Great advice Levi. Everyone who has or is building a van will know exactly what you're saying. Plan, plan, plan, plan, build and then once you're on the road you will realize what needs changing. I wish everyone would do a video like this so that those planning a build can see things that didn't work out as planned. Thanks!!
Hey Levi. For the cell booster, if that is a unit with an exterior antenna and an interior antenna, they are very likely far too close together. This creates a signal oscillation situation, where the interior antenna is too strong and starts to saturate the exterior antenna with the repeated signal instead of allowing the exterior antenna to capture the weak LTE signal outside. Your phone will say it has a better signal but the reality is the booster itself is creating an interference with the tower signal. The possible solution to this is try moving the antennas as far away from each other as possible in the vehicle, one at the back and one at the front. Even try installing the internal antenna near the floor to maximize distance and objects between the two antennas. Another possible solution is to turn down the gain on the repeater if it is a unit that has that capability, turn it down until you see signal drop off and then just turn back enough to recover the signal you lost, instead of cranked to 100. I install these all the time but usually in large buildings where oscillation is less of an issue. Good luck!
Those are great observations. that's actually one of the reasons I have the outside antenna at the back of the van. The interior one is on a long cable so I move it to the front area when in use. Oscillation could definitely be a factor. but I already have them as far apart as I can get them. My running theory was that 4g needs a better antenna than an omnidirectional one. And I should try build or find a better 4g specific directional antenna. Any advice in that department?
I just installed the Webost OTR Truck antenna. It’s on a mast about 4’ tall and I have a flip down mount for storage. It seems to help a lot to be 14’ in the air and so far above the van.
I went with a 2021 Ford E350. 84" ceiling 😁. I can put a bike under the bed and sit up (75.75" tall). I'm plumping the naturals head into a 27 under mount grey tank with a electric ball valve. Great video, its always easier to learn from other people's regrets. You have a great van that won't take too much time to make it your perfect 3.0 dream. 👍
All vanlifers seem to love the nature’s head. I follow another channel, Van Kookz. They build vans & they use c-heads in all their builds. According to them, the c-head is way better. The crank is on the top and any gallon jug will do for the pee. Apparently, the only pee jug you can use for the nature’s head is the one it comes with. However, with the c-head, anytime the jug gets gnarly, pitch it and replace with any empty water jug. They have an interesting video about it & their vanbuilds are great. Looking forward to more adventures from you guys 😊
Levi, FYI - the Blum Aventos lifts on the upper cabinets can be adjusted so they don’t slam into the roof ( assuming the lifts you have are correctly rated for your doors) they also make angle restriction clips that will limit the door opening angle..
Levi, If you have the lifts fully adjusted , the lifts you installed are probably rated for heavier and or taller doors - the doors should be able to be adjusted so they don’t slam up to the roof... Angle restriction clips will limit how far the doors open - 100 degree angle restriction clip Part# 20K7041, 75degree angle restriction clip Part# 20K7011. Found on page 88 of the Blum Aventos catalog At Blum.com
Constant learning about ourselves and the ability to improve... thankfully lifelong processes that we get to enjoy as we go ! Great days and safe travels to you both and all of yours !
You asked what content we want to see going forward...I watch lots of vanlife videos. What sets yours apart is your amazing talent at filming and producing. So, in response to your question, just take that van to places most of us will never get to and show us the great outdoors as only Levi Allen can!
This is SUCH a useful video. It's easy to see a layout on youtube and want to copy it, but hardly anyone talks about design decisions they wish they WOULDN'T have made. Great job Levi, keep up the good content.
Been following you since your GH4 days, Levi. The van build videos is a very interesting and fun watch, but my definitive favorite videos from you has to be the ones with pow, splitboarding and mountains especially. Hoping for more adventure content in the future, because you are a master at making the viewers feel like they are there with you!
We like how the Natures Head is next to the Nature Valley! Nothing like a granola bar when dropping a payday! In all seriousness though... we’re sooo happy that we watched this film because there are some hot tips! Like the 3/4” thickness Birch issue with hinges being overkill... and the lagoon arm range of motion requirements! We’re in The middle of converting our old school bus into a tiny home on wheels and these tips are definitely helping! Thanks so much for making this film we appreciate you! And you’re right… Life is better when you make stuff😁🚌🇨🇦 we dig that! - Brian + Erin
1. I've tried 3 different boosters. None have worked. I thought it was just me, but seeing your experience, maybe not. 2. Bucket is best. I've helped a few people pull out those composting toilets. They are way more work than a bucket and usually smell. Get cedar saw dust and your van will smell amazing. Check out the Humanure Handbook - the bible. 3. I think the white doors are a great idea. 4. Have you thought about having the bed at roughly bar stool height? That would still allow you to sit at the counter. 5. If you can shift the bed forward just slightly, could the bike fit vertically across the back? Could you make a little 'headboard' that could contain it? Maybe you could weld a swing-out for it, so you still had access to your drawer? Awesome content as always....
Adam Mackey Smith I have the WeBoost $200 version with the cradle that the phone must sit in. It has worked really well, improving weak, unusable signals to one that can stream video and send/receive emails and data. This has been consistently flawless in multiple locations. I’ve been very pleased with it. Levi’s system looks like WeBoost’s $500 RV system, but I couldn’t live with that giant antenna. I agree on the bucket, a Luggable Loo costs $15 and serves as a stool and storage area.
That's what I love about this lifestyle, little changes make a world of difference. Great to hear your perspective on the mobile booster. I've definitely been interested in them for a while but couldn't convince myself they were worth the cost. Just my theory, but I believe the metal in our vans interferes with the cell signal. I find putting my hotspot near a window or elevating it helps the signal when I'm parked. As long as I have at least 2 bars of service I can do most of what I need to do, from video conferencing to uploading videos.
For postarity sake (you've moved on) others may also need info: the cutting board sink insert. Flatten it completely. Encapsulate it completely on ALL sides with a moisture exclusive finish (epoxy is best) ...coat all sides with EQUAL number of coats. "Balanced moisture exclusivity " it should them remain flat.
Your van is great. I love the dark evergreen color. Being a single retired guy I would put my galley width-wise as part of a bulkhead to save space. I wont be doing any laptop work, so I don't need a work space or a seating area. The bed will be everything.
Just found this chap. Been into vans on you tube since I started. Never had his stuff recommended to me. Glad to have found him. I’m subscribed. Greetings from uk 🇬🇧
Hey Levi! love the van series videos, cant wait to see the improvements you make. Regarding the 4G Booster, i have been down this road too as we travel and I need to work from our camper. What it comes down to is its not all about signal strength. Most of the speed gains we enjoy with our phones is based on a MIMO (multi in - multi out) tech, so there are actually multiple antennas communicating with one or multiple towers all at once. I did the same thing you have done, started out with the 4G booster, even added a direction antenna, which gave me the same results you are having, then i moved to a directional antenna and a dedicated 4G modem, same issues. I have been doing quite a bit of testing with several different products lately and what it comes down to is you need a device that supports multiple antennas, there are a couple companies that make some flat mount mimo antennas that will mount to the top of your van. which you would the connect to a 4g modem, either a hot spot from your provider or a 3rd party device that you buy a data only sim card for. I have tested routers/boosters from mikrotik, peplink, wilson, and cradlepoint. By far the best I have used is the cradlepoint 4g router devices with a "gigabit" class modem in them. The routers from peplink and mikrotik are cheaper and functionally the same but lack the latest generations of 4g modems and thereby sacrifice speed. I am running the following gear, it will probably run you $1500-2k all in but to get a usable mobile internet connection its worth it: Cradelpoint Modem/Router: cradlepoint.com/product/endpoints/ibr900/ Panorama Antenna: www.panorama-antennas.com/site/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=343 You can also check out this video, he does a really good job walking through their evolution's of internet connectivity. ruclips.net/video/yDCIx5JpEgs/видео.html
I put my Nature’s Head toilet on a slide out platform under the bed. It works really well that way, so if you change your bed I’d definitely recommend that. Not sure how you can fix the height of the bed issue, given you want to keep the bike underneath. Maybe for your next van you need a higher roof. I’m a shorty so can sleep crossways which gives me a little more flexibility with the rest of the layout. Your van has lots of great features though. I like that your bike drawer has a ramp. That would make it a lot easier to take in and out.
