How I Built My Minivan Camper | After Three years, Full-time

[@claudiaharris2873]

That looks great! I’m in awe you built that alone and without power tools. Good job. I have the same van. I asked my nephew - who is an engineer with a shop full of tools - to build me a bed that folds in half. Lol. He returned my van fully built out. Surprise! He said he just got carried away. It’s amazing!

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Wow! That’s amazing, congrats and enjoy!!!!

[@Debrajoy]

Wow what an amazing gift! 💜

[@1sthawkfeathers547]

What a wonderful gift ❤❣❤

[@miriam43899]

I’d love to see what he came up with

[@wellnative1]

Wow, what a cool nephew!

[@tarek3702]

What I like about this build is you admit your mistake in a funny way. Lol great build

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Hahaha, yep. No problems laughing at myself 😅. Thanks!

[@fire58372001]

Hello, I saw your video & I used to do a lot of trailer & truck camping. Let me pass on some things that I learned that might help you in your journey. 1) Get stuff you need at a camping store for backpacking. It's small, compact, & light weight. 2)Get splash guards for your truck. It'll help keep you & your rig clean. They work. I know. Also grease your ball & the cup on your hitch. This will help prevent metal on metal grinding. 3) When parking for the night, park headlong into the wind. That way if a storm comes you won't have to worry about a side wind ripping off your camper shell. Plus, if anything comes bouncing towards the truck, since you have a slimmer profile, it might miss you. If it does hit, the front of the truck is reinforced. 4) Use bug spray on the interior doors & windows/ screens openings to help keep bugs out. Use wasp & hornet spray around & on your tires to help keep critters out. Basically, all points of contact on the ground. 5) An inch is a lot of room. Learn how to stack & get used to sand & dirt. Use floor mats to put your shoes on too 6)Air out your sleeping area every morning or often. In an enclosed space the air gets stale. 7)Use a small fan to circulate the air in your sleeping area. This will help prevent hot & cold spots from forming & help prevent condensation & mold & mildew from forming. 8)Use a solid hooded sweatshirt. Draw the hood tight when you sleep to help encapsulate body heat. It can double as a pillow/ dirty clothes holder/ gear carrier. I hope this helps. Great vid, thanks for sharing. Drive safe. 🤠

[@terryinkster]

Thanks for the tips.

[@sorted.1235]

I love this so much. I have spend HUNDREDS of hours putzing and cutting and fitting and regretting and redoing all kinds of bonkers ideas-without-plans for my Caravan. I felt in good company going along on this one with you. Take care, fellow wanderer.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Hahaha, that's awesome. Glad I'm not the only one! Happy trails!

[@jones3171]

Guys, I have two words for you. POPULAR MECHANICS, Some winter evening and begin to read this magazine. After 5 to 10 hours you both will know how to plan, design and purchase the right tools to build WHATEVER you want. Why putz and mismeasure and re-do and sweat if you would think while you drink your morning coffee and write a list of what you need and go to HD and get a guy to help you plan and cut and fit. He might actually show you how to 'measure twice, cut once' - that's the first law of building a cabinet that fits.... you are embarrassing to 'handy guys' everywhere! SIGNED A woman who actually knows how to plan, measure and cut!

[@Debrajoy]

Man, I think you did an awesome job! It would have been a lot easier if you could have stayed in one place to do it all. I love that plywood! I'm going to do my 2003 Honda Odyssey. It doesn't have stow and go, it does have a bench seat that comes out in the back. I have a friend who could do all of this for me, but he's refusing. Oh well, I'll get it done! I lived in my camper van for two and a half years! I should Not have sold him! I'm an urban camper in Southern California and I don't cook! 🤣 Good job sweetie! From A 67-year-old female! 💜

[@stephaniesimmons-ashorobi3314]

Ryan you have done a wonderful job in you diy.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Thank you so much!

[@Hunter357mag]

If you buy a battery operated saw-get a jigsaw, not a circular saw. Usable for so many more things as well as straight cuts. That being said, major props for the build and how you did it all!

