12 DIY CAMPERVAN Modifications I’m Making in 2023 // Transit Custom Van Tour

[@jartotable]

Can't wait to fast forward and see what you've done. I've gotten some great idea. For day light, I'm opting for ceiling windows which is great for venting too.

[@SamStack]

Sometimes when I'm bored I go to one of the van groups and ask about insulation then I just sit back and watch the arguments unfold 😂

[@StephenJReid]

Haha, yeah I've noticed there's a ton of conflicting advice out there all claiming to be the right solution. I've just kinda taken a bit from here and there and doing my own thing.

[@SamStack]

@@StephenJReid I have the same van as you. I got it converted to a camper by a chap up north. He did a great job but I do regret not having it modular and bring able to switch stuff out for different use. Best thing he did was instill auxiliary batteries though. I can hook all my lights and gadgets to them without worrying about being able to start the engine.

[@stephenbailie2086]

@@SamStack I seen a guy that had the tourneo ,(bus type) he used old seat frames and build kitchens, hunting boxes etc on to them so he could turn it from a bus to camper with little effort.

[@SamStack]

@@stephenbailie2086 yeah if I was doing it again I'd do something like that. Ikea do some stuff for small apartments that's easy to modify as well. But I don't think I need the kitchen and sink set up. Really I just need to be able to boil water. Best thing I've seen was a guy with a diesel heater. He could take the heat exhaust hose and run it into his wetsuit. Absolute luxury.

[@stephenbailie2086]

@@SamStack that's a good idea on the IKEA stuff, flatpack and lightweight

[@deekelley891]

12-volt blanket and a hot water (gel-not water) bottle. The 12-volt is used by lots of truckers. My chargeable ‘bottle’ charges quickly and lasts several hours. Nice to throw in to pre-warm the bed.

[@StephenJReid]

Ohhh I like the sound of that!

[@chrisstewart2279]

You could have your desktop slide out from under your middle shelf instead of folding down as not to block access to your top shelf and you could make it come out on a angle if you wish

[@StephenJReid]

I like this idea!

[@robertmccrea1957]

Hey Stephen. Maybe consider a SAD … seasonal affective disorder light. Help you out with the fatigue issue and give you a happy boost…. Still can’t find a ‘join’ button…. But I’m a tube!!

[@StephenJReid]

Vit D supplements and trying to get out more in winter seem to help

[@gooddeeds7646]

Stephen you could curtain off or make a ply cupboard below the bed by the back doors for a loo. Plus a cheap extendable shower rail and curtain will do for your shower with the doors open, even a cheap water pump and shower hose 😉 Keep living the dream 👍

[@StephenJReid]

I’ve got a loo under the bed already, talked about it in my longer van tour video

[@gooddeeds7646]

@@StephenJReid I was thinking a closed off area for when the missus goes out with you 😉

[@abedmellal2084]

Excellent setup you have there mate, for the table you can use a chrome pole which fits into the floor (you have to bolt the holder to the floor and sits flat) same holder fits to the bottom of the table top (plywood) then at night the table becomes a section of the bed itself, so you sleep on it at night and it's a table during the day or when needed, the pole then is removable and put away when not in use, I had it in my campervan when I had it. All the parts can be got from a campervan stores.

[@StephenJReid]

Great idea!

[@McKibbin120]

Got a Vauxhall Vivaro converted as a day van. Great to have an electrical connection, mine is under the rear of the can, cap off connect cable to the power supply and away you go. But investigating the duvinator idea… and electric over blanket or under blanket inside a duvet in the van plugged into your battery Bank. Great job for keeping warm, also you can get small watt oil filled rads to use with the onshore power or your Ecoflow, Bluetti etc solar power station. Both will keep you toasty, but the rad keeps the van warm and dry inside if over wintering and not getting much use. I know it’s your car so that’s not an issue.

[@StephenJReid]

Electric blanket sounds great! Might get a. Small oil radiator as well. The fan ones get a bit annoying

[@McKibbin120]

@@StephenJReid got a HUMAX Smart Plug in the van so can switch the heater on and off when I want to from my phone - hight of laziness but no frozen windshield in the van over the cold snap. Happy New Year to you both.

[@stephenbailie2086]

Transit tourneo, is the dream. Multi use shipping the nippers and also adventure van.

[@StephenJReid]

perfect family adventure option

[@matthewmcquade1]

For the power hook up consider running the plug on a short cable that clips just under the back bumper into a mount or holder, I have done that with my van and means you don’t have to cut a hole in the side and can just drill one hole in the floor. Love the content! You’re inspiring me to do lots of outdoor stuff so thank you !!

[@StephenJReid]

Ahhhhh that’s a great idea!

[@andymorrison9084]

There's a rubber grommet/seal under the van at the back corners that will bring you up into the d pillar and save you drilling any holes in floor. Reversing sensors/tow bar wired up through there to reversing light generally.

[@StephenJReid]

@@andymorrison9084 Oh that's great info, thanks!