I teach design and manufacturing and your reflections on the van build are insightful and show that you have some excellent critical thinking skills. I particularly like your analysis about the bench seat. It shows that these decisions are not binary (good/bad) but a gray scale. One of the tools we use is a decision matrix where you weight pros and cons with number and come up with a decision... sometimes you get surprising results. Another tool we use is FMEA (Failure mode effects analysis)... basically what could go wrong, what is the likelihood and how serious is the problem that is created. Then you can figure out how to deal with the problem thru design changes. I am someone who does not like planning things I like building and changing so having tools that slow me down before I convince myself this is a great idea really helps. Good luck with your rebuild and solving the problem of the warped sink inlay!
I weighed the pros and cons of the natures head heavily, even considered plumbing the liquids directly to a dedicated "grey" tank. The more I researched the limits of composting though, I saw why the Nature's Head is the size that it is. Dumping 2L of urine does not pose any significant ecological threat to wherever it is being dumped, especially if you walk while you empty it, spreading out the urine. Any storage tank that is larger than 2L creates the problem of a high concentration of urine in a small ecological area, which can introduce a high concentration of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium that can permanently damage plants and the area for growth. So if I used any larger of a tank I would have to limit myself to responsible dumping sites which I find to be more of a hassle than emptying the tank daily or bi-daily. This was one of those areas where nature put the limitations on my level of convenience and I just had to settle with a new daily chore. As for solids, I guess that comes down to personal preference. But when I was city dwelling and woke up to 5:00am to deal with the consequences of drinking beer and eating hot pizza the night before, I would've paid any amount to have something civil within reach. Thankfully, the Starbucks down the street was open. TMI? 😂 Hope that helps you see the toilet from a new perspective!
I lived in a van in Sydney Australia for 9 months all I had was a container to pee in, and a bucket with a separate lid that had the middle section cut out leaving just the lip for comfort and it stored in the bucket with bags and toilet paper. The bucket doubles as a seat and I only used it once for a toilet. As far as chores like emptying the pee container or refilling my water containers, I would always remind myself how my co-workers spent 1-1.5 hrs each way travelling to and from the construction job. Even if I spent 5 minutes dumping my pee bottle in a discreet location every other day I was still way better off.
Re. The cutting board, maybe put some steel angle along the edges on the underside. You could also put a strip of rubber on the steel, then you'll have a cutting board that doesn't slide around on the counter at all and remains solid. Also recommend sealing it really well with epoxy resin like the other guy said.
Add second antenator and charge batteries at 200amps and get rid of solar panels broken, hinge overhead doors at the bottom and it will act as a shelf if you need to move things around. Put your wee toilet bucket in a box on castors rather than a drawer. Love your review and honesty.
Literally about to head out to get supplies to build out my Toyota Sequoia (gotta move into it ASAP) and thought I’d check RUclips real quick. I know the word “authentic” is overused these days but you are one very real and authentic storyteller and I love how you’re always honest about what worked and didn’t work.
My dream van setup would be - Raised suspension 4wd mod on a high roof mid wheel base van - Durable solar panels and lithium battery for plenty of power supply to devices - Ladder to the roof rack with space for a spare tyre - Swivel front seats - Nice custom flooring (not thick) - A mattress that can be raised or folded out of the way. - Dimmable led lights - Small fridge - Out of the way fresh water tank with an external hose/shower attachment - The tinniest sink/galley possible, attached to the fresh water tank (just so there is some running water inside) - A portable dual aircon/heating unit - For storage, a couple of large multi-compartment gig cases on wheels modified to lock into place. Wood panels over the tops so they can be used as bench tops. Not permanently affixed so easy to move or take outside That's it. No permanent cupboards, bathroom or insulation Leave the van as spacious and open as possible with minimal permanently fixed items
Always good to know about errors. I like your fast moving presentation. If I could give one tip to people giving van tours it would be to not open every drawer and cabinet and detail every item inside them. General info will do. Thanks for the info.
Regarding the toilet. You can get a separet toilet seat over a bucket and use a milk jug or something for the urine. Put a plastic bag in the bucket. You just need a container to put the compost material in to cover the solids. Then all you have to do is pull the plastic bag out and through it away. But keep the vent it helps
Great to see an honest video ,Most van life people on You Tube only tell you how great every thing is with there van and not the negative's . I have learned to to trust what a lot of Van Life You Tubers tell you as they either got the product for free or are hoping to get some thing for free. How is it very product they have os the best product on the market . That's my rant
If those are all your complaints, I think you did a pretty darn good job. There will ALWAYS be things you will want to fix. Most of your issues seem pretty minor, except for that bed height, which doesn't seem worth fixing for all that work you put into that awesome drawer slide. Address the simple fixes, then just use the thing.
Love "what didn't work" videos, you can learn SO much. We have a similar problem with our bench storage, regarding double lifting stuff and fighting cushions...makes me just avoid even getting in that bench. Yes on the signal booster, same here, total waste of $500. I will say I LOVE our Nature's Head, though we have it in a shower/bathroom with plenty of room and you can see the urine level. My husband uses a pee jug, I use the toilet, we both use it for solids...if I am going to pay that much for a toilet you can bet your buns, I plan on getting all the use I can out of it. ha ha. Looking forward to what you do with the bench storage.
I'm a former cabinet maker. If I remember right you can adjust those Blum hinges to stop at a certain point and also decrease the spring tension so they don't fly open. Hope that helps!
Your cellphone antenna is boosting your calling (usually 800Mhz) signal not your data signal (1700, 1900 and 2100Mhz), I used to work installing those products, like Surecall & Weboot * Wilson electronics, and I had to explain to the customer that the calling frecuency is different than 4g LTE. If you want better data, just be close to a city but for the road and wilderness, don't waste your money. Hard to find something really powerfull and will be very, very expensive.
It's just a shame they all advertise that they boost 4g. It's literally in the name of the product I bought. I'm aware the voice and 4g are different signals. I wonder if I would get better speed improvements with a directional antenna versus a omnidirectional one.
Levi Allen Going directional would cost more and probably bulky. Try an arc half circle foil behind the antenna and look at your signal gain, long shot but may work while parked for the night. I wanted a booster but one of the comments noted that it was not for data... that was the sole reason for me to add a booster, disappointing. Best of luck
Thank you for sharing! So many of these ban vlog are so "picture perfect", but I get so mucj more out of of the "sub optimals" - it tells us what to watch out of for (!). "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
I just sketched out a similar but different bench for my future van. perhaps change the toilet to a slide out ? Same space, but on a slider. For the "junk" area , maybe place some baskets on the cabinet to give you vertical storage. Quick and easy with some heavy duty 3m hooks so if you don't like it , easy peasy to remove. Also, maybe pop in and visit with a cabinet/boat maker. I know it isn't doing it yourself but sometimes its worth paying for a small bit of help. He might be able to help you tweak what you already have without breaking the bank. Imo that's well worth way less aggravation.
My original plan for my Sprinter was very similar to yours (bed/bench for extra seating), but I ended up going with a fully fixed bed, primarily because of build time and my own limited skills. Watching your rant made me appreciate that I went simpler, although I'm also on the tall side and can't sit up in bed, which is a bummer. I also went with a bucket for a toilet. It was going to be a temporary thing, but given your feedback, I think I may just keep it. Thanks for the detailed walkthrough. Sorry some things are giving you headaches, but I hope you know we appreciate the service you're doing for the rest of us :-)
I'm still working on my build while living in it, and what has been nice about that is being able to prototype things as I go since there are no fixed walls or structures in the way. The one thing I'm super happy about has been prototyping a composting toilet! I originally bought a Nature's Head, but returned it after being disappointed with what seemed like poor functionality to me. I'm glad I did because it turns out that crafting your own toilet is strangely satisfying lol. I've made it better and better with each revision and I have spent less than $50 so far on it. And the biggest bonus is that by building it myself, once I start to lock down the functionality of the design, I can then adjust the dimensions to custom fit wherever it is I decide to place it!
I like your build. The colors in and outside are nice. Yes the cabinets can be lighter. I like the idea of toilet under the bench. Good tip for the toilet that the containers need to be big enough and that you can easily check the levels.
A pop-up top camper top is expensive, but gives you all that space and cross ventilation especially with sleeping. With redoing the solar top, maybe a pop-top camper is an option. They have flexible solar panels now = maybe these are better but the power is about 1/2, still may not be able to stand on them. -What about a light off-road trailer 1-2K lbs to pull with solar and battery, storage, water. =cheaper than a pop-top camper.
