Your van is planned out so well. Great job! I just bought a 2020 Toyota Sienna so thank you for all of the great ideas. Love your content and hope to see more videos from you.
@@vinnyandrocky I don't know much about this, but on some videos they mention having a vehicle "lifted" so it can have extra clearance for rough roads. I wondered if you did that. One suggestion was to have a "Golf" umbrella, which can take the wind and rain and it is wide.
Thanks for showing and explaining about the many elegant upgrades you've made. You essentially have everything that goes with a high end RV or van conversion (except for the ability to stand 'indoors)'.
3:55 - Dog looks at the stove and licks his chops. Ha ha! He knows where the goodies come from. I hope he gets some steaks, chicken, pork, all grilled on that stove. What a beauty he is! Feed him right. I would get a stainless steel insulated French Press for coffee. No need to keep pouring hot water and having the coffee cool down in that drip filter. French press is the best way to save space and keep it warm. The best thermos I have used is the Thermos brand model SK4000 24 oz. A pot of tea will last you all day. For coffee, a smaller version. These stay hot for 12 hrs. Yeti is very overpriced. Great build, very nice to see!
Good stuff. One thing I haven't seen anyone do yet is custom make a freshwater tank for the roof rack which would gravity feed water for showers. It doesn't have to be a huge tank but something adequate enough to give you about three to four showers per fill up. The only problem would be cold weather. I'm quite sure the outdoor shower option would be a scratch. Nice set up, thanks for sharing!
There are weight limit on the OEM roof rack. Since water is heavy and will raise the center of gravity of the car. Since I drive a lot of distance, I have to consider the impact of MPG of any outfit on the roof as well.
@@vinnyandrocky Yes sir I understand. Not everyone can pull it off. I'm sure there are some out there that have done it, but I haven't seen it just yet for this type of set up.
Very very nice. I think that a kitchen and a sink could swivel around posts in the corners so that you can send them outside to cook from the outside and do your dishes as well from the outside.
That piece of metal sheeting would worry me while driving, it could become a projectile in fast stops ? You probably secure it , but it occurred to me it could hurt your doggo :)
Great setup. I love your van build. 1000 btu micro AC unit is all that you are missing. Vent the AC tube under your sheets at night to help with sleep in the Summer in the southern humid states. I live in Florida and humidity is bad at night. Thanks for sharing. John
I avoid Summer camping not just the heat but the crowds. Plan to reserve a camp site several months ahead wasn't work for me neither. Yes, AC is a must if you camp mostly in Southern States.
I don't recommend everyone should use 2" foam because we all get use to sleep on thick mattress at home. My home bed is a 10" mattress. But given the tiny space in my van, I try to find out the minimum foam pad thickness without causing back pain. BTW, the foam pad I used is high density Polyurethane foam. To be honest, I sleep better in my van during trips than at home, LOL.
Did I meet you while camping near the wind river range in Wyoming? I had a white truck camper and we talked for a bit? I seem to remember your dog and your van. regardless, that is a very well thought out van, congratulations to you!
@@vinnyandrocky well, thanks. I didn't know you were a celebrity, I woulda got your autograph, ha. Seriously though, that is a really well thought out van build. I'm very impressed.
This is a great setup! I love that it's perfect for you and your pup. I've been looking into something similar so I'm happy to see that what I'm thinking of doing would work. Thank you!
I Guess When You Get Use To Everything It Works Perfectly Good Wished I Just Had A Home On Wheels With Out Living With Family Members Be Safe Thanks For The Video Take Care Of The Puppy Dog, Eddie Franklin From Athens Alabama.
I very much liked, subscribed, and thumbed👍your channel today. But honestly, most of all I appreciated your just talking video. Any suggestions 🤔?...Just to please keep your videos with beautiful backgrounds without interspering layers of unnecessary background music. If I go along vicariously on a camping trip good company and some peace and quiet in between is all I ask 😊.
