Thank you for pointing out all the headaches that go with the van build. I also like the fact that you suggested but if somebody is wanting to get into van life full time they spend at least a month living in their car to see if that is truly the lifestyle they want. As I stated in a previous video I spent from 2013 to 2017 living in a Volkswagen Passat as a disabled woman. I didn't have a motorized chair at the time I had a manual wheelchair which made car dwelling a little more challenging. Because I had to calculate the room that my wheelchair would take up in the trunk of my car and still leave room for storage and a bed. I was stealth camping at the time in a city that had an illegal camping ordinance and made it illegal to sleep in your car. so I had to make my car look like I wasn't living in it in order did not get that knock on the door by the police or get a ticket from them that carried a hefty fine several hundred dollars for sleeping in your car. with my disabled veteran husband in a Skilled Nursing Facility and me being his only family and his power of attorney I did not have the choice just moving to a different place. I had to stay within 30 minutes of the nursing home he was in at all times. after he passed away from his service-connected disability that's when I realized I miss the freedom of not living in the Sticks and Bricks and owing somebody rent all the time. that is why I am choosing the type of band that I am getting very carefully. As stated before not only does it have to have the weight capacity and the room to hold a hospital bed and a motorized wheelchair but I know from the car dwelling for those years what I will need in my van build to be a stealth as possible and I'm taking my time and waiting for the right man to come along that is within my price range. and I realize it's probably going to take a good year to do the build the right way. and I am having somebody else do the solar and the wiring along with all the electrical that I will require. I also have a friend who happens to be the maintenance man at the apartment complex that I live in and my other friend owns. and he does know how to cut everything properly 4 a van build-out. I will be paying him to do this so I'm budgeting for that, Plus I realize I have to let him do his part on his time frame because he does have a full-time maintenance job for the apartments I live in.
Yes I truly believe it's important to give car life a try before investing because you never know. Also, thanks for sharing your story. It's important because everyone is going through something and may be able to relate. Thanks again!
The difficulty of a van build and how long it takes depends entirely on what you want it to be and what you want to do in living in your van. There are many of us who can make our vans entirely livable and comfortable for us with a no-build that can easily be torn down and converted back to being just a van in an hour or so. Not everyone will take months and spend lots of money with a van build when simplicity is fine for them.
This was really good to hear and you are so fortunate to have you Mom and Dad especially with his old school handyman skill. BTW (He's handsome too.) Yes, I loved the fact that your real about what really takes place and the necessities. Thanks happy journey to your fabulous van. I know it's going to be nice when completed.
My friend, the things you've learned during this van build im sure has enriched your life so much. Im happy your still soldiering through, I wouldn't expect anything less !! Love Moms Tips 😊💕
Yes I have learned SO much! It's been super challenging but by pushing through it all I've been growing stronger in many ways. Thanks for your kind message. ❤️
Allison, I appreciate you walking us through the good, the bad and the ugly of van conversions! You're so right that it's so easy to sugarcoat the process of a conversion, and I appreciate you walking us through the real steps along the way. Great point about buying an already gutted/utility van vs a regular one, that sure is a way to reduce some of the initial work! Can't wait to keep seeing your progress! I love travel myself, and can't wait to see what you can do with this!
I’m a new subscriber and I love your channel! I have watched some of your videos and they are so similar to my own build. I decided to buy and renovate an RV with my mom during quarantine while I’ve been out of work. It was supposed to be a simple cosmetic makeover but turned into a total gut job and rebuild. We both have had bruises, pulled muscles, lots of tears and a trip to urgent care for some stitches. We have amassed a variety of what we like to call our battle scars. LOL It’s been so hard but it has been an experience neither of us will ever forget. We are entering the home stretch... I think? It’s only taken us since the beginning July to get here. I wish you the best on your build and travels to come. I look forward to seeing your progress!
WELCOME TO THE SNACK PACK!! 🎉 I'm SO glad you shared this with me. I feel your pain and know those 'battle scars' well! Just when you think you're getting close something else pops up. BUT it will get done and it will be worth it. I'm excited for your future journey in your RV. Yay! Thanks for watching and sharing your experience!
