An Embarrassing Van Upgrade

#vanlife #diy
These days, I’d rather not work on my van. And so it leads to some embarrassment. Today, I will attempt to finish off a project that I started several years ago, but never finished.
We will be working on a homemade phone/tablet holder. This phone holder was not my idea but is my version of other phone mounts.
The phone mount is made mostly with standard plumbing pipe and fittings. You can find the same pipes at your local hardware store. I am using galvanized iron pipe and fittings.
If you’d like to try my favorite hot sauce, Yellowbird, here’s a Link: www.yellowbirdfoods.com/Stati...
Be sure to use my Coupon Code: “StaticCampervan” for 20% off your order. I will earn a small commission on each sale which is a win for both of us. You can save 20% while also helping me earn a little travel money.
If you enjoy my videos and would like to help me keep making them, please take a look at these links to support me:
teespring.com/stores/static-c...
/ staticcampervan
CashApp: $StaticCampervan
Venmo: @Static-Campervan
www.paypal.me/StaticCamperVan
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Please don’t leave Links in comments. Any comments containing links are automatically deleted.
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My name is Scott and in 2015, I bought a Ram ProMaster City to live in. Even though I didn’t know much about RV’s and campervans, I set about building the van out as a minivan camper. And in April of 2016, I moved into my minivan full time.
Over the years, I’ve learned you don’t need to have a big skill set to build your own campervan. And that living as a minimalist and utilizing solar power can be a less expensive way to live. I’ve also learned that a minivan can be a very comfortable home.
Please follow along as I document my journey.
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In an effort to help viewers search for the best prices on products that I use, I’ve started an Amazon Influencer link:
www.amazon.com/shop/staticcam...
My hope is that you will use this link as a starting point to search for the best price. If you're looking for an item that isn't listed, feel free to drop me a question or comment and I will do my best to find a link.
Get 10% off Solar Power equipment from Renogy with this link:
73renogy.refr.cc/staticcampervan
My second channel: / @staticasmr

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

Thank you for encouraging people to support small businesses.

[@ChippiSweet]

Luv how you reward yourself with your favorite beverage (☕️)when you finish with your projects. Good stuff!

[@sjayne27]

Plumbing fittings come in handy again! 👍🏻

[@samm4204]

Before we start this project, we gotta drink coffee 💀💀💀🤣🤣🤣 love it!!! Personally, coffee makes me feel like I have my life together. I really don't have it together in real life, but coffee makes me think I do.

[@catfish7646]

Hello from the Pyrenees mountains Spain. I enjoyed watching the upgrade. I also must say that some of your photographs of the places you go to are exceptional. As a photographer myself I enjoy seeing the world through your eyes. 👍❤️🤗

[@StaticCamperVan]

Thank you

[@user-vv9dn1dk2u]

Hi Scott, I have been watching your content for years and have to say you are the most likeable guy on KZbin.

[@sheilabartlett6044]

So glad you got something off your to do list Scott, always a nice feeling. Thanks for sharing your day with us. Stay safe on the roads.

[@sjayne27]

Great work! I recognize that video clip you were watching at the end. 😊

[@millie8399]

That's a really neat contraption. Thanks for showing us how you put it together and the thought process you go through to trouble shoot the details. I find I learn quite a bit from your channel. And I always appreciate seeing coffee appreciated! The new viewing set up looks cozy ☕

[@ameermark877]

I've bought a 2019 toyota highace. Waz sittin stareing in 2 it & thinking its dam small 😅, bt id remember u & ur lil home wich is even smaller & u live quite comfortably ,starting my build in the coming week , hail up 🙋‍♂️,& god bless brutha 🙌.

[@sharonoldham4374]

I've seen some tours of vans as small as Scott's and they looked really nice. One you might look at is Chad and Claire. They did a very good job on a small van. Good luck on your build.

[@ameermark877]

@sharonoldham4374 OK suh I checked dem out "Chad & claire" jeeze u gat2 reallyyyyyyyy luv som1 2 manage 2 ppl in a space da small 😅, my bus has nearly twice the space & is next 2 new , suh truly now it doesn't look da small at all smh 😁, cheers frm Guyana 🇬🇾🙋‍♂️

[@stephen627]

Great vid Scott….I hope the vapors from the adhesive didn’t trigger a headache. They do me sometimes but….later. :)

[@StaticCamperVan]

The vapors didn’t get me… this time

[@gayleb9656]

You’ve got me trying all different kinds of coffees 😂 It’s fun.