Hey! Cool van! Just my insights (as a mechanical designer who converted my 144 van, is 6'5" and stores mtbikes, surfboards and outdoor gear): We managed to fit 2 mountain bikes (L & XL) under the bed on a drawer with enough bed space to sit straight. It's a little bit more work (we have to remove the seat posts and front wheel when storing the bikes, and we really had to think during the design of the drawer to make it as compact as possible), but in my opinion it is worth it. We do not have as many seating space as you so it was important for us. I will tell you tho, with the angles of the van, it's really not that comfortable. I can't work for hours sitting in the bed. But it's doable! For the bench at that end of your bed that you reckon is clumsy, I think you should consider two things. First, do you really need to have the full width of the bed as a seat? Will it sometimes be 2 pple sitting there or it's mostly 1 person. If so, why not have just half the width on a hinge, the other half could be permanent. Also, insted of folding the bed upwards, could it flip down instead and become a back padded rest when in sitting mode. You could still manage to access the chest under if dimensions are correct. Would make more sense if I could share a picture. Finally I think most of a van conversion can be done with 1/2" birch plywood. It saves weight, money and space. Sure you have to be more careful in the building process (being precise, always predrilling everything), but it's definitely doable. I worked in a company where we used to build a lot of funky stuff with birch plywood and I can tell you it's strong. A 1/2" birch plywood will have the same screwing pull out force as 3/4" standard plywood because the plys are tighter. 95% of my van components is made out of 1/4 and 1/2 plywood. Anyways, keep having fun on the road. Cheers!
Levi, I think that many of us home builders face the same dilemma. I built a teardrop style adventure trailer a number of years ago and now it's time for updates/fixes/and tear-outs. Ideas that seem so good at design time just don't work out in real life. Have you considered storing your bike horizontally rather than vertically so you could lower the bed height a few inches? I assume your rebuild will be a video series and I'm looking forward to seeing it. I documented my build of the Desert Dawg with photos and a website, but the rebuild will be documented for my new RUclips channel. Looking forward fall when I can get serious about the rebuild.
So I've been watching a bunch of of videos over the past year in preparation for doing my own van build in the future. Regarding toilets; they all require some level of attention and service. Whether it's one of those composting toilets, a porta-potty with some kind of removable cassette collector, or the standard RV style toilet with black tank. Ultimately it appears to me the standard style RV toilet w/black tank works just as well if not better than the rest of them. Think about it. They all need dumping, they all need cleaning, and they all can stink if you're not giving these systems semi-regular attention. To me the answer is some extra fresh water capacity for the toilet, regular service, and a periodic stop at a dump station. In my view the standard RV toilet/black-tank system is the winner.
... nice to see your 'evaluation' report... NH - yeah, bucket and bag for #2, 1 qt pee-jar (and funnel for the lady) x 2 with lid provides function and easy of use/disposal... consider a way to lay the bike down sideways to lower the height of the bed - you have the ability to create a drawer that allows support and storage around it. Consider corrugated/channeled poly-carbonate or foam core sign board for the cabinet doors (I do not use any doors at all, another option - show the mess lol)... the open mid-section has visual appeal - open shelving with a lip to contain 'containers' ... Was nice to also see what you liked and was working for you... Cheers ~ S
Man GREAT you told you are 6'3". Almost all other van vloggers are relatively short and the proportions always looks so much better with them but with you i can relate my self fitting in a van. My Next will be a 2013-2018 Super tall and super long sprinter 4x4, now i'm riding 2010 old 800.000km clocked ambulance, MWB with standard (low) roof and basically it is a miniature camper just 2x6m base area. More likea hyper luxury tent.
Very helpful! We just finished our buildout and we already have things that need to be changed. So glad we didn't buy the Nature's Head. We spent under $100 to make our own diverting toilet system with the thoughts of upgrading later, but might just stick with what we have now. I was looking at Weboosts this week and so glad I didn't buy that either. Please keep us posted on what you end up getting. Love that your bench seat locks in two different positions.
I apreciate you sharing your experiences. My van is currently in a rough built state and for the most part I am pretty happy with the way things are working out for me, but I do have my frustrations as well. I am very envyious of your power system, that is my biggest frustration with my van at the moment I don't really having sufficient power to run my mobile office, as I sit here writing this I am running my van to recharge my house batter. Its just a matter of finances and over time I hope to rectify the problem. I was also very interested to here what you had to say about the mobile booster, I have been on the fence for awhile about getting one, I understand how they work, and I haven't been convinced its worth the money, I think you just completley talked me out of it. Again thanks for the insights. Jason
Large capacity lithium systems cannot be charged efficiently from solar all of the time. Running your car for an hour with a second alternator outputting 200amps is reasonable. So many van builds these days don't have any solar panels at all.
Let me know if you find something that works Jason! Power is such a massive difference maker. That's by far where we invested the most money in this build. Its why I didn't buy a newer van. I settled for older rusty van, with better power. Hopefully the trade-off pays off. Let's meet up on the coast sometime
Just like building a house, they say you will get it right on the third van you build LOL. I think that you did not make any "Mistakes" but you are really and truly "Prototyping". It's an interactive learning experience, which is great when you think about it, you have not just built a van, a home, but you have built the skills to be able to modify your home/van to fit your ever-changing needs. You will get there Levi, keep at it, and keep working the problems, you will find solutions. My self personally as a fabricator that has worked at my trade for most of my life, I've been very impressed with the work you guys did on this van, you WILL improve it more as you use it and learn. Cheers from Tokyo. Stu
Excellent video, glad to hear the honest review of your work, which was awesome by the way. You have given people looking into building an adventure can, some great pointers and ideas. Thanks for sharing and stay safe. Ken
Eyy thank you for your wisdom! Im saving your video because it makes me feel better about going slow and really being sure of the things I want to begin with in my own build. Very helpful!
Great build and quality craftsmanship I must say. you put a lot of work and thought into the van and build and I think you definitely hit the mark overall. My opinion is that you couldn't/wouldn't have predicted many of the regrets before actually living in and/or using the van. I experienced the same with my build..There were things that sounded great in theory, but I absolutely regretted some of my decisions after I began using the build/rig for its purposes. I can say that you did a great job as you list of regrets is much smaller than mine...lol...you are definitely living the dream. safe travels my friend...
In the random empty space, you could install some hanging storage with a shelf down below For the cabinets being so dark, have you considered adding in some color beyond white like maybe a light green or blue to help brighten up the space?
Ideas for that empty space where you wanted to build shelves. You could build shelves for books, herbs and other household stuff like mason jars of dried goods freeing up room in your cupboards for other pantry items OR you could use it as an electronics corner and use the shelves for all of your electronic devices and film stuff that you have so all of it is in one place and easy to access. I probably would leave the space open if you can and not add doors just to break it up a bit since you already have cupboards next to it and at the back .
fully agree about the Natures head. Had one in our bus conversion for over a year that we lived in full time. and it was a pain in the butt. we over filled the pee jug lots, and then it flowed lots into the solids and then I had to deal with sewage... I had more times than I can count where I had to deal with raw sewage. Even after natures head sent me a replacement because mine let the liquids into the solids. it was still problematic
@@Levi_Allen Yeah man, it was extremely frustrating. We lived in the bus in Alaska so in the middle of the winter it was pretty horrible. Thanks for all your amazing content man! love your channel, feel like my wife and I would get along with you guys well in real life. Appreciate you and you sharing your life with us!
For better connection remember height is key. To solve that I've used a cradle point WiFi access point with LTE modem built in. When stopped I raise it up on top of a fiberglass telescopic pole. That normally is enough to get some more speed.
Good point. Another RUclipsr Elsa Rhea has their booster mounted on a pole that they extend when they set up camp. It appears to be about 16' tall. Not sure how to integrate that into a van. And it definitely would stick out in some situations (Elsa and her boyfriend usually camp in the middle of nowhere).
Almost all the van videos I've seen have been about "how awesome our van is", so it was cool to hear about some of the downsides. I can't see myself ever living the "van life" but I liked the analogy of a mobile cabin, maybe one day I'll have something like this for adventures. I guess the future compromise you will make is to lower the storage space to give you more bed room and store the bike or whatever else on its side?
you certainly have one of my top 3 van builds ever! and believe me I've seen lots and lots of builds;) refreshing to see that you have also made mistakes just like everyone doing diy van builds. but im sure you will find practical solutions and never forget, life's better when you love your van (mine was rusted and i was ready to get in to the junkyard;) but am incredibly happy to have fixed him
I think I might actually enjoy and get more value out of your long-term reviews and follow-up videos then your initial build. When everything is shiny and new, it's easy to think everything is perfect. But with time, many truths pop up.
