Sorry about your loss. We have 4 and I could imagine How painful it is..but we keep the Memories that never died..good luck on your new van and be safe 🙏

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much David. We were just watching funny videos of her last night. She was such a great companion. Hope your 4 are are doing well and making you smile every day 😊

Eamon & Bec have a really great van design. They are on KZread.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

We like theirs too and they’re so much fun to watch.

@sashawright9030

3 жыл бұрын

I was going to say the same - aside from the full bathroom theirs has a lot you guys want and feels very open.

Enjoy your new amazing adventure. Love your must haves, mine are similar but for a 4x4 Sprinter that fits into a standard parking space. A lift bed is #1, swivel cabin seats into a dining area #2, Bathroom #3, being able to walk through from cab to back door when bed is in the up lift position. Best wishes with your build and new journey.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Sounds like the perfect list of must haves. 😊

Sounds like you're looking at a heavy build with all that water, battery/solar and AC. You may need to look at a suspension upgrade. Airbags work great and they can be used to help level the van (up or down) when parked or raise it if you're in a situation where the back end drags. I have the Air Lift brand with a wireless remote. They can be added anytime so keep track of the weight of your build vs. what your van is rated for. Congratulations and I look forward to watching your build.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

That’s a great tip! Thank you so much.

Your new van is fantastic and huge!! What a canvas to create your perfect space! Enjoy your build, I know just from listening to you two it will be an interesting process. RIP your little one, losing any family member leaves a sad empty void. Look after the other one, they know and feel loss too. New subscriber here looking forward to your build.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your kind words and subscribing!Ollie finally stopped looking for her and he’s definitely liking the increased attention.

So sorry to hear about your little pup.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you

Rest in doggie Heaven little Daisy ❤️❤️❤️

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. She was the sweetest and we miss her so much. 💕

A happy jack bed would give you a fixed bed but also a seating area at the same time

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

We really like the concept but are concerned about the lower headroom. Wish we could see one in real life.

eamon and bec have not long finished a new van build. Their bed and lounge system looks like awesome concept.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

We love their build too!

Hi, we just discovered your channel and after watching your "rental" weekend vid are looking forward to catching up to your present day excursions as we follow your build.

@JenandGuy

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for joining in!

If I ever go vanlife, I would do happijac for powerlifting bed and have a dinette/work space underneath..! If you make seating area in U-shape, you have room for batteries/electronics on one side, and water tank on the other, and a small garage from the back. You sacrifice upper cabinets but I've seen people do long closet space to compensate for that...

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

There are definite benefits to a bed lift like having your bed instantly ready at the push of a button and it's a great way to accommodate a family. We opted not to do it because of the lower ceiling in addition to the upper cabinets.

Congrats! So excited for you; will definitely stick around for this build! You guys have such a relaxing vibe! Sorry about your pup☹️

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Glad you’re following along.

For the bed you can look up Murphy beds! It will still be kinda like a convertible but much quicker!

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nina! We just covered Murphy Beds in our newest video 😊

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

We love the concept but are concerned about losing width.

I'm so sorry for your loss...I recently went through the same thing. My little guy was 13 years old & he and I had traveled all over the country together too. He was my travel buddy and my best friend. We were actually soul mates...Oh well, it's sad, but I'm sure they're in a great place now, hmm? Take Care - Enjoy your new adventures with the new van!!

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Julia! It’s just the worst thing. We miss our sweet little girl so much. So sorry you lost your travel soul mate too. 💕

@juliamarin4896

3 жыл бұрын

@@JenandGuy Thanks so much...I know they're watching over us & that we'll be together again one day. I can't wait for that day. Happy Travels meanwhile however!! You guys are among the many youtubers inspiring me to have a travel van, too! :)

You will need 3 or 400 amp hours of lithium batteries for the air conditioning to run a few hours. As you plan your design, watch out for the weight because it adds up fast: 40 gallons of water equal about 330 lb. and when you decide on insulation, watch out for Lizard Skin (which is used by some custom builders) because it also adds lots of weight compared to other kinds. In our experience in building our custom van the weight has been the biggest challenge. We have windows all around and love them. it probably makes a difference regarding temperature ( the van came with windows so we do not really know how much) but we had some great insulated covers made and they help with heat and cold. 2 max air fans are also a good idea. Working with a builder who is also a mercedes Master upfitter may have some advantages such as 3 year warranty on their work. Converting a van is a fun project. Enjoy!

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for all your insight. It’s so good to know that you like all the windows. Do you have an a/c or do you just have the 2 fans?

