If you need more storage you can extend the shelf above the passenger area so it goes all the way back to where your curtain is. I haven't needed to do that yet in mine but I've seen videos showing how others have done it. It looks like it adds a lot of storage. I have a transit connect with solar system, fridge, diesel heater, table, etc in it and still have a little extra room. However, all of my trips are just me living back there. Amazing how you found room for 2 in one of these once you factor in clothes, food, etc. And I'm definitely not able to fit a full size bed in mine with all the other stuff I have...lol. It sleeps one comfortably though.
Thanks for sharing that tip! We actually thought about doing that! Erik made the point that if the back of the van is tight quarters he'd prefer that open feeling and headspace in the front while driving. Kind of like a Frank Lloyd Wright's design of contraction and expansion!
That is awesome. That is not a generator it's only a battery recharged by solar you can get the same result with a deep well battery charged off of your alternator
I would like to have more information on the making of the bedframe. I would like to see underneath the mattress what the bedframe looks like if that’s at all possible?🙂
Is a great build very nice and neat all in a good place and very creative . Wood work is awsome ..there isn't anything bad at all .from 1 to 5 stars my self I give you 10 .congratulations and enjoy it ,keep traveling and having fun , I will love to see how you guys will do it in a VW van !!
Thanks for the ideas! I've got a tc but it was a wheel delivery van with a cage and it has 280k miles so I'm not going to dump money in but I'm planning on taking it for some mini trips with some temporary stuff in it but I got some good ideas to fit more things..mines all metal so magnets will work great lol
Thank you for sharing so many details about your build out! We bought a FTC yesterday and are now doing loads of research on the best way to build it out so we can hit the road. Five years ago we built out a '99 S10, so this feels like luxury. But now we have a toddler so we'll fill it up quickly I'm sure. I saw that you were originally in Chicago- we're in Indy! If you're ever driving through we'd love to connect. :)
Congratulations on your new van! Let us know if you post any videos about your build, we would love to see what you come up with! We will definitely let you know if we are back in the Midwest! :)
That's really not to bad! I am still searching for a build with a more flexible beddesign which can be used as a sitting space when its raining. Maybe its to much to ask for such a compact van and that amount of storage. Let's see :)
There are a lot of Transit Connect builds that would fit your need! If you are traveling alone the space should suffice for both sleeping and sitting. We installed an awning as a way to be able to hang out around the van in inclement weather.
Happy to see your Connect. I've had my 2011 Connect for 4 years. I have mine set up for just one though. I like how you've done your curtain. I've been struggling with mine. I haven't done anything to the ceiling and headliner. I saw a Connect in a youtube video where they made a table that fir between the back doors, That's my next project. Are you full timers?
👍👍Tidy connect , lot of thought and work put in , mine is usable 06 model and on going project , prefer the smaller stealth vans , hello from N Wales UK👍👍😉
We did not use any literature. Almost all youtube videos! We really just studied the inside workings of our van and got creative. It may be a hinderance to have a step by step instruction as it would be difficult to find a book that covers all the makes and models used in van building.
Edwin. We did not log any measurements. That would really only help those with a 2010 ford transit connect. Each model of the transit connect has different measurements depending on the year. If you have any specific questions we would be more than happy to try and help!
Hey, thank you for your videos. I am planning to do something similar. How did you attach the wood panels to the body of the van? Did you just screw them into the metal? What kind of screws did you use? Greetings from Germany!
You are welcome! For the ceiling we made wood battens across the width of the van and secured them directly to the van's metal cross beams using self drilling (tapping) metal screws. We then screwed the cedar planks into the bottom of the wooden battens. Above the sliding doors we wedged wood behind the metal frame and screwed a 2X4 to the wood that was wedged. We then screwed the cedar planks to the 2X4. I know this description is most likely not that helpful but you can kind of get an idea from our first video: ua-cam.com/video/8uicHesfQkI/v-deo.html&lc=UgylRTkXhq4jenY9W7p4AaABAg
Awesome build! My wife and I are about to do the same with the intent similar to yours! Just a tiny getaway vehicle for a few nights at a time! Can you share what roof rack and awning set-up you all went with?
