portnuefflyer He deserves tons of shout outs and I think he is sick of us thanking him haha. He isn’t a professional, but he has built cabinets, a deck, and a 1956 Ford f100 truck to name a few!
Hire one, take a weekend trip, then take a longer vacation in say winters or summers. Then get into it. Should be well thought decision, not taken impulsively or in emotion
I can admit that im totally obsessed with the van life, im the kind of person that plans out their life and this has become a major part of it. Also these guys get all the love, like ever, because they be liking comments on a video that was almost 2 months ago, so gold stars for the fridge.
Just watching the first 5 minutes this has been one of my favorite builds ever. The tour around the van is detailed and filmed in a very good way and you two are great at presenting your van!
Sometimes seeing things like this can be very depressing and demotivating; $78,000 for the entire project (including a brand new van and thus without issues / anxiety over it being reliable), being able to afford that, still living in your own apartment, being able to fly back and forth between helping do the work (mind boggling expenses), having a place to store the van and a family member with loads of skills to do a lot of the work. All of these are huge hurdles that to most people (like with anything in life), stops you from ever starting anything because when you've got life to contend with, it just seems like too much. You're super lucky and I wish the best for you, of course! Thanks for the details you've provided to help with others starting their builds.
Thanks a bunch Robin! 😊 It was an incredibly rough 7 months building the van. Many tears, stress, lots of time spent apart, etc. We’re very thankful for my dad’s help, the ability to work remotely, tons of airline miles that helped make flying very cheap, and saving money the last few years to make it all possible!
I don't think I have seen a van that has such a well designed lines everything runs together so clean and fresh looking very good looking van you should be very happy at the out come.. very cool
I have seen many-many van conversions and I must say that YOURS IS THE BEST so far. It's incredible with the design and layout of your furniture and where your shower/toilet layout is, sink, fridge and even your portable cooker. The water tanks working together, incredible. The plumbing and electrics. you comply with weight limitations, health and safety, all in. Amazing. I wish you nothing but the best, Take care n be safe. Phil Antony.
My wife and I really enjoyed the walk-through of your van. We are buying our van here soon and will be starting on the journey of converting it ourselves. We really appreciate the information and references on builds and mistake content. Small things such as explaining the way you have the water distributed to balance out the weight and it still pulls from both tanks was SUPER helpful for our build. Thank you guys so much! 🙏🏼
Hi Austin! We are so glad that some of this was helpful for y’all! A big congrats to you and your wife for taking the leap 🙌🏼 Good luck with your conversion and let us know if you have any questions that we can help answer!
A suggestion: When you can afford it, consider setting up the ladder on a sliding rack on the van top. Unlock the lower connector, raise back and up while standing on a folding stool. Slide up and over the roof. Have a theft-locking system on the opposite side. Plus... think of a narrow storage system on inside both back doors, especially in the upper area. TrickyRick
Your "home" is amazing. It's obvious you did a lot of planning and used every bit of space wisely and it is so beautifully decorated. Hope it's not too much trouble or expensive to get it fixed from the parking lot accident in Mesa Verde that happened while you were "not home". We really enjoyed talking with you on the train ride and wish we had seen your videos before our vacation. Plan to watch them all when we are home. Safe travels, Tim and Cindy
Hi Tim and Cindy!!! So happy to hear from y’all, we loved getting to know you on the train ❤️ Thank you so much for the kind words about the van. We hope y’all are enjoying the rest of your vacation!
Thank you for sharing how much the conversion costs, and for mentioning that you went a bit over budget. I've seen a lot of van tours, and people refuse to mention money at all, and they act as if they have unlimited funds. Also - thanks for talking about how you make your living on the road. You guys are fortunate to be able to work remotely. Beautiful van. Now I'll have to check out your other videos because I want to see your dog.
Thank you for watching Zachary! We’re glad those pieces of info were helpful! It’s scary mentioning the conversion costs, as it was a lot of money 😅, but we saved hard to make it happen and we are very proud of the quality of work we did! Our pup Kona was at a training program during this, so she doesn’t reappear for a bit, but she is in some vlogs (including a few older ones too)! 🤗
So far the best design I found on YT. Like how you managed to make a bathroom and the shower, and some guys are like "you can't fit shower, it will take you a lot of space" etc., but you prove they are wrong. Good luck, and I hope you will enjoy it a lot. Cheers from web dev!
Thanks a bunch Stefan! The shower space is small, but it works great! For a 1-2 minute shower, you don’t need anything that big! And we like that it creates more of a closed off bathroom for privacy 😃
Such an amazing amount of time, work, and planning. I’m so glad to see that it worked for the both of you so well that inspires anyone interested in Van conversion and outdoor lifestyle. Thank you for sharing. So enjoyable to watch your enthusiasm and accomplishment.
Thank you so much for the encouraging words Wanis! It was a lot of work and a lot of learning, but we’re so proud of all we accomplished and happy to be living life on the road!
I absolutely love the way you did your build. The fact theres no propane is my fave. The water set up is great. Have fun and enjoy your freedom out on the road.
Thank you so much! We contemplated propane camping stoves to save power, but feel a bit safer (and it’s less of a hassle) with the induction. We will see how it goes! 🤞🏼
Adventures of A plus K and without exaggerating..... and a little embarrassed to admit it.. lol but I’ve seen atleast 50 of them in the past couple weeks.. I just got a real good deal on a 40 foot rv and I’ve decided to do some minor repairs needed and a few easy upgrades and selling it for a sprinter..
My mom, me, and my little sister were on our own for majority of my childhood. We thought it would be like that for a while so we were planning on doing the same things as y’all. It was so exciting because we love trying new things from different cultures so we wanted to travel. then when I was 9 my mom met her new husband. At first I was like “ok ok, we can do 4 people” but then... I found out he has 3 kids... my dream was crushed. So now I’m saving for either a bus or van, I’m planning on converting of course. It makes me really happy that my mama still wants to do the same thing when all of the kids more out.
