Cover your wood counter with sticker vinyl. It’ll cost probably less than £5 to do all your counter and it’s waterproof and wipe able and absolutely gorgeous. You could get a golden one or my favourite that I use is a white and grey and gold marble ❤🎉
For the shower situation, you could get a collapsible bucket and one of those USB dunk in shower systems. I use one of those when I am out car camping on weekends to rinse of my bike and take quick showers. They work very well, takes little space and you can make sure the water temp is perfect before you start showering :)
I just started to watch this video and already ROTFL - other youtubers confess, they regret gettin a too small van, Ame regrets NOT getting a golden sink - what a gem - do I have to repeat how I adore this muse-girl :) I just wish she posted the videois more often, how it used to be in the old good days - like last year :)
Buying an awning is good investment for the unbearable hot days, and a magnetic-closure anti-mozzie net fitted around the door frames will bring in a cool breeze to keep your van's interior nice and chill. A tap mixer is invaluable! It's simply wonderful to shower under, and these mixers aren't too expensive if you shop around. I'm so pleased and relieved your dear mum is well again. Best wishes, Wendi. 🌻
Ame forever. Your personality, your elocution is overwhelming, hilarious at times which makes you more adorable. You make life less boring with your humour to see us through the weeks. Glad to see your mum back on the road after her untimely illness, a big relief for you and your dad. love your vlogs, keep them coming. 🦘🦘🤠
I used a Bosch water heater--and it is perfect at holding the pre-set temperature, I still included a mixing tap--but I never needed it. I do not know what sort of gas heater you have--but the Bosch spun up a little turbine and lit itself when one turned on a tap, and it used very little gas for the heat it produced. Battery heated hot water systems are just a waste of time, space and and battery. Cooking indoors means using an absorbing range-hood. One has to learn not to bump one's head on it, and I replace the paper towels that absorb the grease in them once in a while--and yes--the sound of the fan IS annoying--but it keeps the galley clean and grease-free. I had TWO Engel battery operated bin type refrigerators--one set as a freezer, one as a refrigerator. I later added another refrigerator--an el-cheapo 240 volts K-Mart job I think I paid one hundred dollars for it--and it has worked perfectly for YEARS through an inverter fed from the main battery bank. All of my electric fans in the vessel or camper use the same invertor, 500 watts is any amount, but I do have a 2000 watts one as well if anyone needs to run a hair dryer or an air fryer. I have in total five hundred ampere-hours of LiFePO4 batteries, a 200 and a 300, NOT wired together, but separately loaded. Air conditioning I did have, but it ran from AC power whenever it was available, or through a Honda generator. I could sleep through the sounds of my little Honda--but my friends' generators were by comparison extremely loud and bloody annoying. If one wishes to put in an air conditioner, the ones using their own output to cool the refrigerant are WOEFULLY inefficient, so you will need to set up an exterior on roof or somewhere outside heat exchanger for the coolant. Also one needs to have a discharge or collector for the condensed water--often ten or more litres a day--excellent for washing hair.
Polyurethane is said a superior wood treatment for floors. Usually though the crack filling, and sanding is done first then three to four coats of oil base, not water base has best results. Great channel!
Upgrading the van would be fun to watch Ame. New fridge, countertop and oven. That be nice for sure. You know those stick on tiles? Could use those for a back splash for cooking. Can even make it temporary. Use it only when your cooking. Like removable and easy to clean. Maybe put them on a board shaped as the window. So its like a tile window cover for when your cooking. 😘✌💓
What about a splash guard you can buy to put around the stove (they fold up)? Not sure if it sticks to wood, but they have contact paper people use to DIY their countertops. Also, a command strip under Katana to prevent her from falling and breaking again :)
Hi Ame, buy an air fryer for your van it’s as good as an oven. Slow cookers are good too. Tile your work tops u can get such lovely mosaic tiles. When you’re driving put your katana wrapped in a towel in your shower, less chance of breaking then. Have a great weekend love to your mum & dad. Lisa xxx ❤❤❤
If I had not found your video and your sad story from your life, I would not have known anything about you until now, but now I know a lot and I am surprised that you are such a nice person who shows everyone that you build a van. and you just drive somewhere away from your old life, and sometimes when I watch your video and other times you are happy and other times you are so sad that I even cry and at that moment I would like to hug you and comfort you and say everything will be fine, those little things are just there, and at that moment it is easier for me that you smile and forget what happened and move on and I like it that you enjoy life in a van and no one can force you to do anything, and say don't do it, but I believe that it is your and only your choice whether to live in a van or a house Many people criticize you for living in a van, it's so dangerous, they write in the comments that it would be better to have a house, but if you want, you can do everything, because there is a saying, a small car makes a big difference.
XL Katana is quite beautiful and cannot easily be faulted ... except that she may take up the very space that would accommodate a small air fryer. And guess what an air fryer is a brilliant substitute for ... that's right ... an oven! Roast chicken, roast parsnips, roast potatoes ... all things that I cooked today perfectly in my air-fryer! 👍
Ame you did a great job on your van. I just purchased a trailer with a shower. It's in a resort and campground. My biggest concern is the glass door on my shower. Don't like glass doors near a shower. I agree, A/C, and a big fridge are a bonus! Good video Ame!
An air fryer oven, small generator, dc plug in fridge, maybe a minimal wattage hot water heater would be more bearable? You need these upgrades to make your lifestyle much more manageable. ❤
There are a few of us. This was one of her best videos ever. You can learn a lot from someone telling you after a few years what they regret and what they would change.
