Building a Luxury home on wheels Mercedes - Vario camper van conversion

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  • Опубліковано 23 лип 2024
  • With all the mechanical and restoration work done on my mercedes Vario its now time to actually start the process of converting this van into a luxury tiny home on wheels.
    I've set up an exclusive £30 discount for the new BluettiAC70 The code is BVSWAC70
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    Everything i use in my camper van you will find here in my Amazon Store www.amazon.co.uk/shop/melsvan...
    this is an affiliate link so every time you make a purchase i make a small commission good news it doesn't cost you any extra but it helps me to continue to make these videos.
    thank you.
    Beck's Channel / @sacredtraveller
    Bluetti power bank that i use in my van shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=180121...
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    Beck's channel / @sacredtraveller
    If you are interested in renting a space in the barn then please email
    me @ melpettipher@msn.com
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    I use this scanner to keep my sprinter running and on the road
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    here's a link to my woodstove (affiliate link)
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 139

  • @Chrissywalters
    @Chrissywalters 4 місяці тому +1

    I'm enjoying the 'healthy van cooking show'! And great to see you getting into healthy eating, Mel! 💚

  • @SACREDTRAVELLER
    @SACREDTRAVELLER 5 місяців тому +9

    Woop woop woop, here comes our dream home on wheels ❤❤❤

  • @am5baz
    @am5baz 5 місяців тому +1

    Tried the peppers tonight, total winner

    • @BigVanSmallWorld
      @BigVanSmallWorld  5 місяців тому +1

      Haha glad to know I’ll have to try making more cooking videos 😂👍

  • @denisecafferky2248
    @denisecafferky2248 5 місяців тому

    Exciting Mel 👍

  • @whippetsadventuresandoneman
    @whippetsadventuresandoneman 5 місяців тому +3

    Bet you must be super excited to start building this out. Going to be a beautiful home 😊

  • @rockingrodders8551
    @rockingrodders8551 5 місяців тому

    A good tire fitter years ago use to be able to change truck tire without moving the rim (rear outters or fronts) saves having to re torque your wheel nuts..proper cool..Good Luck Mel..✌️

  • @nonlostsouls
    @nonlostsouls 5 місяців тому

    Hey Mel, looks so much bigger without that bulkhead, looking forward to following your build as per.. We love stuffed peppers, love to the shire 🤟☯️

  • @antonyblakeston8541
    @antonyblakeston8541 5 місяців тому +2

    The fun never stops at your gaff pal!!!! take it steady, enjoy. mate.

  • @skookumjack
    @skookumjack 5 місяців тому +2

    I note a few van lifers that have showers have an heat/ air extractor system. It would pretty sound if you did the too, the coats hanging where you say could benefit from the air flow. Also, of course, they hang their wetsuits etc in the shower to dry off 👍

  • @dutchglobetrotter6464
    @dutchglobetrotter6464 5 місяців тому +1

    You're getting there!

  • @DestinationDestiny-ot5pc
    @DestinationDestiny-ot5pc 5 місяців тому

    Great progress Mel ! ( met you at Stratford Upon Avon at the offroad show ). You won't regret having a shower and toilet in a van !! Best thing ever !! Did a double van seat swivel conversion too in my Sprinter. Btw ; if you go the gas route ; highly recommend getting that done professionally !! The Autogas 2000 guys did a cracking job on my Sprinter

  • @andymiles6443
    @andymiles6443 5 місяців тому +2

    how nice to see you with a grinder guard !!! well done Mel

    • @nv400adventurer13
      @nv400adventurer13 5 місяців тому +1

      So much less cringe with a guard on!!

    • @andymiles6443
      @andymiles6443 5 місяців тому

      Keep safe now. I still have a back up one for you if that one burns out !!@@nv400adventurer13

  • @jamesmackay4652
    @jamesmackay4652 5 місяців тому +1

    Gonna be a great van Mel.

  • @johneaston1215
    @johneaston1215 5 місяців тому +2

    Greated cheese is full of chemicals Mel .it's the coating they put in it to stop it sticking

  • @marshalldonaghy4542
    @marshalldonaghy4542 5 місяців тому

    I've definitely seen a swivel base installed for double bench seat!

