Van Life: What It's Really Like (Van Conversion Build)
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- Опубликовано: 16 сен 2024
- Van Life Begins! IN TILL... This week we are beginning our van life journey with an east-coast trip in a not-so-finished converted Mercedes sprinter van.. That was in till everything changed. After a few days of preparing our van for its first big adventure, while on route to pick up Paige - It broke down. We were absolutely gutted. In an effort to salvage our trip, we head to Montreal for the Canadian GP (formula 1), which was our first stop on the two-week-long trip we had planned, and take in the sights and sounds after such a wild day of breakdowns. Is this van life? May have been a blessing in disguise.
After a year of searching for the perfect van and five months of waiting, I've finally started the process of converting my 2006 Dodge Sprinter Van. Thank you for spending this time with me and I welcome you to follow my #vanlife #vanbuild #vanconversion conversion process of building my #tinyhouse on wheels.
Who Am I?
I'm Colin. After years of being a professional filmmaker and photographer, I am setting my sights on traveling the world. This led me to purchase a sprinter van to convert into my tiny home on wheels, all in the hopes to tell interesting stories from the road. In a nutshell, I am a curious person, and I have a burning desire to learn and explore our planet. This channel is a snapshot through the lens of this curiosity. Join me as I travel to unique places and tell interesting stories from my sprinter van, all while exploring topics around wellness, purpose, and happiness. All on a quest to be better than yesterday.
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FOLLOW OUR VAN INSTAGRAM: (Colin & Paige): / colinandpaige_
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Hope you all had a good time. I loved hearing Jasmine's F-bomb I knew she had it in her.
Hahaha she's actually fairly spicy but she's on her best behavior for the videos 🤣
I have followed Jazz and Crystal for about 2 years. I loved the episode with you and the pack! It was totally amazed to see the beautiful gift you gave to our Vanwives.
I will be following you as you explore life! ♥️
Awhhh thanks so much for being here Sharon! They are special humans in my life and was so happy to gift that to them ☺️
I turned 21 today. So glad to see a new video. Love your content.
Happy birthday! Thanks for watching 😊
Glad everyone is safe
Me too! I'm glad we didn't get stuck somewhere unsafe, or in the middle of no where. Seems meant to be.
From what I have seen of Vicilius (on the Van Wives and Ride and Seek channels), he is the kindest, most helpful mechanic, and has a big heart! I hope you end up going there, and if you do, please film it for all us fans of him! haha
Yes that's the plan! He's a legend around Ontario Van Life PEEPS hahah. So excited to learn from him!
I've never found anyone that loves van life and Formula 1 like me before, but what's really crazy, is I was at the F1 race in Montreal a few years earlier, and by the looks of it, had almost the exact same seats as you! :)
@@moogleslam wow! I love the sport. I have a full simulator and everything 😂😂
@@colinandpaige Oh my gosh, are we living the same life? Ok, not really, as I don't actually have a van yet, but I do have a simulator too! I just upgraded to Simucube and love it. I mostly race in iRacing, how about you?
@@moogleslam amazing!! I have a Fanatec, just one of the smaller ones, but with a load cell. Works good! It's at my friend's house while we travel though 😂😂 iRacing all day, but I enjoy some Asseto Corsa Competizone among others.
@@colinandpaige That's awesome! I had a Fanatec base before the upgrade. Still have Fanatec pedals. ACC is about the only sim I haven't touched. I race in VR, and I gather performance isn't great with it in VR; same with EA WRC, which I tried, but it's a mess. I mostly do formula cars in iRacing; how about you? There used to be an app that would show who you've been in races with, but I forget what it is - would be funny if we've raced together before - but maybe I'll see you on track some day anyway! 😀I'm still binging your videos - thanks again for adding them back - super fun watch! Just saw the one where you had your appendix out! Glad that worked out! 😀 If you're ever in southern Maine and want to say hi, or need anything, give me a shout! Added you on Instagram too - same user name as here.
@@colinandpaige I did write a reply to this, but it seems to have vanished from here - I have it in my history if you'd like me to post it again 😃
So sorry the van broke down. 😢
Big hugs! 💜 xoxo
For some reason my brain had you all in Colorado. 🤦♀️🤷♀️
It may have been a blessing! Thanks for being here 💛 We are from Ontario 🍁
Vehicles are an example of God's sense of humour, and a test whether you really want something. You persevered and still took your trip! Well done!
Thanks James!
Love your attitude, stay positive enjoy your weekend, will all work out for your guy's 😘
Thanks so much for being here Diane! Yes, we will be on the road in due time. All a part of the adventure!
