MASSIVE VAN BUILD UPDATE: Fan, Solar, Fridge, and Ceilings! // Singletrack Sampler Van Build (Ep. 5)

[@promodsteve7882]

True friends are sometimes hard to come by. You have 2 great ones there. Love the build and seeing your dream come true.

[@NOSfusion]

You know why I love your videos? Because it’s like a behind the scenes POV from one of Seth’s videos. I always watch Seth for the production value, but I watch yours because it’s an exclusive inside look on the same topic. Thanks for keeping it real, stoked for the next van update.

[@aratihalbe]

NOSfusion very true

[@nikokoni9064]

Awesome Work!! If you really want to go crazy with your "bed" you could install vertical rails on the walls so that you can slide it up to the ceiling. That way it would not be blocking your back door completely.

[@nikokoni9064]

Something similar to this: gizmodo.com/365748/bedup-saves-space-by-storing-your-bed-in-the-ceiling

[@jeremyread261]

Man, your gonna have the sickest van. And the best friend in the world. So happy for ya dude!

[@Evan-Brown81]

Yes! Gettin those hands dirty! Good to have good friends guide your build. Sweet digs Alex

[@turbined]

Seth's relationship with drama shows he's actually a good dude, and it's not just an act for the camera. I love that shit. Love the van too!

[@odysseyjzx]

Holy crap the van is looking sweet!! I honestly can't tell whos video I liked more, your's or Seth's. Seth is very professional and nice, but your videos have been much more personal and more realistic. Huge fan of the multiple angles!

[@radeviq]

Hahaha stoked to see the Hoegaarden in the fridge. Here in Europe it's almost impossible to find the craft beers you're drinking, so it's nice to see a familiar beer. Hope you liked it! It's one of my go tos. Also nice to see the van taking shape.

[@robn_outdoors]

Wow, I'm impressed. Seth is super talented and Todd is to. Really cool to have awesome friends like that to help you get your Van squared away. I to would be freaked out when having to cut or drill holes in my new vehicle. Awesome videos, can't wait to see the final finished product.

[@Geordo1960]

Can’t wait to see the finishing touches! Please show us how it sounds when you’re riding down the road with some high-quality audio.

[@manny6668]

It's so dope to see how far the van has come along and see how much Seth has helped you out. That's not a friend that's a true bro!!!

[@born2burn1]

I wasn't a subscriber but am massively stoked for the series. If you get a chance or have some space, you should try and install a small wood burning stove. You can get a really tiny one and will heat up a van in a second. Don't forget a CO2 and CO detector though! Keep up the amazing work!

[@calibratheband]

These van vids are among my favorites you've put out. cool to see you work through a tough project!

[@isaackangas6921]

As much as I enjoy your mtb videos I think these are my favorite videos you've put out, it's so cool to see you guys come together to work as a team on something. Loving it.

[@scnomad3626]

Massive progress and it looks great! 320 watt panel, wow! The only thing missing from this video is Todd doing a big tail whip on your ride.

[@DerRoAusKO]

Please make Seth do the pimp my ride impression for the rest of the van build series!!! 😂

[@mattw36]

Really diggin the work desk area with the swivel driver seat. Great use of space that I will definitely be putting into my design!

[@The_Sampler]

That work desk is courtesy of our friend Johnny at Crafter Workshop (his YT channel). He is a crazy good wood worker and made that thing absolutely perfect

[@The_Sampler]

*Crafted Workshop

[@tyrionas]

This is looking better and better. If you ever bring your fancy ride to France to hit the trails, I'd be happy to show you some spots. Meanwhile have a great time man.

[@grantfeddema5332]

It's looking sooooo good in there Alex! Can't wait til it's done...keep er going.

[@bashby80]

Missed opportunity for nuke cloud at 4:46! Love it guys! Looking great!

[@TwitchyNick]

Awesome progress! Walls, ceiling and trim look sweet. I like the darker trim. It pops. Nice work!

[@randomtwiggster7713]

I've been following the van build on Seth's channel and it's very cool to see your point of view.

[@williamknight1031]

I was just at Kitsuma!!! We were hiking and camping, I even got to bike some later on!! It was pouring rain however and that part of the trip was NOT fun!!! Keep on with the van, I'm STOKED for you and I hope you will vieit sometime!!!!

[@gregliteral2399]

In Todd we trust 🙏🏻 What a nice build Alex 👍🏻

[@christianbishop3004]

Looks awesome! Seth nailed the sound effects and impersonation

[@R.Chapman912]

Just found your channel... awesome content. It’s totally fitting that I’m sitting here binge watching your van life build while drinking a beer. Cheers man!

