UPDATE: Immediately after making this video, we listed the red van for sale, and it disappeared fast! We wrote a blog post including the final sale price, how we sold it, and way more details on the conversion, repairs, and maintenance. Here it is... www.tripofalifestyle.com/gear-and-tips/nissan-nv200-camper-van/
Amazing, we will probably be doing the same with our VAN (sell it) once we finish our travel and need bigger. :) 5 In a SUV is tight, but RV/Ford Transit/sprinter is too expensive at the moment. An SUV / Small VAN is a nice option and its amazing how much space it can have start travel.
... and predicable t&a from the girl. A calendar of her vogue poses might make a small amount of money to help out and satisfy her need to show it. I suggest several strong coffees because this is fast chatter. Keep truckin'....🍀
I used to do it like that. Just rent a normal van for some festival, throw in a matress over a tarp and sleep in my sleeping bag. It was convenient compared to a tent. But when I got myself a decent camper van, I had to get one with a toilet. It was so annoying having to dress up and put on shoes when you had to go outside. Now, with a toilet in my van, if I have to go I can go to the toilet with bare feet and in my underwear. For me, that's a huge convenience. And while I do like to hike in the great outdoors with my dog, I also like just to hang out in my van reading and whatnot. So each to their own. These are just my thoughts. But I do agree with a lot you said on the video. Sleeping in a van instead of a hotel saves a ton of money.
And you don't even have to worry about using chemicals and emptying stations, compost toilets are simpler, they don't smell (the smell of emptying a chemical cassette toilet is often enough to make you gag), and the bags of waste can go in any refuse bin. Various sizes to fit any van and you can pay anywhere from $1000 for one, or $30. $30 is just fine. Or just crap in a bag and bin it like you would a doggy poop bag, unless that is, facing your own crap is beneath you. . . . err . . . actually, you better hope your crap is beneath you is beneath you, but if you feel the task of dealing with it in a clean efficient way is beneath you, that'll probably be a good indication that living in a van isn't for you 💩
I did this very thing for a few years traveling to jobs that paid for a motel and food! I used that money to payoff the van the first year and still use vans when traveling on jobs! No debts and money in the bank, paid off a house, no debt, semi retired, making the life I always dreamed of!
😎👌 i agree with everything here. I bought a NV200 3 years ago as my only transport for its economy, with a standard single bed and floor space left for my bicycle next to it. Plenty packing space under the bed. Simplicity works.
Like you, I only sleep in my van with no kitchen or bathroom. I'm going to look into a gym membership, as my only needs are a shower. Thanks for the informative video.
@@sameersmerchant Wow, 1973! One of the things we sometimes warn other potential vanlifers about is putting a lot of time/money into renovations/recovery, when that money could be directed toward purchasing a newer and more reliable van in the first place. We spent $12.3k on the van and only $455 on renovations/conversion. A lot of people invert that ratio and wind up with a beautiful van that doesn't have much mechanical life remaining. Be careful!
Great job guys. I wish we had done this … saves alot of money . We have discussed it . We want to sale our house and go to a truck camper for atleast a year and see how that changes us .
You make some great points. Personally I would want a van with standing room, at least for changing clothes. I would also add a 12v fridge and a butane stove along with minimal pots and pans. Wet wipes can substitute for a shower, if needed. Thanks for sharing.
I think you could fudge this a bit with some rooftop mounted accessories. They make awnings that fold out like a fan, covering a 270 degree ark. (Think all of one side, and the back). You can unfold them in under a minute. Thow out a privacy screen and you can have a mini outdoor area that will let you change your clothes. I'd also add a roof pod for extra storage space.
First time here. Your video is professionally done. And you are showing the price and the equipments, the bed etc with a special post on the bottom that is impressive well done. And yes you are right nothing too flashing just practical and you can easily blend in the city 😊. God bless 😊
Save space by having a futon style bed design and add something that you’ll feel will be most helpful during rainstorms, holidays etc. I use to have a sink that was accessible from the back and it was the size of a nightstand.
I picked up an old Econoline conversion van for $2800. It needed a few repairs of non driving items (like a step and window) but it runs and drives great, it's not rusted out or high miles. Being a conversion van it's already insulated. I love it and drive it everyday.
This is brilliant! It's so refreshing to see a minimalistic and more so achievable build as compared to the instagram-centric builds that take months to complete and cost thousands.
You make a lot of sense! I agree completely. Have been shopping for RV Vans and there ain't no way I'm gonna pay for that. If I do this I'll buy a new van (for reliability) and outfit it much like you did.
After watching this I am going to start small. with a comfy and storage like you did. However; some kind of toilet is a must. Since Covid I have found sometimes it is difficult a to find a place open.
Back in 1977, 22 year old me bought a red '75 Chevy cargo van. Had mag wheels, wide tires and loud mufflers; Red shag carpet and bean bag chairs. No side windows, but had pop out windows in back doors. Loved that van.
Cute idea for young couples or singles, but as a SENIOR with mobility issues, a larger vehicle that can be entered and exited with more ease is a better choice. Get a vehicle that fits YOUR physical space and needs.
You are right. I'm 80 and have a minivan camper. I'm not full time yet, but finances might change that in 2025. Anyway, I have to have my bucket and bags and absorbents at the very least for night. Standing would be nice, but until I can get my financial picture more rosy, I'll have to stand outside. Love this video. Love this couple, but could do without that tiny bikini bottom (sorry, jealousy breaking through!)!
True, I rented one of these campervans and had difficulty getting in and out of the platform van due to arthritis and bad knees. Great on gas and parking and appearing "stealth," but definitely better suited to the young camper. Platform bed was so high that I had to get out of the van in the middle of the night to pee. Not good in the cold or bear country. Agree with getting the next level up in van height.
