Minimalist Micro Camper Van Tour (Ford Transit Connect)
Ойын-сауық
Living in a ford transit connect in 2020 has been an amazing experience. I bought my cargo van in November of 2019 and headed to San Francisco where I have spent most of my time this year. My conversion is based on my time backpacking and hitchhiking. I enjoy the minimalist aspect that vanlife provides, and being able to take advantage of any opportunity that comes my way. Living in a Micro Camper. Building Van Storage. Vanlife during coronavirus. Shelter-in-Van. solo traveler
Puck lights
amzn.to/3mHcmwp
Пікірлер: 105
Finally a build I can see myself being able to do!
@paulwhent1370
3 жыл бұрын
I was just thinking the same
It's really great to see a minimal build on a newer FTC van. I bought a 2016 and discovered most videos are on the 2012 or older models. You gave me a lot of great ideas. Thanks for sharing!
I just saw your comment on my video...came over here and realized I watched this video when I was looking into purchasing mine! Small world, and I decided to leave a comment this time. I like what you've done with this van!
I am liking the minimal ideas. Add some decent battery power and a toilet and I think I can make it work full time...
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
Getting a nice rug is half the battle
@dawnlapka2433
3 жыл бұрын
@@JacksonTravel I agree! It seems like most of the vans I have seen with the minimal ideas have really nice rugs and mattresses that can be put away in a compartment above the van, or they stuff it in a rubber maid container and do an air bed of some kind. Seems reasonable to me....
Since 2015 I’ve slept in a 2012 Ford Windstar CARGO minivan. On the floor with a sleeping bag. Yours is the nearest to minimalistic I’ve seen. 🍕🍧🍡🍩
The organisation and minimal life is so peaceful to me.. love this.. sending love from north west.england 🙏
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
D S&S cheers from Damariscotta Maine!
I think the minimalist approach is the best way to go for a FTC. They don't have a great deal of weight capacity , and most builds I've seen are overweight , before they add their gear . My daughter has a 2010 and I have a 2012 and both are light builds . Aside from risking suspension damage , I don't want to be hauling 500 pounds of decorative lumber around the country . Nice build and happy trails !
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
John Burakowski thanks John, it would be fun to get a weight reading to see how heavy i am.
@stevedownwind
3 жыл бұрын
Is that really a concern? Its a cargo van. I have the passenger version lwb and I removed 3 of the seats. They were easily 60 or 70 lbs each. If you carried passengers besides, you'd have 100s more on top of that. Mine is a 2014. Removed seats, built out a platform, roof rack, kayak, 100w solar panel, fridge, 100 amp lifepo4. Drove it over 100k so far with zero issues. Great micro camper. Its like a transformer van. You can change configuration depending on your needs. In fact, I just boat a frame hitch. You can tow up to 2000 lbs with these. I will be at half that and only once in a while, short hops. Some day I'll put a video up
Best set up yet I’ve seen in Ford transit connect! Excellent use of space on the walls.
Got here from the transit connect forum 😊 Nice van! Just bought a 2014, gonna do something minimal like this for my trip in September.
@JacksonTravel
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Where you headed? Out west?
For your windows use gutter guards cutting to your window size. For good air flow. Good video and good luck.
Just remember folks the Transit Connect Cargo vans still have the 2nd seat foot wells under the cargo floor! A lot of extra storage if you know it’s there!
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
I have lost some stuff back in those! I would have no idea they existed otherwise
Man you and I are on the same page I have the same van perfect
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
Let’s see the van
@GinaKayLandis
3 жыл бұрын
Van video pls!
😂 the clapping 😂
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
The fact that you made it to the end of my video😘
I love this. And that rug!
Like the stick on lights :)
Love the rug and space. Not a lot of clutter of toilet, sink, table, heater.. this is what I want.
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
Melinda. Mc lots of versatility
I really love this simple set up. Especially the bed!!
That rug really ties the room together.....
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
I swear I did not even know that I was making a big Lebowski reference at the time
@daddybuddy
3 жыл бұрын
@@JacksonTravel I loved it! It was so funny in that context! Made my day! Greetings and best wishes to you from Germany!
Very nice and NEAT!
