Couple Builds Ultimate DIY Stealth Sprinter Camper Van ~ Tons Of GREAT Ideas
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- Опубліковано 23 сер 2017
- It is one thing to build a custom Sprinter Conversion van in your backyard, it is another to build it in a foreign country with a small bag of tools. This was one of my most enjoyable shoots as you could see the drive and passion of these two world travelers.
To get in contact with Richard & Sophie email them here.
customstealthcampervans@gmail.com
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As impressive as the build is I was just so distracted by how happy these two are. It's so obvious they're doing what they love most with the one they love most. If I had a choice of having that, or such a great van, I wouldn't have to think twice.
totally agree you just gotta make the move. I will soon for sure, in next couple months. couldn't be more excited
I totaly agree
Very nice🛀⭐️🌒
How do you suggest I look for a builder to create the same model?
Great comment.
I like how two people can agree on minimal accommodations in the name of fun and excitement , Nice couple, they will be fine.
How would you know.
Amazed that you guys seem to be the only Sprinter folk who care about weight and simplicity!No heavy duty slide outs, a table without legs, simple submersible pump, super slim roof porthole, and no nonsense Ikea stuff when even your ingenuity couldn't do it cheaper. Probably weighs 150kg less than any other, and cost a fraction too. Nicely done.
Thanks Richard. A lot of people seem to forget that good design should be be simple and cost effective to execute. It's easy to dream up all sorts of ideas that take a lot of long time and money to create, and we preferred to spend that time and money traveling and enjoying life. Less is more for us.
Richard Glanville said the exact same thing. They did a wonderful job. Check Out Create Wndr’s Van Tour They Are Very Inspiring. Check It Out Here & Let Us Know What You Think - ua-cam.com/video/aTxEK9QWE1I/v-deo.html
I completely agree! This setup is so simplistic and one that I could hopefully afford!
@BillyBob lol 😆
They do have ikea stuff, rewatch it.
I LOVE the simplicity of this van. Love the size and practicality of it as well. I want to be able to travel, but I have dreaded having to tow something huge or drive something huge, ya know? Seems scary. This option would be so much easier and cheaper as well.
The acoustics when you shut that side door. THAT is what tells the story of the insulation. Nice job.
Thank you :)
As soon as it closed pure respect on the insulation
I noticed that too. Insulation is key!
Wow! Yeah!!
I DIDN’T notice that - but watching again... AWESOME!
,
Such a cute couple and a great van! Great personalities. Very kind of them to show us their home.
Thank you
Richard and Sophie great van love your ideas. Thank you for sharing
Discovery4 brake fuse
Richard and Sophie You guys should start some vlogs!
@@Bespoke-creations your/this video has been copied to here...
copyright infringement ???
ua-cam.com/video/TvPPVqXRfFM/v-deo.html
I think this is still my favourite van dwelling video. Nice simplicity, open floor space for a bit of dancing. The steel salad bowl, aluminum backsplash, water pump, and skylight are really nice touches. I don't get why people don't have skylights when you can lay down and see the stars out in nature. At 6'6" (~198 centimeters) tall, I'm very jealous of being able to lay down width-wise in the van. No real drawers or shelves either. Definitely a nice little setup.
This build leaves me completely cold, but the best van builds are the ones that best meet the needs of the folks who use that van. They’re incredibly proud of it, so it’s clearly a great success.
The new IKEA Sprinter!
SPR
ÅNTÖR!
I have been thinking about doing a van for over a year and looked at many videos. Your van and set up is one of the best I have seen. Well done, you have done a great job.
Thank you!
Hi Richard and Sophie and welcome to Canada. Nobody mentioned the fact that you two are climbers. I paused the vid to look at your library; Moab, Red Rocks, our Canadian Rockies plus other climbing-oriented books. Not to mention the great photos on the inside of the van door all looking like serious rock climbing territory. Climb safe and have a great time.
