Yep, that's what I'm thinkin' ! Create modular pieces that can fit into both the American-brand and the Japanese-brand minivans (Toyota & Honda), with metal frames & brackets to work with each model. I think there would be a big demand for these slide-out / convertible components. There's already one company in the U.S. doing this, but their module choices were few (last time I looked); and I thought they were a bit overpriced for what they offered. Anyway, beautiful job, John!! Kudos! UPDATE: Here's a link to help others find the Wayfarer Kits, + other options, buyers' videos, etc.: ru-vid.com?search_query=1-hour+van+conversion+wayfarer
How can u live without being able to stand up. Always having to be outside to cook. Sorry but that's too much roughing it for me. But good luck n God.bless.
I use an antique metal bedpan and a female urinal and they work great. I keep small garbage liners for the pan. Easy to toss. I have backpacking gear to cook with and and extra bag for sweatshirts and sweaters. 3 " foam to sleep on plus a backpack sleeping pad. I carry an emergency battery charger if I accidently have a dead battery. Vital to have where I like to camp. Great job.
This is perfect! I always imagine having a van this size because it’s easy to be discreet and parking is not difficult. No one will ever know I’m living in a van like this. This is what I want! I don’t imagine living in my van full time but when the road calls I want to be able to go freely. This is a dream. Definitely saving this video for future reference.
Oh, they will know! LOL I was homeless for six weeks in my high roof cargo van stuffed with our possessions from a cross-country move. A couple living in a mini van parked beside us to crawl through the sliding door and make lunch. It was apparent they lived in it and I felt sorry for them. We were able to find a home and when I build my van it will definitely be stealth.
Hamada Potter I was speaking of the van SIZE. Right off the bat if you walk pass a mini van you don’t assume someone is living it. This is not something I want to live in. Just travel in. So personally I don’t plan to have all those bells and whistles hooked to the van.
I learned the hard way. I blowed up 3 solar panels hooking them up ass backwards, before I finally figure that I better get somebody knew what they were doing.
I think this was AWESOME. I need to be able to stand up which is why I bought a bus but I can't get over how beautiful this build is! I think Ruth is freaking awesome! John the builder is just freaking amazing! I have heard of some builders making "kits" now for people to install themselves. That way they aren't tied down to a build but still can make lives easier, John should do that! I would totally buy the drawer in a drawer kit! So cool! Also THANK YOU Chrome for mentioning having your build done by someone else PROFESSIONALLY. I get so much shit in Facebook groups because quite a bit of my build I will be paying people for ESPECIALLY the electrical. That is serious stuff! I really don't want my home burning to the ground because I was stubborn and had to do it myself. Much rather have someone who KNOWS their stuff working on that. I don't think it's said often enough that it's OK to hire someone for your build. It doesn't make it any less awesome that you are doing this and trying to live the nomad life.More people (like yourself) need to say it!
With the way things are going today, weather... wildfires... social unrest... a rig like this makes a great deal of sense. Even if you live in a fixed residence... conventional home or tiny-house... you may ...sometime be faced with the need to evacuate.Most people will end up as helpless refugees dependent on an incompetent system. Those who have a rig like this will be far better off. Yes I know.. I'm stating the obvious but sometimes people can't see what's going on right in front of them. Better to have and not need than to need and not have.
John is a master. This was a great build and a great interview. I like how you don’t talk over the interviewee and the music is nice but not too loud. All well done here.
I thought I was crazy for wanting to build an 8x8 cabin and have a cat, but seeing this gal live in a MINIVAN with a cat AND dog, I’m totally on board now 😆
Lovely - and as a fellow nurse nearing retirement - yay nurses on the road! I've been thinking of building my sprinter so I can remove stuff and continue using it as a truck if needed. Right on!
Well done man. It's nice to see you focus on the people you meet. Bring their stories to life. Your video and production skills are always improving. Cheers.
Swiss army mini van, it's perfect, suuuuuper comfortable to sleep in and to escape the weather watching Netflix or you tube videos, also great for traveling around the continent BUT, not too comfortable so that one has to get up and make use of the great out living room :-) , ideal for "working away" kinds of jobs, this is exactly like a tortoise with his house on his back, :-) blessed travels ma'am:-)
Wow this neat. Very clever!Incredible that she has room for a dog and cat. My cat is totally spoiled in a raised roof campervan Thanks for the tour Chrome
Great van build and vlog! I also hired a professional builder for my van. I told him the layout I wanted and I was his helper throughout the build its almost done now and Im super happy. I officially moved in may 3rd and I also sold my condo! Yeah 😊
I'm genuinely happy for people who can find their happiness in a very simple way. Most people tend to think that spending lavishly could make you really happy.
