I watched a VW Kombi Campervan burn to ashes in a carpark at McDonalds on a highway. Took a full 12 minutes to be a smoldering shell. Electrical fault caused the fire. BE ABLE TO SWITCH OFF THE BATTERY, just like all boats. Easy to fit. You don't want to be looking for spanners to undo the battery post clamp when there is something smoking. Just get a switch. $10 to $30 all over ebay.
I put one of those clear plastic carpet cover things you see at desks so your chair rolls on the carpet and doesn't leave holes in the side door of my van it makes it easy to clean and I keep a brush hanging right there. It makes a huge difference with wet or dirty muddy shoes. The one I got free is four feet wide the same as my door. So perfect.
Regarding mold. Consider "heat exchanger" for air flow which basically brings the outside air in, through the center of the air leaving, thereby warming the incoming air, using the outgoing air. Your warm inside air on it's way out, will cause air flow in without using a fan. Can be done in PVC pipe, and you can use a valve to reduce of intensify the air flow in/out. Up and in from under vehicle (through floor with rear facing elbow, no rain), and out from above (not roof, upper side wall vent). Called a "passive system", meaning, no mechanical required. It will ventilate out the warmer wet air in the same way that a chimney/hot air balloon works, and will bring in the exterior air which is cooler. It's always shaded and cooler under vehicle than at the top, so air will always flow from your body heat alone. If incoming passes through outgoing air before entering, it won't be as cold : ) and reducing the amount of draft with a PVC pipe valve will work great as well, while allowing you to entirely close each. Will also get rid of any gathering fumes of any type well above where your head is while you sleep. Love the notes in this video to new people regarding anchor down and try it out. I build this stuff for a living, and still learn new every day.
What wonderful idea. I am currently doing research for a build and plan on installing a fan in the ceiling above the cooking area which would ideally be towards the middle. After reading about the heat exchanger i want to do that as well. The idea of being able to simply cool the van by opening a valve. No drainage of the battery required? I can see many occasions where the temperature in only slightly discomforting by a degree or 2. turning the fan on even the lowest setting would chill the van too much. Thank you
Keep in mind that the air under the vehicle may contain deadly exhaust fumes if your engine is running and other fumes. So having a shut off in the intake pipe may save your life, especially if you run the engine to heat up the vehicle or charge the battery while the vehicle is stationary.
Ask the product manufacturer for what is called an MSDS sheet (Material Safety Date Sheet). We used them in the construction industry. It will tell about safe storage and handling of the product. It will also give ventilation recommendations or safety gear requirements. This sheet will give a good indication of how hazardous the material is.
great video thanks for posting this. Just fyi MDF is actually not toxic, all it is is wood powder basically mixed with wood glue and compressed, essentially it is very dense thick carbboard. the stuff that is toxic and "off gasses" chemicals would be non cabinet grade plywoods, osb (like house sheathing) ,chip board (the kind that has all differant shaped large chips of wood) and some of the cheaper particle board. I wouldn't reccomend MDF for a van though just because its HEAVY and it does not do well with water. same with particle board although I would use particle board if that was all i could afford. The best thing to use in a camper van is cabinet grade plywood.the glees used in it are not toxic and dont offgas and of course lumber, if you use poplar,alder or pine, all soft and easy to work with, light weight. stay away from pallet wood, its full of pesticides and no matter what you do it will be splintery, out door use only on pallet wood! anyway sorry , you didnt ask for my ten cents and I gave it anyway haha again great video have a good day!
Excellent communication. Honest, concise, humble and deep. You've obviously thought about these issues for a long time, yet you didn't rehearse every sentence and word. The result is very real. Well done.
About number 5 I had a metal bed frame strapped down in the back of my Chevy Astro. I got rear ended by a truck going 70. The truck's front end was smashed. Because of the metal bed frame was up against the back of my van it kept my van from compressing inward. As a result mostly everything stayed in place and I was able to drive away safely after the accident report.
