Full-timer commits to first round of TRAVATO MODIFICATIONS
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- Here at the Humble Road van studio, we were just finishing up Sam's custom Promaster, so we turned our attention toward wife, Sharon's Travato GL. After living in her Travato for a year, there were some changes that needed to be made. This first round of Travato modifications, while simple, will yield big benefits for this full time van dweller!
#onahumbleroad
#travatomodifications
You are attention to detail always impresses me.I wish more people had your work ethic.
You and your crew do beautiful work, George!
Thank you very much!
Those latches should be retro-fitted on all RVs that don't have them. Good job on removing the radio and making the small shelves! The thing about the Travato that vexes us is the bathroom door. Would be cool to replace that with a curved door. Also, we would do a permanent bed with storage under the bed, accessible from inside or out. Is a curved wood door on the bathroom doable?
Awesome...when I get my van , some day in future, it will be quirky as never seen before. I have my very own idea, not yet seen.
Oh, my goodness! Latches! George, if there is one simple thing that drives me bonkers it is those cheap plastic latches! Wish I could find metal ones to swap them with, but I’m no Alex, lol.
George, what an awesome niche you now have. Van builder and remodels! Who else is doing quality remodels? No one. Excellent!
That's the plan. Once all this custom fervor dies down, there will be an awful lot of inferior vans out there needing upgrades.
So great that you’ve made some time for some alterations for others during your busy build schedule!
Absolutely! Once you become part of the Humble Road Family, anything is possible!
@@HumbleRoad yes, as you told me sometime ago when I was interested and missed out on the original Humble Road Pleasant Way! 🥲🙄
I love your interaction with your customers!
George Your ability to listen to your customer is only surpassed by your attention to detail extremely commendable
Systematic quality control feedback. You just can't beat it.
Odd arrangement but if they’re happy then great. But I would want to swap out drivers. Love the conversation with the owners.
I will be so happy when you have the time to do mods! There are so many cleaver things that you have done. I have a T 1N Sprinter that is in great condition (2006), but definitely needs some systems updates similar to the Pleasure Way. I also love Sam’s shower area and what was done there. Adding a Webasto heater and ditching the propane are high on my list.
Sharon’s new sink and latches look great!
Lovely changes! The cabinet latches were an eye opener. I did not know those press in versions were plastic, so awful. Glad they are solid metal now, George, makes a big difference in quality, functionality, and good looks. I also like the closet remodel into a pantry.
Sam and Sharon seem very nice people. Thanks to them we have these great van builds! We are all grateful to them for their patronage of the art of van building!
I love her table behind the driver seat. I need to get one of those
Very nice changes. Excellent job as always. I had no idea you did modifications of existing class b’s.
We are ready to buy a new Travato or Roadtrek Zion but there is nothing ready-made that checks all the boxes, would love to build custom but there is only one George to go around! Still, thinking maybe better to buy something that already has all the plumbing and electrical wiring done, and then find someone to make some modifications. It's all so overwhelming wish we could find one with all the options we want. George, you will always be booked up!
Hello Same， I'm Enla . Your 70,000th subscriber, very happy to be your follower!
Thanks for subbing! Welcome to Humble Road!
The one nice thing about doing mods on a Winnebago is that if you mess something up, you can always get an exact replacement part, no matter the age of the RV. They catalog and index every last little screw in their rigs, and manufacture most of the interior parts in-house.
Good point, Mark.
With a sink mounted underneath the counter top, you can screw metal ledge clips or strips to augment the gluing or forego it altogether.
In my builds, the undermount sinks rest on an 8020 extruded aluminum frame, then the countertop goes on top. Visually undermounted, but can't drop off the bottom of the countertop material because it is resting on an aluminum frame. Earthquake on the inside of a van, hurricane on the outside. Words to live by!
@@HumbleRoad - When you wash dishes, you need to wet and/or wash things right away or else the food will dry on the surface and it will take you longer to wash it off and require more water. Water is at a premium. A deep sink prevents splashing. Something I hate.
Yes, we have talked about building a new galley for Sharon the next time they pass through.
For us seniors, a refrigerator at eye to belt buckle level is a must. Nothing lower!
IMO opinion, putting an induction cooker in the counter is an utter waste of scarce counter space.
Putting one in a shallow drawer just under the counter is far more preferable.
If you ate going to kill counter space, do it with a deep wide sink, but with a Corian lid that pops in to make more counter space.
You're singing my song! Agree on every point.
Gotta love those specific slam shut latches - I wouldn't recommend any other either.
Homier with a lamp - mmmm - have to give that some thought.
Always Quality....we are Praying for You George!