Hello (from Ohio,USA), I just recently found your channel. I appreciate the glimpses you share with us into your life and your insights. You have a wonderful sense of humor, self awareness and expression. Your appearance reminds me of Brigitte Bardot. (Yes, I'm old enough to remember her when she was about your age). Even more amazing is what you've accomplished! Although, it seems like that lifestyle might be a little lonely, I hope I'm mistaking.. I have a lot of catching up to do with your videos so maybe i am speaking out of turn, but I hope your not sad, especially since you make me smile with your humor. I hope that telling you this conveys to you that i appreciate your work, from the building of the van to the sharing of your quiet moments when you include us with the wonderful views you drive to. Thank you! PS- I haven't regretted watching this video... Of course I'm only about 5 minutes in. :)
I think van life is great. Sometimes its great to just take a break, settle down with real people and be social in a 2 way conversation. I hope you find life beyond staring at a recorder... even though you express high energy, I sense you are lonely within. Be safe and be happy Ame. Don't take this the wrong way, just expressing what I see.
I got little transit connect that im making into like some sort of camper, i thought id make something small first but maybe one day look into something bigger and maybe more rare than what other been doing. In heat i recon i rather being on a bicycle in a heat wave than in a vehicle with out aircon. Although my current setups and plans are more on road trips than vanlife.
So relatable. A real life Cinderella, so humble. I can't find any toxic vibes in you unlike others. That's when beauty and heart are perfectly combined. Bless you sweetie.
Building a van right now, so thanks for your great advice! I’m an Australian touring musician, so hearing you on the air-conditioning! You rock, happy trails!
On the tap issue; I used to have a swivel and loved it. Look for one that can screws into your tap. Get it. An interim idea is to use a spoon to direct the steam.
Maybe this has been suggested and you have a reason for not wanting to do this, but why not get a solar shower and mix the water to the temp you like, then hang it where you hang your chandelier? If you start with the cool water and gradually add hot, it shouldn't harm the bag. I got a cute canvas shower bag from Wild Republic, and I love it! I even modded mine to have a hose, which is nice. You could put a little hook in the wall to hold the shower head, and gravity should feed it nicely.
I don't know how hard it would be to do but maybe you could do the counter in wood but put a clear resin coat on top. Never done that before but that might give you the beauty of the wood and being easier to clean. I love the wood look in your van.
You are such an amazing young woman! You did an incredible job with Gloria. With everything in life there will always be new upgrades & updates... It's just a live & learn thing hun.. Don't put don't you ever feel unproud for all you done & all you put into Gloria, because you've done it an amazing job. ❤🥰😘😘😘
I’d gone from a class A to a 5th wheel, both basically had full like-house features. I did replace the plastic toilets with ceramic, but the plastic showers and sinks were fine. The 5th wheel had central A/C which was amazing, definitely appreciated that as well as it having a full living room/kitchen slide out. Between the two I preferred the old Class A, maybe because though it was 20yrs old it wasn’t an entry level build for its time, instead was a quality build. Very expensive to maintain though. Right now I have nothing, miss the life. Refuse to tent camp, once having the luxury of the two RVs including a real bathroom I’ve no desire to “rough it”. Was spoiled, now I have minimum standards :)
WRT the shower situation, an easy way round that would be to buy a portable camping shower (they’re cheap but surprisingly effective) and fit it into your shower space permanently or as and when required. You’d have to draw water from a bucket rather than your main water tank but that means you could have the water at the desired temperature before showering. If you stop the shower while lathering up, you’d have more than enough water to for a good shower. Most of them are USB rechargeable and easy to stow away when not in use. I’ve showered that way a few times (and I’m 6’2”) without any issues. Hope it helps.
Compressor fridges are awesome. Perfect for running on solar setup. Low energy usage. Got myself a new 130liter one just this week. In my last van I used 100 liter one. Indel b is the brand. 😊👌
I think you will go down in history as one of the greatest storytellers of all time 😅 Definitely check in to getting an air fryer grill . I have the ninja air fryer grill. They make a small one and it’s perfect for our van life.
Dear Ame, hot air goes up because the cold air is heavier. One little advice; put a skylight with an insect screen on top of your van which, ofcourse you can open and close. Next to that you can add some small fans to it. Just to get more air- circulation in the van to make it a tiny bit more comfortable for you. Now you might wonder the heat might disappear in the winter, but you can keep most in with a black window - cover which someone sewing magnets in or something likewise. It is just an idea, I don't know your budget, and I don't wanna know aswell, anything, but it doesn't have to be that expensive. As being said, only an idea.......
I have roof vent/fan and several fans but when it’s hot it simply moves hot air around. Even with all the doors open and parked in the shade! Australia gets hot☹️
@@allegrosotto2126 I haven't said it would cool the van..... 😉 Circulation is more healthy, whether the air is cold or warm. Besides, you will, regardless the weather, notice the difference when you leave it open for a night for example. 😉
There's directional sprayer attachments that screw on the nozzle of the water spout (the part you were twisting comes you, screw on sprayer). I've never seen a gold one though, only white and chrome
❤❤❤ Hey, great advice! I’ll be buying a Sprinter 170” with high roof AWD in a year and building it out. So, thanks for your personal take on must have things!
There are tabletop ovens: tiny 9L 700W and larger 20-30L 1400W. Your inverter needs to supply more than 700W or 1400W. Ovens switch on and off. The average power is about half. If you use the 9L for half an hour it would use 3.3% of your battery capacity. The larger ones about double that.
❤ let the water cool first then. I would guess that anything involved in every day contact and use would be important. The inner workings are important if you build it, or have to reair it. Its A Nuisance, but An accomplishment. You could do the same with anything. Gloria is A nice Accomplishment. Its A good build that suits your needs. Great Job. Nothing wrong with your Van. 👍🏻😊👍🏻 Your Personality is the main thing that makes it work. The fact that you did not just speak about it, but did it speaks Mounds too.
I expect others have said it but have you thought about a small air fryer, you can do most stuff you can oven in one and while I don't know how much energy exactly they draw I know it's less than a normal oven.