Yeah, you're back! Thank you for the info. Because you like sailing too, I'd love to see you work on some sailboat spaces too. Both are similar, in that you're putting lots of functionality into small spaces, off-grid. So marine stuff and van stuff, I think they've got some bits to share with each other.
Having built a bus and a van, I feel that the less you do on the front end the better. Once you get out, if that is what you really want to do, you will "discover" what is important and what you need. Watching van-life porn and thinking you need even 1/3rd of that stuff is nuts. The less you do on the front end, the less regret you will have when it crumbles once you are out. There are Lowes and Amazon boxes everywhere. Let the process be organic. Go minimalist until you know for sure.
great video. these are always good to watch. I know compatible toilets caught on over the last couple years, but I would highly recommend looking at the thetford cassette toilet. we had to import ours from the UK, but it works great, it's 5 gallons and being that you're going to have to empty the composting toilet anyway, it just seems to make sense to do it all at once. just run a water line and power line to it and you're set. has a meter to tell you when it's full.
I used 28" 500lbs drawer slides in my van. My fixed bed was roughly 48 inches in length and under the bed platform the another platform extended forward. I had cushions that made up the difference in height.nThe drawer slides lock retracted and extended and take 2 seconds to change position to bed mode.
Hello there, like your build as much as you have already placed in it from this vid. I see your frustration in your ingenuity. I am not a guru in anything but I've seen a lot of vids. on builds. The only thing I would like to say is, less is more. And get the grove one YOUR happiness with your build. Everything you said on your build is just maximizing what you got. Piece 2U. Keep free.
Haven’t started building yet.just finishing mechanicals on the chassis I want more windows..you’re lucky because you live OUT OF IT! not in it. Love the roof rack but not the tire up there. I just think rainstorm wind Flat tire.. the height of the bed commentary is money in the bank..thanks
Ok ... So as Cabinet doors ( using 1/2 plywood might warp, If you were to cut styles , rails & filled the center with 1/4 ply that might work better ) With the toilet ... could you run a hose through the floor ? it's only pee. I like the thought of having the toilet on a draw slide ( just had to run a hoes through the floor) I love how you can move the seat location. Good luck with next build. Thanks and can't wait to see the next one.
This video is very timely for my van build journey. Always liked your 2nd row seating setup. Definitely want that in my van. Also liked the Nature’s Head rant. I think you saved me $1500 as I was going to prioritize a fancy pooper to start. I’m gonna start with a kitty litter bucket and seat I think. The comments about the bench seat were very interesting. Definitely need to think about how to deal with something like that. The one thing I really want is winter capability! I want to use this to make more skiing happen. Definitely would like to know how your heating is working...especially for winter use. Great video. Timely!
Hey there Levi , instead of all those lifters struts you could simply have a bolt that goes into the wall with a small piece of wood it slides through. i like to keep it light and simple! i have built 6 vans now and it just gets lighter and simpler each time>
angle the bike to lower height further plus move the bedframe forward to create space at back of van. When backdoor shut there'll be a gap that should fit the bikes handle bars. For 6'3" that precious headspace means hours of lounging On the bed In the daytime Enjoying the backdoor view. Keep the bed short during daytime ad it is right now. You can alway place that plank back to make it a full 6 ft plus at night. The space underneath: move the entire kitchen structure back right up against the bed. And it would open up the front half for what ever you want. The $1500 toilet goes to the front half of the van (as in other vans). Advantage: door is right there to get rid of the waste. You might as well put a bathtub next. A rectangular pail 3'x4' and 3' high (like those short not-full-length japanese bathtubs). Shower curtains for the top half. Point is when bathtub/shower not in use, just put a lid on the 3' pail and you have a sofa or table :) *no vanners done that Japanese bathtub/ sofa before i believe, youll be the first u
On the cupboard doors perhaps consider coloured patterned material, as would help with cosiness & acoustics. I agree, pee is more prominent than solids, we need to keep it simple.
Cell phone boosters are actually a repeater. They are made to retransmit the signal to an indoor room or building that is shielded by a metal roof or blocked by thick walls. They won't increase the signal, only recreate the signal inside of the room. The only way to boost the signal is to use a directional antenna (yagi). This might help you if you are parked somewhere and on the fringe of a transmitting tower. Pointing the directional antenna towards a tower might boost a signal enough to make a difference. (Your video shows an omnidirectional antenna...no gain.) Don't expect miracles however even with a directional yagi antenna. Thanks BTW for the many years of your videos. I always enjoy your adventures.
Build ideas : The bare wall, a mirror and some led light design. Build Idea 2 : Wifi Cantennae build from a pringles can. You should add some nice widow coverings for the sides or actual drapes.
Number Juan Bus I was thinking that since you recently made a video of what you use for cell signal and how happy you said you are with it maybe you could tell Levi what you’re using?
I used to design solar panels. You probably won't find any that you can stand on. Most of them will have the same tempered glass. (Which can shatter with sharp & light impacts) The only difference you might be able to find is glass thickness. Standing on a solar panel will basically always cause damage. It won't be visible but will reduce efficiency. Hope this helps
I appreciate that you used to design panels, but there is definitely many models that can hold human weight. LG for instances makes several. A 340W and 400w panels are the ones I have personally stood on while installed in vans by an outfitter near me. Im not saying a majority are built this way, but there are definitely panels you can stand on with no damage
@@Levi_Allen The glass will hold your weight yes. However it will still cause micro cracks on the cells. This is where the efficiency loss comes from. If you are generating plenty of power and are willing to sacrifice some efficiency it is definitely possible.
This was great! thanks for all that. Currently building out a promaster! I renovated an airstream and we went with the Natures Head and it was by far the worst $1000 i have ever spent in my life and constantly could not fathom how it has so many good reviews... it was the worst part about living in our airstream... hearing you talk about it gave me flash backs to the urine over filled... and having to open the head and just get pee on yourself.. oh man.. the worst thing ever... not to mention it isn't designed well.. doesn't look good... ohhhh man.. that was the worst. Anywho.. thanks for walking through your thoughts on your build!! Cant wait to finish out our van!!
Piss bottle aside, has the composting toilet for solids been good while traveling? Like I don't know what your experience with chemical toilets is, but I'm hoping the nature's head is better than dealing with a toilet cartridge and chemicals. (We have a nature's head waiting to be installed, had it for over a year but haven't used it)
I found this very intriguing with my education in interior design. when you said these doors are to big I was like yup! So glad to see a new video from you guys! :-)
Great advice Levi. Everyone who has or is building a van will know exactly what you're saying. Plan, plan, plan, plan, build and then once you're on the road you will realize what needs changing. I wish everyone would do a video like this so that those planning a build can see things that didn't work out as planned. Thanks!!
Hey Levi. For the cell booster, if that is a unit with an exterior antenna and an interior antenna, they are very likely far too close together. This creates a signal oscillation situation, where the interior antenna is too strong and starts to saturate the exterior antenna with the repeated signal instead of allowing the exterior antenna to capture the weak LTE signal outside. Your phone will say it has a better signal but the reality is the booster itself is creating an interference with the tower signal.
The possible solution to this is try moving the antennas as far away from each other as possible in the vehicle, one at the back and one at the front. Even try installing the internal antenna near the floor to maximize distance and objects between the two antennas. Another possible solution is to turn down the gain on the repeater if it is a unit that has that capability, turn it down until you see signal drop off and then just turn back enough to recover the signal you lost, instead of cranked to 100.
I install these all the time but usually in large buildings where oscillation is less of an issue. Good luck!
Those are great observations. that's actually one of the reasons I have the outside antenna at the back of the van. The interior one is on a long cable so I move it to the front area when in use. Oscillation could definitely be a factor. but I already have them as far apart as I can get them.
My running theory was that 4g needs a better antenna than an omnidirectional one. And I should try build or find a better 4g specific directional antenna. Any advice in that department?
Use a dongle to hotspot
far simpler
Also use a sh satellite dish to add db gain.
Open signal app on play shows direction and location of all cell towers and ping speeds
I just installed the Webost OTR Truck antenna. It’s on a mast about 4’ tall and I have a flip down mount for storage. It seems to help a lot to be 14’ in the air and so far above the van.
@@Josh-wj2jm do you have a lightning arrestor fitted in line?
Bad day in the van better than a good day in many places. Thanks for the video.
Use the blank space at 6:15 for a clothes bar, you can hang jackets, shirts, and pants to dry out of the way.
