I bought a small van & I have regrets…Weighing pros & cons of small diy camper van -Transit Connect

[@lindaburns2045]

Oh Erin, I am loving your channel and your build! I am a 73 year old woman and have a 2013 Ford Transit Connect camper van that I bought in April from a young woman out in Moab who had done the conversion herself with some assistance from her Dad and her S.O. She lived in it full time for 2 years prior to selling it to me. I can shed some light on the origins of your van, as mine was also the office-set up prior to the conversion. According to the previous owner, it was a mobile office for a national insurance company, and was located in Texas. For me, the Transit Connect is the ideal size, with great gas mileage and small footprint. That being said, what makes it so perfect for me is that prior to me owning it, it had a 12" fiberline topper added, which makes it possible for my 5'3" self to stand up in it. It also has a flexible solar set up on the roof, which powers the small chest type fridge, puck lights and Maxx Fan, as well as usb and 12v outlets for charging devices. Never wanted shower or toilet, as I really don't want to deal with that. Most of my camping is done in State Parks, National Forest Campgrounds or National Parks where there at the very least pit toilets. (Like you, I am fine with peeing in the woods when necessary). 🙂 One of the things I love about this van is that I don't have to get up into it to access anything, I can just reach in and grab it. Mine does have a gas stove top and water pump built in (no grey water tank or sink, just the faucet and a 7 gallon water container), but I continue to do my cooking outdoors and take along my water jugs. My prior van was a 1999 VW Eurovan camper, which was a step up for me from tent camping. Though it did have more room than the Transit Connect, I much prefer what I have now. One thing I really love is being able to keep the bed up full time. As Bob Wells often says "I live out of my van, not in it."

[@erin_elyse]

Wow!!! Thank you for such a lovely comment! Thank you for shedding light on the mobile office too. A few others have mentioned insurance as well! You van's set up sounds absolutely amazing, and I agree that the Transit Connect is such a great size. I would love to one day get all the bells and whistles it sounds like you have!! And I ABSOLUTELY love that quote. Very well said and a good reminder to keep things simple when you can!!

[@alech729]

The best thing about my transit is that everywhere I go, people just assume I’m working for Amazon or something. So stealth level is a 10/10 for that. Also I wanted a solid dirtbag vehicle and looked at Subarus. The connect gets better MPG’s and I can hang out in the back with homies.

[@erin_elyse]

"solid dirtbag vehicle" haha exactly!!! the Connect is just perfect for that!

[@joerad4722]

It's ironic, I have a Subaru Forester and Im considering getting a transit connect as a mobile office/weekend camper and this very thought crossed my mind. The only big difference is AWD on the Subbie, that is very nice in certain situations.

[@muricayea]

That’s exactly why I want a connect! I have some ideas to make even more stealthier 🤫

[@TeknoMediumsParanormal1111]

Yup

[@zm694]

I have a small cargo van - NV 200 Nissan. My build feels really big because I don’t need a bed. I sleep in a hammock (inside the van). That leaves room for kitchen, sink, table, porta potty, etc. No jigsaw puzzles to configure to eat sleep or use computer. Works for me.

[@erin_elyse]

Omg a hammock in the van sounds so fun!! and yes probably so much extra room! Genius

[@whalesong813]

What do you hook/hang it from in your van? I tent hammock and use a structured ridgeline that handles most of the weight,. I am thinking and looking to buy a small van, and to hang a hammock in it would be grand!

[@RLBadKarma]

Loving your channel Erin!! I'm a disabled Navy Veteran, kidney failure, so living in the van is a nope. But weekend and 3 day trips are highly possible and probable. The Transit Connect is at the top of my list. Before I got sick, I flyfished, metal detected, disc golfed,etc. I'm not as mobile as before, which isn't comfortable for someone whose 6'4" and 275. I wish you joy and happiness!❤😊

[@matthewsmith8727]

My van is smaller than yours and my van is perfect! I can do 300-400 miles for around £50 I’ve been all over the uk and a few counties in Europe in my little bipper! I also use it for work too when I do my side jobs

[@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy]

Awe, I want to give you a hug. Vans have gotten crazy expensive in the past couple years too. Use what you got and love it IMHO. I keep shopping for dream vans, so I can go on the trip of a lifetime, but a cap on the back of my pickup (Mav style) would be far less expensive, both with vehicle and gas. Probably gonna go that route instead. You're out there living the dream, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[@erin_elyse]

Aww thanks so much! That is totally the message I try to share in my van videos, use what you got and build out your van the way that works best for YOU! Yes vans can be so expensive and gas is just crazy so a pickup is a great option too!!

