10 Things I HATE About My Converted Minivan

[@bill9912]

This video should act as a reminder to all of us to 1) Know where our spare tire is located; 2) Know how to remove it from its storage spot on the car and 3) Make sure we have all of the necessary tools needed to change a tire when help like AAA isn't available.

[@christopherlands2706]

This is a great video. It’s so nice to hear about the little things you can share with someone who is starting out and may not have the experience or foresight to know of these kinds of things that come up over time.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Good! I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@drizzt8965]

We have a 2016 Sienna and we went with the "no build" approach, I just built a Floore (kept the rear seats...) that is level out of 2x4s and 3/4 inch plywood. I did remove the middle console so we could get to the back without getting out of the van, and there are aftermarket consoles that you just slide back in that spot when we are not out and about. We use a Mr. Heater Little Buddy heater and get around 5 hrs of heat, we do not go out in extreme hot or cold.... Our power when we cannot plug in is an Anker Solix which easily keeps all of our gadgets charged while we're out. A high quality ice chest and blocks of ice which lasts for several days works great too, We eat very simply while we are on the road. I also did a 3 1/2 lift and bought new tires and wheels and a Rhino basket, it gets lots of comments. When we are not camping, I just slide the Floore out, reinstall the middle seats and slide the consol in its spot. We were able to keep everything very simple because we will never live in it... "Readhesived" lol that's a good one 🙂

[@freyaaurorawilding]

Love this vid and your honesty! My Sienna is too often a mess. Also, I LOVE your electrical set up! Travel safe!

[@jimmymalone3494]

Thank you Maddie for sharing this with us.I hope you and Smoke have a great week.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Thanks, Jimmy! You’re the best!

[@CC58]

Couple of tips .. don't get a Mr. Buddy heater as it will fill you van with moisture and cause mold! A $100 diesel heater won't do that but a hassle to install. Also, LiFePo2 batteries are much better than AGM but require a special charger (can't directly tie it to 12V to charge it) Renogy makes a 20A DC to DC charger for it. The 100AH LiFePo2 batteries are getting cheaper. LiTime is a good brand.

[@willow4174]

Swing hitch for spare tire. I went with lithium battery 100 amp. I’m just finishing my build. I wish I could send pics for you but can’t figure out how. I love watching your videos, I seen all of them, and lots of them I watch over and over. Your videos got me going in van life, thank you.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Wow, that’s so cool that my videos were helpful to you! Congrats on being almost done with your build!!

[@RickINFJ]

Well, you definitely learned a lot by getting out there and putting things to use with your van. 😊 I hope you and Smoke have a blast in NH! It's my favorite place to be. Take care Maddie ✌️

[@whynotbekind1957]

The great thing about your van, is that it got you all over the United States…on a funny note, I kept thinking about MacGyver, with all the duct tape, cardboard and other creative solutions you came up with to fix things..like the bungy cords holding on the bumper part (i had to use duct tape to hold my from bumper on after it got pulled off by a parking bump in a parking lot one time…but that stuff held a long time, until I could get it fixed…lol)

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Very true! I love that my van was my home on my 48 state adventure and that it’s a sum of how many problems I’ve solved by myself and with the help of others!

[@joesoutdoorplaces]

In my opinion it is a great piece of work. The good thing is that most everything you mentioned can be corrected until you move up to a larger platform.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Very true, a bigger rig would be helpful! And thank you! Overall I really love it, it just gets on my nerves sometimes, like any big part of a person’s life!

[@Tash-y5k]

Ah shoot, yeah we had the spare tire under the floor in our sienna, there was space down there! Might be worth the hassle of cutting a hole in the floor?

[@jetv1471]

Remember this saying : I’m not going to should on myself today.

[@RobertCOVELL]

Thanks for saying and you are so kind

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Thank you! That’s very wise!

[@jasonjones5213]

I always liked your build, Affordable for one thing.I can see your point though.

[@jasonlwebb]

Hi Maddie, you do a great job creating videos and I enjoy seeing your adventures. When you replaced your battery, it would have been a good time to upgrade to a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) battery. Next time, that is the way you should probably go as you will have less worries about damaging your battery. I'm guessing by the size of that AGM battery that it is around 100Ah battery. I have recently seen 100Ah LFP batteries for under $200 on Amazon and you will get more usable power as you can drain LFP down close to zero unlike the roughly 50% for AGM. The only other thing you should have to do to convert to LFP is change battery setting in your charge controller (blue box). It is easy to change the setting in a phone app, and don't worry, nothing complicated as there should be a default you can select for Lithium Iron Phosphate battery. I can't tell in the video if that is a Victron BlueSolar or Victron SmartSolar. The difference is the BlueSolar needs an adapter to connect via Bluetooth whereas the SmartSolar has BT built in (and about a $17 price difference). If it is the BlueSolar, you will need to get the adapter or borrow one otherwise you can connect the Victron app directly via BT.

