One Chick Travels - Sprinter Van Tour!

[@chuckmcveigh1896]

hi, I liked the tour, but was wondering what you use for a shower and bathroom facilities??

[@KayaLindsay]

Not having a shower or a bathroom is actually much less of a big deal than people think. I can either go outside if I'm in nature to use the bathroom, or I can find a gas station/coffee shop/friends house. And if I need to shower I can either jump in a lake/river when I'm outside, or I can use a gym/rec center/friends house/baby wipes/beach shower/wash cloth shower to actually get my whole body clean. It's not as big of an issue as people think!

[@chuckmcveigh1896]

thanks for responding....I was homeless for awhile, so I can relate...I lived in a small ⛺ in the woods and used a handicapped stall/with sink at a local supermarket to clean up everyday (head to toe) and put on clean clothes, so effective that no one would actually know I was homeless and living in the woods...good luck in your travels and please be careful!!

[@abbasjara7016]

hall

[@nhlibra]

@chuck mcVeigh...re: your post...just goes to show the human spirit and what we have to do when faced with adversity...the survivors push through. :)

[@chuckmcveigh1896]

thanks, I do consider myself a survivor...I have died twice,(electrocuted,beaten) but was fortunate enough to be revived...so I guess I still have a reason for being here, I just wish I knew what that reason is....thank you for your comment, peace to you. Chuck

[@rodespinosa3926]

I love the string lights. They add a cheery aura to your home.

[@RollingHousesUK]

assuming your Sprinter runs on diesel, I would recommend a diesel heater as a heating solution. They tap into the main fuel tank for convenience, you can mount them under the vehicle so they consume air from outside, exhaust to outside and flow only the heated air into the van. It's what I will be using when I do my van build (I currently live in a Bow top wagon with a wood burner). They use only a nominal amount of 12v power. Propane versions are also available. No issues with creating damp air in the van or consuming all your oxygen.

[@stanw909]

Everyone talks about the Mr. Buddy heaters but the best for a van your size would be a Coleman Black Cat. It takes much less propane and storage space than the Little Buddy heater and on low will give you 2 nights where the Little Buddy on low doesn't make it a whole night . All catalytic heaters eat oxygen so having window or vent cracked is a must. Happy trails.

[@nhlibra]

@Stan Watkins...thank you for pointing that product option out. I don't have a background in camping like so many others do...but it doesn't surprise me that Coleman would have a good alternative solution.

[@jaaceknoowak]

I've just bought a Fiat Ducato van for conversion and I was investigating heating options for some time now. It looks like Mr Buddy type heaters (propane ones) inevitably increase humidity in the van - it's just chemistry, there's nothing you can do about it. So a much, much better option would be a diesel heater - webasto is the company name to look for. It takes fresh air from outside, heats it using diesel fuel (from your van's fuel tank), throws the exhaust out. So you get highly effective, warm and dry fresh air into the van and no problems with buying fuel. Lookup the product comparison on Bayward YT channel - it's the best explanation and review I've found.

[@bkbland1626]

Much more stylish than the old school derelicts. Progress. I like it.

[@brendajohnson6910]

Love your van! It's one of the best builds I've seen on KZbin. You're a savvy lady!

[@LorisWhirled]

Glad to see my idea ("my" idea haha) finally appeared in a van life video! I feel validated. I'm talking about the BEAUTY of having a cooktop that is not built in. Inside, outside, it's your choice. Choice = freedom. Yay freedom.

[@johnnymelendez4836]

Thanks Kaya great setup and tour. Be safe always ☺

[@thevanout3717]

Hey Kaya, you are such a lovely person. Its nice to see that you are living the dream. greetings from austria 👍🏼😀

[@rockinginafreeworld3256]

I'm in the uk and I admire you and the van life you have. It's not as easy to do in the uk but possible. Keep on rocking and keep up the good work. :-)

[@BackcountryNomad]

NIce work Kaya. Glad to see you chace your dreams. Cool vid, well produced and spot on.

[@heathergarrett897]

I love your van and I love your hair. I have similar hair, I just turned 50 and I've had people critiquing my hair my entire life. You do you girl, you have a beautiful life!

[@sikantis61]

Excellent layout and use of space. It didn't look messy at all.

[@KayaLindsay]

Thanks :) It really trains you to clean up after yourself!