Great job all of you. Wonderful use of the space and gives me ideas for my own build in the future. Thanks for sharing this journey with us. Happy trails and be safe.
GREAT BUILD GUYS ! What makes Your VAN so AWESOME are YOU GUYS ! You're GREAT, GOOD HEARTED & DOWN TO EARTH who isn't afraid of being YOU with sweaty shirts. GOTTA LOVE IT !!!!
I may just copy your build 😀. Great ideal on the grey water tanks/release valve and hole on the bottom of butcher block to reduce the weight! Katherine, you brought a great point, your plans are to travel and not be a van lifer which is why I see this specific build suits your needs. The garage isn't really needed to store camp chairs and tables...toys. Look forward to your travel adventures.
Thanks so much Sam! We’re glad you like our van build. The grey water valve has been amazing so far. Super happy we did that! And the layout has been perfect so far for our type of travel!
Nice van and beautiful couple. You remind me of Samantha Brown. She is a well known travel host on the Travel Channel back in the 2000's. You have the same type of energy and personality as her💯. To your husband, you have a keeper don't let her go through the good times and bad times. You both will go far in life, but teamwork and mutual respect is utmost. Be safe on the roads and I enjoy watching your vlogs🚐.
Now this is what smart living lifestyle.. this is the best van I have seen. Loved it. By the way, thank you for being so kind to the environment with the thought of recycling.
Looks amazing and the fact that you did it all yourselves will give you such a sense of satisfaction that you will enjoy your adventures even more! Have fun!
I have been following Van People for a couple years. This is one of the very best builds I have seen ...really well done. Craftsmanship looks primo. Congrats and happy motoring. From Normandy Park Wa. Peace
Excellent workmanship. The entire build is great. Like they say, you get what you pay for. All of your hard work shows in the quality of the build and beauty. Congrats guys.......
New sub here...this design is perfect...elegance without sacrificing functionality...having a bathroom within the van is a must for me...love this so much!👌👍🏼❤️❤️😘
One of my all time favorite van builds. From decor, layout, water, bed, etc... you guys did great and should be proud. I’d love to do something like this!
Great video about your van. It has served you well. You have made the most of the last three years. We see you as travel bloggers. Your content is helping us with our digital nomad life. Even though our RV is a different type, your content is very helpful while being very enjoyable.
We are so happy with our van and have loved traveling in it. It makes us happy to hear we can be a resource for your travels. That is our ultimate goal. Thanks and thanks for watching!
A couple things we forgot to mention in the tour/wanted to highlight: 1. We insulated our van with Havelock Wool. We did a whole video about why we chose them, which can be found here: ruclips.net/video/uCbw4nAPuIM/видео.html 2. We have gotten a lot of questions about where we keep pantry items. Those are stored in the upper cabinet above the kitchen. We eat mostly refrigerated foods (meat and veggies), so we don’t need a big space for those items. 3. We have a carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguisher in the van, as well as a roadside emergency car kit! 4. If you want more specific details about how we built the van, check out our van build series. We cover the materials, methods, and challenges we had in a bit more detail: ruclips.net/p/PLZKRTK1yCEM5PKa_B2tZJ5nWZOKsP1mLv 5. To see the products we used, our cost breakdown, and learn about the mistakes we made, check out this blog: adventuresofaplusk.com/blog/van-conversion-cost-tour-mistakes. 6. For our grey water set up, we used this electric ball valve: amzn.to/2L1ckO8 We will update this comment with any FAQS we get from the video as well.
Do people get mad that you just flush your grey water out where ever and what enviormentally safe products do you use? I am having some trouble finding some in my area!
We will only dump it if it’s legal to do so and typically only will do it on the road while driving. No one has noticed or said anything. We use Campsuds and are also trying this new Sea to Stream soap. We have to order it on Amazon and pick it up at Amazon lockers because it’s hard to find good options at stores.
Not a fan of tiny living, yet of all the vans I've seen, you probably manage to create the best designed one! Has all necessary parts, plus looks very ergonomic. Well done!
I am 12 y.o. and have dreams about traveling in a van as my house. In my journal I am constantly designing blueprints and layout for my (hopefully) future van. What others call a mansion I call a vw bus- my dream house. I think many people say they want to take up tiny house life but many don’t fufill there dream. I hope that I actually will. This is an amazing van, very inspirational!
That’s so awesome Avery! We will be rooting for you and holler at us when you’re a bit older and it’s time to build your van. We really enjoy this lifestyle! It’s not for everyone and it’s not without challenges, but it’s a whole lot of fun. Keep dreaming big, save your money while you’re young, and we hope to see you on the road someday! 💗🙌🏼
My wife and i just watched all the van videos. All I can say is wow! What an undertaking. We are so impressed. You guys rock! Best of luck in your continued travels. if you ever make it back to Kentucky (Mammoth Cave National Park is here) we'd love to meet up!
I converted two buses in my life, the last one was a retired Greyhound. The guy went nuts, full size jaccuzi , full size refrigerator and freezer (side by side). Both ad to come thru the window. Crazy! But fun. Generator. On and on.
Would love you to show how you go “stealth” and how all your blackout and window coverings work. Is there light leakage viewable from outside the van? Thanks. This video was very thorough and informative.
We had some trouble with the homemade covers we made, so we ended up buying some covers that work so much better. There is maybe a tiny bit of light viewable at an angle, but we have only stealth camped once in two months, so stealthability hasn’t been the biggest priority for us. We will try to cover this soon!
