Testing Our Mercedes Vito Camper Van | The Carpenter's Daughter

Hi everyone,
Over the weekend, we thought we'd test the new layout on our first proper camping trip in Nottingham.
And I felt compelled to get my camera out and hopefully it could give you a good idea how it is inside if you're considering converting too.
We've been very surprised how much space this layout offers around the dining area too compared to other kitchens we've had in Mazda Bongos.
Any way, here it is and I hope you enjoy! I'll also be filming a haul very soon for the van.
And I have a snagging list to get through for the last finishing touches.
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[@CruisingTheCut]

I was supposed to be working this morning but instead, after KZbin suggested one of your videos, I just sat and watched your entire Vito conversions series. Great stuff and very helpful as I'm idly thinking of doing something like this albeit maybe with a Nissan NV200 van. Cheers

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Hope they help, +CruisingTheCut and sorry for causing procrastination :) let me know if you have any questions and I'll try and help you!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Luckily, I'm a huge fan of not doing what I'm supposed to so this was a win-win :-) Cheers

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Hehe +CruisingTheCut I like to think procrastinating on KZbin is very good research ;) definitely a win win :)

[@CamperVanHandyMan]

Fantastic, glad you enjoyed it :-) awww poor doggie banged his head, so cute lol

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks :) I know, poor thing lol

[@T5Travels]

Glad to see everything working as planned 👍👍

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks and yes, me too :) It's much cosier than I expected.

[@silverlinkz]

Great little vid! Think the cooking from the drivers seat was a good discovery, freeing up valuable floor space!!

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Yes, definitely! Sitting and cooking was far more comfortable than stooping over without a pop up roof :)

[@NomaddUK]

LOVED this vlog. Proper Yorkshire lass :o) I am also from Yorkshire. I also loved the toilet dance. Hilarious!! Brilliant van build too... AND the pooch so sooo cute.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

+Nomadd UK haha, gotta love a bit of random dancing 😁

[@RemusKingOfRome]

You might want to look at a awning tent, just to increase space or for shower / toilet.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks :) We're definitely thinking about one. I love the in-laws' caravan awning so might have one on the back for the times we're on campsites.

[@neilfarnham5996]

My Vito has the cooker and hob reversed. It came that way.... I prefer your layout as I cannot open the fridge when the rock and roll bed is down or cook from the drivers seat. well done. As I'm not planning a pop up hood it's getting a 250W solar panel installed shortly.... any advice?

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

I don't think we can open the fridge door while the bed's down either but cooking from the seat is extremely useful! Sorry I haven't done any research on a solar panel but we will be thinking about what to do with ours so if I find any tips, I'll add them to this comment for you :)

[@dougieranger]

This is fantastic, love your doggy and your accent. Liked and subbed. 👍🏼

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks so much Dougie :) ;)

[@raccoonradar]

What make of fridge is it ?sorry if you've covered it before, I'm just watching all your videos, love them

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

It's a dometic

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

And glad you're enjoying them 😀

[@Fsmilytvxyz]

what does the fridge run on ? Gas, Main or 12 Volts ?

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

We run it through our leisure battery.

[@MsPeppersmom]

Loved seeing Hans. Great video!

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks so much :) xxx

[@campermannadventures]

Also, I dont know if it is possible but if you can change the way the fridge door opens it might be easier to open and close while under the table. most can be swapped around

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

VERY GOOD IDEA! Thanks!! I'll have a look to see if it's straight forward (I'm hoping we won't need to remove the whole fridge completely to access the hinge pin (if it's that type) but it makes perfect sense!

[@campermannadventures]

if its anything like a normal fridge you might have to as the hinge secures with a. few bolts on the outside, have a look in the manual for it as it should be in there.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

I definitely will, thank you :)

[@renegade1987]

Haha... Love the toilet dance

[@AdventuresWithRosy]

Looks like it works really well! Great kitchen layout!

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks :) Just ordered a few new kitchen bits too... couldn't resist :D

[@AdventuresWithRosy]

Haha always the way! :)

[@doktordray3825]

Hi, Looks good! was this a 110 CDI Vito? Cheers

[@andrewdavies1312]

I've never done vans camping. I've always gone camping with what I can carry on my back. Would like to try though.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

That sounds cool too! For years we would just camp in a tent, but this involves less arguments because I hated packing it away in to a tiny bag 😂

[@campermannadventures]

Nice little video, were building our camper as well, and your videos have been a little bit of inspiration. Where did you get the front seats from which swivel and have arm rests?

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

We just bought them 2nd hand on ebay. I think they were about 200 + 40 shipping. You could probably find them cheaper but we were shocked at the prices of the swivel template alone, so went for this option.

[@campermannadventures]

Nice, did you have any problems getting them to fit? I have been looking for some myself but am worried they may not fit, I have done some measurements and they look ok. Ill just have to take a gamble I suppose

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

I think my fiance checked some measurements but we did have to drill new holes and fix with carriage bolts. We needed a lot of patience to fasten as it was a tight squeeze just to fasten nuts. The other factor to remember is that by adding swivels, it raises the seat and I'm 5"4 and my feet don't lay flat like they should do. Also, the bolts (if sticking up) might get in the way of moving the seats forward as ours did. We didn't realise until Easter, so now the excess bolts have been removed, I no longer have to sit on the edge to reach pedals. I hated it, but it's perfect now (still slightly tall though).

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

If you can, I'd buy off a local ebay business seller, so if it doesn't fit, you can ask for a refund as part of distant selling laws and it shouldn't cost too much to return in person.

[@normaagnew214]

you have done a great job!enjoy!xx

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks, Norma! Hope you enjoyed your cruise x

[@normaagnew214]

The Carpenter's Daughter well it was not what we excepted.but it was an experience. Xx

[@priestland1]

Really enjoying your you tube channel, it’s a little different from my other subscription, oh and love the accent.

[@thetravellingcarpenter1621]

looked like you had a brill time! i like the toilet dance! haha it was great to see Hans Was it warm enough? or are you getting ready to install the heater?

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks :) Lol.. nothing like needing a wee dance haha. Yes, we're still trying to think where we're going to install the heater but I think the warmer weather has given us more time to plan the best place to put it. It'll need to be installed for Winter though, for sure. It was really toasty inside over the weekend, too but it was a very sunny day with the odd chilly breeze.

[@fjon4060]

I was wondering when we can meet Mr. Vikkie?

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

I've tried and tried to get him to agree being on film but he won't have any of it lol... maybe eventually? 😄

[@lesvoyagesdelouis6574]

Intéressant

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

😊

[@MTLWAKEUP]

Nestle crap water, and diet soda. Omg. Not good girl. The rest of the video is A+ cheers!