Hello from Puerto Rico , that’s a good way of living, and the organization of the transit box is interesting
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
Hello from Minnesota
Using sound suppression material as insulation is genius.
I was literally planning on getting a van and moving to oakland or east bay and doing this next year. I'd love to see a video with you voicing your concerns or ideas for a more comfortable van stay.
Thank you for sharing your van. Saving up for my Transit .. I like your barrier behind the seats. I have a idea for mine. When I do get it. I just saw a great idea for a portable sink on the back door. They put a folding shelf with a cut our for a collapsible sink.. Also you could put just folding shelves. I am thinking about a a shelf on the door that I saw that will hold my camp stove them fold down to cook on it or out of the van. Looking forward to your adventure.
@JacksonTravel
4 жыл бұрын
Karen Donaghy i like those ideas! Once i buy a nail gun ill be on to some more building
This was one option I was thinking of for a camper van (sleeping on the floor, maybe a bean bag chair for lounging. It's good to see it set up.
@JacksonTravel
4 жыл бұрын
The beanbag chair might be a little obnoxious to store but, yeah that would be comfortable to sit in and chill
@S.G..E555
3 жыл бұрын
There’s a foam bed seat that’ folds out to a bed my mum had two in her camper so light easy and practical.. .. 👍
I love this organization!
carpet is great.👏👍
Good simple build, I love it
@JacksonTravel
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks BT!
How did you make that shelf ? Can we get a tutorial?
Greetings from Finland! I found it very funny, that I have almost the same system in my Peugeot Partner van (long model). Almost the only major differences are that I don’t sleep on the floor, but I have a bed made of a piece of plywood and a couple of plastic storage boxes, and my van doesn't have two side doors. My portable toilet can also fit under the bed. The advantage is that there is a lot of storage space under the bed and I can also sit on it. On the underside of the bed I've made 4 little "stoppers" to prevent it from sliding around on the sorage boxes and it's easy to lift the bed from the other side, when I need somethig from those boxes.
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
Juuso Karhu your platform must be pretty tall if you can fit a portable toilet underneath it! Do you use a sleeping pad inflatable?
@juusokarhu8821
3 жыл бұрын
@@JacksonTravel Actually, it's not. My portable toilet is 30 cm high only. (11,8 inches) Same as the storage boxes and I had to put 1 cm pieces of wood under them, so that I can easily slide the toilet in and out.
very goood video
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
Hamza Boufous thanks Hamza
Awesome! I like the simplicity, is they the version with a higher roof or?
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
No it’s 4’ high inside there
Love it
great updates to the Connect
@JacksonTravel
4 жыл бұрын
🤣
5 doors, 2 front side, 2 mid side, and back door.
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
6 doors
Hi, I was wondering what the vents are for in the back that you are using for storage. I noticed them in the Van ads and called a dealer who told me they are for the air conditioning and heat to heat and cool the back of the van. I see most conversions covering them. Did you notice anything in there that would confirm that or are they just open spaces behind the vents.
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
they are not for air-con. certainly not in the cargo van.
I try to buy same van like you to using for my trip. I like you made in your car
MPG? Don't worry no one ever mentions it. I'm angling towards the long wheel base Transit. What years was that an option?
@JacksonTravel
2 жыл бұрын
27 MPG average - now with solar panels it seems to be 1 or 2 less
Thank you for the video. What do you for shower/bathroom? Blessings in your days.
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
I was looking into getting a portable propane shower that uses the little green Coleman tanks. But usually I would shower at truck stops or Gyms
@gailjohnson6670
3 жыл бұрын
@@JacksonTravel I watched a video that a man had the Costway hot water heater in a Dodge Caravan mini van. But he didn't have a description link for it. I wonder where he purchased it.
Nice but I really wanna know what you do in 100 degree weather like my region is getting as I type this?? The Prius has appealed to me very much for the reason you can leave it on all night with the AC on and burn about a gallon of gas so they say. I think I would slim down on the cargo and sleep in a Prius 😃. And wouldn’t it have been better to buy a new van?? 125,000 miles and you are paying in payments?? I would have gone for a new one especially if I’m gonna be driving it a lot like I’m sure you are doing. They are cheap now as well. Never buy used. Especially if you plan on traveling a lot.
