Dennis' Step Van Tiny House Tour E499

A tour of Dennis' custom DIY step van RV camper conversion.
Seven Grey is a nomadic minimalist who is wandering the world (traveling internationally part of the year and North American in his step van the other part)
Electric Equipment:
2000w AIMS Inverter: amzn.to/2HtrSHK
Midnight Solar Classic 12v 150SL Charge Controller: amzn.to/2EDRksd
Blue Sea 12v ML-ACR: amzn.to/2Gr6PEu
Trojan T105-RE Deep Cycle Lead Acid Batteries: amzn.to/2Cvu6Tp
My favorite crimping tool: amzn.to/2ImmBpG
Other:
PH Tester for Kombucha and Jun: amzn.to/2FAT9Kk
Video Equipment:
Canon EOS M6: amzn.to/2EFvQhS
using Rode VideoMic: amzn.to/2Fiw0d6
Canon G7X mark II: amzn.to/2GcbfPq
GoPro Session 5: amzn.to/2BYZw8L
Video edited with Final Cut Pro on MacBook Pro 13 (2015)
Social Media:
personal blog: www.sevenwanderstheworld.com
world view philosophy: www.7ism.com
youtube channel: bit.ly/2aC7LqG
facebook page: bit.ly/2ahitFr
instagram: / sevenwanderstheworld
Current Location & Status:
facebook page: bit.ly/2ahitFr
Contact:
sevenwanderstheworld.com/contact/
Amazon Gift List:
Wandering Book Exchange & Tea House: a.co/fVS4FGl
Credits:
Ikson - A While feat. Carl Storm (Free Download)
/ a-while-free-download
Music by: / ikson

[@dejonsmall9886]

All that I can say is, Dennis is a fricking genius.. The best so far. I like having the rock solid Chevy 350, it will run forever and parts are everywhere...

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

he is a bright guy!

[@thoughtsinpassing2968]

Dennis has done a fabulous job, I like the metal and wood combo ! I love the way he was able to utilize the tool chest and the file cabinet. Again, a very creative man who made the most of what he had. THank you for sharing. !

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

I agree and sort of wish I saw his build for ideas in mine ;)

[@GTLees]

Hello Seven and hello Dennis! Wow, right at the very front of the rig things get creative and interesting with the grille guard/pole storage set up. The roof rack with the ladder and telescopic feature is no less interesting and if you put out all of your coverage at once you could have quite the square footage if ya wanted. This is already a cool build and we haven't gone inside yet. It's quite the mobile bachelor pad you've got set up Dennis and I dig it! A passenger seat that even swivels and accommodations for three to sleep, very nice. I like the galley set up and the wood/propane heating and cooking system is ingenious. To top it off a full bathroom makes your rig full service and I really like what you've done with it Dennis. Thanks so much for the tour guys. ..........................PEACE!! EDIT: I have to mention the tool chest and filing cabinet too 'cause that's some very clever repurposing goin' on. Very cool.

[@helened6896]

I agree. Very functional, nice storage for clothes.

[@JonathanWilliamseric]

This is one of the nicest Step-Van builds I have seen. Well thought out! I once watched a documentary I don't remember where. There was this single dad of two or three kids who had lost his job and wisely used his last 1000 dollars to buy a step van. He and his kids live in it and he drives his kids to school in that van. I remember that his kids said that sometimes they feel ashamed to tell their friends that they live in the van. With a build like this, I'm sure those kids would be heroes in their school. I can see all three or four of them living comfortably in here. This is a really nice and organized build.

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

would love to see that documentary you mention

[@bencoleman1893]

That is a fantastic build the tool chest and the file cabinet is genius! Thanks for bringing it to us Seven!

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

I love his use of metal cabinets

[@thizizliz]

Very creative use of cabinetry. Durable, simple & easy to use.

[@lindaclark5911]

I swear, you box truck guys keep hitting on me with these innovative, utilitarian, mobility units! The shade/hammock rack is genius! The bunk bed, shower, potty, kitchen, everything simply elegant. When can i move in? Somebody come get me! No don't. I am almost set on a shortbus. Thankyou fellas! That was the most fun i have had all day! It is still freezing here. Oneday, shortbus, studio gallery spa. Snowbirditis. Somehow a woodfired hottub. I dream, i also want an 8ft stock tank for the divinci floats, it is an experiential trip afterall isn't it? Graph paper composition books ROCK. THANKYOU GENTLEMEN!

