MIDI-ME! The mid-sized micro camper built by Humble Road on the Mercedes Metris platform
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- The MIDI-Me is the MID-SIZED solo traveler micro camper from the Humble Road van studio. Slightly longer, taller and wider than the popular Humble Road MINI-Me, this luxurious feature packed little powerhouse still fits in a standard garage!
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#onahumbleroad #solotraveler #customvanbuild
John keeps rewatching the opening because he likes seeing our van😅. License plates have arrived. 🍾
Ha! If that's exciting, John better brace himself! Things are gonna get WOOHOO!
Hope springs eternal :)))
George, I watch a ton of van builders on UA-cam and you are THE BEST van builder I have ever seen. You set the bar that everyone else is trying to reach.
I AGREE!!! 💥🌸🤍
I love your work. I can't help but offer the following comments as a full timer. I'd replace bag toilet with RV tanks. Having the toilet right by the bed is a turnoff. I'd create an airtight gasket for the lid. I like the rotary switch to prevent the Green Acres Eva Gabor situation where they plug in too much electrisical. Looks like the storage above the kitchen needs eyehooks or a net to hold things. Same with the storage over the toilet, the duffle bag needs a hook or it will fly during driving. Not sure I want to sleep over the electronics due to electromagnetic fields, vibration. It is your vision, and your execution that are very brilliant. My ideas would be tweaks, easy to say but I don't have the skills to do what you have accomplished. The build is amazing on your vans. Great channel, thanks. Long time first time. I have a 2016 short sprinter, outfitted by roadtrek as a 2017, has about 50,000 miles, all original systems work. Replaced their couch with a custom bed. Marmoleum floor. Custom solar. See you on the Humble Road!
Good points about the gasket on lid. A computer fan will also draw air away to the outside. I would not add a tank. That concept is outdated today. You can add a Separette or large funnel to top of toilet, diverting liquids to a jug, and having a small 4 gallon baggie in back for solids with peat moss. The urea in urine is good for plants as fertilizer and sanitary. The baggies can be stored outside the van and dumped into trash anywhere. Forget tanks, tank cleaning, and waste of undercarriage space.
@@mjremy2605 i can shower, wash dishes, and use my restroom for 1 week, municipal dump is free and clean. handling bags of waste a few times a day, and peeing into a jar, carrying around a jar of pee to empty and bags of waste etc seems sort of backwards when the tech is there. I can't agree about storing bags outside a vehicle, I know the neighbors walking their dogs, etc would not be real happy with storage of s*** bags outside the van in fact they would probably rightly call the police! And, believe it or not, there are many areas where waste disposal is hard, fewer public places, and private trash bins locked. I wouldn't want to make a hole in the vehicle and pipe air out for ventilating the toilet unless I had to...my RV unit has such a fan but there's no odor....This build is Fine for a weekend a few times a year. If you are full time, and especially for a 50+ year old, you need a proper system, not the poop in a bag system and find a trash can two or three times a day in my HUMBLE opinion! Happy Trails! And, no property owner is ok with dumping urine on their plants because it is good for them. Are you speaking from experience or theoretically!
Regarding the bag in a bucket toilet: Having used this method for a decade we have found the best media by far is hamster bedding from the pet store. Both in performance and cost. Chose alder or balsam, not cedar or fir. A couple of healthy handfuls in the bottom of each new bag, do your level best to dispose of liquid waste elsewhere and then a handful on top of the product and close the lid. No odour, low maintenance, dispose of contents (not the plastic) into a vault toilet or dispose of everything into a garbage. Do not try and flush!
Excited to see what you will do with the 118” low roof Ram
Really looking forward to the MAXI-ME! Hopefully it will be suitable for extended boon docking with twin lithionics batteries. Would also love to see twin swivel seats to create even more useful space.
The Maxi-Me, built on the Promaster 188 WB is a 1500 series. It will follow the floor plan convention of the Mini and Midi. The micro series is intended to be an easy to own, entry level camper. Otherwise, you are in the wheel house of custom builds.
I like this guy. He inspires confidence.