George, how did I miss this video?! I have one of these and now have Travato mod envy!!! Its everything I need to get done. Along with some plumbing. Horizontal p traps?!! Yikes!😊
Oh sorry! I don't do this kind of work! This was done for one of my van build clients. This Travato belongs this wife.
@@HumbleRoad Ik. Thats why Im envious.
George you do such beautiful van builds and modifications but the contrast between seeing this van and the previous UA-cam video I watched of the destruction in Mayfield, KY left my head spinning.
George, I enjoy your van builds from scratch, but I particularly enjoy your modifications of existing vans. Not everyone can afford a custom van built from the ground up, but improving an existing van could be very appealing.
I know that and will be moving in that direction in the coming years.
@@HumbleRoad This is sooooo fantastic!!!!
@@HumbleRoad Will you be doing travel trailers too?
Possibly
Morning George
Always Enjoy Your Videos
Love The Updates on The Travato ..
Thanks
Great betterments George!
Wow love the mods. It’s been a long while since I watched you make all the mods to your pleasure way. My favorites were the microwave removal, to cabinet and all the great special effects were hilarious and so fun to watch. The other was your surgical removal of your original sink. So excited to see the mini me builds. I think once you create one the wait list will become very long. 🚐♥️
The components for the Mini Me's are on order with a mid-January delivery date. They are going to be very cool little campers, very capable. And as you know, the first one is always the most precious to me! 😉
George , check the Nina Foodi dual heat air fry oven.
👍Looking good! ❤️
You need a lot of electric power to equal the heating and cooking of propane while idle.
Yes, we have it! It's the Lithionics 630Ahr lithium battery, external BMS and a 3000W Victron Multiplus II
@@HumbleRoad A week with heavy clouds, where you are low on vehicle fuel, for some reason unable to resupply or get electricity, I want that safety blanket of propane.
Hey George, There are just so many slam latches out there. I wish you could put a link or list which one you use. Love your video's! Thanks
I did not purchase these latches, Sam did.
@@HumbleRoad Ok, ask Sam! You know, you could get a kickback by showing these products and have viewers purchase them that way.
@@johnplyler7054 Yes, he could. But isn't it nice that he does not? So much crass commercialism these days. George is a purist and has integrity. I like that a lot about him. Don't spoil it please. I need my heros.
Yes, everybody uses the push buttons, at first. Then everybody changes them for better latches.
What brand/model is the faucet? Thanks, George! Great work! Love the latches, HATE the push button kind.
Too bad there is only one George and Alex..probably turning away jobs. Love your creative mind George and Alex is a master craftsman for sure. Just beautiful.
We are turning away many requests for builds because of scheduling. We will always remain a highly specialized boutique builder. And while we are very careful to not become a semi-mass production operation, we are going to do four (4) large van builds this year as well as the Mini-Me's per order.
Those were smart modifications.
Nice mods. The Travato G is based on some popular European campervans, it's a good layout but later models dropped the puzzle bed which I think would come in handy for a couple of small kids. I think Winnebago should've offered it as as option with maybe floor tracks to install or remove as needed. One thing I think would be cool is a pull down tv on the drivers side. It would be hidden in a thin cabinet and then pulled down when you wanted to watch it. I think the way they have it currently is uncomfortable on your neck. The thing about propane is if your in an area with poor solar power, propane is a good back up energy source.
In addition to solar, I always include either a second dedicated alternator for charging the house or DC to DC chargers.
Wow. A Double Humble couple.
You must have promised Sharon a 18-month opening to do her work
That still puts her into the lucky category.
I get the feeling that George will never have that much downtime, if any! 🍻
As soon as I can afford a van, I'll get my down time! I probably should not have sold my Pleasure Way!
@@HumbleRoad
I’m really interested to see you do one of those minivans George. It’s probably the only one I could ever afford to buy from you! 😜
The components are on order and I expect delivery mid-January. Those Mini-Me's will be priced between $60K and $70K including the vehicle. If you already have a vehicle, then the transformation is approx $35,000.
I'm so happy to see you do mods in vans!! If you'd like to take on mine, I have a 2018 Paseo and I want SO many changes. Let me know!!
Hi George! “Happy WIFE, Happy LIFE!” 😂😂😂. Great video as always! Thanks for sharing, have a blessed Sunday, and, MERRY CHRISTMAS! ~Jim~
Thank you! You too!
@@HumbleRoad 👍❤️
George are the slam latch handles stainless steel? Link please... thanks.
You do such nice work!!!
The mini slam latch handles are not stainless steel.
Hi George, unless induction cooktops Have changed over the last several years when I tried to cook bacon on them. You can't leave it for a second without it burning. If someone likes to cook then there's nothing better than an adjustable flameI.