[@StaticCamperVan]

Trying different coffees is my favorite 👍🏼

[@patsykluting-lucas3804]

I enjoyed the subliminal message flat earthers hilarious 😂

[@wendysteinberg2595]

It would be fun to watch cooking shows while you are cooking! Hope it's working with your new set-up! You really did a good job. P.S. Contact cement brings back some happy memories I once had in art class😊

[@hot5835]

Keep living your dream 👍.

[@turtlegram31656]

LOL, had to pause video to go see if my phone had a magnet. No magnet 🐢🐕🐕🌞❤️🌊🌊🌻🌺🐕🐕🐢

[@christinax1257]

I usually watch on my TV, but had to pick up my phone and comment this one time: I laughed out loud about the magnet subliminal.

[@overcoffeemeditativemoment8084]

...such a pleasant feeling there is when an accomplishment has happened. Good for you! 🙋‍♀️☕🍁

[@euniceduncan899]

Favorite van upgrade vid of yours was the bed rebuild. Impressive & in a store parking lot 😉

[@tobymeade3222]

❤ Good Morning Scott 🌞🌻. Nice idea with your ipad holder,camera,phone holder! You saved alot of 🤑, universal & can move to different places in your Van!👍✌️👌🤞🙌🙏🇺🇸💟✝️🌟🍂🍁🤩

[@gkdb272]

FYI I found Yellow Bird at Wal-Mart !!! I bought 2. First is sirracha, the other is green. I ❤ them!!!

[@StaticCamperVan]

Cool!

[@gkdb272]

I'm addicted now 😂

[@grimberet1570]

@@gkdb272 I like Melinda's green sauce, it's at Walmart, too! Much better flavor and ingredients are similar..

[@grimberet1570]

Your lucky you got those tools when you did! They're 100$ and up now..I ended up buying a hand saw..20$ 👍

[@StaticCamperVan]

Harbor Freight has some great deals and their quality is very good now

[@AndrewFord]

Watching "the Memories" in that bed is just "non-stop memories" as you watch saying that on your monitor in bed, LOL.

[@daveduncan2748]

You are doing great. All of my projects take at least 10 times as long as I can possibly imagine them taking.

[@Lisa-16]

Congrats on getting it done. :) And poor Chrome and his broken home. :(

[@_dewinther]

Thank you for acknowledging flat earthers, they too deserves some credit 😁💖💖💖

[@abbylynn8872]

Oh my... you were listening to Chrome from Vancity Vanlife😂😂😂❤ sweet❤

[@Bernimv]

Great información vídeo the finale was the best with natures pitter-patter

[@aunchaleeloscalzo7195]

Very nice job well done!!! Enjoy watching always!!!👍🏽❤️

[@user-gt3uj4ol1r]

It looks good! You are very creative and handy!

[@dianakamalamars8397]

Well done, looks good!

[@rvgrandmacharlotte4604]

A year ago they built a coffee roasting company about 1/2 mile away from me. They moved out of their garage in a nearby town to a regular business building. Today the wind was blowing from the NE while they were roasting their coffee beans so the smell blew up my way. I don't like coffee or the smell of it but it was not too bad.

[@StaticCamperVan]

Sounds good to me!

[@pattichambley2779]

Hi I love Mt Shasta I am drinking cinnamon hazelnut coffee presently

[@emartin851]

Nice job Scott! Good idea about using the carpet to help hide little flaws.

[@karinhart489]

I like to stop by local roasters when I road-trip 🚐 and if I like it I will post pictures of the place & coffees on my fb page.

[@gloriataruc8371]

Love you chilling out at the end of the video! Nice and warm!🤣🤣🤣

[@rosemarie20]

Started a comment and it disappeared... Oh, well. Good job on the phone holder. Glad you made it to the finish line. I love using pipe and fittings to build things. Watching Chrome's van saga, too. It's understandable how people get attached to their home on wheels. I hope he'll fix all it needs to be like new because it gave him the life he loves today. There's a YT shorts poll and most have voted to ditch it. Not me. We'll see fairly soon...

[@StaticCamperVan]

Yes, I think he wants to rebuild it and sell it off to someone who could use it.

[@rosemarie20]

@@StaticCamperVan I hadn't heard that he's thinking of selling it, missed that somewhere, maybe that was on Patreon (I don't get to watch Patreon.). I'd love to buy that van, but can't see me ending up with it. I particularly like that stuff he put on the outside of it. Thanks for that update.

