VAN BUILD Ep.2: Roof Setup and Rustic Unique Ceiling (Dodge Promaster Van Conversion)

Join us as we are converting Dodge Promaster 136 WB cargo van. In this episode we are installing the vent fan and solar panels, assembling unique rustic ceiling and finishing the insulation with wool and radiant barrier. We are custom building this van for an outdoors photographer Christian Schaffer.
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Hello, I am Yulia! I am a Life & Wellness Coach. I'm converting Sprinter 144 into a non-toxic tiny home on wheels. I spend a lot of time outdoors, hiking, traveling in my van, getting grounded and connected. I also love DIY projects - anything healthy, sustainable, and creative!
Follow me for van life, van conversion, nature inspiration, travel, DIY, natural living, life coach guidance, healthy wellness practices. I love to inspire others to live a healthier and happier life, follow dreams, and connect with nature in a mindful way.
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GET COACHED BY ME: Book 20 minute free introductory session with me here: yuliaburova.com/schedule
CONNECT WITH ME:
Instagram: yuliainnature
Life Coaching: yuliaburova.com
LINKS:
Healthy sustainable items I love on Amazon: www.amazon.com/shop/yuliainnature
Meditation + nature journal made by me: bloomsfromtheroots.com
I use Musicbed for my videos. Sign up for free account here: bit.ly/3VEi30a
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Be well and healthy!!
SUBSCRIBE if you are interested in van life, tiny living, wellness practices, nature adventures and travel. You will see videos with beautiful nature destinations, healthy home recommendations, and creative wellness recipes.
www.youtube.com/@yuliainnnature
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If you are working on building your own van, we compiled an awesome list of products we highly recommend. Check it out here: bit.ly/BuildHealthyHome
Here are some items and tools we used to build the van:
Solar Panels Renogy 160 Watt - amzn.to/2NO0p8l
Solar Charge Controller - amzn.to/3ap1D3N
Inverter - Renogy 3000W - amzn.to/30BwJ3v
Solar Panel wires - amzn.to/2o0uJTD
Fuse Block 12 circuit - amzn.to/2TCbays
Stovetop - 2 burner gas - amzn.to/2TBv2l8
Sink - amzn.to/38mNsdy
Vent Fan- amzn.to/2oNatFH
Lights- amzn.to/2BqjtTH
Fridge- amzn.to/2MvYTrf
BEST Wire connectors- amzn.to/31wPB2s
Water Storage Container - amzn.to/2TKAUZH
Water Pump - amzn.to/2RAijwD
Soft-Close Hinges - amzn.to/2NHDU4Z
Low Voltage Cable - amzn.to/2uZMK7G
Curtain Rod - amzn.to/2GhpZid
Blackout Curtain - amzn.to/2Rt7bl4
Safety Goggles- amzn.to/35QPFh6
Jigsaw - amzn.to/2oVkm3S
Drill - amzn.to/32wnrpO
Camera -amzn.to/2J6AE0I
Gimbal - amzn.to/2MUJK1Q
Go Pro - amzn.to/2MU5IC5
#vanlife #vanconversion #howto #offgrid #solar

[@karlossmith3714]

ive seen this van on instagram...and always wondered how the roof was done. Im in the process of converting my own van, and out of pure luck, I came across this video. Thank You!!

[@yuliainnnature]

We are so glad it is helpful! It is a lot of work to do a ceiling like this but it definitely looks beautiful and unique :-) Good luck with your project!

[@PSAdventures]

Omg thank you so much for showing how you made the ceiling! I love the design but have been puzzled how people made it look like that. Beautiful build you two!

[@yuliainnnature]

You are so welcome! This ceiling is a lot of work but it is soooo beautiful! definitely worth it in the end :-)

[@Maria-ow3qv]

So nice to see that your being conscientious of the awful toxins in materials. Thank you for the info and love your build. 😊

[@yuliainnnature]

Thank you so much Maria and thank you for subscribing! We think that health should be the main factor when building a home... can't buy health! 🤷‍♀️

[@syedjavedahmad9719]

Wow, guys you are pros.👍👍

[@yuliainnnature]

Thank you so much Syed :-) Means a lot!

[@lourdemiejenfrancois3617]

OMG🤩🤩 The ceiling is so beautiful guys!!!!. Great job as always!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see the next video.

[@yuliainnnature]

Lourdemie jen francois, you are incredible! Thank you so much for your support!!!!! The ceiling was a lot of work but SOOOO worth it, it's gorgeous! 😍😍

[@jordanmalatesta6245]

Hello! Did you build cabinets or purchase them? If you purchased them where did they come from? Thanks for sharing!!

[@yuliainnnature]

Hi Jordan! We custom made all cabinets.

[@andreabrubaker5475]

Beautiful work you guys! I was wondering if you also stained the side walls or the plywood came in that finish. Would you mind sharing? Thanks so much!

[@jefferyshall]

Love your videos. You should put links to all the products you use in each episode (affiliate links of course). The solar panels, the reflective wall material, the wool, the fan, the windows and so on as you go.

[@yuliainnnature]

Good point! We have links to some products but you are right, it would be helpful to add the build materials here as well :-) Thank you!!

[@frederichore1890]

I been fascinated watching you two convert the Roadmaster into an RV van, something I want to do too. Some questions on insulation: 1. Why not use a spray foam insulation, which would not hold water unlike wool-fibreglass, and would do a good job filling voids and empty spaces, especially the channels where you have wiring running, and in the corner sections by the roof line etc? 2. To keep the floor warm, especially for colder climates, why not increase the insulation thickness with extruded polysturene, and/or add a radiant heated floor, either with a hot water system, or low voltage electric wire? 3. Did you build out the two sliding windows so insulation could be added on the metal walls around them? Not evident on your build. Also wondering about how much weight you have on the roof, with the solar panels plus the wood ceiling. By adding the upper cabinets on the walls, how has this changed the vehicles center of gravity, especially for cornering. Cheers and thanks for your tips and inspiring video! Cheers from Montréal.

