How She Transformed Her Tiny Ford Transit Van with a Super CLEVER Van Kit! TOUR

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Preassembled Van Kits for an Amazing Fuel-Efficient Lifestyle in a Tiny Ford Transit Van!
Carolyn, lives in a tiny 2012 Ford Transit Connect, getting 25 MPG! She chose Van Packers Van Kits for her van home. These preassembled van kits provide all the essentials for a super functional living space!
Contact Carolyn at: [e-mail]
Van Packer Van Kits: vanpackers.com
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Thanks for watching!

[@cbryce9243]

Carol, nice setup! Before you said the cost, I looked them up and see they also have a couple less expensive, smaller kits too. You made a very good point about having a smaller van and being able to park without being noticed. I might have to rethink what I buy. Thank you both for doing this interview, it was very helpful!

[@pamreneick464]

For washing dishes buy a cheap bottle of rum or vodka much cheaper then rubbing alcohol👍

[@BrittMFH]

I love the kit idea. It's so versatile and well made. For only $4K it and the price of the vehicle are a lot cheaper than premade van builds.

[@bernfran1313]

The preassembled kits seem like a wonderful idea for those just starting out or the non builders. Cute little set up.

[@Jodisgemboree]

Having previously owned a TC, I would have enjoyed a kit like this immensely. So clever! My homemade version didn’t serve me too well…. So, I switched to a minivan (sienna) and purchased a camper kit (by Riverleaf)--they offer quality conversion kits and I requested acouple changes to the model, it’s been a total joy! They ship from Kansas, included in the prices too. I picked up my kit (in GA) at my local FedEx facility on a pallet- it weighs 150# installed it well enough til I got home and leveled & anchored it. The cost was under $4k. I have added on some of my own special touches to make it more versatile and increase functionality- but the quality of the kit is top notch! Thanks for sharing this tour, I really enjoyed it and adore our community we have!! 🙌🏼🚐☀️

[@carolyndonohoe-mather1557]

Wow! I hadn't seen the Riverleaf site before, but I found it just now. It looks great! I'm always happy to learn more in this process. Thank you! ~ Carolyn

[@milestogo1636]

I love that it has everything she needs, is convenient, and still stealthy, at a low cost.

[@didlidoodles343]

So proud of the ingeniosity of me fellow Montrealers! Go Vanpackers! go! 😊

[@thyslop1737]

Good videography and excellent host. Says just the right amount. No filler, just right to the point.

[@saram1447]

Hi! My cousin and I both live full time (by choice) out of our Promasters in HB California. I work full time as a nurse and she’s retired USMC. If you’re ever in the area let us know we’ll give you a tour and insight into non nomadic vanlife.

[@judyroth9449]

As non-nomadic do you rent a space to park permanently?

[@user-a1.-_a1.-_]

Hello. I have a few questions. Where did you purchase your Promasters - was it locally in HB? Was it from a dealer or private party? For how much? Thank you for info!! 🙂🏖️☀️

[@carolyndonohoe-mather1557]

@@judyroth9449 - Not sure if your question was for me or Saram1447, but I have a home base in NorCal.

[@saram1447]

@@judyroth9449 I just boondock, it’s easy.

[@saram1447]

@@user-a1.-_a1.-_ dealer and it was about $25k partially built out when I bought it and I’ve modified the rest for a few hundred dollars.

[@homelessnomad101]

Lovin' the "Vanpackers" Kit / those Ford Transits are just so made for one person.

[@MarcillaSmith]

Hey Carolyn! So good to see you on here, and at the nomad meetups :) Hopefully one day, it will be IRL. In the meantime, thanks for all you do for the community and safe travels!

[@rebelgirl7289]

Very organized and practical. I really love Carolyn's energy and personality. Happy travels.

[@cindygray4533]

I've seen the kits before and for a none diy person they are amazing 🎉🎉

[@maobfh]

I had seen the kits somewhere and wondered. Seeing them set up shows how well thought out and practical they are. Going back to look again. Brilliant!

