We have a DIY mid-size Sprinter van and are happy with the design and amenities. It took a year to design it and five months (full time) to build. The problems of commercially built vans are well known, plus the low quality we've seen at RV shows, not to mention the exorbitant cost, so those were out. We wanted a comfortable and roomy mini-home with a good sized "bathroom" and shower, flushing toilet (w/ black tank), comfortable seating, fixed bed, raised fridge, wide hallway, closet, expansive counter space, ample storage, large "garage", and got all of it. It's attractive, well built with quality components, and in over three years, has performed beautifully. No regrets, nor would we change anything. We love our van.
Lots of great advise here for newbies. Our DIY Promaster reflects our unique priorities honed from renting commercial Class-B's beforehand. Our main priorities were a fully self-contained touring van for 2 with extended boondocking capability, a big fixed bed, dump-in-any-toilet porta-potti, and large shower (we still use it!). Heat but no A/C. We absolutely love our van. No major regrets at all.
We absolutely love our custom van. The only thing we would change if we could is the overall weight of the build. We have the Ford Transit, single rear wheel. GVWR is 9500 lbs. After the build, upgraded suspension, and us we have about 300 lbs for water, cloths, kitchen items, etc. If we were to change anything we would get the Transit dually to get the higher GVWR. However, we do like the sleek look of the single rear wheels and the increased storage room under the bed. There will always be pros and cons. 😊
For sure rent before you buy. It really clarifies wants vs needs. Renting got me past the must have a built-in shower / toilet, for example. Turned out open space is what I valued. Renting also gives insight on build quality of manufactured brands. Nothing tests quality like a bunch of newbie renters. Bits I rarely use in my (not custom) van: AC, power awning, Lagun table. I also added a bunch of built in storage that I ended up taking out after realizing I was just taking too much stuff.
We are on our first journey with our DIY built van. It’s a 2020 Ford Transit 130” wheelbase with a medium roof. We are short people 😂. Our most important feature was to have a comfortable bed so we focused on building a platform for a short Queen 10” mattress. The next feature was comfortable seating so we installed swivel seats. Of course ventilation was a top priority so we had bunk windows installed along with a max air fan. We don’t do a lot of cooking so no cooktop was installed but we occasionally microwave some items so we made a cabinet that has room for a small microwave, a sink with two 5 gallon jugs for water and some storage drawers. We use a bag system toilet when a bathroom isn’t available. We’re about 4500 miles into our trip and the only thing we regret is not installing air conditioning. It will definitely be installed before our next adventure.
This interviewee has great advice. We lived on boats for years and had experience that way. Then we told the builder we were going to tour South America and he really listened. Now we’re on the PanAmerican currently in Peru and our Promaster is perfect. For us. Great video. -----/-/---- We had specific requirements to fit a porta potty as there is almost no black tank dumping in South America. A porta potty is versatile. We needed a manual fill for our thirty gallon tank as hoses are available here but we buy purified water in five gallon jugs and siphon water into the tank to keep it as clean as possible. We also use a Berkey to filter our water for drinking. We had a shower compartment built to fit a solar shower only as we wanted a simple cold water only system in South America. We never shower inside but we like the compartment for a wet locker especially in rainy season as we travel or after swimming. Have privacy on the toilet makes the a home. We also like to live and cook and e joy being inside the van. Custom Coach of DeLand built ours in 2020 out of wood, it’s solid and comfortable and hasn’t broken. We paid $92,000 out the door for the van the conversion and taxes etc…A bargain 3500 Promaster home in our opinion. I hope that helps.
The Field Van guys are amazing! We did a DIY 2011 E350 EB that is a lifted 2WD Weldtec on 33s and a TufPort hardtop. We were able to fit a queen bed, cassette toilet, full size sink and pretty Isotherm fridge inside. We just did an 8000 mile 70 day trip all around the US and it did amazing. Almost all of the places that we stayed had bathrooms/showers so there is really no need to have it in your van. For a real daily driver I would want a 4x4 Poptop or for full time I would want a Sprinter 170 with a full bathroom but for weekend warrior and annual adventures really any van is a ton of fun.