Thanks Kathy. I think from Target. We had it at our apartment long before the build. I just looked it up and "teak roll bath mat" should start you in the right direction.
Hey Guys, love the build! I've got a 2011 TC and have been building and rebuilding for the past year! Went from single bed to double with storage and a table that folds off of the back door. About ready to throw in a fan. How did you wire yours in? Is it connected to your solar generator or the car battery?
Would love to see how you designed the fold out table! Our fan is wired to the solar generator! It runs well and on a mid-level speed does not use very much battery at all. We are really pleased with our Maxxair fan. It has ten speeds and a rain shield so you can open it and run it anytime. This is the one we decided on: amzn.to/2OFYmD3
@@LauraConnected I'm not sure how to send pictures over UA-cam but there are some of the table on Instagram @3bikes1van. Oh nice! I'm thinking of something a little smaller since I only use it for weekend adventures at the moment. www.amazon.com/Ventline-VP-543-Smoke-Roof-Vent/dp/B00407CK5W I've read that they are a little noisy but tolerable.
How Laura. Thanks for this inspirational video. It's very helpful. Could you let me know where you got this metal frame for curtains appeared at ua-cam.com/video/8uicHesfQkI/v-deo.html ? I'm having difficulty putting curtains along the contour of the ceiling inside my transit connect, and what you did looks like a great solution. Thanks.
Not quite enough space in this little van! We plan to talk more about what we do in regards to the bathroom in a future video - subscribe if you are interested in learning more!
looks great! Im trying to get a ford transit connect, also! is this a swb or lwb...sorry of this question has been asked 1,000 times before..im just trying to see how well I'll sleep in one (I'm 5'6!)
hey great build. Would love to see some more detailed videos. About to start my peugot partner conversion. I was wondering how the van is with some of the metalwork still exposed? i always assumed that all metal had to be covered up so that condensation doesnt form. Also wondering how warm it is? i noticed that there isnt an awful lot of insulation compared to alot of builds ive seen online. can you go into further detail on that? Thanks very much and hope to see more videos soon
Hi, thanks for your feedback, we are working on some more detailed videos! We have not had any issues with condensation! We did not insulate as thoroughly as other people do, primarily to save space in the interior. We decided this would work for us because of our intentions to stay in milder climates. The lowest temps we have slept in the van are about 35 F and the highest temps have been around 75 F. We have slept comfortably on both ends of the spectrum. We do wear an extra layer of clothes when the temperatures are below 40 degrees. Other precautions that we have taken to avoid moisture build up are that we run the fan (typically on extract mode when it's cold) when we are sleeping for air flow. Additionally, to avoid any potential moisture in the van causing mold on our mattress, we have a protective plastic cover around the mattress that acts as a moisture barrier. I hope this answers your question!
Nice, but if you minus some weights, it will be easier for the small 4 cylinders engine, plus better gas mileage.. Good luck with your future, stay safe and take care of each other. Peace and Love.
I have seen many CONNECT VAN videos....But...First time seen yr van....Full Bed...WoW....How U manage to use Fan and Cooler at full night...(Personally I have no experience of van tour but I eager to know this)
Glad you enjoyed our video! Our cooler is not powered, it is a simple insulated storage cooler that we pack with ice to keep food cold. The ice lasts for days because it is a very thick-walled cooler, the brand is Yeti. The fan does not use much power off of our generator. If we run the fan at night we will use less than 10% of our power source. Hope this helps!
The problem I see is that you have to be outside the van all the times you need to get anything. You have no space inside to walk around. If there is bad weather or anything about your personal safety during your trip, what can you do. You can't even get into the driver's seat. Is that a without stepping outside. Is that a disadvantage?
I would imagine the size and set up is a disadvantage for a lot of people but we created our van for the type of traveling we would be doing. We also took into consideration the usability of a smaller van if we stopped traveling full time. We plan on creating a video discussing our approach to "van life." Thanks for the questions Michael and Aracely.
I'm very impressed, I have seen probably 20-25 of these smaller size van builds and this is the first one I think I would fit in to sleep. Very well thought out and organized Definitely a thumbs up 👍
I think you guys have done an amazing, thoughtful build! We’re suppose to be living out of them anyway. I really like a few of the features: the drawers are fantastic! And that little step thing is perfect! Hope you have links. Congrats on a wonderful build that isn’t cookie cutter! Bravo!