@JacksonTravel
4 жыл бұрын
Joel Martinez i’ve heard that your vehicle loses about 30% of its value as soon as you drive it off the lot and economically your best option is to buy a vehicle that is five years old. That being said I probably could’ve gotten a better price than 12,000. It’s also worth noting that I have no credit history, and I’m paying 17% right now. I was in 110° weather in Las Vegas for about a month. It was horrible. A/C is a must However you look at it. And hey man, sleeping in a prius is fine by me “if thats what youre going for”
@Catman1798
4 жыл бұрын
Jackson Travel I wanted a van like yours but then I researched more about this lifestyle found about about Prius cars. I was sold in an instant when they said you can leave it on all night. I said hell yeah. I will lay out in a Prius as long as it keeps me cool at night. Lol. Just occurred to me about your van. 150,000 miles you said now?? Wow. Have you had and issues?? Engine stuff etc.? Critics are not in favor of ford vehicles but that’s a lot of miles on your van. Very impressive. What engine does it have? What year is it?
@JacksonTravel
4 жыл бұрын
Im at 143,000 no issues yet. As far as small cargo vans go, Ford is the most popular in the US.
@JacksonTravel
4 жыл бұрын
I didnt know that about prius - seems bad for the battery - and expensive to replace a battery system
@Catman1798
4 жыл бұрын
Jackson Travel yeah it charges the battery when it needs it over night when it’s on. AC will run on the battery etc. I think so as well that it’s not good for it. It would work for someone who just travels a few days or so. Living full time in it could be a problem doing that everynight for months. But from what I heard that doesn’t seem to be an issue for those Prius people.
I am looking to buy a brand new Transit Connect and turn it into a part time camper. Have you had any problems with your van? I have heard that these vans can have transmission issues but I think it might be the older generation of the Connect that had the problem. Anyway would be interested to hear what mechanical problems you have had with your vehicle.
@JacksonTravel
Жыл бұрын
Hello again haha no I didn’t have any issues with my TC
@spywriter007
Жыл бұрын
@@JacksonTravel Hahaha... sorry about that. I didn't mean to post that question twice, lol.
Have the acoustics inside the van lost some quality since removing the foam sound panels? And if so, is the extra storage worth it?
@JacksonTravel
4 жыл бұрын
Storing all that soft stuff on the sides of the van works better than the panels ever did - which doesnt say much. (Youre still going to hear that garbage truck driving by as you sleep)
👍
No insulation needed? Doesn’t it get too hot or cold like that? I plant on buying transit but I don’t think I can do insulation by myself. So I was wondering what if no insulation?
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
It is not worth the time and money
This is a fantastic van set up👍. Would be pleased If you could share your cloth wadrobe? This is really minimal. Stay Safe and Blessings from Germany 🤗🖖
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
Great idea. I’ll make an update soon and include that! 👍🏼👍🏼
Hi! Is this the Small Wheel base or the larger one? thx
Love...brasil
where did you get the colored lights that are magnetic
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
amazon search "puck" lights. i recently got a new color light that i really like called the Aputure MC
Is this the wagon or the cargo version?
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
Cargo long wheel base
@taradead
2 жыл бұрын
Ford dealer told me the wagon has rear windows (& seats) and the cargo does not have any rear windows.
Why did you get a parking ticket?
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
Jeff Hayden street sweeping
@jeffhayden2737
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for reply, I was curious because along time ago I lived in a van in SF and had no problems, and was wondering if it was getting almost impossible to do it . Or if it was an error that caused you to get a ticket. Good luck on your travels!!
What do you do to create revenue for food, fuel, etc?
@JacksonTravel
4 жыл бұрын
Recently i have been doing Postmates
What year is your van do you sleep in this van???
@JacksonTravel
4 жыл бұрын
2016 - and yes i do sleep in there haha
Have you had any transmission problems?
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
David Hammond not yet im at 147,000
@GinaKayLandis
3 жыл бұрын
The earlier Connects weren't too good for transmission longevity.
Does he sleep in a sleeping bag?
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
Jennifer H. Sometimes
How tall are you?
@JacksonTravel
3 жыл бұрын
Six two