Fantastic "No-Build" Modular Minivan Camper Tour! (Dodge Grand Caravan)
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- Опубликовано: 7 авг 2024
- In this video we meet Jo Ann and take a look at her "no-build" 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan minivan. "No-build" means that you basically just buy pieces and stick them in your vehicle. No need to actually build anything with wood, nails, screws, etc.
Why am I doing the tour instead of Jo Ann? Not everyone is comfortable on camera, and she preferred that I do it.
Jo Ann on showering: "For showering, while boondocking, I just use one of those pump sprayers, that I have entered the link for below, or I use wipes, and I also have a collapsible tub that I can use to just add water to and wash with a wash cloth and soap. Of course for the urban camping, I have a Planet Fitness membership."
Jo Ann on toilets: "My toilet folds up and fits right in the wicker basket, and it can also be used as a stool or footrest. I keep plastic bags (amzn.to/2XuCmku) and kitty litter along with packets of Eco Gel (amzn.to/3a0kgcJ) that is supposed to help with smells. I mostly use a pee bottle, because most of my camping so far has been urban, as I said, and so for the big jobs I have been fortunate to be close to facilities. However I am prepared if the need should arise."
Jo Ann on her bed: "I cut [the mattress] to fit the bed. It is about 39 inches wide and my bed is only 24 inches wide: I was just given a trifold 1 inch yoga mat that fits my bed perfectly, so I can now use that under my foam mattress for a little more support. Another thing I did since the tour, is I shortened the legs of my bed about 2 1/2 inches, to give myself a little more room to sit up straighter on the bed. The bins still fit perfectly under it for storage."
THINGS IN THE VIDEO
** Home Depot shelving (bed frame): www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-72-in...
** Foam mattress: amzn.to/3eh4AW1
** Bench with drawers: amzn.to/2xrhMqB
** Jackery Explorer 240 power station: amzn.to/2XtFux1
** Adjustable floor chair: amzn.to/2VBPWjN
** Rechargeable fan: amzn.to/3a5Eu4M
** Brown plastic drawers: amzn.to/34uDHJy
THINGS NOT IN THE VIDEO (BUT THAT JO ANN USES)
** Portable toilet: amzn.to/2Vmtuei
** Pump sprayer (used as a shower): www.lowes.com/pd/Smith-2-Gall...
** 1-burner butane stove: www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Ca...
** Jackery 60-Watt portable solar panel: amzn.to/2VpoV2B
** Pop-up privacy tent: amzn.to/2V1QEra
OTHER LINKS
** Gear I use: suvrving.com/gear
** SUV RVing the Book: amzn.to/2SUrtme (Affiliate link)
** The blog: suvrving.com
** The company I use for my web hosting: www.a2hosting.com?aid=5dd04ea50f139 (Affiliate link)
** Instagram: / suvrving
** My other RUclips channel: / tenkaraaddict
#minivan #camper #vanlife
Thanks for watching! Be sure to read the video description for more info about what Jo Ann uses for a shower, toilet, etc. EDIT: Also, to the people asking why I'm doing the tour instead of Jo Ann, it's because she asked me to. Being on camera is not something everyone enjoys doing. -Tristan
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How do I find video description?
Thank you--I was wondering!!
I would have you do it too 😊 love her build💯
I figured as much (and so would anyone who's seen enough of your videos - unless they're without brains)
Lots of great ideas here. I also appreciate your straightforward, chit-chat-free style so the video doesn't take 20 minutes to get the 6 minutes of information. Well done!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.
Absolutely agree!
@@SUVRVing I agree all your video clips was great and helpful.
Excellent job
You said it best for me.
*In my opinion, no-build builds are the BEST BUILDS! Good job👍🏾.*
Joanne is a brilliant woman. I love how she's using light materials as opposed to heavy wood which is not only easier to work with but not having the additional weight to haul around. I got some good ideas from this lady. Thanks to you both.
Guess she’s the best so far
The shelf bed is genius. Nice job all around.
Renee Bennett We did that in our Chevy Uplander last year. Not a new idea.