Great video guys. I think a lot of people get hung up on some idea of an entry cost. When I started doing vanlife for my work trips instead of using hotels I just put a mattress in the back with a water jug, a bin for snacks, and a power bank. Oh, and a usb mini fan for air flow. I missed that starter van.
@@seismicsmasher Definitely! Just start simple (and cheap), and see if you even LIKE vanlife, then add anything missing that you feel like you "need." You may be surprised to find that the "need" list includes little or nothing at all!
A small toilet is a necessity, I have found remote businesses and roadside rests closed and was grateful for the plastic grocery bag napkins I had. Now I snag an empty ice cream bucket from friends and family, and with grocery bags and cat litter I've been saved some embarrassment. Of course, I haven't had to use it yet, but I'll be ready for those emergencies.
We have never come close to needing to use a grocery bag or a bucket as a bathroom lol, but we do carry a single roll of toilet paper with us just in case. It's never been used.
Some great ideas ... I would likely have insulated & added some solar. But if it worked for you fantastic. I'm planning on this type of rig for Europe... I have a 170 Sprinter now
What advantages have you found that a van like a NV200 has over a minivan, like a Toyota Sienna. I’m trying to decide between the two for the same type of travel. Thanks for your great videos.
@@X-7-JAMES A cargo van typically has more space than a minivan, and it's easier to set up because you don't have to remove seats. Also, it has fewer windows to cover at night. Thanks for watching!
Great plan for seeing the country without blowing a ton a cash along the way. Love the simplicity of the conversion too. Place to sleep and some storage. Boom!!
Brilliant! And the same strategy would make sense for outdoor people with full-time jobs who need a daily driver and a perfect simple camper for camping out in nature many weekends and a few 1-3 week expeditions each year. Simpler is incomparably better.
Thanks! We use a very small cooler, filled with free ice from drink machines at gas stations (just be sure to bring your own cup). We also carry a tiny single-burner propane stove and make use of gas station microwaves sometimes, too.
Your story is unbelievable - your Nissan CVT outlasted the engine? I would recommend learning how to do a drain and fill of the CVT fluid and do it every year (I recommend DIY because for some reason shops like to overcharge for this, it's not really that more complicated than an oil change).
We've never really missed the insulation, but we do plan our trips around good weather. As long as overnight lows are between 25°F (-4°C) and 70°F (21°C), we're generally very comfortable. Forgoing insulation saves a bit of space in a very tight cargo area. On cold nights, sleeping bags are necessary, and we do experience a condensation problem sometimes. A ventilation fan would be a positive addition that could probably be done relatively cheaply! Also worth noting: In a pinch, you can run the AC or heater periodically throughout the night, or just grab a hotel occasionally as needed.
You have ventilation fan already built in your car. But it still needs energy and car battery cannot run it for long. All you need is to connect it to additional deep cycle battery that feeds from your alternator.
I always crack a window open in the car. The much smaller space would fog over real quick if I didn’t. Coats and blankets to stay warm. I’m 6’4” in a Prius.
Question: I'm wondering about comfort.. I.e. mainly airflow at night especially if it's hot and raining. I can imagine it can get super muggy in the van. How do you handle that? Love the video and your enthusiasm / attitude!
We never camp in this van when it's hot. All of our trips are planned around weather, so we generally go far north (Canada/Alaska) in the summer. Here's a recent example of one of those summer trips: www.tripofalifestyle.com/destinations/eastern-canada-road-trip/
We plan our trips based on good weather. As-is, this van is comfortable to sleep in with the doors and windows closed when overnight temperatures are between 25°F (-4°C) and 70°F (21°C). Condensation is only a problem at the very low end of that range. A ventilation fan would help with that, and might be a nice addition to the van. In a pinch, you can also run the AC/heat periodically during the night, or just grab a hotel if necessary.
@@TripOfALifestyle If you get a hybrid minivan like a Toyota Sienna you can run the heat or A/C all night and the van will start and stop the engine as needed to maintain the battery. Yes, that costs more up front, but if you need the climate control... Oh, it also doubles your gas mileage, so if you're traveling a lot that saves you some money too.
I love my pop top van with a kitchen. I like cooking my own food, having a fridge full of the food I like. The rock n roll bed is wonderfully comfortable. Being able to stand up inside is great too. A little van with a mattress....no thanks....
This is exactly how my setup would be. Great to hear I am not the only one who thinks this is the ideal way of traveling. My husband however doesn't agree with me and therefore bought me a Volkswagen California for my 50th birthday. Great car, but not ideal. A kitchen in a van is a bad idea. Everything becomes super smelly. Better cook outside on a gas stove and use a jerrycan with a watertap for water. Transforming your bed into seats every morning is a real chore. We live in Europe and a lot of cities start to ban vehicles with diesel engines. Your idea is far cheaper, simpler and hassle free.
this is great. Curious what the dimensions of the back of the van floor are and if there are other models with similar dimensions (guessing you guys already looked into this). Also - the no windows in the back seems like a negative for air flow, condensation, temp control - is there a reason you went w/ that?
Our wooden bed platform measures 48” (122 cm) wide, 71.5” (182 cm) long, and 11 ¾” (30 cm) tall, and it's a pretty tight fit in the back of the NV200. Not 100% sure about other van models, but we know for a fact that the smallest Ford Transit Connect model is just a little too small for our platform (we tried putting it into one once). As for windows, you'll see some NV200 models with rear side panel windows, but they don't actually open, so they wouldn't help with air flow. We're very comfortable with overnight temperatures between about 25°F (-4°C) and 70°F (21°C). Condensation is only an issue at the low end of that range, and sleeping bags are needed then as well. A ventilation fan might be a nice addition if you camp in the cold a lot.
How many miles before your van engine wore out? The old Ford straight 6 used in the Econoline vans routinely runs over a half million miles without any major repairs. The vehicle will wear out before that motor does.