[@colinhawkins8265]

Strong work, boys. Excited to see all the progress you're making! Can't show my wife this though...she's super into van life.

[@adriano8729]

Excellent that's what good friends are for!

[@erikjpendleton]

Yooooo, project is looking RAD! Its always cool to have good friends to help out! Good luck with everything!

[@davidthebiker2955]

Wow you guys are living the dream and Seth is DA MAN!!!

[@shredderdad6995]

Heck yeah van update!!! The van looks freaking awesome.😲 Seth's is a great friend and professional, making sure the work is complete with cleaning and all.

[@The_Sampler]

Yea Seth has some great craftsmanship for sure and definitely knows what he is doing

[@raczrides4031]

Have you considered putting a fairing on the front of the roof rack to avoid wind getting under the solar panel, as well as reducing wind noise while driving?! Just a thought. Awesome video and loving the progress on the van!!!! Its really amazing how these awesome people in your life have done so much to help you with the van. You're truly blessed my friend.

[@raczrides4031]

Love the contrast pieces of wood on the roof of the van by the way! Looks wicked!!!!

[@timothycaudillii6131]

I lost it when Seth said “ThE VaN iS LiT!”

[@smithfamily710]

Loved this episode of "Pimp my van". I am now feeling so inspired to sort out my ute ( l think you call them a pickup in America ) so l can tour a bit more with my bike. Great work fellas, cant wait to see what you do next.

[@Woinialiogis]

Loving this van project. Can't wait to see the end product.

[@robertkremar2708]

Awesome work guys... So awesome to see such genuine contribution coming together from great friends... Just a suggestion and possibly a contribution from me regarding your work station... What if the work station table could hinge up and lock to the driver side wall out of the way while your not using it. You might be able to fit a removable seat of some sort in that location so when mates are on board you have an extra seat... Love your work guys!!!

[@BlitzermanTheMan]

You will DEFINITELY need more batteries if going away for more than a day! (carrying on from seths video) btw a Normal motorhome fridge works just fine, and can run off LPG + electric, and even has a freezer compartment in it. Its far more useful.. are you not carpeting the walls?! Makes it may more homely! Plus added insulation! Is there no water tank for drinking water? or waste water tank? are you having windows in the sliding door? They're definitely one of the best additions! its surprising how dark it'll be in there without one. Natural light is a huge bonus!

[@Rinyotsu]

Just found your channel a couple days ago and started catching up on the van build! It's looking great! My car recently blew a head gasket less than a month after replacing an engine that developed a knock (check your oil daily!) I found Seth's channel twhile looking up tips for commuting and to find out what I could do to my trek 8.2ds. It's a hybrid, but it's my entry bike that has seen several 30 mile+ leisure trips and now my daily driver on a 30 mile commute (ok, i grab the bus for 25 of those miles of the commute). Seeing your van build made me start to wonder if I could live out of a van and it would be very convenient but something that would be years down the road for me at this point. Now, after my rambling of a new fan, onto my big question. I live in tornado alley, in the kc Metro. It hails here on occasion so I'm wondering, how do you protect the solar panel from hail, rocks, etc? Or is the panel designed to withstand that abuse?

[@neilstahnke2705]

Man that van is looking sweet! Cool you have good (skilled) friends to help and make memories.

[@RalcyVelazco]

@Alex, you should protect your eyes. If a breeze blew by while you were drilling that roof rack you would have been in a world of hurt. Wood dust in the eye is annoying...metal shavings in the eye is a real problem. I'm very happy for you that you were able to get your van, congrats!

[@coltsfan79]

Lookin good, that wood work came out super. I just build a tower planter for my backyard and it had all kinds of weird angles i had to get very creative with my miter cuts and tri-square.

[@MyGunzBurst]

Great friends creating great work.👍

[@dylan-5287]

You make me want my own van so much haha. This project is coming out insanely well and so beautiful! Your care and attention to detail is admirable.

[@jeepdude67]

Fridge takes up a lot of floor real estate. I'd put it on a sliding tray, so you can access it not only from inside the van, but also when you have the doors open...that would be sweet.

[@mattw36]

I like that you used a residential solar panel. So many vans have 3-4 100watt panels that take up the entire roof. How has this system worked out for you so far? In the middle of a promaster 2500 van build to travel the US as a travel nurse and mountain bike and ski and I’m using a lot of your ideas. Thank you for making videos on the build. There aren’t enough build videos for people who use their vans to bike/ski/other outdoor activities that require extensive gear storage, so thanks much!

