VanTour - Update of Simple MiniVan Conversion 

Great idea! Not sure why I didn’t think of that… Hmmm… it has little adjustable feet that really made a difference when I was making room for the bin to slide out, since the floor isn’t level… But I can take the shelves off individually and then turn them upside down… What I really like is being able to access some of the shelves from the inside or the outside. But a lip would make it more secure… Thanks!

Hey, @jaynewarriner7214, I did try turning my shelving unit upside down… I put it in my recent video about Planning the new layout for my minivan camper. I tried it upside down and the shelves wouldn’t stay put. So I tried taking the shelves off and turning them upside down. No luck. Great idea, but I haven’t figured out a way to make it work… Thanks so much for thinking about it and leaving me a comment! 😃

The shelves are made to slide onto the black shelf holders in one direction only. There is a very subtle widening that holds the shelves in place. I tried turning them upside down years ago in my house. I am going to use them to make my “kitchen” cabinets in my van.

Yes, I found that out the hard way! I should have just looked at the black pieces more carefully instead of taking it apart and trying it… 🤣 Great idea though! I’d love to see how you use them in your build!

How kind of you to say so. 🙂

Hey, Thanks! I appreciate your watching and commenting!

Thank you! It took me a long time to work up the courage actually. Connecting with people through nomadsdowntheroad.com/ really helped! 😃 Watching others is fun too!

@@PioneerGrandma Thank you for the info. Maybe just what I need to take the plunge.

👍 There are various groups on the website too, come and join the Pioneer Grandma group 😃 and see if your state has a group. Travel Grandma has a group, as do several other RU-vid creators. It’s just getting off the ground, but I’ve found it so helpful!

Thanks! How kind of you to watch and comment!

Thanks!!

@Minivancampergal1554 - Just watched you Bear video - Excellent! It answered so many questions for me!

Hey, Thanks! I had fun doing it!

Very cool! Thanks for watching and sharing your idea!

I love that idea! Thank you

Thanks, and thanks for watching and commenting!

Thank you! I appreciate you watching and commenting!!! 😀

Thank you!!

Thanks, Debbie!

Thank you!

So exciting!!! Keep in touch! Have you checked out Nomads Down the Road, to maybe find some camping buddies?

@PioneerGrandma At some point, I might do something like that, but I really enjoy the solitude of camping alone. This first adventure will be my traditional birthday camping trip to one of my favorite spots in the beautiful Colorado Rockies. My sons usually come up on the weekend, but the rest of the time will be about me. That's how I intend to ring in 58 years living. 😊

@PioneerGrandma This is "Faith". ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bVM1iIpEkCc.html

Wonderful!

@tonette9532 - so how’d it go? Happy Birthday!

Thanks, Mark! I try! Thanks for watching!

Thanks for watching!

@HeathersHikesAndAdVANtures - since your comment, I’ve been watching your videos and really enjoying them!

Thanks!

Thanks! And thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

Thanks!

I’m not full time. I do really love it when I go, but love going home to my husband even more. 😃

Thank you!

@@PioneerGrandma you are so welcome hope you're doing well

Thanks! And thanks for watching and commenting!

Thank you! And thanks for watching!

Unfortunately, the back windows in my minivan, a Chrysler Pacifica, don’t open, but that’s a great idea! I SO wish that they did… Thanks for watching and commenting! 😀

Thanks so much!

Thank you for watching and commenting! I’d love to see pictures!

Thanks! I appreciate your comments!

Thank you! And thanks for taking the time to watch and comment!

Thanks! I still have my seats and can pull everything out in about 15 minutes. I don’t usually have more than 2 passengers and can accommodate them without any issues - even with everything in there. I too, wanted that flexibility. Thanks for watching!!

I’m SO very glad! I’d love to see pictures of your van! Thanks for watching and commenting!

Very Cool! KK7IWY here. 😃 I’m putting a dualband AnyTone AT-778UV radio in my minivan camper - hopefully this weekend. I’m using a mag mount antenna also. I’d love to see pictures of your install!

I also Ham radio N2MJZ

Wonderful! What kind of radio do you use?

I started out with a cheap handheld - a Baofeng from Amazon. That way I can learn more about all of this before spending more money. Baofengs run about $25-$30, then I got a better antenna ($20) and a second, larger battery and a different charging cable. So for less than $100, I’ve had quite a bit of practice. Now I’m checking out more powerful, but still mobile setups to use in my minivan. 😃 I looked on ARRL.org and found local clubs so I could learn more! 👍

Thank you! Thanks for watching!