  • @angeladawn805
    @angeladawn805 5 місяців тому +2

    I quite like the viewpoint inside Mary, for the cooking show. :)

    • @BigVanSmallWorld
      @BigVanSmallWorld  5 місяців тому +1

      I will have to do some more 👍

    • @skookumjack
      @skookumjack 5 місяців тому

      Mel you really need to get the women to do the cooking then you'll get a lot more done to the van mate.

    • @SACREDTRAVELLER
      @SACREDTRAVELLER 5 місяців тому

      I thank the universe that Mel is a modern man who is fully capable of cooking and learning new skills without depending on a woman at all, leaving me to follow my career and life as I should be free to do so. If only all men would think and live with equality in mind, the world would be less fucked up @@skookumjack . I only hope that the women in your life are appreciated, but by the looks of this comment, probably not.

    • @skookumjack
      @skookumjack 5 місяців тому

      I've followed Mel for many years and as a member. I've have always given him (not you) encouraging comments, never negative ones. My communications have be light hearted and sometimes i attempted to crack a joke, as in this particular comment. It seems I've hit a nerve with you​@SACREDTRAVEL
      LER. If this has upset you, I apologise.
      I do feel that if a friend of Mels needs to vent and respond to a comment ment in jest between two men, I feel it time to withdraw my modest financial contributions and unsubscribe now he is doing so well.
      I wish him well with his conversation, and I'm sure it will be excellent. Jack

  • @bettyourcampervan
    @bettyourcampervan 5 місяців тому

    Looking forward to the build! Great video 👍

  • @mikeembe1261
    @mikeembe1261 5 місяців тому

    Mega thanks for your recipe.
    Popped into Cheltenham Lidl to get the goodies, went for the large pepper ( just greedy ), boy it was tasty.
    Next time, finely chop and mix some Onion with chopped mushroom and mix with the cheese as filler ... looking forward to that 👍

  • @howardtennant5766
    @howardtennant5766 5 місяців тому

    Lancaster gun turret canopy comes to mind for your roof vent😉😅

  • @kevinthepilgrim5441
    @kevinthepilgrim5441 5 місяців тому

    Absolutely love your videos Mel, they cheer me up no end. You are so genuine and entertaining. Definitely my go to channel.

  • @GingerBeardGeekUK
    @GingerBeardGeekUK 5 місяців тому +2

    Really looking forward to this build and thanks for everything You've shared with us already. I see this shower positioning in must builds, and I always thought that in the (hopefully never) event of a frontal accident, I'd rather that the toilet was behind the passenger! Happy building.

  • @ianwheeler7903
    @ianwheeler7903 5 місяців тому +3

    Hi Mel, its great to see a UA-camr eating some healthy food. So many UA-camrs eating total crap in their diets. Great to see the build starting.

  • @DHarris37
    @DHarris37 5 місяців тому +2

    Suggestion for the shower, if your having an opening door. Fit a wardrobe to the inside of the door use the shower space when not in use for clothes. Then when you open the door the wardrobe is opened out of the shower. Make the most of the space.

    • @dudeleboski2692
      @dudeleboski2692 5 місяців тому

      This advice is for those who shower once per week…..

  • @welshieonwheels
    @welshieonwheels 5 місяців тому

    Really well planned out excellent ! you were thinking and explaining your reasoning that’s really helpful . Wondering if you’re going to change a tyre , have you a long piece of checker plate around ? Drill a couple of holes ,bolt the tyre /wheel to the plate , then drive the van onto the plate to hold it down . Guess not something you can carry around with you but maybe handy jig for the barn . You may otherwise slip trying to change the tire while it’s still on the van and mark the paintwork or yourself. Well done Mel good luck 👍👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧🇨🇦🦢

  • @paulsingleton1970
    @paulsingleton1970 5 місяців тому

    You sir are a Culinary Genius 👍

  • @suffolkseries3319
    @suffolkseries3319 5 місяців тому

    Don't give up coffee, just have decaf. It's a super food, packed full of antioxidants.

  • @rogrwileman358
    @rogrwileman358 5 місяців тому +1

    If you cut out the bulkhead put a shelf in this could strengthen the track for the slidding door . I must say I am enjoying your conversion .

    • @rogrwileman358
      @rogrwileman358 5 місяців тому

      PS I had a VW LT 35 with a overhead locker it was surprising how many things you can store there .