Thanks a million, Ame, for sharing information about your height. Since the first day (which was a week ago) of following and watching your videos religiously, I've been dying to know how tall you are. Not because I'm obsessed with you (though you're absolutely gorgeous), but because I wanted to know how you could possibly fit on that tiny bed. It was such a relief to know that it was just an honest mistake and that you're not petite enough to fit on that tiny bed, sleeping diagonally! 🤣🤣😂😂 That was gold. I want to do the same and follow in your footsteps. This specific video was one of the best and most informative ones, and I thank you for making it. I hope you'll find a way soon to redesign a more spacious bed, a more practical shower, and of course, a nice oven with a coated countertop 😍😍
Loved this ideo. Followed you for a long time now. Well, I can't help with any of your needed changes but one. Your faucet issue: there is an attachment for your faucet that will fix that issue. It simply fits right over your current faucet. It rotates 360°. you can purchase it at most home improvement stores. Or amazon.
Hi AME, I have watched your videos for a year or two and surprisingly you seem to use a battery powered light in the van at night. Ever thought of solar lighting? LUTEC a French company produce lighting - they have loads of just decoration lights powered by solar but also more useable lighting with lithium batteries that could light your van interior for 8-10 hours and not drain your van battery or create waste alkaline batteries. There is a paricular one which has a two side fold out light lantern shaped which I think ideal for you. And all you need do is put it on your dashboard to catch the sun throughout the day and then use for security night lighting. I believe it is around £45 ( 60 euros) but is invaluable!. Take care and Best wishes to your mum! 🥸
Nice to see an almost "Ame" vid for a change. Been with you since the beginning and actually miss what you once posted. Much more real and not geared towards being a thirst trap as it is now. Hope all continues to be prosperous for you, hope you find your path back to the real you. Much love ❤
Bless ya heart, as a builder of off grid vehicles and overlanders etc, I've just heard a litany of rookie errors and what happens when people listen to "self build blogs", everyone makes the same mistakes. It's never too late to change anything, and if things aren't as you need them, breathe deep, pull stuff out, start again. Design on paper as many times as you need to, build trial runs in lightweight ply, and live with it for a month or two. Don't put finishes on stuff in until you've lived with it and know it wor,s. Once you know it works, do the final finishing, ie decor. After several Varios and 3 lorry builds, a.ways do mock runs, the loss in time and pre accepting you are going to do a lot of jobs twice or 3 times to achieve a liveable result is essential. Aircon is power hungry on another level, buy fans to move the air around. Ignore maxxair products, they're overpriced and break frequently. As for your existing fridge, source a 12v compressor, and swap it over so you're not running a fridge at 110%+:power usage via inverter. If you're depleting 400a/h of lithium in 3 days, there's an issue, did you fit a dc-dc charger? Don't be hard on yourself, building a truly liveable vehicle isn't as hard as people think, always weigh up your compromises realistically. All the best.
P.s, kudos for the build, you got stuck in and did it, that's a lot further than most people get!! 99% of people Don get past the dreaming stage, and others give up early on. You did good 👍 if you do it again, avoid the pallet wood trap, silly fad, very heavy, impossible to keep clean, huge fire risk. ✌️
Most 12V fridges now are really energy efficient and you can run them for 2 to 3 days from a single 100Ah battery. Plus the chinese ones are cheap and reliable too. I have one from Alpicool and they performed great for the last 2 years.
@TeIeGra8_name_ameinavan11measure the length you want the flexible hose ..automotive hose may work. find the inner diameter of the tap.. No inner diameter Guage? Unscrew the spray head off, so tap is an open pipe. Slice a potato in half and push the flesh upwards with a screwing motion . Go to a hardware store/or auto part store. with your potato have him find what size hose is a smaller than tap. If he's a dumb ass and doesn't know. Say show me your hose. Then you pick out the size that is smaller than the size of the imprinted potato. It must be SMALL enough to fit inside that imprint. Not go over it like the tap did. Too scary? Go to an auto part store, tell the guy in detail /photo. Of exactly what you want. look cute and helpless...(we know you're not)
Ame you have offered some good information as to what would enhance your lifestyle in Gloria. I might suggest that you now do the upgrading you want to make your life more pleasurable, or as one follower suggests maintain living in Gloria as you build a new larger van with all your wanted amenities that way you will be able to assemble it with all the luxurious add ons you desire and still be able to travel as you please. Stay Safe Stay Well and Enjoy Each Day!
Hello Ame girl, looking awesome and great to see you again. Now that things are starting to get back to "normal" it's SO good to see your mother is getting back up and around again. I was on pins & needles for a while there. I sure am glad that they didn't have to do the medically induced thing, those don't usually turn out so good. Anyways, IT'S AME IN A VAN TIME AGAIN WAAHOO!!!! Lol!😂 Thanks again Ame.❤❤
Amazingly impressive in authenticity from humbled beginning to a now beautiful complex in all her wonderful incredible creativity journey of life...wow ..did i mention your modelling beautiful looks... have a great year and thankyou..
I have some advice for your countertop if you can find it, you can get polyurethane in it to your countertop and it will cover it and it’s clear so you can still see the wood finish through it when it hardens
Dawn Dish Detergent cuts grease; Can cleaan windows anything with it. They use it to save birds when oil leaks into water areas; birds get the grease on them; They use Dawn to remove all that oil; Then birds are saved.
Hello Ame. J'ai un petit truc qui marche pour nettoyer le bois et le verre...et les traces d'huile et autres tâches partout c'est le savon noir. Pour moi ça marche très bien. Maybe you can try it.