Your design has give me new inspiration. Thanks so much. I love that you live out of your van and not in it. I think I can live with your design, we will mostly be weekend or weekly travelers. I just am concerned that I won't have a place to sit and read if the weather is bad - but I guess I can sit in the front seats. Well done, thanks for sharing your thought out plan with us!
Thank you for your comment! We absolutely "live out of it" and not "in it"! There have been a few rainy days where we had to find things to do inside (museums, shopping, movies) because staying in the van all day is not what she's built for. A few days of inconvenience are okay with us because we have been able to see so much and sleep for free all over the country!
Nice job with the build on your Transit Connect guys! We also travel in a Transit Connect for two + our dog. We are on our third build redesign trying to make it all work. The Transit Connect is a great vehicle and it does get fairly good gas mileage for a van as you know. I'm a new sub to your channel as we Transit Connect DIY conversion owners can really benefit from each other's ideas and designs. Safe travels!
Very nice. I agree about cooking outside only. A Ford Transit Connect is one vehicle we are considering when we can afford to "build" a camper. I like your setup, but have a question. What is the head clearance you have when on the bed? My husband can't stand not to be able to at least sit up in bed and could never do a type of bed build where there is very little clearance when lying down. Thanks.
Hi Robin! We haven't actually measured the distance from the top of the mattress to the ceiling. I can sit up and my head just touches the ceiling, I am 5'4" - you can see this around 4:45 in this video. We do have a thick mattress with a topper, so it would be possible to increase the head space with a thinner mattress. You could also build the bed lower to the floor which would mean for shorter under-bed storage but more head room! We have also seen pictures of Transit Connects with a pop-up roof so that's something to consider as well!
Very intelligent van build. Great presentation. One small suggestion: you may want to decrease the volume of the background music. I liked the music, but it sometimes overwhelmed the presenter. Otherwise, a really nice video.
I’m not certain, I don’t believe that was an option for the 2010 model. I’m not sure which it is closer to but if you look at the 2010 specs you could probably compare them to both the swb and lwb that your considering and see which it’s closer to!
Thank you! One of our sliding doors doesn't work from the inside so we just use the sliding door on the driver side. We did rig up a pull string door opener for the rear but we never use it.
Hey! I also have a 2010 FTC XLT but in Dark blue! Bought "dobby" last may and have been working a little here and there. Just added an aluminum unistrut roof rack!. These van's are so much fun!
Hello - I really love what you did with your van. I am looking to have the same layout and design. Would you guys change anything if you had to rebuild? Thanks :)
Hi Guys, I'm thinking of the same van 2019 version. Do you think you needed to build that bed so high? I'm thinking you could have put it maybe 14 inches high. Why did you put it at I am guessing at 20 inches. Do you think you could fit it all in a smaller area. My van will ideally be used to transport art as well, so I think I need a version that breaks down to the raw floor again.
Hey there! We settled on this height to accommodate our "fridge" (actually a cooler) and our solar generator and solar panel that are both also stored underneath the bed. This height also gave us room for more storage for clothes and camping necessities. It could definitely be built lower and would allow for more head space, however would reduce the under-bed storage capacity. Hope this helps!
That's cool guys, you might want to try putting some runners in your side access, so those areas come out to you, would be easier for the cooler etc. Hope you're having a great adventure 😉
Hello and God bless you two 💓 You have great organizing skills, and are very practical in prioritising your essentials. Safe travels. Thank you for sharing your ideas in converting your van.
Thank you Scott, that's very helpful information! We are the customers who drive those home centers crazy trying to explain what we are looking for! We'd look like pros asking for building strap!
Bought this van already insulated/panelled/ electrical with folding bed/seat/cabinet/little sink. But how do you open the rear door when inside wanting to get out especially during the nite.
I was so excited to see that little door step, I have a carrier on top of my mini van but have trouble reaching everything in it so I tie twine around each bin to pull it to where I can reach it. I think you have made my van life so much easier. I really liked your setup, I've had my minivan for over a decade, the inside has been redone so many times but you can always learn something new by watching others conversions. thank you- stay safe.