  • @sprintervanlifeuk
    @sprintervanlifeuk 5 місяців тому

    Will be great When done Mel, looks a tidy van 👍👌👌

  • @fergusmoloney
    @fergusmoloney 5 місяців тому

    Looks great Mel. That shower room will be great for hanging coats and wet clothes too. I plumbed my diesel heater into ours and added a maxx dome extractor fan. Makes a great drying room. Not sure if you plan to jump on the lanoguard craze but if you do now would be a good time to treat the channels on the top side of the chassis crossmembers before securing the phenolic ply down. I even did inside the horizontal roof braces and along the channels where the van sides meet the roof (very prone to rust out there at the back of the gutters. The smell from the lanoguard was gone after a few days and it was a no brainer when I’d bought the product and the van was empty.

  • @zack9633
    @zack9633 5 місяців тому

    Excellent choice for hot water. Calorifire heater. I had one in my last campervan, it had 12volts and 240 volt heating elements as well as the hoses to the van engine cooling system. I found that the quickest and most efficient was the engine cooling matrix. I never used the 12v or 240v heating elements. (I added a temperature gauge).

  • @randomcol1378
    @randomcol1378 5 місяців тому +1

    Love van build videos, you sure have your work cut out on this one, im hopefully soon to be finished my van build only a mwb citroen relay, nothing on this scale. Nice healthy lunch 😊

    • @BigVanSmallWorld
      @BigVanSmallWorld  5 місяців тому

      Thank you and good luck for your project 👍

  • @alanjohn6355
    @alanjohn6355 5 місяців тому

    Great to see you getting into the build, as your now fitting a shower, if you have the head hight, fit a hanging rail, to dry your wet coats. Just a thought as it's a space you never had before to air dry wet gear.

  • @johnshaw4140
    @johnshaw4140 5 місяців тому +1

    Andy and Sophie , life adventure projects bought a swivel base for the double seat in the sprinter that they are converting

  • @paullawson718
    @paullawson718 5 місяців тому +1

    mel don't forget before u put floor down. is to run an air pipe to airtank with a coupling on so u can plug airline in to inflate tyres if u ever get punc why'll in middle of nowhere.

    • @BigVanSmallWorld
      @BigVanSmallWorld  5 місяців тому +1

      That’s a great idea I have been thinking about doing this too 👍

  • @anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204
    @anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204 5 місяців тому

    good

  • @davidpatrick1813
    @davidpatrick1813 5 місяців тому

    Overhead locker. If you haven't done anything yet ... (tubes are later so this could be moot)... but you can a win win situation. Have the lockers above each seat respectively ... and full clear between them to stand up into.. 1/3 1/3 1/3 type of concept the outer ones are cabinets and the side ones could have cab only access .. or just the shower side cab access and the left one coach .. all depends on the walls and overhead in the cabin area. You can ask yourself, "who stands up in the area the seats are in? Well, one could for easier access but full clear to the center isle will make that easy anyway.

  • @russrides1053
    @russrides1053 5 місяців тому

    Thanks for Air Fryer bit still not sure if it'll work with higher wattage units but thanks.

  • @dudeleboski2692
    @dudeleboski2692 5 місяців тому

    Change the air dryer filter once/year Mel

  • @sailorpedal
    @sailorpedal 5 місяців тому

    Great vid again Mel. May I suggest that you consider a separating toilet or what the Yanks call a com-post-ing toilet. Much easier to dispose of the waste.

  • @GrumpyGarry121
    @GrumpyGarry121 5 місяців тому +1

    Get a big G clamp to break the seal on your tyres Mel!

  • @jsouto77
    @jsouto77 5 місяців тому

    Stuffed peppers looked lovely for a starter 🤪... Good to see some progress on that blank canvass. Keep it up :)

  • @alanhat5252
    @alanhat5252 5 місяців тому

    13:30 yes double-seat swivels are available but they're awkward to use.

  • @davidpatrick1813
    @davidpatrick1813 5 місяців тому

    Tire changing; ... it is a good idea to know how to in the case you are stranded and need to replace/repair. Some carry a spare tire and wheel and a spare tire (both) ... that is if you expect to out in the brush.

  • @captaincoxyboy
    @captaincoxyboy 5 місяців тому +2

    Wot no more Fray Bentos 🤓

  • @dudeleboski2692
    @dudeleboski2692 5 місяців тому

    Ive had no problem at all getting my tyre changed.

