Tour of VW Caddy Campervan Conversion

[@Candisa]

I'd like to tell you your videos about your Caddy camper are a great inspiration for me. I've always wanted a DIY campervan, but I didn't like how full size vans can be difficult to park even in the shortest version, you have to climb up in them, and they are very utilitarian in finish and comfort. Videos like yours showed me what is possible in a cityvan, without even needing the long version. Since those cost pretty much the same as a well equiped large hatchback and drive equally comfortable nowadays, I've decided to order a brand new Fiat Doblo Cargo T-Jet with LPG conversion (I believe it isn't the time to switch to CNG yet) to replace my ageing Volvo stationwagon (also running on lpg). I hope I manage to build it as nice and efficient as your Caddy, and it'll sure beat a full size van in price, comfort, fuel economy, and parking.

[@bl517]

Love your set up, very clean and tidy and not too cluttered.

[@Solid3d-Melb]

Can't believe you were able to fit it all in a standard Caddy. Well done!

[@janandbruceadamsvanadventu3226]

Nice changes to your van. It looks very comfortable.

[@OntheRoadLiving]

Thanks Janice, yea it is and i'm really pleased with improvements

[@WannaBFree]

The fine tuning is looking good! Nice set up by the way.

[@tooth8888]

Well put together,piratical space.Rather envious.

[@janaebert3059]

I will use this as a blueprint... thank you very much.

[@courtneydorrington2568]

this is awesome! just stumbled on your videos now. Great setup and organization of the van. Hope you're still enjoying it! =)

[@andreyg807]

Супер!!!у меня тоже caddy грузовой!!!думаю сделаю себе такое же чудо!!!спасибо за обзор!!

[@pandanuscreekfilms6841]

really appreciate this video information, I like your configuration and am thinking about doing something similar, thanks or showing what can be done with the short wheel base caddy

[@MarcelGodfrey]

Nice set up well done

[@aspudkicker]

Hi Sublevel Vanlife. Thanks for sharing. Every one of these home built vans are unique, just like their builders. I'm watching as I'm looking for inspiration for my vw lt, that I might be living in while working away from home. Is the water bottle you have bungeed to the bed next to your inverter? If it is, that would be the only thing I can see I would change. Do you have extra ventillation to combat condensation? (condensation on the screen may give away that there's somebody inside). It's good to see a stealth van video maker in the uk, I will be watching more of your vids to learn from your experiences. Stay safe, happy, healthy and contented my friend.

[@OntheRoadLiving]

aspudkicker Hi, yea that's just a spare water supply and doesn't need to be there, I have freed up a lot of room under the bed now so can put it elsewhere, don't really need it. You are right about condensation, although some cars get this even when empty, I have found if i park facing the sunrise the condensation dries any moisture on the windscreen but that will not help all of the time. I have been debating getting a Flettner vent for airflow/condensation issues. By having the wind deflectors on drivers and passenger's windows I can have my windows down an inch without it showing to allow some airflow. Thanks for commenting and the kind words

[@lukedrennan6835]

Awesome van I'd love to live in one

[@GBPaddling]

Way too clean and tidy, I share the back of my van with Mice who wear overalls, ha ha. Good stuff, can't help thinking a LWB Caddy would've been better, been looking at them myself, but like the Transporter, they are too expensive for me.

[@OntheRoadLiving]

A lwb would have been ideal but i couldnt find one for less than 5k and only had 2.5k. They are easier to fit side windows in so thats worth it as well. If you do a channel on here keep the mice, van dwellers with pets get more views lol

[@OntheRoadLiving]

Haha! Glad you got your cargo nets, couldnt reply to the other comment directly

[@alal.t14033]

love the van

[@wish1were]

amazing and ingenious, thx for sharing

[@McRocket]

Looks very clean, cozy and organized. Looks like a pleasant environment. What do you do if you need to pee in the middle of the night?

[@ryanbarrnes1830]

I like your design what battery do you use to power everything

[@andrene64]

I'm in the process of trying to cheaply convert my ford connect. Did you say that was a desk you used as your storage unit ? I am currently trying to source something already built that I can adapt as I will have to cut round my boxed in wheels and do the same with my mattress. I'm looking for a handyman as I can't afford to put it in to be professionally done. I'm based in glasgow loving the videos. Any advise very welcome.

[@upvalue]

That's a great setup, thanks for your video. I'm just wondering, how much daylight do you get in there? I'm thinking about buying a Caddy but I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable without side windows. Wouldn't that be depressingly dark inside?

[@terrythickcock]

love the set up. I have a plastic bulk head. Are they easy to remove.

[@globalste]

Brilliant video, i wondered why you used an inverter to charge DC items like your phone?