@@jameshill8498 We had 220k miles when we sold the red NV200. It still ran fine, but it had a low compression engine cylinder at the time, so it was probably on its way out.
Something worth mentioning. You have to truly love your partner for this type of lifestyle. Excited to give something like this a try with mt husband one day. I can tell, you two are truly life partners. 🩷
Exactly! Planet Fitness card elimates need for a bath combined with easy no prep salads or healthy takeout and youre done. My dogs enjoy the extra space and I've never had a problem with overnight trips. Can't understand all these overbuilt van build vids. Good job
I like simple solutions. But this is not one of it. Only for perfect weather conditions. It’s hard /near impassible to access your storage under the bed from inside. You don’t want to get outside if it is raining. You don’t want to cook outside if it is raining. You don’t want to explore the area if it is raining. And if, you don’t want to come back wet and only have a mattress covering the hole back area in your van to sit/lay on. Insulation/condensation problems were mentioned before. It’s at most a slightly better tent. In general the nv200 is a great car for camping if done right. But not like this.
You mentioned that this is "a better tent." In addition to being a vehicle, yes - you're absolutely right! It is a secure, waterproof place to sleep with a full, uncompromising bed, attached to an emergency source of heat and air conditioning. Our van is designed to be exactly that: a nice place to SLEEP. We never claimed it was anything more than that. And still, amazingly, it saved us tens of thousands of dollars while having some of the best experiences of our entire lives for the last 6 years. 😊
How does the "a toilet's always 5 mins away" and local cafes & restaurants for food aesthetic play out when you are in the wilderness? And surely there have been nights where it's just been too uncomfortably hot or cold?
Even in wilderness locations like National Parks, there are visitor centers and other tourist stops that typically have bathrooms. More importantly, if you're traveling on a road, then you're never terribly far from a gas station, since all cars need gas (or chargers). It's way less of a problem than you'd think. As for weather, we plan our trips around it! On anomalously hot or cold nights, running the van's engine periodically throughout the night or simply paying for a hotel room is always an option if you really need it.
This is great advice! YT will have you thinking you need $100k to do vanlife! Maybe of us want to do this for financial freedom. Thanks for the reminder!
@@Brinaweenahwoo Absolutely true. 💯 Make sure you check out the rest of the channel and our blog for more finance-focused content in addition to the travel stuff!
So do you go to restaurants all the time? And with no way to keep groceries safe on blm land, what do you do about food?: very cute can😊. Thanks for sharing!
We do go to restaurants a lot, and we use menu hacks to keep those prices down: www.tripofalifestyle.com/money/hack-the-menu-and-pay-less/ We also cook outdoors using the propane burner shown at 04:51 in the video, and we make use of gas station microwaves sometimes, too.
We live in Florida too! We don't sleep in the van when it's hot. We strategically go north (especially Canada/Alaska) during the summer, and we only camp in Florida during the winter. Here's our most recent Canada trip: www.tripofalifestyle.com/destinations/eastern-canada-road-trip/
@@jbro6236 As shown at the top of the screen at 08:31, the total costs were calculated over the entire 6-year period of owning the van, spanning many different road trips. The Planet Fitness membership was active for most, but not all of this time. Hope that helps! 😊
We didn't! All of our van trips were planned around good weather. We spent summers in Alaska/Canada and the northern US, and we spent winters in the south. When we wanted to do something different from that, we just paid for hotels.
This is good advice but it is extreme. Personally I would use a bigger van (Sprinter or E-Series, long wheel base). This would give you the bed space plus room for storage, cooking and some minimal toilet facilities.
Glad you asked! We have a whole blog post and UA-cam video about that! Blog: www.tripofalifestyle.com/money/health-insurance-without-a-job/ Video: ua-cam.com/video/-KZqf1RAjUQ/v-deo.html
Well my camper that I made is a 1989 short wheel base Ford E-150 Econoline with a 4.9 cid 5-speed. I like to camp at campsites so I use their bathrooms and showers and I get a senior discount where I camp but I have a problem with this minimalistic life style I keep Hearing talk about a different videos. I'm a capitalist I like to have things. I wish someone would explain this to me.
@@markshreve5715 Capitalism and minimalism are not opposites, and minimalism can help you become extremely wealthy in a very short period of time. Here's an example: www.tripofalifestyle.com/money/how-to-save-a-million-dollars/
This is a nice example. For my tahoe, no build or conversion; I sleep and make food. Basically cold prepared food. I have ways to stay clean....Hate to say it on my behalf; I gotta have my compost toliet 😅😅😅😅
I disagree about living in a van being backwards. I have everything you have plus huge power charged by the sun and my alternator, 13 gallons of water with a sink and shower, a real mattress, a toilet, a refrigerator and AC all in a Sienna minivan. You CAN have it all with some real planning and live outside too.
@@robertdepalma7321 Yup! The purpose of our van is to provide transportation and a comfortable place to sleep. This does both really well at a very low cost.
@@BeeKraemer We buy cheap, liability-only insurance like we would for any car. It has ranged from around $30 to $60 per month over the years. Here are our thoughts on insurance in general: www.tripofalifestyle.com/money/how-much-insurance-do-i-need/
My dream van would be very different from yours. And it would cost something between $ 100,000.00 and 200,000.00. With my life savings I could actually afford it, but then I'm a) broke and b) dead, because my wife would kill me.