Well, ìf not too heavy
I thought so too but it's only 24" wide...
I thought it was smart because so many times you see the ones that are made with folding bed frames that have legs, and the floor is uneven and they have to rig it up to be level. Also if it is too narrow a bigger board could be placed on top. And I have used the yoga mat trick before to keep the mattress from sliding - so smart.
Rae Lily ok so maybe not new to you or others but still great idea - especially to those of use new to researching building out our mini-vans.
The shelving to build the bed is brilliant! Smart ideas here, no need to re-invent the wheel when stuff that will do the trick can be had so easily. Nice work Jo Ann.
Agreed! She did a great job. Thanks 👍
@@SUVRVing did she use the entire Shelf for the bed?
@@evem.5916 Used the same shelf in my Toyota Sequoia with a trifold exercise mat from Walmart. It was a four shelf unit 24 inch wide, cut down the pipes where I could sit strait up without hitting hitting my head.
This van build is something that I can do without hurting myself.
Thanks for sharing.
Love "no-build-builds" as they can be adjusted as the need arises. My Xterra is set up similarly, but as a beach girl I used my sand chair on floor next to camp cot (with bins underneath). Love her curtain solution! Thanks Tristan
Loved what you did ...
You should be very proud of yourself...
I’m 57 and some of the best advice I learn was when I heard someone say ...
Does life have you or do you have life..
I would rather live in a 1986 non air condition rusted out van with 300,000 miles on it and have peace then in a million dollar home where there’s strife all the time and no love in that home, anyway I’m proud of you
God Bless
Thank you.
I hear that!
True.
Amen!
I love her work! A gift with colors and choice in everything just came together perfectly. Many guys put crap together with pride...a woman's touch is truly something here. Thank you for such an awesome video in inspiration. I'm a senior citizen with the hope of joining this lifestyle, but may not be safe the way things are today. I wish everyone a safe journey. Blessings.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a no build especially when it looks as beautiful as this. Thank you for sharing. Safe travel.
Oh Joanne I love this, thank you so much I have a Dodge Caravan and I've looked at a ton of videos. My search is over I can so easily do this. Thank you ever so much for this video
Thanks for watching!
Absolutely best no build I've seen!!!!!
Awesome setup! Love that it’s no-build and easily converts back to a regular minivan. The industrial shelves for the bed is a really great and original idea, as is that aluminum bar/curtain holder.
Jo Ann! That is fantastic. I love how simple and efficient everything is.
Wow! Amazing solutions! Especially the sturdy curtain rod and the shelving-for-bed! I've been looking for an alternative to my cot and had not considered such a great (no-carpentry-skills ;-) idea. Thank you!
2:21 That simple little folding seat is brilliant.
Really great use of materials and layout! Best how the shelving was used for bed base, 👍👍 😎 happy travels
What a great build for the minivan!! The best videos are the "no-build" campers! I love to see what people either repurpose or purchase to organize and create their home on wheels! Thank you Jo Ann for sharing your home on wheels! God bless you on your travels and adventures!
Absolutely loved this video!! She did such a great job on setting up her van and you did an excellent job of showing it to us. I love how organized it is and so doable. Thanks for sharing.
Simple is best. It looks organized and neat. I like it.
Glad you like it! Thanks for watching
Lani C impressive organization .......im still working on my list....do u have a camping stove?
@@SunflowerGirlRV yes. A backer stove and a single burner propane stove.
My dog asked where I would sleep. 😄😄
But, really, with a removeable cover to go over the “chair” when flat, you could have a dog bed, too.
Amazing build... literally the nicest, simplest, most complete build one could imagine for a minivan... all at what has to be the highest value to cost ratio achievable. So brilliant! Thank you for sharing!
Never would have thought about the industrial shelving...great idea. Nice video, thanks!
This is EXACTLY what I want, how I've envisioned my own (future) Van Life...SIMPLE & FREE! Free from all the "stuff" we tend to accumulate over the years, i.e. unnecessary stuff! Free to go wherever u want to go. Thank u so much for sharing & giving us this tour. Wishing u many great adventures JoAnn!