I do not think I have chuckled as much as I have done watching this vid. presentation...LOL You are definitely, keeping it REAL! Keep up the great work!
First thing I like to do when I meet a "new to me" car is to go to the junk yard and check out the inside...find that missing plastic cover...and learn all the ways "not" to remove vital components. It helps to do some experimenting on the cadaver versions before ripping your own car apart. Plus the junk yard is one of my fav places to go so...any excuse will do! Love the video.
I’m so so happy that you provide a realistic view of these builds, RUclipsrs at times embellish and flat out lie a life style that requires grit and hard work. They Polish and glamorize the videos for the sake of views. #fiction.
I love your sense of humor and honesty about your build! I skipped the whole van thing and went for a shortbus😉, but I did all that ahead of time and searched for over a year to find close to what I wanted and luckily it came with a simple build (and all the seats and flooring out😁)that I left for a couple months but it just didn't work so I gutted it and I don't know if you have run into the fact that your vehicle will be a continuous work in process, but it is good enough for now, so back to the build playlist👍
Thank you thank you if anybody was going to be honest.. I thought for sure it would be you thank you. Your so cute and funny. Love your parents. Miss mine. 💕💕. GLOVES 🧤
WAY to make the insane complications of such a van build entertaining! Where someone like me who won't be building a van actually can enjoy and empathize with you.
Wow, you guys are amazing! You're dad is so patient and knowledgeable! You are so funny! You remind me of a friend I use to work with, so funny and so fun to work with! Good luck with your van build! I so admire your tenacity! You go girl!!!
@@travelsnacks of course I am! You are a bad ass! You really don't sugar coat things, you are always up front and you are extremely brave!! Not to mention hilarious and awesomely entertaining!! I can't wait for more videos! Stay safe out there!!
you should sell tee shirts with “snack pack” on them haha I would buy one! your little theme song is SUCH an ear worm, you should make it full length so I can stop humming the same 5 seconds over and over all day long.
Snack Pack shirts (and other things) are in the plans! Just need to get this van build done and I'll have time to focus on it (and maybe, just maybe make a full length 'Snack Time' song 😆 )
To add to your comment about spending time in your vehicle before a build....I would suggest spending it in different seasons, winter, summer. Lots of different issues in each season.
Hello Allison 👋 at least your been honest with all this van conversion, but the best part is that your beloved parents are helping you with this and is going to be wonderful at the end you’ll see!! 😀👋🍊County Ca.
I wish I would have seen this video before I bought a van like yours. Watched tons of videos and they were all fluff and stuff. Now I'm scared to move forward. I wish I had a dad like yours!
First let me say that you are an amazing young woman and so blessed to have wonderful parents! Now I'm going to convert my Honda Odyssey which is a 2003. I had heard that companies would put a high top on minivans, I was so excited I would spend my whole budget just to get that done! However, the sad part is they only do it for Honda odysseys that are a 2011 or higher 😥 So I guess, I'll move on to the second thing, and that is having a bathtub! 💜
BUY a Haynes Manual for your vehicle! I haven't come across a vehicle that they don't have a manual for. It will help you with learning how to do general matinence on the vehicle an easy fixes but it will also show you how to take everything apart! (With pictures! Lol)
Yes, that's awesome! There are many ways to do a no-build van conversion. Simple and cheap! Then you'll be able to get up and go!! Thanks for watching!
It’s coming on well Allison really like it looks amazing keep these videos coming you tube would be lots with out their 30% day light robbery catch you later take care be safe always x
Thank you! This roof project has been so frustrating. I still wouldn't have paid the $4000 BUT I think I would have looked around more for someone who could have helped us do it better.
Search on RUclips for a channel called Vandemonium. It's an English guy who built a camper out of his van. He shows neat tips and tricks on making a van into an excellent camper without having to cash in most of your gold bullion bars 😄.
You missed the videos on "no-build van conversions," eh? :) In all seriousness, you're lucky your dad can help. I wouldn't take on a conversion by myself. I'd rather spend the time I have left on traveling. I admire your ambition and wish you the best of luck!