[@stephenbailie2086]

Pinterest is your friend mate for conversations, not the Instagram pretty stuff but absolute functional ideas.

[@StephenJReid]

Good tip

[@paulkelly2650]

As far as I know theres room for the diesel heater underneath the front seat. Great even for defrosting the van in the morning after a hard frost.

[@StephenJReid]

I’m reluctant to give up the front seat storage though. It’s really handy

[@Geyselminosoart]

So awesome! Concern about the carpet and cooking? Will smell eventually? And my favourite was the shower , say whaaaat? Never thought something like that exists!!! Nice! Good luck and can’t wait to see the results 🎉❤

[@StephenJReid]

Not sure what will happen carpet with cooking. Loads of campers use it so maybe doesn’t hold smells. Depends what’s being cooked. Frying at high temps is best done outside as it throws oil everywhere

[@patriciareid8826]

Great job. Really an amazing space.

[@StephenJReid]

Thank you! 🙂

[@Theorangeman.]

You can also get brackets to fit the diesel heater underneath the van mate

[@StephenJReid]

Ahhh didn’t know that, only ever seen internal installs

[@Theorangeman.]

I would build a storage box at the back on the floor that you can access outside then put a bike mount on top of it

[@StephenJReid]

I’d thought of that as well but my bike wouldn’t fit then without taking a wheel off as it just about fits now and the van narrows higher up.

[@digiklump]

Stephen I really like the modular concept. Easy in and easy out and it does lend itself to the occasional re-arrange if you need a new decor inside the van. The roof liner might also reflect additional light to keep things brighter inside. Also, have you considered putting solar panels on the roof. That way you could generate some power at least for the lights and maybe device recharge. On a side note it reminds me of the old Batman TV series where everything in the bat cave had a label saying what it was. Your van might need the bat cave touch. haha

[@StephenJReid]

I’ve thought about solar panels yeah, but so far I’ve been ok with power so leaving that one for now

[@davidpoots8362]

Very different from my Campervan which is great to camp in but rubbish as a van. There is always a compromise. Carpet really helps with condensation, split charging to a leisure battery lasts for about 3 days. I wouldnt get rid of my propane heater, such luxury when I come in from the sea. I bought a shower in Decathlon, basically a bag you pressurise with a hand pump. It works really well but the only way to get warm water in Ireland is boiling the kettle.

[@StephenJReid]

Yeah I didn’t hold out much hope of a solar shower working here!

[@daveandemmaoutdoors3171]

Have you a tow bar on the van? You could tow a boat with that and get content out on the various waterways 👌

[@StephenJReid]

Yeah I do. I lack boat though. But waterways content is planned

[@daveandemmaoutdoors3171]

@@StephenJReid 👌

[@AjaySingh-228]

Wow cool van Sir ✌️

[@patriciareid8826]

Poor Louise!

[@boatingsibbingandwandering3262]

Some Excellent ideas there. I see several Transit Customs that are permanently converted but to me the Custom is a small van and too small for permanent conversion. But as a van converted like yours ie modular and movable/removable it makes sense. Once you have it finished do you intend to paint or finish off the woodwork.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks and yes finishing the woodwork off was the point 6 that I managed to miss off my list 🙈

[@ifell3]

Just be careful if you get in an accident, that stuff flying forward when the van stops.

[@Stephen474]

sheep on the roof Stephen 😄🐑🐑another great update on your van

[@StephenJReid]

Can’t get him to come down from there 😂

[@DavidDoyleOutdoors]

No. 13 helipad

[@StephenJReid]

😁

[@iamcRuNcHiE]

Is this the L2 length transit?

[@pixelpeter3883]

Putting a shelf over your bike would totally block your usage of the back-doors of the van. Attaching a (rectangular) 'cube' to the top of each door may be a more suitable solution for that. Or at least do that on the top side next to the already existing 'pantry' cabinet.

[@StephenJReid]

I almost never exit via the rear doors anyway. I thought I would when I got the van but very rarely do so wouldn’t loose much.

[@pixelpeter3883]

@@StephenJReid And what if you want/need to transport (very) long items? But hey, it's your van ;-)

[@philb4031]

I'm surprised a bike fits across the width of the van - what type and size bike is it? I'm guessing a road bike wont fit?

[@StephenJReid]

It's a Mango AR, either a Medium or Large, can't remember TBH. I'm 5'11" if that helps. It started life as a road bike and then I put gravel tyres on it.. Just about fits perfectly. but is one of the reasons I've decided not to properly panel the inside of the van. if I even lost 1cm of width, it wouldn't fit

[@SVFresh2Salty]

So where’s the wife going to sleep ???

[@StephenJReid]

I explained that in the video 😁

[@SVFresh2Salty]

@@StephenJReid yeah I know, should have waited till the end before commenting

[@louisereid3426]

I appreciate your concern.

[@clintromine802]

Isn’t that just what a murdery person would say 😬

[@StephenJReid]

I wouldn't know!......

[@StephenJReid]

Get 10% off Food: bit.ly/yfood_stephenjreid_yt with code REID-KZbin