[@owensdaniels6244]

SIR THATS THE ONE THING I REALY LIKE ABOUT YOU YOU BUILT YOUR WHOLE RIG TO SUIT YOU, FROM YOUR WATER FILTERING SYSTEM TO YOUR COOKING STOVE IT REALY IS YOUR IDEAS, I LOVE IT PLEASE KEEP MAKING VIDEOS THANKYOU!

[@StaticCamperVan]

Thank you

[@JJ-zv4fq]

😁😁Always a pleasure to watch your videos Scott...JJ who works in Costa Mesa 😁😁

[@StaticCamperVan]

🙏🏼👍🏼

[@onrycodger]

Lol 😂....I keep putting it off because I'd rather be doing something else!🤣 Thumbs up 👍

[@desertgirl1392]

Im one of those listeners. I have a hard time watching videos in my van cause i don't have your awesome contraption!

[@StaticCamperVan]

Well, now you have a project 😁

[@desertgirl1392]

@@StaticCamperVan haha i wish

[@susanstewart4184]

Great stuff Scott, good work😊

[@davemenard5089]

As someone not from Humboldt I’ll take your word for it :)

[@alvinmousseau1100]

Awesome video

[@Russellbeta]

FYI: A magnet can wipe a hard disk drive but you would need a way more powerful one than that. IDK about an SSD but they're at least more resistant to getting wiped by a magnet.

[@gayleb9656]

Thanks!

[@StaticCamperVan]

Thanks so much Gayle!

[@UndergroundCyberTrax]

Thanks Scott for again a nice video. BTW I was number 1000 that liked the video.👽

[@StaticCamperVan]

Thanks Trax

[@dieseltherapy59]

Nice job, looks very useful!

[@huacatifields1429]

Hey, Scott. I was at the store yesterday and saw some Ethiopian coffee. I will give it a try, and I will let you know what I think. Scott, could you use PVC piping instead?

[@StaticCamperVan]

PVC wouldn’t be strong enough for my iPad. It might work for a light phone

[@jeanieirwin4747]

Hello Scott, I always enjoy your coffee videos. I keep searching for light roast coffees. They are certainly harder to find where I live. I like gadgets that serve dual purposes too. Good work on your iPad mount. You help me live with my own challenges. I hope you can continue your own mobile dwelling life as long as you want. It helps to be forward thinking. What will you do when it becomes time to replace the vehicle? They are not manufacturing the kind you have now. They had a really good run and a lot of people like them. I like the Prius but of course they are a premium type of vehicle. Everything I do in terms of projects takes longer than I think it will. I have learned to reduce my expectations and reset my timelines. It reduces frustration. Be kind to yourself.

[@StaticCamperVan]

Needing to replace this van isn’t something I like to think about

[@jeanieirwin4747]

Hello Scott, I understand how you feel. My van is a 2007 but it has low mileage. It is a wheel chair van. Chevy express 1500 v6. Wheel chair vans are lightly used because generally handicapped people only drive them to the doctor for appointments. I bought my privately from an individual. I paid 3800 for it. Just something to consider for future. Van dwelling resets. I hope you will continue in van dwelling and making videos for years to come. You have been very successful at combining travel work and mobile living. I must compliment you at being so down to earth and relatable. Some of the van life personalities are uppity and exclusive. They have high end vans and are financially secure. They seem to be out of touch with others who live paycheck to paycheck and have to be very creative to make ends meet. Your an exception and gifted independent artisan. Thankyou for your transparent life. Your a super hero without a cape but incredible. ❤

[@Lil.B.Fitness]

I found yellow bird serrano hot sauce today at whole foods, almost bought it (talked myself out of it because I already have too much hot sauce 😅). Next time though. Made me think of your channel and your love for the stuff 😁

[@StaticCamperVan]

One can never have too much hot sauce

[@ceceliabest7870]

You look cool in your safety glasses😅.Good job!

[@lindaalaniz7129]

Thank you for the coffee tip for that brand of coffee. I'm not a Starbucks fan.

[@redline3036]

I was worried it took a second for that coffee to happen😅

[@campervanhelsing]

Nice work. Looks good. Awesome vid

[@lindabohl2454]

Hello Scott!❤

[@jennyclark2950]

I try to buy everything local that I possibly can !

[@terrybard8688]

Hi Scott always nice to see you

[@maxwiz71]

Perhaps you could put a magnet on your iPad. Then get rid of the iPad part of the contraption and just have the magic mount part. Might reduce the weight and bulk of the contraption.

[@StaticCamperVan]

A magnet mount wouldn’t work for me because I need a 1/4 thread or cold shoe for my microphone system

[@craigbrowning9448]

That clip you hold up at 8:50, if you have two of those that would make it a little bit more stable than juy having the single one, that would give you the less flexing with that pipe.

