DIY Camper Van Build - Our Dream Home on Wheels

Their Social Media Links:
KZbin - ‪@SweetDreamsVanLife‬
Their Instagram - / sweetdreamsvanlife
Interested In Being Featured On The Channel? : bit.ly/Tour-Application
VIDEO DESCRIPTION:
Welcome aboard Angie and Tommy's custom-built van, affectionately named "The Van That Love Built." In this video, they give a detailed tour of their self-constructed mobile home, designed to bring the comforts of their traditional house onto the open road. From a gourmet kitchen centered around their cherished coffee maker to an efficient central vacuum system and robust energy setup, every inch of this van is tailored for luxury and functionality.
🚐 Inside Their Custom Van:
Kitchen Tour: Dive into the heart of their van where a deep sink, standard kitchen faucet, and water purifier ensure culinary adventures are a breeze. The kitchen's highlight is the bespoke coffee station designed specifically around their Keurig, emphasizing convenience and accessibility.
Living and Dining Area: Discover the cozy living space featuring a custom-built table by Tommy, which also converts into a single bed. Their dining setup is perfect for meals and board games, enriched by swivel chairs and ample storage underneath.
Advanced Energy System: Learn about their van’s powerhouse-a 24-volt air conditioning system capable of running for 30 hours without solar input, supported by a substantial battery bank ensuring they're always powered.
Efficient Storage Solutions: Explore their intelligent storage solutions including a hidden induction cooktop, a full-size trash can compartment under the sink, and numerous deep drawers for personal items and kitchen essentials.
Comfortable Bedroom: Experience their bedroom where comfort meets luxury, featuring a custom queen-sized mattress, a state-of-the-art entertainment system, and a cedar ceiling that adds a touch of warmth and style.
🔧 Van Build Specifics:
DIY Craftsmanship: Angie and Tommy handled everything from woodworking to electrical setup using basic tools-no CNC machinery here. They invested approximately $30,000 into transforming a $50,000 used van into their dream home.
Bathroom Oasis: Their fully functional bathroom includes a modeless, self-cleaning shower door and a space-saving, environmentally friendly Trino toilet system, with both solid waste and urine management.
💡 Eco-Friendly Features:
Solar and Battery Power: Boasting a 14,000-watt-hour battery bank and a high-capacity solar setup, their van is a testament to sustainable living on the road.
All-Electric Utilities: Opting against propane, they installed an electric water heater and a full suite of electric appliances to simplify maintenance and enhance reliability.
🎒 Lifestyle and Philosophy:
Life on the Road: Since hitting the road, they've embraced the van life community, finding new friends and sharing stories. Their journey is about more than travel; it's a celebration of freedom and living each day to its fullest.
Motivation and Inspiration: Their van is a symbol of their love and shared dreams. They encourage everyone to "take what's important to you, put it in your van, and go see the world."
🔗 Stay Connected:
Follow their journey and get more van life tips by subscribing to their KZbin channel, Sweet Dreams Van Life, and follow them on Instagram for daily updates and behind-the-scenes content.
Thank you for touring Angie and Tommy's van! If you're inspired by their journey or are considering van life, drop a comment, like this video, and subscribe for more adventures. Remember, life is short-embrace your dreams today!
#vanlifeideas #diyvanconversion #travelvlog #adventuretravel
Shot by - / theaveragebrad
Edited by - / filmbro_
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[@auntiem75]

What an awesome van. I can't wait to see how mine turns out. I am building it myself. I'm in my 70's so we shall see. Been watching tons of stuff on You Tube. Safe travels and see you down the road. 😁👋❤

[@thecorbettchronicles]

Yay! Good luck!!!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

How exciting for you! If you have any questions please ask and maybe we can be of some help! Hope to see you on the road!

[@keltait]

❤

[@elainelipscomb1476]

Absolutely gorgeous home.we live in a 36' motor home and love traveling America.husband 89i am 86.enjoy your travels 🎉🎉

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Wow that’s awesome. I hope we are still traveling at that age.

[@joeythenomad]

Love the dedication to building around what matters-even the coffee maker gets a prime spot!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thanks Joey!

[@roninvirtues8012]

I’ve seen a lot of vans over the years, this is definitely in my top 10 list 👍🏻 Love seeing other peoples builds and ideas, helps so much with inspiration.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Wow…thank you for the compliment. That means a lot to us. We love learning for others, as well! Do you travel much?

