TINY BUT MIGHTY VAN TOUR- Selling my Ford Transit Connect XLT conversion van

[@jonathanhansen3709]

I have a 2012 Transit Connect I’ve built out to boondocks in . Space is very limited compared to a full size Transit or Chevy Express van, so I considered adding a Thule container box, but reading an article by Consumer Reports, tithe container, and accompanying roof rack, can cut your mpg by between 10-20%. In a Transit connect that can be anywhere from 3-6 mpg, a significant cut in mileage I got the van for. Another shortfall I commonly see in small van designs is they’re not carrying enough water. I’ve seen videos where they’re proudly announcing they have 3 gallons, for two people. That might last them a long weekend if they don’t brush their teeth! I’ve found the old axiom “1 gallon / person / day” is very true. I carry 16 gallons in three Jerry Cans. Can easily last me 10 days, to 2 weeks, comfortably. Very important in the western United States.

[@kristinebrousseau8626]

i must agree there, as the only elixir i ingest is the sacred bean "coffee" i buy twelve gallons minimum a week. and would definitely limit my intake for sure. great advise, Im getting excited to start my decorating, practicing minimalism, has always been a passion. Walking my talk even more in this lil moving castle.

[@burly636]

I just bought a 2012 Transit XLT passenger van with 40K miles Monday. It has a medium roof and 1 row of seats that are coming out. These Vans regardless of cargo or passenger are hard to find without someone buying it fast. I got very lucky after I gave up. Now in my carport. I am a fabric artist and I have just about all I need to repurpose. 3 Small chests of drawers I use for art supplies and my late husbands pieces he made me. Perfect for a small van. Just have to decide which prices I want in van. I did buy a sink I liked, small one. It's so fun to design it. Been wanting to do this for years with my husband but he got sick. Major build will come later, when I decide what I want. Maybe even upgrade in a couple years. It's a start for now. I want to travel part time and do my art.

[@ArielleShipe]

That's amazing!! ❤️

[@enjoylongbeach]

That is funny Van people are like home owners, they love to talk about the upgrades they've done to the place. Love it

[@ArielleShipe]

Haha :)

[@TheHungryHiker]

I want a van of my own so badly. One day! Thanks for the inspiration and showing me that it's totally possible.

[@ArielleShipe]

It’s totally possible! I started with what I could afford and upgraded from there. When I first bought Ophelia (this van) i has to finance almost all of it so I could afford the build. So worth it though!

[@ArielleShipe]

Had*

[@IntrepidJordan]

Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Anything.

[@armandoramos1949]

Your van has a great set up, I wouldn't mind to have something like that as a weekend adventure van. Here's looking forward to seeing you in your new van and ne adventure.

[@LauraConnected]

Congrats to the new owners and on your new beautiful van! Transit Connects are definitely great starter vans....but can easily see the appeal of going bigger!

[@ArielleShipe]

I've loved both so much!

[@restierosales6093]

Is there a washroom inside.

[@OldBlue560]

I have a transit connect that I’ve used as a daily driver and want to convert. This set up is amazing and almost identical to what I was thinking of building (I was going to do the kitchen drawer on the side). It’s good to actually see it done on the newer model tc though. Thanks for sharing this video!

[@ArielleShipe]

Of course! So glad you liked it- and so exciting on your new van!! That set up worked so well for us!

[@LarsSchlageter]

Very good and functional conversion 👍. I also have a Connect Camper, but I have'nt done it so well.

[@ArielleShipe]

Aw thank you! I had the help of some professionals on this one! I am not very handy myself haha

[@laurabegin9736]

Would love to get your design ideas from your old van.

[@Catman1798]

What year was the van? How many miles did you have on it and did you have any reliability issues with it at all? I see you decided on a ram promaster for your new van. Why not ford? I’m trying to decide on a promaster city or a ford transit connect. Brand new ones not used. Reviews are very mixed for both brands. Van lifers are the best ones to ask lol. You drive them a lot. I need it as a daily driver and haul crap around. Also easy to clean out too. No carpet etc. I’m just lost what brand to get.