Oh I saw them and was like....nah, give me the harder more grueling build! haha But yes, I'm blessed to have my parents helping me. It's so much work and it helps tremendously to have so much support!. Thank you for watching!
Oh Allison I think your car a van would look lovely resprayed lovely pink you’d stick out unless you got nice black so you can hide as I’ve said great video keep them coming RUclips would be lost with out you here
Make it simple at first your working to hard. Rip out seats n carpet put plywood on floor to even it up then carpet. Buy a cot get a cooler n little stove then try it for a while .
Girl... You still have your nails....lol... how do you work with your hands and not break your nails? I own a 1990 jeep cherokee I am pulling the seats and doing a mini build out. I've been praying too and I'm not having any part of this "vaccine" of the Beast so I'm about to be a nomad. I'm planning on being on the road by spring but it could be sooner depending on the regulations for the shot.
haha... oh some of my nails have definitely broken over this build. And I will not be getting any 'vaccine' either! Blessings for your upcoming nomad journey. You can do it!
@@travelsnacks I saw a video Bob did just a couple weeks ago and he was talking about the RTR and he said 2021 probably won't happen unless the vaccine is ready... Broke my heart...lol.. I've been watching ya'll and getting up the gumption for over 2yrs now I'm ready and I won't be able to go because I won't have the Mark to show I got the shot... Sa La Vie... Anyway, Happy Birthday again and good luck, I look forward to seeing more of your build.
@@christiroseify Oh nooooo!!! I hope that's not the case. Dang. Well, I hope to have some meetups in the future and the Snack Pack won't have any of those type of requirements. Keep moving forward, it's gonna be great. Thanks again!
I absolutely love how authentic you are!! I love the way you roll!! You don't sugar coat it, you keep it real and tell us exactly what went down!!
Thank you! Yes, keepin it real all the way. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for pointing out all the headaches that go with the van build. I also like the fact that you suggested but if somebody is wanting to get into van life full time they spend at least a month living in their car to see if that is truly the lifestyle they want. As I stated in a previous video I spent from 2013 to 2017 living in a Volkswagen Passat as a disabled woman. I didn't have a motorized chair at the time I had a manual wheelchair which made car dwelling a little more challenging. Because I had to calculate the room that my wheelchair would take up in the trunk of my car and still leave room for storage and a bed. I was stealth camping at the time in a city that had an illegal camping ordinance and made it illegal to sleep in your car. so I had to make my car look like I wasn't living in it in order did not get that knock on the door by the police or get a ticket from them that carried a hefty fine several hundred dollars for sleeping in your car. with my disabled veteran husband in a Skilled Nursing Facility and me being his only family and his power of attorney I did not have the choice just moving to a different place. I had to stay within 30 minutes of the nursing home he was in at all times. after he passed away from his service-connected disability that's when I realized I miss the freedom of not living in the Sticks and Bricks and owing somebody rent all the time. that is why I am choosing the type of band that I am getting very carefully. As stated before not only does it have to have the weight capacity and the room to hold a hospital bed and a motorized wheelchair but I know from the car dwelling for those years what I will need in my van build to be a stealth as possible and I'm taking my time and waiting for the right man to come along that is within my price range. and I realize it's probably going to take a good year to do the build the right way. and I am having somebody else do the solar and the wiring along with all the electrical that I will require. I also have a friend who happens to be the maintenance man at the apartment complex that I live in and my other friend owns. and he does know how to cut everything properly 4 a van build-out. I will be paying him to do this so I'm budgeting for that, Plus I realize I have to let him do his part on his time frame because he does have a full-time maintenance job for the apartments I live in.
Yes I truly believe it's important to give car life a try before investing because you never know. Also, thanks for sharing your story. It's important because everyone is going through something and may be able to relate. Thanks again!
The difficulty of a van build and how long it takes depends entirely on what you want it to be and what you want to do in living in your van. There are many of us who can make our vans entirely livable and comfortable for us with a no-build that can easily be torn down and converted back to being just a van in an hour or so. Not everyone will take months and spend lots of money with a van build when simplicity is fine for them.