Sophie, your accent is charming as hell; French with a Kiwi inflection? I lived for four great years in Paris and I'm guessing, but I love it whatever it may be. Richard's a lucky man and I'm sure you're a lucky woman or the two of you wouldn't be doing the globetrotting you are doing together.
Loved the haka bit.
Cheers from Ontario
And cheers from Quebec 🇨🇦
Greetings from Burlington, Ont. 🇨🇦
Lovely. Next time I'm in Ikea I'll be looking at everything in a different way!
Quentin Stafford-Fraser Me too!
Welcome to North America Richard and Sophie. Appreciate your willingness to share your van build with us. You have a lot of good things going on there....Congratulations!
Hope you get nothing but the best out of your stay here and will come back again. "Upward and Onward!"
Thank you AngelGeeks. So far North America has been great.
Richard and Sophie check out this stove - it's efficient & small.
www.unforgettablefirellc.com/kimberly-wood-stove/
hi guys great van, what is your email address to get in touch with you? or u can write me at yltwnguy@gmail.com.. merci!
Bojour Lu, you can et in touch with us at customstealthcampervans@gmail.com
Regular people, living an awesome dream..... FANTASTIC...!!!
I could listen to y’all talking for hours! I love your accent ❤️
I have watched the video many times... First of all you guys are adorable together! Second, I am purchasing a Sprinter van this weekend because of your video. The only thing I would caution you on is the burner/stove... the insulation is not designed for the kind of heat that comes off of a burner. You could sandwich some rock wall insulation in between the stainless steel and the spray in insulation. The spray in will turn to dust over time and create a hole eventually getting to the wall of the van over time. I sell commercial ovens and my competitors use spray in insulation. It may not be an issue but I thought I would just point out the possibility. I will take a lot of pictures as I go thru the process of my van but you definitely nailed the build out and gave so many great ideas that I would never have thought of.... Thank you so much! Springer out!
really endearing couple, and they might look like simple slightly hippie folk, but a lot of these ideas and solutions are INGENIOUS. especially that changeable/disposable water filter from the marine shop. first time seeing this application, so creative, cheap and effective. all the RV supplies are bulky and expensive, and stay this way because noone (consumer or competitor) challenges it. they seem to have worked around this,good on them! wish them safe and fruitful travels wherever they are.
We call it Kiwi Ingenuity :)
They're especially ingenious if you can afford all the gear they advertise. Go ahead, take a look- just their mike for their vids is 200 bucks.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the technical information is that of the vlogger who posted the tour (and therefore requires professional equipment), not the couple who built the van.
darkminecrafter69 your greasy
This type of pump is very common in Europe for caravans and campers.
I reckon this is the best way to go. Welcome to the States. Thanks ever so much for posting.
Malcolm Nicoll thanks Malcolm. We've been having a blast here
RichardandSophie...I am so glad you are having a great time! Some people are not representing the US to give a good impression, I am glad you are meeting nice people!
Lovely to see how pleased they obviously are with the result of their hard work.
Wow!
This was so coool! I've spent my life dreaming of an Adventure Van & traveling. I helped my Mom as a teen raise 10 kids after a tragedy w/my Dad, put myself thru college, taught school for many yrs & raised my kids. Later, I did nursing along w/Music Therapy w/Hospice patients & the ill- so a life time of hard work.Today, I am readying for FUN, traveling & experiencing God's Creation, & seeing grandbabies thru out America. I really enjoyed your little UA-cam here I'll retire at the end of the yr (except for playing piano & doing Gigs!). Thnx, for all the neat ideas shared & I'm looking fwd to nxt yr when my 73 yr old hubby & I find a simple Van that will be easy to manage when we vacation.
I really like this couple! Since it's just the two of them and they are traveling all the time I don't think it would be much of an issue to stop someplace to use a toilet and they probably can stay at camp grounds/gyms/truck stops/etc. to take showers. I think it was smart of them to not put everything in there before they started because now they can add things as they find that they need them (like a wood stove). I hope they do an update after they've been on the road for a long time because I'll be curious to see what they add.
