Sprinter Van Dwelling - They Sold Everything & Hit the Road!

MORE DETAILS ON THIS STORY:
tinyhousegiantjourney.com/202...
VIDEO DESCRIPTION:
After their kids moved out of the house, Rich and Heather decided to downsize and renovated a sprinter van as their new adventure home on wheels. Take and tour and learn how this couple is adjusting to van life.
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------------- CREDITS --------------
VIDEOGRAPHER:
Matt Alexander
aerialexcellence.us/
EDITOR:
Marcia Trader
www.marciatrader.com
TITLE MUSIC:
Kate Steinway - "Tiny Home"
iTunes:flyt.it/THGJtinyhomeitunes?ID=
Spotify: flyt.it/THGJtinyhomespotify?ID=
KZbin: flyt.it/tinyhomeYT?ID=
ADDITIONAL MUSIC: www.epidemicsound.com/
OPENING MONTAGE DRONE SHOT: Jonathan Benabed
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY & WITH PERMISSION OF THE OWNER

[@TinyHouseGiantJourney]

Full story & more on van life versus Tiny House life: tinyhousegiantjourney.com/2020/01/24/sprinter-van-conversion/

[@davebeveridge4332]

I like what I saw in this van conversion. I'm a crippled so ours would have to be laid out differently than this one. We do alot of Automotive swap meets and I have a electric scooter which needs to be charged up once or twice a day.

[@codyleeser392]

Perfect way to keep the kids from moving back in. lol

[@richhuguenor635]

Cody Leeser shhh you will spoil our plan.

[@justheather4144]

Right. I was also thinking if your kids are in college they're adults 🤣 they should be able to take care of themselves & not freak out their parents aren't there to live with 😆

[@Come_fly_with_tee]

Cody Leeser -you got that right !😂

[@user-ri3sz5js6o]

For me, the ideas in kzbin.infoUgkxy_pn55PK60wAV3X_C_RoLS_67mNonoCE Plans were a starting point for building different sheds . Ryan gives ideas that allow an individual to draw nicest conclusions into the design and building of his or her own shed.

[@ShadowLight2012]

It shows a lot about the quality of your relationship. You can only do that if you work together as a couple. Beautiful job on the conversion. Godspeed Folks.

[@richhuguenor635]

ShadowLight2012 👍🏼

[@mercynamikoye9084]

I love the honest view. The financial aspect especially.

[@badarock177]

This is really smart! Beautiful family, beautiful van, beautiful dog, very grounded couple with great spirit! I just can't understand WHY would anyone thumbs down this video.

[@richhuguenor635]

Badá Rock 🙏

[@Leelz247]

At first I read this as "spinster" van and though wow, that would be perfect for me!

[@kimballlynn2123]

Hahaha... you're comment made me laugh! 😂

[@epifny9614]

lol, here's your smile

[@Amilliondreams87]

I’m always blown away by how much one can fit into such tiny spaces, 🥰 it just proves how much extra space in reg homes is virtually wasted.

[@sebastianboeddinghaus3505]

I love how different it is to most van conversions

[@richhuguenor635]

Seb 713 Thanks!

[@ChazEvansdale]

What a great open feeling design. I feel the bed placed by the door is the most efficient use of space. Alternative designs seem to fill half the doorway with kitchen stuff and a popup counter that doesn't use the space as well as it blocks the doorway and makes your first impression feel more cramped.

[@richhuguenor635]

Chaz Evansdale we agree that the open galley design is spacious and convenient. It does limit storage space if you have a lot of gear though. We hike so not a lot of gear needed.

[@ChazEvansdale]

@@richhuguenor635 Oh good point. if you have bikes, kayaks, extra gear based hobbies then the bed in the back with storage below is probably better. My main hobbies for travel include Disc Golf Discs and a Guitar, so I'd prefer the more open design.

[@patriciafisher3108]

The copper sink and faucet with that beautiful wood counter is top notch.

[@richhuguenor635]

Patricia Fisher 😍

[@TJ-mc8uh]

Love the van build and especially the ceiling. Thanks for sharing.

[@kristinburch8887]

Great space, my husband and I are making plans for this same exact thing when our daughter graduates. It's great to see you two living it!

[@richhuguenor635]

kristin burch thanks. Hope to see you on the road soon!

[@stephaniesturgeon5591]

Awesome 👍 So much better than sitting at home everyday when u could be driving , seeing new things! Exciting😀

[@richhuguenor635]

Stephanie Sturgeon thanks. We agree.

