Good afternoon friends! Thanks for watching! What was your favorite aspect of our van build? And what is one thing you would definitely do differently if you built your own van?
We are currently building a layout nearly identical to yours besides the shower. We will have a pull out pantry in that spot. So I guess that's what we would do differently, hehe. My favorite aspect is that you have two tables for work space, that was a great idea! One thing I'd love to know more about is your extended step from the cab into the living area. We plan to build something but aren't entirely sure how we will do it yet. Way to go! Excited for more videos to come!
Thanks Matt & Katie! A big pantry is a great idea. We definitely lack food storage. What else will you be able to fit in that large space? Microwave, closet? The insulated step is fairly basic. It mostly consists of a 1x5 plank laid on-edge across the top of our flooring. We reused the Promaster's black hexagonal flooring to make the top of the step. This part contours around the seat bases and sits on the ~1" of space on the edge of the elevated metal step before the cab begins. Hope that makes sense! If you send me a message on IG @actsofadVANture I will send you pics. Best wishes with your build!!
@@ActsofAdventure Thanks! Will do! As for the pantry. Part of it will be our electrical system. And I think we will try to to extend the bench as far as we can since we have two dogs that will be on the road with us
Hi i'm already a fan after finishing watching your video😚thanks for uploading this...this is such a wonderful dream❤🇵🇭keep on vlogging please...You can also add an outdoor flip table on the side of your van...Hope you can also make video on what you usually in a day.😚lab you both❤you deserve a million subscribers❤❤❤🇵🇭🇵🇭
Idea for the “ugly” switch area, you could put a small piece of wood just under the bottommost switch and put a cabinet door over that part, leaving a gap where your feet could still go
Y’all did SUCH AN AMAZING JOB! Not only is your van gorgeous and practical all at the same time, but your tour video was thorough and entertaining. Thanks for sharing! ☺️ can’t wait to see you on the road. 🚐
You guys are the best van friends! We appreciate you so much for making it to the premiere, and for your kinds words! We seriously can't wait to get back out on the road and meet up. For us, 2020 would be a win if we can make that happen haha.
You are such a generous and beautiful couple to share your van build, with all of it’s components, without asking for any money for such an excellent build! I think that a lot of people will benefit from your generosity. Thank you so much!
Wow fantastic! I have been watching Van Tours, buses and tiny house but this is the first van I have seen that has a bathroom and you have kept it so neat and tidy. Way to go!! People should follow this.
Amazing walkthrough and explanation of your home on wheels. The level of detail and humor makes this one of the best vantours I have seen. The fact that you build a free PDF on the build and materials is amazing, other van builders charge you good one! Beautiful home and love the layout! Owww and your monitor panel, perhaps magnets next to the dials, plastic (dark/tint) to cover it up. It's a little see through but it takes away the dials. Hopefully this helps.
Thank you so much! We're glad you enjoyed the humor haha. And we hope the parts list proves useful for you. Thanks for the recommendation of how to cover the monitors - we'll add that to our list of ideas!
You guys are great! I got so much more out of this tour of your van than most tours - you gave us the technical and underlying structural reasons for decisions around your build, rather than ‘and this is the drawer with our cutlery’. It was honest and peppered with humour. Very well done!!!
Thanks Colleen! As videographers, we try to make actually useful videos - not just lifestyle vlogs. Very glad to hear you liked our van tour and found it helpful!
To cover the “ugly” switches etc, perhaps just 2 hooks, one on each side, with rope strung between, and a small piece of fun fabric, so essentially a tiny curtain?
that's exactly what I was going to suggest! a cute little curtain thingy I think is the best option. It isn't a hard piece of wood, and you can easily access the panel. woohoo!
I really like that you are quick to point out where you went wrong or would like to change. This is very helpful for me in planning what will hopefully became my dream come true.
OMG......finally a 159 Promaster that has the same floor plan that I’ve drawn up. I swear I’ve looked at 100 vanlife vids. This makes me so happy. I would try and slip in a propane stove top versus your induction unit. As you stated the induction stove top draws some serious power. This makes me so happy to see this. You even put in a full size bed instead of a queen......same as what I’ve drawn up. Thank you...
It’s a great layout! You’ll love it! And with 800 watts & 700ah, more than enough power to be all electric if you want to save space not having a propane locker. Good luck on your build!
Gorgeous van build. Very well thought out. As for the electrical panel, I wouldn't cover it. I'd paint the board black, or replace it with black plexi. If it's all black it would just disappear. Another option would be a dark wood look and consider the placement of panels of switches and displays in a more pleasing arrangement. But honestly, it's fabulous the way it is.
I just now noticed all the additional hard work you put into providing future builders with a parts list and dimension layout. MUCH appreciated. All I can say is wow! Thanks
Been watching van builds for a long, long time and already had an idea how I would like my own van layout to be one day... you guys’ is pretty much spot on, it’s my FAVOURITE build out there! Perfect!
For covering the electrics control panel, I'd add a cabinet door with heavy duty hinges and handle, so that you can you the handle itself as a step whilst the cabinet is closed. Maybe even make the cabinet door colourless so you can check battery/water etc. without having to open it!
I just had to come back and say, thank you. You all have helped so many people with just your heart to give. Thank you for putting in the work to give us guides that are actually free and for being so kind and honest.
Thanks so much for your kind words! We’re super glad to help with our resources. We built our van from reading/watching free resources so we’re just giving back. Best wishes!
There is a really simple fix for your laundry door: with doors where the weight changes you dont put the lock horizontally cause when the door gets heavier it blocks - instead put the lock vertically so you pull the bolt up. That way the allignment of door and lock stay the same.
I applaud you for your honesty in describing what you are not completely satisfied with. ie the sink being too shallow or staining easily. Etc It’s very refreshing to hear the actual truth. Having said that I want to say that I do like your van build and I compliment you on your design. Wishing you both happy travels.😀😀
I've seen dozens of van videos and this is THE ONE. The perfect build. The holy grail. It's easy to see that both of you are extremely thorough in your thought process. Thanks soooo much for making this video and being so generous with your knowledge
Wow, thanks so much for your kind words!! We really appreciate it. We did spend an entire year planning and building it so that we would have the exact van we want for years to come! So far, so good (except we’d add an A/C if we did it all again!)