[@karreevaughan4674]

One of the best van builds I've ever seen

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thanks for that, it means a lot.

[@tabitha-sk5kc]

The wood on the ceiling and back doors make the van look so much bigger inside! Great idea.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you! We love it and agree that it makes it feel more open.

[@victoriakeatts3756]

You have such an amazing tone to your voice. You could read audio books for a living.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Wow…thank you! Perhaps that could be my remote job! Thanks for watching our video!

[@raysun2be]

Love this build, very well thought out and beautiful inside. Love the beefy solar system. I could see me in one like this. I can't say that about every build I see. Great couple too, thanks for the tour!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thanks for the kind words! We do love having so much solar…makes a huge difference. Thank you for watching! Do you have a van?

[@raysun2be]

@@SweetDreamsVanLife I do not have one, but am considering for the future.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

We highly recommend it!

[@kathykeene2092]

Way to think out of the box! I like the flip up counter-extender with the electric stove top. Smart! I also like the coffee/toaster station. Well done!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thanks kathy for your kind words. Do you have a van?

[@niclinblue]

Your van is beautiful and is exactly what I would want if I lived in a van.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you! Do you have a van?

[@opencarrylove5054]

Wow! You did a wonderful job! It checks all our boxes. Robust electric. Check! Lots of filtered water. Check! Large fridge/freezer. Check! The appliance garage with flip down cutting board/prep area is genius! Your bathroom design is a step up (love the storage on door) & your fixed bed isn’t too high like so many are (for this older couple). Plus the beauty of a home. Thanks for sharing with us. Enjoy your adventures!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you for watching our video and your kind remarks! We feel these are essential to be off grid. The 24V Nomadic AC is killer! Do you have a van?

[@wesleypulkka7447]

Great design! Comfort, utility and aesthetics all in one!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you for your kind comments! Do you have a van?

[@suzannecranford6819]

What a gorgeous Promaster (my favorite) build! I especially love the kitchen, with its own little appliance garage. Putting the microwave down low is such a good idea. Mine is up so high, that I have to stand on a stool to safely take things out of it. The bathroom is wonderful. I didn't catch the name of the toilet. I've made my own urine diverting toilet because I couldn't find a commercial one that I like. This one looks very nice. Thank you for this wonderful tour! 💕

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you for the kind words! We agree that having the microwave low is much safer. Our toilet is a Trelino. They come in two colors and three heights and it works really well. 😊 let us know if we can help in any way.

[@tessbrown9885]

Best van conversion ever!❤

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Wow! Thank you!

[@AeliciaMechele]

One of the nicest vans I've seen. Great job!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you! Do you travel in a van?

[@user-hc3ol7nh5e]

Very nice. Like some of your unique ideas. Appreciate every moment, every Breath🌺

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you and we agree…we are not promised tomorrow so we need to appreciate today. Happy trails!

[@Yiyichik818]

This is the most stunning build I’ve seen. Amazing job!!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you so much! Do you have a van?

[@zerxyclapz7701]

This is absolutely beautiful looks roomy and like a small home very well put together and will definitely join the journey 😁

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you for your kind remarks! It really is like home for us. Where do you like to travel?

[@Kitty_cat2001]

I love the build however I don’t understand the toilet situation for the solids. Great how you guys have your 2 dogs! Australia 🇦🇺

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

We use the Trelino toilet that diverts the urine to a holding tank. We use a “doggy bag” of sorts for solids just like with our pups! lol It works well for us. 😊

[@brianhall8097]

Awesome van beautiful inside very articulated layout good job guys happy and safe traveling

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you! Where do you like to travel? Hope to see you on the road!

[@hopehope938]

I am amassed where you placed your microwave and yes I judo understand the point of gravity and you placed it at a excellent place! At the present time I am working on a designing a build for a box truck and a van build. I want two microwaves one for outside use and one for inside use, or one on some type of turn table! I think with the right microwave electric power could be conservatived!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Your build sounds very exciting! Good for you! Send us pictures as you go!