You are one smart young man!!! I'm very impressed with your Top 10 Especially... #4... Toxicity... is serious... The weight load is serious too. I had a 1972 Mini Wini... loaded the TOP (front) bunk too much... and had a blow out within 100 miles... "Thank YOU so much for sharing this great tutorial/video.
Great info!! idk about gun laws, I would guess though that they are different per state, so that might be considered. I also don't have a clue about vans lol BUT what I do know (17 years truck driver) that how things are loaded inside a trailer can become a factor regarding side winds, effects of larger vehicles passing you, slick roads, going around corners, speeds, stopping etc. For instance, its not a good idea to have more weight on 1 side, try & even out the weight. Great vid thanks
I think it is wonderful that you realize you are impulsive and impatient. Even more so that you are comfortable with it and open with others about it! Some folks cast judgement upon those traits and label them as negative. I think that they are beautiful in their own respect. So long as you recognize them, and how they affect your behaviour...it's all good! I can be the same way too. It makes it tough to "fit into the box," but who wants to do that anyhow!?!
Thank you for your video! These things aren’t talked about as much as they should be! It’s important to consider all the aspects of building an awesome vehicle that you’re going to spend a lot of time in, especially safety.
all really good info and tips. You can get a mini dehumidifier to pull in moisture. If your van leaks its a neglected old beater..just make sure all rubbrr seals are fresh and undamaged.
Toxic emisions are something I considered greatly. The rear of my van contains plywood with the lowest emission rating I could find. Im currently looking at data sheets for foam insulation, as most state they put you at risk of cancer amoungst other things. My van is 90% used as a workvan and only used for sleeping in when I work away from home, but as a work van I'm very aware of weight distribution as I carry a ever changing load of tools and materials. My advice would to be keep the load low, evenly spread and well strapped down. I have a auxillary battery in the back of my van for my lights etc, connected to my starter battery via a smart charger. I made sure the auxillary battery is clamped to the chassis in a proper battery box with the vent tube terminating externally away from all metal components.
Into The Mystery 13 if you want to build shelves up high on the cheap you can use corrugated plastic. It is about $15 for a 4x8 ft sheet at home depot. It won't hold a ton of weight but you don't want much weight up high in your can. You can even use a hole punch and zip ties for supper easy construction. Corrugated plastic is cheap enough to mock up your van layout before you cut plywood. It would be perfect for lightweight shelves along the top perimeter of your van, much like boats have for throwing various things in.
I'll be building my van this summer and I was planning on having a welder friend of mine help me cut a hole in the floor and creating a metal battery box under the floor where the spare goes instead. One reason fro this is to keep weight low and centered, and the other reason is if my batteries do leak I won't be breathing in those fumes. ALSO Mozart did write his masterpieces in the first draft. He was famous for not rewriting.
Great video !, I am dating myself but I remember lead based paint. Flooring, well from experience anything cheap usually comes from a country without high production standards and you get what you pay for. Still with that said on the flooring you cannot beat the real stuff, real wood, nothing prefabed or treated but something you have taken the time to work yourself. LED lights well, fluorescent lighting in it's day was the cure all. In any living space especially a small one all have to be considered. Appreciate your enthusiasm, hope you apply it to your research. One point if I may, ventilation air flow, everything, material included has to breath. Good Job ! and thank you for your efforts
Pretty good stuff there my friend. I'm going three years into life in a 93 Dodge minivan. There's definitely some iterations that take place as you adjust for personal ergonomics over time no matter how well you think you have it from the get go. The convenience to access/depth of storage problem is spot on. Having to go thru several steps in order to get simple things accomplished is a pain in the ass and it takes awhile to sort all that out. One of the main problems facing most all the van dwellers is the moisture issue. I've been blessed to avoid most of that by virtue of living above five thousand feet altitude in the high mountain meadows of Colorado. The low humidity really helps in that regard. I'm too old to worry with VOC's and pollution. Hell, that's why my mama raised me with and if it hasn't killed me off yet it's a bit late for me to worry about, but you weaker, more susceptible youth need to look out. #hoboheretic Enjoy.