Dude that toilet would drive me crazy. Save the space and get a good shovel. Nothing like taking a dump in the woods 😂. Great build x
Enjoyed the rant. Very real. Good to see that side of you. Also practical info for me as I plan the layout for my Sprinter.
I went with a 2021 Ford E350. 84" ceiling 😁. I can put a bike under the bed and sit up (75.75" tall). I'm plumping the naturals head into a 27 under mount grey tank with a electric ball valve. Great video, its always easier to learn from other people's regrets. You have a great van that won't take too much time to make it your perfect 3.0 dream.
👍
All vanlifers seem to love the nature’s head. I follow another channel, Van Kookz. They build vans & they use c-heads in all their builds. According to them, the c-head is way better. The crank is on the top and any gallon jug will do for the pee. Apparently, the only pee jug you can use for the nature’s head is the one it comes with. However, with the c-head, anytime the jug gets gnarly, pitch it and replace with any empty water jug. They have an interesting video about it & their vanbuilds are great. Looking forward to more adventures from you guys 😊
Levi,
FYI - the Blum Aventos lifts on the upper cabinets can be adjusted so they don’t slam into the roof ( assuming the lifts you have are correctly rated for your doors) they also make angle restriction clips that will limit the door opening angle..
Oh I have them fully adjusted at this point. The angle restriction clips I don't know about. What are those?
Levi,
If you have the lifts fully adjusted , the lifts you installed are probably rated for heavier and or taller doors - the doors should be able to be adjusted so they don’t slam up to the roof...
Angle restriction clips will limit how far the doors open - 100 degree angle restriction clip Part# 20K7041, 75degree angle restriction clip Part# 20K7011. Found on page 88 of the Blum Aventos catalog At Blum.com
@@skiplauderbaugh5058 Thanks Skip! I had no idea those were a thing. I am so new to cabinets and hardware
Constant learning about ourselves and the ability to improve... thankfully lifelong processes that we get to enjoy as we go ! Great days and safe travels to you both and all of yours !
You asked what content we want to see going forward...I watch lots of vanlife videos. What sets yours apart is your amazing talent at filming and producing. So, in response to your question, just take that van to places most of us will never get to and show us the great outdoors as only Levi Allen can!
This is SUCH a useful video. It's easy to see a layout on youtube and want to copy it, but hardly anyone talks about design decisions they wish they WOULDN'T have made. Great job Levi, keep up the good content.
Been following you since your GH4 days, Levi. The van build videos is a very interesting and fun watch, but my definitive favorite videos from you has to be the ones with pow, splitboarding and mountains especially. Hoping for more adventure content in the future, because you are a master at making the viewers feel like they are there with you!
We like how the Natures Head is next to the Nature Valley! Nothing like a granola bar when dropping a payday!
In all seriousness though... we’re sooo happy that we watched this film because there are some hot tips! Like the 3/4” thickness Birch issue with hinges being overkill... and the lagoon arm range of motion requirements!
We’re in The middle of converting our old school bus into a tiny home on wheels and these tips are definitely helping! Thanks so much for making this film we appreciate you!
And you’re right… Life is better when you make stuff😁🚌🇨🇦 we dig that!
- Brian + Erin
1. I've tried 3 different boosters. None have worked. I thought it was just me, but seeing your experience, maybe not.
2. Bucket is best. I've helped a few people pull out those composting toilets. They are way more work than a bucket and usually smell. Get cedar saw dust and your van will smell amazing. Check out the Humanure Handbook - the bible.
3. I think the white doors are a great idea.
4. Have you thought about having the bed at roughly bar stool height? That would still allow you to sit at the counter.
5. If you can shift the bed forward just slightly, could the bike fit vertically across the back? Could you make a little 'headboard' that could contain it? Maybe you could weld a swing-out for it, so you still had access to your drawer?
Awesome content as always....
Adam Mackey Smith I have the WeBoost $200 version with the cradle that the phone must sit in. It has worked really well, improving weak, unusable signals to one that can stream video and send/receive emails and data. This has been consistently flawless in multiple locations. I’ve been very pleased with it. Levi’s system looks like WeBoost’s $500 RV system, but I couldn’t live with that giant antenna.
I agree on the bucket, a Luggable Loo costs $15 and serves as a stool and storage area.
Haven't finished the Humanure book yet, but what I read was fascinating!
SC Nomad have you used the weboost in rural areas outside of major cities? If so what speeds can you pull up and down?
Also what’s your carrier?
Doesn’t make sense to me to have a toilet in a van and carry around your waste with you.
That's what I love about this lifestyle, little changes make a world of difference. Great to hear your perspective on the mobile booster. I've definitely been interested in them for a while but couldn't convince myself they were worth the cost. Just my theory, but I believe the metal in our vans interferes with the cell signal. I find putting my hotspot near a window or elevating it helps the signal when I'm parked. As long as I have at least 2 bars of service I can do most of what I need to do, from video conferencing to uploading videos.
David Martin I thought his booster was mounted on top of van ... can’t imagine a better location than that.
For postarity sake (you've moved on) others may also need info: the cutting board sink insert. Flatten it completely. Encapsulate it completely on ALL sides with a moisture exclusive finish (epoxy is best) ...coat all sides with EQUAL number of coats.
"Balanced moisture exclusivity " it should them remain flat.
Great tips
Your van is great. I love the dark evergreen color. Being a single retired guy I would put my galley width-wise as part of a bulkhead to save space. I wont be doing any laptop work, so I don't need a work space or a seating area. The bed will be everything.
Just found this chap. Been into vans on you tube since I started. Never had his stuff recommended to me. Glad to have found him. I’m subscribed. Greetings from uk 🇬🇧
Hey Levi! love the van series videos, cant wait to see the improvements you make.
Regarding the 4G Booster, i have been down this road too as we travel and I need to work from our camper. What it comes down to is its not all about signal strength. Most of the speed gains we enjoy with our phones is based on a MIMO (multi in - multi out) tech, so there are actually multiple antennas communicating with one or multiple towers all at once.
I did the same thing you have done, started out with the 4G booster, even added a direction antenna, which gave me the same results you are having, then i moved to a directional antenna and a dedicated 4G modem, same issues.
I have been doing quite a bit of testing with several different products lately and what it comes down to is you need a device that supports multiple antennas, there are a couple companies that make some flat mount mimo antennas that will mount to the top of your van. which you would the connect to a 4g modem, either a hot spot from your provider or a 3rd party device that you buy a data only sim card for.
I have tested routers/boosters from mikrotik, peplink, wilson, and cradlepoint. By far the best I have used is the cradlepoint 4g router devices with a "gigabit" class modem in them. The routers from peplink and mikrotik are cheaper and functionally the same but lack the latest generations of 4g modems and thereby sacrifice speed.
I am running the following gear, it will probably run you $1500-2k all in but to get a usable mobile internet connection its worth it:
Cradelpoint Modem/Router: cradlepoint.com/product/endpoints/ibr900/
Panorama Antenna: www.panorama-antennas.com/site/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=343
You can also check out this video, he does a really good job walking through their evolution's of internet connectivity. ruclips.net/video/yDCIx5JpEgs/видео.html
This is brilliant information. I will definitely reference this
@@Levi_Allen glad I can help! I'd love to know what you end up with and how it works for you!
I put my Nature’s Head toilet on a slide out platform under the bed. It works really well that way, so if you change your bed I’d definitely recommend that. Not sure how you can fix the height of the bed issue, given you want to keep the bike underneath. Maybe for your next van you need a higher roof. I’m a shorty so can sleep crossways which gives me a little more flexibility with the rest of the layout. Your van has lots of great features though. I like that your bike drawer has a ramp. That would make it a lot easier to take in and out.
I teach design and manufacturing and your reflections on the van build are insightful and show that you have some excellent critical thinking skills. I particularly like your analysis about the bench seat. It shows that these decisions are not binary (good/bad) but a gray scale. One of the tools we use is a decision matrix where you weight pros and cons with number and come up with a decision... sometimes you get surprising results. Another tool we use is FMEA (Failure mode effects analysis)... basically what could go wrong, what is the likelihood and how serious is the problem that is created. Then you can figure out how to deal with the problem thru design changes. I am someone who does not like planning things I like building and changing so having tools that slow me down before I convince myself this is a great idea really helps. Good luck with your rebuild and solving the problem of the warped sink inlay!
I weighed the pros and cons of the natures head heavily, even considered plumbing the liquids directly to a dedicated "grey" tank. The more I researched the limits of composting though, I saw why the Nature's Head is the size that it is. Dumping 2L of urine does not pose any significant ecological threat to wherever it is being dumped, especially if you walk while you empty it, spreading out the urine.