Nicely done! Cabinet door idea....do it. And have it a little short so you can still fit your foot in. It will hide the "ugly" part but still allow for use as a step. And a 1/2 thermal "blanket" curtain at the back. Offers thermal protection, 1/2 way down so you can still access the garage with no issues and curtain hardware so you can do the van thing and lay in bed looking out the back. Beautiful build!
Thanks for the ideas! The reason we didn't build the cabinet door is that we realized our heel can't fit onto the step when getting down from the bed :-( Love the half height back curtain idea! Will definitely add that eventually! I think a simple curtain might be the best way to cover the monitors as well.
Love it. I think for the most part, this has been my favorite layout that I've seen. Saw a van with the stove top and oven stored in a drawer, leaving the counter free except for sink. I liked that. Also, I like the front blocked off with a door.
Beautiful build out! even the control panel. One thought would be a door cover on the panel that opens downward.This way it could serve as a step when open but also provide some cover up fo the panel when not in use. May need a kickstand leg or heavy duty hinge to allow the door to serve as a step but i've seen something like this on a video (not sure which one). My wife and I are getting our build rolling and have a very similar design. Doing it ourselves so i'm sure we will have our own control panel mishaps but that's what makes it unique.
This is a fabulous build. I'm not sure I'd change anything. It's warm and cozy, very welcoming. Your couch looks more comfortable than most vans. I'd put some slats underneath for a pull out ottoman for relaxing and watching a movie. Thanks for sharing. 😊
A piece of wood and magnets. Maybe with a grey thin carpet on the wood board, which would give you the option to attach anything with velcro on it, nets and stuff.
I gotta say you have the same van layout as I was imagining. I love the outdoors, love photography, and I sincerely thank you for providing PDF parts lists and so much info in your blog to help me get started. 👏👏👏
you guys have done such an amazing job!! I feel like I‘ve watched every single van tour and I can say yours is one of the few that I thoroughly enjoyed :)
Wow, that roof rack guide on your site just made my day! The absolute perfect solution for our roof. 45 min ago i was drowning in information and you shined through with the perfect solution. The vantech brackets saved me from having to worry about drilling any more holes in the roof (promaster), and this unistrut system is perfect for arranging any sort of set up. We've got a 159 ext so we're doing a maxxfan in front and back with 3 solar panels in the middle, but the absolute ease and affordability of this system has me considering a roof patio and ladder too. Thank you guys, so much
That's so great to hear!! It really is an awesome, modular DIY system. And costs less than the cheapest prefab rack! Ours has been bombproof for a year now. Good luck on your build!
@@ActsofAdventure thank you! Maybe we'll see ya on the road someday. BTW, in doing some more research today, I found that DIYvan.com sells the promaster roof adapter brackets for cheaper than vantech; $22 instead of $26. Just an observation I thought I'd share
Idea for ugly swith area: make a small removable wood frame that fits in the hole. Staple a cool design or art over the wood frame. This way you can still use the hole as a step while adding some color/ personality to the van
for your so called "ugly monitor area" you could just put a little hanging curtain over it :P love your build! you actually make me think about my layout again ^^
I'm probably a bit late to the convo, but you could try putting a little black or white retractable screen over the panel, if you fit the strage into the wpod above it you can roll it down and clip it to the bottom, you can get all sorts of nice patterns and sizes they're super cheap and because it's so thin you could easily have the panel covered and use the step at the same time 😄 very easy to modify for exact fittings too so honestly one of the best ways to cover up unsightly knick nacks without taking up a bunch of space 😄!
Thanks Pam! This was our original plan. But after using the van, we found that our heel would not be able to fit on the step when getting out of bed if a door was above that area ☹️ I wish a door would work - it would look great.
We have being looking at many build designs and came across your layout. Love it. Full bath, stuffed garage of toys! Thanks for putting this out for all of us to admire and learn from. Great inspiration.
🗺🚐I like the front lounge, utilizing the swivel passenger seat and being able to use that space and see out the door when it’s open. I am always surprised more van lifers do not include this concept. It would be awesome to have that area convert into an extra sleeping area too. Also, your cooktop placement and the increased ventilation benefits of it being right in front of the door. I am in the minority, but I would prefer figuring out how to raise the placement of the fridge to counter height, if possible. I find it awkward having the little fridge on the floor in a tight area. I realize it would be a sacrifice of cabinet top most likely. Maybe compromise and do a hinged extension of the cabinet top in front of the door so it gives additional space the fridge would occupy, but you could fold it down when not cooking, etc. Then where the fridge was put drawers or pull out pantry for easy access. I love your build. It’s aesthetic AND functional. Great job!🚵🏼♀️🚵🏼♂️
Thanks Jayne! Those are all good ideas, and that's why we love tiny living spaces. They're so customizable to fit your exact wants and needs. No wasted space!
Good work! Your self-awareness is charming. Do you think it would be worth fighting the cold air through the back doors with having a curtain pulled across the back doors? I'm definitely going to check out the Primary Goods linen bedding!
Thanks so much! Yes, a curtain is a great idea that we've definitely considered. A half-height curtain would even allow garage access through the back doors while keeping heat in the bed area. Primary Goods has some sticker shock, but we have loved it so much and they have great service! Soon after we bought their bedding, a snap eyelet pulled out - it would have been an easy sewing fix, but instead, they sent us an entire new set of bedding! Highly recommend them.
Wow! I can’t thank you enough for your free parts list it is very detailed and I love your insights of things that you would change after having lived in the van for a year. Many many thanks!
Absolutely! So happy it was helpful. We’ll be releasing a video and another download in the next week or so about our 100% solar electrical system if that’s of interest as well!
For the “ugly switches” I will do blackout cloth as many suggested but instead of a curtain style, I will do magnets sewn within corner that makes it easy to take the whole thing down.. awesome build nonetheless and I love the laundry drawer, makes for great conversation and memory
@@ActsofAdventure I don't think the switches are ugly, but how about an 1/8" white plexi panel in front of the switches? It might protect them since you'll be going up and down the step a lot.