Speed wise I'm glad I'm an everyday hypermiler. I almost never go above 50 mph on the interstate and stay in the right lane. my mpg increase at least 25% from the epa ratings and in the event of a potential accident I'll be a lot more likely to stop safely than someone going 70-80 mph.
I live in Tampa Florida and have been to Miami a few times. I've also been to Chicago as well. During rush hour no less. I've also been and food delivery for 7 years so I know all about bad traffic and asshole drivers. I just stay in the right lane and mind my own business going the minimum allowed speed limit.
Yes, but in most places the right lane is for slower moving traffic and there's always a mininum speed limit, typically 50 mph on most major highways. If someone is driving crazy fast and not paying attention, then whatever happens is on them. I'm not about to change the way I drive and get significantly worse mpg just to cater to those who have little or no patience. lol The EPA rates my car at 27 miles per gallon on the highway. But I'm able to get it to a solid 40 miles per gallon over the course of an entire tank driving all highway miles like I do. That's a significant increase and considering I also like to travel a lot I would not want to have to spend that much more money over a few thousand miles. lol
here in Arizona the highway speed limit out of town areas is 75 if you are going below 85 you are getting aggressively passed by people as if you are going "slow" inner city freeways I think are generally 55-60 i dont know because basically i just go as fast as the traffic is flowing or in the case of my camper van, as fast as it will go safely,but again if you are going below 75 or 80 you are considered a nuisance ,the right lane does give you some leeway but going 50 mph would be nuts. Id love to see a hyper-miler get on the roads around here, youd probably be in an accident or shot within a week.
Hate to disagree with you, but people have been building living spaces in tiny little areas for a LONG, LONG time. They are called "boats". There are literally centuries of design knowledge accumulated.
Thank you and kudos for the points about weight and balance ! Don't forget the total weight though. I don't know how many times I've seen dangerously overloaded vehicles. And when I've called some of them on it they don't think they have a problem. Beefing up your suspension won't allow you to safely go over your vehicle max weight. And beyond that are all the braking and tire issues.
Nice vid...some really good info there! I agree on space-saving, simplicity, and the safety aspects. I built my bed in place because I don't ever want to fold it out, etc. I have re-done my kitchen three times, but the footprint stayed the same. I think it's important to leave as much room to change in your designs as possible because-like you say-you'll always think of things you want to add or upgrade.
Mount the battery outside in.the back or under it? Sounds safer but can you keep the rain or whatever away from it? So much good things discussed today. Love it. Hope you find a better solution to your small living space.
What I especially like about this video is the pro's and cons of design and how to become verse in knowing your habits of organization it differs from person to person. So yeah! I'm totally am the same kind of person like yourself I like things that are accessible and practical yet multi-functional at the same time in that being said that saves alot of valid time in the things that you do on a day by day basis. Thanks for the insight about what's toxic and what's important in terms of air and weight distribution which is quite interesting to know. Peace and thanks for the encouragement.
Very good video! I just wanna mention something for ya to think about; you talked about securing heavy things so they couldn't fly at ya in an accident (and that's a good plan) I'm sayin' that ya wanna secure EVERYTHING for that same reason. Who wants to be taken out by a flyin' can of beans? See what I mean? Other than that, my man, good idea and good info. Peace!
4:23. Suggests that we go and look things up for ourselves.... lmao!!! Thank you for saying that. Seriously seriously. Thank you for suggesting people do their own homework. Not nearly enough people say this on any subject. And thank you for being honest when you don’t know something. Highly respectable to be upfront. Very informative video. I plan to build out a van or another suburban as a comping rig. You actually have taught me some things I’d honestly not have considered. Be safe out there.
