Surviving Van life

[@gretabullock]

I vote for seeing you build out a new sprinter so we can use all your tutorials on our van! I just stayed up way too late watching many of your vlogs. Loved them all! When Skye gets better, we should have a puppy get together!

[@shaunwilkens]

Definitely on the puppy get together and definitely on the new sprinter build! Thanks for checking these vids out Greta. Which van did you guys get?

[@gretabullock]

We got a 2019 Sprinter 144 High Roof (not 4x4). It is a blank slate in the back...no floor or insulation or windows!

[@bowrepublik]

Would love to see some videos on how you shoot your videos as well as editing tips. I'm a plumber and have been toying with the idea of starting a channel and frankly have already atempted to film one video but seemed so terrible I can barely watch the clips my self let along post it. Your production quality seems above average so would love to see / hear how you do it . Thanks. PS I've liked and subbed PPS I own a NV200 for my plumbing van. Bought it off a kid who lived out of it for 6 years. Took me about 30 hours to turn it back in to a cargo van. Only remnant is the fan on the roof. PS he was 6' the matress was 6'2" so comfortable I kept it. It's in my son's room for when he needs mom or dad to sleep in the same room as him so he can fall asleep. Worked out great. Pppss we installed the HS2000 van heater in our garage. If it can keep a 24'X21'X8' garage up to +5 in -38C temperatures it seems pretty darn Stout. Though runs though propane like a drunk through booze.. anyways great vids!

[@jagerjf01]

Great to hear from you again. Goodluck Skye!

[@shaunwilkens]

Thanks so much!

[@womswilkens1428]

What a great vlog!! Inspiring!! Love that "thriving" spirit, despite all the setbacks!!

[@shaunwilkens]

Thanks! Definitely have lots to be grateful for

[@Vanisl4runner1]

Hey Shaun, I’m a certified mechanic and I’d go Chevy! Their problems are easier to deal with then ford. Unless you can get yourself into a transit van, then go transit. That’s what I did. Also, why have you not considered Dodge? My last van was a 1980 Dodge Camper van. It was a beast and also very reliable. After purchasing it, redoing the interior, doing the body work, and fixing a couple mechanical things, I was in it for about 6000$ CAD. Love your videos man, and if you ever get up to Vancouver island, give me a jingle, would love to have a beer and a hike with you.

[@shaunwilkens]

This is good info! When I get around to making the video, I’ll include dodge as well

[@Blue-rf3rc]

Sky.....get well soon dear.....

[@ThisbeandPyramus]

My favorite videos ALWAYS feature the dog. Hope she's completely healed soon...

[@shaunwilkens]

Thanks! We’re working on it

[@jonnylong]

Why on earth did I not get notified that you put up a new blog? I'm suing YT. You are definitely a thriver, keep doing your thing. Can't wait to see Skye running and leaping in forested areas again. I vote for seeing a buildout for under $5,000!

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Friends are everything when we’re up OR down. Great content. Great attitude. Peace.

[@angeljia3506]

What’s the component that caused the electric fire? I would love to see a video on safety for having electric and gas in vans. What’s most likely to cause fire and how to prevent it!

[@davidwoods5095]

I like your plan to sell and do another build! I do not know the market on the vans after they are built out. A lower cost project van leaves more money to travel while building it out (:

[@shaunwilkens]

Yeah, we’ll see how the market is for my van. There’s also the option of renting out the van if it doesn’t sell but I’d have to research it more.

[@wilkhe]

You pack a lot in five minutes! Love the flow

[@shaunwilkens]

Thanks pops!

[@ataysgrt2448]

I hate it that this chanel only has 2600 subs you definetly deserve more. $5000 convertion is a cool idea

[@shaunwilkens]

That’s a very kind compliment. Thank you!

[@atypicalphysician]

How about converting a Sienna or Odyssey for under 5k and getting into a niche market of people who want to be able to have that soccer mom minivan experience while being ultra-stealth about their living situation?

[@shaunwilkens]

You’re reading my mind. Also looking at Astro’s

[@brandonwhite772]

I want to see you build out another sprinter van!

[@shaunwilkens]

That too!

[@timmybeatty799]

@Shaun Maybe I missed this somewhere. But I am very interested to know how much you sold your built out van for. And how many miles did it have when you sold? Thanks!

[@shaunwilkens]

Hey! Sold it for $31,250 at 351k miles.

[@timmybeatty799]

@@shaunwilkens Wow. That's awesome!. The "conventional wisdom" is that custom-built vans like yours don't have a great resale value. But, you definitely proved them wrong.

[@sheermindforce]

I want to see you build another Sprinter van. For Kelly Lambert's Dreamulator channel, very interesting channel.

[@shaunwilkens]

Mmm, isn’t that the guy who started club 354? I never got my deposit back on the membership dues.

[@bradwhite741]

I would love to see a buildout for under $5,000.

[@shaunwilkens]

Challenge accepted

[@omars.8073]

Sorry to hear about the annoyances you've been facing. But I'm glad to see you've got a smoke detector. Do you also have a CO detector? I imagine carbon monoxide might be a concern in a van.

[@jakp8777]

My biggest question about van life is do you feel isolated/ lonely in a van and how does the temporary/ mobile aspect affect you not putting down roots somewhere.

[@shaunwilkens]

I don’t feel lonely when I’m in my hometown since I have a great community. When I’m on the road, the adventure usually keeps me distracted enough. There’s definitely a lot of things that are easier about living in a home but I fear getting too comfortable at this stage in my life.

[@jakp8777]

Shaun Wilkens Thanks for the insight. Do you think you could live in a smaller van? I’m thinking of a ford Transit Connect or ram pro master city.

[@stevewalther2293]

Well...he can go back to his house.

[@RianSpaulding]

So good! I want to see dating and van life, does it help or hurt?

[@shaunwilkens]

That wasn’t one of the options, Rian

[@farmerfry785]

Build under 5k. Would you consider a skoolie given the maintenance costs on the sprinters at that low cost?

[@shaunwilkens]

I haven’t been drawn to school bus conversions in the past but I’ll definitely look into them. I have a couple smaller vans in mind for an under 5k buildout. I need to meet more people with skoolies and see how they like them

[@stevewalther2293]

I can't afford to live in a van....too expensive.

[@olivergunn1913]

Under 5000

[@RSAusPride]

Poor Skye :'(

[@shaunwilkens]

Yeah :(

[@brianstai8239]

van under 5k!!