Design requirements for a camper ( in my country) The interior space must be able to contain a rectangular block with a height of at least 170 cm (5' 7”), a length of at least 200 cm (6' 7”) and a width of at least 90 cm (~3'). The interior space is the space behind the driver's and co-driver's seats, with the seats in the rearmost position. The interior of your camper must be equipped with: * at least 2 permanent seats This may be the driver's seat and co-driver's seat. But these chairs must be able to rotate, so that they can be used indoors. *a fixed table The table may be attached in such a way that you can easily remove it. *sleeping places for at least 2 people These may be sleeping places that you create using the seats. But not with the seats for the driver and co-driver. The minimum dimensions of the sleeping places are: for 1 double berth: at least 180 cm (5' 11”) long and at least 110 cm (3' 7”) wide with 2 or more separate sleeping places: at least 2 sleeping places are at least 180 cm (5' 11”) long and at least 60 cm (~2') wide *at least 2 fixed and lockable storage facilities *a fixed kitchen unit intended for use indoors The worktop is at least 60 cm(~2') high, equipped with a built-in (removable) water supply with a sink, a tap and a drain. a permanently built-in cooking facility intended for use in the interior space This may be a fixed microwave that receives power from an energy source present in the camper. NB! You must be able to reach all facilities in the interior in a normal way. NB! Otherwise it is not a camper. PS! With a regular car driver's license, the weight of the loaded camper may not exceed 3,500 kg ( ~7715 lbs).
@@WeretherussosEU requires truck license for over 3500 kg (7716lbs). Another reason to be glad to be in the US. That and lack of government inspections ( no TüV like Germany). I meet lots of Europeans on the road in South America amazed by our car license to drive a 4400kg camper.
Wella pro for if I were to build one would be it certainly would be better priced because you pay for the van like you would with any other car and then you pay for the parts and its easier to remain under a budget
This is podcast #12 podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/weretherussos/episodes/12--The-Pros--Cons--Common-Mistakes-of-Building-a-Custom-Camper-with-Jonny-Feld-of-Field-Van-e2huius
I think a custom build by a master upfitter is the way to go IF you can afford it. Most of the 'mass produced' class B options out of Indiana honestly have pathetic build quality and tend to be way overpriced for what you get. Although, temporary covid demand for camper vans played a roll in inflating prices and they are coming back down to earth now. Also, I'm sure the cops are using that mobile drone command center to 'investigate crimes' and definitely not illegal surveillance.
Hey Russos, I love your content but watching RUclips videos is no fun anymore because of the number of ads that interrupt the episode. Google is ruining the RUclips experience for all viewers. I, for one, am sick and tired of it. You are losing this subscriber and it 's Google's fault!!
I understand that but without ads we don’t make any income and this is our business. When I watch a video, rather than letting the ads bother me, I mute it and just think that I’m helping support the person who’s making the content. At least these ads aren’t all that long. The ads on TV can be up to 5 min long! Sure there are platforms out there without ads but then you’re paying the platform. If the ads bother you that much you can sign up for YT premium (I think that’s what it’s called) and you won’t get any ads.
We have a DIY mid-size Sprinter van and are happy with the design and amenities. It took a year to design it and five months (full time) to build. The problems of commercially built vans are well known, plus the low quality we've seen at RV shows, not to mention the exorbitant cost, so those were out. We wanted a comfortable and roomy mini-home with a good sized "bathroom" and shower, flushing toilet (w/ black tank), comfortable seating, fixed bed, raised fridge, wide hallway, closet, expansive counter space, ample storage, large "garage", and got all of it. It's attractive, well built with quality components, and in over three years, has performed beautifully. No regrets, nor would we change anything. We love our van.