Saludos,,amigo,,cuídese mucho,, y pronto espero poder camperizar mi vans,,,,,hiciste un excelente trabajo en tu vans,, espero estar en comunicación contigo para que me des ideas y consegos, bendiciones y ,saludos desde Sonora México
The hybride Sienna makes camping in hot and cold weather much more enjoyable. No more headache trying to keep warm or too hot. A bigger power station will be a good upgrade.
I'm following you're CHANNEL , closely, because I'm already HUNTING , for a TOYOTA SIENNA 😊 , and I will ASSURE YOU & THANKING You , that I will do my UP GRADE & MODIFICATION , inspired en you're WELL THOUGHT OUT 😢 videos !!! MASSIVE THANKS 😊 🙏.....
Thank you for joining me. I'm doing more upgrades to my van. Not changing the big three but making use of every inch in the van. Will do a more in depth video of why I make those changes, stay tune.
Great job. We have a 2013 Sienna, white. We did about 9,000 miles in it last summer. Can you do a video detailing how and what you hook your tarp to? I have an awning thing from Ikea and I didn't like it at all! Thanks!
I bought the tarp online long time ago so I forgot the brand. The poles are from my old Canopy that I bought from K-mart for $12 including the 12x12 canopy. The poles are 3-sections join together, not ideal but I just don't want to spend money on something I already have. There are many Alum. tent poles and some are telescoping.
Nice job....love your German Shepherd I had one for years until she passed.....makes me want another one.....but oh the hair shedding in a van do you use rollers or what to keep at bay?
Practical and efficient build, I love it. Question: have you considered installing a lift kit for extra ground clearance? It seems like you take your van into some rugged places.
Yes, I really need a higher clearance van for my journey. I bought the van with 100K warranty, if I do any mod to my suspension, my warranty voided. May be after 100K miles will be better. I am also looking into my next build, I am still not decided between a 4x4 truck camper or 4x4 van.🤔
Thank you for sharing all of your creative and practical ideas with us. I really enjoyed watching your video and learned lots from you. I would love to know where you bought the garbage can. I’ve always thought a spring loaded lid that sealed tight would be the best kind of garbage, and the one you found is perfect! 😊 I’ve subscribed and look forward to more contact from your channel. Wishing you safe and fun travels for you and Rocky. 😊
Sure, I am thinking of building a truck camper. But I don't have a truck yet, been doing some research. I just further improve my kitchen and put in drawer and other stuff. Will share it soon.
How do you protect yourself when stop over in the middle of nowhere? For example, when you take a nap / resting during the day (in hot day)? Do you open the door to let the airflows?
@@rudyg2295 I always close the door when I sleep, but I will open the window a little bit and turn on the fans. I have a German Shepherd, always on guard.
Thanks for upgrades review. I noticed that you did not use window deflectors on the sliding door. Is there a reason why you only use them for the front doors and not the sliding doors? Thanks.
I covered the sliding door and rear windows 100% with reflectix to seal off the light for stealth camping at Walmart. I have blackout curtain in the front seats. Only the front row is visible from outside. I can leave the front windows open just a bit for ventilation when I sleep at night. Before I go to bed or early in the morning, I can turn on the light without being notice from outside. Make sense?
@@vinnyandrockyThanks for the prompt reply. I was checking if the reason was because they made too much noise or they had fallen off or broken due to the length of the window deflector for the sliding doors. But I see it was more for night time stealth reasons. I cannot decide if I want to buy the deflectors for the sliding doors for my Sienna.
@@RA-rf4nzI think the front deflector will hold better because it is L-shape and locked tight with the frame (no double-sided tape is required). IMHO, the front deflectors are essential where as the sliding door deflectors are optional.
i read that the roof box can loose about 20% of your MPG, so that's a loss of about 6MPG, that really adds up on a 5000 mile road trip. what do you think?
That's only half true, it really depends on the shape of the roof box. When I am not traveling, my Sienna has 21.5 to 22 MPG in the city as daily drive without the roof box. During trips with the roof box, I got 22~23 MPG. People put awning or other stuff on the roof and it will reduce the aerodynamic of the car. I was worry at first but after driven over 10K miles with the roof box, I can say a good design roof box will not lower the MPG that much. I think any camper that achieve over 21MPG is acceptable.