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Thank you! I totally will, that’s a great suggestion and makes so much sense.

[@Hunter357mag]

@@RyanKodakBrown I used mine on all the holes in the skin-roof, walls, and floor. If you clamp some kind of straight edge down, it does a good job at straight lines on plywood too-just don't go too fast.

[@fallout_jesus]

Good stuff Ryan!

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Thank you!

[@ragtoprenee2437]

Turned out nice, Whew! Coffee looked so good too, I could almost smell the aroma. Happy trails to you!

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Thank you and happy trails to you as well!

[@kimjones1848]

Love the van built. Looks so cozy

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Thank you! It feels as cozy as it looks 😊

[@johnsimpson8198]

Great video man, a lot of sawing but I love the simplicity

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Thanks 👍

[@grayquill2]

You are super impressive. No laziness in you! Great job.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Haha, a little laziness sometimes but thank you!

[@marymcquaid7291]

What a good-natured guy. Glad it worked out so well.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Thank you 😊

[@susanstrickland6774]

Nice job, especially with a hand saw and drill. 👍 All you need to be comfortable. 😊👍

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Thank you! It really is all I need 🤠

[@charlottegunning1548]

Enjoyed watching your build. Thank you! Safe n happy travels

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video ✌️

[@padude131]

Hey kodak, that's a lot of work with no power saw! Good job, looks nice! Take care buddy!!

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Hi Buddy! It really was a lot! Especially cutting the birch plywood. That stuff is hard. Hope you’re not too snowed in over there!

[@padude131]

@@RyanKodakBrown Just a bit! We got 10" Sunday into Monday!

[@kodithebear]

Looks awesome dude! Job well done.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Thank you!!!

[@DestinationsChronicles]

Pilot holes, before screwing, would have kept that wood for the cabinet from splitting.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Yeah, I did for most of the project but was in a rush there 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@zone4garlicfarm]

A countersink bit would have helped, too. Even with a pilot hole the screw head can act like a lilttle splitting wedge.

[@posteroonie]

I did the woodwork for my minivan with a jigsaw. For straight cuts I clamped a guide board to the board getting cut. A jigsaw was more useful than a circular saw for minivan-length cuts because I could use it to cut out the circle for my sink and other non-straight cuts, and it handled the straight cuts well too. And the variable speed was nice -- do circular saws have variable speed these days? With a metal blade I also cut copper pipe with the jigsaw to rig up some electrical terminals. A jigsaw and a drill, that's it for power tools.

[@Debrajoy]

That is good to know sweetie I'm sure I can borrow those from a neighbor for my 2003 Honda Odyssey conversion. 💜

[@RyanKodakBrown]

That’s awesome and, just from hearing you talk about it, I’m sure it came out really nice! I’ve no idea if circular saws come in variable speeds but it sounds like a jigsaw is the way to go. Thanks for sharing.

[@posteroonie]

@@RyanKodakBrown Another factor is that jigsaw blades are very easy to swap out. I got a 5-blade pack ($10-15) with a coarse blade that's OK for 2x4's, medium blades for plywood, and a metal blade. I can put in the right blade for the job in 10 seconds, and the little blades aren't a storage problem. And thanks, I love how my minivan is set up now, but the jigsaw has more work to do with improvements, now that I realize that I enjoy some casual building. :)

[@jeffnorbert1871]

No full-size circular saws have variable speed.

[@bc5001]

That was quite entertaining. Great job. Thank you for sharing.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@msanabria8159]

Will keep in touch....😁🙃. Dont know when but I will get my van.

[@user-mb4se6km5p]

That's a sweet way to build. Right now I have a full length about 2 ft wide going down behind my driver's seat. I also took out my passenger seat which gives me a lot more room up front. But I think I may redo my build after seeing your video.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

That’s awesome, glad you found some inspiration in it ✌️. I thought about pulling the front seat out but decided against it. Good thing, too…. Anyways, good luck with the rebuild!

[@braxtonsmith471]

Diggin the bandanna in the back pocket

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Hahaha. Always!!!!