[@bobzor]

Calling that microwave spot convenient makes no sense down there. Apart from that - Amazing!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you for watching! We understand that a low microwave isn’t for everyone, but that’s what makes vans awesome! For us it was to keep the weight down low, and to allow the upper cabinet to be more shallow which opened up lots of head room. We also think it’s safer to bring hot dishes out at a lower level. Do you have a van? We’d love to see how you arranged yours! We appreciate everyone’s ideas. Hope to see you on the road!

[@1964Msbea]

lovely van. simple and no fuzz, just the bare necessities. i think i can live with that :) congrats to your van build and keep safe in your travels.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you! We agree that heated floors, water purification, and central vac are included in bare necessities! Happy trails!

[@indiramichaelahealey5156]

Very well thought out and nice design. Love it.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you for the kind remarks! Do you have a van?

[@higginsba]

I watch a lot of these as I hope to have a van myself one day - this is one of the best I've seen ❤ I love the bathroom! I'm not very handy, so if you're ever selling 😁🤞

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

The bathroom was a must for us! Thank you for your kind words. We are always available to help if you have questions if you build one. We are not considering selling at this point, but will keep you in mind! 😊

[@rogertemple7193]

This camper van is definitely an awesome dream house on wheels and I like everything about it thanks for sharing it here and have a wonderful week Thank You.🇺🇲🚐🚐🇺🇲

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you for your kind comments! Our van really is our little dream home, for sure! Where do you like to travel?

[@tarjakangas6681]

So functional and innovative ❤❤

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you! Do you have a van?

[@italiataouma4954]

Very well thought out, pretty perfect❤

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you so much!

[@suezaple4950]

what a lovely build well done! love everything its nice and bright always have loved the use of timber . colors are perfect

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you! That means a lot because it’s a big decision when you choose color. We love it, too!

[@trudymaenza9672]

Wow, I love build!!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you! Do you have a van?

[@trudymaenza9672]

@@SweetDreamsVanLife No I do not have a van, I congratulate all those who do though!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thanks!

[@lindamarie6574]

Very nice!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you!

[@sumserful]

We’ve been looking for a year now. We are working with the amazing folks at Drifter Van but waiting on timing. Then watching this and seeing this amazing Van I want to go this route but I’d need to hire help!!!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

We are always available to answer questions and offer encouragement! It’s very exciting that you’re building your own van!

[@mcremex827]

One of the best van builds I’ve seen. Great Job! We have an older class C and need to change our water facet. Would you mind sharing which ones you used? I would love to filter water as you’ve done . there are so many filtration systems out there it’s mind boggling…

[@joanneganon7157]

Excellent Van build👍👍. Happy Trails 🎉 JO JO IN VT 💞

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thanks Jo Jo! Happy trails to you, as well!

[@nancyglassman9979]

Outstanding!! I love it❤

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you! Do you have a van?

[@Rlaplante73]

Great van build! Thanks for sharing a tour with us :)

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you for watching and thanks for the kind comment! Do you have a van?

[@Rlaplante73]

@@SweetDreamsVanLife Not at this point but my wife and I haven't ruled out getting one.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

You might consider attending a van gathering to see what it’s all about! Van people are awesome!

[@rvnut1133]

I would want a van exactly like this one, I wouldn’t have to change a thing. It is perfect, I just can’t build it myself.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you for your kind comment! Building your own van is quite a job! Maybe you can find one that’s already built .😊 hope to see you on the road!

[@iamwinifred_]

Now i want to have one🥰🥰🥰

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

We say to go for it!! Van life is awesome!

[@PaiviProject]

Very nice van build ❤ Happy Traveling.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you! Do you have a van?

[@PaiviProject]

@@SweetDreamsVanLife No, we do not have a van, but we did bought a MCI coach bus that we are planning to turn into our dream home on wheels one day :)

[@susankustich1720]

Love your van! It's beautiful in every way! Great build!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you so much! Do you travel often?

[@susankustich1720]

@@SweetDreamsVanLife No not at all! That's why I love watching these types of videos!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Awesome!

[@saratemp790]

I like the induction cooktop on the foldup leaf.

[@restored143]

Thats one of the few things I don't like. I don't want it to get damaged as people or things are coming in.