[@yuliainnnature]

We do not use spray foam insulation because of toxins. Same goes for floors... unnecessary EMF exposure will make the environment less healthy, plus it is an additional cost that should be budgeted for. Low voltage wiring might be interesting to look into though. We added the sliding windows for cross-ventilation. As far as changing the weight or center of gravity, we do not notice any significant changes in the vehicle's capabilities or behavior. We have seen a lot of similar builds and never heard of any issues. Some people put even more solar panels and heavy roof racks and extra storage up top and no problems. Thank you so much for watching our video and so glad you liked it! Good luck with your build!!

[@frederichore1890]

@@yuliainnnature Thank you for your pointers and taking the time to reply. Bonne route - Happy Trails :-)

[@the_luminary]

Great videos guys, im learning alot in your build series!!! Huge thanks!

[@yuliainnnature]

So glad to hear! :) Thank you very much 😊

[@harveymushman2219]

Nice build...back in the day it was all about no windows in the sides..Needed room for the Van God mural....lol..

[@Scrambler85]

Nice work, thanks for sharing

[@yuliainnnature]

Thank you very much, we are so glad you like it :-)

[@Shamzitabrizi]

Such a gorgeous build. Can you share with me how you finished the countertops? I am looking for a way to get color and have good green food safe option. I have been so curious about her surfaces. Thank you so much.

[@yuliainnnature]

Look into AFM stains or paints. The best food safe option for the counters is to use hardwood with no glues and mineral oils (butcher block oil) to finish it.

[@yadybay913]

BEAUTIFUL😍

[@yuliainnnature]

😁😁😁Thank you!!

[@nicholevasquez8665]

I would love to build with you guys, your build is amazing and you guys seem so fricken sweet. awsome job

[@yuliainnnature]

Aww Nichole, you just made our day! Thank you so much!! If you are interested in building a van in the future, reach out to us by email or you can also submit an inquiry on our site. Happy holidays!!

[@mrmotofy]

For solar panels I recommend 2 200w Hightec panels made in the US with a 25 yr warranty for $185/shipped from ContinuousResources

[@yuliainnnature]

Thank you!

[@mrmotofy]

@@yuliainnnature You're welcome, if you need anymore suggestions lemme know. You can Email me from my channel About page. The panels are also available as a square instead of rectangular. Make cardboard templates cut to size to check fitment before ordering. Don't forget to add 1" on 2 opposite sides for the mounting Z brackets.

[@moonchildceramic]

How long till the finish product? A couple weeks? I love your work! My bf and I are considering van life for next year and we definitely want something like this to feel as comfortable as possible!

[@yuliainnnature]

Thank you so much! Vanlife is amazing and we are so glad you are considering it. A whole van build takes approximately 3 months, depending on the complexity and size.

[@slavomirdzieciatkowski8811]

Nicely done! Hey, what's the metallic film you guys used to seal in the wool insulation? Thanks!

[@yuliainnnature]

Thank you Slavomir! It is Super R Plus by Radiant Barrier.

[@slavomirdzieciatkowski8811]

@@yuliainnnature Thanks guys!

[@deirdre444]

Would you please share where you bought the wool and the radiant barrier metalized film for the insulation?

[@yuliainnnature]

Wool is from Havlock Wool and Super R Plus is from Radiant Barrier.

[@michelleg4974]

Thanks for the info Did you use any type of insulation on the ceiling before installing the wood?

[@yuliainnnature]

We used wool :-) We put up big sheets of wool and help it by a string before installing the big sheet of plywood. If you do a standard shiplap or tongue & groove ceiling, you could install portions of ceiling and stuff them with wool section by section.

[@jimlong2098]

Why did you use 160 watt solar panels? Did the higher wattage panels not fit or something?

[@yuliainnnature]

We wanted to leave a little extra space for a cargo box in the future.

[@jimlong2098]

So if extra roof space wasn’t required, it would be possible to use the latest panels? I think they make them over 400 watts each now.

[@yuliainnnature]

@@jimlong2098 You would just have to measure the roof dimensions and also figure out where your fan is. Some people are ok with panels being slightly wider than the van and others like them to be less visible. All depends on what your priorities in the van build and vanlife style are.

[@kashkoi2]

Hi there, very nice look with the ceiling. Wondering did you attach the slats just with adhesive and the occasional brad nail or did you brad nail every feet? Thanks.

[@yuliainnnature]

Thank you, we loved how the ceiling came out! The planks are mostly held up by the adhesive. Only used brad nails at the beginning, 2 places roughly in the middle and end of each 10 foot plank. Hope this helps!

[@AaronGeller]

Did you find working with wool released loose particles?

[@yuliainnnature]

Just little hairs would fly around but much easier to manage then denim and especially foam! We highly recommend wool, we noticed the difference on our newer van builds.

[@mykingdomforanrv5536]

Amazing job, whats the name of that radiant barrier please..Thanks!

[@yuliainnnature]

Thank you. It is radiant barrier super R diamond.

[@melissawilker3063]

Hi! Where did you buy the wool insulation?

[@yuliainnnature]

Hi Melissa! Havelock wool :)

[@meganburt4420]

How much is the average cost and what do u charge for help

[@yuliainnnature]

Thank you for the question Megan. We no longer build vans for clients. Good luck with your build!

[@SantiagoDurando]

amazing team, thanks for sharing!

[@yuliainnnature]

Thank you so much, Santiago :-)