SIMPLE Van Camper Conversion - Start to finish project build

Please know that this simple van conversion is within anyones capability. I have no previous experience with DIY projects, or van conversions and I managed to create this camper that I travelled round Europe in!
Watch my van travel series here - / watch
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[@jennymossa9492]

Alex, please make sure to turn your mattress over every now and then! With a flat surface under the mattress it can get musty and create mold. But you probably already know that. Love your videos! Greetings from Finland

[@LucieOvalx]

« Please » 😂

[@reinderblodnos8056]

Probably his mother.

[@nnaheim.]

​@@reinderblodnos8056Im his Daddy now 😮

[@kevlivinginabox]

I use slats to create the bed base

[@VelocityFishing-v1x]

Man. It’s crazy how much a person can inspire others. I’m currently starting up a freelance writing business, and you’ve been so influential to me. So thank you for that. I found you a week ago and in that week I’ve managed to binge all of your videos 😂

[@DaveyDays]

How's it going ?

[@brofessormex]

See I love that. I sure would love to have a writer work with me to talk about my van life in Mexico now

[@PungoGlenn]

Came for the Bees, Stayed for the Gardening, Subscribed for the Charming Wholesome Entertainment.

[@terrybullock3140]

I'm loving watching you admit that you've never done anything like this, or done any woodwork at all, but yet there you are, figuring it out like all the best self-taught people. This is exactly how it should be done. Well done indeed, mate

[@SvengelskaBlondie]

"using 3d modelling program to design interior" Totally approve of this, it's quite nice how you can design it without having to write it on paper. I quite love using blender for stuff like this, been playing around with designs for things.

[@joline2730]

Haven't watched this all yet, but I have just spent 4 months searching for the 'right' van, right mileage, right size, right year, right PRICE ‼️ and I know it's a nightmare out there, but once you understand the mechanics (pardon pun) of the pricing etc it gets easier ... I wanted to downsize from a big Tranny to a small, and newer van and I achieved both. Found a Vx Combo for £12k, but the dealer paid me £2k part exchange, so I only (🙄🙄) paid £10k. It's a Special Edition so I got SatNav, parking sensors, electric mirrors and rear camera ‼️👍💯 - I'm about as chuffed as you are with yours but 100k plus miles is a bit ott ... mine is a 19 plate and has 85k miles. Yours looks great ✔💯🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@cheza7061]

Alex you can get a sheet with magnets in the edges and it goes over your back door to stop any rain or just for privacy so it's like a tent over your back door, they are great. 😎🎣🐟

[@TeeMac68]

Literally just watched everything on your channel Alex. You are so easy to watch, your content is superb and your trip round Europe meeting random people has given me the idea for my next book so thank you! One of my favorite channels on the tube. Well done 👏. Tracy 🙂

[@csegobia75]

Me too 😊

[@barrygalbraith1836]

Alex, I really enjoyed watching your video. The best was all the headaches that happen which most other videos do not show. People think after watching some shows it's so easy to do it yourself. You showed everything, the easy, the not so easy, and the pain in the a## parts. Also you mentioned you had very little experience with power tools and that made it more challenging. All in all very educational, showing the reality of working a van from start to finish. Again, great job. Barry from Ct.

[@garhat]

I'm so happy to have discovered your channel, Alex, I think this is one the best van build series I've watched, explained so simply. Keep up the good work young fella.

[@just_alex]

Thanks for watching Gary!

[@lourdesmurilloquintana5123]

For someone without experience you did very well. I like the simplicity and practical use of the space.

[@joycehaines2055]

My husband and I were over the road truck drivers and lived pretty much same way. We used to crack front windows to prevent condensation. We also had vents on sleeper side. Glad to see you think of everything so young.

[@moneybox5733]

Alex, You've done a magnificient job for a non-tradesperson. Congratulations on your courage to take it on and again for the finished project. There's nothing more satisfying than creating a project such as this and getting to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Now just to add to Jenny's comment below, you should select a spade bit (drill) of perhaps 30mm and sink a series of holes through the plywood bed base because it will accumulate moisture very quickly and turn moldy. I am halfway through a similar conversion on a Hyundai iLoad and my layout is almost identical 😅

[@UkeCouldntMakeItUp]

Well done Alex, its nice to see a none professional having a go, makes the rest of us inspired to do it too,

[@danielsteiner7180]

I hardly ever leave a comment after watching those kinds of videos but this one deserves more than just a thumb up. Here, talents have come to light that you yourself had not previously known about. You have created the showpiece of a thought out, well planned, and nicely built mini camper. Hats off to a "novice"!

