A LIFTED Minivan Camper Conversion?! (Honda Odyssey Tour)
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- Опубликовано: 25 июл 2024
- In this video we meet Darren and his lifted Honda Odyssey minivan that he's converted into a little camper.
VIDEO LINKS
** Darren’s channel: / odysseycamper
** Darren’s website: odysseycamper.com/
** Darren’s Instagram: / odysseycamper
** The Traxda lift kit: traxdaliftkits.com/product/ki...
** Immersion heater: amzn.to/3j3A3Cr
** Folding toilet: amzn.to/3kJmk40
(The Amazon links are affiliate links.)
► Adventure Know-How: adventureknowhow.com/
► The SUV RVing Website: suvrving.com/
OTHER LINKS
** Gear I use: suvrving.com/gear
** SUV RVing the Book: amzn.to/2SUrtme (Affiliate link)
** The blog: suvrving.com
** Instagram: / suvrving
** My other RUclips channel: / tenkaraaddict
#vanlife #minivan #camping
Thanks for watching! Here are some links to Darren's channel, website, etc. and some of the gear he uses in the video:
* Darren’s channel: ruclips.net/user/odysseycamper
* Darren’s website: odysseycamper.com/
* Darren’s Instagram: instagram.com/odysseycamper/
* The Traxda lift kit: traxdaliftkits.com/product/ki...
* Immersion heater: amzn.to/3j3A3Cr
* Folding toilet: amzn.to/3kJmk40
(The Amazon links are affiliate links.)
Tristan
So good to se Darin. I owned the Diehard charger with extra battery. I followed many of his recommendations.
This is a great van tour. I think it was a great tour because you weren't interrupting him or inserting yourself into the tour a lot so you made it more about the van and his conversion than about you. (insert standing ovation here) 👏👏👏
Thanks Dan! Yep, that's how I do all of my tours because that's how I prefer to watch them, too.
@@SUVRVing It makes much better tours!! 🙂
I wish other you tubers would learn how to do a vehicle tour. They seem to love to hear themselves talk. Tristan knows how to do it.
Yep, once I start filming the tour, I don't want to be in it at all!
Yes, Tristan’s tours are great. Watched a tour yesterday and I wanted to strangle 😂 the camera woman. She never shut up. I had to stick with it though because the woman’s set up was awesome and I learned a lot. It was the closest I’ve seen to what I picture doing in the future.🤣🤣🤣
Thank you Tristan, been watching you for years!👍
Honestly, it was the best experience I’ve had doing a tour video, either as the subject or the interviewer :-)
Butterfly Tracks does similar - she NEVER appears in her reviews, just asks questions off screen at times
Yes agreed!!!
This guy really blew me away, rarely do a lot of van life people know what they’re doing and their vans are held together with packing tape. This guy actually has the knowledge and ability to build. I’ve never met anyone who has put safety as a concern with heavy items in the cargo area.
I love our 2009 Odyssey and so this tour was so interesting. A bright guy and a great build. Very personable and you get an A+ for the way you conduct your tours!! 🙂
Always interesting to see how different people do things differently and the solutions they come up with.
Agreed!
they look more like concessions than actual "solutions".
Thanks for the interview, Tristan! It was great to meet you and I really appreciate the share on your awesome channel!
Genius. One of the BEST videos. You can tell how clearly he thinks through the build just by listening to him. Methodical and logical.
I like the care that Darren used to secure the heavy parts of the build, so they don't fly up and hit him in the back in a wreck (and he talked about this in the video). So many builds have batteries and beds just floating in the back, ready the go airborne in a collision.
He has a perfect place to secure his electrical system - under the floor in a well that normally holds his spare tire. The metal lid keeps things in place and will prevent any sparking from lighting the floor on fire. My only thought is that I wish there were some way to get access to the electrical area in a hurry, if you see smoke coming from that area I would like to be able to quickly open a door and fix the problem. But I would accept that drawback if it is better to keep the area sealed off and prevent fires.