Ame, I was having a really stressful day today, then I seen your post and I just want to thank you Darlin, you put a BIG SMILE on my face! Seems we all have those days when nothing wants to go right, thank GOD your still out there posting these wonderful videos, they really just make my day and always puts a smile on my face. Have a truly wonderful weekend and I look forward to seeing your pretty face next friday. Love you Girl :)
Have no regrets, it was your first built sans any formal education on van builds for living. Use non-stick cookware and eliminate the oil. Oil does the same thing in apartments if you cook with them. That is, oil will eventually be on every surface in the apartment. When one needs oily food just order them as takeout.
Great tips from life experience! I recommend you go and shop RV floor plans for ideas. These manufacturers have studied the lifestyles and desires of campers and travelers to determine what people want and need. Then design your van. Oh yes, be sure you have an appropriately large and well plumbed waste water and sewage holding system that you can dump at appropriate dumping stations in camping parks. Cleanliness is essential for health and morale. Guys can go longer without a shower than gals with hygiene concerns! She’s right about the shower!
Ame how on earth does 400ah of lithium not last more than a few days??! I have 400ah of lead carbon (you can run them down to 10% unlike lead acid and theyre a third of the price of lithium) and can be off grid, static for a week. I have a 12v fridge, 2 fiamma roof fans and all the usual usb's and light's. Did I hear your fridge 240v? 🤔 Thatll drain the hell out of your batteries 😮 And I cannot recommend an air fryer highly enough - I too am ovenless! It and a 2kw powerbank have been a foody game changer! But, my battery question aside, that you built Gloria yourself and have travelled far and wide all on your own is utterly commendable! I couldnt have done all that in my 20's! You go girl. Keep learning and growing and bollox to regrets! ❤
Ame, I look forward to seeing your vlogs. I did laugh though when you mentioned the stains/ burn marks on the counter as it could be an imprint of your behind lol.
I just watched the video on DualEx UA-cam channel from 6 months ago, where he showed how to build a bed, without having to move everything out of the way each day, in order to utilize it. He seems to be incredibly gifted with van builds, in case you ever build another van, and would like inspiration from a natural, and very detailed craftsman.
Hi Ame, despite the regrets that you mention, you should rightly be proud of yourself for building Gloria to your own design. No matter what we do, there are always some regrets along the way, things that could have been done differently. Thank you for sharing some very practical points too. Just one suggestion ..... have you thought about an air fryer? They are great but don't go for one that is too cheap. ❤
Well I'm glad you're doing well and Van life is going good it looks like you're having a wonderful time in the van you're just having a good times and talking to people that's good I hope you're doing well Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Hi Ame, that was a good video, you touched on all the important features. I'm so impressed by you that you built that yourself and maintained it so well. I love watching your videos and shorts. I never miss any. I have your calendar and I love it. Those pictures are awesome. I'm glad your mum is doing well now, hope your father and Gigi are well also. Much love from Massachusetts. I look forward to your next video. Take care, be safe. xo Dawn
wood is best for counter top.use a piece of aged pine,then coat with a resin clear varnish.the oil from your cooker could have been stopped,3 peices of staneless steel sheets ,hinged together,to go around cooker as plash gaurd and then it folds away..men know these things.🕺
Nice to see your video have not seen any for quite some time hope things are good with you Gigi and family looking forward to many more videos take care of yourself and be safe😊
Ame, We are here for you, enjoying the videos but also not worried if you take some time off, the spring weather is here and we look forward to any walkabout videos you get dressed up for. Hope you are doing well! 🤙🏿
You need a microwave oven! Also, if you want an AC, then you should have a small generator installed under the body which would be great for running your microwave. Good for charging your batteries too.
Cover your wood counter with sticker vinyl. It’ll cost probably less than £5 to do all your counter and it’s waterproof and wipe able and absolutely gorgeous. You could get a golden one or my favourite that I use is a white and grey and gold marble ❤🎉
For the shower situation, you could get a collapsible bucket and one of those USB dunk in shower systems. I use one of those when I am out car camping on weekends to rinse of my bike and take quick showers.
They work very well, takes little space and you can make sure the water temp is perfect before you start showering :)
You could get an Air Fryer, which is basically a mini fan oven ! Then you can power it off your inverter or a small ecoflow powerstation.
Ame, plumb the new pipe and mixer in, it'll be fine, it won't leak!
The luxury of a mixer is so sublime you'll wonder why you hesitated!
I just started to watch this video and already ROTFL - other youtubers confess, they regret gettin a too small van, Ame regrets NOT getting a golden sink - what a gem - do I have to repeat how I adore this muse-girl :) I just wish she posted the videois more often, how it used to be in the old good days - like last year :)
hahah thank you!! I'm getting back in the swing again :) xxx
Buying an awning is good investment for the unbearable hot days, and a magnetic-closure anti-mozzie net fitted around the door frames will bring in a cool breeze to keep your van's interior nice and chill. A tap mixer is invaluable! It's simply wonderful to shower under, and these mixers aren't too expensive if you shop around. I'm so pleased and relieved your dear mum is well again. Best wishes, Wendi. 🌻
Ame forever. Your personality, your elocution is overwhelming, hilarious at times which makes you more adorable. You make life less boring with your humour to see us through the weeks. Glad to see your mum back on the road after her untimely illness, a big relief for you and your dad. love your vlogs, keep them coming. 🦘🦘🤠
I used a Bosch water heater--and it is perfect at holding the pre-set temperature, I still included a mixing tap--but I never needed it. I do not know what sort of gas heater you have--but the Bosch spun up a little turbine and lit itself when one turned on a tap, and it used very little gas for the heat it produced. Battery heated hot water systems are just a waste of time, space and and battery.
Cooking indoors means using an absorbing range-hood. One has to learn not to bump one's head on it, and I replace the paper towels that absorb the grease in them once in a while--and yes--the sound of the fan IS annoying--but it keeps the galley clean and grease-free.