[@williamkenyon9858]

Colorado...all of it! Mr. Buddy heater....Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve CO. Check out Vermont and NH in the fall for the colors. Cape Cod, park on the beach. Enjoy, great video!

[@Americannomad179]

The locks on your drawers are an amazing idea. I may have to steal that trick when I start my van build.

[@KayaLindsay]

Sash locks! They are the best.

[@emiremiroglu]

Love the idea of pans and stove stuck together!

[@geert0202]

Hi Kaya Your pump makes so loud noise because you have attached it to a thin woodpanel that functions as the membrane of a loudspeaker - try to attach it to i.e.. the topboard, which is thicker with som noise reduction material between or even better - let it hang loose in some kind of harness just some thoughts ;-)

[@patrickstich5532]

yes, the wood is amplifying the noise. You could fabricate a neoprene gasket between the mount and wood panel to dampen out the vibration. Home depot may have a rubber mount feet for the pump as well.

[@j0hnnykn0xv1lle]

He is correct. you could also maybe put some sort of enclosure over it too.

[@lauriewolter2238]

sounds like it has air lock to me...I would try taking the air cap off the tank to see if it releases the load on the pump first.

[@nhlibra]

@Geert Larsen...interesting because I've heard that exact same vibrational noise on other van videos (the same sink/faucet setup)...and your comment is the first one I've come across with an explanation. :)

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

The hose is not rigged enough for one. The pump is the real issue. As it has to prime the system each time. They make none feed back pumps with valves in them. To prevent the water from flowing back to the pump. When it's turned off. This prevents most of the noise. One reason some pumps cost $100.00. You get what you pay for..

[@Makelifehappennow]

You are living our dream. Thanks for making it real.

[@marclebrun641]

Love your sprinter, very clean and simple. well done. being canadian you have to hit the rockies in the summer

[@rbo350]

kaya, the main thing I like about van living is each van can be customized to each person's needs and wants, some are simple while others are more complex, It's a slice of Americana..........thanks

[@jimlewis4853]

On your next trip through WA, the 350 mile+/- loop around the Olympic Mountain Range is worth the research. From I-5 in Olympia, you can choose to travel clockwise or counter-clockwise. Either way you'll see Ocean Shores, Hurricane Ridge, and over 200 miles of open-ocean and inland salt water beaches as well as lakes. There's a sand spit near Sequim where you can walk for miles out into the strait. Or even a ferry ride from Port Angeles to Victoria, B.C. to see the gardens and enjoy the panoramic veiw of the mountains from the water. Along the way there is also no shortage of Native casinos with great buffets. LOL This drive is best from May-Oct. Winter and Spring wind and road conditions in that area can be flooded, frozen, or even completely buried.

[@Joe-lc7ce]

You can do a loop road trip and go to Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canonyonlands, Arches, Monument Valley, and the Grand Canyon (lots of stuff in-between, too!). My buddy and I will be doing the same in June.

[@Brandon-lz5xc]

Perhaps consider Pictured Rocks Michigan. The entire coastline of lake Superior is spectacular and quite comfortable during the summer months. Thanks for sharing.

[@JeffErdmann]

Hey Kaya, Enjoyed your tour, I really like all the drawers with window sash locks, brilliant! On boats, we often install manual foot pumps, which are great because you can use both hands while pumping water, such as a WHALE GUSHER FOOT OPERATED GALLEY PUMP.

[@KayaLindsay]

Jeff Erdmann thank you! I'll look into that! The foot pump seems to be the next best option.

[@bocabral1433]

Check out the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the east coast.

[@barbaraf9468]

Bo Cabral i

[@mpdacor]

Lindsay, I love your organized van! I am wanting to do this. Its going to be a while I going to sell my house that's what I will buy the van with. Meeting a lot of people on here and I don't hang out online. I love meeting people. I'm addicted to all of you!!! Mona

[@_CHK]

awsome van Kaya! You could consider a water container on top of the van so you don't need a pomp you use gravity and have a bigger water reservoir than your 5L jug kinda like what hasta alaska did on their van!

[@FourItchyFeet4IF]

If you can spare the space some digital kitchen scales are great for keeping track of your propane cans. Once you know the weight of an empty one anything over that is propane 😆

[@karinhart489]

Outback UAV Don't metal propane tanks have their empty (or Tate) weight stamped into it?

[@jamesvega135]

The Ocoee and Hiwasee rivers in south east TN. It’s gorgeous!!! There are plenty of areas to stay and awesome rafting tours too!

