The REAL cost of our off-grid van build

[@LVPokerCoach]

Love this video and want to add a "hack" to this. None of these cost videos mention that another way to save money is to buy things in a smart way. Amazon, Home Depot, tire/wheel centers, all of those places have financing that can help you buy things at 0% interest and pay within a year. That can be ideal here because you aren't going to need everything at the same time and you can pay things off as your build progresses (let's be honest, most builds are going to take at least a year). Now, to be sure, you have to have good credit for this and you *must* keep up with the monthly payments to avoid the crushing interest rates! But if used correctly, these kinds of deals are perfect for a build that's going to take you a while to do anyways and may allow you to get some more expensive options that aren't always possible in a single payment.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Retail costs as shared in this video would be the same regardless of if paid for in cash vs financed at 0%. The real 'hack' is buying on cards with milage or cash back benefits and paying off every month for 0% interest... but that's a whole different discussion. 🤣😂

[@censoredeveryday3320]

@@EXPLORISTlife I purchased my van at an auction wrecked for $5k and then restored it which included swapping out the engine, transmission, and the front passenger fender, light assmebly, and some other stuff. Saved me probably 25-30k It was a 2015 Promaster 3500 ext.

[@tomwilliam5118]

This is what I like about your Channel you're very free with your information as well as your honesty what everything costs and lastly call your videos are excellent to help people do what you do to your van

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey @tomwilliam5118, Thanks so much! Cheers!

[@searlearnold2867]

That woodwork with l track and screws lined up with precision is very satisfying to my OCD eyes.

[@GirdHerd]

An excellent recap of expenses. It really gives anyone who is thinking of building a van like yours an understanding of just how expensive a van build-out can be.

[@GeertSamuel]

The best thing about this video; the options. In the initial video you said you wouldn’t consider costs, but to would took convenience over costs. Which is logical. So now actually giving the options is just great.

[@davidw3932]

Great channel and love what you do with the vans. I live in the UK and I've taken on board your how tois and tips and will be embarking on my own van. To live in full time. I will be getting a 7.5 ton box truck (box being 22ft in length). I have a budget of £18k all in. £4k for truck and £12k for build. Most of this will go on the electrical system, the insulation and the appliances. I will use my sofa and my beds in the first instance. Once I have more money (saved from vanlife) the last stage will be to build my own lounge part. Thank you for the great videos and ideas. Invaluable 👍😍

[@manubisbee1]

THANK YOU! amazing job on break out of everything. Huge respect on quality videos

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey, @manubisbee1! I appreciate that. Thanks for watching! 🙂😀

[@dmwi1549]

Great video and series. Thanks for sharing. Your van has so much more quality and many more features that you would NOT find on commercially available models. Battery capacity, over the top interior and exterior lighting, suspension upgrade, all the bolt on accessories, ample solar, upgraded alternator, A/C, all the L-Track that makes this van so versatile and and upgradeable if needed. You really hit this out of the park!

[@dmwi1549]

What a flagship build to highlight your electrical business!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey, @dmwi1549! We appreciate that. Thanks for watching! 🙂😀

[@telemaster4520]

Nice bookend to a very helpful series Steph. I spent a bit more on mine; my buildout cost was about equal to what I paid for the new '21 Transit. I didn't install an AC, but I have a winch bumper, Flarespace flares, a custom Roam Rest mattress, an aftermarket 3rd-row seat, and more extensive 8020 cabinetry. And I want more lights, and a cell booster, and..... It all adds up. If I did it over, I would definitely change a few things to save money, (less 8020 for example), but our van was a (mostly) fun project, it's tuned to our lifestyle, and we love it.

[@RVwithTito]

Very helpful information and van setup. You did a great job providing information and pricing on alternative options. 👍

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey @RVwithTito, Thanks so much! Cheers!

[@calvinarena259]

I’m in process in Promaster 2021 conversion about 95% complete, so far have about 10,000$, wires running through, but, still need batteries, solar and converter DC to DC not installed yet, have shore power, still looking for better ways for build, over two years and going on, your builds helped in many ways, learn a lot, thanks Calacokid

[@calvinarena259]

Do you have electrical diagrams, schematics? Calacokid

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Yep! Shop.explorist.life

[@smalltimeadventures_usa]

Thank you for posting this video. It is very insightful as we begin our van build journey.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mrmudstud5980]

Excellent Build, first hand quality with expertise placement. Quality as good as Humble Road👍......

