The Big Beautiful Beast tour! PART 2. A deeper dive below the surface of a custom van build.

[@BeckyLL]

Even the most technical of videos sinks in eventually! I actually may have understood this one! 🤣😂 👏👏👏👏

[@mikefranks4528]

I've been waiting for this like a kid in a cookie store.

[@HumbleRoad]

Sorry, I had a busy couple of days.

[@mikefranks4528]

@@HumbleRoad no worries please take your time, George. Your peace of mind and health come first.

[@dlg5485]

In the immortal words of the great Tina Turner, Humble Road is "simply the best!" I'm saving my pennies as fast as I can, so I hope to be on your schedule in the next couple years. RIP Ms. Turner and long live Humble Road!

[@johnroyer3191]

All I can say is I love you George. Thank you!

[@markmauro2569]

Edgar Allen, you’re a genius with creative style. Amazing.

[@TheFunkybert]

Soft Start on this presentation.. just gets better and better!!!

[@jimsommer5991]

A great video that shows how the design, engineering, and craftsmanship of George and the Humble Roads team make their vans several cuts above. Their are a lot of overloaded vans out there, this creates stability issues and the day you need emergency braking weight will prevail over brakes. Debbie and John, as well as other Humble clients, are destine for quality camper vans. Thanks George

[@32MindenMen]

Fantastic video, I love your thought process and approach to designing and building vans. Your explanations on your design choices are excellent, this and your other videos have given me some great direction for my own build here in the UK. I love the idea of the heat exchanger hooked into your van’s cooling system. I’m designing my radiant heating system at the mo and you’ve given me plenty pf ideas. Thank you.

[@leonardcroft1467]

Hello George Always Enjoy Your Humble Road Videos Love The Builds ..

[@truckeralex]

That curved shelf!!! The jig, the craftsmanship, the finish! I’ll buy one next week!!

[@dsop66]

I LOVE THE TECH YOU PUT IN THESE BUILDS

[@TerryManitoba]

Such a "GREAT" primer for anyone considering a van build (whether self-built or other) Well Done Son...

[@richbowie76]

I love these long Technical videos of the systems ! Another fantastic build !!

[@doug2078]

Very simple and informative !! 👍

[@denimlabels7315]

Wow this was over the top and slightly over my head. I used to work on Boats and we had to make everything repairable at sea. The running boards look nice. People with dogs will get get the leashes caught. Maybe.

[@dalecummins689]

Your video is a constant reminder to me as I approach a potential retirement age, that George is more that just another pretty face in the van life world, but his vans have a thoughtful substance in their creation. Hopefully, some day George, God willing, I can arrange my life expenses and priorities to be part of your Humble Road family.

[@HumbleRoad]

I’ll be waiting!

[@fcbrants]

Beautiful build!! My only concern is the check valve - all RV water fixtures are designed to drain when not in use to prevent bursting frozen pipes.

[@HumbleRoad]

the check valve is on the inlet side of the pump. it does not change the pressure on the output side.

[@joshbryant67]

If not in use for long periods should be winterize. If you are concerned if it's going to be freezing just turn off water pump and open faucets/showers and it release any extra pressure created from water freezing. But if your using the heat in the van there shouldn't be any risk of freezing. I like the check valve to stop the spitting

[@matthewk6731]

I saw a video from a mechanic about using regular radiator clamps, and not to use the aviation clamps.

[@jodymooney255]

Incredible build! I’m sure you loved physics in school! ❤

[@David-pk6bn]

Any engine warranty issue with tapping into the cooling lines?

[@HumbleRoad]

Not that I am aware of.

[@Tony-oi3mw]

Bravo for walking through the wonders of how you engineer the infrastructure. Hoping your clients could share insight on maintenance/fuel costs and vehicle reliability for the various brands.

[@carloknuwer1026]

The European brand Iveco says: "Hold my beer"😅 7000Kg GVW or 15.432 pound with their model Daily. But you've build a beautyful van❤

[@loda9510]

Amazing!