French accent with Kiwi inflection. Cute!
Ahh, I had a strong suspicion that at least he was French after seeing his teeth XD
He is a Kiwi
It's marvellous isn't it? Never heard a French Kiwi before :-)
proof that god hates us
no, hes a regular sheep fiddling kiwi..........bro
I especially like the wood siding.
That conversion not only is extremely efficient in the use of space but it is also beautiful! Using marine grade products to solves some of the problems is brilliant. Thanks for the tour.
Thank you!
When you pulled that door close, wow NO outdoor noise at all! Very impressive, so good job on the insulation. Have a look at Alan Heaths blog on motorhoming full time, I think both he and you would benefit.
Andrew Thorpe I know right, I was amazed how well the insulation was made.
One of your best interviews. Real people living the tiny life are the most interesting. Thank you Chris for your great work.
Wow. I've seen ton's of videos on vans on UA-cam for 3 yrs. This is the best design I have yet to see, and innovative. Your place is not a pig pen like most I've seen. Just super. And by the way, your wife is awesome. :) Thanks so much.
You have been watching the wrong channels
I could listen to her speak all day........Lovely folks.
Lovely couple. I hope you guys have fun in your adventure.
Really superb, easily one of the best conversions I've seen so far. Well done.
Thank you
What specifically do you like about it?
I love the kiwi mascot and I whish you both good health and happy times
Though simple in design, the table on the door is brilliant.
9:17 what a difference in sound isolation. job well done insulating the van!
The Ikea camperVan
People like you make the world go 'round... Let me know if you come to Bordeaux in France... I'd love to show you my hospitality... Enjoy the trip
Love your elegant practical ideas (e.g. salad-bohl-sink, submerged water pump, boat sky light, door handle anti sliding, table) and the way you cooperate. Thanks for sharing !
It is crazy to think that they came all that distance and basically built this in a parking lot. I couldn't do nearly that good of a job with a nice building and all the tools in the world.
I think you are right.
This is the best customized camper van I've seen. I've watched a few other builds and they end up looking very claustrophobic and having way too many cabinets. Your open floor plan rocks.
Thank you :)
Juya Productions Agree completely. I hate RVs that are full of fixed furniture. Things should be modular and multi purpose in such a small space.
This couple is so cute! And I can see that they put a lot of thought into everything. Very cool! I love seeing the excitement on their faces as they describe what they've done. And the anticipation on his face for a fireplace was adorable! One slight improvement they could make to the table is to just simply move that string to where it hooks straight upwards into a hook in the ceiling instead of the van door so then it would block the table less since it would not cut across. Then they could just unhook the string to fold the table up.
Nice work kids! Enjoy your life while you can!
Great looking camper van. A really well thought out design and clean execution. Well done enjoy your travels in the Americas.
Thank you
Sure appreciate them showing us there van. Very nice set up! Thanks Chris
The BEST! Storage, storage, storage; beauty & ingenuity. 💕
Richard & Sophie I am so impressed! Great job designing a functional living space that works for you. It is obvious that you are enjoying your life together - wishing you all the best!
Thank you!
Nice job good planning I've been vann ING for 30 plus years and never see anything new on UA-cam I actually saw a couple of things I hadn't thought of like using bilge pump for sink .I feel dumb since I lived on a sailboat for three years! You forgot the head! Must have! I use since vans are so small the smallest toilet bucket with seat and lid 14 '' wide 16 tall. Solid waste only use plastic bags no dumping no cleaning no smell if adding kitty litter to bag. Urine goes in laundry soap bottles are free at laundromat in trash can when they get rank dispose , my whole bathroom cabinet including toilet litter paper and urine bottles is only approx 18 x18x18 inches easy easy easy good job on van nice backsplash
Are they adorable or what?!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!! Amazing setup!!! Welcome to America!!!!!
Thank you!
So are you going to be building vans for other people while you're here?
Kelly Cook...yes!