[@RobertCOVELL]

Cool, but please make a video about what you love about it! I wish i had a van to live in more than ever! A more positive vid about what you love about it would even brighten peoples day more! ❤

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

I see what you mean, but I think that would just be repeating most of what I said in my van tour!

[@RobertCOVELL]

@@BeerinBeautifulPlaces im sorry maybe i need to watch more of your stuff than just assume! Haha i love your stuff so much tho!

[@edwardgwilcoxjr7232]

Brushing out the ups and downs of travel camping in a minivan. ✅

[@Self_Proppelled]

Spare tire on a Sienna is under the van. Under the pasenger side second row seat there is a nut you can turn to lower the spare from it's craddle under the van. I have a 2006 Sienna and that's how it is for me. Also the jack is behind a panel on the passenger side rear.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

That’s what I was taking about at 3:28 ! But someone else commented and said since I have the AWD model, they’re all made with run flat tires. So that explains why I couldn’t see a spot for it underneath

[@AdventureGearTV]

You had some wild adventures with those tires blowing and getting stuck over the Brew USA Tour. I never would have guessed that you had a gap under the floor when I looked inside. 200k miles, just broken in.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Yeah those tires keep me on my toes!

[@tinabeane]

That is a good list and those things would annoy me. Sometimes you just don't know certain things with a build until you go out there. Like the shelf and how high it is for cook. Yup it sure does get messy really fast and can be a black home. I lost my keys one time for an hour and they were clipped to my purse.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Thank you, glad to hear you see where I’m coming from!

[@larryhunter8245]

Great video Maddie! I have a 2011 Sienna as well so I thought I’d offer a few thoughts. You can get a swing out tire mount. You will probably need a hitch as well. Luckily I have a Base FWD so I have the wind down spare. I’ve thought about getting a SUV Peak Rated tire but for now I use good quality All Season tires. It snows up here but we spend most of the winter in the south. I also have tire chains if I really get stuck. For heat we tried a Mr Buddy but they are really too much heat for a Sienna. Now we use a Wave 3. If has a much lower output. Cost a little more but Rosie really feels the cold so it’s worth it to me. Personally I would never put a deisel heater in a minivan. Too much work and I would never trust a Chinese one. You can get good quality ones but they are much much more expensive. As for your biggest issue to me, needing space for two. I have 2 person professionally made unit but am not currently using it. Instead I did a very simple version. I used one sheet of plywood and a few 2 by fours. All of your floor mods could stay intact and you could design it for both your needs. We made ours a low as possible as I an over 6’ and needed the height for sitting. I’m handy but no carpenter so it’s a little rough but Rosie doesn’t complain so it’s fine. I could send you pix if you are interested ( don’t know how to do it on FB). Take care

[@fcan222]

Regarding the spare tire.... you have the all wheel drive Sienna. Because the drive shaft runs all the way to the rear to drive the back wheels, there's no room for a spare tire. Thats why Toyota went with the run flat tires. This is the exact reason why I bought the front wheel drive Sienna....better gas mileage and less road noise with regular tires. Also cost alot less to replace too.

[@cinramirez8627]

Always love that MN towel! lol And off the subject, but your hair seems to grow with the quickness. ✌🏽❤️ Sell the van and build one with Smoke!

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

It really does grow fast! I don’t know why, maybe because I don’t use heat on it. And we’d love to have a rig together! We need to do some saving first, though!

[@1z1zmike]

Love your positive attitude!🙂🙏

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Thank you! :)

[@tierriasmith1456]

Hi. E6000 glue is amazing. I use it in my camper. Love your videos. Thanks for keeping it real.❤

[@bonniemcalvin3432]

I installed a diesel heater in the space where my spare used to be, so now I store my spare under the bed. I sealed it off in plastic so that there isn't off-gassing.

[@wegder]

I saw a video on KZbin where the guy lashed the spare tite to the back of the drivers seat, tire resting on the floor a ratchet strap holding it to the seat.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

That’s a good idea!

[@NinaDisco]

Ok, what about cutting that trap door down to a smaller size so the part blocked by the battery doesn't need to lift up? Would that be an option?

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Thanks for the idea, but I’ve already cut off part of it and if I take more off, it wouldn’t look good. Once I get the battery properly installed, it should be fine. It’s just a lot of working figuring out how to get it how it was!

[@NinaDisco]

@@BeerinBeautifulPlaces lol. Yes watching the battery jiggle got me a little annoyed. Hahaha. It was helpful to learn about your struggles, though. They're good tips for others to learn from!

[@marvsmith8137]

Thanks for the video keep up the vids😊

[@Cynthia-z8z]

Looks like it's time for redoing your van.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Well, like I was saying in the video, there’s other things I’d like to invest my money into because I don’t know how long the van will last. I’d love to get better video equipment or go on an adventure outside the US! So for now, I’ll just keep working on fixing what I can!