Thanks for the tour! I’m overly jealous because this is something that my husband and I wanted to do but I cannot work remotely at least in the next 10 yrs. But, we love watching your adventures. Especially we both love Tacos, coffee, and so much more like you guys! Thank you for taking us along on your adventures!
This is the best one I’ve seen so far , Only thing missing is a screen , monitor , tv . Or projector with pull down screen of some kind would be ideal in this layout
Wow! Super impressive ! I am a ZERO% All Thumbs, DYIer. I totally relate to your stress, fears, and trepidation in tackling such a large project! A million kudos to you ! Discovered your RUclips channel this year 2022. After catching up with your Alaskan Adventure for 2022, I'm starting from the beginning and watching all your videos. So now that your van's done, I'm off to enjoy your Italy vlogs! Grazie!
Thank you so much! The build was challenging, but super rewarding in the moment and of course now :) Enjoy the Italy videos...bring a snack, lots of pasta and gelato! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the great tour, it's definitely given me some ideas for my own van build. I'm very torn between wanting a permanent bed and wanting the amazing open living area you have created. As a suggestion, sandbag workouts are great and would be very compatible with the storage limitations of van life. I've had a Brute Force sandbag that has withstood years of abuse.
Hi Jay, thank you so much! We are loving the convertible bed to living area. We love the flexibility of it! We have weeks where we convert it less, but this week we have converted it daily. It’s just nice to have the option :) And that’s a great suggestion! We have thankfully had many gyms nearby recently (as it’s been cold and working out outside hasn’t sounded as fun haha), but I’d love to add a second weight option so we can each do something more easily!
We are in the process of having our van built and are designing a hydraulic lift on the bed so when it's up we have a dinette underneath. The best of both worlds.
This build is incredible!!! I would totally build in the exact same way!! The separate bathroom with shower is a game changer. And I love the butcher block counters and all the windows. Well done👏 Looking forward to the future adventure content!
Nice clean build guys. I'm almost done (95%) my self-build Transit and figure I'm at about $30k cost so far - so cost-wise you're in the wheelhouse for an upper end build. To put the cost in perspective some van builders charge north of $80k!
Thank you! And we wanted to mention this on the video (but didn’t want to be tooo chatty), but we got quotes for $100k from multiple van builders (not including the van) which was NUTS! Definitely worth the headaches to save $75K! 😅
@@AdventuresofAplusK Ya - for sure - The effort is certainly more rewarding, huge savings, more than likely done better & you know where everything is at. Enjoy your travels.
Read your blog - I put my fan in the front as well - wouldn't change it - to get flowing in the back try this -"Caframo Sirocco II. Mounted Fan. 360 Airflow. Ultra Quiet". ( & I have a super small usb fan by the pillow - gold) Your power needs - I started with a 110 amp lithium - now I have 2 - don't beat yourself over it not getting things right asap. Most things are twice the time twice the money - a van build is twice the money 5 times the time! imho...
Definitely one of my favorite builds! Absolutely love the amount of storage space you have. Love van life and you guys have given me some great ideas with this build.
We were nervous about the bathroom size, but it’s actually not bad! We have each taken a shower and it wasn’t as cramped as we thought 🙌🏼 Thanks for the support and kind words John!
Thank you! And if we were planning to van life mostly in Texas we would definitely need AC! But we plan to chase good weather so we don’t sweat to death lol!
I am a really young person wanting to do van life. I don't like large spaces, and I don't need much to live. I have been very interested in the Mercedes Benz-Sprinter 170". This van is amazing, and looks very similar to what I want to do. Great job on this van!
We love it and it is the perfect size for us! The 144 would be perfect for 1 person in our opinion. If you want to learn more about the van and what we would change about it check out our website! Thanks and thanks for watching!
I have to say, really admire the dedication you both have for this project. To begin with not many people (myself included) knows how to do DIY for a van-home, I have watched the challenges after challenges you faced, and to top it off travelling between Seattle and Texas to complete it, just wow! Hope you have a wonderful journey ahead!!
Thank you David! It was sooo HARD! Definitely wore us out a bit mentally, emotionally, and physically, but being able to see what we created (with my dad’s help because without him we would be lost!) made all of the endless challenges and setbacks worth it!
It helps a ton with counter space! She was off at a training program during this (filming this tour with her would’ve been a nightmare 😅), but she has been in quite a few of our more recent videos 😄
Excellent workmanship all of y’all! I’m incredibly proud for you . Everything is well thought out and organized. A few tips here. 1) double check the internet connection on top to be sure it can’t be easily removed. Thieves would love to walk off with that . 2) check out the Japanese way to fold clothes it saves you mega amount of space! 3) recommended NOT to use paper towels on your windows or butcher block over time it will scratch your glass and your finish. ( I just found this out when I realized our glass top table had lil baby scratches throughout) 4) a small thermal bag and hard ice pack will sub for your freezer for a day . It’s been such a joy watching you two put your van together. Thanks so much for sharing! I look forward to virtually traveling w/y’all! Let the fun begin!!!
Thank you so much!!! And these are great tips, especially about the internet connection (we’d HATE to lose that!) and the paper towel tip. We know things will get some wear and tear, but definitely don’t want to do any of it intentionally! Thank you for following along on this van build journey with us, the fun is about to begin! 🎉🙌🏼
So cool to finally see the van finished the adventures you both will have and the memories you'll make is what life is about. Really looking forward to more travel videos, I'm so pumped for you guys!!! Big congrats on the way the van turned out 👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks Glenn! We are sooo excited for the memories we are going to create! If we make it down your way (obviously not in the van lol), we will let you know!
Your dad is a master craftsman. A rare breed. He deserves more than a casual mention.
He totally is! And he got a trip to Hawaii, so don’t worry.