That toilet is the BEST (Elegant) and simplest SOLUTION 💪... All those other "contraptions" are expensive and have issues.... LOVE ❤ your idea.... WELL DONE SIR ! 🥇
Agree - why people need anything more than a glorified bucket on the road is way beyond me .. unless they're just pretending at vanlife at weekends for show
@@FirstNameLastName-hahaha 👍 I toured the air-stream factory once.... I had to laugh... I could build myself.. with a better bed.. better sink.. bigger high-tech batteries... Better refrigerators...My own DIY cargo-trailer conversion for $10-30K.... INSTEAD of paying $250K+ before taxes, for some shitty MB Van with Diesel/Def problems... 🤣 SO much of life is Bullshit ! We just need to remember that !
Y'all rock, hard. I can't wait to see the Maxi Me. I love the Promaster 118's compact footprint, feel like it's the underappreciated lil big van. Now, if y'all start doing high top conversations, so one could get standing room in a 118, I'll start marketing a kidney & order mine. 🤣❤️🙏
Such a good point about the fire extinguishers! I was just wondering today if they sold small ones lol now I know.
Nice to have you back George. Can’t wait to watch you build the She to Me van!
I like that the Metris is still cozy like the mini-me, but with just a little bit more room. As well as, the new and improved water meter and recessed power switch. Humble Road vans reflect your labor of love! 🌝🚐
Rolling out the new line of Humble Road ingenuity I see! Always makes our Sunday!!Hwy 20 or bust! 😊
Unbelievable quality and style!!! I can’t wait to see what you do with some of the new Electric Vehicles that are coming in the near future.
Wow just gets better and better each time. Really look forward to seeing the Humble 118.
Very cool! We love to see what others do with their van! We did the NO BUILD approach to enable us the opportunity to change things up as we need. Happy Travels! Keep making memories & adventure on! ~Karen & Shannon WOY
I have watched thousands of van builds! You are my favorite. If I am ever fortunate enough to buy one, you will be my go to guy. ❤️
Can't wait to see the Promaster 118! Love that van too. The proportions are perfect - but small.
So smart! Eager to see maxi-me!
Looks great as always! Looking forward to seeing the Maxi-Me build!
Great to see the new midi-me George….. back with a bang 😎👍
This is definitely the van for me!
Outstanding as always. I can only imagine what a Box Truck would look like if you got a hold of one.
the Midi-ME! the 'One' lots of Us have been Waiting for! Looks GREAT! ..could Fit into my Travel 'Leisure' TIME!! cheers From Toronto Canada!
I am loving that toilet design. Cheap, easy, single traveler so it is private and it is uncomplicated. This doesn't seem like a vehicle for full time on the road, so it doesn't have to be composting that goes for months and it doesn't require finding a place to empty a black tank or hauling a pee jug or a cassette to be emptied. Just toss in the trash and done! (Of course, a full time traveler could also use your system, as many do!)
Suggestion.. (don't you just hate those?) I would make a cover for the power plant..maybe that is just something a client would request. Personally, I would love that lounge mode for the bed and use it a lot, but I wouldn't want anything to fall in the plant and some might find it less aesthetically pleasing than others.
Incredibly well done
Great meeting you guys today. Thanks for all the info. Love your videos
Likewise!
Looks remarkably roomy and comfortable.
"USA, USB, USC...whatever". Classic! You are the man George.
I like the Mercedes Brand and the Mercedes Classic Center. Parts for any Mercedes ever built, if not in stock they have the blue prints and materials to make any part. Very Expensive, but this van won't be sitting in a salvage yard in 40 Years. The quality of parts George has incorporated into the builds is second to none! That Dodge Short Wheel Base, Front Wheel Drive is great for winter driving! I like the size of it! Thanks for the cool designs HR team!
as always so much thinking outside the box and enginiering went into this awesome build. really love it
Another great build George, I noticed you have a window van Metris, I'm interested in how that one turns out, I'm interested in seeing the difference with having the windows
Glad you were able to produce a video for us. I missed watching the craftsmanship of the HR team. Now take some time off George. You look like you could use it.
Someday, I will own a Humble Road van.
When you’re ready we will be here waiting.👍
Me too! I love his options and great build. I’m curious, is there a “bigger” midi me on next project?
I prefer not to be Mercedes .
@@kellybrown111 Yes! The "Maxi-Me!" Built on the RAM Promaster 1500 118WB low roof. Coming soon!
@@HumbleRoad will Maxi-me fit in the garage?
