Realities of living in a van (when nothing goes as planned)

[@robertmock7509]

Every time I see your father in the vids you definitely have your father's sense of humor. Love it.

[@konnectionswithkc4750]

She really does! She has his entire personality... it's so cute

[@bobfilter14]

I need that Well hello as my ring tone!

[@MusicLuv80]

wasn't this van a rent?

[@annabrown4974]

My favorite quote of this video:"Nature doesn't have an ego". Love it! Be safe Nikki and give Camper a hug for me!

[@pgomez1684]

My favorite quote too! So true...

[@11herbsandspices]

That quote gave me chills and I teared up. Definitely felt that in my core.

[@lichin11]

Does this couple have a YT channel? 17 years is amazing and worth sharing with the world!

[@pierrelaporte7907]

Hi Nikki, it was so much fun meeting you and your Dad and of course, Camper. Thank you so much for including us in the video. Hope everything got straightened with the heater. See you next summer at the Yoga Camp. Kathy and Pierre Paul

[@NikkiDelventhal]

OMG!!! HIIIIII FRIENDS! It was soooo fun meeting you two, such lovely souls! Hope to see you both at Yoga Camp if we can make it!!!

[@DanDelventhal]

❤ Great to see you Kathy and Pierre Paul!

[@gmivisualsjason3729]

Watching this makes me wish my father was still alive..... Lovely to see you two together

[@Itsjrob_]

“Nature doesn’t have any ego “ I love that ! So true

[@cggnow]

As a home owner who just experienced their second sewer backup in two weeks I have to say, there is disaster everywhere. It's not just van life ;-)

[@NikkiDelventhal]

Ain’t that the truth!!!! Everyone hits some bad luck and have to replace a part sometimes! 😂 Hope it was fixed up after the second back up! YIKES!!!

[@wh8085]

Shucks , hate when that happens ! Do you have little ones , flushing leggos and tennis balls ? Been there ! Hope sailing gets smoother soon !

[@danielasuncion9991]

Backwater valve. You need one. 😎✨

[@JasonCarney.]

@@NikkiDelventhal Nikki, I hope you hit Sedona while you're in Arizona. If you go, you have to have a beer at Oak Creek Brewery and Grill, an award winning microbrewery. They also get amazing live bands. Also, if you are still in Phoenix, Postino Arcadia is highly recommended, a cool hangout and place for coffee, excellent food and an award winning pastry chef. Pita Jungle has healthful, delicious food.

[@JasonCarney.]

I think your Van is Haunted 👻😂

[@mistyfrick8355]

Oh my goodness. How camper was all snuggled in 🥰😍. I absolutely love the relationship you have with your parents and your whole family ❤❤

[@marilynvillegas4698]

I’m so glad your dad was with you. Support from someone who cares for you is important

[@samkurz]

How great to be on a trip with your Dad.

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

It would be nice.

[@MarcillaSmith]

How great to be in a Prius.

[@klbriceno1]

I truly love how supportive your family is ❤

[@Beer20001]

Aside from the broken/ failed battery in the beginning, awesome video Nikki... your parents are an added value and great to see them comfortable with living w you in a van.

[@NikkiDelventhal]

Thank you! Haha it was a day of bad luck but it is amazing when you get to turn it into a family adventure! Luckily roadside assistance was super fast to replace the bad battery and once we get the right heater part we will be smooth sailing! These guys make such an amazing van so other than the bad parts it’s hard to complain!!! 🥳😜🙏🏼

[@RangerRon75]

@@NikkiDelventhal So what year is the van? to call the battery old or bad.. And the heater issue? for the cost and supposed quality of that Mercedes you should have had NO problems. I'm glad your dad was with you on this trip. And once you get your converted vehicle. I hope it is stress free for at least 3 yrs!