@@TheSateef A super slim box do well for ski but may not be ideal for camping since it limits what you carry. 15 cu. ft is sweet spot for camping IMHO.
I have a 2007 Odyssey I camp in but it's near the end of it's long distance traveling days. You seem to really enjoy your van. Would you purchase the Sienna AWD again?
Yes, l will always buy AWD for my camper. l own Odyssey before and it has lower ground clearance than Sienna but l got 260k from it. The new Sienna Hybrid even better because it has climate control all day and night. You can have AC at night and heat all night in Winter. The 2nd row seats take some effort to remove though.
If you wanted to upgrade the foam...there are different qualities of the density and long lasting. This is a lot more expensive on an already expensive item.
Yes, opening/closing the slider will drain the battery. I face the same issue with minivan that has power sliding door. I was off-grid camping in WY last year, my car battery was completely dead after 3 days. I woke up in a cold morning and I couldn't open my power window. I couldn't open the sliding door or rear door. My solution from now on is to turn off all the door lights during camping. Start the engine before opening power windows. Run the engine for 15 minutes to charge the car battery. That's the main reason I upgraded to a bigger power station. It's the most expensive item in my van, LOL. But I have a peace of mind since a bigger power station can also charge my car battery if needed.
Yes, I face this problem all the time since I camp at remote locations that are off grid and do not require prior registration. The 6 1/2" ground clearance of minivan is a big challenge to drive through unpaved and poor maintain roads. I went to many places that I shouldn't go, LOL. I did not encounter any damage yet because I drive very slow and extra caution (knock on wood). For my type of adventure, 8 to 9" clearance will be perfect.🙂
Thank you for the prompt response! Perhaps there is a lift kit out there that would add an inch or so to your vehicle. I think I have seen that done on the Sienna.@@vinnyandrocky
I’ve been wanting to do what you’re doing and was leaning towards the 4runner. But thanks to your excellent videos I think the Sienna might be the ticket. And the Sienna has 40% more internal volume than the 4runner. Your floor plan and details are perfect for me. Plus I also have a GSD! Here is a Sienna with lift : ruclips.net/video/7hrDXwZwQfo/видео.html
My son has a 4runner with long drawers under the bed. That leave very little room to sit and cook inside. I like the off-road capability of the 4runner but the interior volume just too tight for my dog. 4runner with 12" more head room will be perfect, LOL.@@texastwostep-js2gs
Gotta have something for the faucet to drip into, the sink in my Promaster 2500 will be a 4" dia stainless funnel. I'll set a dish pan on the counter if I need to wash dishes.
The sink is useful for me because I have to sleep in Walmart parking lot during my long drive from East coast to West. The sink allows me to do my daily cleansing routine at night and morning(stealth mode). At campsites, I can do it outside without a sink.@@johnbarron4713
@@vinnyandrocky but 2020 can also run AC/heat too. the biggest issues are you can't remove the 2nd row of seats easily and the center console is a waste of space and blocking access from entering/exiting from the passenger's side (if you are parked in a tight space)
I seldom go camping in Winter below 25F. Even below 32F, the van is still 10 degrees warmer than outside. Yes, If I have some kind of heater, I can extend my trips to November. I am looking for practical solution since I am not full time living in a van.
@@vinnyandrocky oh okay. I have a parrot and I couldn’t camp in 45 degrees outside, my sienna was getting cold even with running small heater off my Jackery 3000, which is huge and 400w heater was draining it very quickly. Thank you anyway for your reply
I also have a mesh pouch hung behind the front passenger seat that keep most my dog's essentials such as toys, towel and first-aid-kit. Dog food was store under the bed. Yes, I should include some footage about what I bring for my dog such as first-aid, medicine, etc.
I love your air fan set up in the roof vent - what a great idea. As well as many other great ideas. Glad you are enjoying your travels.
I thought That would be ideal on my van, then I reralized I dont have a sunroof! (Bummer!)
I would love to see a video on how you made your exhaust fan for the moon roof.
OK, I will make one.
@@vinnyandrockyI would love to see also. Can’t wait for the video.