I think her father deserves another shout out, that's the work of a experienced carpenter/builder to my eyes. Just curious, that so?
portnuefflyer He deserves tons of shout outs and I think he is sick of us thanking him haha. He isn’t a professional, but he has built cabinets, a deck, and a 1956 Ford f100 truck to name a few!
@@AdventuresofAplusK so talent!!!
Measure twice cut once and buy professional tools. Take care of them and always use sharp blades.
I need to borrow your father for a few months 🤣. Looks amazing guys!!
You know they're passionate about RUclips when they're still active in the comments even after so long
It’s super important to us to chat with everyone who takes the time to watch our videos! 🤗 We appreciate it so much!
@@AdventuresofAplusK who's here in 2021? :)
I love the way you look at each other, I’m sure you truly love each other
🥰🥰 We sure do! Spending 24/7 in a small space together has only confirmed it more!
That's it. I'm selling everything and getting a van
Doooo it! It’s pretty amazing (most of the time)!
Hire one, take a weekend trip, then take a longer vacation in say winters or summers. Then get into it. Should be well thought decision, not taken impulsively or in emotion
Great advice Amit!
Totally agree. I've been doing research and it's a huge investment if it's not something that a person can manage.
Haha I know that feeling, Every time I watch one of these videos I want to turn my work van into a camper!
Yours is in the top 5 of all I've seen, and I've seen A LOT
Thank you so much! That means a lot to us!
Cool security system
It has been really great to have to keep an eye on our pup!
😂😂😂😂
I'm just starting my van search! Loved this one! Can you send links to your other top 5 vans? Many thanks!
I can admit that im totally obsessed with the van life, im the kind of person that plans out their life and this has become a major part of it.
Also these guys get all the love, like ever, because they be liking comments on a video that was almost 2 months ago, so gold stars for the fridge.
Thanks Lily! We hope you get the chance to experience van life soon!
Hey Lily you're not alone! I want to do this soooooo bad!
Same
I’m obsessed too ! I love it.
@@Firestarter078*
Just watching the first 5 minutes this has been one of my favorite builds ever. The tour around the van is detailed and filmed in a very good way and you two are great at presenting your van!
Thank you so much! We are super happy with how it turned out and we’re glad you enjoyed the tour! 🤗
I like the way you can fit both toilet and shower in. Love the conversion. One of the best I’ve watched. Good job
Thanks a bunch Anita! We love our little wet room/bathroom 🧖🏻♀️
Sometimes seeing things like this can be very depressing and demotivating; $78,000 for the entire project (including a brand new van and thus without issues / anxiety over it being reliable), being able to afford that, still living in your own apartment, being able to fly back and forth between helping do the work (mind boggling expenses), having a place to store the van and a family member with loads of skills to do a lot of the work. All of these are huge hurdles that to most people (like with anything in life), stops you from ever starting anything because when you've got life to contend with, it just seems like too much. You're super lucky and I wish the best for you, of course! Thanks for the details you've provided to help with others starting their builds.
Thanks a bunch Robin! 😊 It was an incredibly rough 7 months building the van. Many tears, stress, lots of time spent apart, etc. We’re very thankful for my dad’s help, the ability to work remotely, tons of airline miles that helped make flying very cheap, and saving money the last few years to make it all possible!
@@AdventuresofAplusK Thanks for the reply and the added perspective! Definitely helps having two people as opposed to one! Best wishes :)
I don't think I have seen a van that has such a well designed lines everything runs together so clean and fresh looking very good looking van you should be very happy at the out come.. very cool
Thank you Dave! We tried very hard to make the design seamless! We are so happy with how it turned out
I have seen many-many van conversions and I must say that YOURS IS THE BEST so far. It's incredible with the design and layout of your furniture and where your shower/toilet layout is, sink, fridge and even your portable cooker. The water tanks working together, incredible. The plumbing and electrics. you comply with weight limitations, health and safety, all in. Amazing. I wish you nothing but the best, Take care n be safe. Phil Antony.
Thanks so much Phil! We’re still super happy with how it turned out! 😃
My wife and I really enjoyed the walk-through of your van. We are buying our van here soon and will be starting on the journey of converting it ourselves. We really appreciate the information and references on builds and mistake content. Small things such as explaining the way you have the water distributed to balance out the weight and it still pulls from both tanks was SUPER helpful for our build. Thank you guys so much! 🙏🏼
Hi Austin! We are so glad that some of this was helpful for y’all! A big congrats to you and your wife for taking the leap 🙌🏼 Good luck with your conversion and let us know if you have any questions that we can help answer!
A suggestion: When you can afford it, consider setting up the ladder on a sliding rack on the van top. Unlock the lower connector, raise back and up while standing on a folding stool. Slide up and over the roof. Have a theft-locking system on the opposite side. Plus... think of a narrow storage system on inside both back doors, especially in the upper area.
TrickyRick
Thanks for the suggestion Richard!
I’ve fallen into the hole of van life and I’m not mad at all🙃 I really want to do this now!!!
The van life hole is a deep one haha! 🤗
I love the easiness to dump out the grey water tank and I love how the two tanks in the back share water throughout the van. Love that
Both have been such a lifesaver and make life so much easier!
If i were to build a van like this on my own, would probably take me 10yrs. Wow what a van...
If my dad wasn’t there to help us and teach us it would’ve taken us that long 😅
Your "home" is amazing. It's obvious you did a lot of planning and used every bit of space wisely and it is so beautifully decorated. Hope it's not too much trouble or expensive to get it fixed from the parking lot accident in Mesa Verde that happened while you were "not home". We really enjoyed talking with you on the train ride and wish we had seen your videos before our vacation. Plan to watch them all when we are home. Safe travels, Tim and Cindy
Hi Tim and Cindy!!! So happy to hear from y’all, we loved getting to know you on the train ❤️ Thank you so much for the kind words about the van. We hope y’all are enjoying the rest of your vacation!