[@wh8085]

@@NikkiDelventhal . . . . one of those Buddy heaters might be a good back up ? Good luck getting the heater fixed . . . . Burrrr ! 8 )

[@reneebarnes2050]

Your Dad is a gem. ❤

[@jenniferhibner-spencer2314]

The love you show to Camper is amazing. He knows that you are his person and that he can trust and count on you. You are an angel in disguise. ❤

[@whollymary7406]

You are defiantly a people person and this makes me happy cause I’m more of an introvert but I’m learning

[@carolhoover3409]

Thank you!!! You are so inspiring ❤️ i just adopted two of Campers cousins that were thrown out of a car in the phx desert. Now they have their forever home

[@mjmj5038]

Thank you ❤️ SO much. I hope you two have a long wonderful life together. Please name the dog Phoenix or whatever. Greetings from ST Thomas Ontario Canada!!

[@cherylcarlson3315]

So glad your dad is with you, super stressful times are so hard to be alone through. Sucks when you get to be the parent without support dealing with stressful, scary stuff, remember to be there for him no matter in the future.

[@jameswack1823]

Videos with you and your Dad are always a wonderful experience. Quite the adventures! 💓 You're the same age as our daughter Lena.

[@christinescott5002]

I love your relationship with your family, especially your mom and dad. Our loved ones are everything.

[@christopherharris6005]

Awesome video as always Nikki and Camper. Everyone needs a Camper in their lives.

[@EdCook-f4q]

I am new to watching you on a regular basis. I have always been an outgoing person and rearely met someone I just didn't like. I'm taking from when I was a little kid. I am not 81. What I enjoy about your vids is just people being people. No Hollywood, no supposedly candid happening, yours really are. I am warmed by the relationships you have with your family and close friends. Genuine. I know people with money who live in Hugh homes with high end vehicles in the driveway and all the associated ways of living who are not as truly happy as you, living in a van out on the road. You come across as real, and I am going with that. BTW, I love camper! Ok, he is in second place behind my own Standard Poodle buddy who is almost attached to my hip. I could write a book about where he and I have been and done and invited in where no dogs allowed. Nough said. I will keep on watching. You are an impressive lady.

[@lauragosnell2481]

Your family at the end is everything!!! I miss my dad so much!!

[@lovesophia19]

I can see where you got your fun and positive personality! Your dad is such an amazing person

[@briangreen9677]

Nikki, sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug. EVERY vehicle will have problems if you wait around long enough. The key thing to do is keep everything in perspective. This isn't even your van, so you'll have all the gremlins to work out in your own rig too. It's just a part of the shakedown procedure. Keeping your sense of humor, and in your particular case, having a plethora of content that's directly van-life related delivered to you whether you like it or not, is just footage you don't even have to work hard for. That said, I hope your van treats you far better than this loaner has. The best part of the video was you meeting people who watched your channel. I've never once saw someone I watched on KZbin out in the wild. Statistically it has to be possible, but out here in rural Missouri, it's just not all that likely. Take care of yourself and keep your chin up. The next fiasco awaits. It's all in how you react to it that makes all the difference. We're all rooting for you!

[@azncs11]

cherish every moment you have with camper. my mulitipoo just passed after 7 great years, and i wish i held her close a little more when i had the chance.

[@212caboose]

That's definitely a consideration you'll want to touch base on with the van builders: There's a big switch that will switch between how you charge your house batteries, and allows you to link them to the starter battery. I'm actually surprised that Overland Van Project didn't install one in their van... Maybe on your build, take a look at diesel heaters? They're less expensive a easier to work on. Plus they take up less room. Just a thought.

[@chrisss73841]

I'd say diesel heaters are easy to work on but you will be doing it frequently. Normally you just gotta take the face off with a phillips screwdriver and clean the soot from the sensors. You can carry a spare injector, spare igniter, spare temp sensor, and spare flame sensor. When they fail the computer basically tells you what to replace.

[@maryh3438]

Those diesel heaters are wonderful.. Not to plug another channel, but Chad Derosa, who isn't bad to look at (LOL) on Living the Van Life has a Sprinter + a Westfalia VW (gas) van and he has diesel heaters in both of them. He went to the Arctic Ocean in the winter with his Sprinter. Nicki, he lives in WA!. Wear your new pants and go see him!! LOL!