I had TWO Engel battery operated bin type refrigerators--one set as a freezer, one as a refrigerator. I later added another refrigerator--an el-cheapo 240 volts K-Mart job I think I paid one hundred dollars for it--and it has worked perfectly for YEARS through an inverter fed from the main battery bank. All of my electric fans in the vessel or camper use the same invertor, 500 watts is any amount, but I do have a 2000 watts one as well if anyone needs to run a hair dryer or an air fryer. I have in total five hundred ampere-hours of LiFePO4 batteries, a 200 and a 300, NOT wired together, but separately loaded.
Air conditioning I did have, but it ran from AC power whenever it was available, or through a Honda generator. I could sleep through the sounds of my little Honda--but my friends' generators were by comparison extremely loud and bloody annoying.
If one wishes to put in an air conditioner, the ones using their own output to cool the refrigerant are WOEFULLY inefficient, so you will need to set up an exterior on roof or somewhere outside heat exchanger for the coolant. Also one needs to have a discharge or collector for the condensed water--often ten or more litres a day--excellent for washing hair.
Soooo happy to hear your mommy is better. Keep smiling you are so lovely.
Polyurethane is said a superior wood treatment for floors. Usually though the crack filling, and sanding is done first then three to four coats of oil base, not water base has best results. Great channel!
A 40 inch shower pan was the first thing I laid in my van. Everything else was build around that. Airhead compost toilet is in there as well.
Loads of mad respect for your van build. It's Glorious. And it's always a wonderful treat to see you doing well.
14:00-14:05 yeah we life in tropical archipelago understand what you mean by hot condition perfectly...we use always fan and air condtioner 👍👍👍 😊😊😊😊
Upgrading the van would be fun to watch Ame. New fridge, countertop and oven. That be nice for sure. You know those stick on tiles? Could use those for a back splash for cooking. Can even make it temporary. Use it only when your cooking. Like removable and easy to clean. Maybe put them on a board shaped as the window. So its like a tile window cover for when your cooking.
😘✌💓
What about a splash guard you can buy to put around the stove (they fold up)? Not sure if it sticks to wood, but they have contact paper people use to DIY their countertops. Also, a command strip under Katana to prevent her from falling and breaking again :)
Hi Ame, buy an air fryer for your van it’s as good as an oven. Slow cookers are good too. Tile your work tops u can get such lovely mosaic tiles. When you’re driving put your katana wrapped in a towel in your shower, less chance of breaking then. Have a great weekend love to your mum & dad. Lisa xxx ❤❤❤
If I had not found your video and your sad story from your life, I would not have known anything about you until now, but now I know a lot and I am surprised that you are such a nice person who shows everyone that you build a van. and you just drive somewhere away from your old life, and sometimes when I watch your video and other times you are happy and other times you are so sad that I even cry and at that moment I would like to hug you and comfort you and say everything will be fine, those little things are just there, and at that moment it is easier for me that you smile and forget what happened and move on and I like it that you enjoy life in a van and no one can force you to do anything, and say don't do it, but I believe that it is your and only your choice whether to live in a van or a house Many people criticize you for living in a van, it's so dangerous, they write in the comments that it would be better to have a house, but if you want, you can do everything, because there is a saying, a small car makes a big difference.
XL Katana is quite beautiful and cannot easily be faulted ... except that she may take up the very space that would accommodate a small air fryer. And guess what an air fryer is a brilliant substitute for ... that's right ... an oven! Roast chicken, roast parsnips, roast potatoes ... all things that I cooked today perfectly in my air-fryer! 👍
Thanks!
Thank you for all the great content. We really appreciate you 😁
Thank you john❤️💃
@@ameinavan you’re very welcome Ame ☺️
Ame you did a great job on your van. I just purchased a trailer with a shower. It's in a resort and campground. My biggest concern is the glass door on my shower. Don't like glass doors near a shower. I agree, A/C, and a big fridge are a bonus! Good video Ame!
An air fryer oven, small generator, dc plug in fridge, maybe a minimal wattage hot water heater would be more bearable? You need these upgrades to make your lifestyle much more manageable. ❤
0:25 "I built the van myself". So who cares if there are a few regrets, it's a very impressive, beautiful project and a job well done.
It's ok to review your work and try to improve upon your success.
There are a few of us. This was one of her best videos ever. You can learn a lot from someone telling you after a few years what they regret and what they would change.
You always put a smile on my face. Thank you so much.
Hello (from Ohio,USA),
I just recently found your channel. I appreciate the glimpses you share with us into your life and your insights. You have a wonderful sense of humor, self awareness and expression.
Your appearance reminds me of Brigitte Bardot. (Yes, I'm old enough to remember her when she was about your age).
Even more amazing is what you've accomplished!
Although, it seems like that lifestyle might be a little lonely, I hope I'm mistaking..
I have a lot of catching up to do with your videos so maybe i am speaking out of turn, but I hope your not sad, especially since you make me smile with your humor.
I hope that telling you this conveys to you that i appreciate your work, from the building of the van to the sharing of your quiet moments when you include us with the wonderful views you drive to.
Thank you!
PS- I haven't regretted watching this video... Of course I'm only about 5 minutes in. :)
I think van life is great. Sometimes its great to just take a break, settle down with real people and be social in a 2 way conversation. I hope you find life beyond staring at a recorder... even though you express high energy, I sense you are lonely within. Be safe and be happy Ame. Don't take this the wrong way, just expressing what I see.
And how on earth do you come to that conclusion. What a ludicrous statement.
@@stevejohnson5014 Call me psychic or a physiologist... pick one. Have a good rest of the week.
@@stevejohnson5014 Call me psychic or a psychologist... pick one. Have a great and awesome day.