[@craigbrowning9448]

For Roof Vents used the cheapest MaxxAir Dome Fans (we can even be replaced under solar panels sometimes. I opted for the smallest Free Standing AC I can get it mounted it to the security door that divides the cab from the back.

[@robbehr8806]

Very cool! I'm modifying a run-of-the-mill travel trailer. Everything I do seems to take about 5 times the time and costs about twice as much, due to deconstruction/removal and necessary upgrades surrounding my modification. Starting with a bare van avoids an obstructive course. That's an effective time and money savings.

[@richardsaunders704]

obstetrical. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha 😂

[@robbehr8806]

@@richardsaunders704 ; Autocorrect strikes again. I manually corrected it to "obstructive."

[@mapleleafdrifters]

Very nice! Love all the attention to detail, must have spent hours and hours thinking about what you wanted and how to make it work. 🙂🙂

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Definitely! Thanks for watching!

[@GK49245]

Excellent content. Thanks for sharing.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey @GK49245, Thanks so much! Cheers!

[@KA-pq3yz]

Very interesting and informative video. Thanks

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad you enjoyed it, cheers!

[@rjthomasindyusa]

I'm a remodel contractor who specializes in high end interiors. I thought a van build would be a breeze. So far I have spend 75k on materials. Its been a pain in the @ss. The power system cost nearly 18k includng the A/C and second alternator. I'm over it....... lol.

[@censoredeveryday3320]

Did you sell the van?

[@rjthomasindyusa]

@@censoredeveryday3320 I'm hoping to finish it this year. lol. I have so much of my time and money invested in this van I have to finish it at this point. It will be really nice when it's all done. I'm looking forward to a long road trip.

[@Adam_Gray]

Impressive! And I must have been doing my homework as I was in the ballpark of $7K on the low end. 🙌🏼

[@cheryl7917]

Another fantastic video! Thanks for sharing this information.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers!

[@BillFye]

I pulled the number $124,000 out of thin air and wow! I was close!

[@johnplyler7054]

Sounds really reasonable. Thanks

[@coasttocoastphoto]

Looking good and the cost is not bad.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks! 🙂🙌

[@unimog404]

My whole camper interior with victron components, lithium batteries, composting toilet, compressor fridge, ebersparcher diesel heater, matras, okoume wood etc. is around 6000 euro. I do everything myself, I like DIY. And sometimes I buy used. I really spend my time on making it look really good 😃

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Our prices shared were retail prices so that it gives others an actual idea of how much it costs. Like... I'm happy for you that you were able to build your interior from parts found on Facebook marketplace or wherever, but not everybody has that option and saying that a full interior build w/ victron/espar/etc components can be had for $6,000 is unrealistic for 99% of people.

[@kkz2dgz]

Thank You !

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey @kkz2dgz, No problem! Glad it helped! :)

[@cspmsmc]

Fantastic video, thank you very much.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks! 🙂🙌

[@DexterGoneWild]

The Cheaper alternative to the Nomadic AC system is the Dometic RTX2000 for $2400. Surprised that it wasn't mentioned seeing that it's one of the most popular choices!

[@MattZalacain]

Or the Velit 2000R. Price is way better and the performance to efficiency is better than the RTX2000.

[@SerendipitySue]

Did I miss the Heating System you put in? I used a Webasto gas heater in our Promaster, but we don't live up in the mountains. There is supposed to be a 4000' above sea level operating limit

[@bookernoe303]

I appreciate the amount of detail. I am curious if you have weighed the van since it was completed. I am trying to determine if a similar build if would require the 350 or I can go with the 250. I am looking at used vans and it is a lot easier to find a 250 148" WB with a high roof as apposed to a non dually 350, high roof, 148" WB. Thanks!

[@familyguyfanboy2]

Do not skrimp on sound deadening! It's vital for road noise, sleeping at night in wallmart car parks etc and helps reduce the chance of condensation build up

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Sound deadening really isn't for that kind of sound insulation. It's for deadening the vibrations of the metal while driving down the road. I think the 3m thinsulate alone would handle the things you are talking about.