You and I both! I added a second fire extinguisher and a temperature alarm and it still makes me a bit nervous that I can’t see things. However, everything is fused or breakered as close to the battery as possible and also at the other end (panels and alternator) so it SHOULD be safe. Still, it’s a bit like sleeping with a gun under your pillow.
@Odyssey Camper ..I really appreciate that you addressed safety, as well as your size and ehat works. We aren't all the sizes we were in high school 😉
Nice van! I love how everyone figures out what works for them. Me, for ventilation I put rain guards on the front windows. With the rain guards people can't tell that the windows are down an inch, and a USB fan circulates air quite well on the low setting, where it's very quiet.
Thihk theyre also called window shades. Best investment ive made on both my odysseys. I found a new honda brand set for my 4th gen on ebay for $120 that a guy bought but sold his van before installing them. Theyre a tricky install BTW but look nice have the chrome trim.
His setup is impressive. I love how he took safety into account, making sure everything is strapped down or set up so he won't be killed by flying items in an accident. Accidents are guaranteed to happen as much as we drive yet most people don't seem to consider that an object flying 70 miles an hour that's stopped by their head is going to severely injure or kill them.
It's heartening to see that here are people - including you Tristan - that are able to maximize the usage of their vehicles. I like to think I'm one of them!
Nice van setup . It's amazing how much "stuff" a person can build into a small vehicle and still be very comfy !! Saw you being interviewed at Quartzsite on a couple of other youtubers videos !! Cool . Stay Safe
Wow! Cool rig. That control panel up front is awesome! I’m also digging the way he configured the shower curtain. And he has lots of fresh water onboard. Seriously cool build! On a semi-related note, loved the light bar that kept him from going off a cliff. I immediately thought of your RAV recently getting stuck as you were driving in the dark! 😊
Lol yep, I could definitely use more lights on the RAV!
Yes, that control panel WAS v interesting! A lot of ppl say the console is the most temperature stable part of a car, so the location was worth noting
Not sure I agree with how much water he carries tho. I'm sure we'd all LIKE to carry that much, but whether this is practical....
Very nice. Love the switch panel and bring air in from underneath the van.
Thank you and thanks for watching!
Great segment. Fully function based build. Very nice. Who knew Vince Gill was so handy and a van lifer too. Thankyou for sharing.
Best comment yet!
Another great video and interview! Thank you Tristan. Whether you are sharing an adventure or another person's build out, I always learn usable information.
I appreciate that, Joyce!
I really appreciate all of the ideas for future builds. Loved the idea of the bilge pump fan and the larger water tanks
Those were the highlights for me too. Thanks Janine!
This guy's tech and build is like what a James Bond SUV build would be.
My favorite comment so far! LOL Thanks!
@@OdysseyCamper very well done. Bonus points for safety.
Great setup. Thank you for mentioning high temperature adhesive. Didn’t know 😊
None of us were born knowing this stuff. If you have any questions, please reach out and I’ll let you learn from my mistakes 😂
lots of good tips. I've been usung an imersion water heater for many years.
Sienna camper here. You mention mileage first thing! Thats the best part of minivans. Secondly, they have lots of power and drive like a car. I don’t like the wood cot, if you get rear ended the stringers will impale the drivers seat. I use a foldable. I use same “toilet” but found it is too low and if I cannot dispose of the bag, the smell stays. So I use a orange home depot bucket and with a couple mods the unfolded toilet straddles the bucket, raising it a few inches. A screw top on the bucket seals off the bag(s) and smell. Oh, I had the driver & passenger windows tinted. Probably illegal but you cannot see inside when walking by with the front window sunshade in. I also tinted the rear window.
Good tips and I find nothing to disagree with. I used to use a folding cot in the beginning. As far as the bags go, I usually tie it and then place in a heavy duty trash bag with all the other refuse. Reusable wire ties/ty-raps are useful to seal that one. Nobody has ever mentioned smelling the catbox, but maybe they are being polite, LOL
I didn't recognize the name but there was no mistaking the voice! I can't think of Odyssey Camper without thinking of ice cube makers. Trying to talk myself into making room for one in my van.