  • @gbwildlifeuk8269
    @gbwildlifeuk8269 5 місяців тому +1

    Mel, why not consider two seperate storage cupboards, one over each seat? This will leave the centre free for access and easy to find stored items as it wont be as deep, especially if entered from the sides.
    On the subject of "proper food" always read the ingredients. If you cant buy the ingredients seperately off the shelf, they have been added into the food, putting it into the highly processed range. Avoid!

  • @lyndsayscott8866
    @lyndsayscott8866 5 місяців тому +1

    Green shit, red shit, brown stuff. Love it. We just came back from turkey - couldn’t get oat milk, but found oat and almond milk. Very nice in tea. (Rita relay).

  • @Desmond.TuTu.
    @Desmond.TuTu. 5 місяців тому +1

    👍🚚💥

  • @kstewart3657
    @kstewart3657 5 місяців тому

    Great start on the interior. Good tip on the windscreen protection though I’m a bit surprised you didn’t cover the seats.

  • @havemotorhomewilltravel1154
    @havemotorhomewilltravel1154 5 місяців тому

    Well done Mel great start. My new daf is underway hopefully see you at the very last overland show is September I will find my mate rob and look out for you

    • @BigVanSmallWorld
      @BigVanSmallWorld  5 місяців тому +1

      Hay Danny looking forward to seeing you again 👍😁👍

  • @pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN
    @pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN 5 місяців тому +1

    Hi Mel, the alpro barista oat is in my opinion (my mate put me unto after trying most of them) is great in tea and coffee...shake the cr*p out of it for coffee and pour it in at the end; lightly stir low down into the mug. It's nice and creamy, not watery like most of the other stuff. That almond one you have is not bad though.

    • @BigVanSmallWorld
      @BigVanSmallWorld  5 місяців тому

      Good to know thank you 🙏

    • @josephdaly3327
      @josephdaly3327 5 місяців тому

      Alpro light soya milk, three weeks past it's sell by date and it still tastes alright. Highly recommend it for all Lifers, van or otherwise. 5 cartons reduced to 9p each is what I bought, and that makes it all the more palatable!

  • @alanhat5252
    @alanhat5252 5 місяців тому

    14:07 not just stick but go rusty so you get rust streaks down your windscreen!

  • @martinfield1484
    @martinfield1484 5 місяців тому +1

    I’m sitting here eating biscuits whilst your eating healthy 😂😂

  • @sidpf1972
    @sidpf1972 5 місяців тому

    I think the shock will be when it comes to driving the new van,compared to the sprinter its gonna be like a tortoise 🐢

  • @michaelskillington9298
    @michaelskillington9298 5 місяців тому

    Nice video Mel. Good to see progress on the build. The peppers mushroom and cheese dish looked delicious. I'll try that .Surprised to hear that you do not ot have room for a cheese grater. Is there away to send you a gift. It'll grate cheese and not take up space. Honest! Take care. Regards Michael

  • @minimilo25
    @minimilo25 5 місяців тому

    I have seen someone break the bead by driving over the edge of the tyre with the wheel flat on the floor. Also, is it worth warming up the tyre (in front of the diesel heater outlet). Keep up the good work!

  • @timjones2789
    @timjones2789 5 місяців тому

    Love your videos Mel....your honesty and down to earth attitude. Keep them coming. One question on your vario....you have painted the chassis right? Would love to hear your views on the thick tar underseal. Also on Lanoguard. I have used Lanoguard before and think it is ace and would recommend. Your views?

  • @thinkingoutofthebox.9421
    @thinkingoutofthebox.9421 5 місяців тому +3

    Will you still have space to walk through from the cab with the shower wall in place?

  • @anthonyellis1409
    @anthonyellis1409 5 місяців тому

    You didn't want that one mel. Mushroom

  • @simocov
    @simocov 5 місяців тому +1

    I would pull them seats out and put range rover seats in

  • @charliethebubbles
    @charliethebubbles 5 місяців тому +1

    When do publish your cookbook 😀

  • @ItsBigJC
    @ItsBigJC 5 місяців тому

    Just wondering Mel what the varios like for fixing when they go wrong? Are they easy to get main parts for etc ?

