Van build design report for how to convert a promaster transit or sprinter for vanlife camping and b
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- Van build review. What van design features did we like best in our Promaster Van Conversion - but they would be the same for a Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit. Understanding how to design your van so your vanlife is most enjoyable can be a best guess kind of experience. Here we share the features of our van build that make our tiny home on wheels a happy place to be.
Designing a van for an active vanlife takes so much planning. Before the van build can start there are so many things to consider. In this video van of action offers feedback on 3 van design components we are happy with and 2 things we’ll be changing. Often people wonder how to design the perfect van. Experience has shown that no matter how well or how long you research your van build you’ll never be sure until you actually get it done and spend some time on the road. We love the kitchen in our van. It serves so many functions - including cooking our food. Rather than have a stove top built in we chose a portable induction cooktop we can get out when we need it. www.canadarv.c... We also really love our 2000 Watt pure sine inverter form Renogy ca.renogy.com/... really opened our vanlife to a new dimension. Being able to easily cook where ever we wanted was life changing. If you’re boondocking along the road or at a travel center locations.pilo.... Breakfast is always better a bit further along the way. Being able to stop at a scenic view and make a cup of coffee and egg breakfast is so much fun.
Even with the issues, it is quite functional. A few tweaks and all you will be dealing with would be the swivel seat. Nice van.
I agree about the running boards ,that's my next project
Hi John - thanks for the comment. I'm going to start researching this week I think ..... If you have any ideas I'd love it if you shared them. Thanks for watching and I hope to see you here again .... Dave
A good resume of what works and what doesn't. Totally agree with you for your van.
I have 6 led puck lights in three pairs for which I have remote controls as well for on/off, brightness and colour. Bright white above the work surface, dimmable main lights for the whole floor area and two dimmed colour ones for the foot of the bed and toilet areas at night (purple or blue work well at night but I can mix it up with full RGB). There are two individual reading lights for the bed/seat area with single wall outlets with usb sockets incorporated in them as well. I don't know if they are available in North America but they are available as Universal Multi Fit sockets with some Chinese equipment. They have 5 different 2 and 3 plug pin combinations on the face plate. I personally would not use them as work outlets/sockets regularly but for occasional use ( hair dryer for instance ) plus USB charging they are great.
You probably realise I have shore power/mains in. I also have mains out at the rear of the van. I have a waterproof outlet socket let into the rear door pillar between the rear lamp cluster and the top hinge. This can pass shore power/mains straight through or use the output from my onboard invertor. Perfect if I am towing my Adria caravan behind the campervan for family weekends. The caravan only has a basic battery/mains electricity layout. The campervan has solar, shore and battery bank available. Our campervan is called Pint Pot as there is so much crammed into it.
The outside step conundrum is pretty universal and I have a high level two tread caravan/ RV step in lightweight tubing and treads which just misses the bottom of the door and can be left in place. It can also be dismantled as the treads use tapered pegs to fit into the side frames. Not perfect but useable and workable. By pure coincidence I am working on permanent side steps but with a twist. I have taken a pair of Land Rover Discovery side steps and cut them up so that the driver's step is short and the rest of the parts make a long step which reaches all the way from the passenger door all the way back to the sliding door. The biggest issue is making the brackets to support these unique side steps. Hey Ho! such is life.
Hi David - thanks for such a detailed comment - I'm sure people will find it useful. I too have reading lights with USB ports built in over the bed. Love them !!! And yes - the number of lights can be easily overdone if you're not careful. I'd love to see the stepss when you're done, again, welding is way above my pay grade but I can dream ...... Dave
EXCELLENT video! I was really wondering about how deep to make the counter top, isle, and opposite side cabinet/shower etc and you nailed it!
VanDaddy-O - you have no idea how much I appreciate your support. My best advice would be to figure out what appliances you want to use first and build around those. Because space is limited we always seem to build "tight" so you want to be sure things fit. I have a video about that in the works - I had a couple missteps ...... Be well and warm ..... Dave
These are great observations, especially helpful for me as I am about 85% done on my promaster build. Just wondering what tires you are using. I noticed them in one part of your video and they didn't look like factory tires. Also, I am the guy who prebuilt his kitchen cabinet. It worked, luckily. Ours is 4 ft. Your van is extended so you had room for 5 ft. You are so right about the commercial conversions with no counter space. Happy travels to all!
Hi Pete - thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Because of how my cooler is installed - video coming (along with a host of other things) prebuilding was not an option for me. I'm not sure what my tires are - I got them at Costco - gave them my van model and age and asked for decent snow and mud ratted tires - they've been excellent. Be well and stop back ..... Dave
Great observations! The running boards are an issue commercially because they’re usually too narrow for safety and cost you clearance underneath.
Hi Acesalt2408 - Thanks for watching ..... you are correct - finding a wide running board or at least one that has a respectable nose has been a challenge. I'm not to concerned about the clearance as we don't of road at all, .... Be well Dave
I’m an old guy, and our PM also lacks running boards. I installed a grab handle on the B pillar that makes it easier to pull up and in to the van. With that, I don’t feel like we need a step. Just saying. Great video. Thanks.
Hey Dov - thanks for the view and the comment - I think a grab handle would be OK for me but my wife is much shorter. She also finds it hard to get out without the step ..... just too BIG a drop. Thanks so much for watching, I hope you'll stop back..... Be well Dave
Hello Dav e. Thank you for your input into campervan comunity. I like your films and the way you describe things. Could you tell me where did you buy your reading lights? All the best. Rafal
Hi @rafa ... thanks so much for taking the time to watch and comment - you have no idea how much it makes me smile. I hate to admit it but here in the interior of British Columbia there is limited opportunities for products like these - and couple that with the COVID lockdowns during that time I had to go to Amazon to get the lights .... there was an amazing selection and we really like the ones we got. Hope you'll stop back and join the community ....... Dave
Your search for a passenger seat and seat base will give you a reason to travel the US :)
sid do !! You are soooo right my friend. I have been in touch with a manufacturer in Arizona. But that creates issues with installation, making sure the computer works for the air bags ( it was simple with what I did), and then what to do with the one you take out ??? Lots to think about but I really want to change that seat !!! Thanks for watching and commenting ... hope your stop back.... Dave