Kelly Cook...yes they are.!!!
You two are amazing! Way to think outside the box! Hope you keep enjoying your adventure!
They are cute and sooooo in love. I love their energy !
The only thing I'd add to this nice van would be a heavy duty safety/cargo net between the driver's compartment and the rear of the van. Otherwise, in case of an accident, most of the stuff can get loose and and become a potentially lethal projectile.
Very good idea. Great video. RS
I'm just under two meters and age 15 and I want to build something like this with my best friend and travel all of America I love your design it's really smart
Unless you like to sleep curled up into a ball you'll need a fairly large car! I'm 1.90 and bed size restrictions are one of the main reasons why I haven't even rented a motorhome yet, let alone considered building or buying one. I can sleep on a 190 cm mattress if I can let my feet dangle out of the bed but 2 m is much better and 2.20 is really nice. The commercial motorhomes I took a look at had something like 183 cm!
So for the time being I'm stuck with a tent. Has the definite advantage that I can just pack it up and catch a train or bus instead of having to drive. I mostly camp on festivals and driving home on a Sunday evening after having spent the whole weekend dancing and everything isn't something I recommend!
Follow your dream and dont let anyone or anything tell you otherwise! Height is a disadvantage but things like a hammock attached to the roof of the van taking up the total width is a great way to have maximum space when beds not in use, but likewise maximum length when bed is needed
Ragnar8504.. yes he will need to design the bed to be north/south, as opposed to this east/west design.
I'm 194cm. I'm always curled up anyway so even 180 is more than enough for me
What a great van. Really enjoyed watching this couple talk us through everything. Would love a follow up with Richard and Sophie on more van traveling tips!!
Amazing couple living IN A VAN, DOWN BY THE RIVER!
Very nice van build! I like the dining table idea you came up with. The choice for heating is good but you will need storage for the wood. Small "boat heaters" use small pieces of wood so you will need to feed the fire more often. The auxiliary diesel or gasoline heaters from Espar or Webasco are nice but they will use a lot of battery power for the fans and ignition systems. You would need to upsize you're auxiliary battery and add solar to charge it. More cost to consider but if your happy with this van do your upgrades as you need them. I hope you planned ahead and left wire ways behind the paneling which looks great!
Happy Travels!
P.S. here in Greece they do not allow an individual to do a self built camper even though the EU says its OK but that doesn't stop me or others!
Great job guys. And Sophie's New Zealand / French accent is tres cool.
Steve-in-Toronto you're on the money
Thank you, I was trying to figure that out!
Can't understand a word she says! Weird accent...
Steve-in-Toronto ii
I loved every single thing about this presentation: Clever ideas, pacing, friendliness, and the list goes on. Well done and thank you!
One of my favorite camper projects. You both are so sweet and kind. Have a wonderful adventure!
This is phenomenal! Thank you so much for posting and sharing part of your life with the world. Keep up the awesome unique lifestyle so long as it meets your needs. Cheers!
I like how he is smart enough to let her talk and not interrupt her.
Steve Sherman go home troll
Didn't help the video though.
Jeff Woolf cry some more, yeah?
STFU
Damn, you're a pussy.
These two are a couple of positive people and the build is awesome thanks for sharing the time capsule guys
Thanks for the great tour of your home guys. Lots of great tips! Wishing you safe and happy travels.
Ikea needs to sponsor these folks. ;) There really are some great ideas here; they obviously put a lot of thought into each component in this van.
I'd like to take this couple home and put them in a special exhibit marked .. "this is humans at their best".
I agree they are adorable!
I think whats really cool about your van is that you're STANDING in it.
You two kids are cute; I'm 56, I can state this without fear of retribution. Nice job kids. Teach this building technique(s) when you get back home....and start a business building vans for people part-time; it will quickly become a full time, fun job.
Great advice, we did exactly that! You can visit our website: www.bespoke-creations.net!
Cute couple and a wonderful van!!