Haha. Here's the thing: This isn't actually our "dream van" at all. It's what we found to be sufficient to travel happily and make a lot of great memories at a minimal cost. As a result of many frugal choices like these, we saved up a lot of money a young age, which is what allows us to travel so freely in the first place: www.tripofalifestyle.com/money/how-to-save-a-million-dollars/ Sometimes, less is more. 😉
@@davidsloat1016 A typical "meal out" on the road for us costs something like $6 per person. Three times a day, that's $36, which doesn't even cover a campsite with hookups in many places. Not to mention the additional gas, insurance, and initial cash outlay on a bigger RV. In reality, we spend even less than this, because we also carry a single-burner propane stove with us (linked in the video description) and cook canned goods in addition to making PB&Js, etc., sometimes. You can see some of our real-world trip spending reports on the blog... Our typical US vanlife trip budget: www.tripofalifestyle.com/gear-and-tips/cheap-travel/ Our typical Canadian vanlife trip budget: www.tripofalifestyle.com/destinations/eastern-canada-road-trip/
So nice that you spend so much quality time with your daughter but I’m not crazy about the idea of sharing a bed with your teenage child. That seems a bit much.
I love how every "cheap vanlife!" video has a pre-requisite of being privileged enough to either be born in or have £millions to qualify to immigrate to USA or similar country where vanlife is legal & possible... That pre-requisite is not "cheap".
@@TripOfALifestyle in other words, rich people make video about how to "convert a CHEAP Camper!" (as long as you're rich). Step 1: be a millionaire so you can qualify to immigrate via investment route to a country where vanlife is legal.
@@Fina-x5n Some people are born in countries where vanlife is viable. Most people who choose to watch this video probably fall into that category. If you live in a place where vanlife is illegal and don't plan to move, then you may not wish to continue watching vanlife videos on UA-cam. There are lots of other interesting videos on this platform that you could check out! 😊
@@Fina-x5n In what world do you live in where you're required to be a millionaire to qualify to immigrate to any country? Most immigrants are definitely not that rich.
@@eugenekim9961 I live in the real world, apparently you don't. "Most immigrants" make up a tiny portion of the population because only a tiny percentage of people qualify to immigrate. The majority do not, unless they become millionaires.
UPDATE: Immediately after making this video, we listed the red van for sale, and it disappeared fast! We wrote a blog post including the final sale price, how we sold it, and way more details on the conversion, repairs, and maintenance. Here it is...
www.tripofalifestyle.com/gear-and-tips/nissan-nv200-camper-van/
An amazingly useful and real world video! So many others are touting these $150,000 plus vans.
Congrats.
@InternetEmail-m4h Thanks!
Amazing, we will probably be doing the same with our VAN (sell it) once we finish our travel and need bigger. :)
5 In a SUV is tight, but RV/Ford Transit/sprinter is too expensive at the moment. An SUV / Small VAN is a nice option and its amazing how much space it can have start travel.
Legit one of the very few honest and realistic van life videos I’ve ever seen😂
@@walkonearthofficial 😊
... and predicable t&a from the girl. A calendar of her vogue poses might make a small amount of money to help out and satisfy her need to show it. I suggest several strong coffees because this is fast chatter. Keep truckin'....🍀
I used to do it like that. Just rent a normal van for some festival, throw in a matress over a tarp and sleep in my sleeping bag. It was convenient compared to a tent. But when I got myself a decent camper van, I had to get one with a toilet. It was so annoying having to dress up and put on shoes when you had to go outside. Now, with a toilet in my van, if I have to go I can go to the toilet with bare feet and in my underwear. For me, that's a huge convenience.
And while I do like to hike in the great outdoors with my dog, I also like just to hang out in my van reading and whatnot. So each to their own.
These are just my thoughts. But I do agree with a lot you said on the video. Sleeping in a van instead of a hotel saves a ton of money.
And you don't even have to worry about using chemicals and emptying stations, compost toilets are simpler, they don't smell (the smell of emptying a chemical cassette toilet is often enough to make you gag), and the bags of waste can go in any refuse bin. Various sizes to fit any van and you can pay anywhere from $1000 for one, or $30. $30 is just fine. Or just crap in a bag and bin it like you would a doggy poop bag, unless that is, facing your own crap is beneath you. . . . err . . . actually, you better hope your crap is beneath you is beneath you, but if you feel the task of dealing with it in a clean efficient way is beneath you, that'll probably be a good indication that living in a van isn't for you 💩
I did this very thing for a few years traveling to jobs that paid for a motel and food! I used that money to payoff the van the first year and still use vans when traveling on jobs! No debts and money in the bank, paid off a house, no debt, semi retired, making the life I always dreamed of!
👏
😎👌 i agree with everything here. I bought a NV200 3 years ago as my only transport for its economy, with a standard single bed and floor space left for my bicycle next to it. Plenty packing space under the bed. Simplicity works.
That's what's up!
Does the Nissan NV200 have the same engine and trans as the Ford Transit?
@@dopeMike_ no, not as far as i know.
@@dopeMike_ Not sure, tbh!
You two are the best. Keep those tips coming :)
@@Rls2236 Thanks for watching!
Love what you said about the objective is to be OUTSIDE of the van.
Like you, I only sleep in my van with no kitchen or bathroom. I'm going to look into a gym membership, as my only needs are a shower. Thanks for the informative video.
@@stevendreith4343 Nice! Thanks for watching!
Im planning on doing this in my 1973 VW Bus. Working on rust repair now. Watch out for the CVT transmission on the newer NV200
@@sameersmerchant Wow, 1973!
One of the things we sometimes warn other potential vanlifers about is putting a lot of time/money into renovations/recovery, when that money could be directed toward purchasing a newer and more reliable van in the first place.
We spent $12.3k on the van and only $455 on renovations/conversion. A lot of people invert that ratio and wind up with a beautiful van that doesn't have much mechanical life remaining. Be careful!
Great job guys. I wish we had done this … saves alot of money . We have discussed it . We want to sale our house and go to a truck camper for atleast a year and see how that changes us .
You make some great points. Personally I would want a van with standing room, at least for changing clothes. I would also add a 12v fridge and a butane stove along with minimal pots and pans. Wet wipes can substitute for a shower, if needed. Thanks for sharing.
