As an interior designer who has specified leather for countless projects, let me say that if it's leather, good leather, you will not stick to it. It breathes, just like skin. So when you upholster anything in leather, make sure you are getting FULL GRAIN leather. TOP GRAIN leather may sound better, and may look better, but that is because they have sanded down the surface of the leather, getting rid of any flaws, then they seal it - making it much harder to breathe, thus the sticking - but no where near as sticky as vinyl. With FULL GRAIN leather, there may be some flaws, because cows have scars, but it is a much better product. And it will breathe, and you will not stick.
I've never had leather seats I've enjoyed, but maybe "Full Grain" is what I've been missing. Also, flaws seem like they'd look better (as long as it isn't cut to hell).
That's what I thought. Didn't know the difference between full-grain and top grain though so thanks for that information. I love leather, it's so beautiful and ages well.
I hate sitting on leather of any type. Plus, even if it supposedly 'breathes' it has been treated with chemicals that you still may absorb into your skin. I'll take a good quality cloth seat over a leather one any day.
I think Margaret summed it all up with "Bad layout leads to burnout". If you're compromising yourself every day, having to make tiny annoying adjustments to your LIFE and LIVING, it is just so tiring. and exhausting and then you HATE everything. Well done Margaret and Slavi. You speak with wisdom and a very open mind. I see Slavi leap for the bed. This is how it is. Be yourselves and you ARE. I love it. Ten out of ten. and a Camel stamp. (The first compliment I received was in primary school when I did something correctly. After 70 years, I still remember my lesson with the Camel stamp approval from my teacher.) Love your work. Keep on being real.
You are exactly right, unfortunately. It's the little, uncorrectable mistakes we must live with day after day that slowly dominate the experience. The first time I discovered the inverter in the $70,000 trailer could not run the microwave, I was totally bummed and spent the next 60 minutes reheating leftovers on the propane stove and washing dishes when the entire process might have been accomplished in less than 5 minutes. Live and learn.
Integrity on the internet will make or break you. Every.Single.Time. You guys have always been straight up and man, that makes you #1 in my book....plus you two are full of very cool personality so watching you is a win.
Love the burrito bed idea!! I have seen some with Murphy beds or the beds that lift up to the ceiling which are super cool, and all three would leave "living space" when they are not needed. I don't mind making a bed every morning, nor does my husband. It is just automatic for whomever is the last one up. The bed that just raises to the ceiling would be my #1 pick. But, making a bed that you can't walk around, such as a permanent, fixed bed in a van... I don't think either of us would like. Being able to just fold it or lift it up and out of the way and getting all that space during the rest of the day would be totally necessary in my opinion. I would never consider traveling in one without a full shower/bathroom. This shower looked pretty nice! My husband takes a shower every night before bed, but neither of us would like the outdoor shower, with a hose from the garage before bed. If you are out in the wilderness and no people around... and it was WARM outside, it would be great. But going to all the money on one of these builds and not having a full shower inside, for when the weather is cold or rainy outside, would be a bummer. The more I watch, I too believe a composting toilet is the way to go. Probably the best would be an incinerator type, but who has $6,000 and wants to beef up the electrical to use it?! I too think the chopping drawer for veggies is cool, but I wouldn't want it. A light weight flat chopping mat would be much more practical in a tiny kitchen, take up much less space and easy to pick up and dispose of any leftovers. (It was a pretty inovative design... I have to admit!) FRIDGE: I would hate the pull out fridge. Even the fridges that are larger, but set down on the floor I wouldn't like. I have seen several that are mounted on top of a built in cupboard or drawer, that makes the bottom of the fridge at least knee level, and those are epic!! That way you wouldn't have to lean way down to stock the fridge or get to items. I have seen only ONE van conversion that has an electric cooler plugged in, in the garage space, which is what I would have for extra drinks. Even our 5 day coolers keep drinks pretty darn cold, even a day or so after the ice has melted. I could see myself putting one of those in the garage space and buying a bag of ice every 5 or so days... IF I was traveling in areas where there aren't any big grocery stores, or camping for a few days. The sink in this van is nice, but way too big and just takes up counter space. It wouldn't be so bad if it had a lid that fitted inside the top so it could be used as more counterspace when not in use... though I could see myself washing my hair in it! LOL On second thought.... a big sink would be great for quick rinsing a few light clothes if you weren't near a place to do laundry, so I might keep that, only with an insert countertop lid!! Oh... I love these van conversions and would LOVE to own one!! I have been watching these for a couple of years and they seem to get more and more beautiful! Unfortunately, as cattle ranchers... we are pretty much stuck at home with cows, so we very seldom get a chance to take off for a week. Most of our vacations are for less than 7 days, and we take them about every 3 years... so alas, a converted van wouldn't be very practical! --sigh!! I keep thinking that maybe someday when we semi retire and our son takes over, my husband and I could go out on the road during down time on the ranch and see America.
I would definitely make the kitchen more compact, and a few other changes, but DAMN I am glad to see someone finally showcasing how to make a bathroom take up virtually no space and still be functional, this bathroom is PERFECT for so many micro builds, I see many van-lifers go without a bathroom so often cause of "space"... tsk tsk, space is no excuse, a bathroom is always essential to living this life and a bathroom WILL ALWAYS FIT (and if you don't agree, check out ANY Westfalia build, and then tell me there isn't room for a bathroom... cause there ALWAYS IS)
I choose living in nature with a new sunset in beautiful places and not living like 95% of societies norms in 4 walls. It’s amazing we humans are built for nature. Plus, if the neighbor annoys me Im in another beautiful place 5 miles away from anyone. Including whit picket fences 🥴😂
Something I noticed: The 3rd joint of that bed is gonna become an issue. I could see the stress on it in this video already. While they say that the bed will hold 500 lbs, that 3rd joint does not have the necessary support for longevity. The table would need to come out a few more inches AND connect to the top of the sofa to relieve the stress on that joint. If you look closely, the joint is beginning to bend downwards slightly. The more you get on it, the more it's gonna become evident until it finally gives, rendering the bed useless until that joint is replaced.
I've watched a LOT of van builds over the years and I plan on building one out myself in the near future. I didn't finish the video yet, but I just wanted to say a big thank you for pointing out some details (like the inside water-inlet). Those are the small things that I was looking for and how to avoid annoyance. You make some really good points and are very subjective in your review. Loved the video so far. Thank you guys!
I have disordered sleep, and I generally have to nap around 2 pm. Any little thing like an alarm or getting up could mess it up. I get so tired that I can't really move, I just need to lie down. I'm interested in van life, and while I don't like how cramped it could feel with a permanent bed and storage below, that's probably what I personally need, though I'd love something that gives me danceable floor space like a futon mattress.
I love this channel's mellow practicality vibe while having the adventurous spirit. I'd follow more vanlife channels if their music wasn't obnoxiously loud or their videography wasn't spazzy.
I've watched a whole bunch of van life builds. This one was so good because Ladi and Margaret really hit home on the things that will annoy or aggravate over time. And lets face it, Van Conversions aint cheap. So getting it right the first time is brutally important, not only for your nerves, but for your pocket too. Well done guys. I get what you said about the passage width, the fixed bed and the composting toilet, I agree. The only other thing I didnt like was the risk of overspill from the cook top, onto that lovely couch. Anyway, I subscribed to see your new personal build. Keep up the great content.
"van conversions ain't cheap" exactly this. Could you do it very cheap all in under 25k for a certified used van and materials included? Yes. But the popularity of it all and current supply price increases has made it very expensive. I wish people were more accurate with their builds and pricing because majority of them are like for 30k including the van, we have this amazing build! But they fail to mention that it was years ago and you would be paying more than than for a decent used van in today's market. I also agree to the point of the cook top and that was my first thought. There is a reason that we dont put a couch next to a stove in a traditional couch! lol
@@justanotherinternetdude8847 Yeah, the stove coming out over the couch just seemed like a very bad design choice. It should have come out where that cutting board drawer can out or just be part of the countertop, like it tends to be in most campers. Speaking of pointless things that come out, that stupid top-loader fridge design is a waste of materials and horribly inefficient thanks to being stuffed into a cabinet with no ventilation. Oh, and speaking of ventilation, really should have that in the bathroom and the above the stove, not randomly off by the travel seating where it can do little to no good.