You both are fabulous! My husband and I travel in a 22 ft. bornfree RV. I am always fascinated by others ingenuity. I was wondering about toilet also. I know we have an extra small chemical toilet that we use at home if we have electric outages.... we don’t use to travel....
do you have a toilet in your diy camper...
Oh I forgot I’m old...68....a toilet is a must!
If you are ever on Long Island... come to park by us and use our outside shower!
Thanks for the hospitality offer and nice words. We don't have a toilet but we do have a pee bottle for the night and for emergencies.
You two are great together. So is your van. Great job.
many thanks chums!
sounds like i'm finding the 'perfectly compact yet spacious and functional' design style for the kind of camper van i truly like and prefer to huge and cumbersome as well as highly costly RVs and trailers ...
This is fantastic. I love this set up and could easily live in it.
Only thing I would add is some sort of pull out toilet and an outside shower set up.
Otherwise perfect! Good luck with your travels.😃🍷🍁
There is plenty of space under the setting space and in the "garage" but I once saw "Japanese style" soaking tubs (and shower) under the bed and was so inspired, that I'd go with that 😊.
What a great couple. Wonder if they could do stealth solar. Flat thin panels glued to the roof with a van matching moulding along the edge.
Boatdesigner we have considered this. At the moment we drive enough and use very little power so it hasnt been nessesary. If you put one panel lengthways in the center then it would be hard to spot without being higher than the van.
I love seeing the simplicity and frugal ingenuity!! I love the mixing bowl Sink! I’m going to copy that one.
OMG these two are absolutely adorable!! Great job on the van. I could not believe how quiet it got when they closed the door. Pretty amazing.
Brilliant! And I love this young couple. They seem very nice and I bet they are a lot of fun to be around. Shirley and I are planning to buy an Airstream extended built on a a Sprinter chassis. It's 24-feet long and has a full in-suite. Considering it costs $168,000, this is a much better deal, but that is the difference between being young and being in your 60s. We like a little more comfort and convenience. ;)
Ok boomer
Yep, definitely like a bathroom too for comfort and convenience it’s so nice and im only 40 haha
I'm in my 60's and I love this little van. Perfect for what I enjoy, which is training for and running 100 mile mountain races. I can store all I need in these camper style vans. (And these two kids do a great job) A cassette toilet would be fine and a propane shower in the rear or in little shower tent would be fine. I probably could get my bike in the garage. Can't do that in a Airstream Coach. It's all about what you like to do and what's important in your life. Cheers.
Genius on the salad bowl sink!!
This looks really lovely, when they closed the door it looks really warm and cosy, lovely couple god bless them and their lovely van x
Van-freaking-tastic. Great job, I've been using camper vans off and on for 50 years and this is in my top 5. A stealth trailer for my bike and I'm in heaven.
Very nice job on the van & video. You guys are cool. Best.
Pretty good IKEA Van conversion. Makes the build pretty low cost. No toilet? Shower? I guess you can't strap a outhouse onto the back. If that works for you, great. Seem like a happy couple. Living your life as you like. Nothing wrong with that.
Settle down.
What a fantastic conversion . Amazing. Looks surprisingly spacious and comfortable.
I jut love how light the van is built. So minimal. So convenient.
I knew I recognized you guys in the thumbnail! The rest of your van has come together wonderfully! Congrats on your really great build & hope you are enjoying Canada-the view towards the end of your video is gorgeous.
6:29 "You can make a bit more noise inside"... gigity gigity
I like the flow between the two of them. Incredible use of such a tiny space!
every inch used in the best possible way. Nice tour. Thanks.
What a great couple! Terrific video and I applaud your adventurism.
Thank you
Doing us Kiwis proud there. Mate, stripped down to your basic Hilti gear and still doing an awesome job? Anyone wanting a definition of Kiwi Ingenuity only needs to look here! Done a similar thing with the 12V marine pumps for my wet bar at home, also going into a tiny round sink (didn't think to repurpose a salad bowl though!) Functional, spacious and clever. You come for a drive to Mangaore Village if you ever make it home OK? Love to meet the both of you ;-)
Thank you very much. We'll let you know if we drive by.