I don’t think it looks so ugly, but maybe you can still add a “cabinet” door to cover the control panel and then just cut the bottom off the door so your foot can still fit through to climb up 🤷♀️
Bianca Spindler thanks for that recommendation! That was our original plan, but when we started living in the van, we realized we wouldn't be able to fit our heel on the step when getting down from the bed. We are thinking a small curtain will be the best way to cover it!
To cover up the monitor area you could cut a wood piece to size, with little foam pieces on the back in between the censors to keep it from touching them with a little handle! It wouldn’t be the most secure but it sure would look good.
Thanks! This is similar to our original thought of a cabinet door covering the area, but when we started living in the van, we realized that a solid door would not allow enough space for our heel on the step when getting out of bed :-( I think we are going to put a small curtain there instead!
OMG thats crazy I would love to build a van by my self and thought about what would I put where and my dream van is exactly the same like yours is. How much did the whole process with building everything cost?
Thanks Lisa! We got the van used for $25,000 after registration, taxes, and fees. The build out cost about $18k for everything. You can definitely find a cheaper van and spend less on the build than we did. We went all out because this is our full time home, and we built this instead of buying a house. I hope you get to build your dream van!
I had a white non porous cast iron kitchen sink. Worst thing ever. Life is too short change your sink for black silestone. A temporary solution is to buy a stainless very large bowl to use in the sink for greater washing depth and to protect the sink. The only way I survived my white sink was to soak it once a week with bleach diluted in hot water. ten years of hating it, never again will I wait so long to get rid of something that is not working for me.
Best video I've seen on conversions yet. This has helped me decide between the 2500 and 3500 Promaster. This has answered all of my important questions. I wanted to be able to get by without the longer, extended version (3500) and this showed me pretty much exactly how I'm going to do that. The FREE download w/parts, links etc. is awesome!! Thank you!!
I super love watching videos of van conversions with full bathroom and toilet :) Just can't imagine living in a van or any mobile home without em. Must be such a hassle to always be looking for gyms, gas stations, walmart to take a shower moreso to pee or poo💩
Thanks! We totally agree. You have to worry about a lot while living in a van. We're glad going to the bathroom and showering isn't one of our worries!
Thanks so much! We like the separate space too. I wish I knew more about building comfortable furniture before I built that front bench seat though. It's not the most comfortable, and our foam pad is too thin and puts your butt to sleep. Just haven't gotten around to changing it all to be more comfortable yet.
I’m obsessed with this van and this couple!! What wonderful people and so helpful and knowledgeable! Thank you for being so educational!!! You guys are the best!!!!!!!!! All love!!!
Great job, looks beautiful. I would take a really thin flexiable peice of material like the vinyl cutting sheet that you can find at the dollar store or something like it and cover it with a piece of vinyl fabric with spray adhesive or whatever. You can also glue a tab on the back that you can use to pull it off for easy access.
You could cut a drop down shade to size to cover your electrical panel. Put up when you need to access it, pull it down when you want to hide it. Should allow feet to step up easily. :)
Acts of Adventure Cool! I recommend Lofoten, it’s f-ING beautiful there! I have a question, wich 3D program did you USE for planing the look the van inside?
@@lucaspepsimax4595 Lofoten looks so rugged and beautiful! We did not use a 3D program, just old fashioned pencil and paper, lol. And a lot of time sitting in the van thinking about it!
This is one of the only van builds I've seen focus on greenguard certified materials. for me, using materials like this helps prevent inflammation and flare of autoimmune symptoms. Vanolin is awesome! clean air, water, food, home philosophy :) hakuna matata
Exactly! Thanks for your appreciation 😊 Alix also has autoimmune symptoms, so living in close quarters to toxic materials was a definite no-no. Plus we think downsizing and living minimally goes hand in hand with using environmentally responsible materials. Now if only the van was electric! 😉
Thank you so much for including the dimensions on the free parts list. Super duper thankful!!! My van build is going to pretty much look like yours with a different clothing/wardrobe solution and a lower bed. Thank you!!
Instead of buying an expensive water level, you could put a fitting of some kind at the top and at the bottom of the tank and connect the two with clear vinyl tubing. It should show the level without rellying on electricity. Nice build, especially the shower, roomy feel of the kitchen and the roof rack.
Really nice van. I learned you can't skip investing $$ in the inverter. I like that you included flaws and imperfections as well as your favorites. It helps tell the story of why your van life is different from another's. I think knowing there's always room to improve takes a little pressure off self conversions. My favorite part is the drinking water filter.
Thanks so much! We're glad you liked it and learned a thing or two! We tried our very hardest to not make mistakes or not have to make any changes, but they are inevitable! We learned so much through the build process itself that you simply can't know when you begin. Whatever you end up with in the end is a huge accomplishment and so worth it! Happy vanning!
To cover up the switches you could still do a small door, just make it a bit shorter so you get a hole for the step. Really love the color scheme and that you don't use propane, I would not really want to deal with that either!
Your enthusiasm is contagious! How generous of you to share all this great information. We especially like that you pointed out some things that didn't work out so great. We look forward to more of your videos and information. Love the bathroom floor and vent windows. Gee, just think of all the stuff we can store in the garage since we don't have bikes or packs!! Why no hot water in the kitchen, we wonder.
Thanks so much!! We didn't route the hot water to the kitchen because the Bosch mini-tank hot water heater uses a lot of energy. To have on-demand hot water, you'd need to keep the heater on all the time. This way, we only turn it on when we take a shower. A propane tankless hot water heater might be better for on-demand sink usage, but we went propane-free.
I just gotta say that you guys rock! I am currently building a promaster and ordering all of my stuff. Super glad that I stumbled across this video. I love how you guys really went into all the aspects of the van and I really appreciate it. Best info I have seen when it comes to an all around tour. Many questions answered for me. Again I say... You guys ROCK!
Great tour and very instructive walk through. I really appreciate your attention to share for free your build parts list, especially nowadays where monetization is the new mantra. All the best for your van adventures and can't wait to see the next videos! Kudos!