I got little transit connect that im making into like some sort of camper, i thought id make something small first but maybe one day look into something bigger and maybe more rare than what other been doing.
In heat i recon i rather being on a bicycle in a heat wave than in a vehicle with out aircon. Although my current setups and plans are more on road trips than vanlife.
You are 100% an inspiration to SO MANY PEOPLE. Thank you so much for your wonderful adventures.
So relatable. A real life Cinderella, so humble. I can't find any toxic vibes in you unlike others. That's when beauty and heart are perfectly combined. Bless you sweetie.
you can buy a screw on attachment for most taps that have a swivel head to reach all areas of the sink x
Building a van right now, so thanks for your great advice! I’m an Australian touring musician, so hearing you on the air-conditioning! You rock, happy trails!
On the tap issue;
I used to have a swivel and loved it. Look for one that can screws into your tap. Get it.
An interim idea is to use a spoon to direct the steam.
Maybe this has been suggested and you have a reason for not wanting to do this, but why not get a solar shower and mix the water to the temp you like, then hang it where you hang your chandelier? If you start with the cool water and gradually add hot, it shouldn't harm the bag. I got a cute canvas shower bag from Wild Republic, and I love it! I even modded mine to have a hose, which is nice. You could put a little hook in the wall to hold the shower head, and gravity should feed it nicely.
Oh, and.. the shower head is gold. 😏 JUST sayin' 😂❤
I don't know how hard it would be to do but maybe you could do the counter in wood but put a clear resin coat on top. Never done that before but that might give you the beauty of the wood and being easier to clean. I love the wood look in your van.
I think you have one of the best van plan I've seen
You are such an amazing young woman! You did an incredible job with Gloria.
With everything in life there will always be new upgrades & updates... It's just a live & learn thing hun.. Don't put don't you ever feel unproud for all you done & all you put into Gloria, because you've done it an amazing job. ❤🥰😘😘😘
I built a wood desk and coated it with lacquer and it seems to make a surface easy to clean.
I’d gone from a class A to a 5th wheel, both basically had full like-house features. I did replace the plastic toilets with ceramic, but the plastic showers and sinks were fine. The 5th wheel had central A/C which was amazing, definitely appreciated that as well as it having a full living room/kitchen slide out. Between the two I preferred the old Class A, maybe because though it was 20yrs old it wasn’t an entry level build for its time, instead was a quality build. Very expensive to maintain though. Right now I have nothing, miss the life. Refuse to tent camp, once having the luxury of the two RVs including a real bathroom I’ve no desire to “rough it”. Was spoiled, now I have minimum standards :)
WRT the shower situation, an easy way round that would be to buy a portable camping shower (they’re cheap but surprisingly effective) and fit it into your shower space permanently or as and when required. You’d have to draw water from a bucket rather than your main water tank but that means you could have the water at the desired temperature before showering. If you stop the shower while lathering up, you’d have more than enough water to for a good shower. Most of them are USB rechargeable and easy to stow away when not in use. I’ve showered that way a few times (and I’m 6’2”) without any issues. Hope it helps.
I LOVE how you built Gloria!!!
Compressor fridges are awesome. Perfect for running on solar setup. Low energy usage. Got myself a new 130liter one just this week. In my last van I used 100 liter one. Indel b is the brand. 😊👌
As for a n oven in the van, have you looked into a DRY COOKER? It’s a stove top oven pan and it works well.
Girl you are living the dream. Out on your own seeing, experiencing, and learning every day congratulations
I think you will go down in history as one of the greatest storytellers of all time 😅
Definitely check in to getting an air fryer grill . I have the ninja air fryer grill. They make a small one and it’s perfect for our van life.
Dear Ame, hot air goes up because the cold air is heavier. One little advice; put a skylight with an insect screen on top of your van which, ofcourse you can open and close. Next to that you can add some small fans to it. Just to get more air- circulation in the van to make it a tiny bit more comfortable for you. Now you might wonder the heat might disappear in the winter, but you can keep most in with a black window - cover which someone sewing magnets in or something likewise. It is just an idea, I don't know your budget, and I don't wanna know aswell, anything, but it doesn't have to be that expensive. As being said, only an idea.......
I have roof vent/fan and several fans but when it’s hot it simply moves hot air around. Even with all the doors open and parked in the shade! Australia gets hot☹️
@@allegrosotto2126 I haven't said it would cool the van..... 😉 Circulation is more healthy, whether the air is cold or warm. Besides, you will, regardless the weather, notice the difference when you leave it open for a night for example. 😉
Excellent insight......I'm using your input for a loft renovation.
There's directional sprayer attachments that screw on the nozzle of the water spout (the part you were twisting comes you, screw on sprayer). I've never seen a gold one though, only white and chrome
❤❤❤ Hey, great advice! I’ll be buying a Sprinter 170” with high roof AWD in a year and building it out. So, thanks for your personal take on must have things!
There are tabletop ovens: tiny 9L 700W and larger 20-30L 1400W. Your inverter needs to supply more than 700W or 1400W. Ovens switch on and off. The average power is about half. If you use the 9L for half an hour it would use 3.3% of your battery capacity. The larger ones about double that.
❤ let the water cool first then. I would guess that anything involved in every day contact and use would be important. The inner workings are important if you build it, or have to reair it. Its A Nuisance, but An accomplishment. You could do the same with anything. Gloria is A nice Accomplishment. Its A good build that suits your needs. Great Job. Nothing wrong with your Van. 👍🏻😊👍🏻 Your Personality is the main thing that makes it work. The fact that you did not just speak about it, but did it speaks Mounds too.
Thank you for sharing. I STILL LOVE YOUR SHOWER!!!!🤗❤️❤️❤️. I will install a water mixer and AC.