Yes, a missed opportunity. For any induction cooktop that is totally flat, you can place a nice big cutting board on top of it when it is not in use. So in my experience, there is no reason not to put the induction unit on the countertop itself. And if you really need to chop and cook at the same time (which you may not), there is always the pull-out cutting board to the rescue. Problem solved.
I’m sitting in my van right below my max fan watching this. When it started to beep and real out I was sure it was my own fan and had a mini panic attack 😂😂
My Fantastic Fans were supposed to include a rain sensor. Instead, they have a moisture sensor which shuts the vents tight with no rain within a hundred miles. Take a shower, they shut. Dew falls, they shut. Once they are shut, they do NOT open again. Total disgrace and design failure, and a safety hazard in hot weather.
Anyone else enjoying how the girl is explaining and going so deep and technical into things? I feel like in most van builds it's like "Yeh I made a bad and put some wood here" but the woman explaining the thought behind this is very intellectually stimualting.
A large table to lay out blueprints is a must for me if I travel with my work. This clever design provides that without having to buy a bigger RV. Would never have thought so many features could be made to fit a van. Narrow hallway suits me, a solo traveler, when it gives such a big kitchen work surface. Even better that it expands in 2 directions. Best shower setup I've ever seen in this size vehicle. Thanx for the tip about how white back splash = high maintenance.
@@Timeculture Actually, there haven't been blueprints around for 25 years ... But, that's what we still call any large scale drawing that has to be rolled out on a big table. A scale drawing is used to design anything from a dog house to a rocket engine. The rocket scientist and the carpenter aren't necessarily the same person. Is that what you are getting at? I don't know anything about planning a compact, useful van interior. Big and tall, I'm in awe of anyone who can conceive and build large features that become small; in this case, the folding bed, the expandable cooking area ... but especially, a huge, slide-away table for drafting work, where several people can view the presentation of a project drawing in a weatherproof setting. The big drawer where the presenter hides her laptop is a great place to keep drawings and drafting tools clean and intact. I draft up plans that show people where to plant trees on country properties. The scale is usually 1" = 8 feet, or 1/100 metric. Some of the work can be done on a laptop at a tiny desk, but at some point is generated a large plan on paper. Not all clients have a guest house or drafting table. Sometimes there aren't yet any buildings on site. With a van like this, I can park right where the planting will happen. Rainy or windy, I can invite the client(s) inside to view the drawings. At a later phase, I might supervise the planting, in which case the landscape contractor would also find this big, weatherproof table useful. He might just run out and buy a van with the same ingenious features. It's a niche market, but there are probably countless professions that need this type of indoor/outdoor portability in a compact van format. My work provide
Great video! A suggestion for the bed - they make "zipper bedding" where the blankets/bedspread zips to the bottom sheet, so it is easy to make the bed and not have to store the bedding separately. Good for any bed really, but especially a bed that moves to be put away.
A simple but important suggestion for van life buyers. If you will be mostly in cold weather its OK to get a dark color van...but if planning to be in tropics it's a must you need a WHITE color vehicle...actually applies to all houses on wheels but mostly vans..even if you have 4 "insulation...
love the pull out stove - swap to van door side like previous note. Love the big top opening fridge and counter space, no to the taco bed. Love the rotating chairs with computer table and foot raised. yes 2 vent fans. I love windows at least on one side. I do like the pull out chopping block without the rubber catch thing in it - it will wear out ... love the window coverings and your cat.
This is a super well done van. So much care taken in building it. Design functionality really is a preference. I can see a lot of people going for this exact design
Hey there Friend, how are you doing today? Must be some difficult time out there. Well It isn’t my will to interfere into your private businesses, So I would love to ask do you believe in investment?
Totally agree with the convertible bed comments. After living in a small RV for a month and a half during a fire evacuation, having to make up the bed every night and take it down every morning became a real drag. Having one person who gets up early and one who likes to stay in bed makes it even more inconvenient. After the evacuation, we sold the RV and bought one with a rear bedroom and fixed bed.
First class review! First class van ! The long table is wonderful! You can always leave bed down on certain days or use the bench seat to relax on. Need to get an electric bike in!
Super helpful, thank you. I laughed when Ladi said he compromised like that- I knew he definitely didn’t! And then you corrected him immediately, so funny! It’s the equivalent of, I‘m not sleeping, just resting my eyes!
So glad you were able to take this journey together. It builds confidence in the both of you to know where you want to be, and removes the what ifs. I would say this was a success. Now you know where Home is, and where you both want to be. You got love it, and if you don't you'll feel like a caged mouse on a treadmill. Happy days.😊
yes! the stove should be integrated into the counter and use the pull out as extra prep space, the upholstery exposed behind and beneath the induction stove, is a no go.
The leather pattern furniture and beautiful wood work is the best I have seen. I like the white plastic cabinets and the appearance of the layout. I live in a RAM Promaster City you know a FIAT a little one. I use a Walmart Futon for my sofa bed. Looks great, durable and very comfortable. I have a wraparound wood finish utility shelf cabinet on the side and back. Side beverage snacks and back a 42 inch ultra HD Flat Screen. At the door is about 4 Sq Ft of floor space. Next to the door behind the passenger seat is a clothes cabinet that supports a mist air-conditioning or refrigerator. It works great for me. I can collapse the beverage counter and unfold the Futon into a queen size bed. I have never done that and simply sleep on the sofa.
Have you ever thought of offering an eTrike? Due to a stroke some years back, I have absolutely no sense of balance, so I would need a 3rd wheel for stability (a quad would be even better). I'm willing to give up some speed. Think about it. There is a growing market in accessibility for us aging boomers!
I've never had a sense of balance. Was never able to ride a bike, a trike would have been nice for me but I only saw one my whole life with this old white lady. I live in a third world African country do no options around these parts sadly. But e-bikes are fairly common.
Hi, I work in adaptive recreation and I'm happy to tell you that there is already a wide range of E-Trikes on the market, specifically ones that come with adaptive options, such as recumbant seating, flat deck pedals, extra seat supports etc. Unfortunately, they don't come cheap, however you may have an organzation like mine in your area, who have a fleet they rent out. Alternatively, if you have a disability, you may be able to secure partial or full funding through a grant or scheme. Our community has been really enjoying our Hase E-Trikes, or if you want to venture into challenging terrain, check out the bowhead reach bike which can handle downhill mountain bike trails and hit jumps! Hope this helps!
Move the sink to the right side of the counter. Storage underneath. Standing fridge on left side. Induction stove pops out to the left by the door/ easy exhaust. Additional panel over the bench that folds down would extend the counter space all the way to the back of the van. The kitchen counter should be like 8 inches less wide, no one’s using the back 8 inches when working.. would allow for more room in alleyway.
Yeah, there is a lot of things i would do different, but this gave me some ideas. The countertop/cupboard doesnt need to be that deep, even if you build with standard IKEA cabinets, you can cut them down and create more floorspace. Find a narrower sink and put the faucet on the side, save a good 20cm I would make the countertop slide/fold over the bench wit the cooktop underneath, instead of having the cooktop sliding out over the seating area, splattering bacongrease everywhere. I would do a liftable bed with seating underneath, that can fold up against the walls to create a garage while driving (fitting one motorcycle with the wheel in the aisle and plenty of stuff on the sides) And, the best idea yet, I have seen only in one build, slidable showerwalls that epands the shower/toilet out 20cm in the aisle with an attachment for a vent hood to the roof fan to ventilate the steam/stink out... Also, since I want to be stealth, a roofrack hiding the roof fans and Solar panels AND giving storage space.
The work desk and shower are my favorite parts of this van. I also like the white decor-- seeing what's dirty indicates where/what needs cleaning. Overall, this is a really beautiful van, and your review was very informative-- GREAT!
Hey there Friend, how are you doing today? Must be some difficult time out there. Well It isn’t my will to interfere into your private businesses, So I would love to ask do you believe in investment?
I love a bed that is set in place. Never had a van camper but it would be great. If I did I love the cutting board but would place it on slide out somehow on the door side, over refrigerator and have it swivel to side and straight out side of counter. Induction stove seems great but think a covered one on counter top would be better. Bath is great and amazing to fit in space. I think the van seats are enough room, so would do the burrito bed but also make panel to store under if not in use as bench to put an extra tote. The bed staying burrito would be nice if you have company. Place the stuff under bed in car and plenty of room. Love the lights and placement of. The blinds are great feature too. I would also, narrow the counter just a bit. Might try to add a pull out counter or cover for utility drawer for that extra counter space for mixing if stove is in use.