Any storage tank that is larger than 2L creates the problem of a high concentration of urine in a small ecological area, which can introduce a high concentration of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium that can permanently damage plants and the area for growth. So if I used any larger of a tank I would have to limit myself to responsible dumping sites which I find to be more of a hassle than emptying the tank daily or bi-daily. This was one of those areas where nature put the limitations on my level of convenience and I just had to settle with a new daily chore.
As for solids, I guess that comes down to personal preference. But when I was city dwelling and woke up to 5:00am to deal with the consequences of drinking beer and eating hot pizza the night before, I would've paid any amount to have something civil within reach. Thankfully, the Starbucks down the street was open. TMI? 😂
Hope that helps you see the toilet from a new perspective!
I lived in a van in Sydney Australia for 9 months all I had was a container to pee in, and a bucket with a separate lid that had the middle section cut out leaving just the lip for comfort and it stored in the bucket with bags and toilet paper. The bucket doubles as a seat and I only used it once for a toilet.
As far as chores like emptying the pee container or refilling my water containers, I would always remind myself how my co-workers spent 1-1.5 hrs each way travelling to and from the construction job. Even if I spent 5 minutes dumping my pee bottle in a discreet location every other day I was still way better off.
So is it worth $1500?
Re. The cutting board, maybe put some steel angle along the edges on the underside. You could also put a strip of rubber on the steel, then you'll have a cutting board that doesn't slide around on the counter at all and remains solid.
Also recommend sealing it really well with epoxy resin like the other guy said.
Add second antenator and charge batteries at 200amps and get rid of solar panels broken, hinge overhead doors at the bottom and it will act as a shelf if you need to move things around. Put your wee toilet bucket in a box on castors rather than a drawer. Love your review and honesty.
Literally about to head out to get supplies to build out my Toyota Sequoia (gotta move into it ASAP) and thought I’d check RUclips real quick. I know the word “authentic” is overused these days but you are one very real and authentic storyteller and I love how you’re always honest about what worked and didn’t work.
My dream van setup would be
- Raised suspension 4wd mod on a high roof mid wheel base van
- Durable solar panels and lithium battery for plenty of power supply to devices
- Ladder to the roof rack with space for a spare tyre
- Swivel front seats
- Nice custom flooring (not thick)
- A mattress that can be raised or folded out of the way.
- Dimmable led lights
- Small fridge
- Out of the way fresh water tank with an external hose/shower attachment
- The tinniest sink/galley possible, attached to the fresh water tank (just so there is some running water inside)
- A portable dual aircon/heating unit
- For storage, a couple of large multi-compartment gig cases on wheels modified to lock into place. Wood panels over the tops so they can be used as bench tops. Not permanently affixed so easy to move or take outside
That's it. No permanent cupboards, bathroom or insulation
Leave the van as spacious and open as possible with minimal permanently fixed items
Always good to know about errors. I like your fast moving presentation. If I could give one tip to people giving van tours it would be to not open every drawer and cabinet and detail every item inside them. General info will do. Thanks for the info.
Regarding the toilet. You can get a separet toilet seat over a bucket and use a milk jug or something for the urine. Put a plastic bag in the bucket. You just need a container to put the compost material in to cover the solids. Then all you have to do is pull the plastic bag out and through it away. But keep the vent it helps
Great to see an honest video ,Most van life people on You Tube only tell you how great every thing is with there van and not the negative's . I have learned to to trust what a lot of Van Life You Tubers tell you as they either got the product for free or are hoping to get some thing for free. How is it very product they have os the best product on the market . That's my rant
If those are all your complaints, I think you did a pretty darn good job. There will ALWAYS be things you will want to fix. Most of your issues seem pretty minor, except for that bed height, which doesn't seem worth fixing for all that work you put into that awesome drawer slide. Address the simple fixes, then just use the thing.
I ended up doing 4 rebuilds over 7 years ,just thought I'd cheer you up lol.I called my organic van ,forever improving .
Love "what didn't work" videos, you can learn SO much. We have a similar problem with our bench storage, regarding double lifting stuff and fighting cushions...makes me just avoid even getting in that bench. Yes on the signal booster, same here, total waste of $500. I will say I LOVE our Nature's Head, though we have it in a shower/bathroom with plenty of room and you can see the urine level. My husband uses a pee jug, I use the toilet, we both use it for solids...if I am going to pay that much for a toilet you can bet your buns, I plan on getting all the use I can out of it. ha ha. Looking forward to what you do with the bench storage.
I'm a former cabinet maker. If I remember right you can adjust those Blum hinges to stop at a certain point and also decrease the spring tension so they don't fly open. Hope that helps!
I have the spring tension all the way lowered. To reduce swing arc I need to buy aftermarket clips that I just learned about
Your cellphone antenna is boosting your calling (usually 800Mhz) signal not your data signal (1700, 1900 and 2100Mhz), I used to work installing those products, like Surecall & Weboot * Wilson electronics, and I had to explain to the customer that the calling frecuency is different than 4g LTE.
If you want better data, just be close to a city but for the road and wilderness, don't waste your money.
Hard to find something really powerfull and will be very, very expensive.
Thanks for the info!😊
It's just a shame they all advertise that they boost 4g. It's literally in the name of the product I bought. I'm aware the voice and 4g are different signals. I wonder if I would get better speed improvements with a directional antenna versus a omnidirectional one.
Levi Allen Going directional would cost more and probably bulky. Try an arc half circle foil behind the antenna and look at your signal gain, long shot but may work while parked for the night.
I wanted a booster but one of the comments noted that it was not for data... that was the sole reason for me to add a booster, disappointing.
Best of luck
Thank you for sharing!
So many of these ban vlog are so "picture perfect", but I get so mucj more out of of the "sub optimals" - it tells us what to watch out of for (!).
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
I just sketched out a similar but different bench for my future van. perhaps change the toilet to a slide out ? Same space, but on a slider.
For the "junk" area , maybe place some baskets on the cabinet to give you vertical storage. Quick and easy with some heavy duty 3m hooks so if you don't like it , easy peasy to remove.
Also, maybe pop in and visit with a cabinet/boat maker. I know it isn't doing it yourself but sometimes its worth paying for a small bit of help. He might be able to help you tweak what you already have without breaking the bank. Imo that's well worth way less aggravation.
My original plan for my Sprinter was very similar to yours (bed/bench for extra seating), but I ended up going with a fully fixed bed, primarily because of build time and my own limited skills. Watching your rant made me appreciate that I went simpler, although I'm also on the tall side and can't sit up in bed, which is a bummer. I also went with a bucket for a toilet. It was going to be a temporary thing, but given your feedback, I think I may just keep it. Thanks for the detailed walkthrough. Sorry some things are giving you headaches, but I hope you know we appreciate the service you're doing for the rest of us :-)
I'm still working on my build while living in it, and what has been nice about that is being able to prototype things as I go since there are no fixed walls or structures in the way. The one thing I'm super happy about has been prototyping a composting toilet! I originally bought a Nature's Head, but returned it after being disappointed with what seemed like poor functionality to me. I'm glad I did because it turns out that crafting your own toilet is strangely satisfying lol. I've made it better and better with each revision and I have spent less than $50 so far on it. And the biggest bonus is that by building it myself, once I start to lock down the functionality of the design, I can then adjust the dimensions to custom fit wherever it is I decide to place it!
I like your build. The colors in and outside are nice. Yes the cabinets can be lighter. I like the idea of toilet under the bench. Good tip for the toilet that the containers need to be big enough and that you can easily check the levels.
A pop-up top camper top is expensive, but gives you all that space and cross ventilation especially with sleeping. With redoing the solar top, maybe a pop-top camper is an option. They have flexible solar panels now = maybe these are better but the power is about 1/2, still may not be able to stand on them.
-What about a light off-road trailer 1-2K lbs to pull with solar and battery, storage, water. =cheaper than a pop-top camper.
Hey! Cool van! Just my insights (as a mechanical designer who converted my 144 van, is 6'5" and stores mtbikes, surfboards and outdoor gear): We managed to fit 2 mountain bikes (L & XL) under the bed on a drawer with enough bed space to sit straight. It's a little bit more work (we have to remove the seat posts and front wheel when storing the bikes, and we really had to think during the design of the drawer to make it as compact as possible), but in my opinion it is worth it. We do not have as many seating space as you so it was important for us. I will tell you tho, with the angles of the van, it's really not that comfortable. I can't work for hours sitting in the bed. But it's doable!