Amazing van tour. One of my favourite things is the mini library such a great idea! Makes it feel more like home.
Their van is awesome! It shows their experience as they thought of every little detail. I was surprised that he brought his tools over but crafts people do have favorite tools. Thanks for sharing this with us
Nice van, I would need a toilet though
....and a gas mask.
I’m guessing you’re American. The more civilised/developed nations wouldn’t dream of defecating in close proximity to where they eat/sleep.
In some areas bringing a toilet to where you are camped is actually required. It’s far better to pack out your waste than leave it for everyone else to find. And yes, also an American and civilized. Many toilets stow away nicely and are odor free and more sanitary than the less civilized options.
@@gabrielarch5145
Actually the Nature's Head composting toilet allows one to do number 1 and 2 in close places without having to worry about odor. Simply build an air flow duct powered me a battery to outside of van to vent odor outward with nothing circulating in you small home.
ua-cam.com/video/BUCILKmc96k/v-deo.html
@@strickostricko Actually the Nature's Head composting toilet allows one to do number 1 and 2 in close places without having to worry about odor. Simply build an air flow duct powered me a battery to outside of van to vent odor outward with nothing circulating in you small home.
ua-cam.com/video/BUCILKmc96k/v-deo.html
These two are the CUTEST EVER!!!! Awesome van too!
Very nice conversion. Must be nice to get along with someone enough to live in such close quarters. God bless and enjoy your visit to America.
Great ideas. Especially liked the ceiling vent from boat supply. Brilliant.
I was concerned with why they were obsessed with light coming in and it being dark inside. Then He said it is day light for weeks at a time. So I said oh Alaska issue. Then it made sense. Nice to be able to share adventures and interests with. GOOD for them. But I personal would want a few ,more windows. Thanks for the FYI on the Sky light window being a boat window. I want my own RV someday, so I am watching as many videos like this as I can. Best Wishes to you both and happy trails.
The reason they don't want light inside the van to be seen from the outside is so they can park up in cities or build up areas rather than campsites without attracting attention from residents or the police or whomever. It's called "stealth camping" where you don't have to pay.
Wow! This is a secret dream of mine that I've had since I was a kid. Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you guys! Lol :)
Hello. Thanks for sharing your home away from home. Lovely.
Thanks for the tour. Nicely done vid. I have a Westy and enjoy that, but they have LOTS of clever low-cost solutions. If I build my own some day, I'll use some of these ideas!
WOW! Loved your camper van build! Lots of great ideas and I REALLY LOVE THE FLOOR SPACE! My main reason for hesitating on my van build is I haven't been able to figure out how to conserve enough space so I don't feel claustrophobic! Love all the Ikea products too! You didn't show how you get power...do you have solar, or battery banks that charge off your car battery with solenoid, a generator, or some new alien technology? LOL Just kidding. Anyway, would love to know more about your power system. Thanks a bunch!
We just charge the secondary battery using the car alternator. We have an isolator to make sure we don't empty the main battery. We don't have solar panels because it is a lot less stealthy and we drive enough to have enough power for the fridge, the lights, the CO detector and charging our phones/tablets.
Kathryn Kenyon is
AWESOME! Thanks a bunch! :-)
Kathryn Kenyon I wondered about solar also.🙂
Is all this stealth really needed? I mean most places you would park a van like this in the night people would either think campers or burglars at worst. I mean how often do you roam quiet neighborhoods to park outside someone's driveways? Personally I think I would get catastrophic without Windows - make do yes, ideal?
He kinda looks like Tony Hawk lol
FACTSSSS LOL
Totally thought it was Tony Hawk in the thumbnail...i think that's why I clicked.
Which is why I clicked 😂
What a lovely couple and a very tidy van build, thanks for sharing!
I love the simplicity of this build!