FRUGAL Dollar Store No Build VAN CONVERSION TOUR: I Hacked Items For My Van Build Camper
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- Опубликовано: 13 ноя 2022
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Whether you want a cheap, budget van build that's simple and easy or an elaborate conversion, your local dollar store can be a treasure trove of helpful things for your van life build for frugal off grid living - all at amazing, unbeatable prices! Building a camper van can be expensive and hard on the budget, so take advantage of cheaper items when you can find them. This build also follows the idea of a MODULAR, MVP (Minimum Viable Product) development approach: start with the simplest setup, do a trip, and then add ONLY what you find you need. this eliminates the common tragedy of overbuilding. Since it's very modular with little modification to the body, it's also very easy to change the layout as needed. Stop worrying, go simple, and you'll figure it out as you go!
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*Did you find anything great for your van build from a dollar store? Let us know in the comments* !
And Goodwill!!
Absolutely. I can't get my head around these super expensive ones, I would rather get a decent van, some insulation and then do whatever it takes to make it comfortable and cosy enough to live in.
If you do a no build you can start all over when you figure out what works or doesn’t work. My sister and BIL have a nice Sprinter with no storage - I have more storage in my mini van than they do. But I don’t have a sink and a stove and a microwave. I use my back packing kitchen - works fine
Exactly. My reason for wanting to do a van build is to be able to save money - as in put money away. I don't want to participate in the rent trap NOW nor the mortgage trap LATER. So why throw a big chunk of that savings into a van build to impress strangers on the internet?
@@miriamhawkins7825For kitchen all you really need is a custom table you can make yourself. You can make foldable or whatever. Place your cooktop on it and have very good counter space.
For my 71 b’day, I am converting a 2001 Toyota Sienna to my Vamper!! Got everything I need and putting together. Found a warehouse in L.A. that sells open boxes, last years models, ect. Found Black out curtains, $3.00 panel. 1 panel, cut to size, covers 1 side van windows. So for $9.00 I covered all windows and space between driving area and ‘living’ area. Found a brand new, in sealed box, last years model 58 quart IceCo 2 way cooler with cover, for $200, normally way over $500.00. My EcoFlo power box and panel, cost a bit more, but worth the price! I bought miniature kitchen utensils and storage containers for clothing (fits under bed) at my local Dollar General, everything else, including wood for bed, was already around the house. Have appts all next week, but after that, Bye! 😂. I can hardly wait! Happy, safe travels everyone!
This sounds absolutely fantastic! You are going to have a great time and I wish you all the best!
That watering can as a shower is genius sir!
It's so simple, but it's fantastic!
it really is but also another cheap option walmarts usually have a 1-1.5 gallon solar shower for 5-7 dollars a good alternative
Nothing crazy about not throwing tons of money around. Love your set up.
Thanks so much!
I've watched probably over 16,000 RUclips van build videos and this is the very best! It's about the journey...
I'm humbled... thanks for this!
You are not a crazy lunatic! You are frugal!
Ha! Thanks so much!
Helpful and entertaining. Can't beat that!
That's my goal! Thanks for your kind words!
Great job on the frugal van build. I'd like more details about how you took apart the lantern and wiring. 😊
Thanks! Yeah, I was thinking of making a video on the lighting, but haven't got to it... but basically I just took the screws out and everything came apart... with the wiring, I just snipped each wire that I needed to make longer to place the light where I wanted and spliced in as much extra wire as needed.
5$ garden watering can for a shower. Why didnt I think of that? Damn thats smart.
I now use a modified weed sprayer (there's a dedicated video on my channel about it)... but the 'shower head' on the watering can is sooo good, I sometimes still use it just because of that! Ha!
@@SwellerVanDweller I'll go check put that video! Great ideas! I'm not into instagram campers with 300$ faucets!
Yeah. I'm not financially restricted and tye dollar tree has a lot of sketchy people who buy food from there. I purchased a few things that I modified. Looks fantastic too. I like the automotive section and I'm very creative but not often
I like how you talk.
2:26 you can hang that jug from a branch or something and attach a rope or wire (connected to your foot) to make it tilt, then you have an automatic shower .
That's a great idea! I visited a backcountry ski chalet once that had a shower exactly like that.