[@thewhitezubia]

As someone who was forced into it, I love watching your videos. Thanks for the positivity:)

[@erin_elyse]

Forced?? Oh no! Glad you enjoyed though lol!

[@cricket2734]

I have the newer body of the Ford Transit Connect. My van is a 2023. I created a no-build set up. My bed is about 33 inches wide and I have privacy curtains behind the driver and passenger side windows. I also have room for a toilet -- it's just a 5 gallon bucket with a plastic lid, but it really comes in handy, hahaha. Anyway I got a question for you, how do you control condensation in your van? I did a test camp in my driveway where I had the windows rolled down about 2 inches (not lower than my rain guards) and I had condensation on my ceiling. I live in Ohio and the night time temp got to about 55 degrees. BTW, the new transit connects have a bare metal ceiling whereas I see your van has a liner. Do you get any condensation on the walls of your van?

[@proehm]

Wouldn't attempt to tell anyone what to do, but have you ever considered modifications to the flip out extension on the bed? Perhaps splitting it into two pieces or replacing it with a slide out slat assembly? You now have enough experience to know what you need.

[@erin_elyse]

Hehe stay tuned! Modifications on the extension piece coming soon. Great minds thinks alike!!

[@quinnkdjs]

I am 70 have a 2013 transit connect i have been living out of it for 6 years (100,000 miles). It fits my life i can park anywhere. Cheap to put on ferries. It dies help that i am short.

[@windsorcastle9973]

Love the vid! Very insightful, I never really thought about how many differences there would be between different size vans for travelling/living in. Keep up the great work :)

[@erin_elyse]

Thanks for watching!

[@hed2410]

Im reading alot of channels, with a lot of perspectives - and just want something i can do short trips in with the option to sleep comfortably - and keep getting put on the path of Transit. (I have a car I'll keep). Thank you for your advice.

[@robertdodson1866]

I would not change a thing with my Connect. You mentioned the mileage but for me it’s the idea that it drives like a car and you can park it in so many more places than a larger Van let alone a RV can only dream about. Why is this important? Because I can park and see the sights in any large city that has something I want to visit. These small vans are not for living in. They are trip vehicles, be it long or short. If you going to live fulltime in a Van - it needs to be bigger.

[@erin_elyse]

Exactly!!! honestly such perfect trip vehicles as you said. Totally drives like a car!!!

[@BobCollins42]

Pro: toilet Not needed: shower You, like many others, group these together.

[@miriamhawkins7825]

Smaller van for me but after a few years I’ve made changes from a nice build out to layering 2 quality air mattresses for back packing size bed so I have lots of space. I ordered large milk crates for a bed base. The crates an be put in as 18 wide or double as 24 wide or triple wide etc by turning them. I can use 6 or 36. Zip tie to the transit and Velcro strips hold them together. Lots of storage and it holds up my bed plus I can stack them higher if they are in my way. The crates are also fairly light weight. The back packing mattress heats me if it is cold. I have a dog cooling pad I can put down if it is hot. I have configured my milk crates in different ways with fitted lids. Currently since I was experimenting I folded a huge water heater box into a cover for the crates and put my mattress on top. This mattress is very narrow but light weight and I kind of like the cardboard because it doesn’t weigh anything. It’s held up since February without a hiccup. The cardboard basically covers my crates and holds up my mattress. I put a yoga mat under the back packer mattress - it is comfortable. The air mattress is a bit long so I fold it or let it hang off as needed. Before the cardboard I had some wood panels that were fitted to the crates to hold up my foam mattress and cover my crates. Light weight won for now. Years ago my mom made a kitchen cabinet for the pop up camper out of varnished cardboard and 1x1 wood. That held up for years. I’m thinking foam insulation boards are light weight - cover it with something - experiment with light weight stuff I saw a van built with foam insulation furnishings recently. Light weight anyway. I think it is best not to overload a small van A framed piece of plywood can be used on stacked crates as a table or on one as a stool. The frame keeps it from shifting and serves as a lid There are many videos on back packing and cooking so I won’t bore you with my tiny kitchen.

[@jeraldheinrich3589]

Eventually I will get a van, so I have watched alot of van videos. Owners will talk about the van life in general, pros cons. I've seen alot of different builds from simple to complex. I tend to want make a simple build with not as many conveniences. I will have get a bigger van, longer wheelbase, high roof because I will have a motorcycle inside. I will have room to sleep and cook in the van, plus eat in inclimate weather. I have been touring by motorcycle for years, so tenting happens all the time. Minimal is the name of the game. Great tips and things to consider.