[@konakcc]

FYI, If you are using CRL1033 windows, RB components offers fiberglass window trims.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

We used Arctic Tern windows with Satsang vanworks window trim in this van.

[@konakcc]

@@EXPLORISTlife yes, i was just mentioning a lower cost alternative that you didnt mention.

[@JaakkoMikkoTapaniVoutila-rn4yl]

I like you guys 😘! Thank you!

[@JohnDerrick-cc4yd]

Could you do a little short or video in how you think the best way to add a windgen to a basic victron solar system.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

A wind generator that would make any substantial amount of power would be too large to set up and store in a van or RV; so I don't recommend that.

[@luccouture8984]

I guess they thought of pretty much everything....BUT...forgot to add some HEATING !!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

That was the ONE thing we ran out of time for before we had to wrap the project for the channel. Will tackle that soon.

[@stephengreen2898]

I can’t find your “Tools” in your store… Do you have a “search” place to go to a particular item?

[@ronbeck8643]

I was wondering if I could possibly run a single 200 Ah lithium battery to power the fridge as it is the only 110 appliance in the bus and the biggest energy consumption drawing 90 watts and plugged in 24/7. I’m under the impression that you have to have two or more batteries in your bank but am wondering if it is possible to just run one for a single appliance.

[@jamestreanor182]

excellent, would be great if you had also stated wholesale prices as i guess you know those too

[@EXPLORISTlife]

I can't imagine why that would be particularly helpful as most DIYers are only building on van at a time and wouldn't have enough volume for wholesale pricing?

[@timf6916]

Good information.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lay1back]

Is refrigeration really the best option in a van? A well made ice chest/cooler works well for days, plus provides potable water.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

I mean; if you are going to have running water; HOT water, a sink, induction cooktop; you may as well have refrigeration and not have to deal with digging soggy refrigerated items out of ice water.

[@lay1back]

@@EXPLORISTlife a bilge pump with a float switch with the water going straight into the freshwater supply will solve that problem. Don’t get me wrong, I like refrigeration, but ice is easy, and plentiful while on the road. And no one boondocks more than a week.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

It sounds like you should use an ice chest in your build if you feel that strongly about it. 🤷👍🤣

[@kevinfenn9672]

Thanks for the video

[@EXPLORISTlife]

You bet!

[@user-rs6xk3rc8q]

love the build

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks! 🙂🙌

[@andyo4813]

$2500 for lizard skin? How many gallons did you use? Does that price include your shop labor rate? Also, you two do a very good job with the videos. The van turned very nice- would love a rig like yours to crash at the bike parks. Thank you.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

12 gallons of each ceramic & sound deadening. Nothing in this video accounts for labor/shop time since part of the 'cost savings' is doing it yourself so there's nothing out of pocket for hiring somebody else.

[@skullpoly1967]

Hey good day guys I have a question, can a Victron blue solar charge controller with a VE. dongle, charge synchronously with a smart solar charge controller? eg. blue solar 100/50 and the smart solar 150/45?

[@bitminerbob6731]

I would love to know your labor cost there if you kept track of your hours spent on the build. That would be close to $45k I reckon. I've done 2 van builds and an unbelievable amount of TIME goes into these builds. My last build I spent close to 200 hours on.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

😂🤣 Basically no. Our labor hours would also be pretty inaccurate though since this build was the subject for a video production project, basically. This usually means doing things, undoing things, and then doing them again for the sake of getting it right for the tutorials we make. Plus there was all of the extra time spent doing things like r&d with Unaka gear co to develop and bring a new roof rack to market. I'd say our time spent jist simply wouldn't be consistent with somebody building a van for personal use.

[@csg2745]

Ouch

[@EXPLORISTlife]

🤷🤷 It's about what we expected.

[@mikithekynd]

I wonder what is the cost of living in a van like this. Like, how much money does it take to maintain it, how much to keep the insurance. It's a vehicle after all, so it eats money. But also when it comes to usage, how much water, electricity, food and gas you guys use per week. Naturally the results will be subjective, but as I understand some vans are more efficient than others, especially when it comes to heating, cooling and cooking.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Back when we were living on the road full time; we did several videos on what we were spending; but it varies SO much from person to person depending on how much traveling they do, their insurance policies, WHERE they travel, how often they eat out, etc.