I wish I had seen this video 4 months ago. I have been doing trial and error on my multi fold bed storage. I finally figured out last month after 3 months of racking my brain on weekends on how to make it work. I will have more storage on my design. Two big side by side 36" 12" deep drawers under the bed and over the battery system. The toilet or maybe water tank will be between the battery system and back door. The bed folds like the one you showed and storage space used to store just the bed is 17" high, 18" deep by 74" making the bed 6' 2" x 6'
Top opening fridges are more efficient than bar style fridges, as the cold settles to the bottom as heat rises. Efficiency in a van build should be a priority so I'm happy to see the builder made a good decision here.
Efficiency doesn’t mean anything if the product is inconvenient. After living out of vehicles ourselves for years, we’ve yet to met anyone on the road with a top loading fridge who doesn’t admit they’ll be switching to a different type for their next van.
@@ladiandmargaret I'm not hard of understanding, I got your opinion from the video the first time around. I'm just saying that the fridge is a sensible choice for a resource-limited application like a van, you can prefer another type if you like, it doesn't change the fact. Living in a van in the first place is inconvenient, efficiency is important.
@@ladiandmargaret We've had a top-loading fridge for 20 years in our van and really like it. I'd be happy to have one again. But ours isn't on sliders so there is no faff getting in to it. The clamps on the one in this van do look very annoying. That is too much faff, I agree.
I agreed with most everything except the frig and cook top. Love my top-opening frig. Hate low-placed front openers. Maybe if they were raised and you can afford 500 plus watts of solar, sure. Hope that rear upholstery is ultra-cleanable because that cooktop is really gonna make a mess over it. Should put the cutting board there and have the cook top on the counter.
Full timer here. I've never had any issues with my porta potty - No 2s only 😜 I don't use any chemicals. All I do is line the bowl with a pedel bin bag & a few paper towels & I've never had any issues with odours even after a few uses. When its full I dispose it in the bin, just like you would with nappies/diapers.
Two things I would recommend. Move the cooktop where the cutting board is. And add an extractor fan above on the roof. And use a fold down cutting board as part if the backsplash. And extra seeds or peels could be swept into a the sink.
Except then whoever is in the work/bedroom area is stuck until the cooking is done, or has to climb out the back and come around. And vice/versa. Maybe have the cooktop stored in that sliding space where the cutting board currently is, but it comes out and gets placed on the counter when cooking.
Hi, I’m the crazy person who suggested three main features for the captions chairs, you know the swivel, rocker and recliner idea. I failed to mention that I totally enjoyed your video and great sense of humor and also that I learned a lot from your objective thought process in what made sense and what didn’t. I hope to learn more from you, thank you🌹
Hey there Friend, how are you doing today? Must be some difficult time out there. Well It isn’t my will to interfere into your private businesses, So I would love to ask do you believe in investment?
Love the induction slide-out, agree about the refrigerator 100%, agree on the recirculating shower and love the bed system! Agree on the water-filling hole, Love the work desk set up, agree on the leaning cushion. Like the lift up and down bed too :) Think your van is going to be awesome!!
The thought process and the van philosophy you went through and explain your point of view - was very helpful. And also thumbs up for sharing the extra information, that Americans are not the only one who uses such vans. Here in Europe we do use the same vans like Peugeot Boxer, Citroen Jumper and Fiat Ducato which are indeed more boxier and way more spacious than Sprinter (Mercedes), Crafter (VW), Transit (Ford) vans are.
I totally agree with basically all of your preferences/ likes/ dislikes! I would add: 1) I can't stand plastic; the cabinet doors seem cheesy. 🙂 2) More importantly, I think I would *hate* the cooktop placement, because no one can really be sitting on the couch during cooking. And you would have to avoid all grease & steam! I also think not having an oven severely limits cooking options. Really enjoyed your evaluation!
Could not have the cooker over my beautiful leather sofa to get hot food,water spilled over it. And the chopping board was fab but needed to be on the end by the sliding door. No inconvenience as you can use the back door to get in and out.
How about putting the chopping board where the cooktop is, and the cooktop on the opposite end of the counter? That way any steam or cooking smells could waft out the doorway? 😊
Your videos are very useful and provide lots of information. I have received lots of help from them, please continue to share this kind of information.
Well done Ladi and Margaret; one of your best videos yet I think. Agree with all of your review except the slide-out hob; I'm afraid we would have to cover the lovely leather sofa in plastic and paper to catch the boil overs and fat splatter or it would be ruined in an instant! Love the electic induction but what about the space and water heating? Are these diesel maybe? Good luck with finishing your van, I'm sure many of us are looking forward to seeing it.
The laptop table and the stove. I would definitely modify it taking lots of the same approaches you had but I love to cook so kitchen space and functionality mean a lot to me. There's definitely a lot of cons the less needed to but behind more also Smart lights that can be controlled by Alexa or I phone or other would be nice becausr you could time what time they turn on or off and what colors you like.
In one of my minivan conversions, the front driver and passenger seats laid back completely, so I used a drawer set between them and created the bed. It worked VERY well. You can't sleep while you're driving, and you can't drive while you're sleeping. It saved a LOT of space as well as creating seating space when parked. However, most of the driving seats now will not lay back completely. These seats are difficult to find.
Well, great review of the van. I think that the zink and induction hub / cutting board should be switched so cooking damp gets out of the instead of on walls and sofa and when kitchen is working mode, the burrito bed is rolled up, the end doors is the in and out mode. And kitchen side should definitely be smaller in width. Some really good finishes in the building, I already had the long table with drawers underneath in my mind, to my upcoming build. Unfortunately I got scammed with car I was supposed to have 3 days ago, but luckily I gonna get all my money back. Wish you all the best on your journey back home to Millie.. 😻
So glad to see they didn't take up space in the bathroom with a sink. To me, that's the biggest mistake any smaller RV units make. I understand the extra steps that are a pain with a top loading fridge, but since cold air sinks, you don't lose a lot when the lid is open. Since I'd be alone in the van, I appreciate the extra width for counters/storage, rather than a wide hallway. The best way to make the 'safe' safe is to have the bed down when away from the van
thanks Carol! We had an amazing time and learned a lot:) We came up with so many new ideas because of our time living in this van, and it especially showed us we really want to step up our security plans! there were a lot of times we felt very vulnerable
This was an amazing video, Ladi & Margaret, Best part....the joking between you both. The stove setup was ingenious. Out of the way when not needed. The veggies waste container is cute. Practical. Loved the banner between you both. This van has everything. Loved the bed. Awesome .
Hey there Friend, how are you doing today? Must be some difficult time out there. Well It isn’t my will to interfere into your private businesses, So I would love to ask do you believe in investment?
Oh, yay! I'm 6'1" (185cm) and prefer to lie elongated, prefer twinXL or CalKing on land for pillow and foot room. It's super helpful to follow you even taller guys to get a better sense if I would fit comfortably. Because in the end, sleep quality is the single most important delivery requirement of a campervan.
I've often wondered if a composting toilet on some sort of rail system would work--it would move the toilet back into the foot area of the driver's seat desk, then cover the "hole" with a hinged watherproof panel and have a shower that's easy to stand in without avoiding the toilet...
yes tbh we didnt really notice it much, but we were also using the rice cooker much more often than the stove. but agree with you there is a huge risk factor there while cooking!
thank you for sharing & showing all your tips n tricks - of what to do and not to do -and great job on that van regardless of all the changes you will be making - great luck to your future adventures!!
That pull-out induction stove, while it does save counter space, it extends over the seating area, and if you have the pull-out cutting board out, can be difficult to get to.
I love a lot of these ideas but it seems like there's a lot of space doing the same stuff. The swivel seat desks, but then a sofa with retractable desk, plus folding bed on other side?
YES! one high quality, comfortable space for each activity is all you need. When things are too multifunctional, the can sacrifice comfort and ease of use!
Amazing Build.... My favorite part of this build is the burrito bed and also loved the large shower and swivel front leather seats and the work table that can be used in the front seat. I do not like the toilet or the fridge.