[@bellebramwell1232]

Just found you, your smile when you said you just bought a van made my heart happy.. I am also camper van fying my Nissan NV200... New subscriber here

[@garulusglandarius6126]

The work you personally did on this project was much more than acceptable ( love your van ) I’ve seen many cases of so called qualified professionals work and it’s nowhere near as good as yours. Watching your channel I can’t help but think that you have an extremely good understanding of everything you do very soon after you have started something new. You consistently show us that you always become good at anything that interests you and you’re a great problem solver 👍👍

[@tamararummel2027]

Alex, you did a great job on your conversion and made it look easy. I'd like to suggest that you install a Maxx air fan in your ceiling for ventilation, especially while cooking.

[@Castrowoodworks]

Wow! I am very impressed with your conversion, considering you didn’t know anything about building stuff, congratulations. Hope to see more videos from you.🎉

[@alexesdohr6485]

Love the build. I would be very careful about the sikaflex on the roof. I’m In Australia and someone was killed with a solar panel flying if a home converted camper van roof it had only been stuck down. Use a roof rack or similar that is sturdy. Enjoy your travels.

[@hardartcustoms4804]

Amazing work Alex, I’m from the UK too and will be going on a road trip of my own across the US, and am thinking of doing a similar thing. I hope to buy a van or a larger car but not to fully convert it as I plan on selling it at the end of my journey and I don’t have the time even if I wasn’t as I’m only there for a couple of months. However I will want to make it live-able and will be implementing some of the basics of what you have done. Thank you and keep up the good work. 👌

[@just_alex]

Best of luck with all of that, sounds amazing! :)

[@simplysam8193]

Great video Alex ! Im doing a similar conversion to my caddy maxi now too. I think the level of satisfaction you get from doing the work yourself is all part of the journey. I had a few questions about electronics and you’ve helped answer those with this video so thanks 👍🏼👍🏼

[@just_alex]

Great! Glad it was helpful!

[@jodiepeach8454]

Your sense of curiousity and awe and creativity is inspiring

[@jackalyncorn9769]

You’re adorable! So proud of you for learning all this stuff and doing it (mostly) yourself!

[@hodgerobson1247]

Just before I started growing veg I found your channel and now I’m about to start converting a van I find you have done it too. Thanks so much for your videos, you’re a kindred spirit mate.

[@symcardnel1741]

Excellent job top to bottom. Love that everything was your first time and you showed brilliantly how doable everything is/was. Think your gonna eventually want: - a roof fan towards the rear so as to suck air from the slightly opened driver and passenger door windows - some flexible magnetized screen material again for the driver and passenger door windows and maybe the rear or side openings - another nice touch is a couple of 'rigged up' grommeted rain fly tarps for over your rear and side openings for when it's raining

[@barryevans9691]

Great job and video When you use a skill saw the blade show only come out 4-6mm out the bottom of the board for safer neater cleaner cuts ! And a tip tight turns with the jigsaw The best blades are Bosch T101AO on no1 oscillation, low dust & clean cuts Welcome to carpentry. ;-

[@MattBeardless]

A quick note on cooking in the van - the other thing with that being carbon monoxide. You'd probably be wise to get an alarm in there along with the vent if you haven't already just to avoid the kind of side effects carbon monoxide inhilation can cause. Either way, it's good inspiration for me to do a bit more with my 9K Caddy.

[@donevans1884]

That was a fantastic conversion you did there Alex , what a superb job you did , you should be so so very proud .

[@GPH2474]

Great admiration for this young man, going solo has made you blossom. Look forward to the next.

[@happydays9613]

Glad you like your van conversion as it is about what 100% works for you. You did well on a low budget. Personally I don't like the set up, more so inside, but commend you for doing something that works for you. I do like the storage system the draw. Keep doing you! Trial and error car or van camping. Stay blessed.

[@andrewmason7207]

brilliant mate, got me thinking now, something i should have done at your age to. love camping and fishing, lovind your programme

[@80gam]

Really impressive, great achievement…just need to catch up on the tour! 👏

[@sun6v546]

Wow ......Wow........Wow...... its sooooooooooooo wonderful , Mate . Keeeeepppppppp going please...... ....lots of love from Bangalore India.

[@therealsirdj5934]

Listen bro: I am 24 as well and just learned how to use a angle saw... I also wanna build my own camper... now fortunatetly a good friend already was kind enough to offer me a helping hand (and she's way better at handling those things then I am) but yeah: I currently try to find the car I wanna use, but I am stoked!

[@45DidDid]

Always useful to have a very cheap tarpaulin, connected with magnets. In fact magnets are useful for many things.

[@Leon-qh9br]

thank you for this I am a climber older than u I learned about outdoors late in life I paid off my car and can't wait til my apartments lease is up and want a van

[@Nathan-xx7wk]

another brilliant video, Another consistent 9am upload. A lot of appreciation for the dedication keep up the great work !