[@OhHapppyDaay]

I love all of this. Maybe if you don't saw so fast you won't get tired. JK, I know how exhausting sawing by hand is and I reeeeeeally respect that you didn't give in even after having to re-cut so many times. You're awesome and make me feel like I can go ahead and re-build my Prius V cubby in a stealth place with minimal tools.

[@dorang5156]

👍 well done

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Thank you!

[@julieince6869]

Great job! You really have a lot of storage.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Thank you!

[@ExploringTheWestCoast]

Hey Ryan, watching you cut that ply with a small hand saw was exhausting!..lol. Instead of getting a circular saw next time, I suggest a jigsaw. You'll be able to cut rounded corners, holes(with the aid of a drill), and straight cuts. Plus, a jig will take up slightly more space to store in the van. I'm currently ...and slowly rebuilding our van..van build 2.0. 90% of my cutting is with a jig. 🤙

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Hahaha, I’m glad it looked as tiring as it felt! A jigsaw is a great idea and I’ll prolly go that route. Thanks for the tip and good luck with the van rebuild!

[@ExploringTheWestCoast]

Meant to say the jig takes up "slightly less space"...not more.

[@lyseanthony7986]

Good job on the conversion. I’m impressed you did it without power tools or the use of a shop.

[@valerief1231]

Do you love it??? From my perspective it looks so much more organized, AND you gave your guns a good workout!

[@RyanKodakBrown]

I do love it! And that's exactly why. It feels even more like a home now. My "guns" certainly got a workout!!

[@lifewithpugwinkle]

You are a very determined young man. I think I would have been cursing a lot with everything you had to go through in order to get it built the way you wanted it. I'll be sticking to a no build I think. :)

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Hahaha, thank you very much. The hardest part was actually filming everything! 😂 No build is great, especially starting out to figure out what you’d even want.

[@terryinkster]

Great video!

[@kristinebrousseau8626]

Ryan, where oh where did you get that bean grinder? coffee is the elixir of life, Love this channel, so glad i found you. Presently waitng for snow to stop, for my build, YES its MICHIGAN snow, im an old disabled lady with big,,,,,,, #beAlls, taking on this project. thank you for your banging presentation.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

I bought it in some store in Phoenix or Tucson, can't remember which at the moment though! It's this one though: amzn.to/3SnynkK Coffee really is the elixir of life! Love the way you said this. Hope the snow stops soon, good luck and enjoy!!!

[@terryinkster]

I’m looking for inspiration! Bout to get a ford mini van and make it my mobile habitat.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Nice! I wish you the best of luck outfitting your habitat!

[@charlesdecload4980]

Looking good, just too much fun

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Always!

[@TheAntiqBoutiq]

Get a tape measure next time you go to HD. Measure twice, cut once. You’re welcome. Also plan so they can do your cuts.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Oh I measured twice maybe even thrice but not everything in vehicles is so simple. I didn't anticipate the curvature of the trunk and went with a different maxim: it's easy to cut more off but not so easy to add it back. They did make a couple cuts for me. I just wasn't sure what I wanted at the time.

[@TheJoyfulEye]

How nice it looks at the end! But getting there was so ----- real. Your video made me laugh because I've been there so many times. I guess it's just the common human experience. For some reason makes me think of "Three Men in a Boat to Say Nothing of the Dog" by Jerome K. Jerome.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Hahahaha. Even more common when I don't properly plan things out and just wing it! ✌️

[@gapeach51170]

So , I am exhausted after watching that! 😁 But you have a new subscriber.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Haha, thank you! It was indeed tiring 😮‍💨

[@angelaomni6919]

👍wow - good job - will be following along - what size is the water jugs n where to buy - im looking for 4 containers to hold about 7 or more gallons ✌️

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Thanks! I bought ‘em from Walmart and they are 6 gallons each, I believe. They have a few different shapes and sizes available.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

You can buy slightly nicer ones in other shops like REI or Sportsman’s Warehouse as well. Some are 7gals too and come with “better” spouts.