Thanks for this review. We have been loving our 2013 Pleasure Way Lexor van made in Canada. Seeing this video made us love ours even more. I am super glad we purchased the Chevy Express instead of the Promaster version. Safe travels!
I would sleep the other way around on the bed, with the feet in the recess. When I wake up, I would forget and sit up and bang my head! The central corridor can be made even narrower, if you are good friends, wear less clothes, and wear oils! Ha Ha. More seriously, the lack of even a small garage in this design is definitely a problem for most people. Where to put that electric bike, or inflatable kayak, or skis or whatever? That said, the amount of office space front and back is a great plus for those who work on the road, so the "Burrito bed" would be a great plus for those folks. Since the toilet is removable, people can put in the composting or whatever version they like. Not having a "sealed" toilet/shower system is just not viable IMHO, so it is great to see that well designed space in there. You see some videos of people who don't have an internal shower and bath, and they claim that they do fine without it. But in some areas of the world, access to clean bathrooms, especially at any hour, is highly problematic. And yet in the wilderness, you have more options for outdoor bathing, but realistically only if the weather is reasonable, and messing around with shower/toilet tents, etc is a pain for full-time van dwellers.
That convertable bed/desk spare was so clever, and would be a great thing to impliment in a smaller van where multi-use spaces are a necessity. I do wonder how it will do with moisture though. One of the problems with murphy beds or really any bed with no slats is moisture and mold.
Great video!! I so miss you critiquing van layouts!! Do you think you will do another season of "Van Tour Reactions & Reviews"? I really hope you do!! :)
YES! Once we’re back on the road definitely, and would love to start more during this winter if we have time. They take some time to produce and such, and with all the building going on it’s been difficult to prioritize. It’ll be back though, hopefully sooner rather than later!
This was so useful! Despite I have not a van yet, I've been thinking a lot about the bed design and, just using my thoughts and guesses, I got the same conclusion as you guys: a fixed bed and a garage underneath it. Thank you so much for this video!
For the kitchen, I would switch the cutting board to the stove , that way cutting would be possible over the seat and not impede mouvement in the hallway. And I would conceal the stove on the countertop underneath a lifting board. To me the couch is not necessary since you have the swivel seats, Just set the bed up to be accessible all the time. About the white panels that show dirt, how about putting them a matte light beige or grey. Anyway, I think you did a great design just with the swivel seats and the little tables!!!
I think this van would be awesome for a single or someone who needs the white to feel less enclosed. I also wonder if a “beddy “ set on bed would fold up just fine in the burrito. Love the swivel front seats and would probably use more than bed for just sitting times.
That Ebike you design will be so good and useful for van life or any class of rv owner,since its rechargeable you can keep it running when you go out camping out of the city,when there's no fuel for your bike,that ebike gonna comes super handy.
Thank You for showing us your VAN! Also, for sharing the trueth abot what it went good as well as what really was not practical. For all: Congratulations to you both. Enjoy Life!
I love the design. The only problem I see is the outer water tank, it saves space but be careful with freezing weather. However you can install an automatic heater inside just in case.
The pull out cook too is a great idea although would there be heat marks on the side of the van also splashing from the food would stain ,it needs to be tiled for easy cleaning.
Hey there Friend, how are you doing today? Must be some difficult time out there. Well It isn’t my will to interfere into your private businesses, So I would love to ask do you believe in investment?
Interesting van layout, with some nice ideas. Surprised you didn't like the fridge though, having used both top loading and front loading. I much prefer the top loader. I actually found it easier to use not having to get on the floor to see whats inside. I can see the benifits if it was at eye level though. One thing i didn't like though was the cooker location !!! cooking, especially frying over the top of the leather seats ...naaa. IMHO it needs to be by the side door where the sink is, ventalation when cooking anything smelly or fatty
Nice video! I have a 1999 sprinter which I converted to a house on wheels. My toilet empties into a tank which I usually just dump on the road with a flick of a switch while I'm driving. No chemicals, no bulking material, no extra expenses
Hey there Friend, how are you doing today? Must be some difficult time out there. Well It isn’t my will to interfere into your private businesses, So I would love to ask do you believe in investment?
Loving your Cyberbike advert, the whispering had me LOLing! And now I want a Cyberbike :-) Great video as always guys. Looking forward to the next video. Cheers!!
Cooking over a leather couch isn’t ideal. Better to have a side folding extension to the counter at that end and have a tabletop plug-in single cooker. If you plan to sleep in a van, make sure it’s not a sprinter - rule of thumb -
So I'm building my first van, and I've designed it with the water tank inside to keep it from freezing. It looks like that water tank could very easily be damaged, as well as very prone to freezing. What kind of design do you use to address those 2 concerns with an external water tank?
@@anninriverside755 I could see grease splattering, tomato sauce splattering, or a pot of soap like hearty potato soup with milk spilling over the couch . Needs a better placement! I also love it when you get these people who say I'd shorten the counter space. It may look like it is a lot of space. The counter maybe 48 inches including the sink! Most of those people have never cooked in a tiny space! You end up using the bed or a seat to hold a pot or pan while your trying to fill it! Or you have food items laying on them. I have cooked in a tiny space kitchen in an apartment that was no bigger than a van or schoolie space; it is a genuine juggling act! I have also cooked in a van, too.
@@dr.floridaman4805 there's been times in June when I've been up in the Rockys and the temperature has goten below freezing at night. I'm not attracted to the beach and I'm not building a van just to visit 5 states.
As an interior designer who has specified leather for countless projects, let me say that if it's leather, good leather, you will not stick to it. It breathes, just like skin. So when you upholster anything in leather, make sure you are getting FULL GRAIN leather. TOP GRAIN leather may sound better, and may look better, but that is because they have sanded down the surface of the leather, getting rid of any flaws, then they seal it - making it much harder to breathe, thus the sticking - but no where near as sticky as vinyl. With FULL GRAIN leather, there may be some flaws, because cows have scars, but it is a much better product. And it will breathe, and you will not stick.
I've never had leather seats I've enjoyed, but maybe "Full Grain" is what I've been missing. Also, flaws seem like they'd look better (as long as it isn't cut to hell).
That's what I thought. Didn't know the difference between full-grain and top grain though so thanks for that information. I love leather, it's so beautiful and ages well.
Worth mentioning this is only true if you properly maintain the leather.
Such truth.
I love my rabbit fur. Leather so soft
I hate sitting on leather of any type. Plus, even if it supposedly 'breathes' it has been treated with chemicals that you still may absorb into your skin. I'll take a good quality cloth seat over a leather one any day.
I think Margaret summed it all up with "Bad layout leads to burnout". If you're compromising yourself every day, having to make tiny annoying adjustments to your LIFE and LIVING, it is just so tiring. and exhausting and then you HATE everything. Well done Margaret and Slavi. You speak with wisdom and a very open mind. I see Slavi leap for the bed. This is how it is. Be yourselves and you ARE. I love it. Ten out of ten. and a Camel stamp. (The first compliment I received was in primary school when I did something correctly. After 70 years, I still remember my lesson with the Camel stamp approval from my teacher.) Love your work. Keep on being real.
You are exactly right, unfortunately. It's the little, uncorrectable mistakes we must live with day after day that slowly dominate the experience. The first time I discovered the inverter in the $70,000 trailer could not run the microwave, I was totally bummed and spent the next 60 minutes reheating leftovers on the propane stove and washing dishes when the entire process might have been accomplished in less than 5 minutes. Live and learn.
Integrity on the internet will make or break you. Every.Single.Time. You guys have always been straight up and man, that makes you #1 in my book....plus you two are full of very cool personality so watching you is a win.
Love the burrito bed idea!! I have seen some with Murphy beds or the beds that lift up to the ceiling which are super cool, and all three would leave "living space" when they are not needed. I don't mind making a bed every morning, nor does my husband. It is just automatic for whomever is the last one up. The bed that just raises to the ceiling would be my #1 pick.
But, making a bed that you can't walk around, such as a permanent, fixed bed in a van... I don't think either of us would like. Being able to just fold it or lift it up and out of the way and getting all that space during the rest of the day would be totally necessary in my opinion.
I would never consider traveling in one without a full shower/bathroom. This shower looked pretty nice! My husband takes a shower every night before bed, but neither of us would like the outdoor shower, with a hose from the garage before bed. If you are out in the wilderness and no people around... and it was WARM outside, it would be great. But going to all the money on one of these builds and not having a full shower inside, for when the weather is cold or rainy outside, would be a bummer.