I know this is way too late, but the "ugly" area... cut a little dowel, put a clip at each end, put on a little black curtain (a dishrag might be the right size), clip dowel on. Probably a little sewing, but your foot could still use the step, no problem. Gorgeous van! Hope you're having fun, even now!
Instead of a full door over your electrical panel / bed step, how about a partial door. Cover the electrical buttons but leave the bottom few inches open for a cubby/step (looks like the few inches of white space at the bottom would work well!)
Very well done good luck & be Safe on the road, I forget say your lady she get cold from the rear doors. Install covers are made from Wool for the back doors using the magnet to put it on during the night then remove in day. Also your garage if not heated will always give the the cold air you have to isolate it from your garage area or install a heater there too.
Nice van I love it. The monitor area is not bad but if you want to make it better. Just install a door and lived like 6"from the bottom up open for your feet to fit on the step..
Awesome video. Thank you for the resources. This will be very helpful on our skoolie build. As for your step / cabinet with all the monitors, you can cover them with a door that doesn’t go all the way down to the step. There seems to be enough room between the lowest monitor and the step that you could slide your foot under the door when it’s closed and covering your gear.
Nice work. Concerning the bed step - my idea is to build the door to protect the panels but still have the step available- cut the door shorter just as blend the panels while a still available and accessible step without the need to pen the door to use the step. Greatings from Cologne, Germany
Advice for the rudimentary water tank level. Drill 2 holes one in the bottom and one in the top, run the transparent hose from bottom to the top and seal it. As the tank gets filled water will rise in the hose and vice versa. It is not high tech but it works.
I LOVE the floor plan of your van! The seating/tables being at the front of the van makes the area so spacious and easily accessible. The main change I would make is lowering the bed as I wouldn’t plan on having mountain bikes. I would also add a couple overhead storage cabinets above the bed, or possibly a drawer under the bed.
Have to be careful where you put overhead cabinets when you arise from sleeping. Could be a real headbanger! LOL I was thinking it could be some kind of soft storage solution. Something like a hanging shoe organizer but going sideways, envelope style instead. Good place to store towels and such. Then it could also be used as a "headboard" when reading in bed.
Super nice build. Exactly the layout that I am going for when I hopefully soon get my first van. I'm stuck in the UK and need a left hand drive van because I am returning to the continent :P not an easy task.
Thanks! This was our original idea, but in practice, we wouldn't be able to put our heel on the step when getting out of the bed. We are thinking a curtain will solve that problem instead!
Good afternoon friends! Thanks for watching! What was your favorite aspect of our van build? And what is one thing you would definitely do differently if you built your own van?
We are currently building a layout nearly identical to yours besides the shower. We will have a pull out pantry in that spot. So I guess that's what we would do differently, hehe. My favorite aspect is that you have two tables for work space, that was a great idea! One thing I'd love to know more about is your extended step from the cab into the living area. We plan to build something but aren't entirely sure how we will do it yet. Way to go! Excited for more videos to come!
I've gotta add the laundry drawer was probably my favorite part of the video!
Thanks Matt & Katie! A big pantry is a great idea. We definitely lack food storage. What else will you be able to fit in that large space? Microwave, closet? The insulated step is fairly basic. It mostly consists of a 1x5 plank laid on-edge across the top of our flooring. We reused the Promaster's black hexagonal flooring to make the top of the step. This part contours around the seat bases and sits on the ~1" of space on the edge of the elevated metal step before the cab begins. Hope that makes sense! If you send me a message on IG @actsofadVANture I will send you pics. Best wishes with your build!!
@@ActsofAdventure Thanks! Will do! As for the pantry. Part of it will be our electrical system. And I think we will try to to extend the bench as far as we can since we have two dogs that will be on the road with us
Hi i'm already a fan after finishing watching your video😚thanks for uploading this...this is such a wonderful dream❤🇵🇭keep on vlogging please...You can also add an outdoor flip table on the side of your van...Hope you can also make video on what you usually in a day.😚lab you both❤you deserve a million subscribers❤❤❤🇵🇭🇵🇭
Young freddy mercury has the coolest van ive ever seen!!!
#YoungFreddyMercuryLookalike
Young Freddy Mercury indeed
I was just thinking the same! Yo Freddy. He lives!
Leaving the ugly panel😅😂
Lmao thank you
Great buildout! Love how he’s honest about his likes & dislikes about their buildout. Such a zen personality.
Idea for the “ugly” switch area, you could put a small piece of wood just under the bottommost switch and put a cabinet door over that part, leaving a gap where your feet could still go
Y’all did SUCH AN AMAZING JOB! Not only is your van gorgeous and practical all at the same time, but your tour video was thorough and entertaining. Thanks for sharing! ☺️ can’t wait to see you on the road. 🚐
You guys are the best van friends! We appreciate you so much for making it to the premiere, and for your kinds words! We seriously can't wait to get back out on the road and meet up. For us, 2020 would be a win if we can make that happen haha.
One of my favourite vans ive seen. Appreciate the honesty through everything, really helped with my planning! Happy travels
We're glad you enjoyed it and glad we could be helpful! Best wishes on your van build!
We are just starting our build too! We have 3 episodes about our build so far!
You are such a generous and beautiful couple to share your van build, with all of it’s components, without asking for any money for such an excellent build! I think that a lot of people will benefit from your generosity. Thank you so much!
Thanks Mitchell! You're very welcome!
Wow fantastic! I have been watching Van Tours, buses and tiny house but this is the first van I have seen that has a bathroom and you have kept it so neat and tidy. Way to go!! People should follow this.
Thanks so much Betty Teh!! 😊
Amazing walkthrough and explanation of your home on wheels. The level of detail and humor makes this one of the best vantours I have seen. The fact that you build a free PDF on the build and materials is amazing, other van builders charge you good one!
Beautiful home and love the layout!
Owww and your monitor panel, perhaps magnets next to the dials, plastic (dark/tint) to cover it up. It's a little see through but it takes away the dials. Hopefully this helps.
Thank you so much! We're glad you enjoyed the humor haha. And we hope the parts list proves useful for you. Thanks for the recommendation of how to cover the monitors - we'll add that to our list of ideas!
Wow. You put a lot of work into sharing the build. Thank you.