Me three
Wow your van is so cool. Your dog must have so much fun exploring with you ❤
Thank you for watching.
You make me feel like my Gmc savana 15 passenger van is OVERKILL ! 😊
The best van is the one you got when you need it.🙂Happy camping.
This is the best and most complete of the 100’s of conversions I’ve seen. Congratulations.
Thank you!🥰
Your van is planned out so well. Great job! I just bought a 2020 Toyota Sienna so thank you for all of the great ideas. Love your content and hope to see more videos from you.
Glad you like it. Thank you.
@@vinnyandrocky I don't know much about this, but on some videos they mention having a vehicle "lifted" so it can have extra clearance for rough roads. I wondered if you did that. One suggestion was to have a "Golf" umbrella, which can take the wind and rain and it is wide.
You could have a folding mattress, which you open only when going to sleep, on top of the 2-inch one. Then you could have an even more comfortable bed
Yes, that will be very comfortable. Too comfortable that I might not feel like getting up in the morning, LOL.
Very well organized presentation! Thank you for sharing your creative ideas in upgrading the camper van. A lot of hard work!👍
Thank you.
You are all set! You are living the life! Be happy. It's perfect.
Thank you. Yes, You can still be happy and enjoy your life with only a tiny camper with limited budget.🥰
Great setup, not fancy, just practical & functional. Two thumbs up!
Glad you like it.🙂
Awesome video! A minivan camper can take you anywhere!
Thank you! You know better than many. You have a very nice channel. Keep up the work.
I love your van set up. I'm definitely going to check out that little garbage can. That will go perfect in my little camper. Safe travels
Glad you like it. The garbage can is one item that I wish I had it earlier.
Thanks for showing and explaining about the many elegant upgrades you've made. You essentially have everything that goes with a high end RV or van conversion (except for the ability to stand 'indoors)'.
Thank you for watching.
3:55 - Dog looks at the stove and licks his chops. Ha ha! He knows where the goodies come from. I hope he gets some steaks, chicken, pork, all grilled on that stove. What a beauty he is! Feed him right.
I would get a stainless steel insulated French Press for coffee. No need to keep pouring hot water and having the coffee cool down in that drip filter. French press is the best way to save space and keep it warm. The best thermos I have used is the Thermos brand model SK4000 24 oz. A pot of tea will last you all day. For coffee, a smaller version. These stay hot for 12 hrs. Yeti is very overpriced.
Great build, very nice to see!
Thank you for your suggestion. I met a camper made me a coffee with French Press during a snow storm in my recent trip, it was so good.
Great build! Both practical and functional... Well Done!
Thank you.🥰
What a great job....and a great dog 🥰
Happy camping 👍
Good stuff. One thing I haven't seen anyone do yet is custom make a freshwater tank for the roof rack which would gravity feed water for showers. It doesn't have to be a huge tank but something adequate enough to give you about three to four showers per fill up. The only problem would be cold weather. I'm quite sure the outdoor shower option would be a scratch. Nice set up, thanks for sharing!
There are weight limit on the OEM roof rack. Since water is heavy and will raise the center of gravity of the car. Since I drive a lot of distance, I have to consider the impact of MPG of any outfit on the roof as well.
@@vinnyandrocky Yes sir I understand. Not everyone can pull it off. I'm sure there are some out there that have done it, but I haven't seen it just yet for this type of set up.
Very very nice. I think that a kitchen and a sink could swivel around posts in the corners so that you can send them outside to cook from the outside and do your dishes as well from the outside.
Very impressive mini-van camper, you have really thought of everything!
Thank you so much.
nice build!
Wow! Very smart and practical upgrades. This just might work on my Grand Caravan. Good looking Shepard too!
Glad you like it.
Thank You , so many great ideas. And love your beautiful well behaved intelligent dog :)
Thank you.🙂
That piece of metal sheeting would worry me while driving, it could become a projectile in fast stops ? You probably secure it , but it occurred to me it could hurt your doggo :)
Not to worry, my friend. I am remodeling the kitchen space again to maximize my counter space. That piece of metal is gone now. @@BluDawg
Many thanks for sharing. Nice setting. Watching from the tropical rainforest of Suriname 🇸🇷. Enjoy your trips.