[@lisamorand9607]

I love how each side is somewhat narrow. Long and tall is great use of space. Beautiful. You two are us we got married young 4 kids 2 grandkids. The difference is your moved out. We have a truck and small trailer pumped for boondocking and for now it is vacay and days off shift work.

[@ginamarie5575]

Love the copper sink and backsplash!! Beautiful touches! So nice for you guys ! Enjoy your life 🌍

[@tortangtalong1]

The advantage of having kids at an early stage is they will be old enough sooner and become adults while parents are still young and have the energy to enjoy life after. I can’t imagine people nowadays having kids at 30-40 yrs of age. It will be tough providing and dealing with a teenager when you’re approaching 50. Btw, great build and very well thought out. Great couple too!

[@woodyjade9097]

Looks good to me. Have a blast and do it all!!!!!!!!!!!

[@talithabewlay1993]

It’s a dream! It makes me finally think abrir learning how to drive! And, wow, solar energy!!

[@animemaniac2]

This is my first time seeing a tiny home video from Texas and I'm really happy to finally see one.

[@richhuguenor635]

Marsman there are a few Texas vanlifers out there!

[@sissilemarr]

Beautiful home. What a great and practical layout. Lovley

[@LadyPenelope]

Fantastic van..really well laid out. Congrats! Have a wonderful life, you deserve it!

[@richhuguenor635]

Lotus Thanks!

[@KittieSimsGamer]

So cool, and it's great for them to where they can just go out and enjoy life

[@eudoraevans3340]

I just want to say that I absolutely LOVE this new upload schedule! The content is on point and it's gotta be hard to keep up with your schedule. Thank you.

[@TinyHouseGiantJourney]

It is so hard!!! But I’m sticking to it! Thanks

[@splashesin8]

It's the showering part that sounds like it would be tricky. I love the solar and batteries thing, and that it's a van and the cooking and water tanks part. I like the bed area as well. 😃

[@richhuguenor635]

Audrey Sims thank you✌️

[@xilei3070]

I love that mirror backsplash...

[@ediekoller1144]

Great job on the Van Conversion. Looks comfortable too:! Happy Traveling!.

[@richhuguenor635]

Edie Koller Thanks!

[@sammikelly6867]

a nice sleek conversion. made a change to see an older couple getting out there exploring, but not having a van chock-full of outdoor sports gear. They've focused on kitchen and plenty of seating, which is great. Their dog gets a new playground each time they move on.

[@richhuguenor635]

Sammi Kelly Exactly! Thank you.

[@OrangeFluffyCat]

Pretty cool, but I’d be worried about needing to use the toilet when my husband is right there trying to prepare dinner 😳

[@peacefulwife5199]

After being married as long as they have those things just don't matter anymore. When nature calls often you can't wait to answer. Your modesty goes out the window....it's just pee and poop. Plus it's contained. It's just like passing gas in bed.....you say, "excuse me" and go back to sleep.

[@piyusarkar3065]

@@peacefulwife5199 it's not just about modesty, we Indian or Asians in general, don't shit where we eat. That's not hygienic

[@dootu]

@@piyusarkar3065 All humans, in general don't.

[@richhuguenor635]

The toilet cabinet seals up pretty tight and is closed when cooking. No issues with contamination there.

[@lynnej.9357]

We decided early on that we would give each other privacy in the bathroom. So, yes, that would bother me too. They do make little tents just for that purpose: bathroom/shower/change room. So you could have that set up part of the time, at least.

[@scdobserver835]

The kids look exactly like them! Perfect mini me clones! 🤯

[@richhuguenor635]

SCD Observer Haha. The kids will get a kick out of this comment!

[@piyusarkar3065]

This couple made sense with van life, they're free, they want adventure for few years. I don't understand couples with young kids downsizing to van, I mean tiny house is one thing (even though not ideal) but van is kinda extreme for anything more than two

[@smOVERCOMINGITALL]

I think even the tiny houses with young kids will get hard when the kids get to pre-teen and teenage years. Ik some disagree but even the most well behave and family centered kids need privacy to explore themselves... well when you have a loft looking right at your parents bed... no privacy... idk. I just imagine that will be hard for kids as they grow up and try to explore relationships and who they are as individuals. I love seeing empty nesters like this couple though. This makes sense to me, but the family in the tiny house doesnt... just my opinion though! Haha. These tiny homes are so freaking cute though I watch these videos to see the homes.