Totally agree
A pretty good induction cooktop is very adjustable and can give you even lower heat than electric or gas. You don't need a double boiler with an induction cooktop. A burner at full-power will boil faster than any gas or electric stove. That said omelettes aren't quite as beautiful on an induction cooktop.
How about a link for those drawer latch/handles?
George is a blessing to so many!
Hi George great work! Do you have order info on those cabinet latches? I want to change these out in my 2016 59G. I'm remaking custom cabinets from stainless steel and HDPE. Thanks!
3-4 days on propane? Either you've got a leak or you are in the mountains in the winter. How will you replenish your batteries if it's not full sun?
George those latches are so much better! Also in all camper vans are sinks and hobs with glass tops.. I just don’t understand it! Apart from the risk of them breaking you can’t really use the glass top as a work surface. The hob would be much better with a stainless steel lid, backsplash and a good surface for a hot pan when closed. The sink is easy.. a chopping board insert as is often seen. Another thing.. draining boards.. why does no one put in a draining board? Here in the UK we’d never install a kitchen sink without a draining board. Even the old belfast sinks would have a slightly sloping grooved marine grade wooden one alongside. I understand in the US it’s probably not as necessary as you all have dishwashers but you don’t have a dishwasher in a campervan! All those beautiful butcher block counter tops that everyone is so proud of is just going to end up water damaged. Doesn’t make sense to me 🤷🏼♀️. Rant over 😂 Not a chip at you George, just an observation!
Take a look at the sink I installed in my first van build. I think you'll like it!
ua-cam.com/video/tL6BXKLwEUE/v-deo.html
Yep, from Canada: I noticed lots of euro manufacturers include a draining board in their RV's.
What CAN'T George and crew do? I could see you thinking about what needs to be done in her next visit.
The Travato is a very nice van! I think the only van that is an improvement in size is the EKKO, also by Winnebago, but a Class C, not B. Great to see these little mods - they make it so much better. That old radio thingie - Jensen - so dated! Glad you removed it. The US RV industry is still in the dinosaur era in terms of styling, economy of space and weight, modular designs, and multi-functional builds.
One thing to watch for in glass top induction stoves, is that the cabinet above may fly open and a heavy can roll out and smash the glass below. One Van Lifer had this happen. This is why I don't like them. Glass over metal grate is not an improvement in robust design. Maybe add a vent hood under it to deflect any falling items?
Hey George. Enjoyed the updates as always. Question I have is same as John below, do you have a link to the latches you used in this conversion? Thanks much!
I do not. Sam found them.
Love your pride in your son! "That is typical Alex. He does everything just right."
I have five children, all rock stars!
You know why they call it propane
Because it’s a pro at being a pain - June (8year old daughter)
The quality of the original G makes the current model look like junk IMO. Outstanding work. WGO should hire you for the design team. I would keep the propane but add a propane locker so you could easily change out the tank.
👏🏼
Latches! Nothing that gets a lot of use should be plastic. I hate it in most everything. Love the changes but I also don’t like those sinks. Do they have the AH to get rid of the propane? She’ll probably want a double induction. To each our own eh? The van is stunningly beautiful. Cheers from Canader eh!
Those "Push Lock" drawer buttons break because people have the tendency to lock them every time they open and close the drawer: if the van is not moving, you can close the drawer without locking it, then lock them all before leaving with the van. A quick look before departure should show all buttons being recessed into cabinet doors, indicating that they are all correctly locked.
True, but while left in the open position, you are sure to snag your clothing on one of them.
@@HumbleRoad Well, if a van is designed around its kitchen sink, it may possibly happen...
Can you post a link for those latches? I did a quick search on Amazon and the variety is dizzying - and I’m not sure which ones would work with the existing strike plates. (We have a similar 2020.5 G) The existing ones either don’t push in or you push them in and they get stuck and I have to take a wooden dowel and smack it to get them back out. They’re horrible! I’d also love to see our Jensen radio go away. It doesn’t have a very good tuner and we tend to listen to the radio in the cab instead or via TuneIn. The TV I tolerate because it doesn’t really take up space. The cubby in the back is available if you swing it away. But we’ve never used it.
Hi! Do you do truck campers? Can you purchase a truck camper where you take only the shell and construct for my liking?
I’m sorry, I don’t do truck campers
@@HumbleRoad ty for responding
Where did you source the drawer pulls?
Blum
is that faucet avail for showers heads too?
I don’t know 🤷♂️
Put on your shorts and spend Xmas in Florida George.
I'm going to try and buy a Pleasure Way after the Holidays, just so I can travel a bit and do some on the road video stories.