Thank you for sharing how much the conversion costs, and for mentioning that you went a bit over budget. I've seen a lot of van tours, and people refuse to mention money at all, and they act as if they have unlimited funds. Also - thanks for talking about how you make your living on the road. You guys are fortunate to be able to work remotely. Beautiful van. Now I'll have to check out your other videos because I want to see your dog.
Thank you for watching Zachary! We’re glad those pieces of info were helpful! It’s scary mentioning the conversion costs, as it was a lot of money 😅, but we saved hard to make it happen and we are very proud of the quality of work we did! Our pup Kona was at a training program during this, so she doesn’t reappear for a bit, but she is in some vlogs (including a few older ones too)! 🤗
Your build has inspired this old lady, you should be so proud of the job and of course we can't forget Dad's help (-:
Thank you!
So far the best design I found on YT. Like how you managed to make a bathroom and the shower, and some guys are like "you can't fit shower, it will take you a lot of space" etc., but you prove they are wrong. Good luck, and I hope you will enjoy it a lot. Cheers from web dev!
Thanks a bunch Stefan! The shower space is small, but it works great! For a 1-2 minute shower, you don’t need anything that big! And we like that it creates more of a closed off bathroom for privacy 😃
I think a shower and toilet are a necessity, but so few vans have them. Really love this conversion. it's practical and beautiful. Well done.
We are very glad we have both! They have made it so much easier!
Such an amazing amount of time, work, and planning. I’m so glad to see that it worked for the both of you so well that inspires anyone interested in Van conversion and outdoor lifestyle. Thank you for sharing. So enjoyable to watch your enthusiasm and accomplishment.
Thank you so much for the encouraging words Wanis! It was a lot of work and a lot of learning, but we’re so proud of all we accomplished and happy to be living life on the road!
I absolutely love the way you did your build. The fact theres no propane is my fave. The water set up is great. Have fun and enjoy your freedom out on the road.
Thank you so much! We contemplated propane camping stoves to save power, but feel a bit safer (and it’s less of a hassle) with the induction. We will see how it goes! 🤞🏼
This is probably the best van build I’ve seen thus far
Thank you so much! 🥰
I have been addicted to these van tours during the quarantine and this is by far my favorite layout..
Thank you so much! There are tons of awesome vans out there, so we really appreciate it! 😄
Adventures of A plus K and without exaggerating..... and a little embarrassed to admit it.. lol but I’ve seen atleast 50 of them in the past couple weeks.. I just got a real good deal on a 40 foot rv and I’ve decided to do some minor repairs needed and a few easy upgrades and selling it for a sprinter..
That's amazing! We are sure you've gotten tons of cool ideas from all of the videos. Good luck with the RV repairs and eventual van build!
You all are the perfect couple! Enjoy your beautiful van and your travels together! 🤗
Thank you so much for the kind words! ❤️
My mom, me, and my little sister were on our own for majority of my childhood. We thought it would be like that for a while so we were planning on doing the same things as y’all. It was so exciting because we love trying new things from different cultures so we wanted to travel. then when I was 9 my mom met her new husband. At first I was like “ok ok, we can do 4 people” but then... I found out he has 3 kids... my dream was crushed. So now I’m saving for either a bus or van, I’m planning on converting of course. It makes me really happy that my mama still wants to do the same thing when all of the kids more out.
Good luck with the bus or van Jordan! We hope you can make that dream come true soon!
Great job all of you. Wonderful use of the space and gives me ideas for my own build in the future. Thanks for sharing this journey with us. Happy trails and be safe.
Thank you Patricia! Good luck with your build! 😃
GREAT BUILD GUYS ! What makes Your VAN so AWESOME are YOU GUYS ! You're GREAT, GOOD HEARTED & DOWN TO EARTH who isn't afraid of being YOU with sweaty shirts. GOTTA LOVE IT !!!!
Hahahaha thanks Vincent! I learned a valuable lesson on shirts + sweat that day 🤣🤣
I may just copy your build 😀. Great ideal on the grey water tanks/release valve and hole on the bottom of butcher block to reduce the weight!
Katherine, you brought a great point, your plans are to travel and not be a van lifer which is why I see this specific build suits your needs. The garage isn't really needed to store camp chairs and tables...toys. Look forward to your travel adventures.
Thanks so much Sam! We’re glad you like our van build. The grey water valve has been amazing so far. Super happy we did that! And the layout has been perfect so far for our type of travel!
Nice van and beautiful couple. You remind me of Samantha Brown. She is a well known travel host on the Travel Channel back in the 2000's. You have the same type of energy and personality as her💯. To your husband, you have a keeper don't let her go through the good times and bad times. You both will go far in life, but teamwork and mutual respect is utmost. Be safe on the roads and I enjoy watching your vlogs🚐.
Thank you so much for the kind words! ❤️ We really appreciate it! We’re very thankful to have each other. 🥰
Great idea counter top and just plug in the cooktop when using!!!! Love love love that idea!!! Bravo whole thing.
Thank you! It’s so nice to have that space clear to get ready in the mornings or charge electronics and not worry about a stove.
Now this is what smart living lifestyle.. this is the best van I have seen. Loved it. By the way, thank you for being so kind to the environment with the thought of recycling.
Thank you so much! And we absolutely love that trash can/recycling bin combo! 🙌🏼🌍
I love everything about this van as it’s exactly how I would want my van layout and design.Thanks for the tour!
Thanks for the kind words! We’ve been in it 3.5 weeks now and we are still loving the layout-it been perfect for us!