No. ☹️
Great looking solo camper. I watch this video every time I wonder why I'm working so hard to pay off my mortgage (so I can retire and go camping the style which I deserve)...
at first I thought you cannot stand up in this and I would like a raise roof than my brain went to a semi truck driver and this would be so luxury compare what he is driving and sleeping. He is never staying up in his rig, so now I can see me driving this around USA
Nice clean layout!
you need to sell a T-shirt that says OPTIONS!
Great video!! I like your reasoning for the fire extinguisher placement. However, I suggest permanently mounting the extinguishers in the exit travel (with two, mount remotely) so that you do not have to reach over a hazard or go in the opposite direction of the exit to get to the placement of the extinguisher. In other words, once you go to your extinguisher, you have the option of fighting the fire or exiting the vehicle. As a retired fire marshal, I can tell you that for every foolproof system devised there is a fool waiting to defeat the design.
Fantastic work George. Love the attention to detail on the electrical system. I didn't think you could do a Metris upfit without a pop-top, but now I know you can.
Amazing work - love it
Marvelous!!
Yea the Ram Stubbie is next. Thats the van I have been looking at for sometime.
Classic Build Man..!
Great looking van George, well done
Wow! Great job George!
Good to see you back at it again! :) I love those window covers!!!
Beautiful!
Preeetty cool
Brilliant design George! Thanks for posting.
Nice art work
Thanks for sharing. Like 681. Nice to have you back. Missed your weekly content! Glad all is well!
Beautiful woodworking, looks ultra modern with the aluminium. Looking forward to SWB ‘Ducato’. Greg Virgoe is doing a budget build on a similar van in U.K. at the moment. Regards from U.K. AJ
Greg Virgoe is an electrician by profession. An amazing teacher and his electronics are so good. He explains electrical stuff so well. Glad you brought him up, I am overdue for a visit to his channel.
George, what can I say? You are an exceptional "Optional" inspired man.
This is amazing!!
Very nice. Thanks
Hi George, I just found your channel and right away subscribed. I am impressed by the van builds you do, and cannot wait for the Maxi Me as that would be the perfect size for me.
Thank you for your kind words and welcome to humble Road!
Good morning, George! What can I say?…you’ve outdone yourself again! …or have you? The way your mind works simply mystifies me to say the least! The midi-me is brilliant for someone like me about to be a solo traveler! Great job and great video once again my friend! Stay safe and stay healthy! ~Jim~
Oops, you did it again, George! Congratulations! BTW, that mirror isn't going to help me look good. What else you got? 😂
I ALREADY KNEW you are in the TOP 1.5% of best builders, and this verifies my thoughts...........! The toilet is absolutely OUTSTANDING (technically thats my idea made into reality) I was down to only a VERY few builders like advance RV, Freedom vans and titan vans and based upon my needs you will be the top runner up at this point. Im a very experienced RV person wanting to go smaller! I was looking at a Ram 1500 or smaller and when I saw a low roof shown, yo made the choice EASY:)
I have considered doing a Metris conversion for a while. Great job. BUT, I think there is room to, in that space at the end of the sink counter and the back door, to create a little wetbath area, with toilet and shower. The toilet that was built for this is great but takes up a lot of space. Just my only suggestion. I really have a hard time considering building or buying a camper conversion like this without the ability to go to the bathroom and shower inside.
i love the way the vans are organised, so neat and attention to detail is first class 😍 great job
Very nicely put together. The usual high quality and detauls from you. I have to say, I don't like the largish physical presence of the toilet in this small van. I feel like a bucket with a seat and bag that can be pulled out crom under something seems more like what someone really needs. This would be a road tripping van and I think the toilet would only be used at night.
I'm really looking forward to the layout you create for Promaster 118. These vehicles are completely overlooked in the US RV market, but there are several YT videos showing factory made RVs on this chassis available in Europe. I humbly suggest a U shaped layout consisting of cabinetry along the driver's side and an L shaped seating area that preserves access to the sliding door and rear aisle during the day but extends into 2 beds at night (utilizing the Promaster's ability to sleep front to back and left to right). Unlike your other builds, the 118 is large enough to accommodate an interior shower.
I like your outside the box thinking and appreciate your innovative designs. Keep up the good work!
Beautiful van, George. We now travel in a Opel Combo (Promaster City type van) but am looking at a bit larger van like the Metris. Too bad you live on the other side of the pond. For us it will be probably be a Ford Transit Custum buildout by Westfalia. They’re very popular over here. Problem is that the current model is very hard to get because they stoppen building them Ford ntroduces a new model this year . They’ll also offering an electric version in a few years. That is what we’ll be waiting for.
