Hi! I'm Kristen...the founder of Bearfoot Theory - the adventure travel blog for the everyday explorer - where my mission is to help break down the barriers that prevent people from getting outside. I am a GoPro content creator, live full-time in a 4x4 Sprinter Van, and can usually be found roaming the West with my camera in hand.
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Exactly what I needed. Excellent video,thank you
Wouldn’t it be easier to jack it from the back?
Great Video for beginners! Please use always a Star Plattern to tighten the nuts/screws! Otherwise you could damage your wheel! More over please use a Ratsche / Tool with limiting torque to prevent more damages. Enjoy driving your Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van! Have always a safe and wonderful trip! Greetings from the home of Mercedes - Germany!😊
I know this is an older video, but, I have a question about this tent, if you don't mind. I don't currently have a tent for my camping trips. I've been borrowing someone else's for my camping trips. I'm researching tents and I'm interested in this one. So, as to the question: in the last version of this tent, it was possible to open the rainfly vents from the inside of the tent. Is that still an option with this version of the tent? Thanks! 🙂
Awesome video! If you were to put this van on the market, what would it be worth?
to start, I don't know the best van to get to travel phoenix to colorado with my dog and maybe my cat?
Where did you get. The cabinets at
Interesting, I had no idea Nikwax had such products. Thanks!
Yea they have cleaning products for all kids ds of outdoor gear from shoes to down sleeping bags to tents. An easy way to make your gear last longer 😊
Love your build. Ryan
Lot it. Who makes the seat behind the driver seat. Comfort? Ryan
Please never leave pets in vehicles if the outside temp. is 70° or higher.
I see class A RVs at these van meetups. Would it be ok to show up with a travel & trailer & pick up?
Every event is different. Open Roads Fest has a length limit. It was 30 feet in 2022 for your entire footprint. This is due to the access road to enter the campground.
Excellent tour. I learned a lot.
Thanks Richard. Glad it was helpfuL!
Hello, please ball park figure for the interior furniture. And ball park figure for the whole renevation.
My husband and I are planning on becoming Nomad living Van life. I do know I would like a small shower/bathroom to use for emergencies. I like what you have done to this.
hi! congrats on your decision to do van life. That's what's great about these vans, they are so flexible, you can do whatever you want with them.
Nice Van, good and nice layout the only we missing is a bathroom inside with a toilet(no chenical but a seperat dry toilet and a shower) !!! greatings form the netherlands// southern harvest // Luke & Silvia
The compartment at the bottom of the closet is big enough for a variety of portable toilets. I'm going to put a portable composting toilet in there this summer.
For such a nicely built va there are some strange details, from the pee jug to the water meter hidden behind the lazy susan and the control panels occupying a prominent spot in the van which could be occupied by a great overhead cabinet instead.
The pee jug and the lazy susan are easily removable and I can actually see the water meter without having to move the lazy Susan at all. There is also room for a portable toilet at the bottom of the closet if you prefer that over a pee jug. As for the control panels, they are meant to be easily accessible so you can track your battery usage, which is something you really want to know the status of at all times.
I really wanna do this but my biggest concern is getting from the airport to the meeting spot for my group tour. As a single woman it makes me uneasy. Did you have any trouble with this? Or have any advice ?! Love the video. Been dreaming of this place for years.
Confused. It is easy to make complicated things that work. It is an art to make simple things that work eaually good - or better. The design engineer.
Kristen this video is SUPER useful. A lot of your ideas when right into my notes. Gracias!
So glad to hear David. If you have questions let me know!
Thanks for the great video. Super useful. FYI: Your lesson list link is broken.
🥲 I did the same trip 2 years ago, and I’m watching your video to relive that amazing experience. My favorite part was the last night, we spent hours watching the bighorn sheep and their newborn babies playing on the beach across the river. Good people, good views, good times
My wife and I are thinkinbg about making the shift to van life. Scary this is all to imagine.
You didn't cover safety while driving. Was hoping for that. Maybe you covered that in a previous video.
what heck u teaching ppl , thats not where u put the jack lady !!! sprinter got you a specific spot in the rear near that tire ,, check ur owner manual
This is great. You are why I was turned on to Outside Van. Love their work/builds, and your journey. Congratulations. I’ve learned so much from your blog over the last 3.5 years. Thanks!!
Thank you so much Michelle! I'm so glad my content has been helpful :)
I’ve never understood the appeal of Outside Van. In general, they are very over-priced with all the aesthetic appeal of a dentist’s office.
I guess this channel is dead. Been almost a year since last video.
I had a baby, and I've. been focusing my efforts on my website where I'm very active: bearfoottheory.com
Do you have an updated list of what apps to use in 2023. Two weeks ago I just decided to buy a van and leave tbh I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m a solo female but I feel like I HAVE to do this. I’m leaving in two weeks 😬
I bought a large white trunk to store my infant niece’s stuff in kzread.infoUgkxNuLbiXpLQ-mKH5NlyjrNe88hiCk2N3Cg , as she comes to my house frequently. For now, it’s toys on one side and diapers, wipes, and other baby care items on the other. As she gets older, it will be all toys. I had originally wanted a trunk with a hinged lid, but I was afraid of her smashing or pinching her fingers in it. This will be a much safer option. The lid has great padding in it and it is actually nice to sit on. It feels very sturdy and secure. Looks like it can be wiped clean easily. If it gets abused by her, I won’t be terribly upset because I paid less than $50 for it on Prime Day.
First!
What time of year was this? Is it cash only at night stops? How much did you spend on food/beer. Can you have your own tent? Thanks
I had the pleasure of meeting your parents on their van travels through NorCal yesterday and was inspired to hear the whole family are van lifers😃 So inspiring to see your journey, love it😁 Such a great channel, so many valuable insights to consider as my daughter and I hope to have vans and travel together in a several years time😊
Oh what a coincidence! Yes, they got a van after attending my event - Open Roads Fest and they are loving it.