[@huntemburns]

@5:42 source for the 120v, USBs outlet/plate? Thank you

[@ClarkyMalarky]

Did you keep track of how many hours you put in, not a critique just wondering what’s all involved 😅

[@EXPLORISTlife]

On some projects, yes, but it's important to realize that it takes us WAY longer to do most things because we are making videos about all of it and R&Ding things that will end up in our store; which takes up a substantial amount of time.

[@kristopher2651]

Doesn't a roof fan remove moisture from the van?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Yep!

[@JogBird]

if ppl dont need to 'overland' then the cost could be greatly reduced... the extra weight and drivetrain inefficiency would also increase operating costs and maintenance.. imo, i would just rent a vehicle for the 1 wknd a year i would actually need that

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Yeah, if you didn't need the features we put into this build nor the quality... the price could indeed be lower like Steph outlined with all of the cheaper options. Sorta like if all you want in life is to commute an hour from the suburbs to downtown for a M-F 8-5 desk job, take the kids to their soccer game on Saturday, and go to church on Sunday; you probably don't need to re-build a '69 mustang from the frame up and a Honda Civic would work just fine. If you only have one weekend free per year for camping; renting is indeed an option as is staying in a hotel; or just staying home. All kinds of options in life. 👍🙂

[@calevel]

@@EXPLORISTlifewell said!!

[@rschreck876]

You paid $525 for a Maxxair Fan?!?! Cheaper alternative: buy it somewhere else. Anywhere else.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

The $525 isn't for JUST the maxxair fan. It's for the maxxair fan, interior mounting flange, exterior mounting flange, sealent, screws, taxes, etc. You know... all that stuff that people forget to budget for and then wonder why they blew their budget. 😉😅

[@ZillaYT]

If you charged yourselves labor cost for doing it, what would it be?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

lol. Do I get to charge for the 3+ times we have to re-do things to make sure we get them on camera?

[@ZillaYT]

@@EXPLORISTlife 😂

[@donnaheinz199]

Lol, ya'll are rich! Im hoping to go on road for 30 35G

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Our business is indeed fortunately successful enough that we can afford to build this van to make these tutorials available for all of you for free, and for us to have this nice project to go to events to teach in person, yes. Hope you learned something from them for inspiration in your own build!

[@censoredeveryday3320]

You can build it for 35k but you'll have to choose your parts and building materials wisely. My van, before conversion, only cost me $5k since it was wrecked and I restored it by swapping out the engine, transmission, and fixing where it got impacted from the crash. Engines and transmissions are cheap and can be sourced from hundreds of junkyards in the US. I did NOT use victron electrical components in my build because I just could not afford it.

[@lift_play_boogie]

$12000 on the electrical system far out.

[@tomwilliam5118]

68000

[@JohnDerrick-cc4yd]

I skipped to the end, then fainted.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

So you skipped all of the parts where we shared the cheaper options. Nice.

[@JohnDerrick-cc4yd]

@@EXPLORISTlife Not really, I watched it all, but still fainted 🤣

[@EXPLORISTlife]

🤷👍😂

[@lakorai2]

200k

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Over! 😂

[@mrgoats]

Unsubbing. Channel became too commercial a few years ago.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

This isn't an airport, sweetheart. No need to announce your departure. 👋

[@mrgoats]

@@EXPLORISTlife I was doing it as a courtesy so you had input. A tasteless response man. Goodbye

[@EXPLORISTlife]

I don't care if you unsubscribe if the things you like to watch change. 🤷 I subscribe and unsubscribe to channels all the time based on whatever topics I'm into at the time; and I do so without being dramatic and letting the creator know that they are no longer catering to my specific wishes. I'm not going to change my content because one person on KZbin voices their dumb opinion that we shouldn't see monetary success on our channel. That would be asinine.

[@censoredeveryday3320]

@@mrgoats Learn some manners bro. At least they are honest with the build cost. Most KZbinrs are completely full of blaoney when it comes to the true cost of this hobby/lifestyle.