Thanks Yora Sum Bodie. Very nice compliment. We love hearing that we made someones life easier. We owe a lot of saved build hours to van life youtubers. Be well!
Thanks so much for sharing! I just got a 2020 Ford Connect Cargo with this idea. I've been searching, reading and designing ... You guys gave me bunch of hints 👍
LOVE your guys design! I my girlfriend and I have a connect conversion as well and this has given me some good ideas to modify ours with. Thank you! 😊
Thanks Joshua! We are happy you found our video useful! We watched a lot of youtube videos to inspire us during our build!
Amazing use of space! That door step is brillant! Thanks for sharing!
If you need more storage you can extend the shelf above the passenger area so it goes all the way back to where your curtain is. I haven't needed to do that yet in mine but I've seen videos showing how others have done it. It looks like it adds a lot of storage. I have a transit connect with solar system, fridge, diesel heater, table, etc in it and still have a little extra room. However, all of my trips are just me living back there. Amazing how you found room for 2 in one of these once you factor in clothes, food, etc. And I'm definitely not able to fit a full size bed in mine with all the other stuff I have...lol. It sleeps one comfortably though.
Thanks for sharing that tip! We actually thought about doing that! Erik made the point that if the back of the van is tight quarters he'd prefer that open feeling and headspace in the front while driving. Kind of like a Frank Lloyd Wright's design of contraction and expansion!
That little Xenon “zoom zoom zoom” was the cutest!
The portable solar generator is a good idea because they are expensive and if you sold the van you can take it with you.
I've never seen any Van build that prioritized the bed like that.. Interesting.. Happy trails..🤠👍
Thank you!
Great build! Cant wait to see where y’all go! Hope you have a great time on the trip!
Great job ... so practical, organised ... Lol ..! a place for every little thing and everything in it's place ... WELL DONE ... really EXCELLENT
Thank you for the kind comment Lalita! It took a lot of though to figure out how to use this tiny space.
That is awesome. That is not a generator it's only a battery recharged by solar you can get the same result with a deep well battery charged off of your alternator
Absolutely Genius , love the van very inspiring
Wow, thanks for the love!
I would like to have more information on the making of the bedframe. I would like to see underneath the mattress what the bedframe looks like if that’s at all possible?🙂
This is great! So compact and cozy 😄
Thank you! :)
Is a great build very nice and neat all in a good place and very creative . Wood work is awsome ..there isn't anything bad at all .from 1 to 5 stars my self I give you 10 .congratulations and enjoy it ,keep traveling and having fun , I will love to see how you guys will do it in a VW van !!
Thank you very much for your kind comment! 10 out of 5 is amazing :)
would be good to see some of your trips and adventures..
Thanks for the ideas! I've got a tc but it was a wheel delivery van with a cage and it has 280k miles so I'm not going to dump money in but I'm planning on taking it for some mini trips with some temporary stuff in it but I got some good ideas to fit more things..mines all metal so magnets will work great lol
This is awesome!!! That’s what I think ❤️
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing so many details about your build out! We bought a FTC yesterday and are now doing loads of research on the best way to build it out so we can hit the road. Five years ago we built out a '99 S10, so this feels like luxury. But now we have a toddler so we'll fill it up quickly I'm sure. I saw that you were originally in Chicago- we're in Indy! If you're ever driving through we'd love to connect. :)
Congratulations on your new van! Let us know if you post any videos about your build, we would love to see what you come up with! We will definitely let you know if we are back in the Midwest! :)
That's really not to bad! I am still searching for a build with a more flexible beddesign which can be used as a sitting space when its raining. Maybe its to much to ask for such a compact van and that amount of storage. Let's see :)
There are a lot of Transit Connect builds that would fit your need! If you are traveling alone the space should suffice for both sleeping and sitting. We installed an awning as a way to be able to hang out around the van in inclement weather.
Just when I thought i couldn't anything new - you pull out that 'door step'. Genius product! Thanks.
Yes! Thanks for the comment!
The doorstep that she put right beside the big wooden construction you can step on? Yeah, very smart
@@herrmuslingYou mean the 'bed frame'? lol It's too far in.
