DIY Custom Van Hightop Build - Finishing Phase One, READY TO CAMP!

[@ernieroberts56]

Looks good. Can't wait to see the rest.

[@itchingtogo7362]

AWESOME!! I didn’t want this video to end. Looking forward to full tour! 👏👏👏

[@Alicia-pi1qw]

Great job. So much work…all the little details.

[@RobertWitham]

Honestly, it is crazy how many little details and considerations are involved in a project like this! LOL So far it is working very well for us on the couple of trips that we have made with it. Hoping to have time (and cooperative weather) so we can work on some smaller touches this week.

[@SarahTree]

Love the little roof overhang in the back. I always want something like that on the back of our van. Great job with the whole build. Can't wait to see what happens next 😊

[@texaslady7630]

It is coming along nicely! Thank you for the videos.

[@jerrymerryfield6551]

Robert I think your metal trim at the bottom is going to catch water

[@BoxVanDee]

It's looking good, A big DIY project not many would even think about to do it themselves. Awesome progress looking forward to more!

[@RobertWitham]

Thank you, Dee :) Honestly, I debated for a long time before tackling this project as I knew it would be quite an undertaking. Ultimately, we really like what we were able to accomplish though and it seems to have been a good balance of results and moderate costs. We've had the van out a couple of times now and been happy with the build so far. Hopefully we will be able to work on some of the finishing touches this week, but it's at least at a point where we could take it to the desert next month and have it still be usable while we putter away at the little things down there.

[@lindaalaniz7129]

I am so happy for you.

[@midnightrunkennelbeth7629]

🎉😊 I'm enjoying watching this series, Robert! (and Melanie!)

[@RobertWitham]

It's been quite a project, but we've not had the van out for a couple of trips and everything is working well so far!

[@barackmycat9448]

Just needs finishing touches. You make a good team. Lots of room in the van now.

[@seller559]

Outstanding 👍

[@paulhunter546]

Looking good 😁👍

[@craigbrowning9448]

I would think that you would want the front end of the box to be a little more aerodynamic?

[@RobertWitham]

That's definitely on the project list - hopefully this week or next at latest. I opted to focus on interior space and structural strength at first, and then we plan to add some sort of fairing or wind deflector as an "add on" feature so we still have the full space inside and it's hopefully stronger. It seems like that front-end area is always a weak spot on the Class C RVs.

[@terrace1]

Very nice work, looks good 👍🏼 can't wait to see how you set up the kitchen area, stay safe out there

[@virginiajorgensen8614]

Well done. Thanks for sharing.

[@lesleyhughes3174]

Thank you Robert. Watching with interest from New Zealand. Looks awesome so far. Your stickers are still holding on strong. 😊 No longer have a mailing address since losing my son or I would get another calendar. They look stunning, as always. Take care there 🙋‍♀️ 🚐 🌏 🧭 🗺

[@RobertWitham]

I thought of you with the calendars this year... The van build project has been working very well for us. Lots of considerations and trade-offs, but we think it's about as good as we could do with a cargo van. Next time around maybe we will just do something larger like an RV or at least a larger van that already has a high roof, but at least one time it was an interesting project.

[@kiza4178]

Great progress! Thanks for the update!

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

0:54 Elon Musk can use that TOP to calibrate his SATS

[@JuliaRus460]

Looks great! What about aerodynamics in front in the wind?

[@RobertWitham]

We are planning to add a fairing or wind deflector as an "add on" feature - hopefully this week if all goes well. My thinking was to keep the interior space more square for maximum usability and to make the cabover as strong as possible since it seems to be a weak spot on many Class C RVs. We have been kicking around ideas for the front end and I think we have settled on a plan now that will be reasonably easy to build, but also strong and light. I'm planning to film that project to show how we do it and will also share the fuel efficiency comparison before and after.

[@davidmurling4252]

Nice work. It's not very streamlined, though.

[@RobertWitham]

It's definitely boxy, but that was really by design to maximize the interior space. I've had a more streamlined hightop on another van and was always frustrated at the lost space due to curves, etc. We will be adding a wind deflector in the front though - hopefully this week - but I wanted to do that as an "add on" feature rather than as part of the main structure.

[@cosmicsunbeams]

C 🌀🌀 L ❗❤

[@rythemzlatin]

This is the 1st of your VIDs i've seen. ⏰TIME to start watching some of the previous ones. • I plan on doing a similar bump-UP⬆️ • Since so many VanLifers seem to have LEAK issues , especially @ the rear door seals & 3rd Brake Light , I too plan to have my "attic" extend PAST the OEM roof and gutters👌! ( are you going to fiberglass it to eliminate rain/ice getting behind the bottom metal trim , or perhaps give it a GOOD 'n THICK coat(s) of Laquer/varnish ? • Will Stage 2 or 3 include an🛩 aerodynamic nosecone ? It doesn't HAVE to be reachable from the inner living space. Perhaps better it doesn't re: 60mph Hgwy. "drafts". Just a 20x20 hatch on the underside for misc. lightweight items . • I don't plan on removing 90% of my roof either , maybe less than 50% to maintain rigidity & crash survivability ( hence WHY i call it my "attic" ( i.e. Storage ) ; 45-50% is plenty of room to stand & stretch. 👏🛠📐 So Far , So GOOD 📐🛠👏