The more I watch, I too believe a composting toilet is the way to go. Probably the best would be an incinerator type, but who has $6,000 and wants to beef up the electrical to use it?!
I too think the chopping drawer for veggies is cool, but I wouldn't want it. A light weight flat chopping mat would be much more practical in a tiny kitchen, take up much less space and easy to pick up and dispose of any leftovers. (It was a pretty inovative design... I have to admit!)
FRIDGE:
I would hate the pull out fridge. Even the fridges that are larger, but set down on the floor I wouldn't like. I have seen several that are mounted on top of a built in cupboard or drawer, that makes the bottom of the fridge at least knee level, and those are epic!! That way you wouldn't have to lean way down to stock the fridge or get to items.
I have seen only ONE van conversion that has an electric cooler plugged in, in the garage space, which is what I would have for extra drinks. Even our 5 day coolers keep drinks pretty darn cold, even a day or so after the ice has melted. I could see myself putting one of those in the garage space and buying a bag of ice every 5 or so days... IF I was traveling in areas where there aren't any big grocery stores, or camping for a few days.
The sink in this van is nice, but way too big and just takes up counter space. It wouldn't be so bad if it had a lid that fitted inside the top so it could be used as more counterspace when not in use... though I could see myself washing my hair in it! LOL On second thought.... a big sink would be great for quick rinsing a few light clothes if you weren't near a place to do laundry, so I might keep that, only with an insert countertop lid!!
Oh... I love these van conversions and would LOVE to own one!! I have been watching these for a couple of years and they seem to get more and more beautiful! Unfortunately, as cattle ranchers... we are pretty much stuck at home with cows, so we very seldom get a chance to take off for a week. Most of our vacations are for less than 7 days, and we take them about every 3 years... so alas, a converted van wouldn't be very practical! --sigh!!
I keep thinking that maybe someday when we semi retire and our son takes over, my husband and I could go out on the road during down time on the ranch and see America.
I would definitely make the kitchen more compact, and a few other changes, but DAMN I am glad to see someone finally showcasing how to make a bathroom take up virtually no space and still be functional, this bathroom is PERFECT for so many micro builds, I see many van-lifers go without a bathroom so often cause of "space"... tsk tsk, space is no excuse, a bathroom is always essential to living this life and a bathroom WILL ALWAYS FIT (and if you don't agree, check out ANY Westfalia build, and then tell me there isn't room for a bathroom... cause there ALWAYS IS)
I agree I can’t live in a space that doesn’t have a fixed bathroom.
I concur.
Right imagine waking up in the desert at 2 am and you have to pee. You're going outside? Id rather have a potty in my room
Agree!!! I get so annoyed when van-lifers pretend that not having a bathroom/shower isn't a huge inconvenience. YES IT IS.
@@JonniD Many pee in a bottle and poop in a bucket with a bag. It's a little less comfortable but it is doable.
I will always choose living in a house. BUT it is really fascinating watching van life videos.
I choose living in nature with a new sunset in beautiful places and not living like 95% of societies norms in 4 walls. It’s amazing we humans are built for nature. Plus, if the neighbor annoys me Im in another beautiful place 5 miles away from anyone. Including whit picket fences 🥴😂
Choose? Not in my generation 🤣
Something I noticed: The 3rd joint of that bed is gonna become an issue. I could see the stress on it in this video already. While they say that the bed will hold 500 lbs, that 3rd joint does not have the necessary support for longevity. The table would need to come out a few more inches AND connect to the top of the sofa to relieve the stress on that joint. If you look closely, the joint is beginning to bend downwards slightly. The more you get on it, the more it's gonna become evident until it finally gives, rendering the bed useless until that joint is replaced.
Yup! If, only the mattress buritoes, the slats accordions, it may be better.
smart, that was the first thing got my attention. Floding bed better to land on the floor when fold out.
@@jparsit.
Hej peeps, does someone know which foldable hinges they used with the 8020 Burrito (22:31) bed system?! Thaaankss
Love the pros & cons at the end
I've watched a LOT of van builds over the years and I plan on building one out myself in the near future. I didn't finish the video yet, but I just wanted to say a big thank you for pointing out some details (like the inside water-inlet). Those are the small things that I was looking for and how to avoid annoyance. You make some really good points and are very subjective in your review. Loved the video so far. Thank you guys!
I'm another fan of a fixed bed, even in my tiny Berlingo van. Love the impromptu 15 min nap whenever you're in a beautiful spot & relaxing 🙂
I have disordered sleep, and I generally have to nap around 2 pm. Any little thing like an alarm or getting up could mess it up. I get so tired that I can't really move, I just need to lie down. I'm interested in van life, and while I don't like how cramped it could feel with a permanent bed and storage below, that's probably what I personally need, though I'd love something that gives me danceable floor space like a futon mattress.
I love this channel's mellow practicality vibe while having the adventurous spirit. I'd follow more vanlife channels if their music wasn't obnoxiously loud or their videography wasn't spazzy.
As someone who lives in a van, it crazy to see how much free space in draws people have in these walk throughs
I've watched a whole bunch of van life builds. This one was so good because Ladi and Margaret really hit home on the things that will annoy or aggravate over time. And lets face it, Van Conversions aint cheap. So getting it right the first time is brutally important, not only for your nerves, but for your pocket too. Well done guys. I get what you said about the passage width, the fixed bed and the composting toilet, I agree. The only other thing I didnt like was the risk of overspill from the cook top, onto that lovely couch. Anyway, I subscribed to see your new personal build. Keep up the great content.
"van conversions ain't cheap" exactly this. Could you do it very cheap all in under 25k for a certified used van and materials included? Yes. But the popularity of it all and current supply price increases has made it very expensive. I wish people were more accurate with their builds and pricing because majority of them are like for 30k including the van, we have this amazing build! But they fail to mention that it was years ago and you would be paying more than than for a decent used van in today's market.
I also agree to the point of the cook top and that was my first thought. There is a reason that we dont put a couch next to a stove in a traditional couch! lol
@@justanotherinternetdude8847 Yeah, the stove coming out over the couch just seemed like a very bad design choice.
It should have come out where that cutting board drawer can out or just be part of the countertop, like it tends to be in most campers.
Speaking of pointless things that come out, that stupid top-loader fridge design is a waste of materials and horribly inefficient thanks to being stuffed into a cabinet with no ventilation.
Oh, and speaking of ventilation, really should have that in the bathroom and the above the stove, not randomly off by the travel seating where it can do little to no good.
Yes, a missed opportunity. For any induction cooktop that is totally flat, you can place a nice big cutting board on top of it when it is not in use. So in my experience, there is no reason not to put the induction unit on the countertop itself. And if you really need to chop and cook at the same time (which you may not), there is always the pull-out cutting board to the rescue. Problem solved.
I’m sitting in my van right below my max fan watching this. When it started to beep and real out I was sure it was my own fan and had a mini panic attack 😂😂
My Fantastic Fans were supposed to include a rain sensor. Instead, they have a moisture sensor which shuts the vents tight with no rain within a hundred miles. Take a shower, they shut. Dew falls, they shut. Once they are shut, they do NOT open again. Total disgrace and design failure, and a safety hazard in hot weather.
Anyone else enjoying how the girl is explaining and going so deep and technical into things? I feel like in most van builds it's like "Yeh I made a bad and put some wood here" but the woman explaining the thought behind this is very intellectually stimualting.
A large table to lay out blueprints is a must for me if I travel with my work. This clever design provides that without having to buy a bigger RV. Would never have thought so many features could be made to fit a van. Narrow hallway suits me, a solo traveler, when it gives such a big kitchen work surface. Even better that it expands in 2 directions. Best shower setup I've ever seen in this size vehicle.
Thanx for the tip about how white back splash = high maintenance.
Not sure what you’re doing around blueprints if you “would never have thought so many features could be made to fit a van”
@@Timeculture Actually, there haven't been blueprints around for 25 years ... But, that's what we still call any large scale drawing that has to be rolled out on a big table. A scale drawing is used to design anything from a dog house to a rocket engine. The rocket scientist and the carpenter aren't necessarily the same person. Is that what you are getting at?
