Van Life - Van Tour - Off-Grid Camping with Rooftop A/C & Generator on Camper Van Conversion

You can live the van life and go anywhere - even without electricity - and still be cool and comfortable with air conditioning! You've heard people talk about boondocking or going "off-the-grid" in their camper vans.... Ever wonder how some of them do it? Ever wonder how they stay cool or charge their phones or cook their food? Some van dwellers utilize solar - and we do too - but an A/C unit takes up so much electricity that it would quickly drain your battery bank. A generator is the best way to power an energy-hogging device like an A/C unit when you're away from electrical service. But how does a van dweller lug around a generator, keep it from being stolen and protect it from the weather? Well, check out this awesome Chevy Goodtime Van that features a Coleman 14K BTU Air Conditioner running on dual generators securely stored in a box that is attached to the tow hitch!
We went to a car & van show in North Texas this past weekend hosted by "Z" with "Back-in-Time Vanners" and stumbled upon this really cool custom camper van. What really made this van stand out is the addition of a "generator box" attached to the tow hitch. The "generator box" houses dual Honda generators that run the A/C unit and other electrical devices when the van is boondocking, meaning when the van is away from shore power ("shore" power is when you're plugged in to a regular electrical plug). The generator box, modified from a Northern Tool tool box, was customized to include vents and fans to keep the generators cool and the front panel opens up for easy access. Sliding tracks allow the whole box to slide out away from the van so that you can still open the back doors! That's pretty darn cool.
Mike, the owner of this van, lived in this custom camper van while traveling for work. Working and traveling in hot climates like Texas makes it mandatory to have an A/C unit that you can still operate when you're camped away from electricity. Mike's dual generators and custom generator box does the trick!
Among this custom Chevy camper van's features are:
- Utilizes battery, shore and generator power
- Inverter and converter with charger
- Dual Honda generators
- Generator box on sliding tracks
- Coleman 14K BTU Air Conditioner (built-in on the roof)
- Ice box, propane stove, sink
- Internal and external propane capabilities for stove and heater
- Water storage tank
- Removable second row of seats!
- Double-stitched, custom front cab seats with swivel passenger seat
- Custom upholstered ceiling, walls and seats
- Mounted TV with DVD player and HDMI cable connections
- Side band radio
We were surprised to learn that this custom 1979 Chevy camper van is for sale. We don't want to post the owner's personal information on the site but if you are interested, please contact us and we will put you in touch!
See this on our site at www.backroadsvanner.com/all-po...
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CREDITS:
Music used in this video:
Hooky with Sloane by Bird Creek - KZbin
#Stealth Camper Van #Stealth Van #VanLife #Van Life #DigitalNomad #Backroadsvanner #OffGridCamping
#boondocking #off-the-grid #offgrid #mobileoffice #campervan #campervanconversion #stealth

[@UnclaimedStorageTreasures]

That generator set up is awesome

[@vanoramarv4193]

Nicely done. Brings back fond memories of our 94 Chevy van.

[@jmrichsonsr]

Awesome Van That Mike has.

[@johnpittscom]

Beautiful van. Exactly what I want

[@rod22lt]

Love the looks of those older GM vans. Thanks for the vid man

[@cybersecretary]

great! Into the mystery turned me on to you. I can't wait to get on the road!

[@rebeccaswilling1771]

Wow what a nice set up. Looks very comfortable and cozy!

[@BackroadsVanner]

Yes it does Rebecca. Thank You!

[@bobfulton6201]

Holy Cow ! What a find Mike ! Thanks for sharing! And thanks to van owner Mike for sharing with us. Man O' Man" ! What-a-van!

[@BackroadsVanner]

Yes I thought it was great also! Glad you enjoyed it and always my pleasure to share with everyone! Thanks Bob

[@DaveDisplacedRV]

Awesome video and very educational thx

[@ArkansasMike]

That's a great van build!