For the bench at that end of your bed that you reckon is clumsy, I think you should consider two things. First, do you really need to have the full width of the bed as a seat? Will it sometimes be 2 pple sitting there or it's mostly 1 person. If so, why not have just half the width on a hinge, the other half could be permanent. Also, insted of folding the bed upwards, could it flip down instead and become a back padded rest when in sitting mode. You could still manage to access the chest under if dimensions are correct. Would make more sense if I could share a picture.
Finally I think most of a van conversion can be done with 1/2" birch plywood. It saves weight, money and space. Sure you have to be more careful in the building process (being precise, always predrilling everything), but it's definitely doable. I worked in a company where we used to build a lot of funky stuff with birch plywood and I can tell you it's strong. A 1/2" birch plywood will have the same screwing pull out force as 3/4" standard plywood because the plys are tighter. 95% of my van components is made out of 1/4 and 1/2 plywood.
Anyways, keep having fun on the road. Cheers!
Levi, I think that many of us home builders face the same dilemma. I built a teardrop style adventure trailer a number of years ago and now it's time for updates/fixes/and tear-outs. Ideas that seem so good at design time just don't work out in real life. Have you considered storing your bike horizontally rather than vertically so you could lower the bed height a few inches?
I assume your rebuild will be a video series and I'm looking forward to seeing it. I documented my build of the Desert Dawg with photos and a website, but the rebuild will be documented for my new RUclips channel. Looking forward fall when I can get serious about the rebuild.
So I've been watching a bunch of of videos over the past year in preparation for doing my own van build in the future. Regarding toilets; they all require some level of attention and service. Whether it's one of those composting toilets, a porta-potty with some kind of removable cassette collector, or the standard RV style toilet with black tank. Ultimately it appears to me the standard style RV toilet w/black tank works just as well if not better than the rest of them. Think about it. They all need dumping, they all need cleaning, and they all can stink if you're not giving these systems semi-regular attention. To me the answer is some extra fresh water capacity for the toilet, regular service, and a periodic stop at a dump station. In my view the standard RV toilet/black-tank system is the winner.
... nice to see your 'evaluation' report... NH - yeah, bucket and bag for #2, 1 qt pee-jar (and funnel for the lady) x 2 with lid provides function and easy of use/disposal... consider a way to lay the bike down sideways to lower the height of the bed - you have the ability to create a drawer that allows support and storage around it. Consider corrugated/channeled poly-carbonate or foam core sign board for the cabinet doors (I do not use any doors at all, another option - show the mess lol)... the open mid-section has visual appeal - open shelving with a lip to contain 'containers' ... Was nice to also see what you liked and was working for you... Cheers ~ S
1/2" ply is dope. Super strong if designed right.
Man GREAT you told you are 6'3". Almost all other van vloggers are relatively short and the proportions always looks so much better with them but with you i can relate my self fitting in a van. My Next will be a 2013-2018 Super tall and super long sprinter 4x4, now i'm riding 2010 old 800.000km clocked ambulance, MWB with standard (low) roof and basically it is a miniature camper just 2x6m base area. More likea hyper luxury tent.
Very helpful! We just finished our buildout and we already have things that need to be changed. So glad we didn't buy the Nature's Head. We spent under $100 to make our own diverting toilet system with the thoughts of upgrading later, but might just stick with what we have now. I was looking at Weboosts this week and so glad I didn't buy that either. Please keep us posted on what you end up getting. Love that your bench seat locks in two different positions.
I apreciate you sharing your experiences. My van is currently in a rough built state and for the most part I am pretty happy with the way things are working out for me, but I do have my frustrations as well. I am very envyious of your power system, that is my biggest frustration with my van at the moment I don't really having sufficient power to run my mobile office, as I sit here writing this I am running my van to recharge my house batter. Its just a matter of finances and over time I hope to rectify the problem. I was also very interested to here what you had to say about the mobile booster, I have been on the fence for awhile about getting one, I understand how they work, and I haven't been convinced its worth the money, I think you just completley talked me out of it. Again thanks for the insights.
Jason
I'm sure Levi would trade his booster for you 4x4 upgrade! Both awesome vans!
Large capacity lithium systems cannot be charged efficiently from solar all of the time. Running your car for an hour with a second alternator outputting 200amps is reasonable. So many van builds these days don't have any solar panels at all.
Let me know if you find something that works Jason! Power is such a massive difference maker. That's by far where we invested the most money in this build. Its why I didn't buy a newer van. I settled for older rusty van, with better power. Hopefully the trade-off pays off. Let's meet up on the coast sometime
This was a great video. I really like it when ppl show the real world instead of an IG one.
Just like building a house, they say you will get it right on the third van you build LOL.
I think that you did not make any "Mistakes" but you are really and truly "Prototyping".
It's an interactive learning experience, which is great when you think about it, you have not just built a van, a home, but you have built the skills to be able to modify your home/van to fit your ever-changing needs.
You will get there Levi, keep at it, and keep working the problems, you will find solutions.
My self personally as a fabricator that has worked at my trade for most of my life, I've been very impressed with the work you guys did on this van, you WILL improve it more as you use it and learn.
Cheers from Tokyo.
Stu
Excellent video, glad to hear the honest review of your work, which was awesome by the way. You have given people looking into building an adventure can, some great pointers and ideas. Thanks for sharing and stay safe. Ken
Eyy thank you for your wisdom! Im saving your video because it makes me feel better about going slow and really being sure of the things I want to begin with in my own build. Very helpful!
Great build and quality craftsmanship I must say. you put a lot of work and thought into the van and build and I think you definitely hit the mark overall. My opinion is that you couldn't/wouldn't have predicted many of the regrets before actually living in and/or using the van. I experienced the same with my build..There were things that sounded great in theory, but I absolutely regretted some of my decisions after I began using the build/rig for its purposes. I can say that you did a great job as you list of regrets is much smaller than mine...lol...you are definitely living the dream. safe travels my friend...
LOVED the reality in this vid. More of this please 🙏
Love your viewpoint of let your use inform the build!
In the random empty space, you could install some hanging storage with a shelf down below
For the cabinets being so dark, have you considered adding in some color beyond white like maybe a light green or blue to help brighten up the space?
Ideas for that empty space where you wanted to build shelves. You could build shelves for books, herbs and other household stuff like mason jars of dried goods freeing up room in your cupboards for other pantry items OR you could use it as an electronics corner and use the shelves for all of your electronic devices and film stuff that you have so all of it is in one place and easy to access. I probably would leave the space open if you can and not add doors just to break it up a bit since you already have cupboards next to it and at the back
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fully agree about the Natures head. Had one in our bus conversion for over a year that we lived in full time. and it was a pain in the butt. we over filled the pee jug lots, and then it flowed lots into the solids and then I had to deal with sewage... I had more times than I can count where I had to deal with raw sewage. Even after natures head sent me a replacement because mine let the liquids into the solids. it was still problematic
So glad to know I’m not the only one
@@Levi_Allen Yeah man, it was extremely frustrating. We lived in the bus in Alaska so in the middle of the winter it was pretty horrible. Thanks for all your amazing content man! love your channel, feel like my wife and I would get along with you guys well in real life. Appreciate you and you sharing your life with us!
For better connection remember height is key. To solve that I've used a cradle point WiFi access point with LTE modem built in.
When stopped I raise it up on top of a fiberglass telescopic pole. That normally is enough to get some more speed.
Good point. Another RUclipsr Elsa Rhea has their booster mounted on a pole that they extend when they set up camp. It appears to be about 16' tall. Not sure how to integrate that into a van. And it definitely would stick out in some situations (Elsa and her boyfriend usually camp in the middle of nowhere).
Almost all the van videos I've seen have been about "how awesome our van is", so it was cool to hear about some of the downsides. I can't see myself ever living the "van life" but I liked the analogy of a mobile cabin, maybe one day I'll have something like this for adventures. I guess the future compromise you will make is to lower the storage space to give you more bed room and store the bike or whatever else on its side?
you certainly have one of my top 3 van builds ever! and believe me I've seen lots and lots of builds;) refreshing to see that you have also made mistakes just like everyone doing diy van builds. but im sure you will find practical solutions and never forget, life's better when you love your van (mine was rusted and i was ready to get in to the junkyard;) but am incredibly happy to have fixed him
Hey man you got a great van there, keep off the coffee and enjoy the view! 😉
I think I might actually enjoy and get more value out of your long-term reviews and follow-up videos then your initial build. When everything is shiny and new, it's easy to think everything is perfect. But with time, many truths pop up.