I don't know anything about planning a compact, useful van interior. Big and tall, I'm in awe of anyone who can conceive and build large features that become small; in this case, the folding bed, the expandable cooking area ... but especially, a huge, slide-away table for drafting work, where several people can view the presentation of a project drawing in a weatherproof setting. The big drawer where the presenter hides her laptop is a great place to keep drawings and drafting tools clean and intact.
I draft up plans that show people where to plant trees on country properties. The scale is usually 1" = 8 feet, or 1/100 metric. Some of the work can be done on a laptop at a tiny desk, but at some point is generated a large plan on paper. Not all clients have a guest house or drafting table. Sometimes there aren't yet any buildings on site.
With a van like this, I can park right where the planting will happen. Rainy or windy, I can invite the client(s) inside to view the drawings. At a later phase, I might supervise the planting, in which case the landscape contractor would also find this big, weatherproof table useful. He might just run out and buy a van with the same ingenious features.
It's a niche market, but there are probably countless professions that need this type of indoor/outdoor portability in a compact van format.
My work provide
That little chopping board pop out is genius.
And ... "Let your wife clean it all" 😂😂😂 I died.
Great video! A suggestion for the bed - they make "zipper bedding" where the blankets/bedspread zips to the bottom sheet, so it is easy to make the bed and not have to store the bedding separately. Good for any bed really, but especially a bed that moves to be put away.
This is great advice, I would definitely use zippered bedding if I didn’t have a fixed bed
it won't fit..it's already as tight as a nun's ass
One of the brands is called Beddy's. I thought of this too. I feel like they'd be especially convenient in any van.
A simple but important suggestion for van life buyers. If you will be mostly in cold weather its OK to get a dark color van...but if planning to be in tropics it's a must you need a WHITE color vehicle...actually applies to all houses on wheels but mostly vans..even if you have 4 "insulation...
Strongly approve of the Millie ending/preview.
love the pull out stove - swap to van door side like previous note. Love the big top opening fridge and counter space, no to the taco bed. Love the rotating chairs with computer table and foot raised. yes 2 vent fans. I love windows at least on one side. I do like the pull out chopping block without the rubber catch thing in it - it will wear out ... love the window coverings and your cat.
This is a super well done van. So much care taken in building it. Design functionality really is a preference. I can see a lot of people going for this exact design
Hey there Friend, how are you doing today? Must be some difficult time out there.
Well It isn’t my will to interfere into your private businesses, So I would love to ask do you believe in investment?
Totally agree with the convertible bed comments. After living in a small RV for a month and a half during a fire evacuation, having to make up the bed every night and take it down every morning became a real drag. Having one person who gets up early and one who likes to stay in bed makes it even more inconvenient. After the evacuation, we sold the RV and bought one with a rear bedroom and fixed bed.
I don't like the cook top. Move to use by the door for outside use
First class review! First class van ! The long table is wonderful! You can always leave bed down on certain days or use the bench seat to relax on. Need to get an electric bike in!
Super helpful, thank you. I laughed when Ladi said he compromised like that- I knew he definitely didn’t! And then you corrected him immediately, so funny! It’s the equivalent of, I‘m not sleeping, just resting my eyes!
So glad you were able to take this journey together. It builds confidence in the both of you to know where you want to be, and removes the what ifs. I would say this was a success. Now you know where Home is, and where you both want to be. You got love it, and if you don't you'll feel like a caged mouse on a treadmill. Happy days.😊
I love the desk and bed in this van. it's perfect in its own way.
and the stove, omg. i would like a back splash.
yes! the stove should be integrated into the counter and use the pull out as extra prep space, the upholstery exposed behind and beneath the induction stove, is a no go.
@@zar187 Thinking on it, making it portable you could put it in a draw and pull out when needed. plus you could use it out side.
The leather pattern furniture and beautiful wood work is the best I have seen. I like the white plastic cabinets and the appearance of the layout. I live in a RAM Promaster City you know a FIAT a little one. I use a Walmart Futon for my sofa bed. Looks great, durable and very comfortable. I have a wraparound wood finish utility shelf cabinet on the side and back. Side beverage snacks and back a 42 inch ultra HD Flat Screen. At the door is about 4 Sq Ft of floor space. Next to the door behind the passenger seat is a clothes cabinet that supports a mist air-conditioning or refrigerator. It works great for me. I can collapse the beverage counter and unfold the Futon into a queen size bed. I have never done that and simply sleep on the sofa.
Have you ever thought of offering an eTrike? Due to a stroke some years back, I have absolutely no sense of balance, so I would need a 3rd wheel for stability (a quad would be even better). I'm willing to give up some speed. Think about it. There is a growing market in accessibility for us aging boomers!
Yes please! I like the speed factor but I’m sure I wouldn’t use all of it! Thanks for your innovation!
I too require more stabilization...
I've never had a sense of balance. Was never able to ride a bike, a trike would have been nice for me but I only saw one my whole life with this old white lady. I live in a third world African country do no options around these parts sadly. But e-bikes are fairly common.
@@availanila
I think there are quite a few more people that would appreciate e-trikes than the market acknowledges...
Hi, I work in adaptive recreation and I'm happy to tell you that there is already a wide range of E-Trikes on the market, specifically ones that come with adaptive options, such as recumbant seating, flat deck pedals, extra seat supports etc. Unfortunately, they don't come cheap, however you may have an organzation like mine in your area, who have a fleet they rent out. Alternatively, if you have a disability, you may be able to secure partial or full funding through a grant or scheme.
Our community has been really enjoying our Hase E-Trikes, or if you want to venture into challenging terrain, check out the bowhead reach bike which can handle downhill mountain bike trails and hit jumps!
Hope this helps!
Oh my goodness, you guys are so much fun. I can’t wait to see your build. And I agree with your review.
Move the sink to the right side of the counter. Storage underneath. Standing fridge on left side. Induction stove pops out to the left by the door/ easy exhaust. Additional panel over the bench that folds down would extend the counter space all the way to the back of the van. The kitchen counter should be like 8 inches less wide, no one’s using the back 8 inches when working.. would allow for more room in alleyway.
Yeah, there is a lot of things i would do different, but this gave me some ideas.
The countertop/cupboard doesnt need to be that deep, even if you build with standard IKEA cabinets, you can cut them down and create more floorspace. Find a narrower sink and put the faucet on the side, save a good 20cm
I would make the countertop slide/fold over the bench wit the cooktop underneath, instead of having the cooktop sliding out over the seating area, splattering bacongrease everywhere.
I would do a liftable bed with seating underneath, that can fold up against the walls to create a garage while driving (fitting one motorcycle with the wheel in the aisle and plenty of stuff on the sides)
And, the best idea yet, I have seen only in one build, slidable showerwalls that epands the shower/toilet out 20cm in the aisle with an attachment for a vent hood to the roof fan to ventilate the steam/stink out...
Also, since I want to be stealth, a roofrack hiding the roof fans and Solar panels AND giving storage space.
The work desk and shower are my favorite parts of this van. I also like the white decor-- seeing what's dirty indicates where/what needs cleaning. Overall, this is a really beautiful van, and your review was very informative-- GREAT!
Hey there Friend, how are you doing today? Must be some difficult time out there.
Well It isn’t my will to interfere into your private businesses, So I would love to ask do you believe in investment?
I love a bed that is set in place. Never had a van camper but it would be great. If I did I love the cutting board but would place it on slide out somehow on the door side, over refrigerator and have it swivel to side and straight out side of counter. Induction stove seems great but think a covered one on counter top would be better. Bath is great and amazing to fit in space. I think the van seats are enough room, so would do the burrito bed but also make panel to store under if not in use as bench to put an extra tote. The bed staying burrito would be nice if you have company. Place the stuff under bed in car and plenty of room. Love the lights and placement of. The blinds are great feature too. I would also, narrow the counter just a bit. Might try to add a pull out counter or cover for utility drawer for that extra counter space for mixing if stove is in use.
I hope your Van build vids will start soon! I am going kinda through a detox right now...
Filming one as we speak! Our goal is to have a new van video for you EVERY WEDNESDAY until the entire build is complete!
I wish I had seen this video 4 months ago. I have been doing trial and error on my multi fold bed storage. I finally figured out last month after 3 months of racking my brain on weekends on how to make it work. I will have more storage on my design. Two big side by side 36" 12" deep drawers under the bed and over the battery system. The toilet or maybe water tank will be between the battery system and back door. The bed folds like the one you showed and storage space used to store just the bed is 17" high, 18" deep by 74" making the bed 6' 2" x 6'
I LOVE the cooktpop drawer. Actually I'll probably do exactly that in my small single household kitchen. Just such a good idea.