[@piyusarkar3065]

@@smOVERCOMINGITALL even I don't agree with living with kids in a tiny house after the kids are like 5-7yrs. What I think is logical is if a new couple (who are struggling financially) get a tiny house and live there for some years until their kids are like 5-7yrs, so that they can save money for a bigger house, at least an apartment. What's worst in a tiny house is there's no privacy and adults without privacy with kids living so close..doesn't sound good. Plus there's not enough security, anything can happen

[@ChrissyCrow]

Aww i miss the "make yourself a tiny home" jingle lol. I really wish i could do this around america. ♡

[@TinyHouseGiantJourney]

I’ll bring it back :)

[@ChrissyCrow]

@@TinyHouseGiantJourney hehe i just love that wee bit where it says make yourself a tiny home. But you don't have to bring it back just for me. Btw love all the new types of tiny. It is amazing seeing these stories. ♡

[@katkohler]

Good for you guys! Looks fantastic!

[@richhuguenor635]

Kat Kohler Schwartz Thank you!

[@sammic974]

I love it. So tastefully done. There wasn't a thing I didn't like. However it was a big financial outlay. Most van conversions I've seen are way cheaper. But if you've got the money and want to travel for a few years, then getting a new van makes sense. They've had the best of both worlds - marriage and family young, then enough capital to comfortably go on adventures before settling down again for their twilight years. I wish them all the best.

[@user-gm6ix8kx1v]

Спасибо!-интересно,познавательно!Какие творческие,хорошие люди-любят природу,путешествия,жизнь-приятно смотреть✌

[@dennysmith7862]

Lovely couple... lovely van...lovely pooch... safe journeys & all that's fun from Cape Town...

[@richhuguenor635]

Denny Smith Thank you and best wishes to you as well!

[@jenniferh.7219]

If it is just one person you could devise a bed to fit in the middle area to be put up or slidable down the aisle but still removable during the day, unless that is, the bed comes from the ceiling

[@MeekoSan]

Great video! Very well done!

[@cathylynnpietranton]

This couple did a great job on converting the van. we hope they have many happy and safe adventures in it.

[@richhuguenor635]

Cathy Lynn Pietranton thank you 🙏

[@CrystalVanner]

*GREAT BUILD!*

[@CampK9DogWalking]

love that ceiling

[@katherinekatherine8512]

Beautiful ceiling!

[@chaundasumara]

Great. I luv my instapot. You answered a major question for me.

[@cheekyoziechick]

Perfect couple..perfect life.

[@richhuguenor635]

cheekyoziechick 🙏

[@christylshedd2570]

I love the idea of the nomad life. The van is great. I would have to do something different about the pottie and shower. Enjoy yalls adventures 💞💞💞💞

[@amyyy3477]

Christy L Shedd love your comment, giving your opinion respectfully and wishing them well. Bless you x

[@IExpectedBSJustNotThisMuchBS]

Gorgeous van.

[@connormiller7947]

Great video

[@LadyLuvGemStones]

💖💖💖💖💖 Charming Couple 👍🏻👍🏻

[@st4rstuck]

Love It!

[@gloriapeel6887]

Very nice van !

[@rolanddes]

This dude is just barely older than me with 3 kids who moved out and a lovely wife and a house that he sold. And I am here at the age of 38 with a new mortgage of 8 years and a marriage coming next year. Damn I am late for life.

[@bunny_smith]

So what. It’s not a race.

[@08FayFay]

Awesomeness 😍✅

[@carolynthomas56]

Very nice and neat 👍

[@Badgeweefixstuff]

Very nice layout awesome 👏🇨🇦🇨🇦🛠

[@richhuguenor635]

BADGE EVERYBODY NEEDS ONE 🤩👌🏻

[@moflo311]

awesome attitude

[@donellemiller6680]

I think they made a great choice! Now is the best time for them to travel, if they decide to settle in a tiny house later they won't have to down size lol. But, they will have a better idea where they want to settle.

[@richhuguenor635]

Donelle Miller You soooo get us! Thanks for the kind words.

[@donellemiller6680]

@@richhuguenor635 your welcome :-). We are both retired. There is nothing keeping us here but his stubborn attitude :-/. And there is soooo much to see and do. I may do it on my own - I don't think he could resist a try if I'm on the road lol. Good luck to you, enjoy yourselves.

[@teenamaree]

Fabulous!... But I would need a real shower🚿 and toilet 🚽

[@giftofgab131]

They have Van's like that... its custom... I'm going to build one soon 🙏🏾

[@WeLoveCops]

So freekin funny, and I suppose alittle sad, but I could hear and feel that these people aren't liking it. No real shower, having to make the bed every night, no place for their kids to come home to. It might be a nice adventure wagon for them but I don't imagine them living in it full time lol. Just the feeling I got from watching it. I wonder how they're doing and wish them happiness.

[@itsmelove06]

This exactly what I want to do.