It was good to see you posting again.
I was traveling for 6 weeks, unable to do any editing. I'll have more uploads coming soon, thanks for watching.
love your fan on the sunroof . smart.
Most excellent ideas that I've seen! I have a 2012 Sienna XLE, and I am ready to build it out. Thank you very much!!😊
Glad you like it. Good luck on your build.
Beautiful..I am ready to travel and see sights. I am currently working on building my minivan and documenting on my channel. Thanks for sharing.
Good for you. Enjoy while we can still safe to travel.
Nice plan for this camper...also, love ur dog!
Best!!!! Conversion I’ve yet to see. What a wonderful job you’ve done, really enjoyed your commentary during the video!
Thank you!🥰
Thoughtful design. It looks to make your travels smooth and efficient. Thank you for sharing your minivan camper with us.
glad you like it.
Amazing design and layout for your travels in your van! I have an 04 gmc yukon that i camp in. Your configurations give great ideas!
Great setup. I love your van build. 1000 btu micro AC unit is all that you are missing. Vent the AC tube under your sheets at night to help with sleep in the Summer in the southern humid states. I live in Florida and humidity is bad at night. Thanks for sharing. John
I avoid Summer camping not just the heat but the crowds. Plan to reserve a camp site several months ahead wasn't work for me neither. Yes, AC is a must if you camp mostly in Southern States.
Very nice. Never seen a fan set up so well
Thanks.
Wow, must say, very well organized 👍
Thank you so much.🙂
Fantastic!
Thank you ,very knowledgeable. Got great tips fŕom your video ,will watch again.
Glad you like it.
This set up is unbelievable. What a great job.👏🏽
Thank you.
Your opinion on the 2" foam being enough is very useful, thanks
I don't recommend everyone should use 2" foam because we all get use to sleep on thick mattress at home. My home bed is a 10" mattress. But given the tiny space in my van, I try to find out the minimum foam pad thickness without causing back pain. BTW, the foam pad I used is high density Polyurethane foam. To be honest, I sleep better in my van during trips than at home, LOL.
@@vinnyandrocky I like a firm mattress so likely the presence of a board not far away likely to be welcome.
I love your setup, and your Shepherd ♥️🐾 he reminds me of my girl, Xena, they could be twins 🌟 Thank you for sharing your designs and adventures.
Glad you like it, thank you.🥰
Sooooooo many good ideas, here, thanks for sharing!
I really like your set up. Simple, comfortable and efficient!
Glad you think so!
your dog is beautiful! you have quite a smart set up!
Thank you.
It would be awesome for you to make how to guides for the cabinet and bed platform!
You may check out some of my earlier video: ruclips.net/video/MCNEAUwuNHI/видео.html
Some great ideas Vinny! Thank you , happy trails from Victoria, British Columbia.
Thanks for watching!
Did I meet you while camping near the wind river range in Wyoming? I had a white truck camper and we talked for a bit? I seem to remember your dog and your van. regardless, that is a very well thought out van, congratulations to you!
Yes, thank you. You showed me your camper and I love it.
@@vinnyandrocky well, thanks. I didn't know you were a celebrity, I woulda got your autograph, ha. Seriously though, that is a really well thought out van build. I'm very impressed.
BTW, how's your dog doing?@@rutterj2
🐶🙏🏼💯❤️incredible build and beautiful 🐶dog! Your video is awesome and so detailed! Thank you 🙏🏼
Thanks!
Thank you.🥰
Tube-styled water dispenser will eventually leak when the gasket goes bad. Dispenser without the tube are better.
This is a great setup! I love that it's perfect for you and your pup. I've been looking into something similar so I'm happy to see that what I'm thinking of doing would work. Thank you!
Glad you like it. Thank you.
Very nice set-up.
Thank you for watching.
I Guess When You Get Use To Everything It Works Perfectly Good Wished I Just Had A Home On Wheels With Out Living With Family Members Be Safe Thanks For The Video Take Care Of The Puppy Dog, Eddie Franklin From Athens Alabama.
