I ,myself have to choose between a new car,or keep investing in my house, I spent 30 thousand on new Anderson windows, with outside molding to frame new windows. Plus a custom new 3triple layer insulated French cottage Garage door,with tinted windows another 5,000./new roof,,new Fence.all in one year.We all spend our money different .Someday I hope I can get another newer Toyota .
$2,000 is a great deal for a great car. My friends who have 2004 Siennas and use them as taxis here in Hawaii have 500,000 miles on each van. Both vans in excellent condition.
We have a 2004 Sienna LE with 195,000 miles on it. Hands down the best vehicle I have ever owned. I have done nothing outside of regular maintenance. Oil still looks like honey after 5,000 miles. Shifts like a dream and handled Rocky Mountain National Park last year like a champ. Our kids have grown up and I really don't have a need for a minivan but I just can't let the ol Sienna go. Still looks great, no rust, drives great. I'm a fan of the minivan.
I just bought me a 2004 XLE with 200,000 miles and have it scheduled for a timing belt and water pump change in a few weeks. A/C still works. Engine purrs.
Does "regular maintenance" mean a new timing belt? Just bought one with 97k miles and debating whether to change mine., or if I can wait a bit... Toyota recommends every 90k. thanks
I love the simplicity but super fabulous design!!! My husband supported me and dog last year hiking the Appalachian trail in our Sienna van and now we are using it to beach camp and travel…thank you for putting this video out!!!
A few years ago I sold my camper van and the same day that it was getting smogged for the new owner I looked on craigslist and saw my 2003 Honda Odyssey by one owner! I paid for that van what I sold my camper van for so it worked out awesome! I have lived in it a little bit it's rather small and I certainly miss my camper van! Going back to van life though it's so inexpensive! And not to mention easy to care for for a 67-year-old female 🤣
I did a similar set up. But mine is still about 8 inches off the floor. Can still sit on the bed, but allows a TON of storage underneath. I have a Sienna as well.
I appreciate the simplicity of the build. With the bed in place, not a room left for groceries, the cooler, clothes, and a place for miscellaneous stuff like garbage. And, we need to remind ourselves all cooking is outside, no matter the weather. Thanks for sharing your video!
Very Nice 👍👍👍 I had to get another vehicle since my boy gets my 360,000 mile Tundra. Toyota is so reliable and I just picked up a 2005 Sienna. I will eventually get a Toyota Hi-Ace camper van from Japan ☺
@@karenclausen6724 I’ve seen them in the shelving section at Home Depot. There are metal wall mounts with notches in them, then the brackets lock in to those. Usually it’s designed to sit a shelf on top of the brackets. But I think he screwed the brackets to the side edges of his “shelf” then mounted the wall mounts, if that makes sense.
I kept replaying that section trying to figure out those brackets and when I read the comment from @shweetie Petrie it took several minutes and all of a sudden it clicked. I us those all the time. Who would’ve thought? I love this idea.because it’s adjustable.
this is amazing! we just did 5 weeks in a 2009 sienna. mine is very basic compared to yours but, you have some great ideas that I need to incorporate. Thank you for sharing!
Great tour & Camper build ( esp for those who dont need to live-in fulltime ) I really appreciate all the added info re the van specs & mechanical aspects. A lot of channels omit that useful info. Ty !:)
Ps. I'm getting a 2010 sienna this week, was about to get a 3rd gen.limited awd , But just too much money at this time (. Used car sales crazy rn.) I dont off-road and will only be weekend camping So glad I came across this vid , inspiring !
Great bed setup. The way you move from sofa to bed mode and use the bolt to make a leg looks great. We’re looking to change our sleeping setup in our Honda Pilot so thanks for sharing!
I love it Alan! The simplest built that I saw so far.💯👍 I did the same thing with that extra top on the kitchen. I have a much older Sienna. So the inside room in the back is not as spacious! Thanks for sharing your built!
@@Miguel-ve1lh With the right planning, you can make anything for. Check out my build on my channel. I have move on to newer Sienna. But the videos on 1st gen build are still there.😉
Very nice! I totally agree about a comfortable bed being priority number 1! The only downside of the minivan is that they don't have the clearance that is more practical if you live and camp in Western states like Utah (where I live), Idaho, and Colorado. But, great job.
Yep, totally agree! My dream would be something with the modern safety and creature comforts of a minivan with the clearance and capability of an old VW. Diesel engine would be nice too....maybe someday!