[@tomellis3218]

It usually takes a first try prototype to learn from to make the second van conversion better … but your :rd try will be the charm. Ha,ha. ❤😊

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Haha! Very true, I'm sure my third van will be awesome!

[@db.mc2]

Hi Maddie and Smoke 👋🏻 Hope you're doing well, stay safe and take care my friends 🙏🏻God Bless 🫶🏻 Appreciate you always !

[@TBrzski]

Great video thank you

[@RC2WN]

I live in SW NH if you want a free place to camp. Or if you want a free guide up Mt Monadnock!

[@jetv1471]

@@RC2WN ❤️❤️❤️

[@solomondees.4632]

They make swing away spare tire carriers that mount to a hitch. That would allow you to still open your hatch.

[@janetwheeler4210]

Thanks 🙏

[@jackpine4347]

Your van should have a spare tire wheel well under the car. I had a 2014 Sienna and the spare was stored under the middle of the car. If I recall you have a 2011 - that uses the same system for storing the spare. Behind the front seats in about the middle of the car, under the carpet flap is a bolt for the spare tire clamp. The tire is essentially suspended under the car with a cable. If you do not have the owner's manual for the car you can get a PDF version of Toyota's website.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Yep, that’s what I was taking about at 3:28 ! :) But someone else commented and said since I have the AWD model, they’re all made with run flat tires, so that's why I couldn’t see a spot for it underneath

[@RollingThunder808]

Instead of a spare get a pump and a tire patch/plug.

[@angelabraggs7614]

Yes

[@blairpoisson6474]

What about stapling the velcro if it comes apart again

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

I was thinking about that! Maybe if it comes undone again!

[@taix371]

Swing away hitch for the tire maybe. pricey but might be a solution.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

True, but then I’d have to get out and swing it open every time I open the trunk!

[@cc-camper-lady]

Hi Maddie, Your Sienna has served you well. If you plan to continue traveling... maybe a lower mileage used Sienna, also with the spare underneath would be a better option? You could start from square one and design for two people. Hope you get your battery secured. That doesn't look safe. Keep us posted and I hope things work out for getting to travel with your partner. 💞

[@robmanj]

Let's Go!

[@tbone3079]

AGM battery how old is your set up everyone is using the lithium battery now smaller and can be run all the way down without much damage best keep them above 20% much better than 50%

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

I wish! Maybe someday when I have more money I can switch to lithium

[@sallyrichard3161]

I would really like to know your bed size. A cot size comes in 25" & 30" in width. What's your width?

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

I think it’s 30” across!

[@angelabraggs7614]

I have 2013 and my there behind the seat

[@dustman96]

Agm or any other lead acid battery is a waste of money, sorry to say. Lifepo4 lithium batteries are the way to go. Way more usable energy, WAY longer lasting, a fraction of the weight, and they are pretty cheap now, and the lifetime cost is a fraction of what the lead acid is. And they are perfectly safe, lifepo4 doesn't really have the potential to catch fire like some other lithium battery chemistries.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Yep, that’s what I hear! Although I told the people that did my electricity I was on a budget, so I get why those chose AGM, even if knowing what I know now, I wish I would’ve gone lithium! Oh well, live and learn!

[@evelynlopez6418]

💥👍

[@juniadventures]

Curtain = stapler :)

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

That’s plan b, but then it would show the shiny staple and not look hand-sewn with love like they did before!

[@hihoware-s6j]

i never get flats

[@Kevin-zz9nc]

You could do voice acting with a voice like yours.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

I think my voice is too weird for that!

[@pitstop_calvin]

Sell the boyfriend and buy a four-wheel-drive Jeep Cherokee or Toyota forerunner!

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

He’s priceless to me 💚

[@jakeva9802]

Those tires are bald

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

From when I showed the little hole from this summer? Yes, they definitely were! I was putting off getting new ones because they’re expensive and really shouldn’t have tempted fate like that

[@jakeva9802]

@@BeerinBeautifulPlaces yup i get it. Probably still be good to get you home

[@lisawood2548]

It looks like your FB was hacked.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Is it showing random clips of reality competition shows? There's someone that took my pictures and created a "Beer in Beautiful Places" page. I tried to get it taken down, and other people reported the page too, but Facebook said it wasn't breaking any rules :(

[@lisawood2548]

@@BeerinBeautifulPlaces , yes that’s what it’s showing. I’ve tried to report it but it won’t let me. I’ll delete it now i know you can’t get it back. Sorry that happened to you.

[@susanlewis1875]

Hate is a powerful word. Bye.

[@barbwire8280]

PLease do not sell this van to someone that hasnt watched you for years and knows that there is a major problem with your van. Just dont do it

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

I don’t see myself selling it because there’s so many unknowns (like how much longer it’ll last) it would be hard to set a price that would be fair for me AND the buyer!