Thank you so much. Enjoy and be happy.🥰
I like your camper. It’s extremely well thought out and by golly. That’s the way I’m gonna go good video. Thank you.
Thank you.
Great lay-out. Space for a (folding) bicycle would be great. Here I would reduce the width of the mattress.
Yes, If I am single. I need the space for my wife.🙂A bigger van would be perfect.
No prob. Just my Dad coming through there. He used to be an upholsterer and sew mattresses
Thanks for sharing your beautiful van.
You are welcome.
I very much liked, subscribed, and thumbed👍your channel today. But honestly, most of all I appreciated your just talking video. Any suggestions 🤔?...Just to please keep your videos with beautiful backgrounds without interspering layers of unnecessary background music. If I go along vicariously on a camping trip good company and some peace and quiet in between is all I ask 😊.
Great van! Awesome adventures too.
Awesome setup. Nice video. U might want to mount a .50 cal machine gun for squirrel defense.
A squirrel actually got into my engine compartment and only found him dead and dried after I came home.😂
So many great ides. thanks for sharing. Your very talented.
thank you.😊
Saludos,,amigo,,cuídese mucho,, y pronto espero poder camperizar mi vans,,,,,hiciste un excelente trabajo en tu vans,, espero estar en comunicación contigo para que me des ideas y consegos, bendiciones y ,saludos desde Sonora México
Really enjoyed your video . Great job !
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nuce set up, love the doggo
Thank you.
Nice build
thank you so much.
Nice build
Thanks for watching.
I really enjoyed your video
Thank you for watching.🙂
God bless you. Well done 🕊
Thanks for watching.
Beautiful and practical ❤
Wow excelente me enamoré de su camioneta y todo lo que ha hecho en ella ❤❤❤❤muchas felicidades y que Dios lo siga bendiciendo
🥰
Very nice build.
Thank you.
Oh man driving with that stainless steel plate behind you is like have a sword waiting to fly off in case of an accident.
great ideas!
Great video. Thanks!
Thank you.
Nice set up, very practical. I wounder what would you do with new sienna that is hybride and comes with inverter
The hybride Sienna makes camping in hot and cold weather much more enjoyable. No more headache trying to keep warm or too hot. A bigger power station will be a good upgrade.
I'm following you're CHANNEL , closely, because I'm already HUNTING , for a TOYOTA SIENNA 😊 , and I will ASSURE YOU & THANKING You , that I will do my UP GRADE & MODIFICATION , inspired en you're WELL THOUGHT OUT 😢 videos !!! MASSIVE THANKS 😊 🙏.....
Thank you for joining me. I'm doing more upgrades to my van. Not changing the big three but making use of every inch in the van. Will do a more in depth video of why I make those changes, stay tune.
@@vinnyandrocky it's been a PLEASURE joining You 😊 , rest assured I will follow You , THANKS AGAIN 😀 !!!
Great van!
Thank you.
Great job. We have a 2013 Sienna, white. We did about 9,000 miles in it last summer. Can you do a video detailing how and what you hook your tarp to? I have an awning thing from Ikea and I didn't like it at all! Thanks!
Yes I can. Thank you for watching.
Great video
Thanks for the visit
Nice set up. Where can i get the tarp and poles for sun screen.? Thanks
I bought the tarp online long time ago so I forgot the brand. The poles are from my old Canopy that I bought from K-mart for $12 including the 12x12 canopy. The poles are 3-sections join together, not ideal but I just don't want to spend money on something I already have. There are many Alum. tent poles and some are telescoping.
Nice job....love your German Shepherd I had one for years until she passed.....makes me want another one.....but oh the hair shedding in a van do you use rollers or what to keep at bay?
I just keep a dusk pan and brush. I vacuum the van when I got home.
Practical and efficient build, I love it. Question: have you considered installing a lift kit for extra ground clearance? It seems like you take your van into some rugged places.