Lots of great advise here for newbies. Our DIY Promaster reflects our unique priorities honed from renting commercial Class-B's beforehand. Our main priorities were a fully self-contained touring van for 2 with extended boondocking capability, a big fixed bed, dump-in-any-toilet porta-potti, and large shower (we still use it!). Heat but no A/C. We absolutely love our van. No major regrets at all.
We absolutely love our custom van. The only thing we would change if we could is the overall weight of the build. We have the Ford Transit, single rear wheel. GVWR is 9500 lbs. After the build, upgraded suspension, and us we have about 300 lbs for water, cloths, kitchen items, etc. If we were to change anything we would get the Transit dually to get the higher GVWR. However, we do like the sleek look of the single rear wheels and the increased storage room under the bed. There will always be pros and cons. 😊
Yes always a compromise
For sure rent before you buy. It really clarifies wants vs needs. Renting got me past the must have a built-in shower / toilet, for example. Turned out open space is what I valued. Renting also gives insight on build quality of manufactured brands. Nothing tests quality like a bunch of newbie renters.
Bits I rarely use in my (not custom) van: AC, power awning, Lagun table. I also added a bunch of built in storage that I ended up taking out after realizing I was just taking too much stuff.
We are on our first journey with our DIY built van. It’s a 2020 Ford Transit 130” wheelbase with a medium roof. We are short people 😂. Our most important feature was to have a comfortable bed so we focused on building a platform for a short Queen 10” mattress. The next feature was comfortable seating so we installed swivel seats. Of course ventilation was a top priority so we had bunk windows installed along with a max air fan. We don’t do a lot of cooking so no cooktop was installed but we occasionally microwave some items so we made a cabinet that has room for a small microwave, a sink with two 5 gallon jugs for water and some storage drawers. We use a bag system toilet when a bathroom isn’t available. We’re about 4500 miles into our trip and the only thing we regret is not installing air conditioning. It will definitely be installed before our next adventure.
This interviewee has great advice. We lived on boats for years and had experience that way. Then we told the builder we were going to tour South America and he really listened. Now we’re on the PanAmerican currently in Peru and our Promaster is perfect. For us. Great video.
-----/-/----
We had specific requirements to fit a porta potty as there is almost no black tank dumping in South America. A porta potty is versatile. We needed a manual fill for our thirty gallon tank as hoses are available here but we buy purified water in five gallon jugs and siphon water into the tank to keep it as clean as possible. We also use a Berkey to filter our water for drinking. We had a shower compartment built to fit a solar shower only as we wanted a simple cold water only system in South America. We never shower inside but we like the compartment for a wet locker especially in rainy season as we travel or after swimming. Have privacy on the toilet makes the a home. We also like to live and cook and e joy being inside the van. Custom Coach of DeLand built ours in 2020 out of wood, it’s solid and comfortable and hasn’t broken. We paid $92,000 out the door for the van the conversion and taxes etc…A bargain 3500 Promaster home in our opinion. I hope that helps.
That sounds like an awesome vehicle for an epic trip!
The Field Van guys are amazing! We did a DIY 2011 E350 EB that is a lifted 2WD Weldtec on 33s and a TufPort hardtop. We were able to fit a queen bed, cassette toilet, full size sink and pretty Isotherm fridge inside. We just did an 8000 mile 70 day trip all around the US and it did amazing. Almost all of the places that we stayed had bathrooms/showers so there is really no need to have it in your van. For a real daily driver I would want a 4x4 Poptop or for full time I would want a Sprinter 170 with a full bathroom but for weekend warrior and annual adventures really any van is a ton of fun.
That’s another thing I like about field vans the warranty aspect
Always great chatting with you both!
What a knowledgeable guy!
That’s what I love about field vans
always look forward to your videos... Thanks for sharing you two!
Thank you!! This was very informative! I would like his Company to build my Van.❤
Great interview & info!
Great information from Field Van - thanks for this video
Our pleasure!
Very good info, thank you for sharing.
My pleasure!