Very clever ideas. I just want a van for part time long distance travel. Nothing fancy, but functional and safe.
Thanks! And good luck with your van. 😃
I suppose spending & making it like home is ok for remote workers living in it full-time. I just want a place to sleep for camping safe from bears, cougars, mountain lions and up off the ground as I am getting older. Excellent ideas. Thanks.
Great ideas! You could even put a single days’s clothing in one bag. That way you only have to open one bag per day.
You're super organized!
9.13.2023
OMG your video just made me super happy. I love this. You are awesome.
Thank you so much 😀
Temu has portable camping shower 🚿.and portable solar lantern fans chargers .
I have been building out my van for over 2 years now. I'm more than a year behind schedule because I got in way over my head. Ive become so depressed thinking I'll never finish.
I need to finish it though because I need a safe, affordable environment to live in.
Thank you for bringing me out of the rabbit hole. I actually feel like I'll be able to figure it out after watching this. I'm looking forward to checking out more of your videos, especially how you took apart the lantern to provide light along the ceiling. Liked and subscribed.
You'll get there! You might want to watch my video on the idea of a "Minimum Viable Build" to take the pressure off yourself: ruclips.net/video/Ji2DDSnOPM8/видео.html
You SHOULD consult a psychiatrist... Such a weird comment
Stop saying you are a lunatic. There is nothing "crazy" about what you are doing. I would call it ingenuity!❤
Thanks for your support!
I'm just getting ready for work and I found your channel I will be binge-watching later!! A couple years ago I did my no build for my 2009 Dodge caravan and I couldn't agree with you more it's not about the hundred-thousand-dollar build and all the glamorous Instagram shots and projecting some fake perfect life that wouldn't even be perfect anyways lol I made my van functional so I can enjoy going places and experiencing the travel the hiking to camping!!! But I never built it to live in it life happens outside. 💯
Great comment, thanks for sharing! Sounds like you and I are on the same wavelength. Enjoy your exploring!
Refreshing to know that you do not have to deck out your van walls just because..., you can enjoy life no matter what, Well done.
And leaving my ceiling the simple white metal... one of the best decisions I've made!
For my build, my inspiration is coming from the orient express trains/Belmond... I have the foam project boards and the wood grain contact paper (both from dollar tree). Making panels to tack up. I figure I could hit them with some high gloss lacquer finish from a spray can... I should probably film it but I find it to be a hassle. 🤷🏾
That's super creative and I bet it'll look cool - all at a bargain price! 👍
Same here. I just got a bus and very inspired by the Orient express trains. I’d love to see how you build yours!
what do you use to tack them up with? Sorry maybe a stupid question....newbie here with very limited budget and kiddos! I want to get on the road quick and with little to spend and want to use some creative ideas such as this! Thanks
:-)
@@vanrey6258 amazingly, 3M command strips. I cut some strips in half to see if they would hold well, doing great! Now, there's nothing hanging on the walls though... So the foam poster boards aren't supporting anything. But it looks cool 😎
While I have found a lot of stuff at yard sales in on Facebook marketplace, I have also spent thousands of dollars over the last 10 years on Amazon and at Walmart and has accumulated way too much stuff for my minivan camper
I am a disabled senior that travels for suicide awareness since losing my son Jeff in 2016, in my wheelchair modified 2010 dodge grand caravan with my four Chihuahuas. I have a wire cubby in the Hatch area for storage. I also have a platform bed with some storage space underneath. I have kept the smaller section of the backseat as well as the two front seats for when my grandchildren travel with me. The rest of the floor space is taken up by my power chair. I am by no means a minimalist and definitely travel with too much stuff. And I still have more stuff for camping and emergency gear at home outside Palestine TX, for the day I can score a larger rig. Unfortunately, due to the wheelchair modification, I cannot have a rear hitch for a tiny trailer or even a storage box on the back, and being in a wheelchair it is hard to access anything on the roof. But I do have 2 100 watt solar panels and a roof box up top (for when other people travel with me). As well as a Bluetti EB70 n EB3a solar generators n a 100 watt Yargo portable solar panel. My dream vehicle is a short wheelchair Bus conversion with plenty of storage space! Safe Travels & Enjoy YOUR Journey
❤️🐾🚐👍🏻😁☀️🇺🇸🔥
youtube.com/@JeffeysMom
FB Jeffeys Dawn A Burton
Hi Dawn. I just subscribed to your channel. Would appreciate a fb bc I’m just starting up my channel for my soon to be vanlife. I’d also be very interested in your suicide prevention work, possibly join you for some events.