[@jayjayjay3522]

First van life with a fishing pole...I like.....

[@pamelahomeyer748]

What is the backsplash made of it looks like mirrors? I would be totally afraid of mirrors. It's a lovely overall design and I usually try to stop places to take showers but I like the fact that there is an option just in case plus you need to wash down the dog or your feet sometimes before you get in

[@rodellwilliams871]

All the best 👍🏾👌🏾

[@richhuguenor635]

Rodell Williams ✌️

[@chamogul]

Awesomeeee design! I agree. We’ve raised our children. Our time now. ❤️ LOVE LIFE ❤️Namaste

[@richhuguenor635]

chamogul 🙏

[@Josherson]

73k!?!? That’s almost a house...

[@msw170]

Where does the dog sleep and eat? Expensive build. Nice layout. Good luck.

[@marcelrestrepo5914]

Amo las mini casas! Quisiera vivir en una pero no sé x donde empezar

[@Cmez872]

Nice build, one thing I wonder about is how comfortable that kind of mattress setup is, having the right kind of mattress is important for sleep.

[@richhuguenor635]

C Gomez we agree! We used a 6” thick memory foam mattress which is comfortable to sleep on.

[@mercibeaucoup2486]

Coolest parents. Ever.

[@richhuguenor635]

A Merica Thanks!

[@spiritflower6640]

Love your Channel and your work, thank you! With all the money they spent you just think they could have come up with a design where they wouldn't be sleeping over their power system and also just to have better ventilation, etc... happy trails to them, no less! ;)

[@richhuguenor635]

Spirit Flower we considered heat build up but honestly have not run into an issue yet. Most of our appliances don’t really push the inverter too hard unless we run the A/C unit off the battery. There is also a 1/8” gap around two cabinet doors and a 1/2” gap with the mattress to let out the heat. Good comment!

[@spiritflower6640]

Oh good :) i was not thinking on that aspect as much as the emf factor...

[@donjones3355]

Beautiful Van. Congrats! What brand/model of AC do you have? Thank you!

[@richhuguenor635]

Don Jones the A/C unit is a Coleman Mach8 Cub with condensate pump and heat strip options.

[@dvidbstn]

I want that old intro back!!!!!!

[@darcimorrisjones4959]

If you built up the walls around thevtoilt to counter height and made it watertight inside, you could sit on the toilet and shower....

[@wownewstome6123]

Good point. A lady did just that in her van. She has a rectangle-ish piece of pipe on the ceiling which she can hang a shower curtain from, and has a floor drain in a similar box set-up.

[@davebeveridge4332]

I would like to know more about the solar panels on the roof and how it gets converted to power for use in your a/c and charging up batteries with your altinator/and batterys being charged up. We are thinking of purchasing a used 2016 Mersedes Benz sprinter with 110,000 limo, a diesel

[@richhuguenor635]

Dave Beveridge we followed a standard solar system design that utilizes a solar panel, solar charge controller, and lithium battery system. The alternator also charges the battery using a Sterling DC to DC battery charger which ensures you don’t accidentally drain your engine battery. Cheers!

[@kathyboschen6719]

This is fab!! But I miss your lovely intro song!

[@TinyHouseGiantJourney]

I was trying a short instrumental version. Glad to hear you miss it - good feedback. I might switch between the short and long version with lyrics.

[@MKCarol-ms7lg]

I missed it too!

[@epifny9614]

I missed the intro too!

[@elainefuehrer5739]

how do those mirrors stay on in the kitchen? the van is beautiful!

[@richhuguenor635]

Elaine Fuehrer the mirror tiles came with two sided adhesive tape on the back. Just peel and stick!

[@kathleen3756]

I just got a 3 quart Instant Pot (why do so many people call it an insta pot?) yesterday for my tiny house and am having fun learning how to use it. I hope it can replace my hot plate and two cooking pots to free up more room. I'd be interested in knowing if your Instant Pot is your only cooking pot, or do you use other pots, too? A microwave?

[@richhuguenor635]

Kathleen Burns we also have an induction cooktop and cast iron skillet.

[@FamilyGoneRogue]

Looks good, the bed is a good setup. Where do you keep your bedding though? I guess just live somewhere warm enough to not need bedding is the most sensible solution to be honest! =D

[@jemma50]

Family Gone Rogue, check again. He mentions the bedding - it's on the shelf over the driver's seat. Check it out at about 8:07 min. :)

[@FamilyGoneRogue]

@@jemma50 True, that is a good spot for it up there really.

[@charlieangel9705]

Can you like buy a van with just the structure, since you'll be stripping off the inside anyway? Will you get it at a discount?