[@Alan-m3z]

Great job . Good to see a younger person learning on the job. Ps Rustins Danish oil is the way to go in future projects. Dries quickly, low odour once dry and excellent waterproof finish 👍

[@chrish3305]

This is a stunningly well thought out and constructed build! Very, very impressive. It’s a credit to you. Thank you for sharing

[@rodlawrence5946]

I like any content where people are just videoing their day and of course fishing.

[@luci75d76]

Don’t worry Alex. You spend worthy money on tools , are good brand , and trust me you need it for new hives. Later on you will do our self your own bee hives or some parts for it for example the honey supper , the lids which are easy to do and no need to buy it ....remember we have a saying between bee keepers : “ “every bee keeper is a carpenter as well””. Sooner or later if you expand with your bee hives you will do your own hives. You don’t need many tools to do so ! Give some search on KZbin on how to build , pass over the fear of using the circular saw , and trust your self ! 😊

[@jackcollison4197]

Awesome job mate, inspiring the average Joe to give it a go 👏

[@judgejidge]

Doing these builds yourself gives you a sense of accomplishment.

[@thebigmann81]

I prefer the double door vs the tailgate door. My reasoning is many tailgates don't open from the inside but the double doors does open from the inside. There maybe some tailgates that do open from inside but the ones I've used did not.

[@Mitudom]

This clip was awesome, very inspiring. i've been watching over a hundred clips, but your clip was easy to understand how the beginner learned from it 😀 i have dreaming of having the small camper van like this for a long time, Thanks for sharing 👍 😊👌🙏🏻🙏🏻🥰

[@virginiaroberts3367]

Well done! You took an intelligent approach to make your van comfortable. We live and learn from our mistakes. When I was camping in my old van I just threw my camping gear in the back and headed for country to find a perfect camping spot.

[@BassRTA84]

So cool to see the whole build from start to finish. Only extra things I would have added, would of been a mini extractor under the cupboard. Would bee cool to have an awning made for it too

[@sampennant6585]

With using your gas burner in the van and heating it up I would highly suggest you look into portable induction tops, more direct heat output and also the added safety of no open flames, have used both and it does take a little getting use to but not much. I do love your series so I say all this supportively, I think it's tipped me over towards buying a van and getting started at the right time so thank you!

[@auzzieaustin4946]

Great to see the start to finish and costings for the van coversion... U should be very proud of yourself mate. Inspiring 👍🏼😊

[@mgharvey3657]

That is something to be proud of. It works and is functional. Well done 👏 ✔ 👍

[@architennis]

Fantastic presentation and you did a great job of building the camper conversion for someone with no woodworking experience. Very inspiring! I'm in the USA starting to look for a used Honda Odyssey minivan. We don't have the VW Cabby or Transporter over here. I'm looking forward to designing and building the camper conversion. I figure the electrical will boggle my mind as well. :)

[@Hunzavlogs.]

I searched and found your video just because i m planning for the same 😊

[@jannyoh1056]

Also super new to power tools, thank u for such a detailed and transparent video:) I think a lot of ppl will love seeing this vid

[@martianleaderrichy1520]

Been watching since the time you were looking for a van and I've enjoyed all your videos and I love the integration of cooking, fishing and meeting other people on your trips etc. So relaxing to sit back, watch and chill after long days at work. You are an inspiration to so many people. Keep up the great work and loving the life you're having 🙌 Thank you and now subscribed 😃👍

[@just_alex]

Thanks so much, appreciate your comment!

[@ModernMessiah]

That's amazing. Congrats 👏 you did a really good job explaining everything too.

[@brendag2216]

Awesome, I love what you've accomplished. I can't wait to start my journey. You have inspired me to finally move forward with my build, great job.

[@jasmijnariel]

3:44 oh i have the cruise control and the automatic distance/braking option (dont know the name) and it is such a massive plus if you do a lot of miles😍

[@sturoe7361]

Great work Alex , the caddy is a great little van and with that milage it is just getting run in. I will say I was quite surprised you never considered the Nissan nv200 van as a base.

[@InsideOutVirtualTours]

Vantastic ;);) I bought a vw transporter (2007 model) With the same idea converting to a camper. Seeing this vid has taken some of the worries out of it. Gone down a different route for power. Just bought a Bluetti power bank whilst it was on sale, as I plan to power some astronomy kit as well so my wiring will be a lot more simple (just to a socket) also looking at solar. But not looking forward to drilling wholes in my van 😵‍💫. Anyway great vid. Cheers 🍻

[@michaeltravels6574]

Great Video! Some amazing life lessons learnt and something you will cherish for a long time to come! Good luck and happy adventures!