Thank you for your kind comments!

Thank you so much!

Thanks,Elaine! Snow?! Oh, dear! The high top on your minivan makes SO many things more doable!!

Thanks, Charlene!

Thanks! And thanks for watching and for commenting! I appreciate it!! 😃

Thanks so much!

Thanks for watching and commenting!!

Thanks, I think so too. 😊

Thanks, Katie!

Thanks! 25”x72” I spent a lot of time trying to figure out the best dimensions overall. The toughest part, because the minivan is so much higher in the back, was how long each of the 6 legs needed to be. I needed them tall enough in the front for the taller bins to fit under the bed and tall enough in the back for shallow long bin to roll under the bed in the back. But I still wanted as much head space as possible. It also needed to coordinate with the shelving unit so the long, shallow bin would slide out under both it and the bed, while providing the leverage I needed to use the long bin as a kitchen counter in the back. The shelves needed to be the right distance apart for the bins I wanted to store on them. I hope some of that makes sense. I also made a slide out wooden counter that had to fit over one shelf and under the bed… It all actually worked out!

Oh it’s beautiful there! I was toward the other end of the Klamath River, actually not too far from the town called Klamath River, in Siskiyou County. Thanks for watching and commenting!

Wonderful! That would be such fun!

What part of the country do you travel in?

@@PioneerGrandma Mostly the western half of the country...you?

Me too

Thanks! Just passed the General actually.

Are you a ham operator?

no, been studying to take the test. haven't been able to find a test location

I did my Technician test online through a club in Alaska

aarg.club/?page_id=14

2020 Chrysler Pacifica. I’m putting together a video on the pros and cons. I’m very happy with it!

I hate the tags! But I hate the sticky residue they many times leave behind even more! Thanks for watching and commenting!

How sweet of you to say so! She’s amazing! Thanks for watching and commenting!

Right?! That would be gross! I use the wind screens to keep splatters off the sides and try to be careful with what I cook to keep it off the ceiling. I most usually cook out of the back or on a table outside. I try to only use the inside cooking station with the door open and for heating water or cooking something quickly if rain threatens. When it’s cold in the morning, I might boil water for washing or for making herbal tea or bone broth. Thanks for watching and commenting!

Different layouts work for different people, right? The seats do take up a lot of space. It’s all trade offs… My bed is too high for me sit up comfortably on for very long. I needed it high enough to fit the bins under. I’m 68 years old and have had back surgery, so I need a comfortable spot to sit, with room enough to eat and to use my computer. For ME, this works. 😃

Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment! 😃

@@PioneerGrandma That's great.

Thanks for watching!

Yes! It’s a “spindle” - I show it in this video. Start at about 7:30 for the spinning. 😃 Spinning, Down by the River ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FNzIyB1V1q0.html

@@PioneerGrandma Thanks so much for this response, that is very cool. I thought you meant a spinning contraption for exercise, I feel so silly! You come across as so appealing, and I love your van set up.

Oh! I should have clarified in the video. I forget that there’s another type of “spinning” - wouldn’t that be a cool device to have?! Thank you so very much for your kind comments!

@@PioneerGrandma youre welcome. Keep the awesome videos coming. I love your life!

2020 Chrysler Pacifica. Thanks for watching!

@Pioneer Grandma I have a 2021 Chrysler Voyager. I have that slanted floor also. Does the slanted floor cause any other issues for you? I was trying to figure out a bed that would be an easy set up. Thanks.

My floor is about 6” higher in the back than in the front. Evidently, most minivans are like that. The bed is the big problem. I used a folding cot for a while and just propped up the low end but it wasn’t very stable. I’ve seen videos where they used a cot with straight legs and used PVC pipe cut at appropriate lengths. That looked like it worked well. Bob Wells at Cheap RV Living demonstrated that. He has lots of simple bed ideas. I just made the legs longer in front than in the back of my plywood and 2x4 bed.

@Pioneer Grandma I saw Bob's video on that. I think it was a metal frame they used.. 🤔

Yes, I agree, I believe that it was a metal frame. But using the PVC pieces to adjust the height of the legs seemed an easy fix. My cot didn’t have straight legs so I couldn’t do that. I DID really like the folding cot for times that I needed to put up my tent because the parking area wasn’t even close to level. I’d just take the cot out to the tent. That was convenient. Can’t do that with my plywood & 2x4 bed. I sure like the stability of my current bed though!

I’m sorry if that’s been your experience. Hope it not mine. 😃