You guys are great! I got so much more out of this tour of your van than most tours - you gave us the technical and underlying structural reasons for decisions around your build, rather than ‘and this is the drawer with our cutlery’. It was honest and peppered with humour. Very well done!!!
Thanks Colleen! As videographers, we try to make actually useful videos - not just lifestyle vlogs. Very glad to hear you liked our van tour and found it helpful!
To cover the “ugly” switches etc, perhaps just 2 hooks, one on each side, with rope strung between, and a small piece of fun fabric, so essentially a tiny curtain?
Thanks for the idea! We are definitely thinking a curtain is the best bet. 👍🏼
that's exactly what I was going to suggest! a cute little curtain thingy I think is the best option. It isn't a hard piece of wood, and you can easily access the panel. woohoo!
Or a tiny roll up shade
Was gonna say that as well
They might make tensions rods that size. You could use two and have a more solid fabric panel
I like the way they speak...very soft spoken. :-)
They also have a beautiful home. Loved it.
I really like that you are quick to point out where you went wrong or would like to change. This is very helpful for me in planning what will hopefully became my dream come true.
OMG......finally a 159 Promaster that has the same floor plan that I’ve drawn up. I swear I’ve looked at 100 vanlife vids. This makes me so happy.
I would try and slip in a propane stove top versus your induction unit. As you stated the induction stove top draws some serious power. This makes me so happy to see this. You even put in a full size bed instead of a queen......same as what I’ve drawn up. Thank you...
It’s a great layout! You’ll love it! And with 800 watts & 700ah, more than enough power to be all electric if you want to save space not having a propane locker. Good luck on your build!
Gorgeous van build. Very well thought out. As for the electrical panel, I wouldn't cover it. I'd paint the board black, or replace it with black plexi. If it's all black it would just disappear. Another option would be a dark wood look and consider the placement of panels of switches and displays in a more pleasing arrangement. But honestly, it's fabulous the way it is.
I just now noticed all the additional hard work you put into providing future builders with a parts list and dimension layout. MUCH appreciated. All I can say is wow!
Thanks
You're very welcome! We built this van from resources like that ourselves, so we just want to give back. Good luck with your build!
Banana hammock, lol all I could think of was Phoebe from Friends 😂
Been watching van builds for a long, long time and already had an idea how I would like my own van layout to be one day... you guys’ is pretty much spot on, it’s my FAVOURITE build out there! Perfect!
Woohoo, thanks! Good luck building yours!
The organized toilet area .. u nailed it, its still difficult to manage in such small space .. still ur partner needs a privacy to poo/pee 👍
dude, you look like Freddie Mercury with that stash. Great dang van too guys!
For covering the electrics control panel, I'd add a cabinet door with heavy duty hinges and handle, so that you can you the handle itself as a step whilst the cabinet is closed. Maybe even make the cabinet door colourless so you can check battery/water etc. without having to open it!
Rudy I love this Idea
I just had to come back and say, thank you. You all have helped so many people with just your heart to give. Thank you for putting in the work to give us guides that are actually free and for being so kind and honest.
Thanks so much for your kind words! We’re super glad to help with our resources. We built our van from reading/watching free resources so we’re just giving back. Best wishes!
There is a really simple fix for your laundry door: with doors where the weight changes you dont put the lock horizontally cause when the door gets heavier it blocks - instead put the lock vertically so you pull the bolt up. That way the allignment of door and lock stay the same.
Ah! Thank you. Our door does get more difficult to lock as it gets heavier.
I applaud you for your honesty in describing what you are not completely satisfied with. ie the sink being too shallow or staining easily. Etc It’s very refreshing to hear the actual truth. Having said that I want to say that I do like your van build and I compliment you on your design. Wishing you both happy travels.😀😀
Thank you very much for your kind words! We're happy to share our experience!
This is the most informative video I've ever seen on this.
Great to hear! Glad you found it useful!
I've seen dozens of van videos and this is THE ONE. The perfect build. The holy grail. It's easy to see that both of you are extremely thorough in your thought process. Thanks soooo much for making this video and being so generous with your knowledge
Wow, thanks so much for your kind words!! We really appreciate it. We did spend an entire year planning and building it so that we would have the exact van we want for years to come! So far, so good (except we’d add an A/C if we did it all again!)
New favorite van lifers! I was sold on watching y’all when you showed your garage and how you have to fill up your water tank lol! ❤️ awesome!!
Haha so glad you liked that part! We feel pretty silly every time we fill up our water tank in public lol. But it works! Thanks for following along! 😊
Nicely done! Cabinet door idea....do it. And have it a little short so you can still fit your foot in. It will hide the "ugly" part but still allow for use as a step. And a 1/2 thermal "blanket" curtain at the back. Offers thermal protection, 1/2 way down so you can still access the garage with no issues and curtain hardware so you can do the van thing and lay in bed looking out the back. Beautiful build!
Thanks for the ideas! The reason we didn't build the cabinet door is that we realized our heel can't fit onto the step when getting down from the bed :-(
Love the half height back curtain idea! Will definitely add that eventually!
I think a simple curtain might be the best way to cover the monitors as well.
this is a beautiful build; really like it.
Your van is good enough for everything! Toilet, shower, cooking, sleeping, washing. Even champing. Good build, wish you couple all the best❤
Thank you for showing the inside before the outside of the van. I didn’t have to skip through this video and I watched the whole thing
Great to hear! Thanks for watching!
I love that they said the cons of some of the features. Great video and build
Thanks, we try to be real in all of our videos! 🙏🏼
Great layout! Almost exactly what I want when it comes our time! 😁 and omg, thanks for all the helpful tools!! 🤗 subscribed!
So glad it will help you build your own van!!! Best of luck 😁
Love it. I think for the most part, this has been my favorite layout that I've seen. Saw a van with the stove top and oven stored in a drawer, leaving the counter free except for sink. I liked that. Also, I like the front blocked off with a door.
Beautiful build out! even the control panel. One thought would be a door cover on the panel that opens downward.This way it could serve as a step when open but also provide some cover up fo the panel when not in use. May need a kickstand leg or heavy duty hinge to allow the door to serve as a step but i've seen something like this on a video (not sure which one). My wife and I are getting our build rolling and have a very similar design. Doing it ourselves so i'm sure we will have our own control panel mishaps but that's what makes it unique.