[@MasterRoad69]

I have a full size Dodge 3/4 ton with a 5.2L and an auto transmission. I may not get the mileage, but I can't complain. I average around 17MPG and I have the weight and size I need. Just saying, you don't have to sacrifice space so much to be comfortable and be able to enjoy it. I'm a good sized guy so one of those small vans would be a nightmare for me. Glad yours works for you but for me, it just would be a hard no.

[@serenityjewel]

Your cons are so freaking true. A small van means a small space and your cons address all of that. A bigger van has cons too. What's best is about the person and what they need. I could have bought a big van but I bought a hybrid minivan instead because it's a better fit for how I want to live. I don't want a house, just on wheels. I don't want to live like I do in a house but with more challenges. I don't want more space for more stuff. On the road, I want to feel like I'm living differently and I want the challenges roughing it entails. I guess I really just don't want "soft."

[@Red_Queens_Jubilee_Club]

I drive a Prius and I know people live. In them. They have to keep everything in its place because there’s nowhere to go if you have to search for anything. I enjoyed your video. Keep doing what you like. The only person you have to make happy is you and maybe your parentals.😊

[@DonnasRoadTrips]

I’m part time doing winter camping trips at the moment, day here and there. Pro - it’s teaching me to minimize what I truly need in a van. Con - because it’s my every day vehicle I find I’m taking stuff out and putting it back in.

[@PaulvanderBreggen]

Hi Erin, you could put a little trailer behind it for more stuff and your mountainbike. For more living space an awning might work.

[@brandonhalcyon6984]

Love your channel Erin. Have you thought about a Patreon where the community can support you or buy you a coffee?

[@kellyprobst3533]

Don’t encourage e begging

[@brandonhalcyon6984]

@@kellyprobst3533 no one asked you Karen. I mean Kelly

[@robertsteele9035]

How about the cost of gasoline as a difference? Did that get talked about? Thanks for sharing!

[@SuperClare]

Larger van for sure. But yours is cute for sure!! ❤❤❤

[@tinale3643]

Show more about your van also during time you talk to make it more

[@ruebennomura9143]

Just watch your channel like the pros and cons on this video

[@PROFI_PS]

You have perfect diction!

[@k2thah286]

It’s all relative. I have the same adventuring goals but I’m doing it in 2004 Subaru Forester, so I envy how much space you have in the Transit! 😂

[@erin_elyse]

This was my upgrade from a Ford escape so I feel you😂😂

[@rootedremembrance]

More metal boxy! Yes! 😂😂😂❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@erin_elyse]

You understand!!

[@seamusmckenna9307]

Can I drive from USA to europe

[@kpadventures2238]

we have a nissan nv200 and has a bike rack😂

[@burly636]

I bought a 2012 but I couldn’t bend over to walk in it easily, I couldn’t build it out myself and I got let down with help. It’s gone now. It was a silly dream anyway for me. I thought you lived in it. I wasn’t gonna live in it. These things aren’t made for partially disabled people and it’s too expensive to fix it to work for someone like me. You did a good job fixing it up

[@Raku777]

I have been watching a number of Asian van life videos and they also make a small space work, even smaller ones than the Ford Transit and even for two people. Watching a few videos from people making an SUV do even full time, I feel it is possible to make it happen. As far as toilet and shower, there is a foldable toilet that holds a compostable bag, and one person used a spray bottle as a kind of sink faucet and it also doubles as a shower. Camping catalogs give some good ideas to integrate. Some space can be added on the top with a Yakima or a Thule. We are thinking of an evac mobile that can be a home during a wild fire and thinking of bringing a shiftpod tent which is insulated and can be set up in 5 minutes and has 100 square feet (when a stealth situation is not needed). Blessings on whatever you decide to do, there are no wrong moves as long as you are happier with your new choices. You have already proven to me that you are a van lifer.

[@АлексейВолков-й6п5ъ]

Small van is for those who value freedom the most and ready to make their peace with inconveniences in exchange for simplicity and low costs.

[@CarryMePlz2239]

I checked the transit connect. The gas mileage isn't THAT great. MAYBE I'm too cheap; I'm used to driving Corollas or similar that get 30 mpg, consistently. I've been looking at used (V6) Siennas and Odysseys but they seem to be very similar to her van: 19-20 city and 27-29 highway 🙁

[@OnyxStarr44]

I like the commercial vehicle route for stealth and because, I can get the "business women's discount" ~ Romey & Michelle. With the fleet code.