@@wes326 Appreciate the comment! Thanks for watching.
I think you could fudge this a bit with some rooftop mounted accessories. They make awnings that fold out like a fan, covering a 270 degree ark. (Think all of one side, and the back). You can unfold them in under a minute. Thow out a privacy screen and you can have a mini outdoor area that will let you change your clothes. I'd also add a roof pod for extra storage space.
First time here. Your video is professionally done. And you are showing the price and the equipments, the bed etc with a special post on the bottom that is impressive well done. And yes you are right nothing too flashing just practical and you can easily blend in the city 😊. God bless 😊
@@josephrobi6806 Appreciate it!
Just got a Toyota Sienna mini van and was going to add kitchen, shower and all of those things. but this video has changed my mind. Thank You
Save space by having a futon style bed design and add something that you’ll feel will be most helpful during rainstorms, holidays etc. I use to have a sink that was accessible from the back and it was the size of a nightstand.
@ that’s exactly what I did, I got some wood and some futon brackets and made that
I picked up an old Econoline conversion van for $2800. It needed a few repairs of non driving items (like a step and window) but it runs and drives great, it's not rusted out or high miles. Being a conversion van it's already insulated. I love it and drive it everyday.
@@jameshill8498 Great!
This is brilliant! It's so refreshing to see a minimalistic and more so achievable build as compared to the instagram-centric builds that take months to complete and cost thousands.
Thank you! Glad you found it helpful. 😊
You make a lot of sense! I agree completely. Have been shopping for RV Vans and there ain't no way I'm gonna pay for that. If I do this I'll buy a new van (for reliability) and outfit it much like you did.
Thanks! You can really save a lot by buying used though. Consider letting someone else take that initial depreciation hit for you. 😉
After watching this I am going to start small. with a comfy and storage like you did. However; some kind of toilet is a must. Since Covid I have found sometimes it is difficult a to find a place open.
If you lived in the late 70's/80's you'd have seen many of these on the road. I owned one myself and went camping in it many times.
Back in 1977, 22 year old me bought a red '75 Chevy cargo van. Had mag wheels, wide tires and loud mufflers; Red shag carpet and bean bag chairs. No side windows, but had pop out windows in back doors. Loved that van.
Cute idea for young couples or singles, but as a SENIOR with mobility issues, a larger vehicle that can be entered and exited with more ease is a better choice. Get a vehicle that fits YOUR physical space and needs.
All you have to do is take their idea and scale it up to fit a full-sized van. Still relatively inexpensive and maneuverable.
You are right. I'm 80 and have a minivan camper. I'm not full time yet, but finances might change that in 2025. Anyway, I have to have my bucket and bags and absorbents at the very least for night. Standing would be nice, but until I can get my financial picture more rosy, I'll have to stand outside. Love this video. Love this couple, but could do without that tiny bikini bottom (sorry, jealousy breaking through!)!
True, I rented one of these campervans and had difficulty getting in and out of the platform van due to arthritis and bad knees. Great on gas and parking and appearing "stealth," but definitely better suited to the young camper. Platform bed was so high that I had to get out of the van in the middle of the night to pee. Not good in the cold or bear country. Agree with getting the next level up in van height.
You guys rock! My buddy Doug Cunnington just told me about you. I just bought a Nissan NV200 a few days ago and am doing some upgrades. Love it!
Awesome! We've done a few episodes on his podcasts too. Have fun with your van! Thanks, @DougCunnington 😊
Love that divider platform. Great storage option. A solar generator would be a great addition.
Dig your rig, great video, thanks for sharing.
@@scottthejeepguy7499 Appreciate that! 🙏
great inspiration
to get back to my plan
to live and be so free in mine.
... been bumps in the road.
@@siljrath Do it!!
Great video guys. I think a lot of people get hung up on some idea of an entry cost. When I started doing vanlife for my work trips instead of using hotels I just put a mattress in the back with a water jug, a bin for snacks, and a power bank.
Oh, and a usb mini fan for air flow. I missed that starter van.
@@seismicsmasher Definitely! Just start simple (and cheap), and see if you even LIKE vanlife, then add anything missing that you feel like you "need." You may be surprised to find that the "need" list includes little or nothing at all!
A small toilet is a necessity, I have found remote businesses and roadside rests closed and was grateful for the plastic grocery bag napkins I had. Now I snag an empty ice cream bucket from friends and family, and with grocery bags and cat litter I've been saved some embarrassment. Of course, I haven't had to use it yet, but I'll be ready for those emergencies.
We have never come close to needing to use a grocery bag or a bucket as a bathroom lol, but we do carry a single roll of toilet paper with us just in case. It's never been used.
Never mind emergencies, it's simply a lot more convenient, and a lot more sanitary that many public rest stops, no?
@@TripOfALifestyle 2 very well trained bowels in one van 😂 What do you both do when you want to pee?🤔😂
@TripOfALifestyle now that I carry my bucket, grocery bag with catlitter, I haven't had to use it yet, but yes, I'll have it if I need it
@@martinsanders5418 Hahaha, pee fast
Some great ideas ... I would likely have insulated & added some solar. But if it worked for you fantastic. I'm planning on this type of rig for Europe... I have a 170 Sprinter now
@@mermaidvanvb Thanks!
What a great video. Good job. You kept it simple an honest. I feel the same way you just need a place to sleep.
@@bonesg3385 Thank you!
What advantages have you found that a van like a NV200 has over a minivan, like a Toyota Sienna. I’m trying to decide between the two for the same type of travel. Thanks for your great videos.
@@X-7-JAMES A cargo van typically has more space than a minivan, and it's easier to set up because you don't have to remove seats. Also, it has fewer windows to cover at night. Thanks for watching!
@ Excellent points. Thanks so much for the quick response. Great channel.