Thank you so much
That's one of the best "oh so simple" conversions that I have seen, and with some great ideas, especially the shelves for the bed. I've just been using a narrow mattress on top of boxes. Those shelves give a bit more height and make access to underneath so much easier. Loved the brown unit with drawers, smart and functional. But....what was on the other side of the interior (opposite side to bed)? All very well thought out. Yet again another one of us ladies of a 'certain age' having to er.. downsize rather drastically. What's the world coming to..........! Thank you Jo Ann for letting us see your home, much appreciated.
I love this Arizona Grandma's brilliant ideas, two thumbs up. U should retitle it with "World's most economical Van conversion!"
I promoted using this shelf some time ago, but didn’t have a minivan to show its use. I’m happy to see someone did so. I’m even happier to see a channel who does a perfect video, leaving nothing out, and for viewers uses the links in the description.
My Son's Mother, I came across a video some time ago that suggested using these shelves, maybe it was you, lol. Great idea & I may just do that. Mo in NJ
I’m glad you get to show off these builds for those who may be too shy to do it themselves!
If I ever live in a van this would be the way I will set it up, I have seen so many vans but this one is the best and so practical and neat looking.
This is the best no build setup I’ve ever seen. No an inch of wasted space, plenty of storage and very comfortable looking.
I am so impressed. She demonstrated that you can build a rig for a very small amount of money. Very impressive. Good description of her van too!
Jo Ann I'm joining the rest of your fans who have expressed their comments. Your van conversion is so creative and well done. I've watched a lot of videos on this subject, and you have done the best no-build conversion I have seen. I'm assuming the seats are stow and go which fold down into the floor. The floor looks nice and even to enable a smooth transition for installing your cargo. Hope I'm right on that...Thank you so much for allowing us into your personal life to learn from you!!
Simplicity is always the best way of acquiring a practical solution to basic necessities. Very good!
This is one of the simplest and cheapest builds I have seen great job Joann!
The shelving bed idea was genius.
Wow! This is just what I needed to know. I see this as giving me the freedom to travel and explore safely and cheaply. I appreciate that this video didn’t go into nonessentials such as what was in every drawer! I got the idea! Thank you so much for being so helpful!
Nice ideas! I did something similar, but used a camping cot. Your idea will work better when using the mattress, which my back will find much more comfortable. I'll be trying this on my next road trip.
Treezza, yes, I like a firm surface too. Actually, I have no trouble sleeping on the deck in the back of my suv. I throw 2 pieces of yoga foam down, a blanket over that, then my sleeping bag & I’m cozy. It would be nice to have that storage area underneath tho. Mo in NJ
Joanne IS a genius! She has utilized common items and added her ingenuity to make a very "doable" build out for a minivan. Thanks for the video. This should help to motivate many nomad wannabes.
It certainly helped this "soon-to-be nomad! I'm so excited!
I love that your video was short and sweet... straight to the point without endless chit chat. I just bought a Grand Caravan and have been looking at different kind of "no builds". I have no place or tools to properly building something, and really don't have the proper knowledge to do so without screwing it up anyways. LOL!
I so appreciate you sharing this lady‘s no build minivan, and your attention to detail and sharing her great ideas with us highlights the important considerations that often leave the viewer with more questions than answers. Thank you for being so concise and sharing all these great ideas with great shots of all of her creative solutions for the van life. Thank you both for your generosity and sharing your ideas, as well as all the links of where to find it all. You’ve saved me a lot of time.😃
I REALLY LOVE THIS!!! I love how she makes it work with a no build van. Everything is so comfy cozy and organized. Thank you so much for posting this video. :)
Very good! Simple is better. Non-committal also better, for some of us
Before I bought my High Top Van I had Seriously considered buying the counterpart model which I consider to be the Chrysler. She did a Very Nice Comfortable Conversion. GREAT JOB !!!
This is DOABLE... some builds are totally overwhelming, over budget and unreasonable. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏👏👏👏
Totally agree...!
getting ready to move into a van when my lease is up this honestly is the best no-build /i have seen and very inspiring! Thank you! I have no plans to bulld anything or plumb or run any wires, so this is PERFECT
Got some great ideas from this video! Thank you so much. I’m a 68 yr old who can’t afford to retire but refuses to work until I draw my last breath. This gives me some great motivation.