Perhaps if you are 80y old and 300 pounds.
Minimalists....As long as you can sleep comfortably it doesn't matter where. Such an inspiring video TY
Thank you David! Glad you found some inspiration! We are still trying to master the minimalists aspects.
Happy to see your Connect. I've had my 2011 Connect for 4 years. I have mine set up for just one though. I like how you've done your curtain. I've been struggling with mine. I haven't done anything to the ceiling and headliner. I saw a Connect in a youtube video where they made a table that fir between the back doors, That's my next project. Are you full timers?
A table for the back doors sounds very useful! We are traveling full time, yes!
👍👍Tidy connect , lot of thought and work put in , mine is usable 06 model and on going project , prefer the smaller stealth vans , hello from N Wales UK👍👍😉
Thank you! Stealth is key. Big fan of North Wales, spent some time in Snowdonia last year...beautiful!
@@LauraConnected💖💖💖 Excellent , I live on doorstep to Snowdonia just below Horseshoe pass💖💖💖
Very nice do you have a book on how to do what you have done .cause I will buy one now.?
We did not use any literature. Almost all youtube videos! We really just studied the inside workings of our van and got creative. It may be a hinderance to have a step by step instruction as it would be difficult to find a book that covers all the makes and models used in van building.
Beautifully done, keep up the good work
Thank you James!
beautifull!
What do you do when it 🌧Rains? NO toilet? Water 💧 source?
Would you be willing to share the measurements to build the bed and draw setup. Great build.
Edwin. We did not log any measurements. That would really only help those with a 2010 ford transit connect. Each model of the transit connect has different measurements depending on the year. If you have any specific questions we would be more than happy to try and help!
Nice.
Thanks!
is it manual or auto? any problems with the drivetrain or engine for the ford? hows the handling?
Hey, thank you for your videos. I am planning to do something similar. How did you attach the wood panels to the body of the van? Did you just screw them into the metal? What kind of screws did you use?
Greetings from Germany!
You are welcome! For the ceiling we made wood battens across the width of the van and secured them directly to the van's metal cross beams using self drilling (tapping) metal screws. We then screwed the cedar planks into the bottom of the wooden battens. Above the sliding doors we wedged wood behind the metal frame and screwed a 2X4 to the wood that was wedged. We then screwed the cedar planks to the 2X4. I know this description is most likely not that helpful but you can kind of get an idea from our first video:
ua-cam.com/video/8uicHesfQkI/v-deo.html&lc=UgylRTkXhq4jenY9W7p4AaABAg
@@LauraConnected perfectly helpful, thank you. I didn't know this kind of screws. 👍
Awesome build! My wife and I are about to do the same with the intent similar to yours! Just a tiny getaway vehicle for a few nights at a time! Can you share what roof rack and awning set-up you all went with?
Thanks James. The video of the outside of the van is being edited this week! The cargo rack brand is Rola. The awning is ARB touring 1250.
James bates you should record your build I’d love to see it 🥰🤷♀️
Your hair 😍
Not too shabby 😉
Thanks Anthony!
Where did you get the roll mat you set the Yeti cooler on in this video? Love the build!
Thanks Kathy. I think from Target. We had it at our apartment long before the build. I just looked it up and "teak roll bath mat" should start you in the right direction.
Hey Guys, love the build! I've got a 2011 TC and have been building and rebuilding for the past year! Went from single bed to double with storage and a table that folds off of the back door. About ready to throw in a fan. How did you wire yours in? Is it connected to your solar generator or the car battery?
Would love to see how you designed the fold out table! Our fan is wired to the solar generator! It runs well and on a mid-level speed does not use very much battery at all. We are really pleased with our Maxxair fan. It has ten speeds and a rain shield so you can open it and run it anytime. This is the one we decided on: amzn.to/2OFYmD3
@@LauraConnected I'm not sure how to send pictures over UA-cam but there are some of the table on Instagram @3bikes1van. Oh nice! I'm thinking of something a little smaller since I only use it for weekend adventures at the moment.
www.amazon.com/Ventline-VP-543-Smoke-Roof-Vent/dp/B00407CK5W
I've read that they are a little noisy but tolerable.