Yes Kilmat explanation. Thank you you beautiful humans.
I DID IT FOR YOU ❤️
you broke down in the best of places as you said. it happens. i love how your on call mechanics are the vanwives hehe
Trip wasn't meant to be. Blessing to be at home when it happened. Hahah yes they always have my back 🤗
First of all let me say… I’m happy that you two are safe and well! I’m a firm believer that what happens is meant to happen… And I’m glad that it happened down the road from Paige’s house, and not in the middle of that storm that you were trying to run out! Montreal looks like a beautiful city and I’m glad that you were still able to make your event and meet with your friends…
Can’t wait to see you both next week be safe, and most of all have fun.
I love your playlist…
Thank-you so much Shirley. I'm so happy you are here with us 💛 I agree, we are grateful for it happening at home, it sure felt like a sign.
so that happened but you both dealt with a brilliant attitude and just got on and enjoyed your weekend 👏👏👏👍👍👍 The van will be ready for your adventures to begin when sorted!!!!! Love the music in all your videos 😁😁 Take care love from the UK x
Thanks so much Gloria! We will be on the road in due time. Thanks for being here with us 💛
So not the start to van life you wanted but sounds like you made the best of a lousy situation. I grew up in Montreal but left many decades ago so it was nice to see a glimpse of old Montreal again. Hopefully the van repairs are too costly.
I recently read this and thought I share
“ Life is like a camera
Focus on the what’s important
Capture the good times
Develop from the negatives
And if things don’t work out
Take another shot”
Wow Kathleen I love that so much! Thanks for sharing. So happy you are here with us!
Hey guys another great video!! Hope you get your van fixed and on the road again! Can’t wait for the next video!😊
Thanks so much Cody! Happy you are here! Getting it fixed as we speak, and we will update you soon 🤗
Go luck on your new adventure, you will get your van repaired, have fun
Thank-you James!!
Thank you for the formula footage it was very cool
Victor! Thank you for being here with us and commenting. Yes, was such a cool experience. We are we're very happy to see them in person for the first time 😁
Good job!! Best of luck with the van repair!
Thankyou Stacey! We were on that now. Fingers crossed it's a smooth repair!! 🤞💛
I enjoyed watching today. Looking forward to many more exciting adventures with you both. I love Vanwives and follow them every week. I saw when you traveled with them and the incredible pictures you took. Good luck with the van. You'll get there!!
Thank-you so much for being here with us! They are my dear friends and encouraged me to document my own adventure. I hope to see you next video ✌️💛
@@colinandpaige you absolutely will!🤩
I went to a couple of F1 races here in the states at the Indianapolis motor speedway. Those cars were amazing. Great video thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks so much Joseph. I've really enjoyed following the sport. It's wild how much the sport has exploded in popularity!
Van life and life are so similar, you wanted to enjoy the journey more and this is the journey. the ups and downs and trials and challenges make the journey richer. I remember one time we were in our 74 Kombi and lost the whole exhaust off the van in the middle of nowhere. We had to be towed and some crazy guy used a tow rope driving way too fast and his flashing lights were blinding me. He dropped us off ast a camp ground exhaust in the back of the van. It was still hot when we took it out so w could sleep. Good times!. Stay safe guys and enjoy the ride.
Wow what a story. Thankyou for sharing. Yes you are right, this is all a part of it! While we were gutted in the moment, we felt like it was a blessing to happen so close to home. We were grateful to enjoy some of a trip regardless of the circumstance. I barely even thought about it on our adventure to Montreal, just enjoyed what is in that moment.
Hello , I have just started watching your channel after catching your Vlog on the Vanwives, so I find your story very interesting and have quite a bit of viewing to do to catch up from the beginning. Your commentiring is easy to listen too and informative along with interesting video work. So far you have certainly had your set backs but you have not let them stand in your way, I like that you are not showing van life to be all peaches and cream and difficulties will have to be dealt with.
Stay Safe, Stay Well and BDE!!!
Thanks John!!
Life‘s greatest upsets are unmet expectations. However, if you stay open it’s possible it could turn into the perfect unplanned plan.
Colin.like.you did aawesome content~ see you later-
Thank-you! See you soon 🤗
Cam: That was the most Joey thing ever! Lol. Such a bummer that the van broke down but adventures will continue!
Hahaha exactly why I left it in!