[@zgomez68]

To build a can and travel and live in it and travel is my dream! I love your channel, I hope to meet you down the road sometimes. Take care and keep up the quality videos!

[@BackroadsVanner]

Thank you Zach! We appreciate those great comments. So glad you're enjoying the channel, got more great videos coming. Your dream can become a reality!!!

[@shtfvan8084]

Good looking van

[@2bitProjects]

This is a good friend of mine and the van is top notch!

[@BackroadsVanner]

Thanks Thomas! He is a great guy and I am so glad to have met him! We appreciate you watching.

[@maddtrucker6731]

awesome Van

[@redneck048]

Nice van, first one I have seen with a CB radio. The plan I am working on consists of 5 extreme duty deep cycle batteries giving me 625 AH's and 600 watts of solar on top so I can run a small 5000 BTU window a/c unit from a 12000 peak inverer when I am not connected to shore power.... will see how it works when I get it completed.

[@007nadineL]

Ho did it go for you?

[@chrisreed26]

Not to be rude but I still like your van the best of all..Your van is hard to beat for neatness and clean lines...

[@LivingInAVan]

Wow! A very impressive vehicle! Awesome job, Mike!

[@BackroadsVanner]

Thanks for watching, Mike did a great job!

[@LivingInAVan]

Inspiring. Thanks for sharing!

[@MyLifesVentures]

Wow!! Loved his van, damnit man, 2 generators? woweee, he can power bout anything!! lol good stuff!

[@BackroadsVanner]

That's right Tim! He could open up shop! Thanks for watching and commenting, We appreciate you!

[@thomasriley9552]

Nice rig

[@Into_The_Mystery_13]

wow! that thing is amazing!

[@BackroadsVanner]

Clean for a "79" I used a rooftop A/C in my old van and loved it. The only down side was you had to have electric to run it. Also when camping in cool weather I wanted a vent fan so my current van I opted for the fantastic fan instead of the A/C unit.( I did run a wire in case i ever changed my mind)Thanks for watching my friend, your t-shirt should arrive tomorrow.

[@tom_olofsson]

Sweet setup.

[@BackroadsVanner]

I agree Tom. Perfect for these 100 degree days in texas!

[@007nadineL]

My Gosh you are an extremely good looking man.......subbed...... 😍

[@lenajohnson7640]

I want this guys brain!!! So cool

[@MrKalon52]

Good solution for that Texas heat

[@aporotigar3257]

love it :)

[@BackroadsVanner]

Me too!

[@GatorLife57]

Thumbs up. ... .... ..... ENJOY....THE SIMPLE LIFE

[@BackroadsVanner]

Thanks Wolf! Life is Good! Check out our new Facebook group called " Backroads Vanner Group" Great place to share your wisdom! We appreciate you watching!

[@smallfootprint2961]

Just goes to show you what you can do with a little talent. Nice how he's ourfitted that van. By now we know that Houston has been hit by the worst hurricane in history. I wonder how the van dwellers/boondockers made out. Hope they got out before it was too late. That's one advantage of being on wheels.

[@ceciliacecilia4162]

Great set up, but could use more detail about the hitch thing and how it moves away from van so doors can open. Also, how many watts for each gen.?

[@gordoksel]

yeah, thats badass.

[@BackroadsVanner]

I 2nd that!

[@voltron63]

cool van man....

[@BackroadsVanner]

No pun intended? Very COOL!

[@grantar2]

Would have liked to know a lot more about his heater.

[@Burps___]

Those Honda 2000 gens are now $1000 each new, but I own one and they are amazing units. One pull, always start, super quiet. Just wish it had a gasoline gauge or low fuel indicator. For anyone needing a gen, watch YT vids on that unit. Thanks for a great video, Mike and Mike.

[@BackroadsVanner]

Thank You for Watching!

[@anothersomebody8195]

That rear storage box is legit. Any idea who makes it? Also, do you have any videos on how your battery insulator is hooked up for charging while the motor is running?

[@MindiheartsMusic]

Thanks for sharing this. Love it. Take care.