How Laura. Thanks for this inspirational video. It's very helpful. Could you let me know where you got this metal frame for curtains appeared at ua-cam.com/video/8uicHesfQkI/v-deo.html ? I'm having difficulty putting curtains along the contour of the ceiling inside my transit connect, and what you did looks like a great solution. Thanks.
Shower/toilet?
We will share our primitive shower and toilet set up in a future video! Stay tuned Tina!
Didn't see a potty, did you?
Not quite enough space in this little van! We plan to talk more about what we do in regards to the bathroom in a future video - subscribe if you are interested in learning more!
Did see a toilet seat being packed in the Last video. Perhaps bucket and bag emergency set up
not much clothes
Haha! That’s true! Not much clothes not much laundry
It's amazing you two have that much equipment organized into that little van!
Great job.
That is a compliment! I think we amazed ourselves too. Very rewarding to see it come together.
Van owner for 3 years now and I am amazed at how much you were able to fit in your van. Great build and thanks for sharing!!
Thank you, we appreciate it!
Like it best one seeing so far
looks great! Im trying to get a ford transit connect, also! is this a swb or lwb...sorry of this question has been asked 1,000 times before..im just trying to see how well I'll sleep in one (I'm 5'6!)
hey great build. Would love to see some more detailed videos. About to start my peugot partner conversion. I was wondering how the van is with some of the metalwork still exposed? i always assumed that all metal had to be covered up so that condensation doesnt form.
Also wondering how warm it is? i noticed that there isnt an awful lot of insulation compared to alot of builds ive seen online. can you go into further detail on that?
Thanks very much and hope to see more videos soon
Hi, thanks for your feedback, we are working on some more detailed videos! We have not had any issues with condensation! We did not insulate as thoroughly as other people do, primarily to save space in the interior. We decided this would work for us because of our intentions to stay in milder climates. The lowest temps we have slept in the van are about 35 F and the highest temps have been around 75 F. We have slept comfortably on both ends of the spectrum. We do wear an extra layer of clothes when the temperatures are below 40 degrees. Other precautions that we have taken to avoid moisture build up are that we run the fan (typically on extract mode when it's cold) when we are sleeping for air flow. Additionally, to avoid any potential moisture in the van causing mold on our mattress, we have a protective plastic cover around the mattress that acts as a moisture barrier. I hope this answers your question!
Nice, but if you minus some weights, it will be easier for the small 4 cylinders engine, plus better gas mileage.. Good luck with your future, stay safe and take care of each other. Peace and Love.
can you tell me which goal Zero kit you have installed in there? is that the 500x?
It’s the Yeti 1000 : amzn.to/2QQcTPd
Very nice...uh, sorry got distracted from the Transit tour by the adorable alpacas, er, llamas!
Nice job in the review and the build...I could do with out the repetitive back round music..
A bed on wheels. That's hella cool guys.
I ve been watching thousand of camper van video but with your i still learn so much mire tips. Thanks I suscribe🤩😍
I have seen many CONNECT VAN videos....But...First time seen yr van....Full Bed...WoW....How U manage to use Fan and Cooler at full night...(Personally I have no experience of van tour but I eager to know this)
Glad you enjoyed our video! Our cooler is not powered, it is a simple insulated storage cooler that we pack with ice to keep food cold. The ice lasts for days because it is a very thick-walled cooler, the brand is Yeti. The fan does not use much power off of our generator. If we run the fan at night we will use less than 10% of our power source. Hope this helps!
know if any Connects are tall enough inside to stand up in, for using a standing desk?
AMAZING JOB! Thanks for sharing it
I was expecting to see pull-out drawers from the side doors also!
You love magnets in your Connect as much as I do. That MaxxFan must feel great in hot weather. Happy travels.
Thank you the magnets are so easy! The MaxxFan works great! We hope we can get some good use out of it this Summer!
The problem I see is that you have to be outside the van all the times you need to get anything. You have no space inside to walk around. If there is bad weather or anything about your personal safety during your trip, what can you do. You can't even get into the driver's seat. Is that a without stepping outside. Is that a disadvantage?