I expect others have said it but have you thought about a small air fryer, you can do most stuff you can oven in one and while I don't know how much energy exactly they draw I know it's less than a normal oven.
Goodness Gracious Gorgeous Gloria and Amy - Thank you for your fun easy going videos, they make me smile - sometimes
Thanks a million, Ame, for sharing information about your height. Since the first day (which was a week ago) of following and watching your videos religiously, I've been dying to know how tall you are. Not because I'm obsessed with you (though you're absolutely gorgeous), but because I wanted to know how you could possibly fit on that tiny bed. It was such a relief to know that it was just an honest mistake and that you're not petite enough to fit on that tiny bed, sleeping diagonally! 🤣🤣😂😂 That was gold. I want to do the same and follow in your footsteps. This specific video was one of the best and most informative ones, and I thank you for making it. I hope you'll find a way soon to redesign a more spacious bed, a more practical shower, and of course, a nice oven with a coated countertop 😍😍
☆AME☆ you are "van life's" most glamorous and beautiful spokesperson 😊 great video ❤
Look up private discussion.
I’m watching you, you so pretty 🤩 thanks for sharing the video about your van building such a talented woman 👍
Loved this ideo. Followed you for a long time now. Well, I can't help with any of your needed changes but one. Your faucet issue: there is an attachment for your faucet that will fix that issue. It simply fits right over your current faucet. It rotates 360°. you can purchase it at most home improvement stores. Or amazon.
You can put a premixer valve. I don't know how is called but is used for hot water solar pannels. Anti burn valve... and you can premix before.
Hi AME, I have watched your videos for a year or two and surprisingly you seem to use a battery powered light in the van at night. Ever thought of solar lighting? LUTEC a French company produce lighting - they have loads of just decoration lights powered by solar but also more useable lighting with lithium batteries that could light your van interior for 8-10 hours and not drain your van battery or create waste alkaline batteries. There is a paricular one which has a two side fold out light lantern shaped which I think ideal for you. And all you need do is put it on your dashboard to catch the sun throughout the day and then use for security night lighting. I believe it is around £45 ( 60 euros) but is invaluable!. Take care and Best wishes to your mum! 🥸
Nice to see an almost "Ame" vid for a change.
Been with you since the beginning and actually miss what you once posted. Much more real and not geared towards being a thirst trap as it is now.
Hope all continues to be prosperous for you, hope you find your path back to the real you.
Much love ❤
Get a glass cut for you're counter size and then glue it down they are a abit high priced but worth it get smoked in colour it looks nice :)
Bless ya heart, as a builder of off grid vehicles and overlanders etc, I've just heard a litany of rookie errors and what happens when people listen to "self build blogs", everyone makes the same mistakes. It's never too late to change anything, and if things aren't as you need them, breathe deep, pull stuff out, start again. Design on paper as many times as you need to, build trial runs in lightweight ply, and live with it for a month or two. Don't put finishes on stuff in until you've lived with it and know it wor,s. Once you know it works, do the final finishing, ie decor. After several Varios and 3 lorry builds, a.ways do mock runs, the loss in time and pre accepting you are going to do a lot of jobs twice or 3 times to achieve a liveable result is essential. Aircon is power hungry on another level, buy fans to move the air around. Ignore maxxair products, they're overpriced and break frequently. As for your existing fridge, source a 12v compressor, and swap it over so you're not running a fridge at 110%+:power usage via inverter. If you're depleting 400a/h of lithium in 3 days, there's an issue, did you fit a dc-dc charger? Don't be hard on yourself, building a truly liveable vehicle isn't as hard as people think, always weigh up your compromises realistically. All the best.
P.s, kudos for the build, you got stuck in and did it, that's a lot further than most people get!! 99% of people Don get past the dreaming stage, and others give up early on. You did good 👍 if you do it again, avoid the pallet wood trap, silly fad, very heavy, impossible to keep clean, huge fire risk. ✌️
15:07 omnitub. That's my answer. Technically, it's a Japanese soaking tub but it's the best washing solution in a van.
Most 12V fridges now are really energy efficient and you can run them for 2 to 3 days from a single 100Ah battery. Plus the chinese ones are cheap and reliable too. I have one from Alpicool and they performed great for the last 2 years.
Your the best show on UA-cam. I really enjoy watching.
You can put a hose up that tap. If you get it long enough to pass the arch it wont fall out when you turn on the tap.
@TeIeGra8_name_ameinavan11measure the length you want the flexible hose ..automotive hose may work. find the inner diameter of the tap.. No inner diameter Guage? Unscrew the spray head off, so tap is an open pipe. Slice a potato in half and push the flesh upwards with a screwing motion . Go to a hardware store/or auto part store. with your potato have him find what size hose is a smaller than tap. If he's a dumb ass and doesn't know. Say show me your hose. Then you pick out the size that is smaller than the size of the imprinted potato. It must be SMALL enough to fit inside that imprint. Not go over it like the tap did. Too scary? Go to an auto part store, tell the guy in detail /photo. Of exactly what you want. look cute and helpless...(we know you're not)
Ame you have offered some good information as to what would enhance your lifestyle in Gloria. I might suggest that you now do the upgrading you want to make your life more pleasurable, or as one follower suggests maintain living in Gloria as you build a new larger van with all your wanted amenities that way you will be able to assemble it with all the luxurious add ons you desire and still be able to travel as you please. Stay Safe Stay Well and Enjoy Each Day!
You can buy a extendable nozzle to put on the gold tap and get one of those that hits every corner instantly
Those are really valid points. Will keep those in mind in my build. thanks for the sharing.
Hello Ame girl, looking awesome and great to see you again. Now that things are starting to get back to "normal" it's SO good to see your mother is getting back up and around again. I was on pins & needles for a while there. I sure am glad that they didn't have to do the medically induced thing, those don't usually turn out so good.