[@lauriewalsh420]

Awesome job

[@jenkp8179]

OMG I LOVE that idea of a conversion KIT. It’s like the perfect combination for those of us who don’t have the diy skills but also cannot or do not want to afford professional conversions. I love it. I bookmarked their site. Thank you for sharing!

[@markweis3483]

I really like your kit and practical set up. I’m trying to decide between full size van and mini. Mpg’s are an issue but also general cost of maintenance as well. Minivans probably have half the cost when you consider gas, maintenance, tolls, and insurance and parking too. It could be a big deal. Also considering the ease of driving a minivan vs. full size.

[@janet1744]

I drove a full sized van, backing up was a problem. I loved the height of the seat and window view.

[@miriamhawkins7825]

This van is not rated for a heavy load. This set up is really nice looking but quite heavy. Larger vans are rated for more weight.

[@johnhuff393]

Thanks for highlighting Carolyn and her set-up. We're only limited by our lack of imagination. A great kit for the carpenter challenged. You both stay safe and happy travels 😎

[@Drmikekuna]

I used a Wayfarer kit for my Dodge Promaster. The great thing about it was that I had a functional camper in less than a day. Since then, I have extensively modified my rig with solar panels, swivel seats, and the like. However, I was able to gradually do these modifications, and I could still go out into the wild.

[@carolyndonohoe-mather1557]

Wow! The Wayfarer kit looks really nice! Thanks for sharing what you decided on! ~ Carolyn

[@alineanderson4320]

That’s genius, so simple and so functional! Thanks for sharing this!

[@morpheuszzz662]

I've never seen that kit before. It's brilliant, and a decent price to have it all engineered for you. Lovely lady, too. Thanks for sharing your little home away from home.

[@ramontoro]

Hello, hello from Puerto Rico to all of us

[@s.alphachica4301]

Hola from New Orleans

[@errata101]

Hi from PA...

[@carolyndonohoe-mather1557]

¡Hola! ~ Carolyn

[@CarrieMtn]

Wow. Great ideas! I don’t have a transit- but I think I can borrow some for my SUV camper! Thanks for sharing

[@amyrodgers9887]

Love how it all fits together

[@clairebourassa5943]

Wow! So neat and clean for this compact van! You have done a great job dear lady 👌👍👍!

[@toddsnyder5135]

I love the VanPackers kits, so geeky cool!

[@carolyndonohoe-mather1557]

@toddsnyder5135 - I love the geekiness too!

[@myyou2b]

Great job, Carolyn! Very clever.

[@normaevett]

Looks almost perfect. A suggestion for the curtain. The pieces of flat bar that go at the sides of a chain link fence for a curtain holder behind the seats. Bend slightly to fit close to the roof and the ends tuck into the trim. Slide thru the hem on the bottom of the blackout curtains.

[@carolyndonohoe-mather1557]

@normaevett - Thanks for the suggestion! I'm not sure that I completely understand, but I'm going to send your comment to my husband and hopefully we can figure it out together. It sounds like a good idea! ~ Carolyn

[@mrwdpkr5851]

@@carolyndonohoe-mather1557 If there is bare metal then the 18" long tool magnets from harbor freight are very good at holding blackout curtains in vans . The same goes for the small round magnets .

[@mbd6054]

That is the best kit I've seen. Thank you for sharing.

[@mrj-charles6383]

I keep my Dodge Grand Caravan simple. That way I can remove everything easily. Makes it nice to clean the van inside a couple times a year. I just have one of those fold up beds like you would have at home for when guests stay over.

[@claridee0765]

Love this! I cannot believe the timing of this video. I was just looking at these vans and trying to compare with my budget.

[@Frank-James]

Great set up! I am kind of impressed with the Vanpackers kit. I am not sure what it would cost to do it myself, but that seems to have a lot of value for the convenience alone! I hope that the folks at Vanpackers can give some feedback on how many hits their web sight gets from this video and fill us in. That is a really interesting product and they certainly have my attention!

[@angeladawn805]

I watched this (at the kitchen table) while my son is building a Lego kit house, there's similarities here: both (van build and Lego build) are well thought out, well constructed, genius level use of space, lots of hidden easter-eggs, and reconfigurable. And cute of course! Well done 😊🤗

[@trishrobbins9942]

Love minimalist set up.