Great plan for seeing the country without blowing a ton a cash along the way. Love the simplicity of the conversion too. Place to sleep and some storage. Boom!!
Amazingly well explained. Thank You!
I want to make one of these myself in the near future :)
You got a new subscriber!
Happy to hear it; thanks!
Sweet video!
@@sameersmerchant Thank you!
Brilliant! And the same strategy would make sense for outdoor people with full-time jobs who need a daily driver and a perfect simple camper for camping out in nature many weekends and a few 1-3 week expeditions each year. Simpler is incomparably better.
Very true! The "replaces your daily driver" aspect of tiny vans is vastly underrated. Thank you!
Great video and great ideas!! Thanks.
@@donbrown599 No problem! Thanks for watching! Feel free to subscribe and check out the blog as well. 😊
I'm glad i watched this video!
Amazing! What a legendary Nissan!
@@drjohnzoidberg80 It did its job well!
Very cool setup! So minimalistic. Easy to start like this and then add stuff along the way if needed. A fridge and a microwave, maybe?😂
Thanks! We use a very small cooler, filled with free ice from drink machines at gas stations (just be sure to bring your own cup). We also carry a tiny single-burner propane stove and make use of gas station microwaves sometimes, too.
Fantastic information
So needed
Thank you
Your story is unbelievable - your Nissan CVT outlasted the engine? I would recommend learning how to do a drain and fill of the CVT fluid and do it every year (I recommend DIY because for some reason shops like to overcharge for this, it's not really that more complicated than an oil change).
@@MonkeyPunchZPoker Yep, that's exactly what happened! We did change out the CVT fluid a couple of times.
No insulation means cold nights, hot days and a lot of condensation.
We've never really missed the insulation, but we do plan our trips around good weather. As long as overnight lows are between 25°F (-4°C) and 70°F (21°C), we're generally very comfortable. Forgoing insulation saves a bit of space in a very tight cargo area.
On cold nights, sleeping bags are necessary, and we do experience a condensation problem sometimes. A ventilation fan would be a positive addition that could probably be done relatively cheaply!
Also worth noting: In a pinch, you can run the AC or heater periodically throughout the night, or just grab a hotel occasionally as needed.
You have ventilation fan already built in your car. But it still needs energy and car battery cannot run it for long. All you need is to connect it to additional deep cycle battery that feeds from your alternator.
@@MrNiceCobra Very true! That's an option as well.
I disagree. Have camped in work vans several times and no issues. Condensation comes more into play when you have high humidity inside a space.
I always crack a window open in the car. The much smaller space would fog over real quick if I didn’t. Coats and blankets to stay warm. I’m 6’4” in a Prius.
Question: I'm wondering about comfort.. I.e. mainly airflow at night especially if it's hot and raining. I can imagine it can get super muggy in the van. How do you handle that? Love the video and your enthusiasm / attitude!
We never camp in this van when it's hot. All of our trips are planned around weather, so we generally go far north (Canada/Alaska) in the summer. Here's a recent example of one of those summer trips: www.tripofalifestyle.com/destinations/eastern-canada-road-trip/
This is exactly how I set up my truck. Just a place to overnight !
What did you do for ventilation in the van while sleeping? Add any bug screens, etc?
We plan our trips based on good weather. As-is, this van is comfortable to sleep in with the doors and windows closed when overnight temperatures are between 25°F (-4°C) and 70°F (21°C). Condensation is only a problem at the very low end of that range. A ventilation fan would help with that, and might be a nice addition to the van.
In a pinch, you can also run the AC/heat periodically during the night, or just grab a hotel if necessary.
@@TripOfALifestyle If you get a hybrid minivan like a Toyota Sienna you can run the heat or A/C all night and the van will start and stop the engine as needed to maintain the battery. Yes, that costs more up front, but if you need the climate control... Oh, it also doubles your gas mileage, so if you're traveling a lot that saves you some money too.
I'd be inclined to carry some limited cooking facilities to save on dining costs. Not sure if that is applicable in the US though.
@@donquixote3927 We do! Our single-burner propane stove is linked in the video description along with some of the other gear we use on the road.
I love my pop top van with a kitchen. I like cooking my own food, having a fridge full of the food I like. The rock n roll bed is wonderfully comfortable. Being able to stand up inside is great too. A little van with a mattress....no thanks....
Awesome! Do what you like. 😊
This is exactly how my setup would be. Great to hear I am not the only one who thinks this is the ideal way of traveling. My husband however doesn't agree with me and therefore bought me a Volkswagen California for my 50th birthday. Great car, but not ideal. A kitchen in a van is a bad idea. Everything becomes super smelly. Better cook outside on a gas stove and use a jerrycan with a watertap for water. Transforming your bed into seats every morning is a real chore. We live in Europe and a lot of cities start to ban vehicles with diesel engines. Your idea is far cheaper, simpler and hassle free.
@@cornelisachtenzestig5533 We love that we don't have any "transformations" to do when it's time to sleep!
this is great. Curious what the dimensions of the back of the van floor are and if there are other models with similar dimensions (guessing you guys already looked into this). Also - the no windows in the back seems like a negative for air flow, condensation, temp control - is there a reason you went w/ that?
Our wooden bed platform measures 48” (122 cm) wide, 71.5” (182 cm) long, and 11 ¾” (30 cm) tall, and it's a pretty tight fit in the back of the NV200.
Not 100% sure about other van models, but we know for a fact that the smallest Ford Transit Connect model is just a little too small for our platform (we tried putting it into one once).
As for windows, you'll see some NV200 models with rear side panel windows, but they don't actually open, so they wouldn't help with air flow.
We're very comfortable with overnight temperatures between about 25°F (-4°C) and 70°F (21°C). Condensation is only an issue at the low end of that range, and sleeping bags are needed then as well. A ventilation fan might be a nice addition if you camp in the cold a lot.