Very informative and interesting!
Good broadcast Joe and Kate Hope to see you at Overland East next month
We’ll be there!
Great information, for me, #1 is stealth, I don't want to look like I am camping.
Agreed, it's much better to look like you're a worker in a work van that might be full of valuable tools.
Design requirements for a camper ( in my country)
The interior space must be able to contain a rectangular block with a height of
at least 170 cm (5' 7”), a length of at least 200 cm (6' 7”) and a width of at least 90 cm (~3').
The interior space is the space behind the driver's and co-driver's seats, with the seats in the rearmost position.
The interior of your camper must be equipped with:
* at least 2 permanent seats
This may be the driver's seat and co-driver's seat.
But these chairs must be able to rotate, so that they can be used indoors.
*a fixed table
The table may be attached in such a way that you can easily remove it.
*sleeping places for at least 2 people
These may be sleeping places that you create using the seats.
But not with the seats for the driver and co-driver.
The minimum dimensions of the sleeping places are:
for 1 double berth: at least 180 cm (5' 11”) long and at least 110 cm (3' 7”) wide
with 2 or more separate sleeping places:
at least 2 sleeping places are at least 180 cm (5' 11”) long and at least 60 cm (~2') wide
*at least 2 fixed and lockable storage facilities
*a fixed kitchen unit intended for use indoors
The worktop is at least 60 cm(~2') high,
equipped with a built-in (removable) water supply with a sink, a tap and a drain.
a permanently built-in cooking facility intended for use in the interior space
This may be a fixed microwave that receives power from an energy source present in the camper.
NB!
You must be able to reach all facilities in the interior in a normal way.
NB!
Otherwise it is not a camper.
PS!
With a regular car driver's license,
the weight of the loaded camper may not exceed 3,500 kg ( ~7715 lbs).
What country?
@@WeretherussosEU requires truck license for over 3500 kg (7716lbs). Another reason to be glad to be in the US. That and lack of government inspections ( no TüV like Germany). I meet lots of Europeans on the road in South America amazed by our car license to drive a 4400kg camper.
enjoyed good info
I really want the classic ford van / 4x4 with the pop top but I’d like build the inside myself
I believe they will sell you the van with top but empty inside
I just wish could get a bigger lift on the Mercedes and transit chassis
Wella pro for if I were to build one would be it certainly would be better priced because you pay for the van like you would with any other car and then you pay for the parts and its easier to remain under a budget
Anyone seeing this Podcast showing up on Spotify yet?
Are you not seeing it?
@@Weretherussos The Quigley Suspension podcast (number 18) is the latest showing in your Spotify list of Podcasts
This is podcast #12 podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/weretherussos/episodes/12--The-Pros--Cons--Common-Mistakes-of-Building-a-Custom-Camper-with-Jonny-Feld-of-Field-Van-e2huius
@@Weretherussos Thanks.
I think a custom build by a master upfitter is the way to go IF you can afford it. Most of the 'mass produced' class B options out of Indiana honestly have pathetic build quality and tend to be way overpriced for what you get. Although, temporary covid demand for camper vans played a roll in inflating prices and they are coming back down to earth now.
Also, I'm sure the cops are using that mobile drone command center to 'investigate crimes' and definitely not illegal surveillance.
Hey Russos, I love your content but watching RUclips videos is no fun anymore because of the number of ads that interrupt the episode. Google is ruining the RUclips experience for all viewers. I, for one, am sick and tired of it. You are losing this subscriber and it 's Google's fault!!
Does the ad money pay for their gas money on these trips though?
I understand that but without ads we don’t make any income and this is our business. When I watch a video, rather than letting the ads bother me, I mute it and just think that I’m helping support the person who’s making the content. At least these ads aren’t all that long. The ads on TV can be up to 5 min long! Sure there are platforms out there without ads but then you’re paying the platform. If the ads bother you that much you can sign up for YT premium (I think that’s what it’s called) and you won’t get any ads.