[@kensoutham6828]

My CAT scale weight fully loaded 45 gallons water, fuel, food, tools, bikes, camp chairs, clothing, dog, wife and me came in - at front axle 3920 lbs, rear axle 4480 lbs well within my maximum allowable weight (9070 lbs). I used 80/20 track mounted to van ceiling and walls and all cabinets are mounted to the track where needed. I saved weight by not having tops and backs to the cabinets but those (tops and backs) are the ceiling and wall panels. The cabinets are all 1/2” lite weight plywood but the cabinet doors are 3/4 bamboo plywood that is much heavier than the cabinets themselves. Using self closing drawer slides and latches etc., but 80/20 cabinet frames are generally heavier than the equivalent well made wood cabinet from my experience. Don’t get me wrong 80/20 is nice stuff but you could save some significant weight and some dollars by re-engineering some of your cabinets like the Europeans do. You do have the tools in your shop from what I can see. I saw a German builder who made 3/4 plywood doors lighter by c&cing a honey comb into the back of the doors that I would try for the table and cabinet doors if i had access to a c&c machine 😊

[@robin54733]

I loved how you explained everything. Are there any 12v water heater systems?

[@vita-girl4345]

I know you went over why the 12v regulator before, but I’m amazed still that it’s needed! I’d not use the glycol system to heat water. Instead, I’d run an electric water heater for 20-30. In while driving. Sure you’d miss out on charging for those 20-30 min with your b2b charger, but the simplicity is worth it, imo. My water heater is on a smart switch too, so it will only be on for a max of 30 min, saves me forgetting to turn it off. Btw, I’m about the same weight and used 15 series! I have much less storage though.

[@williamhouse754]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@007nadineL]

Drooling !!!! Great free video. Thank you. 😉😂😉😉😄😂😉😄😋😉😄😋😙😄😋😙😄😙😋😄😋😙😄😋😙😄😙😋😄😉😂😃😃😉😁😉😃😁😁😃😉😉😃😁😉😃😂😉😂😃😉😋😃😙😎😎😎

[@jillleahy8450]

For that tricky ceiling area in the front of the van we used a luann panel covered the same marine vinyl as the ceiling. The Luann bends enough to accommodate the ceiling curves. Unfortunately KZbin does not allow pics.

[@007nadineL]

You could post on another site like imugur sp? And post link here

[@thesleeper7080]

Very interesting explanation of the heat system and glycol path of travel. As for all your zones for hot and cold water, do you label all those zone valves, so a customer knows what goes where if they have a problem and need to turn off a zone?

[@esparka]

Mr. Humble Road, (George) 1st, your Vagabond pic to illustrate a Carey-on gear example, is well noted! I have a question: How much did this van weigh @ inception? (You normally do that weigh-in when you 1st acquire your beasts….) Thank you for your time,

[@HumbleRoad]

I did not weigh this van before the build began.

[@21stCenturyNomad]

I absolutely love ypur builds!! When im ready to move down from a class c i will be in contact. What is the GVCW rating on that van?

[@natandjosh]

Curious if you have any clients requesting a twin bed layout. Or if not, is that something you would be willing to tackle.

[@HumbleRoad]

None of my clients have asked for twin beds. I am not opposed to twin beds. In fact, it is one of the optional layouts in my upcoming MAXI-Me builds.

[@Kim.PrayMoreWorryLess]

@@HumbleRoad… we would love a rear twin bed/dinette configuration that could also convert to one single bed, when needed. 🙂

[@lightdark00]

That ended suddenly.

[@HumbleRoad]

I got sleepy!

[@tumbleweed1976]

Drove it off a cliff 😮

[@mikefranks4528]

George, I too have a big beautiful beast. Do you sell the bypass valves and hose setup with heat exchanger?

[@HumbleRoad]

Sorry, Mike. We make them up for our builds.

[@carbonrrpilot]

Wow, another perfect build George....... Although I must say those 8020 running boards if they are fixed running boards [which I think they are] may be illegal. Just as adding wider tires that stick out past the wheel well is illegal because if a person just brushes against your moving vehicle the wheel could still cause significant damage since it sticks out past the well and those running boards stick out well past the vehicle and could easily cut a leg off

[@HumbleRoad]

They’re not even close to as far out as the Sideview mirrors

[@carbonrrpilot]

@@HumbleRoad the sideview mirrors fold in if they clip a pedestrian..... I shiver every time I think what would happen if those side rails caught a person's leg

[@Sonnyboy346]

I wonder how much this beast costs?