[@MrMinimalst]

Linda Clark hello! Sorry it's still freezing in your area. It's currently 60 degrees in SoCal. 😋 If you've got Netflix, there's a new Sebastian Maniscalco stand up special. I haven't watched yet but hear it's great!

[@lindaclark5911]

No netflick antena tv. Silks& cashmeres work best battling subzeros. So i am set 4 weather gear.check out lucille ball roast , ruth buzzie, phylis dillar ...aging myself est1960 copywrite1961 funny funny funny

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

happy to give you a bit of inspiration and alternative ideas. I love step vans and think they are great for those not needing HUGE amounts of space that a skoolie can provide

[@dreamingrightnow1174]

Linda Clark I'm in a similar dilemma, but here's the reason I keep (regretfully) nixing the schoolie idea: stealth and parkability. I really want to easily access libraries, coffee shops and friends.. Love the buses tho. I won't even look at the conversions anymore because it fills me with envy, lol.

[@lindaclark5911]

Dreamingrightnow i hEAR U! I lived out of a topper in the back of my 1970 ford pickup truck. I cant want to go back to crawling in & outta the back of that ever again. The vascillation btwn want & need, its a real hurdle in my decision making. I love the idea of a stealthy van, going back to my living out of a backpack days daze. How many dresses does one girl need? Then shoes, then glasses, then art supplies, then art, the paring down,pairing down, pear ring down. Ive collected a museum quality art collection. It is all just stuff i would trade for a lifetime of unobstructed clouds, had i not landed in the velvet rut, my nest my hut to go back to living in a van down by the river? I cant want to "do it" alone. I am scared. So there, i said it i am scared of being untethered. Yet a snowbirds life is truly the dream. Time to get out the journal urinals & clarify it all helps to write it down in #2 pencil lead.... thanx everybody😀😁😂😃😄

[@carlapierle8623]

I never tire of watching the creativity explosion that occurs with these builds!!!

[@bottomrung5777]

I love your 'bush guard' front end mod! Nicest step van build I have seen so far. Congratulations!

[@marxnutz]

I love how everyone has their own unique ways of solving their layouts for their vehicles. Dennis' step van was no exception. Nice set up and looks professionally built. Well done!

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

I agree; I love seeing all the options and ideas others come up with

[@ldygzlle1291]

love that telescoping roof rack, huge bathroom/mudroom..excellent build Dennis, thanks for the video Seven!

[@ohmercy5924]

Great rig! Those file cabinets were such a great score. Love the tool chest. So many great ideas. Love the wall bed! I think I’d just sleep on the bunk. Keep it made up so no fussing when it’s time to crash or having to put things back together in the morning.

[@beverleyclark3500]

Great job....love the metal cabinets no mice or critters getting in them.Best builded It seen.

[@HankHill757]

Nice layout, huge bathroom. Love the use of metal office and tool cabinets.

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

wish I would have thought of metal cabinets like that

[@bobshaw4063]

Seven Thank You for the tour of Dennis's great step van build . He did a great job building it . Love that the whole back end is his bathroom w/a full shower stall .

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

he has a brilliant build

[@memecats5698]

I’ve watched at least 200 conversion vans/trailers and I got to say this is one of my favorites. The filing cabinets were a great idea and the wood stove/cooktop was genius. Great job and 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 up!

[@pamcolechadwell1302]

WOW, He has everything he needs! Very nice setup!

[@christyj24]

I absolutely love the simplicity and usefulness of everything.

[@BasicFolders]

That was an extremely tasteful front bumper modification. Seldom see something that looks that good that isn't factory. 👍

[@fractode]

Brilliant design! Simple and easy, AND re-purposing (the tool cabinet & filing cabinet). Looks pretty perfect. Ah, and...I'll bet that wood stove lends a good bit of ambience on a cold winter's night! (Seats...from...a...VEGA??? Yikes. ;D )

[@Scorpiomary]

Dennis did a really neat job. Thanks for sharing this build Seven. I did enjoyed this so very much.

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

thx Mary

[@dogbounty6399]

the locking cabinets are genius ...great video.

[@Sparkyspage]

Love this 50's industrial vibe inside

[@ttwillow9073]

Lots of great design choices! Love the telescoping rack on top, the repurposed filing cabinet and tool chest!

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

it is a brilliant solution on a rear shade

[@helened6896]

I enjoyed seeing Dennis' creativity and functional step van. A very nice guy. Best wishes, Dennis.

[@CarlJones14]

Great conversion. I especially like the tool chest idea.