Looks great Alan! I actually MUCH prefer a clean and simple no build build with comfort being key, AND you can still see out the back when not in couch mode, that alone is huge to me saftely wise. Working on my bed platform now if it fails I am going to go with something like what you've done it's simple yet effective :) - Bill
Loved your build. Gray idea for covering the floor with wood.it covers all the buckles and makes a smooth surface. Keep up the great work. As you go along I hope you feel more comfortable and take off the shades.
Glad it was helpful! I did most of my model-specific research on the siennachat.com forum and wikipedia. If you get a 2007 or 2008 be sure to check on the oil cooler rubber hose update and the VVTi hose recall. Those rubber hoses were prone to failure. Mine had the VVTi recall already done, and I had my mechanic replace the oil cooler with metal lines (which Toyota started putting on in 2009).
Yep, when the weather is nice and there aren't any bugs, that is super nice. I've played around with that a couple times. It's definitely mandatory if you want to get epic Instagram #vanlife pics, haha! Have fun out there.
I purchased a 2006 Sienna in 2019 to get on the road. When I first got it I had the timing belt changed. You mentioned a timing chain, I hope I wasn't ripped off😧.
Nah you're all good. The Siennas up to 2006 had timing belts, and starting in 2007 and later they had timing chains. Good job changing it when you got it. That's one thing you don't want to fail on the road for sure!
I just bought me a 2004 XLE with 200,000 miles and have it scheduled for a timing belt and water pump change. My friends have 2004s also and used them as taxis for 18 years. Both vans have 500,000 miles each on them now.
I guess Im randomly asking but does anybody know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account? I was dumb forgot the login password. I would love any tricks you can give me.
I was wondering why this sienna and not a Nissan nv200 or a transit connect , and this video gave me a great understanding, it's head room, the sienna it's not tall enough
Yeah the Siennas don't have very much head room for sure. For me I just saw it as a series of tradeoffs, availability of vehicles, reliability, etc. Luckily, there's a vehicle out there for everyone!
Well done, and thanks for sharing your minivan camper. Would you ever consider buying a 3.5" lift kit for your minivan? (Journey's Off Road sells one for Toyota Sienna Minivans.) -Anyway, I really like what you did.
I have the three and a half inch lift on my all-wheel drive. I have had no issues for over a hundred thousand miles. It does drop your fuel economy due to aero , but also allows it considerably larger tire. I made it through low level Jeep trails with no second guessing.
Yep! I've been seriously considering a Journeys kit when I need to replace the suspension components. Based on a few measurements, my 2007 rides about an inch lower in the front than the 2006 and earlier models. I'm assuming it's because the engine is bigger.
@@kevinwessel9196 Thanks for taking the time to post your review. In a few years, I think I'll buy a toyota sienna + lift kit for my future retirement camper :-)
@@alantwigg8357 Alan , I have the lift, plus the absolute biggest all terrain tires that will fit the stock wheels. I think I had to space out 25 mm to clear the springs. With all this working against me mpg is 20 if keept it under 60, highway 70+ is 18. I don't have any racks or anything.
Thanks for the video. I need to find a van for travel between two states. Not for adventuring or living. The problem with used minivans is the miles on them. It's been rough finding something in my price range that hasn't been driven into the ground.
Yeah that's what I found also. I focused on private party and name-brand dealerships. From what I learned, most people trade in their minivan when they buy a new car. The dealership evaluates it. If they can make money then they sell it on their main lot (which means it's in decent or better shape.) If they can't make money on it, then they send it to an auction, and it ends up on the no-name corner dealer lots (so I avoided those.) A tip: I established a relationship with a large local dealer chain that had several dealerships in the area. I told them what I was looking for, and they called me about my van before it even got listed on their site. Might work in your area. Good luck!
@@alantwigg8357 Sounds about right. I've been looking at Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. Hoping for something that doesn't need a transmission or a power steering pump. Using all resources : private party, classifieds, small corner lot and dealership. I ask that the entire world pray for me! Hee. Hey thanks Alan.
@@alantwigg8357 Love your video! Thank you for providing the info. I am starting looking for used minivan from Facebook Market. When you mentioned 'private party' and 'name-brand' dealerships. Do you have names or links that I can save up as reference?