You are soooo brave to take this on and so blessed to have your parents to help you. 💕👍🙏🇺🇸
Thank you so much! It's a true blessing to have so much help from my parents. Thanks for your kind message. :)
This was really good to hear and you are so fortunate to have you Mom and Dad especially with his old school handyman skill. BTW (He's handsome too.) Yes, I loved the fact that your real about what really takes place and the necessities. Thanks happy journey to your fabulous van. I know it's going to be nice when completed.
Thank you for all your kind words! I feel really blessed that I have such great, helpful parents. ❤️ Thanks for following the journey!
My friend, the things you've learned during this van build im sure has enriched your life so much. Im happy your still soldiering through, I wouldn't expect anything less !! Love Moms Tips 😊💕
Yes I have learned SO much! It's been super challenging but by pushing through it all I've been growing stronger in many ways. Thanks for your kind message. ❤️
I can't wait to see the finished product 😫😊
Me too! I'm so excited to see how it turns out.
Allison, I appreciate you walking us through the good, the bad and the ugly of van conversions! You're so right that it's so easy to sugarcoat the process of a conversion, and I appreciate you walking us through the real steps along the way. Great point about buying an already gutted/utility van vs a regular one, that sure is a way to reduce some of the initial work! Can't wait to keep seeing your progress! I love travel myself, and can't wait to see what you can do with this!
Thank you so much for your encouragement and support! :)
I’m a new subscriber and I love your channel! I have watched some of your videos and they are so similar to my own build. I decided to buy and renovate an RV with my mom during quarantine while I’ve been out of work. It was supposed to be a simple cosmetic makeover but turned into a total gut job and rebuild. We both have had bruises, pulled muscles, lots of tears and a trip to urgent care for some stitches. We have amassed a variety of what we like to call our battle scars. LOL It’s been so hard but it has been an experience neither of us will ever forget. We are entering the home stretch... I think? It’s only taken us since the beginning July to get here. I wish you the best on your build and travels to come. I look forward to seeing your progress!
WELCOME TO THE SNACK PACK!! 🎉 I'm SO glad you shared this with me. I feel your pain and know those 'battle scars' well! Just when you think you're getting close something else pops up. BUT it will get done and it will be worth it. I'm excited for your future journey in your RV. Yay! Thanks for watching and sharing your experience!
Not even just for the channel but for the recreation in general
I did one van twice. It's a job! Working on a second van now!
WOW! After this one is done, my van building days are OVER!! You are a real trooper to keep doing it. Blessings to you!!
Wish I'd never sold the first one. What was I thinking~
I do not think I have chuckled as much as I have done watching this vid. presentation...LOL You are definitely, keeping it REAL! Keep up the great work!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for being such an encouragement! 🙏🏼
First thing I like to do when I meet a "new to me" car is to go to the junk yard and check out the inside...find that missing plastic cover...and learn all the ways "not" to remove vital components. It helps to do some experimenting on the cadaver versions before ripping your own car apart. Plus the junk yard is one of my fav places to go so...any excuse will do! Love the video.
I’m so so happy that you provide a realistic view of these builds, RUclipsrs at times embellish and flat out lie a life style that requires grit and hard work. They Polish and glamorize the videos for the sake of views. #fiction.
I totally love your commentary it is hilarious but is so dead on. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
it's all about the journey. dad is great and learn how things are done, congrats on the van
Yes indeed! Dad is great and I wouldn't be able to do this without him. Thanks!
I love your sense of humor and honesty about your build! I skipped the whole van thing and went for a shortbus😉, but I did all that ahead of time and searched for over a year to find close to what I wanted and luckily it came with a simple build (and all the seats and flooring out😁)that I left for a couple months but it just didn't work so I gutted it and I don't know if you have run into the fact that your vehicle will be a continuous work in process, but it is good enough for now, so back to the build playlist👍
I love how sincere you are.
Not too many people making real life videos.
Thank You!