Yes, I really need a higher clearance van for my journey. I bought the van with 100K warranty, if I do any mod to my suspension, my warranty voided. May be after 100K miles will be better. I am also looking into my next build, I am still not decided between a 4x4 truck camper or 4x4 van.🤔
Thank you for sharing all of your creative and practical ideas with us. I really enjoyed watching your video and learned lots from you.
I would love to know where you bought the garbage can. I’ve always thought a spring loaded lid that sealed tight would be the best kind of garbage, and the one you found is perfect! 😊
I’ve subscribed and look forward to more contact from your channel. Wishing you safe and fun travels for you and Rocky. 😊
I have the links below the video for all the products I used in my van. Please check it out. thanks for watching.@@dianastoevelaar9548
Nice van.
Thanks.
Van-tastic!
Thanks.
Well done! Let me know if you decide to sell your van one day :)
Sure, I am thinking of building a truck camper. But I don't have a truck yet, been doing some research. I just further improve my kitchen and put in drawer and other stuff. Will share it soon.
Great build out! Where is your spare tire?
Yes, I do carry a full size spare tire, see link for my older video:
ruclips.net/video/V0YCe6WSBlc/видео.htmlsi=PXFXyvUVueeIbVNB
How do you protect yourself when stop over in the middle of nowhere? For example, when you take a nap / resting during the day (in hot day)? Do you open the door to let the airflows?
@@rudyg2295 I always close the door when I sleep, but I will open the window a little bit and turn on the fans. I have a German Shepherd, always on guard.
Super !
Love it
Thanks for upgrades review. I noticed that you did not use window deflectors on the sliding door. Is there a reason why you only use them for the front doors and not the sliding doors? Thanks.
I covered the sliding door and rear windows 100% with reflectix to seal off the light for stealth camping at Walmart. I have blackout curtain in the front seats. Only the front row is visible from outside. I can leave the front windows open just a bit for ventilation when I sleep at night. Before I go to bed or early in the morning, I can turn on the light without being notice from outside. Make sense?
@@vinnyandrockyThanks for the prompt reply. I was checking if the reason was because they made too much noise or they had fallen off or broken due to the length of the window deflector for the sliding doors. But I see it was more for night time stealth reasons. I cannot decide if I want to buy the deflectors for the sliding doors for my Sienna.
@@RA-rf4nzI think the front deflector will hold better because it is L-shape and locked tight with the frame (no double-sided tape is required). IMHO, the front deflectors are essential where as the sliding door deflectors are optional.
i read that the roof box can loose about 20% of your MPG, so that's a loss of about 6MPG, that really adds up on a 5000 mile road trip. what do you think?
That's only half true, it really depends on the shape of the roof box. When I am not traveling, my Sienna has 21.5 to 22 MPG in the city as daily drive without the roof box. During trips with the roof box, I got 22~23 MPG. People put awning or other stuff on the roof and it will reduce the aerodynamic of the car. I was worry at first but after driven over 10K miles with the roof box, I can say a good design roof box will not lower the MPG that much. I think any camper that achieve over 21MPG is acceptable.
@@vinnyandrocky thanks, after doing more research it looks like the long slim ski type boxes are pretty good, maybe only loose 1-2MPG
@@TheSateef A super slim box do well for ski but may not be ideal for camping since it limits what you carry. 15 cu. ft is sweet spot for camping IMHO.
I have a 2007 Odyssey I camp in but it's near the end of it's long distance traveling days. You seem to really enjoy your van. Would you purchase the Sienna AWD again?
Yes, l will always buy AWD for my camper. l own Odyssey before and it has lower ground clearance than Sienna but l got 260k from it. The new Sienna Hybrid even better because it has climate control all day and night. You can have AC at night and heat all night in Winter. The 2nd row seats take some effort to remove though.
If you wanted to upgrade the foam...there are different qualities of the density and long lasting. This is a lot more expensive on an already expensive item.
After trying the 3" foam for 6 weeks trip, I just keep my 2" foam for now since I don't see much difference.
Have you noticed the battery draining from keeping the slide doors or lift gate open? If so, what are you doing about it?
