$500 Camper Build - Solo Female Van Life

Her Social Media Links:
KZbin- ‪@erin_elyse‬
Instagram- / erin_elyse1
TikTok- / erin_elyse1
Interested In Being Featured On The Channel? : bit.ly/Tour-App...
VIDEO DESCRIPTION:
Join Erin Elise as she takes you on a tour of her cozy, budget-friendly van life setup. In this video, you'll see how Erin transformed a simple van into a functional, stylish, and affordable home on wheels, all for under $500. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or dreaming of hitting the road, this tour will inspire you to create your own tiny living space.
🌟 Erin's Van Setup:
Discover Erin's favorite part of the van: the deck! It's perfect for reading, relaxing, and enjoying outdoor meals.
Learn how Erin lives without a fridge by choosing shelf-stable foods.
See how Erin used recycled materials to keep costs low and reduce waste.
🛏️ Cozy and Functional Interiors:
Check out Erin's versatile bed setup that converts from a lounging area to a one or two-person bed.
Explore Erin's clever storage solutions, including under-bed storage for essentials and fun items like camera gear and a drone.
Get a glimpse of Erin's extended overhead storage space for clothes and other necessities.
🍳 Simple and Sustainable Kitchen:
Tour Erin's kitchen area, built from her childhood dresser and featuring a budget-friendly countertop and side tables.
See how Erin uses a two-burner stove and a backpacking stove for her cooking needs.
Learn about Erin's decision to eat shelf-stable foods to avoid the hassle of a fridge or cooler.
💡 Smart Power Solutions:
Discover Erin's external rechargeable battery setup, perfect for charging her camera batteries, drone batteries, laptop, and phone.
Learn how Erin uses her van's driving time to recharge her power sources.
🌈 Life on the Road:
Hear about Erin's journey from living in a Ford Escape to finding the perfect van for her needs.
Discover how Erin's seasonal jobs and KZbin channel allow her to maintain her nomadic lifestyle.
See the very raw and realistic side of van life as Erin shares her experiences and adventures on the road.
Thank you so much for checking out Erin's van! She hopes you enjoyed the tour and invites you to follow her journey on KZbin and all her other social media channels.
Shot by - / theaveragebrad
Edited by - / filmbro_
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[@joeythenomad]

That van build was so resourceful with all the recycled materials. Big props!

[@erin_elyse]

Thank you so much!!

[@pambenoit2036]

Yes great job ❤

[@fabgeb667]

By her dad

[@meridethhendry5733]

Sweet young lady who looks so happy living her best life.

[@erin_elyse]

Aww thanks! and you know it😄😄

[@latebloomerabroad]

I love how simple it is, yet how usable! You don't always have to add as much as you can get into a van.

[@erin_elyse]

Thank you!! Yes, a van can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be!

[@thisis.michelletorres444]

*Great minimal build!* She could easily make a small fold up tarp for the back, maybe one middle support and drape over the doors and attach on top with magnets. A collapsable toilet bucket w/ bags & stuff that absorbs the liquids, I'd only use it for liquids. Some fold up solar to throw on the roof when needed. And a small cooler (use ice) to put on the floor in the front! All of that would be cheap, increase comfort and improve her food options!

[@erin_elyse]

Love all these ideas!! Especially the tarp one!

[@RottenlyMoodyChild]

Erin has a great KZbin channel that is well worth checking out if you're interested in fun, genuine, good hearted adventures.

[@erin_elyse]

Thank you!!! aww the way you described my channel makes me so happy☺

[@TainoWindsong]

What’s it called?!

[@nirupamadeka8841]

​@@TainoWindsong its called erin elyse

[@rogertemple7193]

This is a really small van but it is still a very nice tiny home on wheels especially for a single person i think that her van is really awesome have a fun week and Thank You.🇺🇲🚌🚌🇺🇲

[@erin_elyse]

Thanks so much! Yes it's perfect for me☺

[@erin_elyse]

Had a blast filming this with Tiny Home Tours! Just posted my reaction to watching the video over on my channel. I take you through some more behind the scenes and background of my van if you are interested!