Sure looks like you roll with the punches well enough to survive van life,
and having the Vanwives as friends can't hurt at all. 😊👍
Thanks so much John! Honestly I'm constantly reminded how grateful for their friendship I am.
@@colinandpaige I was so pleased that Jaz helped get the van running enough to get to where you could swap vehicles,she is amazing. Any idea why they haven't posted today?
@@johngramer they both are the best. I believe they are celebrating Pride in Toronto. Did they not update? I'll tell them too LOL
Awe I'm so sorry about your van🙁 Great attitudes thou😁 Looks like you two still had fun❤
Thanks Christine! It's okay its bound to happen, especially in a van that is new to us where we don't know it's quirks and little issues! We were just happy it was close to home 💛
Dang!! But so very good the break down occurred in town as to at the camp ground for certain! Soooooo hoping for a good outcome for the van van 🚐 💝
Thanks so much Victoria! We definitely feel like it was blessing with when and where it happened, when we realized this our anxiety melted away. Thanks for being here 💛
Life’s greatest upsets are unmet expectations. However, if you remain open it just might be the perfect plan.
Such tremendous wisdom right there. Thank you for sharing. I very much agree. One of the things I have been proud of myself in the last 8-10 years as a creative entrepreneur is my acceptance of the unknown. I feel as when we follow the path of who we are meant to become, the path shows itself. No fixation on outcomes, living in what's here now. I think we will succeed in this lifestyle because of the development of these skills. Thankyou for being here with us!
I hope ur van gets better soon!
THANKS DAD
Van or not, love watching your adventures! Hope you get on the road soon :)
Thanks for watching buddy! Appreciate you!
Allowed
It was definitely past my bed time when I wrote that 😂
everything will come together! lots of love for you!
Thanks so much Lisa! We are happy you are here with us 💛 yes, with time, it will all workout!
Sorry about the van. Love Montreal and F1 cars. Thanks
Thanks Chris. Bound to happen in a van we know nothing about, don't know it's quirks and what needs to be worked on. Lesson learned. But glad it happened at home! Yes love F1, big fan 💛
@@colinandpaige yep, I had a few problems with my 65 VW bus traveling from SF area to Vancouver BC and Vancouver Island in the early 70’s. I caught the travel bug very young and now waiting to start up again, a bit older. Have fun, you will figure it out as you go.
@@chrisdenning9816 thanks Chris! See you on the road?!
Omg you pair are like me and my husband when ever we go any where everything goes wrong, hope you managed to still enjoy yourselves xxx
Thanks Susan! Hahah yes we had a good time, once we realized it was a blessing to have it happen at home we no longer felt the anxiety! Thanks for being here
Better late than never!
That’s sad that the van broke down, but I’m glad you two decided to make it to Montréal anyway. Your seats at F1 were not far from ours. We were at the end of pit lane. I had never had that view before. It was an experience! Best wishes on getting the van fixed.
Thanks Joanna! Was such a cool experience being at F1, we were looking forward to that, glad we went! Happy you are here with us 💛
Hope it's nothing serious or expensive and gets fixed quick. Funny, you sealed up holes and when I get my van this week I'll be making holes!!! Thanks for sharing and looking forward to the next video :D
I hope so too! But I think we will look at absolutely everything with the van and nip it in the bud now. So we might find more problems haha! Thanks for being here with us! 💛 Good luck with the van this week!
i saw the clubs again!!!!
🏌️🏌️🏌️
FORE RIGHT
Awww man xx
Wasn't meant to be Lynne! Soon we will hit the road ☺️
If you are ever in the Shediac, NB area, feel free to get stranded at my place😛 hope you manage to get to the east coast!
Hahah awhhh that's very sweet. Thanks for tuning in 💛✌️
Honestly, you are the sweetest kids! My fam would have had a breakdown. You two went on and had a good weekend, even with a potential tornado, an expensive hotel, and a rain storm. So proud of your ever-growing resilience. Here's hoping you are well on your way to NS. (And ya, that drive from "somewhere" in ON to Montreal is a beast!). See ya next time!
Awwhhhh you're too kind. We were grateful that it happened at home and took it as a blessing, it could of been much worse! Once we realized we could just hop in a car all our anxiety went away. Thanks for being with us week in and week out Jona! Your support means a lot
PS That kind of breakdown in the middle of nowhere that you mentioned? Have a peak at Max & Occy vid this week, if you have not yet!
Uh oh. I gotta check that out!
Yay another video from you!🙏🎉😍💖
A huge Pura Vida from Costa Rica BABBY!!!!
