were there were sign prohibiting campers. So now my latest creations have no windows in the rear, only a curtain to the driver seat, a webasto under the car, all air openings down there too, and water tanks close to rear axel for driveability. When I sell them and they ask for a more complex one I tell them to go buy a Prøtzl.
A huge fail is blocking off access to the cab from the inside. There are so many situations where that would have been at the minimum "nice to have", but sometimes crucial like getting yourself out of a dangerous situation. What was gained with this design blunder???
I like having access to the front cab of the van from inside for safety reasons. If something is going on outside when am camping, I want to be able to just jump in the driver's seat and go. Great job on your van.
Very cool job very beautiful work, but one little thing, you can't get to the front of the van from the interior, witsh mins if something goes very very bad like an assault on the van, you are done, it's impossible to get away. And it's very easy to open a van, 😂😂😂 not so very good idea. But hey beautiful van 😅
Great video! Seriously. It wasn’t just that you covered all of the steps. It was very well filmed and edited! The pacing was good, you didn’t waste any video time with excessive, tedious, time consuming items. We don’t need to see every screw. We don’t need to see every pipe run as you run it. We didn’t need to see every shape and cut of your wood walls and trim. Etc.👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Great video and top workmanship. My only concern is that you didn’t give yourself a pass through to the drivers seat. In vanlife safety is a huge concern and if you’re off the beaten path or anywhere for that matter, if you get into some trouble with folks trying to get in or steal stuff as examples, you have to go out of the back and into the front. Not a good idea at all. Obviously, if you have a travel trailer, ( or caravan in the uk) the same thing applies where you have to leave the trailer to get into the tow vehicle. However, one of the points of motorized RV’s is the fact you can get away from any hassle without putting yourself in additional danger. Even if it’s a small crawl space through a cabinet, it’s better than nothing. I’d never buy or build a van conversion without a way of getting into the cab.
@@NateMurphy i will use that hack but for the big windows on the back of the van easy solution for privacy and security instead of some expensive glass
I am not able to hear ANYTHING YOU ARE SAYING because there is some demonic sound saying : "YONKI YONK-YONKI-YONK-YONK" sounding like some is choking on liquid. What a shame that I will have to view another builder's ideas.
Never done this before, but would you want some kind of layer between your wiring and the metal body of the vehicle? Maybe run it through a PVC pipe through the insulation or something?
Hmmm ,,, there’s definitely a few things I liked in this build but there’s definitely a few things I thought you would have done different with 20 years experience building these vans ! Everybody knows showers and their moisture are a source of damp in a van and sorry but your design was terrible and I think an external shower is the way to go as when travelling most campsites and so on have a shower and if off grid an external is fine for a quick wash and this would also have freed up a lot of room for a seating area , I’d of raised the bed a little higher also it’s a lot of unused space wasted above the bed even being able to sit upright in the bed you could have still raised it more creating more space but did like how your drop cushion and table extended to make a king bed ! Your paneling and stud work loses a lot of space also especially in between bulkhead and stud work there was a good 6 inch and trying to maxamize the space is the goal these vans soon fill up quick . I’d definitely have put the tanks under the van giving more storage space internally also Still a goood video and build well done
Nice clear ideas for converting a van... I'm still nowhere near starting mine yet but I've actually been putting a plan together. So hoping to get started in the next 2,3 months. Great to see you working on a van again, and yay a quick glimpse of Dei. We need more of you both, seems so long ago since the house renovation series.
Hi Steve, thanks for tuning in again! I will be working on a new (smaller) renovation project soon - but in between I have been way to busy on my other projects - and as they are writing orientated - they are a bit boring for blog content!
the thing that suprised me the most is how easy it really is , i literally have 95% of all the needed tools by just doing stuff in the house... and all the building is just as easy, all verry basic diy stuff. the hardest thing is literally finding a layout, but if i eventually build one (once o get a proper job, im 19😂) i think i still will go the boxtruck route, its all 90° corners and square
I see Nate post, I smash that "Like"! Looking forward to this tonight! Waiting for our Promaster 3500 ext length to come in and it finally has at least been assigned a ship date. Keep doing what you do, Mr Murphy 👍
That's really coincidental!! I was just going through your old conversion videos less than 8 hours ago. I've watched you for years Nate and I've finally bought myself a van to convert. Looking forward to watching this tonight 😀😀
Just watched the whole video and it is super satisfying to see it all come together :D. The kitchen-shower combo is awesome! I would make a few different choices in my own van conversion (if I do get around to building it one day... I bought your guide already a couple of years ago xD, and still haven't gotten around to committing to starting the project itself...), but your choices totally make sense for you. The scariest part of the build for me would be the gas installation... I wouldn't feel comfortable with having gas inside the van, even though it is objectively more environmentally friendly than diesel when it comes to heating. Keep up the good work Nate! Cheers!