[@breanicoll1832]

Hi x

[@DMills-un1tl]

This one looks nearly identical to Max and Lee’s

[@niko_player7335]

Hi

[@jaydog9508]

Not to sound like a broken record from other videos, but please help me understand, what is the benefit of a van vs a class C? You can get small class C's that cost similar to what most of these people pay AND they are way nicer... I love the van builds that cost under $50k, but those seem to be used vans with no A/C... so part of me is leaning towards building a used van so my teenage kids have a nice quick and easy exploration vehicle with friends, but they aren't "into it", so I'm leaning towards the class C for me. I'll keep watching until I make up my mind! LOL

[@micheleaustin5713]

I love this movement ..i learn it from CHEAPRVLIVING with Bob Wells on KZbin. I love your new freedom and hope to join you soon.

[@lanablaze2729]

Hey

[@epifny9614]

for over 75k why not buy an RV? thought most ppl went sprinter to save $$. still, it's a cool conversion and they seem like a lovely couple. have fun, you deserve it!

[@richhuguenor635]

epifny9614 you could do an RV but they don’t hold there resale value and can go to fewer places. The Sprinter is 4wd and can go off road to find remote spots.

[@epifny9614]

@@richhuguenor635 ah, good point

[@amariahziemba711]

Hello

[@candyjamaican]

50 gran, another 20 grand but not shower? Wow. I love it though.

[@teakey]

Benefits of being small people. I’m a Giant

[@KiannaNichole]

teakey haha I wanna do van life but my bf is 6’8 so not for us sadly 😭

[@dieabsolutegluckskuche5174]

@@KiannaNichole so buy a larger bus, maybe a, seven half ton

[@giftofgab131]

@@KiannaNichole look at the ford transit's high roof.. they are tall

[@ohske]

👍👍👍👌

[@anitaluevano9643]

Were do you get your mail

[@richhuguenor635]

Anita Luevano we have our mail sent to our daughters apartment. We go through it every week via FaceTime.

[@Kate-bt1xd]

Casually parks in someone’s yard

[@jason85752000]

so about 70,000 damn

[@piyusarkar3065]

They're kinda rich, with pool n all, now they're just looking for a little fun, they don't have budget problem for sure

[@jason85752000]

@@piyusarkar3065 I hear that

[@richhuguenor635]

It’s true that is a lot of money but keep in mind the resale value of a converted Sprinter Van is high so you can get most or all of that money back when you sell it. Also the monthly car payment is about $1200 a month which is similar to apartment rent. We still work full time remotely from the van as well.

[@pahrahinc3895]

The toilet thing is not good and no shower,!!! they should have had a toilet and shower combo and that would have been the first thing I would have designed and installed you'll just have to size down the rest of the other stuff and be more clever with storage. But you must have that shower no matter what.

[@richhuguenor635]

pahrahinc we talked about a shower but decided we wouldn’t use it that often and it uses too much water.

[@shradharajbhandari9776]

Brad Pitt 😳😳😍😍

[@derptothemaxclearly]

With labor, the cost was something like $100-$125k... Why not just get a new RV that was prebuilt? I just googled around for a few min and found a 2020 THOR FREEDOM ELITE 22HEC for half of what they spent. Also, they really better hope that they sent their kid(s) off to a tech school or something or that child is going to be couchsurfing for a while trying to find a use for their brand new english/political science/musical theater degree. Good job mom and dad. But hey, they are enjoying themselves. Inspiring.

[@autumnrussell2169]

I don't know how people can take showers outside. Like I wouldn't cause of winter and or when it's cold outside

[@teddycollier4909]

Is this the whole story, do you live in a van 24/7 365?

[@richhuguenor635]

Teddy Collier that is the plan and we are in the process of selling our house.

[@epifny9614]

for over 75k why not buy an RV? thought most ppl went sprinter to save $$

[@Recuper8]

Surprisingly expensive

[@TheBeaver50]

20,000 for the remodel???? Did I hear that right ? 20k they spent ...on top of the 55k for the van???

[@richhuguenor635]

TheBeaver50 That’s correct. Keep in mind it has a higher resale value and you can recoup that money when you sell it. 😀

[@jrnyman1957]

My guess would be that the lithium solar set up was nearly half of that cost, and I also noticed they had the more expensive fridge type too. A great build out that will be easy to sell.

[@TRuth.T]

it seems soo expensive... I would not want to sleep, on top of batteries...

[@richhuguenor635]

T. Ruth T No worries. They are acid free lithium Ion batteries. Not the same as exploding cell phone batteries.