I built the FLOOR for my OVERLAND VAN CONVERSION

After what felt like a long time (even though it happened pretty quickly) welding up the frame for the new box on my 1982 Ford van box truck conversion-turned overland cyberpunk tiny home on wheels… I’ve moved onto the floor. In the end it’s worked out well, but it wasn’t without some difficulties and frustrating moments. But hey!! I have a floor now!!! I can stand in my soon(ish) to be new home!
Hope y’all enjoy this one. :)

[@derekmctavish]

Hey everyone! Thanks for watching. I’ll respond to every comment in about a week. I’m currently off in the middle of actual nowhere at least several hundred miles away from cell reception. :)

[@z3phyrdok]

Not bad, it'll form once it's set up. The main thing is that when you feel like quitting that's when you keep going.

[@derekmctavish]

Thanks man. Yeah, those frustrating moments are when you can take a pause, focus, and find the resolve to keep on going.

[@TiMaxlego]

Hey Derek, don't worry you'll find a fix for your floor! Can't wait for the next episode

[@derekmctavish]

Hey, thanks! It’s turning out ok now that’s it’s bolted down (I’m a little ahead on the build from the timeline of the videos)

[@sbramel93]

I just found your channel through a search for building on land in the desert and your content is inspirational! I’m currently converting a shuttle bus into a camper and am looking to move to the southwest. I just recently started thinking about buying a cheap piece of land to convert it on. Your videos are providing me with lots of insight and your quirky humor makes these videos very easy to watch! Subscribed

[@sbramel93]

PS: any recommendations on cities/counties to buy land in that are friendly to people converting RVs and that don’t require you to build a permanent house?

[@derekmctavish]

That's awesome to hear, thank you! Ooh, a shuttle bus? Short or full-sized one? I'd love to know more about your plans for it.

[@derekmctavish]

Oof, uhm, tbh I don't have much insight here on specific places. I know certain parts of Arizona are pretty relaxed, but then you've gotta deal with the often-frustrating combination of heat and wind and dirt everywhere all the time. Like this week it's in the high 90s but no wind. Next week it'll be in the 70s but with 55mph wind gusts. I think what I wish I had told myself was think about what you will want to do with the land, check things like weather obviously, but also things like distance to down, typical wind in the area, and what kind of "civilization" exists around you. If you go into town, does it have the kinds of things you're into? Or does it simply feel like you've replaced dirt with concrete, but it's still as isolated feeling.

[@sbramel93]

⁠​⁠@@derekmctavish it’s a shortie, 21’ long. Planning to go with at least 1200W of solar, EG4 24V server rack batteries, dual pane acrylic windows, and a Gree Vireo Gen 3 12000BTU mini split.

[@derekmctavish]

That's roughly the same as the bus I had. It's a good amount of space. Enough to be able to do some interesting things, but not too big to just hop in and drive. Keep me posted about the solar+air conditioning (and the whole build!) I'm gonna try powering the AC with solar on this build, but I know I'm basically gonna need to cover the entire top of the van with panels. How many amp hours of batteries are you aiming for ?

[@brianmi40]

3/4" ply should have sat directly on the steel frame for load bearing. Then cutout the insulation board to fit underneath on the cavity between the framing members. Then protect and waterproof the underside area with something like a sheet of 4x8 twinwall or flexible plastic from HD and some silicone caulk along the steel frame to keep water out. Why you'd think you could walk for even months on 3/4" plywood supported over an entire 4x8' expanse supported ONLY by foam insulation board is a mystery. Gluing the insulation board from below isn't the full solution either, as you then want to screw the plastic below up through it into the plywood to give it solid support bouncing down the highway.

[@derekmctavish]

There’s a fair bit that I haven’t gotten to you in the videos, so I totally see where you’re coming from. The whole floor is bolted down in quite a few places. You’re right about not supporting underneath in the middle; total oversight that became obvious once I’m looking at it in person. Nice thing about XPS foam is it’s got rather high compression strength especially when sandwiched between two also strong (and stiffer) materials. Having done it before, I’ve been very pleased with how it holds up. …so long as I don’t experiment with glue.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Derek, your videos have a way to keep me at the edge of my seat, especially the ending! Why are you at the airport, what is going on? Is everyone in your family alright, maybe you and your girlfriend are getting back together or maybe you met a girl on the internet and you are moving to the Philippines?

[@derekmctavish]

This made me laugh out loud. SO MANY THEORIES. Everything is good -- all good news and good things. But........ you're gonna have to wait for the videos of the trip. ;)

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

@@derekmctavish I thank you for for your comment because it was all in good fun!

[@james-henryholland8839]

A cliffhanger!

[@derekmctavish]

Soon soon soon. :). So much footage to sort through.

[@lobsterthicc]

Good penguin

[@derekmctavish]

🐧🐧🐧

[@karelledrumathe]

You can use the drill press as a mill! And you are in Montreal! Then come use my vacuum press for your flooring!

[@yearooper]

Le verglas a Montreal ! Malade mon gars...ma sœur on manqué 4 jours d'électricité

[@derekmctavish]

I hope she managed ok? I flew in the day after the ice storm, it was crazy to see the city like that. Grocery stores were all running off giant generators.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

You moved back to Montreal because you missed icicles?

[@derekmctavish]

🤣 Doesn't everyone?

[@ohtoah]

Dude, get back to civilization. You are losing it, feedback is good if you get rid of your insecurities and learn from them.

[@derekmctavish]

Ahh yeah, I’ve recently come to realize that going into civilization covered in glue is… suboptimal.