[@debrabander6892]

Nice build Alex! If you use sealant in the future, just make sure you have a glass with lukewarm water and a big squeeze of dish soap in it. Then put your fingers in the glass. The sealant wont stick to your fingers at all. See the magic happens.

[@debrabander6892]

Biking With Panda hahaha order now and get 2 pairs for free

[@stevendeckert6373]

Seth's cord management is on point. I'm not half as meticulous...

[@kitten-inside]

I like your 4-legged supervisor.

[@The_Sampler]

We should get Drama a white hard hat lolol

[@sidvish159]

Man Alex...that van is looking soooo sick!! Woodwork is dialed and everything is coming together. Nice work!

[@1steelbeam]

so jealous, my van is just now thawing out from winter the electrics just yesterday decided to start working (over head switches for side and back door) not sure if that means the power going out when I drive for few seconds is fixed as well AAARRRRrrr$$$ enjoy your new van you have many miles without these issues and your not on a 20yr old bike Etc etc trying to make the best of a hot mess. Living vicariously thou you and the rest of the MTB life I follow on YT thanks for the content it makes my day!

[@bmallory]

I got the same charging controller (not for a van but for some stuff in my garden) : there's a jumper for selecting the charging mode. be sure to put it in "battery life" mode. I killed a battery in just a few weeks when setting it in an other mode

[@RobBradshawG]

Oh nice LG make great panels. I recently had 16 LG neon2 installed in my roof. They perform extremely well

[@bigwill4978]

I think every dude needs their own, Seth!!

[@bigwill4978]

Bro, these videos are another level! Absolutely loving the videos especially seeing the van progress!

[@inakimejia672]

Your soo lucky you got friends to help u and your van CONGRATS MAN

[@MTSE-Citizen-Franger]

you got some awesome friends Alex - great van btw and thank you for your inspiration to live life the real way! :) Cheers from france

[@MarioJArellano]

With the roof racks you have more space to transport bikes. 🤩

[@johnkinnane547]

G’day and greetings from Tasmania Australia that was a very good job sealing around the fan and the solar cables, most you tube jobs you see on people putting them in the sealing is really horrible there was one I saw where the body panels doors for gas, water ect looked Ike a three year old did it! Good job on the build thanks for filming it, by the way good to see you on your bikes I would love one but I suffer badly with rheumatoid arthritis so good on ya John

[@NWTrailSeries]

Love love love the van build, can't wait till she's done!

[@machiavelli_g4458]

Super rad man!! So stocked for you!! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@kiznile123]

Woop, looking good!!! Stoked to see this build evolve. Steve and Tess have a pretty dope bed /bike storage setup in their van Fred. (dustybetty/the more we explore)

[@ericschmidt4857]

Lol was that an Xzibit impression from pimp my ride, Seth you did not

[@williamdeming853]

So rad! Teamwork makes the dream work! Cheers Boys 🍻

[@ChronjaCare]

Congrats Alexander, loving the build!!

[@metalheadjoey666]

dude the van interior looks so good man

[@B1KER]

Coming along, looking good. It’s crazy how long you can spend on a few small tasks. I’ve been working on landscaping my back yard all week and holy cow, didn’t get far.

[@_zilo9000]

Love how its coming along! Keep it going you'll be in it in no time!!

[@MOTOCOOP]

Cheers Alex,Todd&Seth ! van is looking so SICK!

[@elmerip]

that is so awesome, you guys are living the dream!

[@fluffy603]

Perhaps its time for a Vandemption 18 in the end of summer?😊🚲🍻

[@thefreeride1326]

dude the van is lookin good love the wood finish so far. thanks for sharing too, i hope to get a solar panel setup on my camper one day

[@waltrobinson407]

Bro this is so crazy hype! You'll never want to move out of that van!

[@tomashcroft1928]

Just finished watching yesterdays video and this one is uploaded straight after I finish, perfect timing XD

[@The_Sampler]

hahaha that timing is PERFECT!! Don't get too used to it though =P

[@LifebyBertie]

Dude that's looking awesome, what a great build...you must be so stoked about it, and Seth did a awesome job on the electrics! You're almost there man, ready to hit the road and start your new adventure, happy for you man!!!

[@The_Sampler]

Feel like we are really moving now!

[@LifebyBertie]

Yeahhhh, living free is a treasure man, like the biggest one of them all!

[@1960Gram]

GREAT JOB GUYS!!! NEAT& CLEAN TO!!!