Thanks for the video. Especially like the hose test (do the build and then find out the van leaks, ugh). For Van classification changes, DMV.org has a list of DMV sites for each state. For VA, you have to keep receipts of van purchase and materials used, take pictures of rebuild and take this info to a notary. Then you apply for a specialization of vehicle (vsa 22) to get van reclassified. (looking ahead to this day). Thanks again for the posts. xx
moulds, condensation... the colder the climate the more you have to invest in DRY heat and headliner for condensation. I learned this the hard way this winter in my truck cap.
7:00 It always bugs me when I see knives on those magnetic strips behind the driver/passenger. However strong they seem in a normal braking situation I'd be terrified of where they'd go in a crash.
Jed, you're such an engaging guy for all age groups. Had to laugh: if I'm going 80 to 0 into the back of a semi, a brick wall or soaring off a cliff, I probably won't be worried about flying objects but I get your point.
Great, great video. All of these are extremely important points. With the convenience thing, to me, it seems to be quite a catch 22 in a van. To have the convenience of multiple uses for a space you have to have the inconvenience of transforming it. To have the convenience of just being able to do one thing right away, you have to have the inconvenience of that space being dedicated to only one thing and therefore there being less things you can do within your space. People have to think very hard about what exactly they want.
Hey Jed. Great list you made up! Super helpful to me as I'm probably going to get into the van life. I'm training to be an automotive technician. I'd like to point out on number 6, removing the battery from the living space is great, but if it is inside it is important to have vent tubes running from the box your battery is in. As batteries charge, they produce an odorless, colorless gas that can be very harmful and could lead to a serious accident. This vent tube could be run anywhere, as long as it is out. definitely don't want those gases inside.
for standard lead/acid batteries absolutely! I must have forgotten to mention that. I use agm batteries on the inside, which are totally sealed and ventless
Thanks Jed very enlightening picking up my van tomorrow cuz it's payday! should be in it full time around March or April and you have been a huge inspiration to get me to finally go out and do it. I've been thinking about it for 5 years but it's finally time!
Another good video - working back through some of the channels I watched planning my van and belatedly subscribing 'cause I didn't the first time 'round. Thanks for all the great info! Priceless!
Great tips!! You talked about a lot of things that other you tubers haven’t or glossed over. With regards to Harmony paint, it designed to break down organic odors, I’m not sure about breaking down VOC’s. So when the source of smell is removed (ie onions, curry, cigarette smoke etc...) it breaks it down. I’ve kept low VOC’s items in my car such flooring sample boards of wood, laminate etc...tho it’s all low VOC, including the glue, you smell it because it’s in such a small and confined space like you said. The smell gets worse when it’s hot inside. I’m guessing you can sniff test it by placing the material you’re considering in your van with all windows shut under the sun. after a few hours of more, get inside with the door shut and smell the air quality. Awesome stuff! I was wondering about weight balancing so I appreciate you telling us your experiences. BTW it was a shooting star, you didn’t knock it down :)
Best video that I have watched so far and man have I watched a few, lol. I've been researching this for a few weeks now, I looking to sell my car in a few weeks and the money will pay for the van and the first stage of the conversion so this video was just spot on. Thanks so much for doing this vid and for all your other ones that I've watched too. 👍🏽
for those upper shelves try pvc pipe and if toxic seal them, you can make roll up doors like on a desk just use foam board with muslin to make them with. great idvice by the way!
I wish I would have leak tested my van before I bought it. The back and side doors leak in heavy rain. Burning unvented propane(buddy heaters) puts out a lot of moisture in the air, in my van water condensed on the metal ceiling between the panel. Cooking,burning butane or propane, and showering put a ton of moisture in the air which will find it's way to the coldest surface. I don't have a ceiling vent. Great video.
+Matthew White Oh man that's rough. Do you have damp rids or a dehumidifier? You'll eventually get mold and eventually get sick. You may want to pick up some oragano oil (look up p73 oraganol) for when you do, it helps a lot!
May I add that do not destroy the structure integrity of your vehicle. I am a flight nurse and have witnessed so many traumatic injuries from stupid mods.