This movie is better than any Wes Anderson flik!❤
I’m waiting for you to visit the Toyota dealer and look at their hybrid van. If you can tap their main battery that would be something.
Make it a point of never interfering or piggybacking on the chassis and it’s associated systems. I do not need any finger-pointing liability for lawsuits or voiding warranties. My builds are completely independent and separate of the chassis. Yet I can still get blamed for things that were done wrong at the manufacturing stage!
What are those metal rings and black strips at end of the galley? Love all the OPTIONS! Miss the clothes tray, but the toilet and microwave are sweet!!
Simply amazing!
Nice! I can't wait to see the Maxi Me, I love the Ram 118! ♥️🙏
Gorgeous build!❤❤❤
Just watched your video on New Jersey Outdoor Adventure's, I tricked out a 2018 Pro Master City for my daughter 3 years ago during the pandemic. I am a retired boat builder and when I got done it looked like a Chris- Craft inside. When I got out of the Navy in 66', my Dad got me a job at GE in Philadelphia, I built power control boards for the TVA . A guy named Tate and I had a race to see who could build the best looking board with the least amount of mistakes at final inspection. I have not seen that kind of wiring until your power center section. My daughter has moved up to a 2023 Thor Tallero 20J, and it is junk, only one year old and 20,000 miles on it and it is falling apart. The wiring is an abomination, the cabinets are worse than chicken coops, the water tank had two leaks I had to repair. If I was 10 years younger, I would be applying for a job with you. Will be following, PS born in Trenton, NJ 09/18/1945
It sounds like you’re just a guy I’m looking for. Please consider coming to work for us.
@@HumbleRoad Like Jimmy Buffet say's in his song, I gave up the ocean to live by the sea. I very happy camped out in Lewes, De besides as long as I can breathe I will be fixing my daughters Tallero 20 J. But God that is some sweet wiring !
Holy crap that a nice set up!!!So jealous
Always great Videos worth waiting for. I quite like the “midi-me”over the “fussy-me” size. Lol
Great design. As always with an eye for detail. Very well done
Regards,
Marcel
Good Morning George
Always Enjoy Your Humble Road Videos . Love The Channel .
Really nice... I know prices keep changing but would be nice to have an idea of the price range of something like this (as well as other vans you offer)
Email me to start a discussion
georgemauro@humbleroad.tv
Another great build!
Hi George, hope you are well. This one's a beauty. You've outdone yourself again and for me this is a winner. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe and keep up the good work. 👍✌
Great build with great features, but there's a reason why I didn't join the submarine service 😉. I would need side and rear windows. I know that's not a problem, but I see a lot of "stealth" vans without them and that's something I just couldn't do, no matter the size of the van.
Wouldn't have to be full size, just...something. Preferably with the ability to slide open a little bit on the side ones.
You are correct it isn’t a problem. In fact, I’m doing a passenger version of the Metris now full glass all around.
Absolute perfection!
The workmanship is the best I have seen.
State of the Art, George! State of the Art.
You always impress me with your geniality and high quality workmanship. 😍 👍 ❤️ 🙏
Beautiful…
Looks gorgeous
Very nice
nice job
Beautiful Functional and Safe design George & Co. Congrats! Is it possible to have a auto-leveling w/button just for the bed, seems most places in the camping areas are not level.. just wondering :-)
Awesome build!❤
Very good reasonably simple efficient floor plan and systems design/function.
That "suck" water fill is an excellent feature!
You appear to display a refrigerator, not mentioned.
No elaboration about roof vent, insulation, heater.
Is there any company able to provide a suspension lift kit?
What are the surface wall panel materials?
Any company installing raised roof option? And/or pop up tent available?
Have you seen the Metris van that EV company Lucid made to demonstrate their technology. Faster that a Tesla Model S.
George, this has to be my favorite build so far. You’ve outdone yourself on this one IMO.
After years of solo vacation travels, this van checks all the boxes.
At 6’4”, traveling with my dog, this would work.
I love the layout, as I did the mini-me.
The toilet is hands down the simplest “emergency” solution. (I use same)
I see extra storage in there until nature calls. Dirty laundry or garbage and recycling?
And your seat is much more comfortable than my 5 gallon bucket ring-ouch.
The galley is wonderful.
Being able to wash up and do simple road meals is great.
