Engineer shows how to convert a van in 7 days and a $1000 budget
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- Опубликовано: 11 ноя 2017
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I met Mark in Yosemite. He is an engineer from the UK who had built out a van for a 9 month climbing trip. It was cool to meet him because had used my van conversion how-to info to help him with his project.
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In this video Mark explains how he converted this van on a tight budget (buddha?!). He tells you about the tools he used and the techniques building the bed, shelving, drawers and kitchen units... also a few other hacks that made his vanlife an enjoyable experience.
I particularly liked how he created his quick-to-use folding bed that created a seat which he could also cook from. His ingenious use of cheaper materials where it doesn't matter - and better ones where it does - ensured he kept his build cost (and time) down.
This van is a great budget road-trip van - it focuses on the main things; storage, sleeping & cooking. It features a great water system and some great carpentry.
It is great meet people from all over the world who have used my guides to do their van conversions and in-turn share their creations with you!
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CEO's of company's trying to do van builds and designing of motorhomes need to absolutely pay attention to this young man and LEARN and LISTEN to what we Nomads are looking for!...well done!!!!
Never heard of a VW westfalia? This design and layout has been around over 50 years.
biff binford lol that’s what I was thinking whenever people were saying the design is revolutionary and they’ve never seen it before. I agree it’s a pretty great design, but it’s nothing new.
Yeah propane explosions is just whar you need.
@@davidalexander6533 what are you talking about?
exactly, those boujey ass vans aren't what van life is about. Like they might as well just get an rv.
Loving this. Was getting sick of the fancy van life videos I've been watching. This is exactly my approach. Cool guy.
richlondonrich Yes there’s some really over the top videos out there. Mobile homes crammed into vans. Got to way up the amount of time added gear is actually used to the amount of space lost. Half of them end up with no space to chill out in all for the sake of stuff that’s hardly used.
Living in Greenville, SC. Looking for someone to help convert my van. Pro Master high top. I'll pay a reasonable amount. Need bathroom, kitchen, stove, TV, Entertainment system, solar, the whole nine yards. Similar to a irok or a crossfit 22d. 9546051241. Do my share of helping, decent with tools. Can't afford those high price rigs. They mark them up 200%. Outrageous!
@@mont5584 i will suggest you convert it by hand, given if u have the time of course. Imagine having a little piece of yourself in every furniture. It will be so worth it.
It's CHILL DUDE
Right! Van life isn't for the materialistic. Kind of the point.
Now *THIS* is what I’m talking about! No unnecessary drawers or closet, no led lights or anything else extra for aesthetic! Just the basic needs and it looks great! I’m loving the rustic look and wood! 😊❤
This must be by far my favorite van conversion. I like how simple, practical and on budget it is.
Yeah, I like how simple, yet practical it is. The only drawback to it I see is that the left-s suspension might need a bit of an upgrade, but one side or the other is practically guaranteed to be a problem in van conversions.
A van conversion is simple if you don't add a bathroom, and don't make a safe place for the propane tank. I respect that people complete their build-outs, but propane tanks are not supposed to remain in a vehicle - period.....
.....except for with windows down and tank secured up-right while taking to be filled or exchanged.
@@wownewstome6123 You forgot unless the vehicle is specifically designed for it. Nothing about a propane tank is natural so they don't belong anywhere but places designed for them.
@@ThouArtOfWar0724 "unless the vehicle is specifically designed for it." RVs have them mounted outside and vented well on the bottom even if they appear to be in an exterior cabinet. Travel trailers have them mounted outside, secured to the front of the trailer.
If under a plastic shell, the bottom is non-existent since propane gas is heavier than air and must be allowed to vent.
Do you have a law to cite allowing them inside any enclosure or vehicle? It's actually prohibited.
What are you worried about? He has an alarm!@@wownewstome6123
Dude, I was sold on your concept in the first 5 seconds. I've watched hundreds of Van life videos and yours is very impressive.
Really first 5 seconds.he hadn't said anything of worth... smh
@@Rita_unteathered😐
His bed design was probably the best I’ve seen. I can’t imagine converting the seating area and table to a bed every day the way most vans are designed. His design was much simpler and smarter, like a futon. Then when you’re sitting up you’re right next to the kitchen area which is perfect. I’m guessing he just uses a gym for bathroom needs. So many people say they have toilets and showers and then don’t even want to use them, it seems like a waste of space, imho. He did a great job!
I've been watching van conversion videos for 7 hours straight. Take my money already.
Great job ..I agree;)
Right!!
😂😂I'm supposed to be shopping for Vans online, but I can't stop looking at conversion vids.