[@ArielleShipe]

I got the promaster as an upgrade because it was a great deal and it was front wheel drive but I was originally planning to get a ford because I love my little one so much. SUPER reliable. No issues at all! Highly recommend!

[@johncanete8317]

Awesome Transit Connect and video. Arielle, on the rear doors of your Transit Connect, who makes those slider windows and where did you get them?

[@ArielleShipe]

They are RV windows! I don't know the model unfortunately because its been so long now since that build but I do know they were for an RV :)

[@johncanete8317]

@@ArielleShipe Cool. Thank you!

[@thisismaso]

Storage is essential 👍

[@ArielleShipe]

so key!

[@fiLLyourEyeSs]

Loved seeing all the custom storage and details that went into making Opheila a home on wheels. Definitely the goal to have a van one day. May I ask where your sweet overalls are from? 💚

[@ArielleShipe]

Aw thank you! They are from Australia- I bought them at a boutique in Byron Bay. I wish I could remember the name for you!!

[@fiLLyourEyeSs]

They're dope! Australia is on my long list of places to get to! ☺️

[@benjaminwagner8141]

I like the pull out cabinets for cooking

[@kristinebrousseau8626]

Yesterday I just bought a 2017 Transit connect. I totally understand the frustration of selling/buying. Every time Id find the exact one, It was one thing after another. JUST remember, no matter the conversion. THE KELLY BLUE BOOK price range IS WHAT LOANS base on. PLEASE if ur selling your conversion, PLEASE SAY whether it is registered as a rv, or vehicle van only. Often the increase in price of the tech involved, self sustainable, from solar panels to inverters. THE instant the banking institutions see it. DENIED loan as the cost asking price is way above the KELLY blue book. Three times I thought i had my conversion bought. But if it wasnt within blue book, deny. I totally understand charging for the tech involved, as I APPRECIATED it being all done. As a clueless women, unskilled at such things. Instead I will use portable systems i.e the jackery w/ mobile folding solars. For water the usb charged pump that connects right to your 3-5 gallon jugs. THESE are tiny spaces. I think it came out four ft wide by six feet from back doors to back of driver seat. I am leaving the interior walls as they are. as I will only be weekending it in my rig at this time. Being a passenger van, not a work van, the interior is too pretty and in excellent shape to start ripping it apart. As i feel it must already be shielded w/ vapor barriers etc, factory set. WE shall see, I pick her up tomorrow, and I will be videoing the whole experience. As im an old disabled lady on the last leg of this adventure we call life. YOUNG AND wild at heart. See u out on the black ribbon! fyi, (truck driver term for highways) Safe journey #vanlife

[@toddcorley464]

So crazy I watch vanlife videos daily and only just now our paths meet. Just subbed and nice video!

[@ArielleShipe]

😊❤️

[@dathiou]

Nice build! Curious, what tracks and roof racks did you use?

[@bethwerker2322]

Can you tell me what brand the battery and inverter were? I like the idea of charging as you drive. Thank you.

[@hans3415]

i to bought a ford transt connect 2015 new pimped it out with a mini kitchen and large flatscreen tv l.e.ds and furr seats smegn class

[@ArielleShipe]

Nice! :)

[@EdgarGarcia-fi5dn]

How much did you sell it for?? And how many miles?

[@AridersLifeYT]

Wish we had these in australia, we have the VW caddy and they are insanely expensive and costly in australia. $3k for transmissions.

[@ArielleShipe]

ugh thats so much! These transit connects are such a great affordable option!

[@82sjmc]

Hi do you guys have a scketchup model for this? I want to build pretty much exactly the same!

[@johnpakluxuryrealestate8821]

Hi, just subscribed to your channel. Would you mind telling me how much you sold it for?

[@laniteshima9912]

Who did you go through for the conversion? We have a Transit Connect XLT and we've been looking to do a bit of conversion, but haven't found anyone who would do something a little more minimal like what yours was.

[@ArielleShipe]

I put their contact info in the video description! Such great humans!!

[@hondata05]

I have this van but mine has a bulkhead can that be removed?