[@NikkiDelventhal]

In this case the test showed it’s just a bad battery so it had nothing to do with the builders. These guys know their 💩. :-)

[@NikkiDelventhal]

@@maryh3438 hahaha! I connected with Chad and gonna try to meet with Him when he gets back in our matching vans and go on an adventure (maybe learn some new off road skills) haha!

[@richardelder256]

@@NikkiDelventhal I spent 20 years building and designing cruising sailboats from the most basic $400k ones to $40 million dollar ego expressions. Even the most bargain basement versions have at least two separate battery banks with a simple rotary switch to allow you to draw from on battery or the other (or both) Not surprising that a mere 70k van build should lack such a basic feature. Your guys may know their s$$it but they don't know their electricity.

[@YouMatterAndYouAreLoved]

LMAO! 2:30 ..............I remember that song! "It's Hard To Be Humble." Your daddy looks like he'd be so much fun! I see where you get your outgoing, fun personality. You're making wonderful memories for your memory bank.

[@artistsmeetfilm6491]

Nikki you always make me happy with your little adventures and Camper is quite the little celeb. I lost my pets, had trouble replacing them as I raised them from babies and now I have adopted neighborhood deer Gimpy and Bucky...

[@marybethfields1166]

Nikki I just love your dad him and you make a great pair. Give Camper a hug for me.

[@sammic974]

I adore your dad, Nikki, he's a blast! 😍 I can so see where you got your "can do" spirit from 😊 Hope your heater keeps working til the work on your proper van is all done xx

[@recoveryoutdoors3009]

I especially love the authentic "plop" sound when the food hit the bowl @3:20 .

[@jaradcolefield]

As much as i Love my 2019 sprinter 4x4, i Have had a nightmare of a time with dealing with Mercedes service and the vehicles endless electrical ghosts. This is my second sprinter and it seems the must have seriously cut costs with their engineering department on this one

[@briancclevenger]

Nikki you have the most amazing family. They support what you do with your life, the come and travel with you and Camper looks like he hit the jackpot every time they're around. Hope the van problems all get resolved and you can get back to enjoying your days without delays. Take care and be safe.

[@BenjySparky]

Nikki, Dad and Camper y'all rock! Dad seems like a cool cat. Glad you got your battery fixed but sad you didn't get that issue fixed at the end! Love the channel and content! Peace

[@shorteelan]

I love your dad! I lost my mom when I was 34, my pup at 35 and my dad at 36. I bought my emotional support camper after my mom died and it was the best decision. 1978 Toyota camper. I love living vicariously through you at age 38

[@twinklestarlight8326]

I love those dad bear hugs. I feel the warmth, strength and comfort. Yall are awesome!

[@Jenny_420]

You and your dad makes my heart happy 🥰

[@joylockwood]

I just love your family. They're the only family I've ever seen taking turns going with a van dweller

[@asifkhattak2344]

Hi Nikki like you my brother had problem with his Prius car but after it's diagnosis and fixed in Islamabad and it's running now. While today Friday afternoon I had an accident on bike and got wounds on my left leg but thanks God got survived.

[@Banagal]

Good to know there are vehicle repair services with battery and solar skills. You have such a wonderful family. Thanks for sharing them and all the fun with us. Hugs to you and Camper 🐾🐾👣

[@marcamusprime9513]

So much money for so many problems. I'm glad you have this channel.

[@joysun5016]

I just love all that down home family loving ❤ what a warm and fuzzy episode 👏😁🙏

[@danettecadzow9837]

I had the samething happen in my C class when I was living in it and during a bloody cold PA winter. I learned to carry a ceramic heater with me. I needed two I had a 30 fter, but you could probably get away with one. I had two dogs and two cats with me so I got the ones that shut off if tipped, I think they all do that now. Good luck in getting it repaired. I gotta say I'm jealous of the heat in the floor. That would have been fab.