What she said. Insurance adjuster here. Screwing with structural integrity is just stupid unless you know what you're doing. You've made some fantastic points here. Good from from the perspective of a guy who deals with wrecks literally every week day.
Nice vid here, good of you to post it for everyone. I have a Chevy Express stealth camper van, which was a lil tricky to design because it's both a work vehicle and a camper, but I'm really happy with the design I came up with. My last system to install, hopefully this weekend, is the compressor fridge and the solar panel, battery, and charge controller to run it. Can't wait to say adios to the ice chest! I like your weight distribution tip the best. I want to mount the new 100-pound deep cycle battery on the floor behind the driver's seat, but it could go right on the rear axle as well--I'll have to test drive it behind the driver's seat and just see how it handles. My van is the big 3500 one-ton, so it may not make a difference, but thanks to your vid here, I will make sure before committing!
Very good video. I am soon to retire & wanting to do a van. You brought a lot of good information common sense things that we need to consider. Thank you for your time Peace!!
Great video. I've been following your channel off and on for a while and I'm finally at the point that I'm going to fix up my van and the info you have provided is a huge help. I'm not aware of a way to mount batteries out side of the body on a standard van like an Econoline or Dodge. Any links on this?
I can confirm that putting the battery under the vehicle in the frame works well. It also avoids all of the concern with out-gassing and makes setting up the charging somewhat easier. On my 1987 Dodge B250, my battery is mounted between the frame rails slightly behind the passenger seat inline with the door pillar. I pull power off the starter, through a isolater to a fuse block mounted on the wall behind my side access door. Since my isolator allows me to use the house battery to jump start the starting battery in an emergency it's nice to have it inside where I can reach it easily. You can buy pre-made battery brackets that will bolt to the frame from JEGS. They are commonly used in race and competition cars. I have more than 1 million miles driving vans, the reason they are iffy in accidents is the high center of gravity compounded by aerodynamic instability true or most slab sided vehicles. Keeping weight low, balanced and around the mid point helps everything from handling and braking to tire wear and suspension wear.
wise words man I love you videos you gave me some great ideas you and wizard dream are my favorite van dwellers you inspired me today thank you NAMASTE
great video, I'm currently planning on moving into my car this summer mostly because I'm tired of paying $800 a month in rent and if this summer goes well I'll probably look into buying a van for the next year. I never thought of the whole weight distribution thing before but I'm glad so said something, very good tip to keep in mind.
Half folding bed...that was my idea too. Flip it up to block the sleeping area and use it as lean back as you sit on the bench/storage support when the bed is down. I am yet to find a place for my trampoline.
7:00 You talk about heavy objects flying at you during a crash. This is why it's super important to tell your passengers to always buckle up ... because if you crash, THEY become a projectile that can kill you. Can you imagine getting a head-but at 60 mph?! That will cave in both of your heads. You're DONE! EVERYONE needs to buckle up.
An ex girlfriend used to have a regular customer at her store that always came in with his dog. Some time ago, him, his wife, and his dog got into a bad wreck. The dog became a projectile and killed his wife. This has stuck with me. Always buckle up.
Two comments: 1) I doubt if it is possible to use modern building materials and avoid "toxic" chemicals completely. Be aware of them, yes. Limit them definitely yes but I think making sure you have good consistent ventilation is key. Comment 2) If you are looking at another rebuild spend some time to learn Sketch up (it a free download). A redesign in sketch is free, to rebuild everything is $$$. Good vid. Good luck with the rebuild
Hey Jed I have an easy idea for ya for the storage on the roof along the sides. String up some elastic cargo nets. They would be easier to install than cabinets and might even look cool. The nets would also offer you expandable space usage instead of limiting to a specific size shelf.
glad you think the idea might work for you. Check out the you pull it junk yards and look for the nets in the hatch back cars and such. Should be able to grab a couple of them to try out for just a few bucks.