@@j.r.walden9937 Are you going to convert a van? If so, you might consider a "step truck/bread truck" instead. In this vid, a guy built a space saving bathroom in a unique way: "Full time living in fully custom SMART city STEALTH van- story from idea to execution."
@@wownewstome6123 I would if the step truck is a little gas friendly. I have a 2hr round trip for work. I often have to spend the night in my car if I get off too late. I want something that gets me at least 15mpg. My dream Van is gonna be that electric GM ev600 Brightdrop when they make it available to the public. Supposedly will get 250 miles electric. The only stealth thing that really consumes my mind, is having any light showing whatsoever at night from inside the van. But that's just my own paranoia, here in So Florida, no one really seems to care about people chilling with their vanlife.
I really appreciate him going all out and taking apart his van for us. I know it wasn’t super easy to place everything back. Sorry haha I Appreciate the small things ;)
So the way he pulls that bed up into a couch it looks like he has a couch in back of it that faces out the back door, right? So that's extra seating for company even though it's facing out the back door. I like that bed design.
How much would you charge to convert my van?
It’d be great to open the back doors and hang out on the couch like you would on your porch. Not very stealth, so I’d reserve that config for a more vanlife-friendly place, but how cool is porch seating?!
Yes and great views !
Hey Nate, here's one I AM SAVING!!! Sending a round of applause and A+ for the absolute simplicity you used in creating a livable space. One that doesn't look like you opened the doors and threw in a sleeping bag and a bunch of stuff, yet has a well thought out arrangement.
this is an honest conversion and well designed, this guy was totally honest about the tinyest detail. it may not be the best camper I have seen on RUclips but its def amongst my top 10 faves and if I was to do a conversion myself this is the guy I would come to for advice.
Great video, I am homeless and wish I had something just like this. Awesome setup, thank you for your video sir. Hope you have a blessed and awesome life!
Hey "Thank You"...I want to speak life into your situation...of thinking creatively of how you could get your dream van...where there's a will there's a way...I wish you well!!!!!!!
Hey I’m homeless too I just bought a van for $1200 and I’m gonna convert it like this I think you can too
@@777superlightwater good luck mate! Looking forward to your video 👍
I normally avoid reading the comments section, because there are too many mentally ill people out there whose only purpose in life is to destroy. It's obvious many other people very much liked your van. I agree, strongly. Please don't let the bad remarks get you upset. This video was unusually enjoyable to watch. By now, you're home in the UK(?) and hopefully had a good time here in the states. Americans can be a handful at times, and it seems we're getting worse. Don't let that be a reflection on you. Your van job was efficient, good looking, interesting and normally creative. Hopefully, I speak for the majority in saying that I wish you a good life and I hope you keep your enthusiasm in things you do. So many critics out there are people with empty lives, lashing out at anyone who succeeds. Ignore them. I, for one, sincerely wish you well. Your efforts have been noted🤗.
15,000 thumbs up votes, 564 thumbs down. typically, You tube votes 5 to 1 thumbs up, no matter how terrible is the video.
This guy is a major kiss ass. Judging on the replies, the van owner didn't even read your comment.
Well put, Roy!
Roy Hinkley you’re fucked hahah
Europeans can be a handful, too. Lived there several years. Loved it, though. :)
You can tell he is soo proud of his work when he smiles a little after he leans back at 1:33 great vid!
I've been looking through hundreds of van videos searching for the nicest
most practical luxury feeling layouts and saw the title of $1000 budget as sort
of a pfft, how good can it be but was thoroughly impressed. This had the
practical aspect to it that so many specially crafted vans lacked.
Great work!
Love this guy’s attitude and humor 😆 👍 👍
No kidding.. my fave talking about the gas alarm "I haven't died...that's good." 🤣
Dude start a company selling those trucks I’d buy one in seconds
me too
Me too
Yep
Yes sir please !! :)
ive planned to buy conversion vans and turn them into campers for a while. Was planning to begin building Summer 2020. Let me know if interested
As a single guy living near Vancouver Canada... where every house is worth over a million, and rent for a tiny 1 bedroom basement is over 1,000 a month.. This looks really awesome!
Plus I'd cut down on any commute to work (traffic sucks here)
Probably would travel n find short term jobs along the way
Not having all this *stuff* would be such a relief, let go of all this furniture and bills, simplify my life.. Ahh daydreams
DJ do it!
Listen to yourself and do it. Watch the housing market crash.
I’m in Vancouver as well, I feel you mate. This is the way to go!