[@BackroadsVanner]

Sorry the video quality wasn't better but the van rocks!

[@SupercarGarageUSA]

Thumbs up!

[@BackroadsVanner]

Thanks Supercar Garage!

[@cyonarra1]

What make of hitch did you use? Is the slide a mod? THANKS C

[@slick3676]

Anyone know what the foam on ceiling and walls is called, and where available?

[@jennycraig3510]

How do you move the generators away from the doors for easy access?

[@lenajohnson7640]

could you have it so your air conditioner and generator would start automatically if the temp got too high even if your not in the van?

[@BobbyB3rd]

can take wait to meat you guys. be in Colorado in about 5 days

[@BackroadsVanner]

Sorry to disappoint you Bobby but we will not be in Colorado next week! Have fun, look forward to meeting you another time. Thanks for watching!!

[@paulskystoneadventures]

👍👍

[@thomas4315]

I want a ac but don’t thing I will put in my van. The reason is I don’t know why but anytime I turn on the ac cool I alway get sleepy and take a nap. Too conformable. LOL

[@BackroadsVanner]

Thanks for checking out our videos, we appreciate you watching and commenting! Please SUBSCRIBE to our channel. Also, join our NEW Facebook "GROUP" where YOU can share your photos and stories at: facebook.com/groups/backroadsvanner Backroads Vanner links and merchandise available at our web site at: www.backroadsvanner.com

[@sarabaduria5470]

I'm thinking about doing this. Most of the used vans I'm looking at have a lot of miles. What's the highest you would go on a van such as yours? I don't want to spend more than 10k on a used van. Thanks

[@BackroadsVanner]

Sara, I see plenty of vans that have already been converted or would make a great van to customize for sale. Since a lot of cargo vans have been used for deliveries or a business they will typically have a lot of miles but keep looking because there are some good ones out there with low miles. Some people will buy a camper van new, take it on a few trips then let it sit for a couple of years thinking they will use it again. But when they never do.. they sell it! SCORE! A 5 or 6 year old van, low miles, like new and for a good price. Keep watching they are out there.

[@deliciousness8183]

so does he have the 2 generators tied together? if so; how does that work?

[@BackroadsVanner]

I thought he did but now I'm not sure. Maybe one ran the fans and other electrical and the other ran the A/C. I'll find out!

[@rmbarnes672]

Kaptin Clouds the Honda eu2000 can be run in series to make ~4000 watts.

[@lindacrowley1405]

We're can I buy those cap buttons on the screws...iv looked everyware.

[@BackroadsVanner]

Hey Linda, it took me a while to find out where I bought them. Here is the link: www.atrim.com/Page117.html Hope this helps. I think you can get them from Home Depo as well. Good luck!

[@dirtysouthtv2209]

Linda Crowley Amazon and eBay both have them..

[@slick3676]

I bought some stuff Home Depot in screws isle.

[@aliceandtheninjacats]

I just bought a 1983 Chevy G20. I want to get this done to my van. I'm in Texas. Where do I go?

[@dirtysouthtv2209]

LovesIt WantsIt Look up van customizers or vehicle customizers in your area. If you can't find any, ask your local competition car stereo shops for some names of places...even RV repair shops can do simple builds like that.

[@aliceandtheninjacats]

DirtySouthTV Thank you! I will do that!

[@kevinmckinzie]

So, all I have to do is mirror my ceiling and I can then sell my van as a high top?

[@BackroadsVanner]

No LOL! But I bet if you lay in bed and look up at the mirror it will look like a high top. Thanks for watching Kevin!

[@stephanegenest6793]

Backroads Vanner Hi from Canada how does your paint on the chevy still good any brand may do ? such quality will last how long ?

[@djnemesis82pluss1877]

2 grand in generators hanging out the back

[@obese1konobe]

Could you not just run your engine and use the vehicle AC?

[@sunny5113]

obese1konobe I have the same doubt past 1 year.