[@openwatergo]

Hi George, for this beast which is a true inspiration, did you install any equipment underneath the van other than the coolant lines for the heat exchanger? My intuition is that you prefer to keep equipment above and visible for accessibility. Thank you.

[@HumbleRoad]

You are correct. Only the coolant lines run under the van. All else is inside, protected and accessible.

[@openwatergo]

This van buildout is truly inspired! Is the gray water tank installed underneath the floor? How large is the tank for a van this size? Thanks.

[@HumbleRoad]

The gray water tank is mounted just rearwards of the rear axle under the van. It is 25 gallons.

[@openwatergo]

Hi George, with the new Trelino toilet on this van, were you able to eliminate a black water tank and weight? If not, did you mount the black water tank next to the gray water tank, and what size? Thank you!

[@HumbleRoad]

I have never installed a black water tank and I don't intend to! Because dump stations are disgusting!

[@amandamccauley3951]

We LOVE all of your videos! You're quite the inspiration! Question: I have not been able to find the Coleman Mach 10 ndq w/ 15K btu... did you mean 13.5K btu's? I've searched and searched. (additionally, I'm guessing you had to add the soft start unit yourself...?). Thank you for any insight!

[@HumbleRoad]

It is hard to find. Try panther.

[@AndrewMetcalfe]

Could you share why you are using the Multiplus II? It is quite taller and seems to take up a lot of space.

[@denisecafferky2248]

🙂👍

[@kensoutham6828]

I don’t know about the double heat exchanger idea. Sure it give some addition safety redundancy and keeps the coolant loop isolated from the rear coolant loop but you can pretty much accomplish the same protection of the vehicle coolant loop by putting isolation valves in the engine compartment where you tapped into the coolant lines. I see you have additional isolation valves under the hood also. I think the double redundancy is overkill. I opted for the coolant loop tapped into the heater return circuit with bypass valves at the point of the heater hose tap in. If the coolant loop were to get damaged under the van for any reason then I can isolate this part of the loop by shutting off the hot water heat exchanger in the water tank at the engine compartment (likely would need to add more coolant to the system but I have onboard water to use if in a pinch in place of the antifreeze). Your extra redundant system could fail between the first heat exchanger but generally heater and rad hoses last a reasonable long time before you need to address by replacing all hoses.

[@HumbleRoad]

With my design the chassis coolant hoses are at very little exposure to damage very little. The entire run under the van is part of my closed loop hose system. If they get cut, you don’t lose any repeat you don’t lose any chassis coolant.

[@kensoutham6828]

@@HumbleRoad I was aware of that. My coolant hoses are well up under the chassis also and in order to damage you would need to take out a lot of the undercarriage stuff first. My safety mechanism is being able to switch off coolant going to water heater with the engine bay isolation valves and bypass option - and my Achilles heal is that I could lose engine coolant without necessarily knowing it before the idiot light comes on or the temperature level shoots up on me. A similar risk exists of having Ford rear heat too in some vans that have the longer coolant runs. My system has worked well for me over 2 years now and putting in the isolation and bypass valves was a little challenging in the tight engine bay but I wanted that safety redundancy allowing me a way of closing off the water heater loop should it ever be needed.

[@ralpho4942]

Are you guys ever going to jump to 12/24v air conditioners?

[@HumbleRoad]

Our Sprinter build (Roxie) has one 12VDC air conditioner AND a 120VAC air conditioner. Our She to Me Transit will feature a 12VDC air conditioner by Nomadic Cooling.

[@ralpho4942]

Heck yeah that's awesome. I've been dying to see a long term review on 12v air conditioners. They must last much longer on 600ah without the need to live off the inverter.

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

I'm surprised by how heavy this built is. To have this overkill beast of a van and only be able to carry the same effective payload as a large SUV. Maybe do a calc of the weight of your various builds, would be interested to see.

[@andrewroberts3301]

I agree with you, it's 1,200 lbs heavier than my fully optioned Paseo and the same weight combined towing my 5x8 enclosed trailer with a dirtbike inside!

[@rogerstarkey5390]

A Tesla is definitely not tethered to shore power.

[@HumbleRoad]

Well, (T)ethered like a (T)esla is the perfect tagline! Any Madison Avenue big shot would agree! 😊