[@kinggreen4638]

That is one of the best van builds I have seen

[@KayaLindsay]

King Green thanks!

[@nitsan]

nice van. I like that style with lots of wood.

[@maviedanslevent]

Woah, that is such a big REAL bed! Jealz.

[@vanodyssey1659]

Good shout on being able to cook outside... note taken.

[@NatalieMartensen]

Ahhhh yay! Van tour! I loooooove seeing people's vans & how creative everyone is with such a small space! (I've redone our van tour like five times...I just gotta post it! 🙈). You did such an amazing on van--so so sooo dreamy (& impressive!! The wood work is awesome!) We are looking at redoing our kitchen and adding a proper sink...bc convenience. 💁🏼🤗 The jugs you use for the clean & dirty water are PERFECT and I was having such a hard time finding some!! So thanks for the links💕 you have been such a great resource for us (and I'm sure many others).

[@KayaLindsay]

Yay van tours! I'll subscribe to you guys so I can see yours when you finally send it out. Just post it! We want to see! And no problem, I want to help people live a more independent lifestyle.

[@vandivergent9910]

For heat I would suggest the Webasto or Espar. Both use fuel from your fuel tank so never need to worry about an additional fuel source. Nice, warm, dry heat. However, there is fan noise but it's minimal. Buddy heaters put out enough heat but as others mentioned, they put a lot of moisture inside the van. A great choice for propane heat that is better than others in that it exhausts to the outside, so no moisture issues. It's also completely silent. It's called the Platinum Cat. You can Google it. The guy is a complete flake to deal with but it's the best propane for small spaces. I hope that helps!

[@vlb1176]

Absolutely love the setup you have!

[@debslifesimplified6406]

Nice van I think the Heater Buddy would be great for your needs. Pretty organized to

[@erikleason856]

hey! Loved the video, like the eva-dry tip. Get a diesel heater! they run straight out of your diesel tank, use very little fuel and run on 12v. super efficent. good luck happy travels :)

[@KayaLindsay]

Erik Leason I think I'm definitely going to get a diesel heater! It's come up the most as the best solution.

[@devonblaine]

Love it! Many people use the Mr. Buddy propane heater. Burning wood puts out a nice dry heat, but then you have to vent it. Still not sure if we'll get to put a wood heater in our Sprinter. Drive up through Antelope canyon and Moab with us this summer!

[@KayaLindsay]

Ahhh this summer I'm headed to Squamish! But I loooove Moab. Let me know if you get the wood burning stove, I want to meet someone who has one and likes/dislikes it...

[@devonblaine]

That's fantastic! I really want to visit Canada but I'm not sure if we'll have the time this trip. People love their wood stoves, you just need to sacrifice the space for it.

[@vanoramarv4193]

Nice setup. For heat look into a Webasto heater. It can run off diesel or gas tanks. It costs a bit but I think it should be worth it. For a cheaper, portable, solution you could look at an Olympian wave 3 heater. I am waiting for mine to arrive. Happy trails.

[@BestFavorite]

Lovely tour! You're delightful!

[@shannonography]

Take the coastal route up the east coast! Go see the wild mustangs on the beach.

[@FrkHoltegaard]

Favourite van I've ever come across on youtube! Very cool :)

[@KayaLindsay]

Thank you!

[@msgettylee1]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful van!

[@jornjacobson9818]

BTW, suggest NW Montana, Glacier Park, Whitefish, Eureka, my town, and then cut over to Washington and down the coast.

[@chynanhua5562]

I love your space! Very cozy. Thank you for opening your home to us. All the best to you.💗✨🙏

[@ajodom10]

Great video. Maybe try using strong magnets to keep the drawers shut. Not a perfect solution but might help when you forget to latch. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidholt2335]

Nice job on van and vid. Thanks for tour.

[@lindalasker6708]

me again, Linda from Brisbane, I should have had the sense to look at other posts before asking really basic questions.... so I've sort of worked out the answer. Thanks for your attention. Linda

[@ManWander]

wow - love your van - nice job!!

[@cleverblonde4406]

Your van is gorgeous. Very well set out as well. Lucky you.

[@KayaLindsay]

Thanks :)

[@frankiefrankerson6435]

sweet home you've there thanks for the tour.

[@bigjoe2458]

thank you for not blasting me out with loud music. very nice work, who did the woodwork?