Yall seem awesome!
@@ImChrisDeDecker Thanks, haha 😄
How many miles before your van engine wore out? The old Ford straight 6 used in the Econoline vans routinely runs over a half million miles without any major repairs. The vehicle will wear out before that motor does.
@@jameshill8498 We had 220k miles when we sold the red NV200. It still ran fine, but it had a low compression engine cylinder at the time, so it was probably on its way out.
Something worth mentioning. You have to truly love your partner for this type of lifestyle. Excited to give something like this a try with mt husband one day. I can tell, you two are truly life partners. 🩷
@@Veronica-tk9rl Thank you!
So easy and cheap!
Nice Vid
Thank you!
I need a tiolet and shower inside. Not into hunting for a gas station when i got to go
Question -does your Black Card for Planet Fitness work in Canada? If not, what is a work around
Yes it does! No issues.
Exactly! Planet Fitness card elimates need for a bath combined with easy no prep salads or healthy takeout and youre done. My dogs enjoy the extra space and I've never had a problem with overnight trips. Can't understand all these overbuilt van build vids. Good job
I like simple solutions. But this is not one of it. Only for perfect weather conditions. It’s hard /near impassible to access your storage under the bed from inside. You don’t want to get outside if it is raining. You don’t want to cook outside if it is raining. You don’t want to explore the area if it is raining. And if, you don’t want to come back wet and only have a mattress covering the hole back area in your van to sit/lay on.
Insulation/condensation problems were mentioned before.
It’s at most a slightly better tent. In general the nv200 is a great car for camping if done right. But not like this.
You mentioned that this is "a better tent."
In addition to being a vehicle, yes - you're absolutely right! It is a secure, waterproof place to sleep with a full, uncompromising bed, attached to an emergency source of heat and air conditioning.
Our van is designed to be exactly that: a nice place to SLEEP. We never claimed it was anything more than that.
And still, amazingly, it saved us tens of thousands of dollars while having some of the best experiences of our entire lives for the last 6 years. 😊
How does the "a toilet's always 5 mins away" and local cafes & restaurants for food aesthetic play out when you are in the wilderness? And surely there have been nights where it's just been too uncomfortably hot or cold?
Even in wilderness locations like National Parks, there are visitor centers and other tourist stops that typically have bathrooms. More importantly, if you're traveling on a road, then you're never terribly far from a gas station, since all cars need gas (or chargers). It's way less of a problem than you'd think.
As for weather, we plan our trips around it! On anomalously hot or cold nights, running the van's engine periodically throughout the night or simply paying for a hotel room is always an option if you really need it.
Were you never bothered with cold or condensation?
Condensation is a problem when it's very cold outside. We planned all our trips around good weather.
Thanks for sharing your NV200 experience with us! How much did the 2021 cost and how many miles did it have?
Thanks for following along! All the details of the "new" 2021 van pop up on screen around 08:43 in the video. 😊
@@TripOfALifestylethank you! Didn’t see it the first time 🧐
This is great advice! YT will have you thinking you need $100k to do vanlife! Maybe of us want to do this for financial freedom. Thanks for the reminder!
@@Brinaweenahwoo Absolutely true. 💯
Make sure you check out the rest of the channel and our blog for more finance-focused content in addition to the travel stuff!
So do you go to restaurants all the time? And with no way to keep groceries safe on blm land, what do you do about food?: very cute can😊. Thanks for sharing!
We do go to restaurants a lot, and we use menu hacks to keep those prices down: www.tripofalifestyle.com/money/hack-the-menu-and-pay-less/
We also cook outdoors using the propane burner shown at 04:51 in the video, and we make use of gas station microwaves sometimes, too.
NV200 ❤
I live in Florida, it's hot most of the year. How to you keep the van cool at night?
We live in Florida too! We don't sleep in the van when it's hot. We strategically go north (especially Canada/Alaska) during the summer, and we only camp in Florida during the winter.
Here's our most recent Canada trip: www.tripofalifestyle.com/destinations/eastern-canada-road-trip/
YOU ~ ROCK ! ! 🤛
How did a $30/mo Planet Fitness membership turn into a $1500 expense line?
Pretty crazy how quickly recurring expenses add up, isn't it? Subscriptions are sneaky like that. 😉
@TripOfALifestyle that would mean you were on the road for 50 months. The math's don't math.
@@jbro6236 As shown at the top of the screen at 08:31, the total costs were calculated over the entire 6-year period of owning the van, spanning many different road trips. The Planet Fitness membership was active for most, but not all of this time. Hope that helps! 😊
Planet fitness requires you to have a home location and only allows so many free visits to other locations when I tried this is what I ran into.
We've never had any issue with that, and we've traveled as much as 7 months in a single year.
I think you're talking about regular membership rather than black.
I am curious how did you sleep in your van during the hot summer time without any fan even in your van?
We didn't! All of our van trips were planned around good weather. We spent summers in Alaska/Canada and the northern US, and we spent winters in the south. When we wanted to do something different from that, we just paid for hotels.
This is good advice but it is extreme. Personally I would use a bigger van (Sprinter or E-Series, long wheel base). This would give you the bed space plus room for storage, cooking and some minimal toilet facilities.
How do you pay for medical insurance?
Glad you asked! We have a whole blog post and UA-cam video about that!
Blog: www.tripofalifestyle.com/money/health-insurance-without-a-job/
Video: ua-cam.com/video/-KZqf1RAjUQ/v-deo.html
@@TripOfALifestyle thanks!
She has a fantastic rear end. Would be wonderful traveling with her. Happy Holidays guys!
Well my camper that I made is a 1989 short wheel base Ford E-150 Econoline with a 4.9 cid 5-speed. I like to camp at campsites so I use their bathrooms and showers and I get a senior discount where I camp but I have a problem with this minimalistic life style I keep Hearing talk about a different videos. I'm a capitalist I like to have things. I wish someone would explain this to me.