I would imagine the size and set up is a disadvantage for a lot of people but we created our van for the type of traveling we would be doing. We also took into consideration the usability of a smaller van if we stopped traveling full time. We plan on creating a video discussing our approach to "van life." Thanks for the questions Michael and Aracely.
I have read that these things are notorious for transmission failure
very practcal & simplified
I'm very impressed, I have seen probably 20-25 of these smaller size van builds and this is the first one I think I would fit in to sleep.
Very well thought out and organized
Definitely a thumbs up 👍
I think you guys have done an amazing, thoughtful build! We’re suppose to be living out of them anyway. I really like a few of the features: the drawers are fantastic! And that little step thing is perfect! Hope you have links. Congrats on a wonderful build that isn’t cookie cutter! Bravo!
So kind! We are like 30% cookie cutter!
Your design has give me new inspiration. Thanks so much. I love that you live out of your van and not in it. I think I can live with your design, we will mostly be weekend or weekly travelers. I just am concerned that I won't have a place to sit and read if the weather is bad - but I guess I can sit in the front seats. Well done, thanks for sharing your thought out plan with us!
Thank you for your comment! We absolutely "live out of it" and not "in it"! There have been a few rainy days where we had to find things to do inside (museums, shopping, movies) because staying in the van all day is not what she's built for. A few days of inconvenience are okay with us because we have been able to see so much and sleep for free all over the country!
Nice job with the build on your Transit Connect guys! We also travel in a Transit Connect for two + our dog. We are on our third build redesign trying to make it all work. The Transit Connect is a great vehicle and it does get fairly good gas mileage for a van as you know. I'm a new sub to your channel as we Transit Connect DIY conversion owners can really benefit from each other's ideas and designs. Safe travels!
Lot of undeniable truth WannBFree. We love the van, it suits the way we travel perfectly. UA-cam is an invaluable source!
What is the background music? Love it!
Very nice. I agree about cooking outside only. A Ford Transit Connect is one vehicle we are considering when we can afford to "build" a camper. I like your setup, but have a question. What is the head clearance you have when on the bed? My husband can't stand not to be able to at least sit up in bed and could never do a type of bed build where there is very little clearance when lying down. Thanks.
Hi Robin! We haven't actually measured the distance from the top of the mattress to the ceiling. I can sit up and my head just touches the ceiling, I am 5'4" - you can see this around 4:45 in this video. We do have a thick mattress with a topper, so it would be possible to increase the head space with a thinner mattress. You could also build the bed lower to the floor which would mean for shorter under-bed storage but more head room! We have also seen pictures of Transit Connects with a pop-up roof so that's something to consider as well!
@@LauraConnected Thanks!
Very intelligent van build. Great presentation. One small suggestion: you may want to decrease the volume of the background music. I liked the music, but it sometimes overwhelmed the presenter. Otherwise, a really nice video.
Is this the long wheel based or short wheel based connect?
I’m not certain, I don’t believe that was an option for the 2010 model. I’m not sure which it is closer to but if you look at the 2010 specs you could probably compare them to both the swb and lwb that your considering and see which it’s closer to!
Very well thought out and built. I have a 2011 connect and I think I'll attempt to copy some of your ideas
Copy away! Make sure to share your progress! Thanks for watching.
Love the set up. Thanks for sharing. How is the gas mileage in that van?
Thank you! Gas mileage = 22 city / 25 highway
Thanks for sharing this! How do you open the sliding doors or rear doors when you wake up or otherwise need to get out?
Thank you! One of our sliding doors doesn't work from the inside so we just use the sliding door on the driver side. We did rig up a pull string door opener for the rear but we never use it.
Hey! I also have a 2010 FTC XLT but in Dark blue! Bought "dobby" last may and have been working a little here and there. Just added an aluminum unistrut roof rack!. These van's are so much fun!
Love it! Let me know if you have found any ladders for the FTC, we're thinking about getting one for the back doors to access the roof.
@@LauraConnected Yeah I have thought about that myself!
Great job organizing. I understand why you didn’t insulate. But I think insulating with Thinsulate is worth it for comfort.
Hello - I really love what you did with your van.