[@LuShanna]

Nikki your family is AMAZING! Your dad is obviously a star in his own right but Ron had me cracking up as well. Everyone gels so well together and I can tell you all are very close. Sending love to you and all your family!❤

[@derrick333]

Your dad is the best. Love it. Definitely see where much of your personality comes from. 🙂

[@shelleywalker6225]

CAMPER IS A STAR!! 💙🐾🐾💙 It's always nice to watch videos with your family. Great video.

[@orderdad]

"Nature doesn't have any ego." Great quote.

[@seaweeddave]

Your videos are so inspiring. Hope your heater gets fixed asap!!

[@TheJtyyu]

I just started watching your videos. Pretty much my only reason is to see the life you've made for your dog. Just awesome.

[@TheJtyyu]

LAST YEAR MY DOG WAS DRAGGED BEHIND MY CAR... ITS NEEN 8 MONTHS OF RECOVERY... THEN HE GOT SWEPT AWAY BY A FLASH FLOOD AND I ONLY MANAGED ON MY 2ND ATTEMPT TO GRAB HIM AND JUST SAVED US 10M FROM GOING OVER A WATERFALL. OH BOY NOW I TRY EVERYTHING TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR HIM. YOUR VIDEOS ARE AN INSPIRATION

[@alanijarrett3395]

I absolutely love the relationship you and your dad have. I lost my dad in 2013, and I miss him tremendously. We used to do small adventures frequently. Treasure your time with him

[@dr.faramovagharnia4129]

Hi Nikki, I love Camper very much. I think he is so nice and loyal to you. Take a good care of him, please. Stay safe.

[@josegonzalescedillo2399]

I love your dad he is such cool guy I feel like I know him great family you got nice 👪 🐕🌞👍

[@tsunamioflove]

Your Dads personality is a blessing to have around, I would think. Stay safe and have fun.

[@Becca-vk9mq]

Awwww this made me miss my dad. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ You are so blessed to have wonderful parents. 🥰 Maybe they will want to adopt me! 😂😂😂 lol. Thanks for sharing your video!

[@pmgdeleon4659]

Your fortunate to have great mom and dad, Nikkie

[@ClairenParkerontheRoad]

I felt encouraged watching this knowing that I'm not the only one who experiences issues on the road but I'm still sorry you had to go through it! I feel like from watching videos I'm learning more about vehicles.

[@NikkiDelventhal]

It was just a little quick stint of some bad luck and a bad part! Haha bad days and good days, so happy it can feel relatable tho cause at times you feel like it’s just you 😜🫶🏼😅

[@crazychris7417]

Sedona Arizona is one of my favorite towns to visit when visiting. If you haven’t gone it’s a must go!

[@jonnie3112]

Van problems here is a reflection on German engineering Mercedes Benz. I’m glad you’re bringing your Dad along for the ride. 😊 $250 is a lot for food. You must have a good storage ability.

[@rainsofhealing]

Whole Foods is nicknamed Whole Paycheck for a reason 😆

[@CindyLynne]

Enjoy every moment with your Dad! Love Camper!

[@kathleenj1158]

This was really great to get to see your dad on a trip with you. I love his funny, easy-going personality. Your mom is amazing, too. ☺️❤️

[@kathleenj1158]

Nikki, you're always so kind, friendly, & gracious with new people. Your parents sure did a great job raising you. 😁

[@NikkiDelventhal]

🥰🥰 thank you! I am SO LUCKY to have them! BIG HUGS!

[@kathleenj1158]

@@NikkiDelventhalyou're very welcome! Bigger hugs back! 😄🙋‍♀️🙏

[@dquanissavage6287]

Nikki Delventhal You Are Truly An Amazing Spirit!!🙌🙏❤️

[@andreaewert7204]

Loving you, Camper and your Dad's adventures!

[@jim6070]

Your father seems like a genuine good guy.

[@chiefenumclaw7960]

You might ask your mechanic about re-charging the battery OUTSIDE of the vehicle next time. Also, depending on how long the battery was dead, this can often times fry one of your modules. Good luck!

[@markorcutt7544]

Use your jackery it will work next time

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

Battery isolator.

[@charisma-hornum-fries]

I have an external charger. It's a lifesaver in freezing cold weather.