I do agree with an outside entrance for filling your water tanks!
Amazing review. I would love more real life cooked meal/watts used data from the induction stove top.
Great suggestion!
Top opening fridges are more efficient than bar style fridges, as the cold settles to the bottom as heat rises. Efficiency in a van build should be a priority so I'm happy to see the builder made a good decision here.
Efficiency doesn’t mean anything if the product is inconvenient. After living out of vehicles ourselves for years, we’ve yet to met anyone on the road with a top loading fridge who doesn’t admit they’ll be switching to a different type for their next van.
@@ladiandmargaret I'm not hard of understanding, I got your opinion from the video the first time around. I'm just saying that the fridge is a sensible choice for a resource-limited application like a van, you can prefer another type if you like, it doesn't change the fact. Living in a van in the first place is inconvenient, efficiency is important.
@@ladiandmargaret We've had a top-loading fridge for 20 years in our van and really like it. I'd be happy to have one again. But ours isn't on sliders so there is no faff getting in to it. The clamps on the one in this van do look very annoying. That is too much faff, I agree.
I agreed with most everything except the frig and cook top. Love my top-opening frig. Hate low-placed front openers. Maybe if they were raised and you can afford 500 plus watts of solar, sure.
Hope that rear upholstery is ultra-cleanable because that cooktop is really gonna make a mess over it. Should put the cutting board there and have the cook top on the counter.
i absolutely agree, i also think there needs to be more colors in the van and a warmer lighting
Kellie..yes yes yes. Good ideas.
yeah cooker should have opened to the left i think.
@@TheDevilK exactly. if the cooker is on the left, oil splashing or smoke will go out from the the door.
and, you could possibly do all your chopping sitting down
Definitely a fan of the burrito bed. It takes less than a minute it seems to me to roll it out and get in. Works for me.
What a wonderful interior design with each single part so user-friendly ! Thumbs up 👍🏼
Oh that bed!!!!!!! So Easy to fold. Plus if one person is sleeping you can always sit in the chairs up front.
I loved your views on the bed.
The size of that table is great!! Best I've seen in a van so far.
so many clever ideas in this space. we know once those updates are made this thing will be insanely awesome
The couch is great for just a quick nap. I like the fold away. I like an unconstructive access to back door
Full timer here.
I've never had any issues with my porta potty - No 2s only 😜 I don't use any chemicals. All I do is line the bowl with a pedel bin bag & a few paper towels & I've never had any issues with odours even after a few uses.
When its full I dispose it in the bin, just like you would with nappies/diapers.
Two things I would recommend. Move the cooktop where the cutting board is. And add an extractor fan above on the roof. And use a fold down cutting board as part if the backsplash. And extra seeds or peels could be swept into a the sink.
Except then whoever is in the work/bedroom area is stuck until the cooking is done, or has to climb out the back and come around. And vice/versa. Maybe have the cooktop stored in that sliding space where the cutting board currently is, but it comes out and gets placed on the counter when cooking.
Absolute favorite video. I agree with the pros and cons and their descriptions.
Great tour! Really appreciate your detailed and honest over view of the pros and cons of the van! Can't wait to see your finished buid!
Thanks so much!
I love the burrito bed. It gives you a big workspace. Only thing is that it would be great if the drawer could hold an external monitor.
Love that massive table with storage.
Hi, I’m the crazy person who suggested three main features for the captions chairs, you know the swivel, rocker and recliner idea. I failed to mention that I totally enjoyed your video and great sense of humor and also that I learned a lot from your objective thought process in what made sense and what didn’t. I hope to learn more from you, thank you🌹
Hey there Friend, how are you doing today? Must be some difficult time out there.
Well It isn’t my will to interfere into your private businesses, So I would love to ask do you believe in investment?
Love the induction slide-out, agree about the refrigerator 100%, agree on the recirculating shower and love the bed system! Agree on the water-filling hole, Love the work desk set up, agree on the leaning cushion. Like the lift up and down bed too :) Think your van is going to be awesome!!
The thought process and the van philosophy you went through and explain your point of view - was very helpful. And also thumbs up for sharing the extra information, that Americans are not the only one who uses such vans. Here in Europe we do use the same vans like Peugeot Boxer, Citroen Jumper and Fiat Ducato which are indeed more boxier and way more spacious than Sprinter (Mercedes), Crafter (VW), Transit (Ford) vans are.
I totally agree with basically all of your preferences/ likes/ dislikes! I would add: 1) I can't stand plastic; the cabinet doors seem cheesy. 🙂 2) More importantly, I think I would *hate* the cooktop placement, because no one can really be sitting on the couch during cooking. And you would have to avoid all grease & steam! I also think not having an oven severely limits cooking options. Really enjoyed your evaluation!
Could not have the cooker over my beautiful leather sofa to get hot food,water spilled over it. And the chopping board was fab but needed to be on the end by the sliding door. No inconvenience as you can use the back door to get in and out.
O
How about putting the chopping board where the cooktop is, and the cooktop on the opposite end of the counter? That way any steam or cooking smells could waft out the doorway? 😊
That would conflict with the sink.
Maybe lay a blanket. with a design you like, over the couch to protect it?
@@ladiandmargaret they could swap sides with the sink to achieve that. I would be mortified if my couch was damaged with cooking oils etc.
Your videos are very useful and provide lots of information. I have received lots of help from them, please continue to share this kind of information.
Well done Ladi and Margaret; one of your best videos yet I think. Agree with all of your review except the slide-out hob; I'm afraid we would have to cover the lovely leather sofa in plastic and paper to catch the boil overs and fat splatter or it would be ruined in an instant! Love the electic induction but what about the space and water heating? Are these diesel maybe? Good luck with finishing your van, I'm sure many of us are looking forward to seeing it.
The mood lighting idea in the cabinets is pretty cool!
The laptop table and the stove. I would definitely modify it taking lots of the same approaches you had but I love to cook so kitchen space and functionality mean a lot to me. There's definitely a lot of cons the less needed to but behind more also Smart lights that can be controlled by Alexa or I phone or other would be nice becausr you could time what time they turn on or off and what colors you like.
In one of my minivan conversions, the front driver and passenger seats laid back completely, so I used a drawer set between them and created the bed. It worked VERY well. You can't sleep while you're driving, and you can't drive while you're sleeping. It saved a LOT of space as well as creating seating space when parked. However, most of the driving seats now will not lay back completely. These seats are difficult to find.
Well, great review of the van. I think that the zink and induction hub / cutting board should be switched so cooking damp gets out of the instead of on walls and sofa and when kitchen is working mode, the burrito bed is rolled up, the end doors is the in and out mode. And kitchen side should definitely be smaller in width. Some really good finishes in the building, I already had the long table with drawers underneath in my mind, to my upcoming build. Unfortunately I got scammed with car I was supposed to have 3 days ago, but luckily I gonna get all my money back. Wish you all the best on your journey back home to Millie.. 😻
So glad to see they didn't take up space in the bathroom with a sink. To me, that's the biggest mistake any smaller RV units make. I understand the extra steps that are a pain with a top loading fridge, but since cold air sinks, you don't lose a lot when the lid is open. Since I'd be alone in the van, I appreciate the extra width for counters/storage, rather than a wide hallway. The best way to make the 'safe' safe is to have the bed down when away from the van
So happy to see the two of you on this side of the pond! Hoping your trip was a memorable time.
thanks Carol! We had an amazing time and learned a lot:) We came up with so many new ideas because of our time living in this van, and it especially showed us we really want to step up our security plans! there were a lot of times we felt very vulnerable
You just told everyone your hiding spot.
Very cute couple! I thoroughly enjoyed watching this video. Their happiness is infectious. I learned so much. Thank you so much
This was an amazing video, Ladi & Margaret, Best part....the joking between you both. The stove setup was ingenious. Out of the way when not needed. The veggies waste container is cute. Practical. Loved the banner between you both. This van has everything. Loved the bed. Awesome .
Hey there Friend, how are you doing today? Must be some difficult time out there.
Well It isn’t my will to interfere into your private businesses, So I would love to ask do you believe in investment?