You're welcome!! I'm a big believer in integrity and honesty. I think we owe it to each other to share the truth. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for keeping it real! And by the way your parents are AWESOME
You are too kind. I'll pass along your nice message. Thanks for watching!
Thank you thank you if anybody was going to be honest.. I thought for sure it would be you thank you. Your so cute and funny. Love your parents. Miss mine. 💕💕. GLOVES 🧤
Yes, honesty is important! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for your nice message. 😊
WAY to make the insane complications of such a van build entertaining! Where someone like me who won't be building a van actually can enjoy and empathize with you.
You got it! Building anything can be stressful so I try to keep it light when I can. Thanks for watching!
The 1st video I watched of yours, I though, “Yep, she’s telling it like it is.” That is the vibe I get from all of your videos. I love it, thank you.
Glad to hear that. Thanks for watching and commenting!
There, thanks for your honesty
Regarding the “nail gun”, if the nail penetrates the wood too deep, just lower the air pressure.
Wow, you guys are amazing! You're dad is so patient and knowledgeable! You are so funny! You remind me of a friend I use to work with, so funny and so fun to work with! Good luck with your van build! I so admire your tenacity! You go girl!!!
Thank you, thank you!! I appreciate your nice comment. Thanks for watching!
I just enjoy watching you so much. Thanks 😊
Love the channel, think you're very talented ( so is your dad!) and have you in my prayers 🙏
Thank you so much! I appreciate the prayers. Blessings to you! 🙏🏼
I love these videos!!! I love how you just say it like it is!!!
Yay! Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. 😊
@@travelsnacks of course I am! You are a bad ass! You really don't sugar coat things, you are always up front and you are extremely brave!! Not to mention hilarious and awesomely entertaining!! I can't wait for more videos! Stay safe out there!!
@@jaimemccampbell298 Yay! Thanks so much for this nice message. :)
Very informative! Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Watched this build. Ended up looking pretty good. I couldn't get the thought of monkeys trying to F a football out of my head. Good determination.
🤔
you should sell tee shirts with “snack pack” on them haha I would buy one! your little theme song is SUCH an ear worm, you should make it full length so I can stop humming the same 5 seconds over and over all day long.
Snack Pack shirts (and other things) are in the plans! Just need to get this van build done and I'll have time to focus on it (and maybe, just maybe make a full length 'Snack Time' song 😆 )
I love your integrity! And your parents are the cutest. Love following you!
Thanks friend! I'll pass along your nice message to my parents as well. Love following you too! You've been a huge support to me! ❤️
Really looks like your doing good job
Giveing good ideas. I understand what
Your doing interesting videos. Good
Luck too u .
Thank you very much!
To add to your comment about spending time in your vehicle before a build....I would suggest spending it in different seasons, winter, summer. Lots of different issues in each season.
Hello Allison 👋 at least your been honest with all this van conversion, but the best part is that your beloved parents are helping you with this and is going to be wonderful at the end you’ll see!! 😀👋🍊County Ca.
Thanks so much! 😊Yes, they are a blessing for sure.
Yours the most funniest van life camper
Aww thank you! 😊
Your dad and mom are amAzing
Thank you, I agree!
I wish I would have seen this video before I bought a van like yours. Watched tons of videos and they were all fluff and stuff. Now I'm scared to move forward. I wish I had a dad like yours!
Your mom is awesome
She sure is! ❤️
First let me say that you are an amazing young woman and so blessed to have wonderful parents! Now I'm going to convert my Honda Odyssey which is a 2003. I had heard that companies would put a high top on minivans, I was so excited I would spend my whole budget just to get that done! However, the sad part is they only do it for Honda odysseys that are a 2011 or higher 😥 So I guess, I'll move on to the second thing, and that is having a bathtub! 💜
Keeping it real. Thank you
Yes indeed! Thanks for watching.
Girl . . . You talk so good. Luv ya! Happy Trails to you and YOURS! ENJOY
haha thanks! Thank you for watching and happy travels to you as well!