Boy! Somebody had a rough time in the cover picture...! Ouch. Love the twinkle lights! Nice addition to make cozy without having harsh LED lighting. All about atmosphere. Whoo Hoo! Cool vid.
idea..bolt a strong stash box or steel tool box slide tray to the under frame that has an access door in the floor, especially if the van has higher clearance...more easy access storage ideas are key right? like you vids and thoughtfull enthusiasm.
Funny you should mention putting batteries on the outside of the vehicle, as I am working on a solar system, and the battery array for that, was well as my extra starting battery and being mounted on the underside of my van. that is particularly more simple for me than it would be for other van lifers as my van used to have a handicapped lift, so i'm mounting the battery rack to where the lift used to be. it should be noted that batteries if not sealed or gel cell emit fumes that aren't meant for humans to breath, which is why batteries are in the engine bay, even in work trucks that have 2 they are always in the engine bay, so the fumes stay outside of the cab.
Mounting batteries underneath on the frame is a good idea. If you're tight on space you could mount a sealed battery at 90 degrees. Also, commercial vans are offered with diesel engines and those vans have 2 battery trays in the engine bay. If you wanted to mount a house battery in your engine bay (arguably where it belongs), you could search the local junk yards for a diesel van and buy the second battery tray hardware. Should make life somewhat easy using an OEM solution.
Oh yeah, Astro never had a Diesel option... I was thinking the GMC Sierra and Ford Econoline. Those cheap angle iron bed frames make good material to build battery trays FYI. Find them in dumpsters near university housing and apartments at the ends of spring finals. A propane torch and some brazing rods, or drill and bolts will get the job done.
Hey! So glad I found your video. I'm just beginning my research on van conversion and high on my list of priorities is making my space as healthy as possible. Your video is one of the first I've seen that mentions the toxicity of materials and chemicals. I got excited when I heard you mention batteries. I thought you were going to talk about EMF and dirty electricity. I have yet to hear anyone talk about the dangers of sleeping on top of a battery bank, or how wifi signals inside a van can cause trouble. The idea of mounting batteries to the frame may address this concern. I hope you talk more about it in future videos. Thanks Again and keep 'em coming.
Really great advice Jed! Thanks for the information. Cant wait to get the Shuttle Bus done so i can show it to you. My Vblog on RU-vid will launch on Feb 1st I think but I will keep you informed. I hope my videos will be even half as good as yours with information and inspiration. Glad you arent sick and are almost ready to hit the road again.
Haha, would be hilarious is you were stealth over nighting and cooking like on a street or parking lot and people were walking by wondering where that smell of fried sauerkraut and onion was coming from, lol.
I looked into registering the van as an RV but in Quebec you need to have the whole grey/black tank/toilet etc. in order to qualify. Not the way I want to go, so stuck with regular registration.
For me, the biggest safety feature in a van is a bulkhead. I would not drive a van without one, I value life and limb too much. Will your new van design incorporate the new furniture technique? Your previous vids didn't cover how you attach those cupboards to the van. Would appreciate your spending a little time on this. Thank you for acknowledging that there are other countries out there, other than America. Love your vids.
Hey! I'm back on track. You gave some great tips that I will be keeping in minds as I modify my '97 Chevy Express 1500 Anaheim Conversion. Was going to just get a Class B, but decided to save a mint and have fun converting mine. BTW, I agree with the minimalist idea you mentioned. Work begins this week - lots of measuring and drawing - and moving the battery bay over the axle.... I plan to document on You Tube, and will let you know when its up. Happy trails!
Get a peace lily and/or snake plant. Peace lilies in particular clean all common airborne contaminates. There's a NASA study on it. Peace Lily is easy to care for, grows well in dim lighting etc. You'll actually notice the difference in your air.
If you use non sealed batteries, you will need easy access to check the water levels and ad more water. You still need AGM sealed batters if you put them down by the frame outside.
I've picked 2 van both with 3 versions of how i will do it. I know for a fact the leisure battery will be under a seat and emergancy break down gear under the otherseat near the front.