Did you do it?:)
The Farmers Daughter House prices are going no where, population rises every year and Vancouver is a nice town to live in. I bought in London UK in 2008 and everybody said it would crash, it didn’t even drop during the 2009 crisis and now it’s double. I’ve rented it out since 2010 to fund my travels which included a 3 year road trip from NYC to South America. So be clever and use a no rent time in your life to work, save and BUY something, it will pay of for the rest of your life.
Budget friendly. Straight forward. Functional. Thanks for the great walk through!
I love the simplicity and modest approach he had. I can see hear the engineer within in the way he explains everything
And because the bed folds up on both sides instead of just the one, you can even use it to chill with your girlfriend while having the rear doors open parked on the beach watching a sunset. How perfect is that? Better engineering than even the VW Vanagon!
I need the plans for this bed/ futon chair. So easy and practical. Impressed
How perfect? You need to read the definition of perfect. Like "FULL", it can't be more or less.
You're assuming he is straight and has a girlfriend. How arrogant!
@@GameOver-ei8ui your the minority dude...dudet whatever!
@@thefarmersdaughter8235 he's just trolling you 😜
Mark is adorable. Soft and candid approach, yet a perfectly clever builder. Sweet.
Lindzee u wet?
Lindzee is getting horned up!
Ha! I've learned that simple designs take alot more thought ( for us non engineers) good job on the van and video. Thanks for sharing.
The best conversion I've seen...This guy that is a great problem solver . Impressive!
Best van layout I've seen and I've watched over 300 van tour videos. Very practical and makes use of all space very well.
Maybe this engineer can tutor other pros on use of space and cost $ 120,000 of chipboard.
Maybe do vans for people and call it poor mans vans.
BRILLIANT CREATIVE MIND.
I agree!
Yes, this van and cycle cruza's bug out moto are my two favourite thus far.
Commander Rick
Best? Nice but best? Is there a build series for this or just the tour? Says this was built in 7 days?... Impossible. Under $1000?...Impossible. Great tour and final reveal. Well done!
😀 🤘 😎
he is a European engineer so its no surprise
This is the best conversion I´ve seen so far. I love the ability to have secret compartments. Where you can hide things just in case.
7 days 😆. That's incredibly impressive. Each component of that would take me an entire weekend!
I loved the window by the sink. I loved how the design was simple but not crude. He is self-contained. Hope it all worked out for him.
I'd pay him to convert my van. I'd decorate it differently, but the layout I like. Clever. :-).
That's kind of layout is common in europe
This is incredibly impressive! This is the most practical and well-thought-out Van build that I've seen. I really like the design and can't believe everything was able to fit into that van. 7 days and under $1000 is amazing!!!
One of the best videos I’ve seen about this! The details you share, the solutions, methods and materials, brilliant stuff and really budget friendly!
Not everyone is aimed at an expensive long term full time fancy mini house on wheels with a zillion technical systems to maintain their first time around. Especially as everyone doing this keep saying the main thing is to get out there and try it out and know it’s doable!
Thanks man, this really is acheivable for most people, and very smartly done!
🙌🙏❤️
Best no nonsense video, straight to the point, excellent thanks fkr posting.
love it , love his simplicity and originality when he speaks about his van . you have done a good job in a very economical way. thank you for inspiring people
"I wanted something simple", said no engineer ever!! 🤣
No, most old engineers crave simplicity, but young engineers usually crave excessive complication. In this respect our man here is very positively thinking 20 years older than he is ! Bed hinge geometry very impressive, but hope he's bluffing about his safe's location!
Engineers always want it simple. Architects want it to look crazy.
Actually, my experience around engineers my whole life is that they say that all the time. But what seems "simple" to them makes heads spin for the rest of us. "I wanted something simple, so I used a carboflux thermal capacity garbometer interfaced with a mechoptimized oxysymeter and ran that though a byzantinium arc spanner. Now, I could have gone with a nucleocide differential titulator running off a potassamite reflex synchomatic gadgetron, but that seemed a bit overkill."
@@NorthernKitty No, a 3/8 inch bolt should be enough. Maybe a hydraulic marvelspring also, but we'll try and avoid it.....
@@NorthernKitty I was married to an engineer. Your comment pretty much sums it up.
Carbon Monoxide Detector. As you said....it's not 15 feet away from fire source. Moisture, dust & grease will clog the airflow through the detector. Carbon Monoxide is heavier than air, usually below 3 feet or below waist level. Probably the best spot is back of passenger seat at level of the bed. If there's a leak, the CO will pool here. Some van campers have their propane in a wooden box with a hole cut to outside of van so fumes can spill down & out.