[@viviennepastor3188]

Love your videos. I particularly love your relationship with your dad. I never had a dad so I imagine that my father might have been like yours in another life. All your family are lovely and Camper is a star. My border collie, Dexter would love him.

[@shannonking6328]

I have read some bad things about Sprinter mechanical reliability. Van lifers in remote areas could end up with huge tow bills because there are fewer mechanics who can work on them. It's fortunate the heater issue happened in a warm climate. Even if this was ultimately not a Mercedes issue, I think there was a problem with it when she 1st moved into it as well. On another note, so nice to see your dad there with you. He has such an engaging personality.

[@lawrencehaley1084]

It's really cool you you fix meals and don't eat out much. I have bad anxiety problems and I have problems with processed food. I never eat out. I haven't in years

[@PatriceMaldague]

I agree with Pierre Paul and Kathy, nature is never disappointing 🌱. And there are only a few things on earth that share this quality: true friends, a good companion pet 🐶, a brand new AGM starter battery ⚡, a pair of pants with a printed bear 🐻 and Nikki's Delventhal vids 👸🏻❤

[@NikkiDelventhal]

HECK YES! =) HUGS!!!!!!

[@sammic974]

awesome!

[@Put-God-first-2024]

I like your videos. Your freedom and open mind impresses me. You do you and live your life wide open. Just please keep being smart and stay safe. I know your parents love getting to see you. Stay safe. Keep the content coming

[@RedPillTubes]

You seem like a wholesome woman Nikki, I wish you well in life.

[@Mdan7]

I ran a fleet of 400 Sprinters. Never want to see another one again. Expensive to service and they will need service quite often . I enjoy the channel!

[@johnbunkle3280]

Dan is just the funniest guy, the reflection in the bedroom mirror and saying hey nice jaw line! I actually laughed so hard I cried. Thank you Dan I needed a cheer up. Nicki I bet growing up was one laugh after another.

[@seviregis7441]

Papa Delventhal is so cute, funny man, very youthful spirit. Hope the place who loaned you the van are covering $$$ all those repairs...

[@NikkiDelventhal]

Luckily it was a Mercedes bad battery so it seems everything is under warrantee and with free road side assistance - and the heater, that was also just bad luck of a bad part and should be under warrantee!😅😅 AKA A TON OF BAD LUCK IN ONE DAY haha thank you he’s the best

[@seviregis7441]

If it had to happen, I’m glad you were covered and your dad was with you to help. Only the best for you, dear Nikki, and Camper, of course.

[@dianewalker9154]

I see that badassery runs throughout the family tree. Totally awesome!

[@DanDelventhal]

I so enjoy your videos young lady! : )

[@steveh5335]

Mr. Delventhal, You have a really lovely daughter & a great family. But I'm sure you already knew that. Thank you.

[@chriss172]

Ha love the kitchen knife for the carrots but I always laughed / liked watching your way of cutting them. Safe travels and thanks again for bringing all of us along on your adventures

[@Sailor-Dave]

Kinda makes you wish you were living in a bulletproof Prius again. The more complicated they are, the more things there are to break.

[@phabulouss1]

Your dad is precious! You have a lot of his grit. Yeah, baby! 🙌🏽

[@optimisticcosmic]

When it comes to hi-tech devices and automotives failing I always think of Jeff Goldblum "They were so preoccupied with whether they could they forgot to ask whether they should" 🦖

[@oceanwatersandblue]

Aww.. her dad is the sweetest.

[@warrend114]

the company that built your van needs to install a contactor that kills the connection to the car battery when the key is off.

[@Texasishot105]

I have a disconnect in my 1999 ambulance build, but I'm wondering how interrupting the computer system in a new vehicle would effect things. 🤔

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Warren D, this van is a loaner rental, while her new van is being converted.