[@janne_raul5514]

You could lift up the fridge that the bottom wall sits against the wall and then seperate the inside so it opens to the front and doesn't take up that much space on the actual ground Greetings from germany by the way

[@antoinedoinell]

Van's looking WIIICKED!

[@jreh3811]

Did you put a wind deflector in front of the solar so it isn't being ripped on as you drive?

[@dopandasreadbooks6039]

Does car insurance cover the stuff added to the van? Like if something happens, (fingers crossed it never does) would insurances cover the solar panels or other additions inside the van?

[@The_Sampler]

I have to get that insured separately, like RV insurance

[@TrailFeatures]

The Singletrack Sampler that's surprising, but understandable.

[@k11keeper]

I know many additions people make in the overlanding community can be protected but it really depends on your insurance company and you need to work with them to get coverage on additions. I'm curious if they would actually cover the solar just because it is a residential panel and not built for road or marine use.

[@claudioandresmtb]

Fantástico trabajo Alex, saludos desde chile... ojalá verte algún día por estas tierras 👊👊👊👊 (great work alex, we have amazing trails here in chile. we hope to see you some day 👊👊👊)

[@TheCrashingDad]

DAYUM! The stoke level is HIGH! 🤘🤘🤘

[@Benjam98]

You should wrap it! Give it even a more badass and custom look.

[@The_Sampler]

I wanna be anonymous!

[@adamparker6541]

Thats looking bang on mate!.. for the bed... are you lifting it... so that you have plenty of storage underneath... for example the fridge!..

[@lesleyzimmerman5114]

Hi from Ohio. Love the van. Love your videos. Thank you and happy trails.

[@miken8244]

cant wait for the the next van build episode!

[@Animus_Lupus]

The van is lookin sick my guy! But i suggest some type of coverage for that solar panel!! It would be a shame if something were to fall on to it while on the road. Branches, birds, ect. But nice build so far! 👌

[@jameskylelacy1]

I'm curious about the wind noise that that solar will produce while driving. I guess you could always buy some sort of lip

[@The_Sampler]

Yep, if it's too bad I can always add a faring

[@CanIHasThisName]

It might even improve aerodynamic drag and save tiny bit of fuel.

[@ground4922]

From the view we've been given, it looks like the "ram-air" is going to come up the windshield and combine with the oncoming airflow and start adding force on the bottom of the solar. I'd move it back to get it out of the windshields deflective slipstream!!! Don't want the solar panel taking flight on I95 :-( 30yrs of aviation and aerodynamic understanding or misunderstanding ;-) making me take pause at the current placement. Don't want to see anything happen! The WHOLE family loves your vids!!!! :-)

[@ground4922]

It might actually create lift in the front of the van which will negatively affect the steering at high speeds...not good. I'd try Moving the panel back first and hope it doesn't make much noise.....

[@thierrycole2652]

Yes dude keep up the vids up I’m loving them

[@knobbytirestofreedom5013]

Man, that's a great update!! Van is looking great!!

[@gtb_rc9383]

I commented on your Sunday night live but idk if you saw, build a little table over the wheel well to be able to put the fridge on I️t the long way so I️t is elevated and you can have storage underneath the fridge, but by doing this you will have more floor space and a little storage underneath

[@jackadler5941]

Will you install a air deflector on the front of the van roof so the solar panels don’t take on too much air resistance/pressure? Just a thought.

[@ground4922]

I agree Jack! Glad I'm not the only Aerodynamic expert in his Sub Airforce!!! This was the reason I wanted to comment today....From the view we've been given, it looks like the "ram-air" is going to come up the windshield and combine with the oncoming airflow and start adding force on the bottom of the solar. I'd move it back as much as possible!!!

[@dannyalonso3303]

Yaaas, just made my day.... van build video babyyyyyy!

[@rodrigomaximianoongaroro8774]

O Mam the Van is fantastic painel solar, upgrade Very good excelent work intern the Van verys crazy. My happy day for video, thanks Alex 🤘🏼🇧🇷😎

[@Leo_Inclan]

Bro, you have the coolest friends in the world. My friends probably wouldn't even help me move lol

[@mtbcrankaddict8634]

Van is looking GREAT

[@yeahrightochampx5331]

This video deserves more likes

[@PaulCarterArt]

Great build all these guys know there craft 👍🏾

[@TheBikeRoom]

Great info guys, excellent team effort.

[@sometinwrong77]

Your van is during out dope! Great work.

[@DanielMartinez09]

Two videos in less than 24 hours, nice.