[@KayaLindsay]

The cabinets and paneling were done by me and Michael, and the countertop we took to a friends cabinet shop where he sanded and finished it for us. Check here for details! www.onechicktravels.com/blog/sprinter-van-conversion-total-cost

[@lisabaubeau8673]

I was going to ask the same thing. I wanted to have a van done just like yours. Simple and to the point

[@BackcountryNomad]

Lil buddy heaters are a good option. They are cheap and reliable. Downside is if your using small bottles they go threw about 5 cans ever 4 or 5 hours. you really need a larger external tank for them to be efficient cost wise. But they are a great option for a quick fix and they heat up real hot.

[@joepaniagua6270]

Outstanding presentation. Thank you.

[@mikhailtamrazyan8588]

No questions just a comment. Your gorgeous. Lol. And it's kinda cool all that climbing gear. Says a lot !!

[@irhonda31]

Cool! I like your van interior.

[@mitchwinder1204]

The upper midwest/Great Lakes is missing on your map. You should visit Pictured Rocks Nat'l Lakeshore in upper MI, and include the north shore of Lake Superior on your way in, or out.

[@conserve_climber]

Just ordered the Eva Dry! Awesome product!

[@CarnivoreFrank]

beautiful lady, lovely van. nice bed/drawers. I love the simplicity.

[@KayaLindsay]

Thanks!

[@MrSharkphoto]

Mr. Heater portable propane heaters have been recommended by vanlifers. Nice van!

[@AznPride85]

I hear Mr. Buddy portable propane heater works well. Hopefully that helps. Wish you the best on your adventures!

[@MrAlottolose]

I'm jealous. one day I will be free and travel like this.

[@stanw909]

Ditto on using rubber mounts for the pump.

[@KMx108]

I am buying an EvaDry unit immediately. What a great tip!

[@christhewolsh482]

to prevent your drawers from opening mid-drive, you could put a yardstick ruler or something similar to that through the handles of all the drawers :)

[@Dive-Bar-Casanova]

Nice set up. One of the best we've seen. Would like to see how you cook with the Dutch oven.

[@KayaLindsay]

Dive Bar Casanova maybe I'll get a cooking video done here in a bit...

[@johnnypoppyhead4116]

yes Santa Cruz , I lived there 70`s .... now in Cinebar ,WA..free camping here

[@ohrandy]

Hi Kaya, The madrone counter tops look great. If I had that counter, I wouldn't install a burner either. Love the vids. Keep them coming. Randy 👍🏼

[@KayaLindsay]

Thanks :)

[@smellthefrizz]

I'm looking into living in a sprinter and this one is done really well, for places to go though AUSTIN TEXIS. Aside from Santa Cruz it might be my favorite city. just be prepared to go through some kind of scary security stop in Texas

[@NIBricks]

thank you for posting this video, your van is awesome

[@KayaLindsay]

scott whitear thanks!

[@eamonandbec]

Chains for the van?

[@KayaLindsay]

Travel Bugs yes

[@eamonandbec]

Kaya Lindsay you lock it up? like how and why?

[@KayaLindsay]

Travel Bugs chains for the tires in the snow!

[@freerooted3608]

Beautiful van home! You could travel to the East Coast. The NC mountains and beaches are awesome. Be well!

[@nancynancy337]

Not that this is important to you, but I won't subscribe or follow you on FB as your constant struggle keeping hair out of your face is distracting and annoying. Nice hair, but Gee ! !

[@josearroyo6878]

US Hwy 191. The most beautiful highway in America. Canada to Mexico. Yellow Stone, Moab, Wow. Too much to list.

[@bocabral1433]

Hi Kaya, A Little Buddy is okay but it is a red flame heater that needs ventilation. A propane gas blue flame is a lot more healthier and very little ventilation required for about the same cost on Amazon or Ebay. Or for the best is a Mini Furnace for they are self ventilated and run on Propane Gas, Gasoline or Diesel. Webasto Air Top Heater is one of the most popular ones that I have used and are easy to install almost anywhere you want with a little mechanical ability. Always here to help all who want to Live Free. Bo

[@MikeR55]

Thanks for the tour! If you get a chance, explore western Canada, the west coast and Rockies are spectacular in BC and Alberta. And our dollar is low, a huge advantage for you now.

[@JonTanOsb]

Nice drawer latches. :) I'd probably cheap out and just shove a stick though the handles.