Travis - Minneapolis Great point, Travis!
Yeah, you're back! Thank you for the info. Because you like sailing too, I'd love to see you work on some sailboat spaces too. Both are similar, in that you're putting lots of functionality into small spaces, off-grid. So marine stuff and van stuff, I think they've got some bits to share with each other.
Thanks, cool van and thanks for your practical advice !
Having built a bus and a van, I feel that the less you do on the front end the better. Once you get out, if that is what you really want to do, you will "discover" what is important and what you need. Watching van-life porn and thinking you need even 1/3rd of that stuff is nuts. The less you do on the front end, the less regret you will have when it crumbles once you are out. There are Lowes and Amazon boxes everywhere. Let the process be organic. Go minimalist until you know for sure.
great video. these are always good to watch.
I know compatible toilets caught on over the last couple years, but I would highly recommend looking at the thetford cassette toilet. we had to import ours from the UK, but it works great, it's 5 gallons and being that you're going to have to empty the composting toilet anyway, it just seems to make sense to do it all at once. just run a water line and power line to it and you're set. has a meter to tell you when it's full.
I used 28" 500lbs drawer slides in my van. My fixed bed was roughly 48 inches in length and under the bed platform the another platform extended forward. I had cushions that made up the difference in height.nThe drawer slides lock retracted and extended and take 2 seconds to change position to bed mode.
Hello there, like your build as much as you have already placed in it from this vid. I see your frustration in your ingenuity. I am not a guru in anything but I've seen a lot of vids. on builds. The only thing I would like to say is, less is more. And get the grove one YOUR happiness with your build. Everything you said on your build is just maximizing what you got. Piece 2U. Keep free.
Good to meet a honest man willing to share his mistakes keep up the good work especially the slack line videos
Haven’t started building yet.just finishing mechanicals on the chassis I want more windows..you’re lucky because you live OUT OF IT! not in it. Love the roof rack but not the tire up there. I just think rainstorm wind Flat tire.. the height of the bed commentary is money in the bank..thanks
Hi Levi
You should have a couple of plastic angled shims with the Lagun table, these would really help with the angle on the table.
Cheers 👍
Nice job Levi! I enjoyed your rant, totally agree with the 5/8" plywood. Beautiful build and great footage.
Ok ... So as Cabinet doors ( using 1/2 plywood might warp, If you were to cut styles , rails & filled the center with 1/4 ply that might work better ) With the toilet ... could you run a hose through the floor ? it's only pee. I like the thought of having the toilet on a draw slide ( just had to run a hoes through the floor) I love how you can move the seat location. Good luck with next build. Thanks and can't wait to see the next one.
This video is very timely for my van build journey.
Always liked your 2nd row seating setup. Definitely want that in my van.
Also liked the Nature’s Head rant. I think you saved me $1500 as I was going to prioritize a fancy pooper to start. I’m gonna start with a kitty litter bucket and seat I think.
The comments about the bench seat were very interesting. Definitely need to think about how to deal with something like that.
The one thing I really want is winter capability! I want to use this to make more skiing happen. Definitely would like to know how your heating is working...especially for winter use.
Great video. Timely!
Hey there Levi , instead of all those lifters struts you could simply have a bolt that goes into the wall with a small piece of wood it slides through. i like to keep it light and simple! i have built 6 vans now and it just gets lighter and simpler each time>
Always interesting to hear others talk about their experiences.
I love, love, LOVE your honesty! Thank you!
angle the bike to lower height further plus move the bedframe forward to create space at back of van. When backdoor shut there'll be a gap that should fit the bikes handle bars. For 6'3" that precious headspace means hours of lounging On the bed In the daytime Enjoying the backdoor view.
Keep the bed short during daytime ad it is right now. You can alway place that plank back to make it a full 6 ft plus at night. The space underneath: move the entire kitchen structure back right up against the bed. And it would open up the front half for what ever you want. The $1500 toilet goes to the front half of the van (as in other vans). Advantage: door is right there to get rid of the waste.
You might as well put a bathtub next. A rectangular pail 3'x4' and 3' high (like those short not-full-length japanese bathtubs). Shower curtains for the top half. Point is when bathtub/shower not in use, just put a lid on the 3' pail and you have a sofa or table :)
*no vanners done that Japanese bathtub/ sofa before i believe, youll be the first u
On the cupboard doors perhaps consider coloured patterned material, as would help with cosiness & acoustics.
I agree, pee is more prominent than solids, we need to keep it simple.
Awesome brother, love every video you upload, keep ya head up man things will get better bro, nuff respect......
Thanks for the education. Still looking to start my van life in a year or two.
Life is better when you make stuff, learn from things that didn't turn out right, and go at it again. 👍😁
We use a campmor 2.6gal portable toilet. $65, good for three days with four people, and relatively small and easy to plan around.
Cell phone boosters are actually a repeater. They are made to retransmit the signal to an indoor room or building that is shielded by a metal roof or blocked by thick walls. They won't increase the signal, only recreate the signal inside of the room. The only way to boost the signal is to use a directional antenna (yagi). This might help you if you are parked somewhere and on the fringe of a transmitting tower. Pointing the directional antenna towards a tower might boost a signal enough to make a difference. (Your video shows an omnidirectional antenna...no gain.) Don't expect miracles however even with a directional yagi antenna. Thanks BTW for the many years of your videos. I always enjoy your adventures.
This info is fantastic. Is it also tru that for 4g signals you need a double antenna sort of device?
Sink top,stainless threaded rod through. When laminating alternate the strips in grain.
Build ideas : The bare wall, a mirror and some led light design. Build Idea 2 : Wifi Cantennae build from a pringles can. You should add some nice widow coverings for the sides or actual drapes.
Excellent video right on points with what we needed to know. One of the best out there and yes I’ve seen a lot. Thanks!
Put hinges on the solar panels... That way you can point them at the Sun when its lower in the sky and also stand behind them
We always overflow our Natures Head too lol 🤣. After being on the road for over a year we have a handful of things we wish we did different as well.
Number Juan Bus I was thinking that since you recently made a video of what you use for cell signal and how happy you said you are with it maybe you could tell Levi what you’re using?
Man, I was just thinking last night, " I miss me some Levi content." And then I look at RUclips today, here you are haha
This is a great breakdown too, thank you!
I used to design solar panels.
You probably won't find any that you can stand on.
Most of them will have the same tempered glass. (Which can shatter with sharp & light impacts)
The only difference you might be able to find is glass thickness.
Standing on a solar panel will basically always cause damage. It won't be visible but will reduce efficiency.
Hope this helps
I appreciate that you used to design panels, but there is definitely many models that can hold human weight. LG for instances makes several. A 340W and 400w panels are the ones I have personally stood on while installed in vans by an outfitter near me. Im not saying a majority are built this way, but there are definitely panels you can stand on with no damage
@@Levi_Allen
The glass will hold your weight yes.
However it will still cause micro cracks on the cells. This is where the efficiency loss comes from.
If you are generating plenty of power and are willing to sacrifice some efficiency it is definitely possible.
Very informative. Can't wait to start a build
This was great! thanks for all that. Currently building out a promaster! I renovated an airstream and we went with the Natures Head and it was by far the worst $1000 i have ever spent in my life and constantly could not fathom how it has so many good reviews... it was the worst part about living in our airstream... hearing you talk about it gave me flash backs to the urine over filled... and having to open the head and just get pee on yourself.. oh man.. the worst thing ever... not to mention it isn't designed well.. doesn't look good... ohhhh man.. that was the worst. Anywho.. thanks for walking through your thoughts on your build!! Cant wait to finish out our van!!
Piss bottle aside, has the composting toilet for solids been good while traveling? Like I don't know what your experience with chemical toilets is, but I'm hoping the nature's head is better than dealing with a toilet cartridge and chemicals. (We have a nature's head waiting to be installed, had it for over a year but haven't used it)
I don't even van but I frikkin loved watching this ❤️👌
I love the analogy of going down the road completely as compared to backing up. I for sure have been down and down and down that road. 🤣 😉
I found this very intriguing with my education in interior design. when you said these doors are to big I was like yup! So glad to see a new video from you guys! :-)
Yeah, interior design would be very helpful with van builds
As far as 3/4 ply ...my ambos are build with 3/4 and its toooo HEAVY!!! . Couldn't agree more gonna even use 5/8 " even for my floor. I