[@neildickinson740]

Loved the video, well done 🙌🏼 thanks for the inspiration

[@jwestrik9308]

Nice detail. And yes, you can subtract the costs of the tools from this project because any proper bloke would need to have those tools anyway...

[@Penguinishy]

Feels like we just got started on your trip, and its already over. Hoping you embrace the stye more and do longer trips.

[@berrycommercialcleaning9864]

what a lovely chap!

[@rtshort]

Very nice van, especially since it's your first attempt. I like it a lot and have enjoyed your journey. Looking forward to more.

[@just_alex]

Thanks Robert!

[@niko_puma3708]

You should consider bringing your van over to @Project Kamp and visiting them for a bit.

[@megbowyer6436]

Brilliant job and thanks for documenting your journey. About to build some cupboards and benches in my van. Got the bed built just need to push on with the other stuff.

[@carlahargrove7278]

Thank you for showing by example how this can be done. Living Life OutLoud is the Best! 💫Lead2Gold!⭐

[@PeterPanbe]

I just bought a jumpy and I’ll be following your tips. Somebody help me! 😂👀😂

[@futeditzz5826]

You posted again! Thanks so much for making this and awesome job keep up cause i wouldnt survive without your videos😅❤👏👏👍👌🙏💪💪🤩😅

[@davidescuotto5683]

Nice for fishing in the top lake🎣😎

[@stevensouthward]

Morning.. Like the time of these.. Vids popping out.. Good watch b4 bed after the night shift and School run

[@dirtybiker420]

Great video Alex, I'm about to embark on converting my own van and you have given me lots of ideas keep up the great content from a fellow fisherman, mushroom nerd and beekeeper 👍

[@aMinivanLife]

Really great video! Thanks for inspiration on what to do with the space between the bed and the wall!

[@HomesteadAce]

Very inspiring! 👍

[@Kev5565]

Sikaflex make windscreen adhesive so it can be very strong, windscreens in modern cars form part of the structure so it has to be good. I maybe wouldn't have sanded the paint for it though. Good video and interesting as I might try this myself.

[@deepseamedia5004]

You have such a ann easy going personality and are so natural as you teach and inspire. Congratulations in learning so much and on creating a space that you can use to reach your dream.

[@AMG63]

Great video Alex 👏 Can I just add the sheets were 2400 x 1200 (8ft × 4ft) not 2400 x 1800

[@jonathanfrankfeldt8767]

Inspiring! Also very informative, due to the amount of mistakes you made along the way. Very brave to post this. Im really happy im doing my own research before spending all that money it requires to build.

[@rramirez19]

You can retrofit cruise control if you feel like you need it mate. Great videos btw

[@neglectedloves]

this is an amazing conversion and I just like your honesty in the trial and error of achieving your goal. So well done! Have you ever thought about an active heating system? 🙏🏻

[@just_alex]

Yeah a heating system would be cool. Lots of people saying I should get a diesel heater. Although I won’t be using my van for camping much in the winter.

[@neglectedloves]

@@just_alex on the other hand you never know where your adventures are taking you (remember John Lennons saying) 😀

[@LUNITADEMIEL1]

Congratulations, from wishing to doing and enjoying it! Beautiful ¡ congratulations Again Alex

[@luzrodriguez5773]

Thanks for this video. Very informative

[@bencook3430]

Mint, nice clean lines, did yourself proud!

[@cobraspottedwolf8791]

This is one of the best van build videos I have ever watched!

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@keremozel3946]

Great Job. I really enjoyed the video!

[@terencephilipstrydom4838]

Thank you for a great video!❤ Great detail! I want to build one too!

[@jamesparmar4303]

Superb job

[@liamwebb9638]

Hi Alex , thank you for doing this video, I would love to do this one day , all the best Alex with your youtube channel

[@just_alex]

Thanks Liam!

[@davidbailey6230]

Nice work man. The bolt on the drawer is called a tower bolt.

[@JamesDownes]

Hay Alex. When you go to your van next. When going to unlock it, instead of taping the unlock button hold it down see what happens 😉 hold lock to reverse. You'll see.

[@RajTarek07]

You did very good job 👍

[@joshporter5459]

Well done!

[@kennethstensrud669]

You have done a tremendous job with this convertion, and it is even better that you haven't had any experiense in building anything in wood. I think that you should take a trip to Norway, and then you are welcome to visit me.... 🙂.

[@DunceInAwhile]

Very good job for your first real go at DIY! Very good, indeed!

[@halvard3755]

Great video. I enjoyed it very much.

[@alysondixon9394]

Well done. ❤

[@GovindSoniDotCom]

nice to see your journey

[@davidspencer4893]

You will end up cooking inside the weather isn't always perfect.👍