[@awniatlas8898]

I LOVE this build, and Erin is BY FAR my favorite van lifer!!! I've learned a lot from her travel videos, and I absolutely love how real she keeps it!!! Go Erin Elyse!!!

[@marieneu264]

Super cute! Shows you can have a very nice and clean looking space without spending tons of money. Love it!

[@SuperNicksvideos]

I love the simplicity of the layout. The cost effectiveness of the build. It's everything i would want in a van.

[@leilal8053]

A small Power Station to charge your phone or fan. is a great upgrade. A camping toilet is a "given" as well. A 12v tea kettle to heat water for tea, coffee, cocoa, instant soup, or oatmeal/cream.of wheat on those rainy days, is also a plus. That said, this is the one (2013) that I've wanted to turn into a micro camper from the 1st time I saw one.😊

[@salscycleshop3416]

Love how you repurposed items from your childhood to help keep your costs down. You seem to be having an awesome experience, Good for you

[@teresabanuelos3956]

Have you considered adding a small awning at the rear of your van? I’ve seen them added to horse trailers to create a place to relax. It would keep you dry while cooking.

[@erin_elyse]

I hadn't before this, but you guys are inspiring me! What a great idea.

[@trudyschneider3060]

I love her personality!

[@erin_elyse]

Aww thanks!!

[@yasmeenchatelle8298]

My absolute favorite KZbin channel. I love Erin!!!!

[@eowyn237]

So excited to see this tour! Erin Elyse’s channel is one of the best!!

[@erin_elyse]

I couldn't wait for it to come out!! Thank you so much for watching😌

[@carolynthomas4527]

Be safe and have fun! It looks very nice too!

[@erin_elyse]

Will do and thanks!!

[@judywaymire5756]

I love the pop up tables on the back!

[@erin_elyse]

Thanks!! They were a game changer and super easy and cheap to make! I have a video on the process too if you are interested!

[@_Shivani_Rajput]

Erin is my most favourite content creator. She's soo smart and cute. Love her nd her supercute little van ❤

[@yasminqureshi_]

I absolutely love this van build. And the way the bed is built to slide out. That floor space is what I want in mine so I might end up building my bed the same way 😊😊

[@dg5175]

I absolutely love this. This inspires me even more.

[@erin_elyse]

oh yay!! I'm so glad!!

[@TheSushmaHomeSellingTeam]

Darling, you just showed how brave you are with the lifestyle you chose. ✨✨

[@amanichatelle5583]

That’s a dope build out! I love her channel!

[@judywaymire5756]

Awesome Job!

[@erin_elyse]

Thank you!

[@GlampingGurl]

Nice build!

[@llorylloyd]

very simple yet has everything you need. The bed is so functional. I love it. This is the way I might go when I retire. ❤ as this type of travel is my retirement plan sometimes less is best

[@bishopkinlyside8477]

Hi, just goes to show you how you can live so simply without too much stuff. Love the video keep smiling and loving life Cliff from Australia

[@harrypottah8889]

wish I could have been this cool, free, and creative at this age, now I’m 34 and stuck 😂

[@jeanniekartis5916]

Love it ! 🚗

[@erin_elyse]

hehe thanks!!

[@dorisperez5059]

YOU DID A GREAT JOB LOVE IT

[@tammycruz8189]

Very cute build ❤

[@erin_elyse]

thank you so much!!!🥰🥰

[@neenee_marie]

Love this one! So cute!

[@zekeurrabazo]

Cool van 👍

[@debkincaid2891]

This little home is super cute & well thought out. And this young lady has her priorities straight. Good for you, girl!

[@donnab9015]

Super job on the van!$!😁 Enjoy

[@erin_elyse]

thank you!!