I love your blog and I subscribe and thank you for the video tour of your camper. I enjoy tenting with my car nearby a couple of 3 nighters per year. It is something that I have done all my life and I’m 68 years old🏕️
All that effort for van number 3 and no shower/wet bath?
I dont think i could give up a bathroom/wetroom 😅
That's the great thing about doing a custom conversion. You can turn the van into whatever you want. I have a great article on why I chose not to have a shower in my van here: bearfoottheory.com/reasons-you-dont-need-van-shower/
Nice and detailed video with lots of good solutions. As for the absence of a bath, I reallly dont get it. This is such a big van. Not rock sciences to include a wet bath. Gymns are just not available everywhere. I just cant imagine going for days with no shower. Another thing. Never heard of the need of an extra alternator to the house batteries. Curious to understand why and how they did it.
Here is why I don't have a shower: bearfoottheory.com/reasons-you-dont-need-van-shower/ I had a shower in my first van and never used it, and you really don't have enough water to be showering frequently without having to refill your water which is a hassle. we honestly just don't shower that much. I got used to that during my 22 days backpacking the John Muir Trail. As for the secondary alternator, you can charge your batteries off of your primary alternator, but your alternator has to charge your vehicle's battery first. So having a secondary alternator allows you to be charging your vehicle and your house batteries simultaneously
I used to use google maps satellite view to find East West tree lines or other shade to park on the North side of. Id park down low by rivers or streams also. I always left windows open with screens and vent open and fan going and plenty of water. If it was going to be parked in the sun, I would turn my stern towards the South, or if the windshield was facing sun, I used a reflector. There were brutal days of working shitty jobs in the heat and my rig was in the sun all day, but I'd take my breaks in it with my dog. It would stay cool enough for her down low. I ate lunch with her also in it. Foreman called the police and animal control on me, after seeing me walk her at lunch. I didn't need a bunch are heavily armed fascist beating me and executing my dog, so I split. Lost several jobs that way. I always double checked everything before I left her. It never got dangerously hot down low. It would be very uncomfortable sometimes in hot summer rains. Fan was where it's at. It's like everything, regardless how well you prepare and deal with something, other people are always going to force their way into it and take it from you if they get the chance. So even though I liked her being able to jump out through the screen in case of fire, I had animal control open that screen and take her. So I lost another job. Thinking I might need to crate her out of sight, in some places temporarily. It's a soft crate, left over from her TPLO Plate operation, and she can rip through it if she needs to. Its like everything in life, if you can avoid being noticed by other people, and especially all authorities, you're far less likely to have a problem. So my vehicle was basically very easy to rob, yet I only got strong arm robbed by pigs and other assclowns with authoritai. Just gotta give them whatever they want and hope they go away peacefully without destroying all you have. There's a felony camping lawin Tennessee now also. I want to get back into van life, but I must admit Im scared. Same time however, my apartment is absolute shit and now my rent is going up 60% to move into an identical unit next door wich is livable. Also, the fuckers extort me for my dog and charge me rent for her. Im thinking fuck them and that. Maybe I'll roll out to Costa Rica. The US is packed with very dangerous abusive authorities, and everybody is being pinched, threatened robbed, and disenfranchised, and are pissed off and scared and or crazy. Dont have any kids that I know of, but I wouldn't raise them in the US if I did, so by that standard, I think expatriation is the ticket. I'd rather live amongst a people free not to contribute to the Ukraine or any other war, and live without constant fear of authoritative attacks. I train to fight with knifes, tomahawks and my cane everyday, so its only the pigs I really have to fear, but then stupid people might attack when I'm not there. So I'll have to minimize my exposure. The good thing is Im receive service connected disability now. So employers wont be attacking me anymore and may lick me tasty balls! Thinking of canoe camping all over. That means leaving the van, but I'll have my sweet baby with me and Im not even worried about bears or anything, other than assholes with badges and guns. The neat thing about canoe's is you can get to places no motorized craft can reach, so no pigs showing up in the middle of the night shining lights in my face and interrogating and threatening me. Love being alone in the wilderness for many reasons, like I used to enjoy being alone at sea far from any land, with absolute autonomy.
Good video, thank you for the information!!
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Not a very good take. All dogs should be leashed so they don’t bother other potential campers or run up on a reactive leashed dog and cause a fight
Annoying voice…
I like the size of your kitchen cabinet. Can you please tell me the dimensions? Thanks
Hi don't know if you will get this. I have a 92 sportsmobile. The only bed is a gaucho right behind the drivers side with all electric and water under it. I hate it. Too small for two people also. If i move my kitchen I can extend the bed all the way to the door like you have done. Did you sleep cross ways or long ways? Thanks Henry
Your videos renew my energy and excitement for ideas on accessing the outdoors. Gear gal you’ve got great videos! 👍
Thanks so much! If you ever have any questions, feel free to get in touch via my website :)
Look like you gave up your indoor shower and potty for more room.
Fun video. Thanks. Russel was one of our guides on a rowing clinic that I went on down the Desolation/Gray Canyon. He's a very competent, knowledgeable, hard working guide. I can't say enough good things about the OARS outfit.
Great advice! It helped us a lot. Nothing got damaged!
Cool. So you never have to change the front, eh?
Hey :) was there a reason you chose to switch out the lagun Mount table? I’m having trouble finding information about its durability and trying to decide which one to choose ❤ thank you!
I loved the Lagun table. You don't want to put a TON of weight on it, but overall i'd say it's very durable. In this van, I didn't think it was safe to have a swivel table with my baby his carseat.