[@saratemp790]

​@@restored143Well true, it depends on the people. If they don't have kids and they don't have a lot of sporting equipment, it should be okay for them. And for someone like me too.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

We have never had anyone hit it. There’s a good 22-24” of space. The leaf is only 2 1/2 inches total thickness. We love it! Makes an amazing prep space and extension when cooking. 😊

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

@@restored143I think you’d be surprised how much space is still there. We have had hundreds of people tour our van and no one has ever hit it. It’s a great space saver and very convenient! Happy trails!

[@jodycoyote3916]

Amazing

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you! Do you have a van?

[@GlampingGurl]

Beautiful!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you! Do you have a van?

[@GlampingGurl]

@@SweetDreamsVanLife I have a RV 😊

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

That’s awesome!

[@shirleythomas3416]

I love your van ❤

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you! We do, too! ❤

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Do you have a van?

[@opinionatedartist]

Nice van!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you!

[@kunalsaini5804]

❤❤🎉🎉nice

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you!!

[@denisebd1000]

Curious to know what you do with the waste bags and do they smell if you can’t dispose of them immediately!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Great question Denise! We double bag in biodegradable bags when we can’t dispose immediately. We also installed an exhaust fan inside the Trelino toilet so we can store bags inside the toilet and close the lid and all odors go outside if there is any at all.

[@MauiKeiki22]

Beautiful build. I would need more than a cubby hole for clothes. Where do you store towels?

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

We have more cabinets above the foot of the bed now, so we have lots of storage! We use packing cubes to organize our clothes within the cabinets.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Towels are stored in the “pizza oven” above the cab.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Great question! Do you have a van?

[@684jewel]

This van is perfect! How much solar power please? And the amount of power you have is what I want! Can you please break down the cost and what you used to create thst much power? Thanks

[@TinyHomeTours]

Here's a link to Angie & Tommy's IG account if you'd like to message them directly to grab some more info: instagram.com/sweetdreamsvanlife/ :)

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

We have 750 W of solar on top and 3 batteries that are 200 Ah at 24V. That’s over 14,000 Watt hours of power. Our inverter is a Victon 3000 W so we can use appliances quite easily. We would be happy to help you figure out your needs.

[@saratemp790]

What kind of countertop is that? The black one.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

The countertop is a simple 5/8” Baltic birch plywood with birch trim binding. We sanded it smooth and did one thin coat of semi-transparent black stain and then 3 coats of satin poly. I wanted the stain to be light so the grain pattern still shows through. We think it looks amazing and was so easy!

[@saratemp790]

@@SweetDreamsVanLife looks nice!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

@@saratemp790thank you!

[@saratemp790]

So how many hours do you have to drive a day to recharge?

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

We have the Victron 100 amp buckboost alternator charger and a huge battery bank so it all depends how far down it’s drained and how good the solar is with our 750 W of solar on the roof.

[@saratemp790]

@@SweetDreamsVanLife give me a range. Or an average.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

@@saratemp790we have 14,400 watt hours of battery. If we are driving in the dark/no solar and only charging off alternator power our batteries charge at 1200 watt hours per hour of driving. Large battery banks take longer to discharge and longer to fully charge. If it were completely dark and we were completely discharged it would take 12 hours of driving. Three hours gives us 25% of our battery back. This never happens though because of solar replenishing it along the way. And remember that a full charge for us can run our air conditioner for 36 hours. Hope that helps!

[@Bellasafari]

I didn’t hear how much solar on top?

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

We have 750 W of solar on top!

[@Bellasafari]

@@SweetDreamsVanLife nice!

[@theroaminggnomad]

Yeah Van Community is great to those who have money & look like them & act just like them. Just another clique like in HS! No thanks. 👎

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Hello Gnomad! Maybe we could meet sometime on the road and you could see that we are good and humble people. We did work hard our whole lives and could afford to build this van, but we did it ourselves which saved over having someone else do it. It wasn’t cheap, that’s true, but it’s our home on wheels so this was our one chance to do it right! I also think you’d be surprised by the “look” of van people. Everyone is so different just as their vans are…but the constant is that they are the kindest, most helpful people we’ve ever met. Give us a try! You might be pleasantly surprised!

[@theroaminggnomad]

@@SweetDreamsVanLife perhaps maybe I just met the wrong groups of people. I'm very accepting of others, it's not often reciprocated.

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

That happens some times…hang in there and give it another try!

[@rhondamckinley4373]

Very nice!

[@SweetDreamsVanLife]

Thank you!