Gas is heavier than air, carbon monoxide is lighter than air so gas detector needs to be low, the other higher than appliance. The leaflet with the carbon monoxide detector in my hand says "a small caravan may not have suitable vertical services available, the two most important considerations are (1) not mounting directly above source of heat or steam (2) mounting 1-3m from potential source.
This is important. Regulations exist for a reason. It's worth reading them, understanding them and complying. Then having it audited by a licenced installer. save your life.
CO is actually slightly lighter than air and diffuses fairly evenly through an enclosed volume.
In my apartment, the powers that be have mounted the CO detector at the ceiling.
good point about the height. Also you can get monitors now that also detect propane in case there is a leak or you forget to turn the gas off.
You should set vans up for other people who arnt as crafty. Just charge a reasonable price and boom your in business. Nice job. That's what I wanna do with a van and hot the road.
I'd pay for a service like that!
Same
Was thinking the same thing.
I concur
Makes me want to do the same to my van but i can’t get it to pass inspection.So it’s just sitting for about a year
I was delighted to watched your simple lay out, designed for your needs.
Congratulations.
Finally! A legit build! And a mention to having a fire and carbon monoxide alarm! So important!
I especially like how you did the bed so it converts into a practical seating area
Man dude this one of best setups I ever seen in all these vans nice work 👍👌
So impressive... from the concept to the execution. Thank you for making the time to share it with us. I hope you sold it, and I suspect the new owner is thanking you everyday! I sure hope you had a great time touring the USA and are doing wonderfully back home. Your friend doing the video work did a good job helping us to see your excellent craftsmanship.
I love the bed/loveseat convertible. One of the best layout I’ve seen so far.
This is by defenite one of the best if not the best van convertions ive seen, ill defenitly nick some ideas from here when i build mine. Cheers
Very nice! This is one of the best budget builds I've seen.
Clean, budget, no nonsense and functional build! I think you know what you really want after using it a while. I had a ' 71 VW pop top for 35 years and it had the same bed idea, a table and nice storage/chair on the other side of the table. Sink and stove unit were removed before I got it, but made for a nicer open space. I most cooked outdoors, but I could do inside if need be. Had same 2 burner Coleman propane stove with a slightly smaller tank..lasts forever. Solar bag shower and good to go. The poptop was nice for being able to stand up, store stuff on the roof and get ventilation, an important consideration on the Baja...back in the day.
I really overlooked how simple yet full purpose this is. The bed is 👏 wonderful idea. I want something similar so I can have a couch/bed
Excellent build! I really like that bed design. Gives you a good sturdy bed at night, but then you can push it up, out of the way in the day time. Perfect!
How can anyone give this a thumbs down???!!! Great job!
Simple, well thought out.
Omg I literally love you!! Such an AMAZING layout. This is literally what I've been looking for!
This van's more homely than any of the fancy ones I've viewed. Well done, mate!
You given me so much inspiration, absolutely brilliant job
This is the best layout I've ever seen! Well done man!
Nice to see a quick and simple approach for a change. Not everything has to be a $30,000 buildout.
Tonnes of great little details and ideas. Thanks. Very well done.
One of the more intelligent presentations I have seen. Gives me the idea to build a secret or secure storage in my build for a laptop, the most important thing most van dwellers own.
True, one Rver couple said they got all their cameras, laptops, etc. stolen when they were hiking or shopping or something.
0:07 that dude look 15 and 47 years old at the same time
Guest 123 it’s been hurting my brain this whole video lol
I cannot stop laughing!! 😂😂
😆 for real
I THOUGHT THE SAME DAMN THING.....AHHHHHHHH
Kinda true
Excellent van design. I love the way the bed converts to a seat too. 👍🏻
what a great build. he said “ it was pretty easy to do”
maybe for some but it STILL
wouldnt look as “tight” and professional as your build!
your craftsmanship is admirable wooden yacht finishing. love your skills and intelligence and humor
That seems like a really well made van, awesome job!
Sweet build! Excellent walk-through.
The simplicity of this finish out makes it worth more than money can buy.... I love it and want something similar just to do some road tripping.
I love the simplicity and smart ideas of this guy😍
Yours is the best on you tube. Has a comfortable living area. Yet very functional. Good job😁
Great job with your build. Very smart design.
Well done..takes me back to my days when I studied design at uni. Innovation is the key.
Really well thought out :-) . Love the fact that there is a monoxide alarm. Lots of really cool features. Hope your 9 month trip went well :-)
This is an amazing lifestyle. I hope more people do this in our society.
Whole Food Plant-Based Man No because then they will make it illegal.