[@StaticCamperVan]

I was thinking the same thing. It seems to be holding well with just the one. But I am open to adding a second one if needed

[@Leewilly440]

I know you don’t like working on your van but they are my favorite 😀

[@StaticCamperVan]

It’s always nice to get a project finished

[@AlexSmithandFuzz]

I know you rebuilt your bed not long ago. Could you tell me the length and depth dimensions? Also, have a good evening.

[@StaticCamperVan]

Here’s the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f36ygJmdn7BoeqMsi=8LEKmCA-fapqxy3r I don’t know the exact dimensions off hand

[@jabrobbins]

I haven’t heard you mention Signature Coffee in Redway. They have a storefront and would be a great stop if you head south. White Lightning is their light roast.

[@StaticCamperVan]

I’ve sampled Sig coffee for years since it’s widely available at natural foods stores. I believe White Lightning is a fairly new offering. I haven’t tried yet but am keen to since Sig specializes in darker roasts.

[@JacQui-nice2meetU]

Gr8 job!

[@WalksInCamera]

Looks great and seems to work well. Probably looked a bit strange to you after having a different set-up. Definitely agree with supporting local business, although I guess getting Yellow Bird Serrano hot sauce imported to London sort of goes against that a bit! (it was great btw)

[@StaticCamperVan]

You flew Yellowbird to London? Haha Glad to hear you like the sauce

[@A-MINUTE-TO-WATCH]

@@StaticCamperVan Why are you laughing?😄 Wanted to order to Germany!!!! There is a Possibility to buy over Amazon, but its much too expensive. And a direct order from Yellowbird is even more expensive, cause of Taxes etc. Sad,no Bird for me...😄

[@StaticCamperVan]

@@A-MINUTE-TO-WATCH hopefully you can find something similar to Yellowbird over there

[@TheFlipCommander]

Scott do you do Organic coffees or not Keep up the videos and lets see Cookie Chat with your Coffee Chat

[@StaticCamperVan]

Whether a coffee is organic or not isn’t as important as if the beans were roasted locally, to me. This Northbound Coffee is Organic.

[@jrraven3230]

OMG my bank causing me issues....as soon as I get it fixed I will be a member again 😞

[@StaticCamperVan]

No worries. There’s an issue with some cards needing to be re-entered every month for some reason

[@jrraven3230]

@@StaticCamperVan I see😌

[@gayleb9656]

Looks good 👍🏻

[@zookeeperification]

I’m getting too old to comfortably lift my heavy cast iron pans. Can you point me to one of your videos where you talk about that pan that you use, please? Love your videos always!

[@StaticCamperVan]

This is the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6TQpXVmp5KmeLMsi=RKHpk4D_8WXmA8p6 But as I explained in the video, this particular pan isn’t much lighter than a cast iron pan.

[@christineramseyer4721]

I am really interested in how you improvise with your projects.

[@rosemarie20]

Oh, btw, was it you who posted that the earth can't be flat because cats would have already pushed everything off already? 😊

[@StaticCamperVan]

No 😂

[@StephenBishopNOMAD]

You have given me ideas for my iPad Scott thanks. Oh it looks great very neat, by the way have you seen any strange happenings around mt Shasta, its supposed to have a new race of humans who are living deep inside..lol😂thanks for the video Scott very relaxing to watch, and stay safe, happy, and most importantly Keep drinking coffee ☕☕☕☕

[@StaticCamperVan]

I hope to meet the fine people at Shasta someday

[@StephenBishopNOMAD]

Tell them im envious of them, they sound like there my kind of people Scott 🤟

[@darrincambridge2377]

Japanese flush cut saw for those little jobs ☺

[@StaticCamperVan]

I would love to have one of those saws

[@A-MINUTE-TO-WATCH]

Look for the new I Phone 15 with the 3/4 inch Kit.😂

[@user-lv2kd6od6d]

Right on … ☕️

[@dallastrujillo7540]

I dislike Starbucks now because of you. It tastes awful to me now! 🤣

[@christineramseyer4721]

A suggestion for the added arm: maybe a shorter arm for the added piece.

[@StaticCamperVan]

If the arm were any shorter, it wouldn’t work for setting up the iPad as I need

[@gwb8445]

When I travel I support the local 7-11 franchise owner by buying my hot delicious coffee there 😮

[@StaticCamperVan]

How’s the coffee?