OMG this is perfect! It can be changed around or stuff taken in or out depending on what someone wanted or needed, this is fantastic! Now I know exactly what I want! Thank you both!
I really like the simplicity and functionality of this van. My brother used to travel the country in a very similar but older Caravan that he modified himself using mostly crafted cardboard. That sounds kind of flimsy but the way he crafted it, it was very solid and permanent.
That does sound interesting.
I love this! I have watched many, many of these types of videos, but this is the most simple design I have seen and makes it look like anyone can do this!! Thank you both so much!! ❤️❤️
Thanks so much. I have made some improvements since this video, and Minivan Lee just did a new tour of my minivan this past weekend. I actually got brave enough to do my own talking. lol
Fantastic design! I’ve been living in my grand caravan for two months and you’ve given me a lot of ideas to improve the space!
Are you seats removed or in stow and go mode
I love that setup awesome idea so it's not permanent in the van if she has to use it let's say forgetting materials for home or driving her kids or grandkids around she can still use the van as a daily driver then if she decides she wants to go camping or on a road trip put all the stuff back in 15-20 minutes later you're driving down the road thanks for the video very informative and entertaining😎👍👍🇨🇦
I finally retired Jan. 31st and wasn't successful in locating a gently used/affordable Class C for over a year; perhaps I wasn't suppose to. After researching/reviewing hundreds of videos and reading so many bad comments regarding leaks, poor workmanship, horrible mileage, etc., I find that I'm more interested in high-top cargo/transit vans; I want a "no-built" as well! Wonderful ideas here! I'm encouraged AGAIN!
That's a very practical and useful set up. It's very clever of her to use premade items to make her little home so cozy.
That floor chair is an awesome idea for my truck tailgate /mini camper/ leer topper...Thanks so much!
This is amazing! I love the bed! Its lighter than using wood for everything like most builds I see. Im also from Arizona! Im definitely copying some of your ideas! Thanks for sharing your great van!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.
Love all the ideas. I have a 2017 Dodge Caravan and want to do the same thing for camping. That way if it rains don't have to worry a out packing up a wet tent and having no where to dry it out!!! Its perfect👏👏👍😍
Very clever to use that plastic shelving. It has holes in bottom so aerates the mattress well. No mold.
The curtain rod setup shows great imagination. We have a builder here!
Thanks for a nice tour and all the links!
I was double minded after watching so many converted big vans. But this one seems realistic, easy and affordable to me. Thanks guys
Awesome 👍 I love no build builds. Lots of great ideas. I would have never thought of a shelving unit as a bed and the curtains... genius! Thanks to you both. Great setup
Awesome layout and use of space and materials. Yaaayyy JoAnn...girl u did that👍🏾. Have safe and happy travels.
Thank you.
This set-up is genius.
Such a brilliant and creative build! Using the industrial shelving is genius! Thank you for sharing, Joanne! Safe travels!
So smart and so easy to restore the van to regular use! Great job Joanne! A lot easier van conversion than some of the engineer designed van conversion videos I've seen! Thank you both for sharing your no-build camper conversion and producing this video!
This was exactly what I was looking for. Thinking of going on a long trip and didn't want to have to start building; this would be perfect for me; thank you so much for sharing! Great affordable ideas with minimum work not to mention they will not add a lot of weight to the car. If you ever meet up with Jo Ann again, I hope you interview her, I'd love to see what she's doing and where life has taken her. Her ideas were genius!
Aww Thanks so much. Since this interview, I have changed my van build quite a bit. I took out the back row seats, to open up space for more storage, and added a few more things to make it more functional for me. (More power stations, solar panels, etc) I also made prettier reflectix for my windows, and I added a 12V cooler. Next time I show my minivan, I think I will be brave enough to speak for myself now. lol I love it so much, and for my birthday in July of this year, I drove from Arizona up the Pacific Coast Highway through California and Oregon. It was amazing and I had the best time. I got to enjoy the area before all of the wild fires happened. Thanks so much for asking. I share alot of my adventures on Tristan's Facebook group, as well as a few other facebook groups. I hope you have happy travels as well.