Nice! Yea, the shower/kitchen system is a really good part of this van. Gas is not so bad - you can always get a professional to either install (after you do the prep) or to check once you have. Diesel/Gas for heating in terms of the environment - it uses so little fuel compared to driving the thing I wouldn't worry too much about it. Before you start your build make sure you have the latest version of the ebook!
You may not care for someone looking over your shoulder (like me).. Me thinks many van folks really like seeing others builds. Call it vicarious, LoL. Perhaps your grandson would do a time lapse edition… Good luck!
I watch all these videos on van and skoolie builds, and in every one of them is a vital support structure getting removed such as the vertical metal bracket he took out so he could accommodate the small window, thereby compromising the structural integrity. He placed wood sticks around the window frame, but the structural integrity remains compromised (smh). The only one I've seen who always maintains structural integrity in his builds is Charlie Kern, aka Chuck Cassady.
I endured 4 minutes. I wonder if there's an actual tutorial on how to actually do a van build. Imagine if in your math class, the teacher jumped around the chalkboard with his own theme music playing, explaining absolutely nothing about the problems he's solving. Why are all van build videos like this 😢😢😢😢 some of us actually want to learn how to do this
With this design (and UK van) not really. You could make a hatch behind the kitchen but in general, having a kitchen there makes it harder to access the cab.
You make it look effortless. This is my dream to build one with my dad as he does keep well. Will be sure to revisit these videos if I ever manage to get started. Keep up the amazing work❤
@@NateMurphy your very talented Nate. I hope you keep filming! All the best for your future builds mate. If I ever get my finger out and start one I can follow your advice
It is pretty close to the wheels so pretty hard for it to be impacted (and probably barely lower than the chassis frame). It is not exactly an offroad vehicle!
Really enjoyed Robert’s commentary & appreciate his well designed van. This opened my eyes to alternatives I wasn’t aware were possible. Thanks Robert & Bill.
Making a smaller van conversion someday. You got great ideas although i will do it cheaper more simpler to get by. Get throw away wood on the job. Hopefully for mostly free. Take awhile though. Seen the prices at lowes.
I'm absolutely fascinated by van builds like this, mainly because I'm so completely useless at DIY. I'm pretty good at building Ikea furniture, but that's about the extent of my abilities!
Seeing as you're in the comments Nate can i suggest you do a video update on how you're settling in to your house and any further work you've done? It was such an inspirational build so an update would be ace. Thanks
Hey Mark, I am actually planning on fitting out the basement this Autumn - so for sure some more content coming! I have been so busy on other projects I have not had so much time to play with making content about living here - but all in all, I am loving it.
I was about to give you a good comment with few tips but then you mentioned that you do this for years!?! I thought you are an amateur therefore I didn’t want to bring up the quality of your finish, but… There are scratches on kitchen drawers, board on the fridge bolted from the front, screws poking out on the cupboard door above the kitchen unit, no sound deadening on the van panels, shower with massive gaps, nails showing on the acoustic panel which easily could be glued just like the shower panel … And this is only what I can see on the video. I’ll give you that you have clever ideas to utilize the space and I definitely picked up some tips on connecting the water, gas and electrics. But mate! Considering the tools you have and the experience (apparently) your finish should be 100% better. And also the back door cladding should go vertically so when closed it matches the ceiling.
Anyone with DIY know-how can see its extremely labour intensive, requires wood working skills and tooling above and beyond, and the issue with the van is, u only have one...if u make a mistake, when removing parts of it, u r stuffed. Putting a gas cylinder underneath the van surely must be a risk...all the same this is an excellent channel if u have the time and the skills...what i would like is to deliver my van, choose a floor plan and options, and have it done say below 20k GBP. There is a South Korean outfit that have done exactly such a service...they have IKEA'd the floor plans and a team basically only has to fit the kit...mind u they ask for avout 50k GBP.