@@markshreve5715 Capitalism and minimalism are not opposites, and minimalism can help you become extremely wealthy in a very short period of time. Here's an example: www.tripofalifestyle.com/money/how-to-save-a-million-dollars/
REALLY smart move getting a Japanese brand van 👍
Everything made by Stellantis has horrendous reliability ratings !!
26 mpg fuel efficient. But a diesel. Easy get double.
only downside about the Nv200, its only got 97 horsepower, steep hills might be a challenge
It's not a high-power vehicle, but we've never run into any issues!
This is a nice example.
For my tahoe, no build or conversion; I sleep and make food. Basically cold prepared food. I have ways to stay clean....Hate to say it on my behalf; I gotta have my compost toliet 😅😅😅😅
I disagree about living in a van being backwards. I have everything you have plus huge power charged by the sun and my alternator, 13 gallons of water with a sink and shower, a real mattress, a toilet, a refrigerator and AC all in a Sienna minivan. You CAN have it all with some real planning and live outside too.
Great vid and tips! 4:10 is awesome too. Cheers!
Wait till you get older and have to pee a couple times during the night. lol
Bottle
@ yeah a no.
what's the age difference between you two? you look like you're in your 40s, and she looks early 20s. If that's the case, you hit the jackpot my guy
So basically it's just a bed?
@@robertdepalma7321 Yup! The purpose of our van is to provide transportation and a comfortable place to sleep. This does both really well at a very low cost.
What about insurance❓
@@BeeKraemer We buy cheap, liability-only insurance like we would for any car. It has ranged from around $30 to $60 per month over the years.
Here are our thoughts on insurance in general:
www.tripofalifestyle.com/money/how-much-insurance-do-i-need/
My dream van would be very different from yours. And it would cost something between $ 100,000.00 and 200,000.00. With my life savings I could actually afford it, but then I'm a) broke and b) dead, because my wife would kill me.
Haha.
Here's the thing: This isn't actually our "dream van" at all. It's what we found to be sufficient to travel happily and make a lot of great memories at a minimal cost.
As a result of many frugal choices like these, we saved up a lot of money a young age, which is what allows us to travel so freely in the first place:
www.tripofalifestyle.com/money/how-to-save-a-million-dollars/
Sometimes, less is more. 😉
Oh brother.
“Hmmm…we only have 2 months saved up for our trip…”
Lauren washes van in bikini…
“Ok, we’re good to go for 7 months.”
Isn’t that the same van the couple had that fought until the guy murdered the girl?
No, that was a Ford Transit Connect.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Gabby_Petito
I would rather shite in the privacy of my own bathroom. My own scent is enough for me to deal with; I don’t need any additional smells.
A little too minimalism for me!
When are yall going to start a family?
@@diamondx12 You mean expand our family with a kid? No idea! 😅
@ yes, y’all are a awesome couple husband and wife.
@@diamondx12 Appreciate that! 😊
Nice minimalism. Sinks and showers so unnecessary
@@NFTeve We have ready access to sinks and showers whenever we need them. 😊
Constantly using dirty, unsanitary bathrooms, and having to crawl or constant bend over to mover around is nasty and a deal breaker.
maam idk why but i did really deeply falled in love you look like an angel
0:14 my favorite part of this video
do you have a video on how to find a woman like that?
🤔 So, you want to spend the thousands of dollars you saved by getting the van on eating out for EVERY meal?
Most of those rooms you could spend the night in also provide a form of Continental breakfast... and the RV has a kitchen.
@@davidsloat1016 A typical "meal out" on the road for us costs something like $6 per person. Three times a day, that's $36, which doesn't even cover a campsite with hookups in many places. Not to mention the additional gas, insurance, and initial cash outlay on a bigger RV.
In reality, we spend even less than this, because we also carry a single-burner propane stove with us (linked in the video description) and cook canned goods in addition to making PB&Js, etc., sometimes.
You can see some of our real-world trip spending reports on the blog...
Our typical US vanlife trip budget: www.tripofalifestyle.com/gear-and-tips/cheap-travel/
Our typical Canadian vanlife trip budget: www.tripofalifestyle.com/destinations/eastern-canada-road-trip/
Nah, I'm wondering what's happening here....
just too many" NOT NEEDED"
Does Lauren have a sister? Asking for a friend
So nice that you spend so much quality time with your daughter but I’m not crazy about the idea of sharing a bed with your teenage child. That seems a bit much.
I love how every "cheap vanlife!" video has a pre-requisite of being privileged enough to either be born in or have £millions to qualify to immigrate to USA or similar country where vanlife is legal & possible... That pre-requisite is not "cheap".
@@Fina-x5n Yes, this vanlife video is aimed primarily at people who live in or travel to places where vanlife is possible. That is correct.
@@TripOfALifestyle in other words, rich people make video about how to "convert a CHEAP Camper!" (as long as you're rich). Step 1: be a millionaire so you can qualify to immigrate via investment route to a country where vanlife is legal.
@@Fina-x5n Some people are born in countries where vanlife is viable. Most people who choose to watch this video probably fall into that category.
If you live in a place where vanlife is illegal and don't plan to move, then you may not wish to continue watching vanlife videos on UA-cam. There are lots of other interesting videos on this platform that you could check out! 😊
@@Fina-x5n In what world do you live in where you're required to be a millionaire to qualify to immigrate to any country? Most immigrants are definitely not that rich.
@@eugenekim9961 I live in the real world, apparently you don't. "Most immigrants" make up a tiny portion of the population because only a tiny percentage of people qualify to immigrate. The majority do not, unless they become millionaires.
This ONLY works if you live with a "young" amiable/flexible female.
well... she knows what shes doing