This guy is very smart and ingenious, his idea very clever for saving money, time, and avoid extra weight to the van. Well done!!
Thanks so much!
Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure!
I like the cargo net
Yeah, super handy... I think I'm going to try it up against the inside of the roof, next.
First vid watching, and I’m in love, (metaphorically) I agree too many of these can builds are just boogie rich people flexing their expensive setups, I want to see more like this, since I’m working two jobs to save up and move out of my apartment and into a van.
Thanks so much! And good luck on your pursuit of a van for yourself!
I am set to start collecting SS, I will continue to work for a while, while I'm building my van ( serching for a good buy now) I'm so excited! I can't wait till I hit the road. Hope Ms Kitty will learn to live mobile- she hates to ride.
What you did with the hanging lamp was awsome! Taking it apart like that. Smart. I don't know what those "coat hooks" are or what makes them able to hang on the hail of the van there, A close up pic would have been helpful. I'm going to try to look through your videos and see what that strip is that keep your tubs from sliding on the floor.
Omg so refreshing to see realism! 👍
Thank you so much 😀
Excellent ideas.
Even for us city dwellers that enjoy equipping our cars for small comfortable trips to mearby Parks your ideas are great.
The point of it
The freedom of travel
My pleasure!
I love the dollar store and also second had donated items. I have a futon in my van for my bed and couch. It works well for me.
Yeah, the Dollarama chain of stores here in Canada is amazing!
I'm a bag saver too!!!
Ha! Nice! Welcome to the club... pull up a chair and hang around a while!
Great video ❤
Glad you liked it!!
Lookit at you go with that lantern. Don't forget about your local thrift store. You would be amazed at what people give away.
Ha! Yeah, just the other day I found a bicycle in the garbage. It's pink, but that didn't stop me from tuning it up and riding it into the backcountry on a 3 day mountaineering trip to summit three peaks... stay tuned, those videos are coming soon!
I must be a crazy lunatic too - I’ve saved those zippered plastic bags for years! Now I’m prepping for #vanlife & already have several filled.
Ha! That's great! Van Life is a huge adventure!
Great ideas thanks. I saw another video and a couple were using magnets to keep the window covers up. The covers looked like cloth place mats with magnets inside. They probably just added the magnets.
Yeah, make sure not to grab any old-style magnet - you really need to get neodymium magnets as they are MUCH stronger.
Love your crazy lunatics ideas !
Glad you like them! Hope on board the crazy train because there's lots more to come...
Everyone should stroll through a Dollar Store ($1.24 now) occasionally!
Absolutely! There's treasure to be found!
Sometimes you can find those plastic bags with zippers at the Dollar Tree.
Awesome😍
Thanks 🤗
I like your crazy lunacy its only crazy cause in contrast people are wasteful.
Thanks! Much appreciated!
Excellent minimalist living ideas!
Thank you!
I bought a 98 Sienna le right . Every single seat comes out without tools. I took the one middle seat and the bench and. Put a futon and some milk crates for storage and a few collapsible shelves an Uber customer gave my wife and no lie I really spent nothing to make it a camper van and it’s comfortable. And I not paid $750 for the van running and driving . Ac blows just no cold air . I think it needs a charge . But other than that I’m happy with my stealth camper but I only use it to go to the beach
Nice! Sounds good!
Thanks so much for the advice and encouragement. Just got an '07 E-250 that I'll be living out of indefinitely.
Great news. Econoline is a great vehicle!
@@SwellerVanDweller I appreciate the reassurance, brother.
Smart man
You are an effing GENIUS mate. Stay safe awesome message
Thank you, friend!
I absolutely love this! ❤
Thanks so much!
I’m a crazy lunatic as well…. I use the sheet set bags as well. I must say I’m so disappointed that quality Rubbermaid containers are so damn expensive.