Anyways, IT'S AME IN A VAN TIME AGAIN WAAHOO!!!! Lol!😂 Thanks again Ame.❤❤
"A Massive" wealth of information ... Ur a gem Ami never change.
Cool video ❤your vibe an personality nothing compares to you keep on keeping on
Hi Ame, i saw another van lifer who lives in a mini van and she uses an air fryer and said it is enough, she does everything she would do in an oven.
Amazingly impressive in authenticity from humbled beginning to a now beautiful complex in all her wonderful incredible creativity journey of life...wow ..did i mention your modelling beautiful looks... have a great year and thankyou..
Always look forward to your videos! Happy to hear your mom is doing well!❤
I hope your Mum is ok. I love your channel and personality. Been following you since day 1. Hope all is well.
I have some advice for your countertop if you can find it, you can get polyurethane in it to your countertop and it will cover it and it’s clear so you can still see the wood finish through it when it hardens
Dawn Dish Detergent cuts grease; Can cleaan windows anything with it. They use it to save birds when oil leaks into water areas; birds get the grease on them; They use Dawn to remove all that oil; Then birds are saved.
Hello Ame. J'ai un petit truc qui marche pour nettoyer le bois et le verre...et les traces d'huile et autres tâches partout c'est le savon noir. Pour moi ça marche très bien. Maybe you can try it.
Ame, I was having a really stressful day today, then I seen your post and I just want to thank you Darlin, you put a BIG SMILE on my face! Seems we all have those days when nothing wants to go right, thank GOD your still out there posting these wonderful videos, they really just make my day and always puts a smile on my face. Have a truly wonderful weekend and I look forward to seeing your pretty face next friday. Love you Girl :)
get the ikea mini fridge. like yours a bit bigger and it really works to keep things cool.
Have no regrets, it was your first built sans any formal education on van builds for living. Use non-stick cookware and eliminate the oil. Oil does the same thing in apartments if you cook with them. That is, oil will eventually be on every surface in the apartment. When one needs oily food just order them as takeout.
Great tips from life experience! I recommend you go and shop RV floor plans for ideas. These manufacturers have studied the lifestyles and desires of campers and travelers to determine what people want and need. Then design your van. Oh yes, be sure you have an appropriately large and well plumbed waste water and sewage holding system that you can dump at appropriate dumping stations in camping parks. Cleanliness is essential for health and morale. Guys can go longer without a shower than gals with hygiene concerns! She’s right about the shower!
Hello from France !! Your videos are so cool ❤ hope you will continue for long time
Ame how on earth does 400ah of lithium not last more than a few days??! I have 400ah of lead carbon (you can run them down to 10% unlike lead acid and theyre a third of the price of lithium) and can be off grid, static for a week. I have a 12v fridge, 2 fiamma roof fans and all the usual usb's and light's. Did I hear your fridge 240v? 🤔 Thatll drain the hell out of your batteries 😮 And I cannot recommend an air fryer highly enough - I too am ovenless! It and a 2kw powerbank have been a foody game changer!
But, my battery question aside, that you built Gloria yourself and have travelled far and wide all on your own is utterly commendable! I couldnt have done all that in my 20's! You go girl. Keep learning and growing and bollox to regrets! ❤
Look up private discussion.
Ame, I look forward to seeing your vlogs. I did laugh though when you mentioned the stains/ burn marks on the counter as it could be an imprint of your behind lol.
You always brighten up my day.
Get an air fryer oven. It toasts , bakes and broils. I recommend it.
Best piece of kitchen kit i ever bought does everything but don't buy a cheap one 😂
Love it. Buying an XL statue of her to memorialize her life. Brilliant!
REALY EXLENT ADVICE ENDRCED BY ME KING OF THE ROAD
I just watched the video on DualEx UA-cam channel from 6 months ago, where he showed how to build a bed, without having to move everything out of the way each day, in order to utilize it. He seems to be incredibly gifted with van builds, in case you ever build another van, and would like inspiration from a natural, and very detailed craftsman.
Hi Ame, despite the regrets that you mention, you should rightly be proud of yourself for building Gloria to your own design. No matter what we do, there are always some regrets along the way, things that could have been done differently. Thank you for sharing some very practical points too. Just one suggestion ..... have you thought about an air fryer? They are great but don't go for one that is too cheap. ❤
Yay for Charlotte getting well. You are going to like the new vid style with your dad. It was fun to watch you practice intro. Yip
Well I'm glad you're doing well and Van life is going good it looks like you're having a wonderful time in the van you're just having a good times and talking to people that's good I hope you're doing well Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Hi Ame, that was a good video, you touched on all the important features. I'm so impressed by you that you built that yourself and maintained it so well. I love watching your videos and shorts. I never miss any. I have your calendar and I love it. Those pictures are awesome. I'm glad your mum is doing well now, hope your father and Gigi are well also. Much love from Massachusetts. I look forward to your next video. Take care, be safe. xo Dawn
Life’s supposed to be Magical - Ame 2024 😂 🔥
Life is magical correct 💯 precent 👍
wood is best for counter top.use a piece of aged pine,then coat with a resin clear varnish.the oil from your cooker could have been stopped,3 peices of staneless steel sheets ,hinged together,to go around cooker as plash gaurd and then it folds away..men know these things.🕺
Nice to see your video have not seen any for quite some time hope things are good with you Gigi and family looking forward to many more videos take care of yourself and be safe😊
Ame,
We are here for you, enjoying the videos but also not worried if you take some time off, the spring weather is here and we look forward to any walkabout videos you get dressed up for.
Hope you are doing well! 🤙🏿
You need a microwave oven! Also, if you want an AC, then you should have a small generator installed under the body which would be great for running your microwave. Good for charging your batteries too.
you can add a moveable attachment to the end of your tap.