More people started flying "drones"with gopro footage on drone becoming popular and suddenly all RC pilots got f****d. Now FPV capabilities are so strict and long range flying is illegal. need to be in line of sight of aircraft with it being visible to naked eye. Thanks droners. Now imagine everyone started to live in vans. oh damn it would be illegal so quick, or very heavily regulated. In Canada here, there is already nowhere you can park a trailer, almost no spots to boondock in a trailer. And many places are not allowing you to park on streets... You could imagine countless amount of bylaws that would prohibit van life. Definitely want it to stay minority.
Well done! I hope you had a lot of fun in America!
Love the van!
You did an awesome job. It’s simple and very well organized. I like that you didn’t spend a ton of money on it.
Loving this, my favorite van conversion, practical, simple, good budget, all we need to have good time, thanks a lot from Belgium.
The thingy to hold the cabinets is simple and genious!
A lot of vans have that couch/bed display but i think it takes space..
Outstanding work for a month, nevermind a week! Holy moly
Finally a video according to my budget and ideas, but also really practical useful advice on materials and how to build! Thank you!
this is perfect. Wish I'd seen it earlier and couldve bought it from you when you departed. Not very handy myself and working two jobs at present, but appreciate the technical savvy and the inexpensive practical designs that went into this.
I really like this van build...
Really cool man, I especially liked the way you built the bed.😎😎😎
I wasn’t considering a low roof van until i saw your build. Nice job of maximizing space 👍🏼
Love hearing someone from the UK that has been in the states a little while, the twang is so funny. Thanks for the vid bro, picking up my van next week wooooop.
I knew any van tour by a British traveller would be succinct, eccentric, and full of dry humour. Lol. Love this guy!
Watched once last year, come again 2019, still love it.
And engineer doing something for under $1000? I’ve got to see this!
Simplicity,steathy and practical thanks, best Ive seen. No frills my kind of build.
Nice. Simple and has all that's needed. One of the best budget builds I've seen.
Dude... I was thinking about buying an SUV next spring but you are really selling me on this simplistic van conversion. Nice work!
mate, that bench is brilliant.
some "door Ease" on the sliders would work a treat
thanks for the inspiration.
haha this came up in recommended, this is the birth of a van building guru. lol. nice, i like how you've done a budget camper and you're so raw back then, love it Nate.
So fabulous this video makes it feel possible to us all !simple to those on a budget. so inspiring thank you for sharing .
Great concept, pragmatic approach, well executed. Props to this chap, there's a lot to be said for the engineering mindset! Looking to do something like this with a similar size or smaller van when I return to UK. Main thing I would want to add would be a downward venting gas locker for the propane bottle. My first (aborted) van conversion project was a Fiat Ducato L2H2 former ambulance - too big (long & high) for UK city use & country lanes, a lot of work to build and very heavy built with DIY materials.
I love the folding bed!! Genius!
Very clever, creative and practical design. Everything you need. You are such a smart young man. Thank you for this! It is wonderful!
"I haven't died yet so... it's good..."
Woke up this morning so we good!!
That's the thing about dying.
Science
That’s just a very British thing to say actually 😂
He should get a second CO2 detector as backup in case the first one fails
I will be online for the coming hour or so to answer questions about Marks build! Fire away!
Hi Nate! I've enjoyed quite a few videos of yours. What was your favorite addition in his van, that you would add to a future van? Those coat hooks are my favorite part personally!
Thanks Jason. I think this build is pretty specific to the requirement (budget/time-frame/van size). I think the bed is pretty cool, the main reason I did not put a folding seat/bed in my van is because I did not want to be making it all the time. I think also, by not having a grey-water tank it saves him some hassle. I liked the secret storage area too - cleverly done!
What van is this? Looks like it has adequate room Thanks.
I think it is a Ford e150 (or very similar)
Hi Nate! I am a big fan. Are you ever going to come to Canada at all?
Love it, I watched this way back and came to view it again.
Finally, a watchable video on the subject... Leave it to the honest motivation of a climber. Thanks guys
the "bed chair" is fantastic.... nice
It would be better if it was safe enough for passengers when driving...seatbelts and more than one bolt to keep it in place. But I do like it
"Ran out of paper towels"
*Opens cabinet full of paper towels*
😂
That may have been tp.
@@genekulp I think your right,nice build though.
Thats the man paper towel for life.
Two!?
That was tissue roll
Simple and very practical. Love how you did this on a budget, pretty nice build! 😃
A friendly and lovely guy. Feels good to find such people. Blessings
You should use the silver reflective bubbly wrap thing on your windshield and front windows as well! I'm sure it would keep it even cooler and block out even more light.
This gives me so much hope for life after uni
This ranks #1 Your build is awesome. And it looks so cozy. You made it both affordable and functional. Wow