Yeah, they sure are expensive... and they don't really optimize space because the sides are not vertical so you're losing out unless you pack stuff right up against them on the outiside.
@@SwellerVanDweller I have not been able to have a build or anything that I want as of yet but I’m enjoying getting ideas from people and I save those ideas for one day when my dream comes true!
Great ideas, thanks!
Glad you like them!
this looks simple and nice
Thanks! That's exactly what I'm trying to achieve!
Love ur content..u have a great sense of humor!!
Thanks so much for your support. It means a lot!
I built my van out with milk crates. After I folded it to size, I covered the box a water heater came in with fabric to go on top of the crates. Then I put a very nice air mattress on top. Then there is plenty of space for other stuff.
Milk crates are very versatile! Good job!
It’s also pretty light weight
Yeah, and that's key, too.
Can you please tell me how you made your bed?
Thanks for your videos very helpful
If you browse my channel, I have a dedicated video about how I built my bed!
Not yet .. its my first watch ..
Gorgeous! What do you call this style cut?
U such a great genius, lovers Ur van ❤
Thanks so much!
What's crazy is spendong to much on a van ❤
Some people have lots of money and want/need lots of stuff, and that's fine - but some of us don't have a lot of wants/needs and don't want to spend a lot, and that's fine too - and van life is certainly still possible!
🤘🤘👍👍
No sound? What did you put under the totes to keep them from moving?
There's nothing under the totes. If you watch my bed building episode, you'll see that there is a brace running right down the length of the middle of the bed. The totes are pushed right up against this brace and don't have room to move around. You'll also see in the bed build video that I built the cubby for the totes to be just wide enough to fit them so they can't move sideways, either.
well, I do think you are a crazy lunatic... but it takes one to know one ;-)
and I subscribed anyways! love the lantern take apart...
Crazy lunatics unite! Take apart perfectly functional stuff... and upcycle it to something even better! 😆
@@SwellerVanDweller yeah, I just built a beer brewing tank out of an old Molson keg!
😊🙋♀️✌🏼
Most people start vanlife by building themselves, because they want to save money.
And expensive rigs in the back of a van, why not just buy a caravan?
I buy second hand carpets, or when it's on sale, for covering the walls.
I use pillows with zippers to store clothes and such.
I reuse wood I have, to build in the car.
Got an old desk at the thrift store, which is now in my car.
I watch for items that are given away, to see if there's anything I can use.
Sounds like you are great at finding deals as well... I love good deals!
Dollar Store Van Life, LoL! Epic Van, Sweller… nice job! btw, mind if I steal some of your ideas?
Go for it! And while you're in the Dollar store, if you find any other treasures, leave a comment about it! 👍 There's so much to be found there if you're a little creative.
It’s a good start but not cozy enough
Yeah, sometimes I think I should make it more visually comforting, but I'm only in it to cook and sleep... but if I hung out in it more, I'd definitely do some interior decorating - I've been tempted by all kinds of little touches at the dollar store! One day I'll cave in and work on it.
The dollars store.
What about moisture...
You are breathing all night, and the metal roof is exposed..
What about mold growth?
I realize condensation can be a big problem in certain climates. I reside in very dry climates that are neither too hot or below freezing for long so I've actually never had condensation.
I do to keep those plastic bags. It is a shame to throw them out. I recycle them and keep using them
Yeah, such a waste to throw them out.
👍🫶👏
Thanks for your support!
Vans you showed are like over 50 thousand dollars. I don’t understand why anyone would need a shower in their van. Are you really going to shower daily in this tiny space? Clothes and stuff would get moldy. There’s a problem with mold in small apartments and sure as hell there’s gonna be mold in your van if u shower there.
It’s 21st century. There are portable sinks and showers, stoves, washing machines, composting toilets, solar panels, solar grill, portable heaters, LED lights, and even foldable/modular beds. You could even buy expensive stuff, and it would work out cheaper than converting your van into a crappy apartment with electricity and shower that you’ll hardly ever use. And let’s not forget that vans and caravans are a crappy investment. So unless you’re loaded and have 50 thousand dollars to basically throw away… It’s not a good idea to invest it in a van. Oh and the cost of maintenance of all of that stuff.