First great build out for $8,000 USD! Most vans costs are about 75,000 including the van like Caravan or Peace vans (60,000) so this is a great savings for something done at this level of PERFECTION-JOHN!
I "converted" my Grand Caravan and took it cross country and back. 6 weeks 10,000 mi. I just put a single bed in the back and plastic bins under it for little propane stove, food and clothes. Lots of state and national parks and occasional WallMart. Don't waste time and money on conversions. Just go!
It's was nice to see a van tour of a minivan! Alot of videos of tours I see are in big Van's, (i.e. Ford econoiline series, Mercedes Sprinter, dodge promaster, schoolies, Ford transit series etc). Ty chrome
I agree Catherine. I still watch youtube tours of the bigger van conversions, RVs, camper trailers and caravans too, because I never know what inspired idea I'll see that I can 'rightsize' for our weekend campervan, a Hyundai iMax.
Alright. I've watched 3-4 of your videos and there are a whole bunch of things I want to say/ask. 1. I appreciate you because you're one of the only Canadian van life people I know. 2. This video really rang my bell because I've been noodling with the idea of "doing" a Nissan NV200 (look for the Element Van life guy on RU-vid to see what I'm talking about. He started in a Honda Element about 5 years ago and recently upgraded to an NV200). The NV might even be a LITTLE smaller than this, but I was super impressed with how they managed to pull off this build WITHOUT having to go the murphy bed route which SO many people do in small vans. Like really, the only other thing I'd need from this is a desk and in the NV, that base is already covered because the passenger seat folds down to make a desk. 3. I realize the van owner is probably not still "within reach" for you to ask this question, but there is only one question about this build that is burning (no pun intended) in my mind. You're Canadian. You live in Canada. Even British Columbia gets cold (sorry to break it to you). How the heck are you going to cook on a camp stove in the middle of the winter. (I love the camp stove idea by the way, I'm not knocking it. It takes an enormous load off the battery.) The Fire Marshall would probably take a dim view of this idea, but I had one. Remember the Pontiac Aztec? (The vehicle that "Colby" won on the first season of Survivor.) That thing was a SUV with a tent trailer that strapped on the back of it to give you extra space. (See picture img.letgo.com/images/71/52/3b/dc/71523bdcc811ca69f76ae752bb12cc2d.jpeg?impolicy=img_600). I wonder if somebody makes something similar that could be retrofitted to the back of a minivan to make a little more outdoor space or at least a windbreak if you had to cook in inclement weather. The Element van guy had a pop-top installed in his NV, this would just be pushing the "pop top" in a different direction. (Obviously she can't pop-top her van now, with that huge solar panel.) (Incidentally, the NV guy DOES have a solar panel and a ventilation fan on top of the pop-top.) Great channel. Keep up the good work.
I'm surprised more people don't do the Westfalia style conversion on a mini-van..If I had a mini-van I would do that..with the sofa or bench seat across the middle rear area that folds into a bed like the VW Westfalia did..then on the driver's side all built in cabinets with a counter and kitchen..I prefer an indoor kitchen and not the chuck-wagon style kitchen..I like to be able to have everything inside and usable from inside..just my preference..in no way critical of this van which is awesome!!
She can access the refridge from inside and the cook top is portable so she could bring that inside as well. For coffee, tea, soup etc all you need is a small one burner portable propane stove to heat up water in side w/o the cooktop.
Omg, girl, y'all should patent that design!! Simply lovely!! My husband just turned 61, and he has been nursing for 25+ years. He travel nursed and stayed in his van...he loved it!! He got so used to the simple life that he now stays in our RV in the the backyard on the days when he really needs the quiet to sleep. We are raising 3 grandchildren, so he can't retire quite yet, but our oldest graduated this weekend, so 2 more to go. Btw, all 3 girls are going to be nurses too! Happy travels to you and ur pup and kitty!!
I like this build,on a safety note ,that battery in the back should be vented to outside,either use a sealed battery box with a vent hose,or u can buy vented batteries that have a connection for a hose,as the battery gets old it may start to gas off,I see this a lot in these tiny van builds.