[@como5555]

what a great build and super sweet rig...love the creativity of these builds...thanks Seven for sharing the tour of his van

[@stephaniesmythe8449]

fun tour and nice build. Seems like it suits Dennis very well.

[@dvig3261]

Good job! I especially appreciate the bathroom/shower concept..gives me good ideas.

[@b3877896]

What a fantastic step van conversion! One of the best I've seen. Well done, Dennis!

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Nice tour Seven. Thanks for all you do!

[@Itried20takennames]

Wonderful design. Great job.

[@drivinglessons5813]

Great van/camper. Many good ideas here. I like the shower/toilet area. The sofa bed is clever, and the locking cabinets. I agree, an older model is much simpler to maintain and service. Thanks for the tour.

[@weedygarden]

I really like this step van. It is very functional and sturdy.

[@Prat_Saw]

Simple yet beautiful.. I really loved ..how he used the washing machine sign to front of the van..Superb indeed...

[@mechanicsteve2320]

That's a nicely laid out floor plan in that step van.

[@leazahowe196]

What a really cool step van! Great design in the bathroom. Brilliant modifications.👍🎯

[@PaulTeogalbo]

This is the best build so far I've ever seen!!! Kudos to you my friend!

[@mrbr549]

Nice job on that step van! Thanks for that Seven.

[@HibiscusHigh]

VERY nice! Appreciate the tour. Best to you both. 🙂

[@robertpersall98]

Love the use of tool chest and file cabinet! Nice rig!

[@UrielsJunkDrawer]

Wonderful build. I like the intergrated cook/heat stove.

[@thizizliz]

Wow! Super creative ideas. I love the metal cabinets.

[@centralcoastcamper9631]

Great use of the tool box and filing cabinets.

[@richardobannon6301]

Great build, love the cabinet ideas. Couldn't be any better.

[@mjremy2605]

Nice build! Love the wood stove and gas grill! Lateral file cabinet - very smart! So is the expandable roof rack. What a creative person you are, Dennis! Thanks for the great tour!

[@greyangelpilot]

Well thought out/engineered ! I especially like the On-Demand Water Heater, one Tank for your water, & water hotter for dishes/showers/washing. Thanks for sharing Denis !

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

he did an amazing job!

[@azdesertdog]

Nice looking rig. Almost reminds me of a vintage Airstream on the inside.

[@debra7241]

What a lovely man. Love his ingenuity!

[@thomasdunn8214]

Great job with very creative innovations. Thanks for sharing!

[@daretodream...898]

Good ole American ingenuity at work! Great van build!

[@guyhermanson3002]

Very cool vehicle. I've always wanted one. Great innovative design ideas and problem solving. Keep bringing us these vids.

[@jackbrown8052]

I've always been jealous of people that have such excellent skills in the area of auto mechanics or any of the other trades such as carpentry, welding, electricity, plumbing, metal fabrication, etc. Dennis really knows his stuff.

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

I agree; I'm severely lacking in all those areas

[@Paul.Douglas]

Great setup! Very well thought out.

[@MrLtcslick]

If I ever win the lottery I'll be living in a step van or box truck and travelling for the rest of my life.

[@CoryCDS]

Do it now

[@CoryCDS]

Soup Can well dude if you decide to make a video send me a message id definitely check it out ive been looking into one as just a travel vehicle or something

[@CoryCDS]

Soup Can could be a blessing in disguise man sometimes i wanna pack up and just live out in a cabin

[@lmoree00]

@Soup Can Hi there. I'm considering different vehicles to potentially build out. A guy who lives in a step van said in one video that aluminum is resistant to WiFi signals. Have you had trouble using your devices/connecting and maintaining a connection to WiFi? Connectivity will be important to me living in a van.

[@BeAmbitiousNotContent]

Dennis did an outstanding job building his home on wheels!!

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

he is brilliant

[@davidiverson2541]

Very good job of building it. I really enjoyed the video. I really like the way you built the bathroom.

[@howardfoss700]

Dennis you are very creative on your RV good job

[@bishokhan8926]

I want a full tutorial on his rack that extends to create more shade!! It’s Genious!!

[@chapter4travels]

Hi Dennis, I met you at the RTR, you showed me your van and we talked building and constructions war stories. Loved your van, good tour.

[@CITYBORNDESERTBRED]

That tool box is GENIUS!

[@CITYBORNDESERTBRED]

Follow up, THAT FILING CABINET IS GENIUS!!!!!! 🙌🏾

[@BargainBeautyAmy]

Very smart build great job

[@carriedugan6769]

Sweet man, great build out, wish him lots of happy days camping!!!