Oh, yay! I'm 6'1" (185cm) and prefer to lie elongated, prefer twinXL or CalKing on land for pillow and foot room. It's super helpful to follow you even taller guys to get a better sense if I would fit comfortably. Because in the end, sleep quality is the single most important delivery requirement of a campervan.
Scenery starting at 3:23 is amazing.
I've often wondered if a composting toilet on some sort of rail system would work--it would move the toilet back into the foot area of the driver's seat desk, then cover the "hole" with a hinged watherproof panel and have a shower that's easy to stand in without avoiding the toilet...
Great tour! Loved how you added your personal experience to your explanations!
I’d buy from you when I am older😂😂 This is amazing! I can’t believe how you made so much space in the van
Stove over the couch, not so much. Cyber bike, yes please
yes tbh we didnt really notice it much, but we were also using the rice cooker much more often than the stove. but agree with you there is a huge risk factor there while cooking!
thank you for sharing & showing all your tips n tricks - of what to do and not to do -and great job on that van regardless of all the changes you will be making - great luck to your future adventures!!
That pull-out induction stove, while it does save counter space, it extends over the seating area, and if you have the pull-out cutting board out, can be difficult to get to.
Right on! What an insightful evaluation. All your comments were right on and made complete sense. Well done!
I love a lot of these ideas but it seems like there's a lot of space doing the same stuff. The swivel seat desks, but then a sofa with retractable desk, plus folding bed on other side?
YES! one high quality, comfortable space for each activity is all you need. When things are too multifunctional, the can sacrifice comfort and ease of use!
Oh wow, I’m in love with this layout! 😍
Amazing Build.... My favorite part of this build is the burrito bed and also loved the large shower and swivel front leather seats and the work table that can be used in the front seat. I do not like the toilet or the fridge.
Thanks for this review. We have been loving our 2013 Pleasure Way Lexor van made in Canada. Seeing this video made us love ours even more. I am super glad we purchased the Chevy Express instead of the Promaster version. Safe travels!
I would sleep the other way around on the bed, with the feet in the recess. When I wake up, I would forget and sit up and bang my head! The central corridor can be made even narrower, if you are good friends, wear less clothes, and wear oils! Ha Ha.
More seriously, the lack of even a small garage in this design is definitely a problem for most people. Where to put that electric bike, or inflatable kayak, or skis or whatever? That said, the amount of office space front and back is a great plus for those who work on the road, so the "Burrito bed" would be a great plus for those folks.
Since the toilet is removable, people can put in the composting or whatever version they like. Not having a "sealed" toilet/shower system is just not viable IMHO, so it is great to see that well designed space in there.
You see some videos of people who don't have an internal shower and bath, and they claim that they do fine without it. But in some areas of the world, access to clean bathrooms, especially at any hour, is highly problematic. And yet in the wilderness, you have more options for outdoor bathing, but realistically only if the weather is reasonable, and messing around with shower/toilet tents, etc is a pain for full-time van dwellers.
Yes, you are sleeping the wrong way on the bed.
This was so much fun to watch! Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to see your build!
That convertable bed/desk spare was so clever, and would be a great thing to impliment in a smaller van where multi-use spaces are a necessity.
I do wonder how it will do with moisture though. One of the problems with murphy beds or really any bed with no slats is moisture and mold.
This bed has groves from the bottom for air circulation. Not the biggest and no air circulation when closed. It’s a real concern for sure.
@@ladiandmargaret maybe adding slats to it and then an aesthetic panel for when it's closed would be the next iteration?
It has absolutely everything! Amazing!
Great video!! I so miss you critiquing van layouts!! Do you think you will do another season of "Van Tour Reactions & Reviews"? I really hope you do!! :)
YES! Once we’re back on the road definitely, and would love to start more during this winter if we have time. They take some time to produce and such, and with all the building going on it’s been difficult to prioritize. It’ll be back though, hopefully sooner rather than later!
This was so useful! Despite I have not a van yet, I've been thinking a lot about the bed design and, just using my thoughts and guesses, I got the same conclusion as you guys: a fixed bed and a garage underneath it. Thank you so much for this video!
For the kitchen, I would switch the cutting board to the stove , that way cutting would be possible over the seat and not impede mouvement in the hallway. And I would conceal the stove on the countertop underneath a lifting board. To me the couch is not necessary since you have the swivel seats, Just set the bed up to be accessible all the time. About the white panels that show dirt, how about putting them a matte light beige or grey. Anyway, I think you did a great design just with the swivel seats and the little tables!!!
Awesome vid. Thank you for your honest opinions on things. There's a lot of valuable insight for me.
I think this van would be awesome for a single or someone who needs the white to feel less enclosed. I also wonder if a “beddy “ set on bed would fold up just fine in the burrito. Love the swivel front seats and would probably use more than bed for just sitting times.
That Ebike you design will be so good and useful for van life or any class of rv owner,since its rechargeable you can keep it running when you go out camping out of the city,when there's no fuel for your bike,that ebike gonna comes super handy.
Thank You for showing us your VAN! Also, for sharing the trueth abot what it went good as well as what really was not practical. For all: Congratulations to you both. Enjoy Life!
I love the design. The only problem I see is the outer water tank, it saves space but be careful with freezing weather. However you can install an automatic heater inside just in case.
The pull out cook too is a great idea although would there be heat marks on the side of the van also splashing from the food would stain ,it needs to be tiled for easy cleaning.
Hey there Friend, how are you doing today? Must be some difficult time out there.
Well It isn’t my will to interfere into your private businesses, So I would love to ask do you believe in investment?
Loved the sink, to wash manually dishes!! it is big enough!!
Interesting van layout, with some nice ideas.
Surprised you didn't like the fridge though, having used both top loading and front loading.
I much prefer the top loader. I actually found it easier to use not having to get on the floor to see whats inside. I can see the benifits if it was at eye level though.
One thing i didn't like though was the cooker location !!!
cooking, especially frying over the top of the leather seats ...naaa.
IMHO it needs to be by the side door where the sink is, ventalation when cooking anything smelly or fatty
Nice video! I have a 1999 sprinter which I converted to a house on wheels. My toilet empties into a tank which I usually just dump on the road with a flick of a switch while I'm driving. No chemicals, no bulking material, no extra expenses
Hey there Friend, how are you doing today? Must be some difficult time out there.
Well It isn’t my will to interfere into your private businesses, So I would love to ask do you believe in investment?
Loving your Cyberbike advert, the whispering had me LOLing! And now I want a Cyberbike :-) Great video as always guys. Looking forward to the next video. Cheers!!
😂😂 glad you enjoyed! If Cyber sales increase I’ll know whispering ads are the way of the future hehehe
I would love a Cyberbike, but being short I find I can't have anything other than a kid's size bike, but I want the features of the Cyberbike!
I like the convertible bed-it’s the highlight for me. It looks slightly awkward, but it’s the prototype. I love it. The pull out cooktop is great too.
Cooking over a leather couch isn’t ideal.
Better to have a side folding extension to the counter at that end and have a tabletop plug-in single cooker.
If you plan to sleep in a van, make sure it’s not a sprinter - rule of thumb -
I'm looking forward to your new van build. It looks goods seeing it in sketchup.
So I'm building my first van, and I've designed it with the water tank inside to keep it from freezing. It looks like that water tank could very easily be damaged, as well as very prone to freezing. What kind of design do you use to address those 2 concerns with an external water tank?
winterize with warmer pads
@@anninriverside755 I could see grease splattering, tomato sauce splattering, or a pot of soap like hearty potato soup with milk spilling over the couch . Needs a better placement!
I also love it when you get these people who say I'd shorten the counter space. It may look like it is a lot of space. The counter maybe 48 inches including the sink! Most of those people have never cooked in a tiny space! You end up using the bed or a seat to hold a pot or pan while your trying to fill it! Or you have food items laying on them. I have cooked in a tiny space kitchen in an apartment that was no bigger than a van or schoolie space; it is a genuine juggling act! I have also cooked in a van, too.
I sure do a the right spot & that tank is a goner!gree! The US has some of the worse roads. One good pothole hit in
Move to warmer weather
@@dr.floridaman4805 there's been times in June when I've been up in the Rockys and the temperature has goten below freezing at night. I'm not attracted to the beach and I'm not building a van just to visit 5 states.
I love that bed. The best best bed idea I've seen