Mke score, Layout = 10, Model/brand= 9, colors=10, build dynamics=9, details=10, compared to other van builds= 9, overall =AWESOME:)
We’ll take it! Thanks Michael! 😃👍🏼
Looks amazing and the fact that you did it all yourselves will give you such a sense of satisfaction that you will enjoy your adventures even more! Have fun!
Thank you so much! We are definitely going to appreciate it even more because of all the work we put into it!
This is the neatest DIY camp van I have ever seen so far! Feel so pleasant to watch this van tour!
Thank you so much Miao! 🤗
I have been following Van People for a couple years. This is one of the very best builds I have seen ...really well done.
Craftsmanship looks primo.
Congrats and happy motoring.
From Normandy Park Wa.
Peace
Thank you so much Michael, Thank means a lot to us!
This is honestly the best build I've seen. Also I thankful for the timestamps so I could rewatch. Hope you guys enjoy this and wish you the best!
Thank you so much! We’re glad you found those helpful!
Excellent workmanship. The entire build is great. Like they say, you get what you pay for. All of your hard work shows in the quality of the build and beauty. Congrats guys.......
Thank you Eric! 🥳
Enjoy looking at these Van conversions and see the bathroom 🚽🛁. Nice conversion.
Thank you! The bathroom is SO nice to have! We especially love having a door for privacy!
New sub here...this design is perfect...elegance without sacrificing functionality...having a bathroom within the van is a must for me...love this so much!👌👍🏼❤️❤️😘
Thank you so much! We can confirm after living on the road for a week that the bathroom was an amazing decision!
Really cool to see a van built with Sara & Alex Jame's build guide, thanks for the tour!
Their guide was sooo helpful!
One of my all time favorite van builds. From decor, layout, water, bed, etc... you guys did great and should be proud. I’d love to do something like this!
Thank you so much! We are pretty dang proud that we were able to do all of this (with my dad’s massive help and guidance of course!) 🙌🏼
Great video about your van. It has served you well. You have made the most of the last three years.
We see you as travel bloggers. Your content is helping us with our digital nomad life. Even though our RV is a different type, your content is very helpful while being very enjoyable.
We are so happy with our van and have loved traveling in it. It makes us happy to hear we can be a resource for your travels. That is our ultimate goal. Thanks and thanks for watching!
So proud of you two crazy kids! So glad I got to see it in person! Can’t wait til you visit me! I may let you use my shower!
LOL! If you don’t we will use your hose to fill up our tanks 😜 Kidding! Can’t wait to drive on up your way!
This is proabably one of the best vans i have seen on the inside in terms of layout. Highly considering getting one myself
Thank you so much Jonte! 🤗🤗
I enjoyed the van build, you both including your Dad did a fantastic job! Be safe and much blessings!
Thank you so much! We all really appreciate it!
Best looking fit, finishes, design, and color scheme I have seen so far.
Thank you so much! 😄
You two are super cute, real and relatable. Welcome to Van Life!
Thank you so much Erin! 💗
Wonderful job. May you two have many great ADVENTURES and stay safe! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Bill! We cannot wait to hit the road in a couple days! 🙌🏼
A couple things we forgot to mention in the tour/wanted to highlight:
1. We insulated our van with Havelock Wool. We did a whole video about why we chose them, which can be found here: ruclips.net/video/uCbw4nAPuIM/видео.html
2. We have gotten a lot of questions about where we keep pantry items. Those are stored in the upper cabinet above the kitchen. We eat mostly refrigerated foods (meat and veggies), so we don’t need a big space for those items.
3. We have a carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguisher in the van, as well as a roadside emergency car kit!
4. If you want more specific details about how we built the van, check out our van build series. We cover the materials, methods, and challenges we had in a bit more detail: ruclips.net/p/PLZKRTK1yCEM5PKa_B2tZJ5nWZOKsP1mLv
5. To see the products we used, our cost breakdown, and learn about the mistakes we made, check out this blog: adventuresofaplusk.com/blog/van-conversion-cost-tour-mistakes.
6. For our grey water set up, we used this electric ball valve: amzn.to/2L1ckO8
We will update this comment with any FAQS we get from the video as well.
Adventures of A plus K - don’t forget the first aid & roadside safety kit.
Ah yes, we have that too! Just forgot to show it (it’s by our dumbbells). Thank you for the reminder!
cabinet latches to keep them shut? i couldn't find a link on the blog or youtube for those.
Do people get mad that you just flush your grey water out where ever and what enviormentally safe products do you use? I am having some trouble finding some in my area!
We will only dump it if it’s legal to do so and typically only will do it on the road while driving. No one has noticed or said anything. We use Campsuds and are also trying this new Sea to Stream soap. We have to order it on Amazon and pick it up at Amazon lockers because it’s hard to find good options at stores.
OK, you hooked us! My wife and I are going to be newbies to van travel soon. We will follow you guys to see how the pros do it!
Woo! Stoked to hear that! 🙌🏼
You guy's sold me...I love your van it's just what I want. I will be following..Thank's
Thank you Joe! 🤗
Not a fan of tiny living, yet of all the vans I've seen, you probably manage to create the best designed one! Has all necessary parts, plus looks very ergonomic. Well done!
Thanks Anna! 😄
I am 12 y.o. and have dreams about traveling in a van as my house. In my journal I am constantly designing blueprints and layout for my (hopefully) future van. What others call a mansion I call a vw bus- my dream house. I think many people say they want to take up tiny house life but many don’t fufill there dream. I hope that I actually will. This is an amazing van, very inspirational!
That’s so awesome Avery! We will be rooting for you and holler at us when you’re a bit older and it’s time to build your van. We really enjoy this lifestyle! It’s not for everyone and it’s not without challenges, but it’s a whole lot of fun. Keep dreaming big, save your money while you’re young, and we hope to see you on the road someday! 💗🙌🏼
Adventures of A plus K thanks so much for the reply, it meant so much!