[@gwb8445]

@@StaticCamperVan It's not gourmet but most stores do have several blends. My only complaint is that it's not super HOT like I like. But it's hot enough and decent enough that I keep drinking it. 😋

[@StaticCamperVan]

@gwb8445 I’ve gotten the point that I only want really great coffee. So I rarely grab a cup at a gas station or quickie mart anymore. But then, I always have good coffee and a stove handy.

[@smttn1]

Hey Scott, I’m just curious what your experience of dating has been while living in a van? Is it harder than while living in a house due to the moving around and people’s preconceptions? Would you consider doing a video about that? Thanks :)

[@seanwilson6521]

Looks great! If you want to save weight, you can duplicate that setup using half inch threaded [pvc, pcv?] pipe, ( plastic pipe used for water), at Piersons - big hammer in Eureka has all the bits. On a different note, I've been meaning to mention, you keep the outside of your van very clean. Do you think that makes a difference when urban camping?

[@StaticCamperVan]

PVC wouldn’t be strong enough for my iPad. I know from the first holder I made. I rarely wash my van, it looks good on video but not so much in person. It’s probably better to look cleaner

[@jrraven3230]

👋 Scott😊😊

[@StaticCamperVan]

👋🏼

[@PedroNord]

🦋

[@alexhuxley3355]

I agree buy LOCAL

[@kristinebrousseau8626]

#supportsmallbusiness 🙌

[@glennk.7348]

That sounded like Chrome at the end? 😎

[@StaticCamperVan]

Good ears. Yes, I watch Chrome’s vlogs because he’s been a very good friend over the years

[@sukesamoore5787]

Am I the only one who missed the "embarrassing part"?

[@rosemarie20]

He said he was embarrassed because he started this upgrade years ago and still hasn't finished it... so he was going to finish today.

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

Do I want to go down the rabbit hole of why ‘some people’ don’t like magnets??

[@StaticCamperVan]

Probably not. But it’s a fun subject

[@dallastrujillo7540]

So I don’t know if you’ll see this because it’s an older video but I’ll ask anyway. Forgive my naivety on all this new coffee bean stuff I am learning from you. When u say Ethiopian coffee but we can get it in Calif and in Oregon, does that mean local coffee companies get the coffee plants from there to grow here? Or are they just buying the beans from Ethiopia and distributing here? Ok, thank you. And I am finding some of the coffees you are using around and they are good and yes, I only like light roast so I’m always interested in your opinion. 😃

[@StaticCamperVan]

Coffee can’t be grown in the USA. Although it can be grown in Hawaii. So most all coffee beans are imported from other areas. Coffee is usually processed where it is grown and then roasted later.

[@thegeofactor3]

Scott, how do you watch your phone while sleeping? hmmm... interesting

[@StaticCamperVan]

Little bit of misspoke

[@gkdb272]

❤

[@latortugaabides5556]

Stop talking about it and do it!!

[@ChippiSweet]

🎉

[@alchristensen8121]

After all these years of seeing that pipe arm thing in the background I was wondering if you ever actually used it. But then I realized, doh, you cant see the arm when the camera you're recording with is on it. also, I'm the type who would layer the new piece of wood over the old piece, but I'm odd that way (among other ways).

[@StaticCamperVan]

If I could have layered the new piece over the old, I definitely would have. Still finding sawdust. Speaking of wondering about things, we are all still waiting for transmission updates.

[@lovingatlanta]

👍🤩💝

[@bayside6207]

Sorry but I am finishing the video off from where I left off. Do you still get credit for the watch? Or do you have to watch it from the beginning to end without interruption or pause if you will? I'm enjoying this video alongside Sadie gurl pig..

[@StaticCamperVan]

I’m not exactly sure. It’s better when the video is watched all the way through. But however you watch is good by me

[@seanh4841]

Starbucks makes coffee that tastes like a cheap Donut

[@StaticCamperVan]

Is that bad?

[@seanh4841]

@StaticCamperVan a good friend of mine orders coffee at Starbucks that looks like a coffee flavored wedding cake 🎂

[@piajensen3223]

Starbucks is overrated.

[@paulskystoneadventures]

👍👍🚐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐👍👍

[@sherried79]

Yuck to Starbucks! I've never liked their overpriced crap and never go there. I know people that go there daily but I will not support the company at all. Hope all is well! Happy trails!

[@StaticCamperVan]

Hi Sherrie. Doing well, hope you are too

[@MyVeedeeo]

Why are the words "Flat Earthers" on your thumbnail. Just curious.

[@StaticCamperVan]

It’s a screenshot from the video