Hi Kathryn!
@@OdysseyCamper I would have sworn I was already subscribed to your channel. 🤔
Some good ideas there, sleeping in how Moab heat is the hard one.
This guy is smart about the potential risks of projectiles coming at you from behind in the event of a collision. It’s no good having crumple zones and airbags if you’re also being hit from behind by heavy items! In the Royal Australian Navy we called loose items like that, “missile hazards”. Any shock to the ship(collision, explosion on board, etc.” could potentially send loose items flying through compartments and further endangering personnel.
I really enjoyed watching your interview with such an interesting, skilled and extremely intelligent van builder. I've subscribed to his channel to hopefully learn a few things.
I'm glad you liked it!
Oh man, now I have to live up to that compliment 😅 Thanks for the sub!
I'm in a Sienna FWD. I appreciate the ideas. Best container I've found are the Hefty high top container sold at Target, sometimes special order but cheap, secure sealing and extra height greatly increases capacity.
I second that advice about the immersion heater. It was great for that $4 Starbucks coffee that is lukewarm by the time I get it to the car. Then one day I left it out of the liquid a few seconds too long and the heating element burned out. Also great for a quick cup of instant coffee or cocoa stop on a long drive, I have a water heater kettle that runs off cigarette lighter power. Just for water since it's narrow and would be very hard to clean soup residue out of.
I'm thinking about getting that right-rear seat from a salvage yard too. Sitting upright is a lot more comfortable than against a wadded sleeping bag with legs outstretched. It also adds the option of +1 passenger seating.
Darren and Tristan are both amazing! I've been watching them for years. I have a minivan and an SUV. It's great to see them together. Happy trails to these great guys!
Thanks Lissa! Nice to hear!
Very clever! I like the immersion heater & the vent system. He was very good at explaining everything.
Thanks for watching!
You said you would be doing more interviews. Cool! Great video!!
Great build. I had a Honda Odyssey many years ago and it was an old lady then. I loved that van !
They seem to be great vans!
Thanks for bringing us these reviews Tristam. This guy was interesting and amusing.
Just fyi, can get lower profile off-road lights that just attach to the grill of an suv, from Amazon. About the same amount of detail but far more stealth
The most awesome vehicle I've ever seen was a 4x4 van with a snorkel that was our vehicle on an Outback tour in Australia. If money was no object, I'd definitely get one.
Me too, those things are awesome!
Thanks Darren for sharing your experience. Love your reasoning for the purpose and design of each feature. It is very informative and inspiring.
Great tour. Bravo for carrying a spare & controlling the contents of there's an emergency. Thank you for the very useful info.
A business man...that's awesome, good for him...stay safe and keep going
Thanks for watching, Betty!
Thanks, Darren. Appreciated the detailed description of everything.
Thanks for watching!
Interesting use of the center console. Lol. 👍
In the first revision, I had the battery pack inside the console (3-22Ah) but the 100Ah wouldn’t fit :-)
This build was well thought of and he points to several issues I faced , during my first attempt to van camp.
He has things figured out, good info.
Well, I’m working on it. Always a work in progress!
What a smart, clever, well-spoken man!
I am pleased to see the floor fan. I have thought about doing that on my shed, but haven't tried it yet. The air below is much cooler.
I like his practical approach.
Fantastic and thorough review. Great ideas and very comprehensive!!
Guys, very interesting 🤗🤔👍👍. Darren, love the rooftop light bar. Love immersion water heater. Thank you for sharing. Guys take care.
Thanks for watching, Linda!
Thanks! Don’t be timid about reaching out to me if you have any questions.
Thank you gentlemen! Impressive rig!
these videos are so inspiring, I mean I'm building out my xterra ( I should say continuing to build out lol, been living out of it for like 7 months) but there's always some good nuggets in these videos. thanks!
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!
You are making me miss my Xterra which was totaled last year!
@@susans7091 dang thats so sad, sorry to hear but glad you are okay! I traded in my Jetta for my xterra last year, its my traveling art studio/nomad life.