[@tomcaldwell5750]

Fantastic build! Thank you for sharing!

[@taz1357]

Great job and tour!

[@ComecaJones]

Love the file cabinet idea!

[@mikebeckham55]

Really nice build Dennis. You have a very livable rig. I also think your wise for going with an older van with much simpler drive train and virtually no electronics on the engine, not to mention ease of parts availability. Great use of that large filing cabinet and the bottom tool box! Safe Travels!

[@Olabid]

Wow great van conversion with a lot of food for thought. Thanks for the video.

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

glad you enjoyed it

[@DailyDriver.]

Really impressive set up for such a narrow rig! Very creative !

[@yeeeeyee]

Reminds me of a plane galley. Really like the stove solution. Awesome build!

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

agree... it is an awesome build

[@debolsen3294]

What a beautiful build.

[@btuc7748]

Very smart build. How nice!

[@erroleabrown4317]

It’s nice there great set up in the van thanks for the tour

[@MaBlake]

Super smart build! Love it!

[@richq1318]

Excellent video guys! Love it.

[@jameswaterhouse-brown6646]

Love the heating/cooking set up.

[@barniestormer6698]

Love the work great van and it doesnt look expensive.

[@roadboat9216]

I love it. Very clever. Well done!

[@alive-awake]

Great job! Very creative!

[@skyblue2124]

Wow,great rig!!

[@1genevieve2]

@Seven Grey : I totally agree with @Ben Coleman in that the tool chest and the file cabinet are genius ideas! They're much lighter in weight than their wooden counterparts would be! I'm still on the fence about the stainless steel counter,though...and especially if you're the type to use it as a cutting/chopping surface. You'd be sharpening knives every day! lol I also like the fact that you have your water heater, kitchen sink and shower 'facility'/space next to each other. It saves room,time and money when you're doing the plumbing for all 3 close to each other...yes(?)! I must not have been paying close attention because I don't remember seeing any storage space for food/groceries and no place/space for clothing?! I'm a senior female and I think I would rather have a Murphy Bed (39" - Twin) rather than your sleeping set-up...but that's just me (lol) plus I have no grandchildren that would want to go on the road with me - my only grandchild is a 22 yr. old young man. :-)

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

Dennis did a great job of grouping items together to make use of space more economical. it is a pretty brilliant layout and has me thinking of how I might change things at some future date ;)

[@jeffreyvasby3230]

Dennis Quaid? I saw your picture and l thought you were the famous actor! Wonderful build my friend, Stay Strong and Carry On! Love and God Bless !Uncle Jeff!

[@HisAssholiness]

dude !! ... i have seen tons of similar builds but that one there is special ... well done

[@StepvanDan]

very nice rig,great layout,thank you

[@doug8525]

Looks like a home...very nice!

[@cologelo]

Another nice build Dennis

[@jeffruleford4507]

Thank you for the look at Fantastic build . With the innovative way to use a file cabinets and tool chest .

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

agree on the file cabinets and tool chest... has me thinking about my own build ;)

[@jimdavis8804]

Wow. Awesome rig. Awesome Vid.

[@pathfinder9759]

A very excellent job. Well thought out.

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

he has a lot of awesome build ideas in his rig

[@Airmanmx1]

It’s always nice to have individuals share their concepts. I’m looking to buy a stepvan soon (within this year) I’ll be contacting you once I have something worth showing.

[@PatrickPoet]

Dennis has cool glasses. Love his rig. Not what I'd have done exactly but pretty damn cool and mostly complete. Thanks for sharing this.

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

he is styling in those glasses

[@brownbunny2513]

Great tour Great build Great ideas Very well done !!😊

[@ceeceety2320]

Such a great place to call home! Nice!

[@TheBigFieldTrip]

Sweet ride!

[@brooklyngraham4288]

Nice set up !

[@KatyInNH]

Great van! Thanks for sharing!

[@terrieepperson4189]

Very nice. Thanks Seven.

[@pjf7943]

When I was in the business of construction, I had two of these Chevy alum. body vans and enjoyed the convenience of being able to stand up and room for my equipment. I like your stand up shower and wonder what you are using as a floor pan..?? I have several of those filing cabs. If I were to use them in a build, I would glue slabs of foam/cell insulation to the inside on all surfaces.. Cuts down on the tin can effect.. Some nice ideas here and thanks for sharing..

[@maxkallio]

Great van and great creator!

[@gururprasad2278]

Very impressive! Good Luck!