[@warrend114]

@@Texasishot105 you install the contactor between the aux equipment and the battery, don’t change anything between the car batt and starter or car specific equipment

[@warrend114]

@@sergeantmasson3669 she needs to make sure her build has the contactor installed

[@DomingoAquino-vq5uy]

It’s such a true blessing to have both your parents alive and supporting everything you do that’s true love and true family bonding awesome inspirational stupendous keep on Truckin family. Thanks for all the innovation the Lord be with you guide you strengthen you. Keep you safe and keep you happy much love.

[@mygotiger]

I just realized, something we don't deserve but we need, a Dad Delventhal Vlog. I bet it will be amazing!

[@meredithheath5272]

( I see Dave's Bread in that cart!!! Live on that stuff - and it's shipped all over, apparently!! I'm from MA., and you have it on the West Coast!)

[@brianburkett7243]

Reasons I bought a Transit

[@BillySBC]

Exactly, those Sprinter vans are "Dodge" in name only, every single part is Mercedes, and you know what that means... FAILURE.

[@charlottehammond8975]

dude. flagstaff. so much forest camping, easy access to the city, all the major showering gym options. my dog and i were there for 3 weeks last year in our pimped out mail truck and after 3 years on the road, it was one of our fave places. also, pacifica, ca, if you ever get there. amazing.

[@philipsplinter1214]

The newer Mercedes and BMWs are notoriously unreliable. When you went with the Mercedes I was cringing

[@margiebrown7436]

I absolutely love Superstition Mountain… it was my daddy’s playground when he was a kid and we climbed it together for his 80th birthday before he passed away. Such wonderful memories. 🥰🥰🥰

[@kurtbrisch5776]

Your groceries wouldn't be so much if you didn't always shop at wholefoods or as I call it, Whole-paycheck.

[@melievel4201]

You are sooooo lucky 🍀 to have great mom and dad like yours. They are sooo cool 😎 lucky you❣️

[@suspicious_white_van]

Every time I think about upgrading the van, I decide that constant simplicity outweighs occasional luxury.

[@NikkiDelventhal]

I hear that! Tho I think there’s so many pros and cons & like today some real bad luck! Haha but it’s ok! Each rig I’ve had has had its little bugs, I had to fix the heat and brakes in my FWC, had to fix a ton in my prius, the tires on both van craft and Truevan rentals, and now a heat system part replace needed here, just the name of the game on the road I guess! I’m interested in doing a comparison after a few more months in my van after I get it! 🥳🥳🥳

[@edmu9799]

you so positive its contagious . don't forget to recharge .

[@rbailey225]

Born and raised in the Coachella Valley......love that you love our home!

[@cindyholt3808]

I love it Camper gets so much attention- he's such a jewel, little gentleman. I live it when he got a snack of bacon. Van troubles certainly suck, good luck with that heater. Can you get a little portable for now and run it off electric, maybe your jackery? Your dad is so funny!

[@cesmith48]

Your Dad is a hoot. What fun! Many people live on the road. My Cousin and her husband lived on the road for 10 yrs. She passed away and her husband purchased a house. He hated it and is back on the road.

[@southerngirlyall6497]

I had a 2018 Mercedes and got rid of it fast..... constantly having problems. Transmission was acting up. Very expensive vehicle to have so many issues. Would never get another MB. Others I talked to have had problems too! Hope you have better luck in the future.

[@name.terrie]

Soon all the bugs will be worked out. Happy trails and safe travels!

[@deniseapple1946]

Great to see you with your Dad and extended family!!! It was good you weren’t in freezing temperatures with a heat issue. Hope it didn’t take long for you to get it working.🙏😊

[@jmason61]

When I was new to the car camping life about 10 years ago I happened to roll into Quartzite during the spring show time & it's AWESOME! Tons of cool people & stuff & like the best weather in the whole USA in February....PS if you like some space you can camp real cheap waaay out in the back

[@Farbar1955]

First time I ever heard of Quartzite, AZ was in the 1980 book by William Hogan, "The Quartzite Trip" which is a great book. Now, whenever I hear the word Quartzite my ears perk up!

[@robertgwinn8406]

You got me car camping in a 2001 SubieCamper lol .. and I love it. I'm retired Oh my goodness.. prayers sent you and others safety. 🙏