[@Gabrielle499]

Awesome!! 🙌🚙

[@MasterRoad69]

I have a conversion van and have slept in it, trucks, cars, and my pickups in the past. A little advice for you. Sleeping in rest areas...or just about anywhere else in a van or other vehicle. (rest areas are riskier than out in the wilderness though). If you are traveling alone, get down to business after securing your vehicle. It's generally a good idea to have an extra 2 lbs of steel (wink wink) with you though. Choose it wisely and learn how to use it. Don't get out without first checking out all of the windows first. Be sure to be able to defend and protect yourself. A dog is a great travel companion and they will alert if something is wrong as well as being a good defense because of their protective nature. Be sure to exercise them though (I like medium sized dogs but quite frankly, I'd suggest something like a GSD of a bully breed for you. I'm a good sized guy and I have extensive training and experience in defending myself and also being on the offense. Also, a can of bear spray is good to have if you are parking/camping in the wilderness areas and parks. It also works well for those times you need it for other defense. Make sure that you have someone you keep in touch with regularly who knows where you are and where you're heading. If you know people in the area, contact them as well. Especially now, as you have shown your van and it's clear that you are traveling alone, please take my advice. (For what it's worth, I had to use my extra weight of steel once when some people thought they could block me in and demand my cash. They took off fast when they heard it 'talk'.) Park where you aren't boxed in easily whenever possible. BTW, they make a 12v/110 cooler/refrigerator that you can pick up on Amazon pretty cheap. Mine is a 30 quart unit that has a very low power draw. It will run on eco mode all night on a single battery pack that is under $100. Mine is an F40C4TMP and it ran $280 when I got it. It was a good investment and has never failed me in the 4 years I've been using it. I plug it in while driving and charge the power pack that way as well, so consider it. If you can swing it, a small generator and maybe folding solar panels that will work with your flash speed would be a good investment, as well as a cb radio. I know that sounds like a lot to carry, but it's easier to stow away when not in use than you would think at first. You seem smart enough to figure out how to do that. If something feels sketchy, it is. Move elsewhere. I hope I didn't sound like I was trying to tell you what to do, that wasn't my intention, I just wanted to pass along some information that may be helpful. I could go on and on but it would be too long to read so I will leave you with this last little tidbit...Be safe. Don't become a statistic. You're young and still have good long life ahead of you.

[@yolandagaeta428]

Simple and super cute. Happy travels!

[@timholden7394]

Great build ! Keeping things simple is always a good plan .. good luck and safe travels.. 😊👍

[@Cloudwanderervanlife]

Great job! I'm doing a basic build on my van but still have a ways to go!

[@chase-mode]

Love Erin! So fun.

[@Ms.Frankenbuilder]

Such a clever design, you impressed this old lady. Had a Ford build like that when I was your age.

[@user-qv6sn9xy9k]

Genus! The counter top becomes the bed support.

[@gracenoel]

Love this! This girl inspires me to try this one day

[@bearbirdnjungle]

Great content. Luv your spirit! A simple awning off the back would be a great addition. God bless and be safe.

[@kaimanahana6972]

Such a beautiful set up!! I love the deck and the removed counter top w/storage. So smart for having to convert the bed. Happy travels 🌞

[@rachelgaiser1884]

Super informative and very helpful, thanks!!

[@user-qb8ip2jj9z]

Nice❤❤❤❤

[@lindyzaragoza8638]

I’m happy for you ,I use to do that Stuff when I was young and I miss it so much .With living in a big city is driving me nuts ,To find peace you have to be living like you.

[@Ginx-pe4si]

You have beautiful hair ❤❤❤❤

[@erin_elyse]

Aww thank you so much!!

[@FlyhighLittleDrone]

I just bought a ram promaster city and it’s similar in size so this gave me some good ideas on how to build it out

[@erikatorres-jj3vp]

Astonished

[@samsamsam82]

Love it!

[@joanneganon7157]

So cozy and functional! Happy Trails🎉. JO JO IN VT 💞

[@madonnaharris1945]

They make a tent that attaches to the vehicle, to have extra space!

[@erin_elyse]

Great idea!!

[@lydialangfordjoiner765]

Great job!im glad you’re happy.

[@Hawleystir]

This is a smart build. Great job.