Thanks Lucian! That's an idea we haven't thought of. We'll definitely consider it! Good luck with your build out!
This is a fabulous build. I'm not sure I'd change anything. It's warm and cozy, very welcoming. Your couch looks more comfortable than most vans. I'd put some slats underneath for a pull out ottoman for relaxing and watching a movie. Thanks for sharing. 😊
Love the ottoman idea! Thanks for watching and commenting! 😊
A piece of wood and magnets. Maybe with a grey thin carpet on the wood board, which would give you the option to attach anything with velcro on it, nets and stuff.
I gotta say you have the same van layout as I was imagining. I love the outdoors, love photography, and I sincerely thank you for providing PDF parts lists and so much info in your blog to help me get started. 👏👏👏
Super glad that everything has been helpful for you! Good luck with your van build!
you guys have done such an amazing job!! I feel like I‘ve watched every single van tour and I can say yours is one of the few that I thoroughly enjoyed :)
Wow - thanks so much Sophie!!
Wow, that roof rack guide on your site just made my day! The absolute perfect solution for our roof. 45 min ago i was drowning in information and you shined through with the perfect solution. The vantech brackets saved me from having to worry about drilling any more holes in the roof (promaster), and this unistrut system is perfect for arranging any sort of set up. We've got a 159 ext so we're doing a maxxfan in front and back with 3 solar panels in the middle, but the absolute ease and affordability of this system has me considering a roof patio and ladder too. Thank you guys, so much
That's so great to hear!! It really is an awesome, modular DIY system. And costs less than the cheapest prefab rack! Ours has been bombproof for a year now. Good luck on your build!
@@ActsofAdventure thank you! Maybe we'll see ya on the road someday. BTW, in doing some more research today, I found that DIYvan.com sells the promaster roof adapter brackets for cheaper than vantech; $22 instead of $26. Just an observation I thought I'd share
That's good to know because 8 of those adds up quick!
You two are gorgeous. Have a wonderful life! Even after this hideous pandemic! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
You're too kind! Yes, we can't wait until this is over and we can travel freely again! Wishing you all the best as well 😊
Idea for ugly swith area: make a small removable wood frame that fits in the hole. Staple a cool design or art over the wood frame. This way you can still use the hole as a step while adding some color/ personality to the van
I really like how honest you guys are and how low key hilarious you are. Really enjoyed this
So glad you picked up on our style of humor 😂🙌🏼 Glad you enjoyed it!
for your so called "ugly monitor area" you could just put a little hanging curtain over it :P
love your build! you actually make me think about my layout again ^^
Damn I just wanted to say the same haha. would look awesome! With a curtain rod 😂
I'm probably a bit late to the convo, but you could try putting a little black or white retractable screen over the panel, if you fit the strage into the wpod above it you can roll it down and clip it to the bottom, you can get all sorts of nice patterns and sizes they're super cheap and because it's so thin you could easily have the panel covered and use the step at the same time 😄 very easy to modify for exact fittings too so honestly one of the best ways to cover up unsightly knick nacks without taking up a bunch of space 😄!
Build a 3/4 door to cover the switches with the bottom left open so you can still step up to the bed.
Thanks Pam! This was our original plan. But after using the van, we found that our heel would not be able to fit on the step when getting out of bed if a door was above that area ☹️ I wish a door would work - it would look great.
Or...something as simple as a dowel or tension rod and a fabric curtain.
Oh, I didn’t think about the getting down part... 🤣
@@pampearson130 Neither did we when we built it! Hence the problem hahah
@@sandrachea7964 I think this is the best and easiest solution! We will likely go this route. Thank you!
We have being looking at many build designs and came across your layout. Love it. Full bath, stuffed garage of toys! Thanks for putting this out for all of us to admire and learn from. Great inspiration.
Thanks so much! Glad you like it, and best wishes on your build!
Filling up the water "technology" hysterical!!
I didn't understand what was happening.
Help
🗺🚐I like the front lounge, utilizing the swivel passenger seat and being able to use that space and see out the door when it’s open. I am always surprised more van lifers do not include this concept. It would be awesome to have that area convert into an extra sleeping area too. Also, your cooktop placement and the increased ventilation benefits of it being right in front of the door. I am in the minority, but I would prefer figuring out how to raise the placement of the fridge to counter height, if possible. I find it awkward having the little fridge on the floor in a tight area. I realize it would be a sacrifice of cabinet top most likely. Maybe compromise and do a hinged extension of the cabinet top in front of the door so it gives additional space the fridge would occupy, but you could fold it down when not cooking, etc. Then where the fridge was put drawers or pull out pantry for easy access. I love your build. It’s aesthetic AND functional. Great job!🚵🏼♀️🚵🏼♂️
Thanks Jayne! Those are all good ideas, and that's why we love tiny living spaces. They're so customizable to fit your exact wants and needs. No wasted space!
Good work! Your self-awareness is charming. Do you think it would be worth fighting the cold air through the back doors with having a curtain pulled across the back doors? I'm definitely going to check out the Primary Goods linen bedding!
Thanks so much! Yes, a curtain is a great idea that we've definitely considered. A half-height curtain would even allow garage access through the back doors while keeping heat in the bed area.
Primary Goods has some sticker shock, but we have loved it so much and they have great service! Soon after we bought their bedding, a snap eyelet pulled out - it would have been an easy sewing fix, but instead, they sent us an entire new set of bedding! Highly recommend them.
Its the best van conversion that I ever seen! Complete with beautiful kitchen lounge bedroom and toilet, its like a mini condo
Thanks so much!!
I saw that you talk about our Lord Jesus!:) May Yeshua bless you in these steps of faith!:)
Wow! I can’t thank you enough for your free parts list it is very detailed and I love your insights of things that you would change after having lived in the van for a year. Many many thanks!
Absolutely! So happy it was helpful. We’ll be releasing a video and another download in the next week or so about our 100% solar electrical system if that’s of interest as well!