Of course! We really appreciate people taking the time to watch our videos!
My wife and i just watched all the van videos. All I can say is wow! What an undertaking. We are so impressed. You guys rock! Best of luck in your continued travels. if you ever make it back to Kentucky (Mammoth Cave National Park is here) we'd love to meet up!
Thank you so much! It was TOUGH and we owe a LOT to my dad for his guidance and help!
I love how organized your vans is and the clean lines!!
Thank you so much! We are very hopeful we can keep it organized and clutter free! 🤞🏼It definitely helps make it feel a bit larger when it’s tidy!
very impressive build; she's is 100%; if he can keep up w/ her, he's doing good !!!
Thanks David!
After watching dozens of van build videos, this is easily my favorite! I'll be copying your design for sure! :D
Thank you Rob! We wish you the best with your build!
I converted two buses in my life, the last one was a retired Greyhound. The guy went nuts, full size jaccuzi , full size refrigerator and freezer (side by side). Both ad to come thru the window. Crazy! But fun. Generator. On and on.
Oh wow! It’s fun how much you can do with these!
I am 20% in building my van and it has a very similar layout. Great job on your's. You two are very professional and fun. New subscriber.
Thank you so much Mike! 🤗
The water setup is genuis. Very neat build, neat cupboards. Looks awesome, well planned 💯
Thanks so much Shan! 🤗
I LOVE this van!! It is nearly perfect to what I would want!! You did a great job with the video. Thank you!
Thank you so much Karen! 🤗🤗🤗
Build quality appears well done We each have our own taste and what we need to be happy
We agree! We love how customizable vans can be 😃
Would love you to show how you go “stealth” and how all your blackout and window coverings work. Is there light leakage viewable from outside the van? Thanks. This video was very thorough and informative.
We had some trouble with the homemade covers we made, so we ended up buying some covers that work so much better. There is maybe a tiny bit of light viewable at an angle, but we have only stealth camped once in two months, so stealthability hasn’t been the biggest priority for us. We will try to cover this soon!
Thanks for the tour! I’m overly jealous because this is something that my husband and I wanted to do but I cannot work remotely at least in the next 10 yrs. But, we love watching your adventures. Especially we both love Tacos, coffee, and so much more like you guys! Thank you for taking us along on your adventures!
Thank you so much for following along!
THE BEST van build video I've seen - thank you - wishing you two all the joy, love and laughter life can bring - Safe Travels
We appreciate that so much! Thank you! 😃
Sooooo good!!! So complete...... well almost 🍧
Thanks for the tour. Enjoy your new beginning 🙋🏼♀️
Lol! We failed to mention that the freezer is the perfect size for a pint or two of ice cream 😜😜😜
Great van. I love the layout. Now you get to go build some memories.
Thanks so much! We have made so many incredible memories so far!
This is the best one I’ve seen so far ,
Only thing missing is a screen , monitor , tv . Or projector with pull down screen of some kind would be ideal in this layout
Thank you!
This project has only one word for it -----
OUTSTANDING!!!!!! ✌✌✌✌
You scared me for a second Tina! 🤣
Wow. Thanks for getting to get back to me so quickly. So total overall is about $75,000. Got it. You did a great job.
That’s correct! And you’re welcome! 😊
Super nice build. Love the clean lines and the way you've set up storage.
Thank you so much Jinnie!
Bravo ! Well done ! And a big super thumb up for the father too ! And now it's time to enjoy your new life in it and around the world ! Best wishes !
Thank you so much from all of us! And we have been loving life in it! 🎉🙌🏼
This is one neat van! It looks clean. Great layout. Wish you more adventures to come
Thank you so much! 😃
Wow! Super impressive ! I am a ZERO% All Thumbs, DYIer. I totally relate to your stress, fears, and trepidation in tackling such a large project! A million kudos to you ! Discovered your RUclips channel this year 2022. After catching up with your Alaskan Adventure for 2022, I'm starting from the beginning and watching all your videos. So now that your van's done, I'm off to enjoy your Italy vlogs! Grazie!
Thank you so much! The build was challenging, but super rewarding in the moment and of course now :)
Enjoy the Italy videos...bring a snack, lots of pasta and gelato!
Thanks for watching!
You guys are amazing! Beautiful and brilliant planning and design.
Thank you so much Chris! 😃
You did an excellent job! Dad's are great aren't they.
We wouldn't have been able to do this without my dad! Even 16 months later he still answers all of our questions and helps us SO much!
Your build looks 100% perfect for our plans. Thankfully that I watched your vid! Love it ❤
Thank you Robin, we’re so glad! Good luck building yours!
I’d recommend adding some height to any van you get to loft a bed. You get tired of rebuilding the bed all the time
It definitely isn’t our favorite thing to convert the bed everyday, but it’s pretty quick and we love the flexibility!
You have to rebuild all the time, but also gain more room to sit down for rainy days or to work/eat.
@@robinlorenz4914 We have deemed the weekends "don't make the bed" days, but during the week, we love working and eating at the table!
It was really great to see how your van was put together. I really enjoy watching your videos as you are just plain fun to watch.
Thank you so much, Jan!
Amazing work you guys! The craftsmanship on this build is amazing! Can't wait to follow along on your new journey! =)
Thank you guys sooo much! Hoping everything is going smooth with yours! Can’t wait to see it when y’all finish!
This van looks great inside, very comfortable and beautiful looking.
Thank you Caroline!
Thanks for the great tour, it's definitely given me some ideas for my own van build. I'm very torn between wanting a permanent bed and wanting the amazing open living area you have created. As a suggestion, sandbag workouts are great and would be very compatible with the storage limitations of van life. I've had a Brute Force sandbag that has withstood years of abuse.