Thank you for sharing this kind of non build. I’ve watched hundreds of Minivantours without finding the thing fir me. But Joannes Van did it. I think I know what to do now. Thank you so much!!! It’’s not time yet to hit the road, but i’ll probably do it this way. 👍👍👍
Thank you for watching.
Trust your own creative instincts and keep it light, is what I keep getting. Thanks for showing the reality. It gives me confidence! Love your videos.
Happy to see someone finally use lightweight gear!
Everything looks so neat and organized.I think her using the same color scheme helps things from looking cluttered. She has so many drawers and bins for putting things in.
Gave me good ideas to extend my weekend surfing trips without altering my van for daily use! thanks
Thank you both!!! Great planning Jo Ann and great tour Tristan!!!
Wow
I don't usually comment... This is amazing. Why didn't someone including myself think of this before.
Not only is it economical, easy, incredibly professional, but eye appealing, not too mention easier on gas, Thanks so much
Thanks for watching!
love the shower curtain idea with the heavy metal which bends
Very smart use of materials. I especially like the bed. The curtain 'rod' is another unique idea. It is so interesting to see these videos because everyone has to include all the basics for living, but so many have added these ingenious little hacks they thought of completely on their own.
Best video I've seen on an inexpensive conversion. Saving this one and probably going to use most of what you did. Thank you!
Great design and inexpensive, too. I love the bench seat. Comfortable and practical! Thank you both.
Very smart build. I really like the storage shelves as a bed platform. I have a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan, got some great ideas from this vid...Thank you 🤙🏽
I love her set up. Thank you for the video.
Love the simplicity of the whole design. Its functional, neat, perfect for her, and all while keeping the weight down. The larger designs are neat but when the vehicle you're working doesn't get the best mpg. Adding more weight really kills the gas mileage.
Very interesting bed! I have those exact shelves in the house, being used as extra pantry space. I like how she rigged the curtains, too. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
So glad u shared. Very succinct. See the hidden time u put in to searching for pieces to optimize space, movement and convenience. Have Chrysler Town Country and just starting out , so glad u shared😀
Two thumbs up JoAnn. Some great takeaways. The bed and those resin drawers are great solutions not only for storage but for keeping down the weight of the interior furnishings . Great job JoAnn. Happy trails.
Nicely done Joanne!! What a cool and cozy use of space!! Thanks for sharing!
She has everything organized well. The storage under the end probably helps a lot with reducing clutter. Her van seems more open.
She’s very ingenious to use these things to do a great simple camper build. Good job!!
Everything is so well thought out and simple! Really nice!
LOTS of great ideas! Thank you both (Ms. Jo Ann) for sharing.
Best no build ever! Everything is very neat and tidy and well thought out. Great job!
Very interesting and creative curtain-solution.... Being a while looking around to find ideas. Think I will copy this, thank you so much for constructing and representing!
Thank you for watching.
Very functional and it looks very comfortable. Thank you both for sharing
Really great tour! Thank you so much for sharing!
I like the nice simple no build design. Its especially nice for the weekend warrior camper becasue you can theoretically removed everything out of the van and still use it as a regular van.
Great video, my wife and I are planning on settings something up like this for our business and visiting conventions. Really appreciate it, great ideas here.
Very nice! I love to see simple, quality no-build minivan campers.
Very nice van. Simply put together. Love the shelves for the bed! Everything you need. Great job! 👐🏼👏🏼👍🏼
I am LOVING this! Thank you both for sharing. Keep up the fantastic videos. Much appreciated!
Will do! Thanks
You did an excellent job for a no build! I want to make a camper van and I'm going to build part no build and part build. Great job.
I used this van to go road tripping to San Francisco, it was AWESOME.
I just got the very same van today and this is brilliant! Lots of fantastic ideas! Thanks
Really impressed with rigging the front current at 3:55. Nice work on putting it together Jo Ann.