VAN LIFE AT THE GRAND CANYON (our dog's first national park)

We spent the last year converting our 2021 Ford Transit cargo van into a home on wheels. Recently we headed out in our first test trip and drove from Northern CA to Austin, TX in 4 days. Now on our way back, we're stopping at a Harvest Host in New Mexico before taking our van to our first free camping spot outside the Grand Canyon!
Follow along with us:
IG: @brit.and.mike
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Some links below may be affiliate links.
-- VAN BUILD --
PLUMBING
Water pump: amzn.to/3zJA6IP
Accumulator: amzn.to/3bmPPUP
Fill Hatch: amzn.to/3bgjlfd
Water heater: amzn.to/3znZAKs
Drain pan (pizza pan): amzn.to/3QD7BCc
40 gal water tank: amzn.to/3cN1FYJ
Water level gauge: amzn.to/3zZCcn7
Grey water tank: amzn.to/3bvMC5h
Showerhead: amzn.to/3DX0hOO
Mixer: amzn.to/3RcfheL
Electric ball valve: amzn.to/3xT2YfS
Greywater level gauge: amzn.to/3nhjGQT
Water tank fill hose (inlet to tank): amzn.to/3RueB4s
KITCHEN
Fridge: amzn.to/330Ifv3
250 lb drawer slides: amzn.to/3UCIZMK
12V outlet for fridge: amzn.to/3O4eong
Propane tank: amzn.to/32jc2Pq
Drawer pulls: amzn.to/3r9xgbg
Magnets: amzn.to/3eK45bu
Filtered faucet: amzn.to/3rlXeZ9
Sink faucet: amzn.to/3Sx5lxY
Soap dispenser: amzn.to/3rlmhvo
Tip out tray: amzn.to/3C77oTE
Tip out hinges: amzn.to/3xUpcyJ
Hinge: amzn.to/3SwP6kf
Pop-up brackets: amzn.to/3rmK65N
BED
Mattress: amzn.to/3xUojX4
Folding step-up: amzn.to/3N2xERQ
48" hinges: amzn.to/3xz4DIJ
Rubber Trim 20 ft (bunk windows): amzn.to/3GBcJkR
UPPER CABINETS
25lb magnets: amzn.to/3krXgen
Hinges: amzn.to/3F1calv
Gas struts: amzn.to/39n7gmV
Puck lights: amzn.to/3zEycrz
ELECTRICAL
12V 3-way dimmer switch: amzn.to/3I2Y7w9
12V 3-way on/off switch: amzn.to/3GWL4eF
Triple switch faceplate: amzn.to/3H2Z0na
Reading lights: amzn.to/3v4NB2k
120V outlets: amzn.to/3v3phhu
120V GFCI outlets: amzn.to/38tP1M6
12V outlet socket: amzn.to/374YoBH
12V outlet insert: amzn.to/3LRVGhz
Spade Connectors: amzn.to/3f7nmRk
3 conductor Lever Nuts: amzn.to/3HSigob
Shore power inlet: amzn.to/34fAzFB
8/3 AWG Triplex Wire 6ft (shore power inlet): amzn.to/3qYW1q5
12/2 AWG Duplex Wire (12V outlets): amzn.to/3n9c9E4
12/3 AWG Triplex Wire (120V outlets): amzn.to/3HTn8d1
2/0 AWG red cable (for BIM): amzn.to/36qrk6y
Heat Shrink Fork Connectors: amzn.to/39eqj3h
Wire Stripper + Cutter for 6-12 AWG Wire: amzn.to/3HfB6qq
2-Conductor Lever Nuts: amzn.to/3xKfOhF
Lynx distributor: amzn.to/3aHGXZI
Distribution Center: amzn.to/3ARECGl
Cable stripping knife: amzn.to/3OceGZ1
Ferrule crimper: amzn.to/3cgPGCA
Ferrules kit: amzn.to/3zaF0hI
Wire stripper & cutters: amzn.to/3PkwtPe
Heatshrink butt splice connectors: amzn.to/3RGwXR2
6/3 cable: amzn.to/3ck2yYP
6 AWG cable: amzn.to/3yIZY6c
Circuit breaker: amzn.to/3PsMEt6
Terminal fuse block kit: amzn.to/3uVPyPj
Mini circuit breaker (solar disconnect): amzn.to/3QJS2Je
Circuit breaker box: amzn.to/3PpbXfs
HEADLINER SHELF
Headliner fabric: amzn.to/3LBP2fd
Angled aluminum bar: amzn.to/376emv0
FLOOR
3" hatch cover (spare tire release): amzn.to/3zP4aUb
CEILING
Puck lights: amzn.to/3zEycrz
Wood Conditioner: amzn.to/368xW9r
Wood Stain: amzn.to/3CDaUDH
CLIMATE CONTROL
CR Laurence VW1033 windows: amzn.to/3rYqDde
Kilmat: amzn.to/3CbG8jI
MaxxFan Deluxe with Remote: amzn.to/3Ca7w1d
3M Thinsulate: amzn.to/3ymvGFM
Fiskars Shears: amzn.to/31T6lXG
3M High Strength 90 Adhesive: amzn.to/3yqQJac
Windshield shade: amzn.to/3JCGuoK
Side window shades: amzn.to/3JyXlsB
FRAMING
Rivet Nuts (M6, 150 pcs): amzn.to/331PwL6
WETOLS Rivet Nut Tool: amzn.to/3r1HbiD
M6-1.0 x 35mm screws: amzn.to/34unA2N
TOOLS
DeWalt Impact Driver + Hammer Drill Combo Kit: amzn.to/3KDvqXQ
Angle Grinder: amzn.to/3LxZmFO
DeWalt Brad Nailer Kit: amzn.to/35Qtmg8

[@ACTube415]

Would love to hear more about the positives and negatives about your build decisions after your first trip. And thoughts about the Transit in general (horsepower, gas mileage, comfort, etc). Great videos!

[@TheBeckyK55]

Looks like where we stayed when we visited the Grand Canyon! So awesome to have your first outing there. Enjoy the journey ❤️ I look forward to following.

[@sloshilo]

George Foreman 2 That’s what we use to toast bread and other item to warm up. Been working great in our van.
Great video

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Awesome setup with your van. Great video and channel. New follower here. Crow

[@TamaraLR]

Greeting from Petawawa Ontario Canada 🇨🇦😁 the Grand Canyon is truly awe inspiring..😁 thanks for the video ..😁🤗👍🏻

[@uppertributaries]

Congratulations! I'm pumped to see it all coming together. Great channel. Thank you

[@bjklassy]

We stayed at that KOA when we did the Grand Canyon, lol. It was snowing on us, lol (March). Great video ❤

[@timdunmyer4549]

Looks like you could use a hanging fruit hammock

[@aofthep]

Yay!! Love the videos!! Fun to see you out and enjoying vanlife after all the work :)

[@Brittnaysbeastin]

so fun guys! love seeing your travels now that the van is done! quick tip for the camera flicker- put the shutter speed at 1/100 and bump the ISO a little and that should help! the flicker is because the shutter speed is too high and is capturing the LED lights! hope that helps 🤠

[@Scrambler85]

Nice trip, looks like the van did well👍