[@angelaomni6919]

@Ryan Kodak Brown thanks - will be looking for them

[@septemberhawks8913]

Great video! I have a question for you -- or any solo VanLifer. Why do you leave the front passenger seat in? I've watched a LOT of van conversion videos and I've never seen anyone remove that seat but it seems like it takes up a lot of useable space. Thanks!

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Mostly because it’s nice to ride with a friend on occasion or pickup a hitchhiker. It’s been worth the loss of space, especially now that I’ve met someone who is moving in soon…

[@marieesposito9145]

This is what my 18yr old granddaughter wants to do to her mom's van for a spring trip she is planning. If I had a van I would love for her to do it, she could easily take turns storing the seats/wood platform in the garage, by the way what did you do with your seats out in the wilderness?

[@RyanKodakBrown]

That’s awesome and I really hope her mom lets her! I have a friend in the area who let me store them in his shed.

[@tomtafola4518]

Wow this is so inspiring man this video so we'll done I am going to do the same to my van and hit the road can ask you for some tips

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Hell yeah! Enjoy!

[@tomtafola4518]

Jajaja your video so much fun watching it

[@gracecallowayable]

Wow!!! Awesome!!!👠🚌👠

[@jimmy_iKoN]

My shoulder hurts just watching this video

[@alvinmousseau1100]

Great video

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@JS-wl3gi]

Hope you sell them sto in go seat, sure some one some where needs them

[@RyanKodakBrown]

I haven't, in case I decide to sell it and get a bigger van.

[@ShellieSager]

Great build! I’ve been looking for a coffee grinder like that. Do you remember what brand it is?

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Thank you! It's a Hario: amzn.to/3NLy4xn

[@quidestveritas8713]

What is that coffee maker? So very cool!!

[@RyanKodakBrown]

It's an Aeropress! It makes such good coffee and is super easy to clean. amzn.to/37f3awx They make a compact, travel version as well (it hadn't been released when I bought mine): amzn.to/3M63iNQ

[@1sthawkfeathers547]

Very nice Ryan. I have a 2017 DGC that I am not ready to do quite this much too, yet, however, this is so inspiring ❤. Very basic yet gives so much room ! Great job man. Were your arms tired at end of day ? I've been in situations like that. But now I know the stores will cut and I have lucked out from time to time and found boards already the size I needed. Happy Travels from Florida Meema and Jessi Beagle ❤🕊❤

[@RyanKodakBrown]

I lived in it quite comfortably for years before building it out, I’m sure you’ll love it and have a great time regardless! My arms were so tired! Good luck and enjoy your travels as well. ✌️

[@twootters7433]

I live in pa too!!

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Nice! What part of the state?

[@J0mama1]

You may want to think about disabling your rear airbags.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Funny you mention this cause the front driver airbag just disabled itself....

[@J0mama1]

@@RyanKodakBrown that's ironic 🤣

[@RyanKodakBrown]

🤨….😂

[@uol1051]

Just curious. How long has it been since they offered "shop" in U.S. public schools?

[@RyanKodakBrown]

No idea. I didn’t know they stopped teaching shop class!

[@robmartin217]

Great Video....what do you suggest for winter heating?....sound safe sleep....

[@RyanKodakBrown]

That's a tough one and I still haven't found an ideal solution aside from driving somewhere warm 😉 The Little Buddy heater works okay, the small one especially, but you burn through 1lbs tanks quickly and it's tough to hook the little one to a bulk tank. I'll try one of these next: amzn.to/3ESYGrO Seems like a nice little option that one of my subscribers recommended. You can always just run the heater of the van for a bit, too. It's the best for temporary situations but not ideal if you're rooted all winter of course.

[@papiezguwniak]

genius thing with those seats out for storage. what van is it? I can't see in the video?

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Yeah, the stow-and-go offers SOO much room. It's a Dodge Grand Caravan

[@papiezguwniak]

@@RyanKodakBrown dude how did you repurpose them?

[@RyanKodakBrown]

How did I repurpose what?

[@papiezguwniak]

@@RyanKodakBrown the seats. Did you keep them for something?