[@sailingspark9748]

I am currently about to begin working on a 2017 Connect. I bought it to actually have more room than my ancient Land Rover. As somebody who suffers with crohn's disease, being able to design in a toilet for both camping and day to day driving is a life changer for me. I had one in my Landy, but to use it require contortions worthy of a circus act. Like you, mine is for three and four day weekends. It lets me throw my kayak or sailing canoe on the roof and go. Now I just need to get beyond a mattress on the floor and a boxio composting toilet strapped off to the side.

[@OnyxStarr44]

Cheat code for privacy. I pull up at parking garages to park for more privacy if I'm not out in nature. There are always floors with cameras, lighting, and not a lot of vehicles. You can even find a charging plug if you don't have a new fangled generator.

[@BroodingOmnipresence]

Hello there, Erin Elyse! I only discovered you yesterday… And not so long ago I used to ask my ex why she was always watching KZbin, frankly my attitude was dismissive and maybe even a bit arrogant. Now, here I am excited to have discovered a new channel on KZbin with a really interesting person to watch. I mean you of course. And I'm writing this before I've even woken because since I still have most of your videos to watch, this almost a year ago video I'm just watching now and I paused it just a couple minutes from the start, because you casually alluded to mean comments that you get and even though I've worked as both a public defender and a prosecutor, and a New York City schoolteacher, so I really know how terrible people can be, at least in the real world (maybe I'm still on accustomed to what people do online). But well I can imagine people saying horrible things to horrible people on the Internet, politicians celebrities… And while I know I don't know you at all, I bet everything I own, I would bet my very life that you're one of the kindest nicest most loving sweet people ever to have existed. Honestly the only concern I have been watching your videos is that I'm going to fall in love with you which since I don't know you and I'm pretty sure you're not farming or working in national parks in New York City, seems at best and practical. But I just had to write on the small chance you might see this and know that anyone who ever says anything even slightly mean to you here or anywhere, is most likely bound for Howell if there is such a place, and in any event has their head completely up their posterior. Because you are if nothing else almost impossibly sweet. Also, there was a comment I noticed from a 73 year old woman with a similar vehicle, and I can't stop thinking how awesome it is to be my parents age but instead of watching too many lifetime and Hallmark movies, and occasionally going to dinner with their friends, owning a van like yours and having adventures ... How awesome is that? The 73-year-old I mean, not the hallmark movie watching.

[@juniadventures]

great video.. road-vanlife like house life is to each their own.. i lived in my 4runner and loved every minute. yes its not easy but your home is always with you and the world is ur backyard

[@mysurlytrucker7510]

The shelves that fold up if you do the same thing of a wall but cut out the center the shape of a folding basin so unfold it pop it in the hole you cut out hay presto you have a built in sink ish, and i will get a bigger van because i want to take my bike and as you said have more privacy.

[@TeknoMediumsParanormal1111]

Ultimately, price matters. About to outfit my Transit, Its small, but it'll work for me!

[@cherrysIushie]

“If you like, comment, subscribe”😂😂😂 3:18

[@rscott2247]

" Of course this all relative " said in a higher tone !

[@millinutz]

You did contradict yourself 2 or 3 times here, but on the whole, this was quite a good Pros and Cons video. One thing I would definately do, is insulate the van so as to reduce outside noise, especially the rain, also giving you a little more warmth on cooler Spring and Fall nights or when you're in the occasional cooler climate area. That would automatically upgrade your living standard immediately. Whatever you do, I know it will be exactly right for you, because you listen to what the viewers have to say and adapt it to your needs. And now off topic, i'd like to mention how easy it is to listen to your narration on your very well edited and entertaining videos. Thanks for all so far, and good luck on your travels.

[@millinutz]

Omg, i've just noticed i'm 9 months late with this comment..., the baby has been born, ermm, I mean the alterations are done!!

[@starlightmckennah5241]

What is the MPG?

[@Sickzzy]

Would you ever consider living out of a prius?

[@erin_elyse]

I don’t think I would ever go smaller than this again if I can help it. A Prius would definitely be a challenge!!!

[@margaretphipps6608]

erin bb

[@kellyprobst3533]

So if you have a job , you could actually buy a bigger van .

[@brandonhalcyon6984]

Wow. What a trash comment. So if you had a life, you wouldn’t be on the internet poppin off at the mouth

[@goofygoob4340]

She literally has a job…..

[@erin_elyse]

hehe I do have a job! and lots of videos on what I do for work :)

[@smellslikethinice1107]

Kelly, that's twice now with the cheap shots...first inferring begging and now suggesting a job. This young lady is great, and full of wisdom, and very courageous.

[@goofygoob4340]

@@smellslikethinice1107 👏👏👏