@@HumbleRoad Sounds like a plan.....
Interesting antipathy towards propane. I'm in New Hampshire, and EVERYBODY is switching FROM kerosene / oil furnaces TO propane. I happen to like kerosene for various reasons - and don't like propane. When I converted our cargo trailer into a camper, I used one of the Chinese diesel heaters ( it works, but I would recommend a Espar or other "real" brand at this point - there are LOTS of problems with the knockoffs ).
I like that diesel and kerosene don't explode. AND, oil and even kerosene is now far cheaper than propane per BTU.
Propane has about 90,000 BTU / gallon whereas kerosene / diesel has about 135,000. Propane around here is now 3.89 / gallon and kerosene is 3.39. Propane tanks are far more expensive, and piping is much more expensive. A propane leak is a very dangerous event. An oil leak - needs a little clean-up.
I have even found a vented oil furnace that can run without electricity! As long as it's supplied with oil, it'll go at up to 51,000 BTU.
I am in the process of designing my next cargo-trailer-to-camper conversion, and experimenting with a small kerosene heater that doesn't require a wick, and is vented - and doesn't directly require electricity. It has about 2,000-3,000 BTU and should be plenty for a 6x12 cargo trailer. The only downside at this point, is that it's either on or off - and not really adjustable. But, that's what windows are for, right?
Regarding the Chinese diesel heaters: If the plane was going down and I offered you a choice between two parachutes, one being a highly regarded product from a reputable manufacturer and the other a Chinese knock off, you choose. I'll see you on the ground, whether or not you can speak is up to you. 😇 (I love using that analogy!)
@@HumbleRoad I was lucky, in that everything I got works ( so far ), but I had to do my own conformal coating on the circuit card, and clean up the wiring a bit. The electronics on these things are quite suspect, and the firmware is all over-the-place. 9/10ths of the comments on Facebook's Diesel Heaters Group is futzing with obscure error codes, and decyphering the remotes.
Do those flushed latches handles not rattle when driving? Seems metal to metal. Is the homey lamp 12Volt? Rolex screen? Roles?
1) latches do not rattle
2) homey lamps can be found in 12v but they are LED
3) Rolef screens Canada
"Once all this custom fervor dies down, there will be an awful lot of inferior vans out there needing upgrades"
Are you taking reservations?
Modifications will start next Summer
Every 3-4 days for propane! 😂 Hardly. But hey if you have the electric capability and the $$ to retrofit your campervan then why not?
Gee, are they living in Alaska?
I would definitely go thru that much propane easily as I only have a BBQ sized propane tank built into my Class B with no easy modification to add more. I think modding out the propane makes sense way for full timers or people that camp a lot, if for no other reason than the nuisance factor.
Propane is a risky dangerous proposition.
Wait, I'm confused...
So Sam lives full-time in his Promaster, and his wife Sharon lives full-time in her Travato RV?
I mean, whatever works for you, but that is an unusual arrangement.
You're not confused, that is their arrangement and it works quite well for them.
@@HumbleRoad This is my dream arrangement!
Wonderful arrangement! No compromise. No strings attached. If they split, no splitting vans. Truly excellent idea! I see this as the future of domestic partnerships/ marriage, etc.
Fill up with propane every 3 or 4 days he said? And you didn’t correct him George? What do they have a portable little green tank that you buy in a grocery store? If not, then that was not cool for you to not inform people that propane sips fuel on most appliances....really disappointed
She did correct her husband and said it wasn't quite that bad.
@@katz2912 I don’t want to get into an argument with you but do have any idea how long propane lasts and how slowly it is consumed? Her correction is not even close to being accurate. George is misleading all viewers since he knows this very well and never attempted to correct either of them.
@@dianefusco6967 Hi, my propane experience is with my travel trailer that has 2 20lb tanks. We use our propane mostly for cooking and heating water. We use it for heat during cold weather camping as well. We usually camp in the shoulder seasons and a bit in early summer. Basically, in about 4 months of usage we use up about 1 and a half tanks.
@@katz2912 That sounds similar to my experience. I have a 12 pound tank and it lasts me almost 5 months using it the same way you do yours. I probably use more heat than you do though. This is why I was confused why George didn’t correct either one of them. In my experience, propane lasts a really long time - and not just “3 or 4 days, or maybe a little longer (that his wife corrected him on)”. My point was that George definitely knows this and he missed an opportunity to be honest with his audience my not. correcting this couple.
Diane, I am surprised at your overreaction to this! Are you heavily invested in the propane industry? 😄 The wisdom of my years has taught me to pick my battles carefully. That was clearly a personal point of view between a husband and wife. I think you are a bit extreme in accusing me of misleading my viewers.