@opinionatedartist

3 жыл бұрын

Jen and Guy, Yes having the windows and great mosquito nets allows us to be comfortable inside enjoying the views when is cold or warm. our van is a 144 so it is quite a bit shorter than yours. We don’t have it yet but will be installing a 12 volt air conditioner ( probably the Nomadic Cooling) so we will not have room for a second fan, but you can have 2 fans and an air conditioner. Our van is still under construction because we have a complex bathroom set up that is being produced now but was put on hold due to Covid. My husband is an industrial product designer so we are doing some unique things to maximize the space use. Another important issue for our conversion was choosing a toilet. This is a complex topic, but after testing a cassettes toilet ( stetford) whose chemicals made the all van smell like a portable bathroom, we opted for a custom designed separating/composting toilet that has a silent fan on 24/7and never smells ( except for 10 seconds while you take the bag out) No solution is perfect when it comes to van toilets but is good to research the various options and choose based on what may bother you the least :)

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Can't wait to see your build when it's done. We've been considering the Fresaire A/C. There's a great toilet video on Ladi & Margaret and we want to go with a composting toilet. After watching the video, it became clear that a cassette toilet was not for us 😀

@opinionatedartist

3 жыл бұрын

Jen and Guy I’ ll be happy to show you our van when is finished. Everything works except the shower and the fold out bathroom sink, but several items are still in “prototype mode”. My husband designs for mass production so there are several steps before things are done but hopefully, when finished we will be able to bring a few components to market including a toilet. i saw the video you referred to, but also did lots of research, Composting never really happens 100%in the van and unless you have a composting bin at home or can find one on the road or are willing to dig a hole to throw out the “half compost” it may all end up in a plastic bag. That’s why we opted for the “Sara and alex james” ( custom crafted vans or forty hours of freedom) separating toilet style. The urines go into the grey tank where they get diluted ( no bottle to empty and wash) and the solid go into a biodegradable bag which we throw out when full into regular dumpsters . Before buying a toilet make sure you watch a video on how to empty it / clean it. Also consider a good water filter for potable water built into your system ( uv light combined with regular filter is the best) so you can actually purify and drink the water from your tank ( which may get gross after a while) or bring along a Berkey filter. I am sorry for being extra talkative but i am passionate about this stuff and as i watched your video yesterday I could relate to you and know how exciting it is but also how complex, frustrating and expensive it can get depending on tour expectations. Anyway, Best of luck and enjoy the process.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Love hearing your comments. It’s always great to know how people handle the details of their build. It sounds like your husband is working on some exciting things.

Your "needs & wants" for your van build is exactly in line for my built. Congratulations on finding THE van! Let the adventures begin!👍😊

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Yes! Thank you!

This is my new favorite channel, please keep up the good work! Can't wait to see the next steps. Go Team!🙌🎉

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

That's the nicest compliment. Thank you 😊

So sorry for your loss of sweet Daisy. She is running thru the meadow across the rainbow bridge! You will meet again someday.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. We miss our sweet little girl!

So sorry to hear about Daisy....Love following your adventures!

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Peggy!

subscribed! looking forward for your adventures 🥰

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Glad to have you along for the journey 😊

My wife and I also have a long time dream of traveling the USA, Canada, and parts of Mexico in a van conversion. We will be following your journey and hope to learn from your experiences. Thank you for sharing.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a great trip.Glad you'll be following along while you plan your adventure. 😊

Have you considered a murphy bed? It can then convert to a table when not in use.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

We have definitely considered a Murphy bed. Our last episode was all about van beds 🛌

I’m so sorry for the lost of your fur baby 😔 Animals gives us so much love and loyalty and they expect so little in return! You both seems like awesome pet parents who have included their animals as family members in your travel plans 😊 Your little fur angel has found a new home over the rainbow bridge! On a lighter note, congratulations on your van purchase! If you need any ideas I would check out a few KZreadrs one being Humble Road. My 2 cents on the bed....a bed lift with the seating area underneath or Murphy? Happy and safe travels!

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for your kind words. We loved having our sweet girl with us all the time. Thanks for the tip about Humble Road. We'll check them out. 😊

Goodluck with your vanbuild. If you have time, you can check out tiny watt solar van tour on their youtube acct. They have massive flexible solar panel on the roof of their van and recirculating shower as well. And stay safe. 💕💕💕

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip!