Hi Jay, thank you so much! We are loving the convertible bed to living area. We love the flexibility of it! We have weeks where we convert it less, but this week we have converted it daily. It’s just nice to have the option :)
And that’s a great suggestion! We have thankfully had many gyms nearby recently (as it’s been cold and working out outside hasn’t sounded as fun haha), but I’d love to add a second weight option so we can each do something more easily!
We are in the process of having our van built and are designing a hydraulic lift on the bed so when it's up we have a dinette underneath. The best of both worlds.
This build is incredible!!! I would totally build in the exact same way!! The separate bathroom with shower is a game changer. And I love the butcher block counters and all the windows. Well done👏 Looking forward to the future adventure content!
Thank you so much! We are so glad you like our little home! 🤗 Almost a year in and we still absolutely love it!
Nice clean build guys. I'm almost done (95%) my self-build Transit and figure I'm at about $30k cost so far - so cost-wise you're in the wheelhouse for an upper end build. To put the cost in perspective some van builders charge north of $80k!
Thank you! And we wanted to mention this on the video (but didn’t want to be tooo chatty), but we got quotes for $100k from multiple van builders (not including the van) which was NUTS! Definitely worth the headaches to save $75K! 😅
@@AdventuresofAplusK Ya - for sure - The effort is certainly more rewarding, huge savings, more than likely done better & you know where everything is at. Enjoy your travels.
We couldn’t agree more! Good luck to you as well! 🙌🏼
@@AdventuresofAplusK & a bit of fun to boot - see you on the flip side.
Read your blog - I put my fan in the front as well - wouldn't change it - to get flowing in the back try this -"Caframo Sirocco II. Mounted Fan. 360 Airflow. Ultra Quiet". ( & I have a super small usb fan by the pillow - gold) Your power needs - I started with a 110 amp lithium - now I have 2 - don't beat yourself over it not getting things right asap. Most things are twice the time twice the money - a van build is twice the money 5 times the time! imho...
I really like your security setup with temp alert more of you guys should do that. Also your grey tile back splash looks great.
Thank you so much! We switched to grey backsplash last minute and are so happy we did!
That’s amazing, you guys are pro! The Van turned out so awesome. Can’t wait to see your future adventures.
Thank you so much! Definitely still huge newbs, but we learned SO much!
Definitely one of my favorite builds! Absolutely love the amount of storage space you have. Love van life and you guys have given me some great ideas with this build.
This build suits me perfectly ....I LOVE IT!!!!
Thank you so much!!! We are about 4 months in and still absolutely love it!
Beautiful van build I of the best I have seen. I hope the bathroom is big enough for you two. thanks for sharing and have a wonderful adventure.
We were nervous about the bathroom size, but it’s actually not bad! We have each taken a shower and it wasn’t as cramped as we thought 🙌🏼 Thanks for the support and kind words John!
well designed and beautiful, I live in the dallas area and an a/c is a must, just a p-word I guess
Thank you! And if we were planning to van life mostly in Texas we would definitely need AC! But we plan to chase good weather so we don’t sweat to death lol!
I've yet to see a build with solar powered AC but I'd certainly try this on my own build.
I am a really young person wanting to do van life. I don't like large spaces, and I don't need much to live. I have been very interested in the Mercedes Benz-Sprinter 170". This van is amazing, and looks very similar to what I want to do. Great job on this van!
We love it and it is the perfect size for us! The 144 would be perfect for 1 person in our opinion. If you want to learn more about the van and what we would change about it check out our website! Thanks and thanks for watching!
I have to say, really admire the dedication you both have for this project. To begin with not many people (myself included) knows how to do DIY for a van-home, I have watched the challenges after challenges you faced, and to top it off travelling between Seattle and Texas to complete it, just wow! Hope you have a wonderful journey ahead!!
Thank you David! It was sooo HARD! Definitely wore us out a bit mentally, emotionally, and physically, but being able to see what we created (with my dad’s help because without him we would be lost!) made all of the endless challenges and setbacks worth it!
The two of you look like such a great couple. Dont let her get away!
This is one of my favorite build outs I’ve seen!!!
Thank you so much! 🤗
I never thought about storing a stove top underneath, but it makes sense.
Would have loved to see your dog!
It helps a ton with counter space! She was off at a training program during this (filming this tour with her would’ve been a nightmare 😅), but she has been in quite a few of our more recent videos 😄
Excellent workmanship all of y’all! I’m incredibly proud for you . Everything is well thought out and organized. A few tips here.
1) double check the internet connection on top to be sure it can’t be easily removed. Thieves would love to walk off with that .
2) check out the Japanese way to fold clothes it saves you mega amount of space!
3) recommended NOT to use paper towels on your windows or butcher block over time it will scratch your glass and your finish. ( I just found this out when I realized our glass top table had lil baby scratches throughout)
4) a small thermal bag and hard ice pack will sub for your freezer for a day .
It’s been such a joy watching you two put your van together.
Thanks so much for sharing!
I look forward to virtually traveling w/y’all!
Let the fun begin!!!
Thank you so much!!! And these are great tips, especially about the internet connection (we’d HATE to lose that!) and the paper towel tip. We know things will get some wear and tear, but definitely don’t want to do any of it intentionally! Thank you for following along on this van build journey with us, the fun is about to begin! 🎉🙌🏼
So cool to finally see the van finished the adventures you both will have and the memories you'll make is what life is about. Really looking forward to more travel videos, I'm so pumped for you guys!!! Big congrats on the way the van turned out 👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks Glenn! We are sooo excited for the memories we are going to create! If we make it down your way (obviously not in the van lol), we will let you know!
@@AdventuresofAplusK Safe travels guys and yes it would be awesome to meet you both if you're ever down this way 👍