[@sueg2658]

Excellent build! Very cleverly designed components.

[@iloveschicken6527]

Very nice!

[@cangal58]

Cool kit. I'll be looking into the Vanpackers site

[@MommaBear360]

Very creative. Thank you.

[@josepep4970]

Carolyn, what a nice job you did with your Ford Transit Connect. I know you purchased the nice set up inside but with your vehicle and the set up, you made everything so comfortable and practical . Your set up is great. If I was going on the road, I would copy what you did. Thanks to you and the nice guy who helped you show us your great set up. Have fun and enjoy your life which I wish I was also doing. God bless. JP

[@desertdeb]

I love the kit she has in there

[@Mike-kr9ys]

Very nice build! I love how you 'figure it out' to make things work the way you want.

[@randy1203]

That gas mileage really caught my ear.. impressive!! I just purchased a 2005 tioga fleetwood class c. I'm still watching all of the van builds it's so interesting. Who knows maybe I might sell my class c and grab a van!! Thanks for sharing this video...

[@marilynrenaud1892]

Wonderful little van! 👍

[@johnshaw4140]

That van packers kit is amazing , saves so much carpentry , great idea

[@patriciatilden3720]

Love that build kit! So versatile, sturdy, and beautiful

[@manemobiili]

Very cozy!

[@stephaniemcbroom9615]

Really nice set up..😊❤

[@JeanneKnits]

Wow, I had no idea there were kit makers now. I'm interested in the Transit Connect for future, and LOVE your setup. Thanks for showing us!

[@shavaunaronan3188]

Really enjoyed seeing Carol's setup. The kit is simple yet really quite clever. She is very stealth as well so that is a real bonus, all in all a wonderful easy conversion.

[@judyhobday4760]

I had a 2014 Trans connect. Mad I no longer have it. Traveled a bunch with my mother. I now have a 2018 Ford Escape which I use for short camping trips. would go back to a trans connect if I was younger and not on ss so cannot afford. Love this one, thanks so much for the set up.

[@Loud2013]

Hey first comment! Awesome rig 🙏🏾❤️

[@saras1458]

Really like this!

[@vicaroo001]

Nice! Love the "kit" aspect of this build! (perfect for someone like me who doesn't have ANY carpentry skills!)

[@kenhurley4441]

I'm not a "wood worker"! This is a great idea. Simple, easy, and affordable! Great fuel mileage so you can travel some. I'm liking it!

[@user-ro1qs4bm6t]

Very smart lady living a wonderful life and enjoying every moment 🎉

[@Zak_How]

I didn't know these kits existed what a neat idea

[@lonestarlaurel]

VanPackers! Thank you both for an interesting ideas video.

[@ramonaneyrinck2292]

Thank you. I am not in a van so far but I’m gonna be going into a car. Thank you for the simple ideas sometimes my brain feels like overwhelmed because I don’t know. Thank you for keeping it simple for me

[@wrylife57]

Nice kit, thanks for sharing.

[@MBMCincy63]

That's an amazing kit! I am still in "the watching and considering" stage of van/camper/ anything but apartment life. Thanks for the tour 🙂

[@brianleonard6885]

Brian 🎉 Great video and Carol wow Beautiful home. Thank you both for your service to our community! ❤🎉🎉🎉

[@bridgetoconnor7229]

Such a cleverly built system! I especially love the slide-outs in the back of the van! Also, this is the first I've heard of cleaning with vodka. It sounds like it might be better than vinegar. Thank you! God bless and safe travels!

[@krisb7465]

Hmmm... I think I would not want an unsealed open bottle of vodka in my vehicle in case I was pulled over! I'll stick with vinegar for cleaning dishes!

[@carolyndonohoe-mather1557]

@@krisb7465 Good point!

[@carolyndonohoe-mather1557]

Vodka and vinegar both do a good job, but I prefer vodka because it doesn't have the strong smell that vinegar does. ~ Carolyn

[@stormdavies250]

Very interesting about the kit. Would love to see it with the cushions.