Look at LOTS of different Van builds... Design YOUR OWN.. Then work out HOW to achieve it. The Sprinter can carry weight well. We have a MWB because we wanted to park in shopping centers etc. We did everything ourselves, even the solar and electrical. Will Prowse (think) is EXCELLENT for understanding how to run solar, batteries and inverters wiring and he is able to impart knowledge well. There seems to be quite a lot of vague information regarding 12V and wiring...and BE TIDY and orderly...keep a mud map. One suggestion from us...don't have your batteries recharging from your van motor as seems to be the "fad" Keep your van living seperate, run extra wires for any future additions... 12V only fridge don't get the dual as its then requires two compressors and is not as efficient. More solar, and efficient lithium battery storage far more than required for basic daily usage. You can do whatever you want...just work out how to do it. Many just accept limitations...but you are only limited if you listen to others telling you you can't do that... It hard work but very rewarding !! Enjoy the journey .

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your words of wisdom!

Please keep doing these videos for every part of your build! My husband and I are thinking about doing the same thing and your thoughts are so helpful!

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching and the positive feedback. It's an exciting prospect to take on a project like this. Good luck if you decide to go for it :)

Sign me on ! All your change ideas are amazing can't believe it can be done.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Can’t wait to show the transformation 😊

Sorry about your loss. Good luck on your build. You have a new subscriber!! I am seriously looking at doing the same thing right now.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jason for subscribing and your kind words. Hopefully our videos can help you decide if you want to jump in to van life 😊

Search on KZread for “hour shower”. It’s a recirculating shower and he’s updated it as well.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Looking forward to checking out the recirculating shower. Thank you.

A recirculating shower system would be amazing!! It’s on my priority list for my future van build😊 My hope is that there will be some sort of an affordable kit offered from an amazing entrepreneur one day soon! I’m excited to watch your build! New sub from 🇨🇦 😊

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

That would be really cool to be able to carry less water and still get lots of showers. Thanks for subscribing 😊

@BriarRose74

3 жыл бұрын

Jen and Guy - search KZread for “hour shower”. There’s a guy that created and has an updated version.

Hope you added a 4 foot truck bed extension

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

On a cargo van? Haven’t heard of that.

@margerymorstein1073

3 жыл бұрын

@@JenandGuy OMG It is a slide drawer that attaches to your truck bed, and usually goes under your raised bed . It pulls easy easily and extends you truck 4 to 6 feet. They are Fabulous.

I saw a van that had a Murphy bed on it on one of the channels that converts to a living/dinning room during the day that might work better for you. Also I am sorry for your loss 😪🙏🏻👍🏻

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

If you know what channel you saw the Murphy bed, I’d love to know. I’ve been trying to find an example and haven’t succeeded. Thanks about our sweet girl. 😢

@lizmenendez2951

3 жыл бұрын

Jen and Guy it is called. Tio Aventura. Their set up is really good

@trisqz

3 жыл бұрын

Tio Adventura ... kzread.info/dash/bejne/dY2m09lugqa9ms4.html

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Liz and Trisqz for the place to check out a Murphy bed. Tio Adventura build is so creative and beautiful amazing with tons of great ideas incorporated.

Check out George at "Humble Road" before you finalize your plans he has some great ideas. He has owned every type of van/motorhome and has great input on "how" to build both for function and durability.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

We like his videos so much too. He’s a wealth of information.

Have you seen the fresh water tanks that go over the wheel wells. They are 20 gallons each.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

I haven’t but definitely want to check that out. Thank you!

@patriciahawkins8799

3 жыл бұрын

Are you mostly doing the build yourself. I have a 2019 promaster 3500 extended high top. Really love it. I am building it out also. I am in the Palm Springs area.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

We are doing the build ourselves. That's so great that you are too. I hope you have an air conditioned space to work it. Must be a little toasty out there 😉

Please check out "Humble Roads" on YT. George goes through a lot of details on the structural aspect of the build as well as the finishes. He uses cardboard in his mock ups to give the owner an visual and space feel. Cardboard is cheap and can be altered easily. Good luck!

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Scott. His cardboard mock ups are amazing. It’s such a great idea to avoid mistakes. 😊

Check out Vancity Vanlife

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Will do. Thank you.

How did you find the van? What medium/website did you use to search for your specific van dimension? I found it is pretty difficult to find a van with the dimension you are interested in and it seems you had the same issue.

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Finding a van was so difficult. We called at least 10 dealerships in various states. Checked for new and used vans on Auto trader, Car Max, and a few other sites. In the end we just got really lucky. Some company ordered 10 cargo vans and only picked up 9 and we luckily called on the right day. If you are looking, be persistent. We were open to finding the longest Transit, Promaster or Sprinter, new or used with up to 35K miles. And we finally found the one we got. Good luck on your search.

Toilet? Shower?

@JenandGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Definitely adding a toilet and shower