[@OntheRoadLiving]

Good point, an inefficient way to charge. My 12v socket never worked. In my new van I've installed an inverter and a 12v USB socket

[@Torin_by_the_Ocean]

Awesome van build! I have a full size cargo van, but your van inspires me to go smaller sometime down the road. Quick question: Do you find the candle heater adequate for that space?

[@OntheRoadLiving]

One Awesome Inch No, it is useful but not great. It is just one of many things that keep the van warm, all perhaps contribute a couple of degrees of warmth, some more than others, insulation, curtains, having just parked up (and engine was running prior), cooking, own body heat etc.

[@Torin_by_the_Ocean]

Thanks!

[@vincentdeguard4726]

Sublevel Vanlife What bout boil some water and make couple hot water bottles up?

[@konradvesterberg7318]

Is it a maxi or a regular caddy? Edit heard what you said

[@romanyroz5609]

Brilliant thank you!

[@lliambunter]

What do you do if you need to unload?

[@mandydemou172]

Very impressive use of relatively small space, what mattresses are they and from where? And do you have ventilation for when you use yr stove?

[@toppertruthio]

Yes .his windows

[@markhall3323]

I think the LWB Caddy is the cutoff point for a single person camper anything smaller is too cramped it’s functional but not a nice place to be

[@OntheRoadLiving]

Yea I found moving the driver seat to make the bed up every night annoying. If I was under 5’6” then wouldn’t have been a problem. The longer caddy’s weren’t in my budget back then as I think they were introduced a few years after the swb so not much on the second hand market. The longer caddy’s have easier ready made options for windows as well, cheers, Shaun

[@AsteroidM749A]

@@OntheRoadLiving Jesus. I may actually have found the first benefit of being 5ft5. I'm looking at doing the same to my swb caddy. Incredible set up buddy, cheers

[@BoxLaneProductions]

bit narky and off subject of me but you shouldn't drink water in plastic bottles thats been sitting in the car in the sun/heat causing that condensation on the the inside, I can't remember why but its not meant to be too good

[@OntheRoadLiving]

It's much better than water tank and tap. Water I use from my tap is boiled. I also have two types of water purification tablets. A supermarket cheap bottle of water only lasts me the day once opened. However it is important to be careful as you point out, and i'm am extremely careful as don't want to get sick in the van. I have just this morning cleaned out my water system, I should have made a video and may do that soon, cheers Shaun

[@mizterjones]

How tall are you? I'm 6ft tall thinking of doing this to a van to work away

[@muttgusse]

build me one :) nice one mate!

[@vincentdeguard4726]

What is the make/model of your "emergency" portable-toilet? Looks nice and compact.

[@OntheRoadLiving]

Vincent de Guard Hi the toilet is a Thetford Qube 335, yea emergency only and still hasn't been used.

[@vincentdeguard4726]

Thanks. Was looking at getting exact same van as yours for a conversation...imagine my delight so see someone has already done it! ;)

[@farty1000]

great videos is it registered as a camper van? if so what are thw requirements to qualify?

[@richardtrainor3554]

is this a specific size and model of caddy? I'm looking to do something similar

[@Trevscuriosites]

hi nice van if I could ask one question how wide did you make your bed I have the same van as you but mine has two doors in the back

[@OntheRoadLiving]

Trevor Lees It is only a small single in size, two feet six inches wide and six feet long, extending to six feet six inches. There is room for an extra ten inches between the bed and unit that I may make use of in the future by building a temporary section. Have just done a follow up video on this and a few other comments, cheers, Shaun

[@georgeclothier2597]

If anyone could tell me what that type of hinge is called on the collapsing head rest I would be extremely greatful

[@Max27653]

where did you get those grey holder from at 6:41 ?

[@michaelatherton7552]

How much does this cost as it is?

[@spud09uk]

Do you full time in this?

[@OntheRoadLiving]

spud09uk Yea it suits for me and what I am doing at this time, if i was not covering so many miles I would consider a different set up though

[@spud09uk]

Oh am not knocking it. I like the setup was just seeing if it was a full time thing

[@yannickbauer9926]

is this the long wheelbase caddy or short wheel base?

[@OntheRoadLiving]

Is the short wheel base

[@taradead]

Why are you breathing so hard?...you didn't even do anything strenuous. Nice setup, though.

[@vindicator2011]

...man is multi-tasking lol

[@petethewrist]

Nice job,, I find I always carry more than I need,, but love sleeping in mine,, cheap and easy and good on fuel, kzbin.info/www/bejne/inWroqOahcyIsLc, Hoping to be off in her again tomorrow night,,, Cheers, Pete