[@lynnedolan7905]

Almost done with my FTC build and needed inspiration for the curtains. Thank you😊

[@lasinmt106]

Love it too! Very inventive for super small mini Class B if you will. I've been camping as a solo female much of my adult life and starting at the age of 18. I used to say Never would I dream of owning an RV. Bought my first this Feb. Turned out I was taken a bit but even though no experience with RV's of any kind I am not one to throw in the towel. I'm updating my Miss Mini Mo and fixing much needed repairs to water damage in a wall and floor both for 2 different ignored problems by past owners. It's often more than I wanted and still kind of love the idea of something much smaller. Miss M. Mo is 22 years old and is a 21' class B+. I wanted something to compromise with life styles when say visitors arrive we have a carriage to carry up to 7 extra passengers. Many of which are over 70 and a few in their mid 80's. We have a group that moves in pack of 4-5 people. Having a loo is helpful and a fridge and sink also contributes to comfort with us older folk. But the rest of the time it's all mine. So I figure once I get Miss Mo updated and repaired I'll get her value up again so I wouldn't loose if I were to sell her to trade down so to speak for smaller pure van. My main negative for her is she looks like a small C and thus no hiding she's an RV. Stopping along a street or parking lot in areas where folk or cities or businesses worry about homeless visitors might draw unwelcomed attention to me. But at this time I am camping in the boonies and public property for the most part like forest service lands. I rarely pay for utilities but sometimes pay for campsites that are minimal. My husband of 51 years is not a camper. But he's been fine trusting me to get out and enjoy the life. I almost always run into other ladies solo across all ages and styles. Few tents but I've met fellow ladies with tents too. I'm going to have trouble adapting to an enclosed feeling with the RV. I don't feel safer in a hard shell and probably less so than a tent which if need be I could always slip out any wall. I've never had a problem with an animal but I have with people a few times and always late at night. Also not sure about keeping an RV level compared to tents where I just orient so my feet are lower than my head. Not always possible to park an RV so that's the outcome. I do love this wee short Van. I think the storage cubicles is brilliant for this too. I think I might build the bed up higher. Add some drawers below and have a few hanging pockets to keep daily utensils handier to avoid having to open the rear door to access items from the rear. If it's raining or snowing up here in the North which can occur year round I'd like not to have to work at the rear with open doors which could get bedding and supplies wet and build up moisture that causes condensation problems. Love your home made window covers. Very close to my design I'm working on. I never thought of using fleece. Often can find it on sale too and in many colors and designs too. I've been using this type of single burner stove for the past 20 years. I bought a coleman similar style that's called a fameless style but it's really just contained but is often allowed if you in a fire restricted period. I've yet to use it though have owned it for over 5 years. I'm 73 and here's to all my lady campers out there who are happy campers and lucky if they have fellows who understand and support their need to be camping when it's not their cup of..Happy Camping everyone.

[@cotter9751]

So glad for this review. I'd spied the Vanpackers units on another vanlifer's channel and just started research. So nice to see someone putting in place and to have more than one person's use for comparison. Thanks!

[@bensonsspeedshop1191]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@janetkoball44]

Very nice van set-up. She is really enjoying her travels. From Central Oklahoma

[@MsZorro113]

Beautiful! I got a lot of idea’s from this tour.

[@barbmark8232]

Fabulous build and great design

[@allegrosotto2126]

Brilliant especially the table!

[@mehmetadl2260]

So good. Thanks for sharing

[@MyTentLife]

I am actually looking at a van I found that’s just like this one she has. Very clever premade setup for the bed and things from van pack. That is a little pricey I think but very clever. But I think if I get a van like this instead of a full size van I will take the passenger seat out and manicure it into more storage space maybe like a closet for hanging clothes.

[@erikad2440]

The kit makes it so easy @lifewithanthony went to Montreal and had his installed. Nice Company, Good find. Thanks Carolyn

[@aprilbaxter2578]

Very nice interview! Carolyn seem very happy with her build!