You are the first one I have heard that talks about getting the van checked out before you buy it.... No one ever talks about the condition of the motor and transmission after they buy it and to me that is a big deal and info others would benefit from before buying a used van.....
Yep, totally agree. Minivans usually see a lot of wear and tear by the original owners. If it's going to be a road trip adventure vehicle it better be solid!
That's good to know, thanks for the heads up. It definitely took time to get the reflectix, cut the cardboard templates, and cut the reflectix. The biggest issue I've had with mine is the spray adhesive not holding up well. The fabric separates easily from the reflectix. I used Gorilla Glue spray adhesive. Might need to try another kind.
Alan, Nice build, and thanks for the link to the mattress. I wonder if you could give me a few more details about the exact one you bought though. I went to the site and there are choices that confused me because the contents of the mattresses vary. I'd love to know exactly which one you bought since you like it so much. I'm pretty desperate for a new mattress for my van since I'm not happy with the memory foam one I bought. Thanks so much.
Thanks for checking out their site, it's a great local company doing important work. Since it's been so long I'm not positive, but I think it might be the Ultimate Plus or Ultimate Deluxe. I'm pretty sure it is foam and it's definitely a "futon" mattress, so that helps narrow it down. You can definitely give them a call and chat with Robb. He can help find something that will work for you. Good luck in your quest!
@@alantwigg8357 Hey Alan, I was wondering the exact mattress you have. I clicked on the link but there are so many mattresses to choose from. Is it the Ultimate Deluxe Full/Twin XL? Thx
@@zachburnett2433 Unfortunately, I bought that mattress back in 2014, so I really can't remember the model name. I just remember the guy saying that it was technically a "futon" mattress and could be used in certain futon frames. That info, combined with being foam (not memory foam) may help narrow it down.
Yes Praise God! I had my 2004 Dodge HEMI SHORT stick shift 4 DOOR 5 SPEED stolen from my own Nephews while I was working Walmart in East Mesa. I got it in " SHOWLOW". Well so, a dear soul whose name is Curtis, He just bought me this same Van t helped me put a bed frame t small mattress t my tote boxes under the bed frame. He of course took all the seats out too. Happy Trails t May the Lord Return a Mega BLESSING ON "Curtis t his wife t 10 Kids"! All in Favor say "I"!
Great video. We have the 2010 and love it. Are those tires noisy on the road? They look way aggressive. Also where do you shower and go to the bathroom? Did not see a stove or water / sink for cooking / dishes either, or do you eat out all the time?
When I bought the van, the tires on it were really old, so I replaced them quickly. So unfortunately I don't have a good baseline for noise. But I don't feel like they make a lot of noise, and passengers haven't commented on it. They look aggressive from the side, but the rubber that contacts the road looks much more like an all-season tire than an all-terrain tire. I just did over 150 miles of gravel roads, including some really rocky gnarly ones, and the tires were solid, very impressed. I did a trip in May to an area where leave-no-trace wasn't feasible outside, so I took a 5 gallon bucket and bags of sawdust for a toilet. Worked great as a simple basic composting toilet. That trip was only 4 days. For showering I try to jump in lakes and rivers to rinse off. But my trips are just vacations, so I can go a week without showering and it's no big deal. Wet wipes help too. For a stove system, I use a Jetboil for tea, coffee, and oatmeal. Then I have another backpacking stove for simmering rice or pasta. I usually do wraps for lunch. Pretty simple stuff mostly. Cheese and crackers, cut up veggies, fruit, some canned foods.
Gave me ideas. Nice video. I'm looking at minivans and I want one where the seats stow as I'm a senior and cant be taking seats out. I thought I saw where Sienna back seats stow but 2nd tow doesn't? You did a great job for simple. Thanks.
Yep, the 3rd row seats fold into the floor on the Siennas, but the 2nd row doesn't. Dodge Caravans have Stow n Go 2nd row seats. I've also seen some designs where the 3rd row seats stay folded up and become part of the bed, which is a cool way to do it also.
Thanks for the tour! Do you have any battery issues if you leave the doors open? We have an 08 and if the doors are left open for a couple hours there's a decent chance week need a jump start.
Interesting, I haven't experienced that so far. I definitely killed the battery once leaving the ignition in the On position all night. I'm trying to think if I've left the doors open that long....for sure 30-45 minutes at least. I usually have all of the interior lights off, using the main switch on the center dash. I also run with the power door switch Off and open the doors manually. The siennachat.com forum has been a great source of information.