For the “ugly switches” I will do blackout cloth as many suggested but instead of a curtain style, I will do magnets sewn within corner that makes it easy to take the whole thing down.. awesome build nonetheless and I love the laundry drawer, makes for great conversation and memory
Thanks for that recommendation and your kind words!! 😊✌🏼
Yup 👍
@@ActsofAdventure I don't think the switches are ugly, but how about an 1/8" white plexi panel in front of the switches? It might protect them since you'll be going up and down the step a lot.
Just like you guys, I was thinking that some kind of little curtain would work well there
Absolutely brilliant!! Even though I don't mountain bike, getting such a high "garage" space is genius!
I don’t think it looks so ugly, but maybe you can still add a “cabinet” door to cover the control panel and then just cut the bottom off the door so your foot can still fit through to climb up 🤷♀️
Bianca Spindler thanks for that recommendation! That was our original plan, but when we started living in the van, we realized we wouldn't be able to fit our heel on the step when getting down from the bed. We are thinking a small curtain will be the best way to cover it!
To cover up the monitor area you could cut a wood piece to size, with little foam pieces on the back in between the censors to keep it from touching them with a little handle! It wouldn’t be the most secure but it sure would look good.
Thanks! This is similar to our original thought of a cabinet door covering the area, but when we started living in the van, we realized that a solid door would not allow enough space for our heel on the step when getting out of bed :-( I think we are going to put a small curtain there instead!
OMG thats crazy I would love to build a van by my self and thought about what would I put where and my dream van is exactly the same like yours is. How much did the whole process with building everything cost?
Thanks Lisa! We got the van used for $25,000 after registration, taxes, and fees. The build out cost about $18k for everything. You can definitely find a cheaper van and spend less on the build than we did. We went all out because this is our full time home, and we built this instead of buying a house. I hope you get to build your dream van!
When I looked at the thumbnail inside of your van I was like that is not a van that is a mansion! I looks so amazing and beautiful! I love it!
Haha thank you! It's amazing what can fit inside a van!
Acts of Adventure your welcome
800 watts of solar! Damn that’ll do.
One of the nicest van home builds I have seen .
I had a white non porous cast iron kitchen sink. Worst thing ever. Life is too short change your sink for black silestone. A temporary solution is to buy a stainless very large bowl to use in the sink for greater washing depth and to protect the sink. The only way I survived my white sink was to soak it once a week with bleach diluted in hot water. ten years of hating it, never again will I wait so long to get rid of something that is not working for me.
So true. Now we wish we went for practicality over style for the our sink! It gets the job done though...
@@ActsofAdventure Can you maybe put some sort of sealant on it to make it slick and less of a hassle to keep clean? (ie: fill in the porous surface)
@@ActsofAdventure maybe you can try painting it with stainless paint. 🤔
@@strandedinseattle9931 Maybe! We'll look into that!
Interesting seen quite a few van builds with this type of sink but none of them mentioned the drawbacks.
Best video I've seen on conversions yet. This has helped me decide between the 2500 and 3500 Promaster. This has answered all of my important questions. I wanted to be able to get by without the longer, extended version (3500) and this showed me pretty much exactly how I'm going to do that. The FREE download w/parts, links etc. is awesome!! Thank you!!
You're very welcome! Glad it was useful for you!
“Banana hammock” is something entirely different in the U.K. 😂
Here in the U.S. too... 😂 That's why it's funny...it's an actual hammock for bananas! 😆
And where do they smuggle their budgies, I wonder.
I super love watching videos of van conversions with full bathroom and toilet :) Just can't imagine living in a van or any mobile home without em. Must be such a hassle to always be looking for gyms, gas stations, walmart to take a shower moreso to pee or poo💩
Thanks! We totally agree. You have to worry about a lot while living in a van. We're glad going to the bathroom and showering isn't one of our worries!
@@ActsofAdventure especially in the time of covid...
wtf how did he keep a straight face while saying banana hammock
love the couch up front. that is definitely one thing that I don't see in many vans. I like that separate space and yalls looks soo good.
Thanks so much! We like the separate space too. I wish I knew more about building comfortable furniture before I built that front bench seat though. It's not the most comfortable, and our foam pad is too thin and puts your butt to sleep. Just haven't gotten around to changing it all to be more comfortable yet.
I’m obsessed with this van and this couple!! What wonderful people and so helpful and knowledgeable! Thank you for being so educational!!! You guys are the best!!!!!!!!! All love!!!
You are too kind!!! Thanks for the love!! 😊
Great job, looks beautiful. I would take a really thin flexiable peice of material like the vinyl cutting sheet that you can find at the dollar store or something like it and cover it with a piece of vinyl fabric with spray adhesive or whatever. You can also glue a tab on the back that you can use to pull it off for easy access.
You could cut a drop down shade to size to cover your electrical panel. Put up when you need to access it, pull it down when you want to hide it. Should allow feet to step up easily. :)
When i grow up i will move in a van Like this! I will drive all around the World whit it! Love from Norway!🇳🇴
We'd love to take our van to Norway!! We plan to go there as soon as Americans can fly again, haha
Acts of Adventure Cool! I recommend Lofoten, it’s f-ING beautiful there! I have a question, wich 3D program did you USE for planing the look the van inside?
@@lucaspepsimax4595 Lofoten looks so rugged and beautiful! We did not use a 3D program, just old fashioned pencil and paper, lol. And a lot of time sitting in the van thinking about it!
@@ActsofAdventure cool!
This is one of the only van builds I've seen focus on greenguard certified materials. for me, using materials like this helps prevent inflammation and flare of autoimmune symptoms. Vanolin is awesome! clean air, water, food, home philosophy :) hakuna matata
Exactly! Thanks for your appreciation 😊 Alix also has autoimmune symptoms, so living in close quarters to toxic materials was a definite no-no. Plus we think downsizing and living minimally goes hand in hand with using environmentally responsible materials. Now if only the van was electric! 😉
@@ActsofAdventure before long I bet there will be DIY options for swapping a gas engine to an electric engine :)
Thank you so much for including the dimensions on the free parts list. Super duper thankful!!! My van build is going to pretty much look like yours with a different clothing/wardrobe solution and a lower bed. Thank you!!