  • @geoffcampbell7846
    @geoffcampbell7846 5 місяців тому +1

    Loving this project Mel. Q: are you leaving access hatches in the floor to get to that air filter and all the other bit-n-bobs? You're not getting any younger and messing about on a cold floor trying to clean out that filter would be awkward and will not be a joyful experience me thinks 😅 👋

  • @UKvet246
    @UKvet246 5 місяців тому +1

    Having a drivers swivel seat would open it up, do you really want or need to have the shower there.

  • @nv400adventurer13
    @nv400adventurer13 5 місяців тому +1

    I haven't got room for a grater, hang on. Let me get my airfryer out....😂😂

    • @BigVanSmallWorld
      @BigVanSmallWorld  5 місяців тому +1

      Hahaha 🤣

    • @nv400adventurer13
      @nv400adventurer13 5 місяців тому

      @@BigVanSmallWorld if you come up to Scotland in your van give me a shout and I'll come meet you and give you a grater.. that fits in the air frier drawer 😅 Actually, you'll be in your new van and that's going to have space for every home comfort. Can't wait to see the new build coming together. It's going to be ace!!

  • @franklealand1181
    @franklealand1181 5 місяців тому +1

    Mel ,just a quick question did you consider leaving part of the bulkhead wall in to be a shower wall and just thinking the bit you cut out you could weld for most of the opposite shower wall

    • @franklealand1181
      @franklealand1181 5 місяців тому

      Thankyou for answering my questionsjthout even reading it HA HA

    • @BigVanSmallWorld
      @BigVanSmallWorld  5 місяців тому

      No I wanted to Leah as much room as possible for me to make adjustments along the way 👍

  • @alanhat5252
    @alanhat5252 5 місяців тому

    8:12 you're still filling up your door track with abrasive & grit though...

  • @mpjkea2000
    @mpjkea2000 5 місяців тому

    Hello we are full timers, our coats go into the shower, wet or dry.

  • @bobbaird812
    @bobbaird812 5 місяців тому +2

    We used to drive over the tyre with another vehicle to break the seal on big tyres….. Not very health and safety but heh ho…!

  • @alanhat5252
    @alanhat5252 5 місяців тому

    26:16 how many percent did it use?

  • @kevh9899
    @kevh9899 5 місяців тому

    Full half a video on cooking

  • @raypurdham1376
    @raypurdham1376 5 місяців тому +1

    How to cook ??

  • @casamorag
    @casamorag 5 місяців тому

    🇬🇧🇬🇧👍

  • @bfrommars
    @bfrommars 5 місяців тому +1

    What's with the fear of mushrooms? every veg has something on it.

  • @pauliwallnuts2804
    @pauliwallnuts2804 5 місяців тому

    Not sure what your diet is here Mel... Veggie, Low carb?

  • @trevorhartley5166
    @trevorhartley5166 5 місяців тому

    Who went for the chips😅

  • @charliethebubbles
    @charliethebubbles 5 місяців тому

    Hi Mel, missed a few of these vlogs so I’m not fully up to date. Did the old girl pass her MOT?

  • @kevh9899
    @kevh9899 5 місяців тому

    Cookery lessons on building a van

  • @re33ce
    @re33ce 5 місяців тому +1

    Where's the log burner Going in the new van 👀🔥🔥🪵🪵

  • @neilt
    @neilt 5 місяців тому +1

    Please take care not to lever the van off the axle stands when you do that last tyre!

    • @BigVanSmallWorld
      @BigVanSmallWorld  5 місяців тому +1

      No worries there with there’s tyre ions 😂👍

  • @mrmobsi527
    @mrmobsi527 5 місяців тому

    Milk in tea is the work of Stan 🤢. Mind you, Earl Grey is the work of Stan too, IMO.
    Those peppers did look nice though 👍.

  • @marktyler2396
    @marktyler2396 5 місяців тому +1

    red stuff white stuff yet no meat stuff

  • @kevh9899
    @kevh9899 5 місяців тому

    Just get on with the van

  • @alanhanley9515
    @alanhanley9515 5 місяців тому +1

    Lunch? That wouldn't feed a mouse? You need to work harder.....barf😂

  • @Indigopop
    @Indigopop 5 місяців тому

    What's happened to Rebecca?

  • @kevh9899
    @kevh9899 5 місяців тому

    What is this shit I thought you were building a camper

    • @BigVanSmallWorld
      @BigVanSmallWorld  5 місяців тому

      Wow I bet you’re mum’s well proud of you