Mini vans are the most versatile vehicle you can buy. If you dont think so your in denial and driving your "cross over" because you don't want to be a soccer mom. Admit it.
Nice - and very neat. I'm wondering about the reflectix though. Do they still insulate (reflect heat etc.) if they are covered up by the black material that you have?
Honestly I'm not sure how effective they are. I haven't tried camping in full-on snow/winter, and winters on the west coast are nothing like the midwest. I also haven't tried running a heater inside. More than anything, the window coverings cut down on that cold feeling radiating onto you.
I removed the 2nd row seats, which are bulky and awkward, but fairly quick and straightforward. Putting them back in is trickier than taking them out. For my 7-10 day trips I haven't had the need to remove the 3rd row seats. From watching videos, it looks straightforward but it's a longer process. I figure I might need to do that for a 2-4 week trip, which would mean changes to the bed frame. Have fun with your build!
Have you ever had any issues on or about trailheads with the low clearance? Even this Toyota mechanic suggested I not get one for this reason. Any opinions?
Yeah that is definitely something to consider. The 2006's and earlier seem to have about an extra inch of clearance in the front. My 2007 has 5.5" of clearance to the lowest piece, which is a badly-designed section of the exhaust pipe (I wish it was tucked into the frame better). It's about 7" to the oil pan. I drove a steep gnarly rutted gravel road up to a primitive campground last summer and was OK going slow. It was the type of road that was so narrow and so bad that you couldn't drive to one side to avoid the potholes. I scraped something but didn't do any damage. I've also scraped the hitch once or twice getting on/off small ferries up in British Columbia. Journeys Off Road makes a 3.5" lift kit for the Siennas. I've thought about that, along with taller tires. But so far I've been able to go to the places I want to go. I've driven hundreds of miles of gravel roads with no issues (always in dry conditions).
Yeah there are some really good deals out there for sure. The van itself was about $7,700 from a dealer that had done some work on it. I put a couple thousand into it for tires, brakes, fluids, and a couple other preventive things for road trip peace-of-mind. Have fun!
Hi Alan, I would like to add hard flooring over the floor in the middle area to make it easier to keep the floor clean. I was wondering if you were able to pull out the rollers that glide on the tracks for the middle row seats. Can you, or anyone else, tell me how you removed them? 😊
Hi Allyson, what year is your van? With my 2007 I don't have the tall roller tracks that the 2011+ versions have. Hopefully there's an easy way to take those out. Good luck!
@@MissAllyson707 Bummer, good luck! Maybe you can at least have short small storage under the platform and in between the tracks, for little things that you don't need access to very often.
I think the longest trip I've done is ~10 days, and most of the clothes fit in a normal size gym bag. Mountain bike and hiking clothes might go in the rooftop box or under the bed.
@@hissonggirlmoni5706 There's about 4-5" of space in front, tapering to about 1" in the rear (due to the sloping floor.) That's enough space to store both wheel leveling blocks, a bag of straps, the window covers, tire chains (in winter), jackets, a couple pairs of shoes, and a few other small things. If you're planning to do a conversion for longer trips or permanent living, I'd recommend considering removing the 3rd row seats. I left mine in since I carry passengers sometimes. But if you take those out you gain a ton of storage space.
Good question. The kitchen box isn't bolted to the floor, and has enough slack in the straps that it can lean and slide. Sometimes on long drives I will move the driver's seat back a bit for more leg room. The seat itself is very comfortable for long drives.
Sorry to hear that! The front ones have been totally solid. With the windows down, the rears sometimes rattle at low speeds, but stay solid at higher speeds, which is counterintuitive. Good luck!
Hi George, it's just 1/2 inch plywood. The main supports are 2x4's running flat against the plywood. I haven't experienced any flexing or sag in the platform. Fun stuff!
I went back in forth considered getting a Sienna but ultimately went with a Honda minivan. Safe Travels because your van is micd. STOP by to see my van anytime on YT.
Hey there, I basically just cut a piece of 1/2 inch plywood and threw it together with some 2x4's. For the hinge location, I just played around with having the bed in different positions to make it comfortable and still be able to see out the back window.
Hey Mark, sadly I don't. When I was building and experimenting I wasn't planning on making the video so I didn't create any plans. Sorry, and good luck!