I am looking to have the same layout and design. Would you guys change anything if you had to rebuild? Thanks :)
I don't think I would change anything on this build! We are happy with what we did on this make and model! Thank you for the kind words Frank.
Hi Guys, I'm thinking of the same van 2019 version. Do you think you needed to build that bed so high? I'm thinking you could have put it maybe 14 inches high. Why did you put it at I am guessing at 20 inches. Do you think you could fit it all in a smaller area. My van will ideally be used to transport art as well, so I think I need a version that breaks down to the raw floor again.
Hey there! We settled on this height to accommodate our "fridge" (actually a cooler) and our solar generator and solar panel that are both also stored underneath the bed. This height also gave us room for more storage for clothes and camping necessities. It could definitely be built lower and would allow for more head space, however would reduce the under-bed storage capacity. Hope this helps!
That's cool guys, you might want to try putting some runners in your side access, so those areas come out to you, would be easier for the cooler etc.
Hope you're having a great adventure 😉
That's the perfect size van. Great job. It turned out well!
It really is. Very easy to get around large cities and drives really nice on the open road! Thank you for the kind words!
@@LauraConnected absolutely. I'm buying one, used of course in June and doing what you did. Can't wait. I really can't. God bless and take care 👍🤟✝️
I have a 2013 Connect. Would like to know where you picked up the magnetic under counter lights and the step. Thanks in advance
Is the male in the video perhaps in the Witness Protection Program ? He was being very evasive throughout the video. Great job on camper.
Hello and God bless you two 💓
You have great organizing skills, and are very practical in prioritising your essentials. Safe travels. Thank you for sharing your ideas in converting your van.
Thank you Guadalupe! We are happy you enjoyed it!
Would love to know what brand of folding big table? Great job.
I wish they would build a cab over bed for the transit...that would really free things up.
That is a cool setup, where do you store your water?
We have 32 oz water bottles and carry a refillable gallon or two, one is narrow with a spout and it fits in the nook on the back door.
Great setting for the places with a warm climate and friendly people around.
Dude this is great for me for a weekend warrior camping love love
Well done……luv my TC mini too, 4yrs still building, travel weekly
I'm distracted by her beautiful hair...beauty.
Our first title for the video was Van and Hair tour!
Great build and very functional. Where do you store your water?
"Metal bar" you hang your cutains from is builing strap. Readily available from Big Orange or Big Blue home centers.
Thank you Scott, that's very helpful information! We are the customers who drive those home centers crazy trying to explain what we are looking for! We'd look like pros asking for building strap!
@@amymalimichi377 Yup.
Would be good to understand what lady is saying.....nice Charlie's
Bought this van already insulated/panelled/ electrical with folding bed/seat/cabinet/little sink. But how do you open the rear door when inside wanting to get out especially during the nite.
Nice, congratulations on your progress! We don’t, we use the sliding doors to exit.
Love your vid! Like the time you take and the clear explaination. Smart set-up.
Thank you for the kind words Marco!
Is this van a swb or lwb
Great design ideas. Had to turn the sound off because the music was so distracting.
Very nice job. Good luck on your travels.
Great build but where’s your toilet?
The woods
I was so excited to see that little door step, I have a carrier on top of my mini van but have trouble reaching everything in it so I tie twine around each bin to pull it to where I can reach it. I think you have made my van life so much easier. I really liked your setup, I've had my minivan for over a decade, the inside has been redone so many times but you can always learn something new by watching others conversions. thank you- stay safe.
Thanks Yora Sum Bodie. Very nice compliment. We love hearing that we made someones life easier. We owe a lot of saved build hours to van life youtubers. Be well!
A lot of great ideas. Thanks for sharing. So neat and organized!!
Appreciate that thank you
Thanks so much for sharing! I just got a 2020 Ford Connect Cargo with this idea. I've been searching, reading and designing ... You guys gave me bunch of hints 👍
Love to hear it! Thank you!
Wonderful space 👍 Looking forward to following along on your journey.
Thank you! Looking forward to sharing!
Cool 😎 U put together a nice home on wheels💪✌️👍
We joke about our home on wheels all the time! The front seats are the living room.
nice comfy build and i like the dual draws pullout
Nice job you guys! Got some great ideas from your build.