WOW that we traveling house is spectacular, best out for loads I have seen on line.lf I was young I'd live in it for sure would luv it. Thank you for the pleasure of watching your build. Happy days 🙂👍
the one thing i wanted to know about and it's the one thing you completely skipped. solar panels bro. very important part of the build completely skipped 😅😅 that modular shower is fire though
Nice van but what does all that stuff weigh, and I can see a few access issues if things go wrong wouldnt you have wrapped some of the cable where it is in contact with the van frames..just a thought.
Nate, good job at finishing out the van. I like the laminate stripped wood for decor. However, I think the shower area is dangerous for taller people. Love the idea for folding wall which converts to more counter space. But the corner ceiling is potential for constant head bumps and even eye poking on the corner. I would suggest, instead of a fixed corner.... two panels on hinges which lower from the shower ceiling when you want to take a shower. One panel will fall down to the raised counter wall and the other to the entrance door (which you lower when in the shower). Right now any water which sprays out of the shower will land on your soft goods (cushions and bed) which will create mold. In colder weather will take much longer to throughly dry. Also eliminates a fixed corner when walking and working in that area.
Nate this is absolutely the best and most innovative way to frame using the body supports and taking advantage of the natural contours. Wish I had seen your video before I completed my van. I like the technique used in insulating and not putting in any sound proofing because the way you insulate its already soundproofed. I made the mistake of using the aluminized non-asphalt backing to soundproof the van which it worked well but thermal transfer of heat and cold is problem due to the aluminum facing. I would use an adhesive backed foam instead to prevent the thermal transfer. Excellent video. What a beautiful build! Excellent instruction!
- 8,5 %.....c'est tout ! C'est pas étonnant vu la politique d'augmentation des prix de Tesla et d'ouverture du marché ou Renault, Stellantis, WV, Ford, BYD, etc.... propose des produits de plus en plus pertinents.... Ils est temps pour Tesla de se remettre en question et d'arrêter de jouer au yo-yo avec son offre produit/prix.... Mon pronostic des volumes de ventes de Tesla = -30% pour 2024.... Tesla veut revendre des voitures.... Ok le Y à 36K€ et la 3 à 34K€.... J'ai appris dans la vie que le marché avait toujours raison 😁👌
Drinking water? Would you actually drink the water after its been stored in them tanks? Is there some sort of filtration and/or water treatment system getting installed? Apologies if this gets answered later in the video.
Nice attention to detail Nate. The only thing I'd do differently if i built another van is use a clear polythene as a vapour barrier so i could see everything behind during the build and for future maintenance and alterations.
انا من الشرق الأوسط بيروت اريد شراء فان تنصحني شرائه من الشركة كامل الديكور او شراء فان واستخدم مهندس مثلك لعمل ديكور انا احبه لكوني لم اجد اي ديكور يعجبني لغاية الان ولكن لديك افكار ديكور اجمل ومساحة ممتازة ارجو منك ارسال جواب لي وشكرا ❤
Hi Nate, you may be aware already but you can scribe relief cuts across the back of panels you want to bend like the shower wall, shallow passes on table saw. Great design, though you should wear closed shoes when chopping.
Watching this video has made me consider doing our second van build ourselves. Do you have or are you going to do a van tour of this build showing shower and bed set up in more detail? Great ideas, thanks.
Hey Nate, this video is AWESOME! Great work and thanks for passing along your knowledge. Any chance you happen to know of reputable craftsman (like yourself) in the United States?
Thanks Jacob! Regarding US builders - there are a bunch around - best is to look in your area and see what they build (ideally in person because shoddy work can be hard to spot in video).
@@NateMurphy what about in the future a metal hardback book with the video titles if they’re on RU-vid or sd card hidden in the cover and the reason I say metal hard back is so that you could expand the book by having a rail system to slide in new book signatures for updated
I still haven't seen a good bachelor style single bed build. A full mini apartment...kitchen, bathroom, bed and tv area with skylink. Maybe a cool motorcycle trailer. lol.
I keep thinking about building something like that. Minus the motorcycle thing and plus a spacious den for my dog. But then I'm worried that a single bed build might be very hard to resell if necessary.
@@wildcat2031 wise to think about the resale value. You can make a fixed single bed that can expand to a double.. that way you cover resale value but basically never use the double.