[@kestrel114]

Redwoods state park in northwestern California is heavenly (f you have not been there). This is a super interior and thanks for sharing.

[@LovingAtlanta]

👍 Nice set up. Just found your channel so I'll check out your other videos. 💞

[@Peter-ib8xx]

Nice 👌🏼tour video of your unconditional companion, thanks for sharing. And you are beautiful 😍

[@black3stsh33p]

If you haven't been to Roswell NM you should see the Bottomless Lakes State Park there and also check out White Sands in NM not far from there. Both were amazing places to explore.

[@Fintan33]

that's a really nice conversion

[@whoflungdung1046]

I thought for a second you were going go give us a guided tour or your underwear drawer lol. Good van.

[@brmelectric]

very enjoyable video.

[@mattthewanderer5029]

Hi kaya, I've got a 2010 splinter which has a bit more dead space above the drivers head than yours does, but you can create a lattice work of thin elastic (net shaped) from the bulkhead to just above the visor, I keep my jackets there but great place to dry stuff out on shitty days. If you haven't already done it, propex heaters are the way to go. ☺

[@breeski3903]

Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin is beautiful! Duluth, Two Harbors, Boundary Waters, pretty much all along the north shore of Lake Superior in MN. Then along Lake superior in WI: Bayfield, Ashland, other towns. Houghton Falls(WI), Copper Falls(WI), Gooseberry Falls(MN). All beautiful!

[@CaptainDustinAllen]

Freaking badass, living the dream, I'm bout to doing the same with some of my buddies (we're building a school bus) gonna be awesome, can't wait to hit the road, maybe we will seeya out there, sikk build by the way and for heating I'd go with a wood burning stove, they make like rv specific ones that work awesome (we're putting a full size one in the bus because we're gonna do alot of ski bumming in the winters so gotta stay warm)

[@KayaLindsay]

Good luck! If we see each other on the road we should do a drive by high five ✋🏻

[@CaptainDustinAllen]

heck yah mission impossible style haha maybe somebody could jump from one rig to the other and back too haha, ok i dont know about all that but right on, hope we seeya out there sometime, we will for sure be hitting a lot of those national parks so its possible, you never know. And we are a bunch of climbers as well so if you ever need a climbing partner, we love to climb and we have all the gear for some epic trad climbing.

[@bgswtdaddyliscious8507]

Where do you stop for showering and the bathroom? Rv parks, National Parks, side of the road? Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rock National Monument New Mexico. We did the longer trail of the two there and it was great! FYI, no dogs allowed. Sante Fe is BEAUTIFUL, must eat is Tortilla Flats resturant. Great videos, thx for posting them.

[@KayaLindsay]

All of the above! I shower and bathroom everywhere, I'm actually working on a video about it right now. And I'll make sure to check out those places! Thank you for the recommendations :)

[@nurscathwill]

Might try the foot pump for your sink

[@Kayellen658]

Big Bend National Park, Texas, but go to Alpine, Texas first and the museum there that tells you about all you are going to see in Big Bend!

[@bexmexx]

omg I'm from albuquerque and if you come to new mexico you have to go to white sands park!!! its so beautiful and close to carlsbad

[@perfectlylonely]

Destinations? The Vortex, Dammeron Valley, Utah. Great hiking and rock climbing opportunities. Boondocking.

[@dallasbreault289]

Looks like you've put a few miles on the van. What have maintenance costs been like? We are thinking about a sprinter, but have heard about high maintenance and a small repair network.

[@winandd8649]

That's one big overkill water pump for only one tap! You could mount it under the vans floor so the noise is not that loud inside, or make a foam insulated enclosure for it, which works pretty well.. or both :-) Also, make sure the pump is mounted in flexible rubber, so your cabinets don't resonate when the pump is on. Nice van!

[@TheGuiltyDave]

Looks great, nice tour video :-)

[@dirtywarrior2842]

Love ❤️ your setup

[@pattiblake2091]

you should go to Canyon De Chelley in Arizona. The Indian ruins are amazing!

[@sledneck7398]

"Mold, the van killer", noted! Been to Yellowstone yet? That's my area.

[@finrallahazel5526]

visit north idaho during the summer and go huckleberry picking , and glacier national park

[@sharonschendel7895]

You must put the northern rim of the US on you list - the north shore drive of MN from Duluth to Grand Marias rivals the 101 along the Ca coast. IT is most beautiful from about Sep 10 - Oct 15. Mn will amaze you. Check it out!