Mine is a work in progress too! I upgraded to 200Ah of Lithium batteries after this was shot.
@@OdysseyCamper sick!!
I have found that uni-strut makes vibration noise at high speed.
Really nice set up.
The trick here is to have standoffs in a location that is not equivalent to the natural frequency of the uni-strut (or half wave, etc.). That can be calculated, but if it hums, I just add a standoff or slide the cross-pieces slightly.
FYI most vehicle are designed to have vents on the rear quarter panel. At the bottom side its cover by the bumper cover. You can pop off 1 or use both. I use both to draw in air and out. In my last vehicle I had sun roof. So used that to draw in air and vent it too.
Good to know!
Good tip!
Leaving one chair,,,,,, Think I'll use that thankyou. Looking for Tristan's camp spots. Your vids are the greatest for mapping routes, really enjoy off the beaten path.
Thanks Robert! 😁
You are welcome to any of these ideas, we all learn from each other!
Well thought out van build. He is safety minded. Enjoyed today's video even though I have ruled out a van for my nomadic life.
Same here. Vans aren't for me, but you can get good ideas from any kind of build.
Odysseys have been good to me so this conversion looks great. Thanks for showing this, lots of good tips.
They seem to be great vans! Thanks John
Why do people care what side someone puts their bed on? Seriously, the things people worry about just amazes me. I will check this guys channel. Cool that he does this and still works.
AWESOME 💪 LIFT.... You cant beat an older Honda odyssey,... They were great !
I started this gig in an 04’. You can’t beat the march of technology, but the 04’ had a near perfect balance of power and handling… at least for a minivan.
@@OdysseyCamper I am waiting for the used car market to bottom out in the next year. Hopefully I can find one I like. Minivans are the ultimate stealth vehicle if done correctly. Perfect for suburban stealth camping. 💪
Great tour. Nice van design. Like the through floor ventilation system and control panel. Thanks for posting.
Great tour! Very well planned out - and the infamous camp stool pooper is similar to Tristan's. I like the idea. I like the way Darren explains why he planned out his camper and Tristan lets us listen.
I'm now following Darren's channel. 🙂
Intelligent design and narration. Thank you.
I just bought myself a Honda odyssey. This is going to be my way of life for awhile due to me losing my home because of an auctioning off of the land it's on.
Finding a place to rent is near impossible around my parts.
So thanks for this!
Great find, great walkthrough.
Wonderful set up & enjoyed listening to this, all his decisions well informed by experience! Would really be interested in more northeastern van life, too! Thanks for sharing this!
2013 = 4th generation, but without the 6 speed transmission that became standard in 2014. Imho 2015+ is the sweet spot in May 2023
2:00 All wheel drive? Are you serious? And loose the flat floor? When you have front wheel drive? Really?
13:45 Nice control panel! I am very impressed with the multiple, distributed fuse boxes on my 2015 EX-L. Each with spare circuits!
Finally somebody has considered accident safety in his build. Some of these nomad builds scare me.
When I was 19, I got to experience a case of beer bottles flying through the backseat in an accident. It has shaped the way I look at packing a van…
@@OdysseyCamper you can't unknow that s@#t
I agree. I know from experience that you can do everything right but it doesn't stop the other guy.
Great video with useful information on his minivan build. Very interesting that he commutes to overlanding
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!
Wrapping up just in time before the rain came down :-)
It was pretty forbidding as it came over the mountains; I wasn’t sure we’d finish the video.
I’m in love. The van was cool too! Nice tour and I could listen to him all day.
It's always great to get ideas from others builds.
That’s how I did it ;-)
18:53 Aaaaahahahaha!!!! You have to love a man with a sense of humor!!
Fascinating build. Very creative and well thought out. I envy the electrical knowledge. These ideas could be used in almost any SUV or van also. Thanks Darren! I would be interested how he keeps dirt/mud, etc fron accumulating on the under the car air intake so that dust and dirt doesn't blow in.
Thank you! When driving any long distance or when off roading, I pull the silver hose off the vent and have a piece of plastic drop cloth that I seal it with.