Thanks for being here!
sounds like a broken or clogged catalytic, but im sure its nothing a little time and a bunch of money will fix, my best advice to fellow van camper owners is get the best CAA plus RV plan you can. and invest in mechanics tools and an OBDII scanner, fixing it yourself will save you thousands.
Yes that's such great advice! We do have a scanner but I need to learn more on how to fix things myself. The mechanic we are going to see this week wants to teach me things, for that I'm grateful. Thanks so much for being here 💛
So good. Love this. You're the best! yadda yadda yada
Thanks man *self high five*
Sorry your maiden voyage didn’t turn out the way you planned. But as you said it’s a good thing that it happened where it happened and you weren’t stranded far away. Glad you were able to Go on your adventure still. Wow you guys got great seats for that Formula One. Take care let us know what happens next anticipating
Thanks so much Kay! We really do feel like it was a blessing in disguise. Tried to make the best of it! Next video we visit a special tiny house and then back to fixing the van!!
Good luck with your van troubles. Make sure you watch the repairs so you start to learn your engine.
Thank-you so much! Yes that's the plan. The mechanic we are going to see is adamant on teaching me, and I'm looking forward to that!
East coast!!!?? Safe travels and I hope you guys make it out to Nova Scotia!! it is amazing!! I just moved to Ontario from NS and know the pain in the boring drive 😆
Yes had such a big adventure planned, but unfortunately the van had other ideas 😂 thanks for being here with us!
It's better that the van broke down before you left than while you were away.
Exactly. We felt it was a blessing to happen now instead of on the road, once we realized this we no longer felt anxious. It's gonna happen as well, all a part of the journey 💛
@@colinandpaige You were really lucky that it happened when and where it did, and that it wasn't worse. I recently saw a video where some people were driving their van and it caught on fire! Completely destroyed. Luckily for them it wasn't their only home. It was a vintage van.
@@DwarfDragonwulf ahh yes I saw that too. Definitely a blessing for us.
Oh, what a shame about the van. Great ye still went on the trip though.
Thanks Denise. We will get it all fixed up! Thanks for being here with us 💛
Why didn't you put the skirts back on the van. It made the van look so much better
I actually want that extra ground clearance for the back roads. They did look really cool 😂
@@colinandpaige I got you. But it really did made the van stand out. I hope u got the van fixed
Ehem ... 🙈 12:14 ... "as fast a legally aloud" ... aloud? ... is that Canadian? 😉 You guys shouldn't dictate your subtitles to Siri. 👍
WHOOPS SORREY EH
Are you the same Collin that does the video finish work for Vanwives?
Yes sir!
@@colinandpaige Great work, watching their Vlogs you are quite talented, I sometimes wonder about your editing skills, the way they jump around from task to task and you make so fluid. WELL DONE! P.S. I used to own an Audio Video Production business
@@johnrichardcleland4493 thank-you so much John. That's very kind!!
Do you have a patreon (sp?) account ... I would like to support your efforts for a bit!
Hi James that's so appreciated. We have one but never launched it.. we felt like it was too soon to ask for something in return from viewers while we haven't gifted them enough. You can become a RUclips member, which is the same thing as a patron just on YT, or go to a video and do a one time payment with "super thanks". No pressure here to do either, we just appreciate your time and comments 💛
@@colinandpaige Dear Paige and Colin ... a reputation is not necessarily established over a long time and may be firmly planted in one or two events. You both have such a calming approach to life. It is never too soon to ask for help from those who can help. I am a youtube member but I am unsure how to send you a payment. I can PayPal you if you have an email you wish to share. (ps. I will not be emailing unless you want to discuss something at some point.) Warmest regards, Jim (as you can tell I am a very passionate soul who will not leave things unsaid. When I like and love I readily, immediately and regularly express my feelings, with no apologies)
@@jamesheidema wow Jim you're just so kind. I really appreciate you and all the comments. We will work on getting out patreon set up in the next month. If you're still looking to donate it's PayPal.me/colinsteingard
@@jamesheidema your generosity did not go unnoticed. No one ever has done this for us, I can't thankyou enough
It could been wayyy worse try and look at the bright side
I think I cut out a section where I reflected hard on this in the video (that Might of been a mistake). Honestly we were quite grateful it happened now and not in the middle of no where, for that we felt it was a blessing and all the anxiety melted away. Especially when we could jump in the car and still enjoy a little bit of it. Thanks for watching!!
Rejection is God’s protection.
Something was looking over Rus that's for sure!
Sell it !!!!!!!!!!
Sell it?! 😂