[@ArielleShipe]

I’m not sure! Mine has bulkhead storage too

[@PC9202]

I’m about to by a similar van to convert. When you were sitting on the bench it seemed that there wasn’t much head room? Was this an issue? Did you do any insulating?

[@ajndmt23]

I was thinking of doing the same with a transit connect but noticed the head room aswell. Could make the bench lower but that means less storage

[@ArielleShipe]

I am 5'4" and can sit upright but if you are taller only under the vent and it may still be too short. My fiance is 6'2" can he couldn't sit upright. It's just a small van. Tiny but mighty! lol There is insulation but I'm not sure the materials used. I don't think it was spray foam so likely the more tradition insulation.

[@klausmey9976]

@@ajndmt23 the older Connects (2010-2013) have a bit more headroom by 4 inches i think but are a bit shorter (10 inches) than the newer models but also have the smaller 2.0 4 cyl engine. I have a 2012 and had the same dilemma between head room and storage. I ended up having 15 inches space under my bed and have a 3 inch foam mattress and can still sit up. I'm 5-10

[@PC9202]

Arielle Shipe thanks for the reply. Your a star.

[@Asator66]

Is this the high or low top TC?

[@theopinion9452]

No kidding,I thought about building a camper van using this same platform but I waited long enough to just recently put a deposit on a EV van.

[@remason8833]

What brand/type?

[@theopinion9452]

@@remason8833 Is the Canoo brand and its called MPDV..check it out.

[@remason8833]

@@theopinion9452 Funny story, I actually bought a little of their stock through TD Ameritrade!

[@theopinion9452]

@@remason8833 Me too but I sold it as soon as I made some extra.

[@ArielleShipe]

Nice!! :)

[@faithbranshaw6322]

You should have more subscribers. You sound so upbeat and you're good at explaining and just talking, you talk well.

[@jamesroblyer6186]

Nice

[@ArielleShipe]

Thank you! :)

[@ianhoughton3349]

Love the transit connect van.

[@ArielleShipe]

Such a good van!

[@lindseyf4672]

Hi there! What year is this van? Is it a SWB or the LWB version?

[@ArielleShipe]

2015 and the long wheel base 😊

[@usa2359]

built wrong stuff clobbered everywhere

[@barbarastorper9241]

How much was this van?

[@ArielleShipe]

I bought the empty van for about $16k ( I had to finance it) and then put about $8-9k into the build

[@user-tf2px6pv4r]

Arielle Shipe How much did you sell it for?

[@leilal8053]

How can the Dude put his shoes 👞 on the apholstery?....and dig his heels in....

[@ArielleShipe]

The van will get dirty either way honestly- its made for adventures! And all the covers are washable so it's all good :)

[@cowboyscoffee]

Very cool sales job🌠

[@ArielleShipe]

haha thank you!

[@carladamcarter]

Frustrating* not fustrating.

[@ArielleShipe]

?

[@jond.vanconversation8778]

So funny.... All the husband sees is the hot woman selling the van. Adorable

[@johndobb8239]

Get to the tour! Yap.. Yap.. 🚫

[@MichaelTonyp]

she's hot and not sure whats she's got on under the overhauls but I am buying same van now for sure

[@billhall5025]

I started watching because of my interest in the T.C. I got distracted by the rings in your nose and realized I wasn't listening to what you were saying (looks infected). When I came back to the dialogue you were whining about selling this van......that's when I bailed. Not interested in your story, this is about the old van, the one for sale....right?

[@ArielleShipe]

Van sold a long time ago my friend. The new owners drive home with it IN THIS VIDEO. I put the time stamp in the description for anyone not interested in the Vlog portion but my channel is a vlog channel soooo yeah- if you don't like it you can just click somewhere else. Crazy as it might sounds you can even click off the video without writing your asshole opinions about my appearance. Crazy concept, right?

[@johndobb8239]

Oh forgot it. I'm out

[@rurunner3451]

too much metal in her face and ink on her skin.

[@ArielleShipe]

not sure why you felt compelled to comment on my appearance

[@wheelyfamous]

Really? She is Beautiful; your disregard for human respect & feelings is ugly. Peace ✌ ☮