Great video, very informative 👍🏼
Glad you enjoyed it! :)
totally agree! thank you
Thank you for watching! 😊
BUY a Haynes Manual for your vehicle! I haven't come across a vehicle that they don't have a manual for. It will help you with learning how to do general matinence on the vehicle an easy fixes but it will also show you how to take everything apart! (With pictures! Lol)
great video! Thank you for your advice :-)
You got it. Thank you for watching!!
I want a van too, but if I do I'm doing it cheap and easy in a soccer mom van. Thanks for keeping it real.
Yes, that's awesome! There are many ways to do a no-build van conversion. Simple and cheap! Then you'll be able to get up and go!! Thanks for watching!
How to build a van in 24,354 easy steps..
💯
It’s coming on well Allison really like it looks amazing keep these videos coming you tube would be lots with out their 30% day light robbery catch you later take care be safe always x
Thanks! One day at a time.
I am new to your channel and i am now a travel snacker 🥰
WELCOME TO THE SNACK PACK!! 🎉 Glad you found the channel!
I think U guys R great! If it were me, I would have paid the $4,00.00 to have it professionally done. That was so scary!
Thank you! This roof project has been so frustrating. I still wouldn't have paid the $4000 BUT I think I would have looked around more for someone who could have helped us do it better.
Great tips.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.
Search on RUclips for a channel called Vandemonium. It's an English guy who built a camper out of his van. He shows neat tips and tricks on making a van into an excellent camper without having to cash in most of your gold bullion bars 😄.
Excellent. I'll look him up. Thanks for the tip!
But it’s only pain and pain pass hello Allison how’s you good I hope great video keep them coming RUclips would be lost with out you x
Thank you, I will!
You missed the videos on "no-build van conversions," eh? :) In all seriousness, you're lucky your dad can help. I wouldn't take on a conversion by myself. I'd rather spend the time I have left on traveling. I admire your ambition and wish you the best of luck!
Oh I saw them and was like....nah, give me the harder more grueling build! haha But yes, I'm blessed to have my parents helping me. It's so much work and it helps tremendously to have so much support!. Thank you for watching!
Oh Allison I think your car a van would look lovely resprayed lovely pink you’d stick out unless you got nice black so you can hide as I’ve said great video keep them coming RUclips would be lost with out you here
Pink would be different but not very stealth. haha
It may have been easier to get the van convertion with the eagle/flag thing one the side and repaint it than to rebuild the inside of a different one?
Honestly it would have been way easier, BUT I didn't feel confident with the other one because it already had some mechanical issues.
@@travelsnacks
I am looking forward to see what comes of the build. I couldn't live without a shower myself. I guess I'm soft.
Drama drama drama 😜
Yuuuup
Make it simple at first your working to hard. Rip out seats n carpet put plywood on floor to even it up then carpet. Buy a cot get a cooler n little stove then try it for a while .
Definitely a no-build van conversion is the way to go for many people and works great! Thanks for sharing your ideas!
you really are a lovely gal
Thanks, I appreciate the compliment.
Girl... You still have your nails....lol... how do you work with your hands and not break your nails? I own a 1990 jeep cherokee I am pulling the seats and doing a mini build out. I've been praying too and I'm not having any part of this "vaccine" of the Beast so I'm about to be a nomad. I'm planning on being on the road by spring but it could be sooner depending on the regulations for the shot.
haha... oh some of my nails have definitely broken over this build.
And I will not be getting any 'vaccine' either! Blessings for your upcoming nomad journey. You can do it!
@@travelsnacks I saw a video Bob did just a couple weeks ago and he was talking about the RTR and he said 2021 probably won't happen unless the vaccine is ready... Broke my heart...lol.. I've been watching ya'll and getting up the gumption for over 2yrs now I'm ready and I won't be able to go because I won't have the Mark to show I got the shot... Sa La Vie... Anyway, Happy Birthday again and good luck, I look forward to seeing more of your build.
@@christiroseify Oh nooooo!!! I hope that's not the case. Dang. Well, I hope to have some meetups in the future and the Snack Pack won't have any of those type of requirements. Keep moving forward, it's gonna be great. Thanks again!