Yes, opening/closing the slider will drain the battery. I face the same issue with minivan that has power sliding door. I was off-grid camping in WY last year, my car battery was completely dead after 3 days. I woke up in a cold morning and I couldn't open my power window. I couldn't open the sliding door or rear door. My solution from now on is to turn off all the door lights during camping. Start the engine before opening power windows. Run the engine for 15 minutes to charge the car battery. That's the main reason I upgraded to a bigger power station. It's the most expensive item in my van, LOL. But I have a peace of mind since a bigger power station can also charge my car battery if needed.
Awesome!👍🇨🇦😎
Have you had problems with insufficient ground clearance during your travels off of paved roads?
Yes, I face this problem all the time since I camp at remote locations that are off grid and do not require prior registration. The 6 1/2" ground clearance of minivan is a big challenge to drive through unpaved and poor maintain roads. I went to many places that I shouldn't go, LOL. I did not encounter any damage yet because I drive very slow and extra caution (knock on wood). For my type of adventure, 8 to 9" clearance will be perfect.🙂
Thank you for the prompt response! Perhaps there is a lift kit out there that would add an inch or so to your vehicle. I think I have seen that done on the Sienna.@@vinnyandrocky
Yes, I have to wait till my warranty is over before I do any mod to the chassis.
@@texastwostep-js2gs
I’ve been wanting to do what you’re doing and was leaning towards the 4runner. But thanks to your excellent videos I think the Sienna might be the ticket. And the Sienna has 40% more internal volume than the 4runner. Your floor plan and details are perfect for me. Plus I also have a GSD! Here is a Sienna with lift : ruclips.net/video/7hrDXwZwQfo/видео.html
My son has a 4runner with long drawers under the bed. That leave very little room to sit and cook inside. I like the off-road capability of the 4runner but the interior volume just too tight for my dog. 4runner with 12" more head room will be perfect, LOL.@@texastwostep-js2gs
How do you make make passenger's side table
You can watch this video, see link: ruclips.net/video/xThtm3oep7M/видео.html
Your van build is impressive with the exception of that salad bowl sink. May as well not even have one. Lol
A bigger sink will be nice but I can't think of where to make it work in such a tiny van. thanks for watching.
Gotta have something for the faucet to drip into, the sink in my Promaster 2500 will be a 4" dia stainless funnel. I'll set a dish pan on the counter if I need to wash dishes.
The sink is useful for me because I have to sleep in Walmart parking lot during my long drive from East coast to West. The sink allows me to do my daily cleansing routine at night and morning(stealth mode). At campsites, I can do it outside without a sink.@@johnbarron4713
@@johnbarron4713how do u rinse?
Do you have a link for the bed?
See my older video, here's the link:
ruclips.net/video/MCNEAUwuNHI/видео.htmlsi=XcugMFNk0e1t6oUx
2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Toyota Sienna, which would you pick for camper conversion?
2021. It's nice to have AC in Summer and Heat in Winter while you camp.
@@vinnyandrocky but 2020 can also run AC/heat too. the biggest issues are you can't remove the 2nd row of seats easily and the center console is a waste of space and blocking access from entering/exiting from the passenger's side (if you are parked in a tight space)
@@user-bt9vn4yb8d Yes, that would be problem for full conversion.
Do you ever run the heater in your van? And what kind
I seldom go camping in Winter below 25F. Even below 32F, the van is still 10 degrees warmer than outside. Yes, If I have some kind of heater, I can extend my trips to November. I am looking for practical solution since I am not full time living in a van.
@@vinnyandrocky oh okay. I have a parrot and I couldn’t camp in 45 degrees outside, my sienna was getting cold even with running small heater off my Jackery 3000, which is huge and 400w heater was draining it very quickly. Thank you anyway for your reply
WHAT ABOUT THE 🐕 SPACE..
FOODS SPACE
DOG SLEEPING AREA?
I also have a mesh pouch hung behind the front passenger seat that keep most my dog's essentials such as toys, towel and first-aid-kit. Dog food was store under the bed. Yes, I should include some footage about what I bring for my dog such as first-aid, medicine, etc.