That’s the first time I’ve seen that small resettable smaller circuit panel. You always find a solution.
The manual recliner bed in a twin is smart. I have a 120v actuator on my queen size bed. Although convenient, it requires me to switch on the inverter each time I want to use it, or leave it on.
The main reason I’d switch from my 170 4x4 Sprinter is I don’t need all the space.
Don’t get me wrong, space is nice but it’s also a handful in the wind. Even though the nanny anti-sway and lane deviation features work-they freak me out.
Add that to the awkward transmission selector and the goofy door open, slam it into park feature: sheesh!
You can tell each feature was designed around a delivery driver and mistake avoidance suggestions by lawyers!
My favorite thing about a smaller van: this midi-me would be invisible in any parking lot over night.
However: I will not buy another MB product. Great product but too few dealers, costly maintenance fees & too many recalls which are probably an issue for many manufacturers.
I’m not sold on the Ram. I’ve driven it. Driver position and visibility is poor. Very bus-like for someone my size.
Too bad they discontinued the Chevy Astro. I had an AWD version which I loved.
If only Honda made a cargo van-I’d be first in line.
Are there other potential conversion candidates?
How about Chevy’s latest smaller van?
Again, congratulations on another unique product. I’m sure you’ll sell every one you can get from the manufacturer to build.
The Chevy express cargo van would do the job if you don’t like the 118 wheelbase Promaster
Toyota Sienna LE (3rd generation - 2011 to 2020) are great candidates for Micro Campers. Tons are available, they are bulletproof and they get 25-30 mpg.
Not sure minivans are designed and built to carry constant payload that a build would impose. Internet listed the payload at approx 1300lbs. The little Promaster City has a payload of 1760-1886lbs.
Excellent point. I was assuming the conversion weighs less than the anticipated people and luggage capacity.
GVWR: good topic for a future video. Yours compared to some of the commercial vans/RV’s. I’ve heard some leave very little capacity once loaded.
In fact, an Airstream dealer out East once told me the newer travel trailers were not designed to head out on a trip with the water tanks full-due to the weight.
My 1965 Sovereign has the tank in the front so the tow vehicle takes a percentage of that weight on the hitch..
I asked-how do people boon dock then? The dealer had no response.
Wally Byam would roll over in his grave at the thinner, easily dented skins and portly weight of todays Airstream trailers.
Actually-I have a 2000 Express 1500 with 5.7L & Explorer conversion. Wife says that’s hers toy, hands off, no camper van makeover.
Quigley 4x4 told me the Chevy Express are very hard to get.
Allocations are slim.
Hi George! 😀
Before building vans, what did you do for a living??
Thanks for sharing the way you do.
The love shows through! 👍😃
My entire adult life, I was an advertising photographer. I worked on some of the biggest ad campaigns. You've seen my images in magazines, malls and billboards. And then the economic crash of 2008 came and hit me like a perfect storm. Wiped out! We lived off savings for nine years. In 2018, I closed the studio and started building my first van, which I sold, then built another. And now five years later here we are!
@@HumbleRoad You have become not only a youtuber, a van builder, as well a teacher! You exude passion for what you do! It is such a pleasure to watch you explain! I don’t have a van. Someday I would like to have a van that I can afford to travel in. I am thinking of just driving my car and camp in it!
Keep enjoying your time building and sharing!! Great meeting you. 👍😘
Another great build, George! Your designs are truly incredible. So close to 100k subs too! Well deserved! 👏🚐💙 and kudos to your crew at the shop, as well. Regards, from next door in TR 🙂
Does 'commode bag' sound better than 'bag to shit in'?
Just started the video, I like it, Price Lists ?
I can picture this layout in a Chevy or GMC van
I'd like to see those poking-out corners at the toilet rounded or angled off.Makes me hurt just looking at them - both wood and metal. Otherwise it's perfect, as usual, George.
George, I have just discovered flatbed microwave ovens and think it is perfect for rattle free driving (no turntable). Do you have an opinion on these?
Well, the rattle can be mitigated with a dish towel under the turntable. So if these flatbed microwaves are not too expensive, or give up on performance, I suppose they can work size is another issue!
@@HumbleRoad They are about the same price and offer the opportunity to put in square or rectangular cookware without it hitting the sides. And again no fussing with towels.
Watch out for the fire extinguisher if you read the directions it could explode if it gets too hot