[@multi_leo]

Quite minimalistic, and yet multifaceted. 🙌

[@user-iw4oy7yk1j]

That is a really awesome setup you have I'm impressed with that van I hope you have a lot of good fun with it and good luck to you 😊😊😊

[@ChrisW228]

Very nice and functional. I only wish there were kits for people who don’t want rear kitchens.

[@campervanhelsing]

Awesome build

[@stacyhackney6100]

Very nice kit.

[@moonchild7456]

Cool and cozy!

[@trinafea]

I just bought a Van Campers kit for my Honda HRV. Terrific company

[@joycegilliam5715]

Love this!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@madjack8893]

Cute and compact.

[@laurakramer396]

I love her build

[@hopeonthetrail6984]

I love all the neat different idea. The table is great. Building my own design into my conversion van has been a wonderful experience. So getting new ideas is exciting. Just built a platform for the passenger seat for my Lab Maddie. Thanks for all you do . Blessings, Hope on the Trail Teri Hope and Maddie in Virginia.

[@marlenen6130]

I had bought a transit connect 2012 that was already done, very beautifully done with a wood cabinet, a pop up table leaf and little drawers, sliding RV windows in back, cubbies with storage on the side walls with strong magnet system that didn’t rattle, as well as solar, full insulation, lights, and an inverter & house battery. The bench seat was traded out to a type that dropped down, although you lose a lot of usable space under it. It was 14k but only had about 89k miles. I only was able to take it on 2 little trips, but it was fun to go for drives and dinner in during Covid with my husband. I think I knew my daughter was going to get into a project too big for herself when she bought a beat up, old non-running shuttle van! I put new tires and a new battery in my van, had it checked out and sold it to my daughter for 12k. It kinda broke my heart when she ripped out the beautiful woodwork, but I could admit that she could get more space. I gifted her a 1000k LifePo4 battery and an excellent Warm and Safe electric blanket and I personally feel so much better that I know it’s a safe rig. It’s inexpensive (relatively) to get work done it, she can get work done at nearly any mechanic and the gas mileage is decent. People also don’t realize that if you convert a commercial rig into an RV the insurance is very expensive. She uses her van as her daily driver and enjoys her lunch in there every afternoon.

[@clarasmith1873]

My favorite part was meeting the van owner and the way you out her at ease.

[@renaissancepoet]

That Vanpackers kit is wicked cool!

[@robinw285]

Efficient🎉 I like the little two plastic drawers on the rigs side door.

[@user-di4iq3jf6b]

Love the use of nooks and crannies. I just made a down payment with VanLab in Simi Valley, Ca. If you bring your empty vehicle they’ll install it but they mostly just send you everything for you to assemble. My install is on a Chevrolet Express making it easy and more selective

[@lynelljansen8057]

simi valley. ❤

[@TheCornucopiaProject-bd5jk]

It’s a cute setup. If she is comfy and happy, that’s all that’s needed.

[@keyplayer5]

That’s one of the nicest most versatile kits I’ve seen. I’m going to be definitely looking them up. Thanks for the video and information.

[@nfyoutube]

Nice. Definitely a yes on the kit. I like it very mucho......❤ 👍

[@alinehenley2569]

i have the SUV kit for my Honda CRV AND We bought the tent that goes on the rear of the CRV ITS JUST MARVELOUS. Thanks to VANPACKERS FOR THEIR INGENIOUSITY.

[@angelaratzay9034]

What a lovely young woman.very clever and independent.ad.lre you greatly Good luck trough you wandering Love that you take care of your vans engine.

[@maw7455]

Impatiently waiting for my condo to sell so I can buy a minivan and a Vanpacker conversion kit specically made for most models of minivans. Only takes 10 minute to plug and head out for my first adventure. For people without the skills to build, it’s a great kit. The last I checked, after ordering the kit, it only takes 2 weeks to receive. Can’t wait!!!

[@annettegallo6940]

I love the kit.

[@angelaschaefer5883]

So those charge things and run your refrigerator. The refrigerator is really really cool.

[@BlackDogDesigns]

I loved it, very well thought out!

[@robertmcmahon1221]

very interesting and usable.