[@RyanKodakBrown]

@@papiezguwniak Oh! No, I stored them for a while at a friends house but recently got rid of 'em.

[@bindiberry6280]

Freedom for Americans!!! I love it!!!

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Freedom indeed! I'm not sure where your from but I recently moved to Europe and am surprised at how many van lifers are here as well!

[@tomtafola4518]

Hey where do you buy you coffee makers n window shades

[@RyanKodakBrown]

I made the window shades and bought the coffee maker, an aero press, from a store. Not sure which one.

[@brianmcquarrie447]

you inspire me. : )

[@RyanKodakBrown]

☺️

[@randyhall6744]

Great job. Im starting on the same project. Curious when you use the Buddy Heater, I'm assuming you leave the front windows cracked a little? If so, how far?

[@RyanKodakBrown]

A had to crack them a bunch when I was in Flagstaff. It’s over 7,000ft, though, so low oxygen to begin with. I’ve had friends say they won’t even operate much higher than that in parts of Colorado for instance. Good luck with the build!

[@randyhall6744]

@@RyanKodakBrown Thank you Kodak!!

[@ladislaoortiz8420]

Given the weight you removed . Did you make a comparison on gas mileage saved ?

[@RyanKodakBrown]

I didn’t notice a difference. With the wood I added, I don’t think the weight changed much.

[@Cleanyourroom-yv1te]

Nice build! Looks like you’re in Arizona ?

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Belgium now but, you’re right, I was! No better place to be really in the winter.

[@Debrajoy]

Oceanside California is the place to be! :-) 💜

[@RyanKodakBrown]

I pedaled through Oceanside a few years ago on a bike tour. It’s a beautiful place, for sure. Hows vanlife there?

[@bigdaddysilver5048]

Great vid bro, but im a builder by trade and I can just see in a couple places how you made life difficult for yourself in this vid, hope you learn cheers man

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Thanks man. I’m no pro, that’s for sure, but I know enough to get by (to be dangerous one might say!)

[@johanlorentzon4963]

A $15 saw will save you a lot of effort compared to a $5 one.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Yeah, I bet it would. My primary concern was size which is why I bought what I did! Trying to store a larger saw that I don’t use often… Got enough in here as it is!

[@serenityjewel]

Dude, after watching this, I went and bought a jigsaw. I don't know what I'm doing, I've never made anything in my life, but I do know I don't want to saw as much as you're sawing in this video.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Hahaha, a jigsaw will make the task SOO much more enjoyable!

[@bajimenez]

This may be a dumb question, but what did you do with your seats?

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Not a dumb question at all! 😊 I have a friend in that area who let me store them in his shed.

[@dsmck70]

You remind me of a young Tom Green.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

Hahaha, he lives in a truck camper or something now, right?

[@dsmck70]

@@RyanKodakBrown yes, he lives in a van last I heard

[@tomtafola4518]

Jajajajajaja I love your ideas

[@deboraward1574]

What did you do with the seats ?

[@RyanKodakBrown]

I have a friend in the area who let me store them in his shed!

[@jessejames586]

It would have been easier to cut if you used a larger saw.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

It would have been even easier to cut if I used a circular saw....

[@SaritaDevi-uh1fh]

Hahaha you know what you doing lol

[@alvashoemaker8536]

...did you say, "Home Depot made the cuts...?". WHY wouldn't The Home Depot in Baytown (Tx) NOT do that for me...?! GRRrr... HOME DEPOT!! 🤔 😑👎😄👣

[@Debrajoy]

Our Lowe's here will also do it!

[@RyanKodakBrown]

They wouldn’t cut it for you?!!! How dare they! Maybe they were feeling lazy that day?

[@1sthawkfeathers547]

Home Depots in Florida do any cuts you want. And sometimes you can luck out and find boards the size of his front 2 already cut, although they may not be as nice as those. Good job.

[@jonthebru]

It's hard to do what you did! Hand tools out in the boonies.

[@RyanKodakBrown]

It's difficult remodeling anything, especially when you live in it!

[@miltonleon1209]

Nightmare on van life street.