@@OdysseyCamper Is it sealed on the outside to keep dirt, etc out? How do you keep it fastened on?
I have an immersion heater for travel, but I almost never see them in vanlife rigs, so thanks for sharing how you make it work. And I like the priority on water. The electric _out of the way_ except what you need access to is great. Only the 2nd build I’ve seen with a floor vent but very different implementation. Lots of neat twists to make it work.
Like the large person accommodations as well 😬
I used to have an immersion heater to make decaf coffee for myself and my husband.
Kewl vehicle. High Tech. A smart, well spoken gentleman. Thank you
Egg in a bag! This guy should be doing van conversions. Great video. Love to see the different set up out there. Thanks for sharing
Super cool. Great set up. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Really nice clean set up !!
Thank you Tristan -I am going to check out his channel 🙏✌️🌎💞
Thanks for watching
Thank you!
So many great ideas! Love it 😊
Great rig! Well engineered 🚙👍⛰️. Thanks for interviewing him 👍🌞
I've fitted an in home sofabed in my van, it saves so much space during the day, is super comfy and is a genuine bed at night. Why isn't anyone else doing it?!!
Do you have the brand/make. I would be interested in something like that.
Love his rig. Excellent and informative video.
Simple but yet practical thank you very much
Simple?
Great rig. Great video.
Im an Odessy camper and agree with you about leaving the thin rear seat. My method too.
Very informative tour. I like the folding toilet.
This is a really well thought out build!
Never thought about an immersion heater and the air flow solution. Noted!
Something to think about would be tinting the rear windows. They make a 5% tint that has a mirror like finish on the outside and it would work well. This will help to make your windows look as if they're not tinted as dark, being that it's under the factory 20% tinting.
That IS something to consider. I find that it’s always easier to see if there is light on the inside shining out, but this idea is worth a look.
My SUV tinted back window is great for cutting down the glare of headlights from a car/truck behind me.
Mirror tint is illegal in most states. All odysseys above base trim have so called privacy glass in rear windows. Not tint but embedded. It appears he likes to drive with shades down if youve ever had 5% VLT in a car you know you cant see anything at night. I keep my shades up in my 4th gen so Im used to no rear visibility and have a tint kit from ebay ill be installing soon. 5% on everything in back and 20% on drvivers windows (the max in CA). But all thats just for solar heat rejection which the privacy glass doesnt do. I have the precut shades with gold foil facing out which arent as cool as advertised. The sun hits the foil but the heat is then retained as it bounces back into the privacy glass. As I detailed in a post above the fan in the moonroof is helpful to deal with that.
Its hard to get 100% blackout for light but its doable, helps to have really good duct tape. The 3m extreme duty stuff is the only thing Ive seen able to adhere to plastic interior parts and its a near matte off black so works well to cover those trouble spots.
Great set up . Thank you.
Great build, interesting video, thanks.
Ingenious! Thanks so much for this thorough video. New subscriber!
3:28 love the exercise mat idea!
Lift and AT tires make a world of difference in capability. Load range E 10 ply probably a little more than needed.
Definitely a great build and very intriguing. Wish i could make this work as a full-time truck camper amd remote worker. Just have to be able to stand up.
WOW absolutely superb my friend
Awesome Love the water tanks! 💕
I love that guy ! He’s got a good caracter about him or something 🤷♂️ Very nice camper build.
Yep, he's a good guy!
Nice modifications, especially the ventilation system
Very good video. We’ll done and informative.😊
That's a nice rig, I have considered a lifted AWD Sienna before we decided to go heavy tow.
I love my Odyssey but I’m taking a serious liking to the AWD Hybrid Sienna for my next van.
Very nice setup! 👍🏼😊👍🏼
Cool setup.
Nice setup, and he seems like a really genuine good guy
Yep, I enjoyed hanging out with him 👍
Tristan is a good guy too! I enjoyed picking his brain on a few things that I wasn’t sure he’d want to answer, but he was very forthcoming. Great guy to chat with!
Very good!
very informative thank you