[@ms.g1709]

Congratulations, Erin!!!

[@Motormaniac901]

It’s cheap and simple 🎉 hoorah

[@googleuser6814]

Great budget build!

[@BarbrajoanOriginals]

Hi , I have the exact van and love it. Wish you luck and enjoy your travels.

[@DrMott]

Fantastic

[@CricketGirrl]

When I first saw the thumbnail, I thought someone was hanging above the van! 😱

[@user-eo6bk9sg5y]

Nice van 🚐

[@ChrisW228]

One question…which would be of great importance to me: What do you drink all day? I have a fridge mostly for nice cold water all day.

[@mysurlytrucker7510]

Hi hang a tarpaulin over the top of your doors using elasticated job things to keep it down on both sides , cool van enjoying your videos. 😊

[@InspireBridge3394]

More ❤

[@SaraFreedMiami]

😊love u

[@gloriako7185]

Aww...wish you much beauty peace fun & MAGIC!

[@RetiredFreeBird]

very nice

[@llorylloyd]

Those trees are amazing where is this

[@vickytimmerman1365]

Perfect!!!

[@virginiagrant7510]

Please share how to did the van. I would love to do one. Who helped you

[@DebbiePotter-xh7kv]

Super cute. But do you ever have a problem with mice?

[@HaroldTheHerald]

How did you get that vitoman for under 500

[@margriet5004]

Too simple for me but it looks well done and cute.

[@Gypsy218]

I'm wondering how tall you are and how wide this Connect is?

[@ekdaufin1485]

Water? Keep clean? No fruits or vegetables? Toiletries?

[@katykaty6415]

So where's the kitchen

[@willow4174]

Hi, I ran into an issue with planet fitness, where I shower. They want a card for payment, that’s cool except if I don’t have money in my account, I get insufficient funds charge, bad on me. A few days later the try again, bad on them, and another insufficient funds fee. They set up an ach withdrawal, hard to cancel. I have to go to my of where my account is to deal with it, ya that’s 5 states away. Talked to my bank, they are notorious for this behavior. Knew all about them. If ya have money a few late charges, no big deal. I’m a retired type of guy, living social security check to social security check. This incident cost me just under 200.00. That’s 20 percent of my income. I know there are lots of us car campers that sign up for showers, they should know what they’re getting into.

[@JaneCurtis-vk7fq]

TOilet?

[@ekdaufin1485]

“Random stuff” like what?

[@Greywulff58]

It is unsafe to use that stove on top of a flammable surface, next to your mattress. Extreme fire hazard.

[@lindasteller]

Cute van, but a diet with no fresh fruits and vegetables isn't good for anyone. I hope you'll eventually have more power and maybe a small fridge.

[@PaulB-ko2kn]

Too small. I would go crazy.

[@stribe1000]

So you have a bed on wheels.

[@EUGNOT024]

Hold up...... You bought the van for 15,000. but yet u spent only 500 bucks; but you dont have a sink, a "fridge" of some sort and no tiolet. And then say, "you would never need a shower??" C'mon now!!!!!!! Its obvious young lady that you did not do your "RNR" which is reading and reasearch cause if you had 15,000 lets say in the bank, you could of stayed home lets say 1 or 2 years and double to triple your monies in saving and working, you could of been all in 30,000-45,000 for an e450 skoolie with all the amenities and you would of have been good....but your eating 2000mgs of Ramen ima say 4 times a week. Sometimes van/skoolie/bus/rv life you have to have a little bit of common sense especially when it comes to the finances. But hey who am I to each is own!!! Safe travels Ramengirl.

[@erin_elyse]

lol i dont want a skoolie. i think you missed the point😂😂

[@lindar4648]

You need to be safe and not use a propane stove on your bedding. It really needs to be on a solid surface. Get a breadboard so you can put the stove on it and then on the floor of the truck or the ground. Please don’t take chances. You also need a small ice chest or fridge to keep something’s cold and you don’t get sick. Good luck.

[@SukiAwake]

Ehhh