You’re welcome! Good luck on your build 👍🏼
Instead of buying an expensive water level, you could put a fitting of some kind at the top and at the bottom of the tank and connect the two with clear vinyl tubing. It should show the level without rellying on electricity. Nice build, especially the shower, roomy feel of the kitchen and the roof rack.
Thanks for the recommendation and kind words! I'll have to see if we can install something like that with our available tank outlets.
Really nice van. I learned you can't skip investing $$ in the inverter. I like that you included flaws and imperfections as well as your favorites. It helps tell the story of why your van life is different from another's. I think knowing there's always room to improve takes a little pressure off self conversions. My favorite part is the drinking water filter.
Thanks so much! We're glad you liked it and learned a thing or two! We tried our very hardest to not make mistakes or not have to make any changes, but they are inevitable! We learned so much through the build process itself that you simply can't know when you begin. Whatever you end up with in the end is a huge accomplishment and so worth it! Happy vanning!
To cover up the switches you could still do a small door, just make it a bit shorter so you get a hole for the step. Really love the color scheme and that you don't use propane, I would not really want to deal with that either!
So happy to see a nice van build that is all electric! Great job!! Hope to get a van in a year & start building it out... Thanks for the tour!
Your enthusiasm is contagious! How generous of you to share all this great information. We especially like that you pointed out some things that didn't work out so great. We look forward to more of your videos and information. Love the bathroom floor and vent windows. Gee, just think of all the stuff we can store in the garage since we don't have bikes or packs!! Why no hot water in the kitchen, we wonder.
Thanks so much!! We didn't route the hot water to the kitchen because the Bosch mini-tank hot water heater uses a lot of energy. To have on-demand hot water, you'd need to keep the heater on all the time. This way, we only turn it on when we take a shower. A propane tankless hot water heater might be better for on-demand sink usage, but we went propane-free.
Good taste in books. Love “New Morning Mercies”. Great content too.
I just gotta say that you guys rock! I am currently building a promaster and ordering all of my stuff. Super glad that I stumbled across this video. I love how you guys really went into all the aspects of the van and I really appreciate it. Best info I have seen when it comes to an all around tour. Many questions answered for me. Again I say... You guys ROCK!
So glad to hear all of that, Josue! Best wishes on your build!
Great tour and very instructive walk through. I really appreciate your attention to share for free your build parts list, especially nowadays where monetization is the new mantra. All the best for your van adventures and can't wait to see the next videos! Kudos!
Thank you! Glad it was helpful!
I know this is way too late, but the "ugly" area... cut a little dowel, put a clip at each end, put on a little black curtain (a dishrag might be the right size), clip dowel on. Probably a little sewing, but your foot could still use the step, no problem. Gorgeous van! Hope you're having fun, even now!
Instead of a full door over your electrical panel / bed step, how about a partial door. Cover the electrical buttons but leave the bottom few inches open for a cubby/step (looks like the few inches of white space at the bottom would work well!)
Thank you for one of the most informative and helpful videos I have seen. This will really help me with my solar install!
So great to hear, Cathy! Thank you! I hope our parts list and solar roof rack blog post will help too. 😊 Wishing you all the best on your build!
By far my Fav Van build so far and I have watched 100's!
Thank you so much! 😁
I love the humor in the video. Great video, great van and adorable couple. Blessings and enjoy your adventure 💜
Aw thanks so much Myri! 😁
Very well done good luck & be Safe on the road, I forget say your lady she get cold from the rear doors.
Install covers are made from Wool for the back doors using the magnet to put it on during the night then remove in day.
Also your garage if not heated will always give the the cold air you have to isolate it from your garage area or install a heater there too.
Thanks so much!
Great video. I appreciate you making your parts list available too. Hope all is well with you two in these strange times we're in.
Thanks for checking out the video and the parts list! Strange times indeed, especially for vanlifers. Best wishes to you as well. ✌🏼
Thank you for your generosity in providing the PDF list and how to information. Great van!
Nice van I love it.
The monitor area is not bad but if you want to make it better.
Just install a door and lived like
6"from the bottom up open for your feet to fit on the step..
Awesome video. Thank you for the resources. This will be very helpful on our skoolie build. As for your step / cabinet with all the monitors, you can cover them with a door that doesn’t go all the way down to the step. There seems to be enough room between the lowest monitor and the step that you could slide your foot under the door when it’s closed and covering your gear.
The best build layout I've seen by far. Thanks for sharing. Happy and Safe travels!
Nice work. Concerning the bed step - my idea is to build the door to protect the panels but still have the step available- cut the door shorter just as blend the panels while a still available and accessible step without the need to pen the door to use the step. Greatings from Cologne, Germany
Advice for the rudimentary water tank level. Drill 2 holes one in the bottom and one in the top, run the transparent hose from bottom to the top and seal it. As the tank gets filled water will rise in the hose and vice versa. It is not high tech but it works.
Good idea, thanks!
Deeply appreciate the detailed explanation how you guys built your van. Can’t wait to get on the road too!
Thank you! Good luck!
I LOVE the floor plan of your van! The seating/tables being at the front of the van makes the area so spacious and easily accessible. The main change I would make is lowering the bed as I wouldn’t plan on having mountain bikes. I would also add a couple overhead storage cabinets above the bed, or possibly a drawer under the bed.
Have to be careful where you put overhead cabinets when you arise from sleeping. Could be a real headbanger! LOL
I was thinking it could be some kind of soft storage solution. Something like a hanging shoe organizer but going sideways, envelope style instead. Good place to store towels and such. Then it could also be used as a "headboard" when reading in bed.
That DIY unistrut roof rack is amazing! Really great van build overall!
Thanks! Be sure to check out the blog post about the roof rack if you're interested in building your own! actsofadventure.com/solar-panel-roof-rack/
Super nice build. Exactly the layout that I am going for when I hopefully soon get my first van. I'm stuck in the UK and need a left hand drive van because I am returning to the continent :P not an easy task.
Hey! You can just put a cabinet door but not to the full length! Just leave a space at the bottom, enough to put your toes in
Thanks! This was our original idea, but in practice, we wouldn't be able to put our heel on the step when getting out of the bed. We are thinking a curtain will solve that problem instead!