Van Tour | Full Time Living in My Budget Friendly, Practical Camper Van

[@stevewilkinson6417]

'In the garage, all of my crap' 😄 made me smile, like your down to earth style, looking forward to more of your videos.

[@carolannmiller7911]

Your van is practical, you're honest and down-to-earth, which is refreshing! Your priorities are relatable too!

[@muggletoys4939]

I like the fact that you have your own bathroom and toilet. It helps a lot when you're travelling. You are very transparent, honest and very practical.

[@RudixSA]

A rear view camera would be easy and cheap to install, you will find it extremely useful! Very practical and "livable" van!

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Yes, it’s definitely on the list for improvements.

[@blugnu1]

I agree. I have a large van and for less than $ 300 I bought the camera & had it installed. Just going to the grocery store was a nerve wracking process when backing into a parking space or backing out when leaving. Pedestrians were a constant problem.

[@cdaprice3416]

I love it because it’s not generic. It’s what you want and need. Thank you for being so transparent

[@pviewer1234]

It is a wonderful van. I wish you much happiness as you move 'round the country is this lovely home on wheels. My favourite, if I have to choose 😵‍💫, is the seating area/office area. I think it would be a joy to turn around the passenger seat and with a glass of wine and the table to sit it on when not sipping, chatting away with you and hearing about your adventures. Thank you for sharing.

[@iama8537]

A shower, a bathroom! Fantastic. I cannot understand life without.

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

I agree. Everyone has their ‘must haves’ and for me, it was a bathroom.

[@barbbrown2464]

Lovely! You and Baby look very comfortable. Nice set up. ❤

[@jeanmcgahey1143]

Hi from South Africa. It's a great home you've created for you and Bailey. Thanks for keeping it real and not on show. Safe travels

[@dawnlauwrens3983]

Hello from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@drsandralean8036]

I love the fact that this - and you - are so real. Like you said, too many videos out there with unrealistic "perfect van" scenarios - this was such a refreshing change! Thanks for the tip about blind spot mirrors - my bus is 7.5m, so those would be really handy for me!

[@tandsky]

Yes I agree. This is a sensible explanation that is useful to anyone with a van and also gives some good tips

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thank you - I’m really glad you liked it

[@mrjiggs3761]

You seem like a lovely person trying escape the trappings of everyday life, and who can blame you. Well done you x

[@kikigirlkauai]

A way to help keep from having to change sheets as often is to use a flat sheet over the fitted sheet tucked in as best as can and then it wicks sweat and anything, keeping the fitted sheet clean longer. Especially when you can’t get around the bed easily and it’s a pain. Love the dog and his sweet nature. Love your honesty and just showing and talking about real life in your van. Be safe and careful. Get a mini camera installed on back so you can have security and see to back up even if it’s just on your phone or tablet. So you don’t have to depend on someone else or risking getting out of van in tight or nighttime

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thanks for the tips.

[@FrancineKent]

Love your bed and office area. And Bailey of course!

[@greghall14]

You are a lovely soul and you have an awesome. Also let’s not forget Bailey. You have a new Aussie subscriber.

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thank you. And welcome.

[@matthewvaughan6327]

I couldn’t pick a favourite part of your van, I really like all of it. The old Sprinters are very reliable, just keep an eye out for rust from paint damage(especially if your dad is helping you reverse😂), it soon gets serious. The conversion seems well thought out and solidly made and your modifications are useful. I think you never really finish campervans, there’s always something to improve, but that’s part of the pleasure.👍

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Hi Adele, lovely to hear from you. I was telling a friend about the Reiki session I had with you the other day over in sunny Spain. I’m glad you like my videos. I hope you have a happy new year. Take care.

[@donnajames6067]

I enjoyed the van tour. I love the set up and the skylight over the bed 😊

[@HeatherJacobs-r5h]

I have loved this tour and your down to earth personality. Your home is how you want it not how others would want it. If you're happy, that's what matters. Personally, I love your home. I, also, love you Chi because I have one who looks like yours. My little guys is 5lbs and just enough for companionship. I wish you much happiness and safe travels. Watching from Ontario, Canada.👍♥️

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thank you! - Chi’s make great companions.

[@rusty8719]

I am partial to Chihuahuas, so that is my favorite part of your van. Good use of bungees and I like your bathroom especially the sink.

[@athollmcnicoll1028]

Favourite part of this video was watching Bailey, trying to stay awake but having a dog nap.

[@nancyabramson8114]

I love your van and your wonderful personality!

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thank you

[@WagnerGimenes]

My favourite part of the video is, without a doubt, Bailey 😇

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Best answer ❤️

[@AndrewReed-x8f]

Totally love your video, we were laughing as we were watching it and saying- look another person with the same ideas that are practical, simple and work best 🥰❤️👍

[@rob20452]

How nice great van good set up , very well done also and professionally, your hair blends in with those sunflowers nicely,.👍 Looking forward to more,.

[@VanityBitty]

Great van tour, well done. I love your van, it’s amazing. Very cute dog.

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thank you

[@rileybarrett6395]

You’ve certainly got the van looking very functional for yourself, well done.

[@robinpresley7218]

Your pup is totally looking at the camera🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Haha, she’s a natural

[@djsioux2265]

I love your cosy homely van and the fixed bed area ❤😊

[@Jensen_Denmark]

What a cozy van

[@laurieshaw1462]

I love the whole van!!

[@Sunnysa123]

Love your van greetings out of South Africa 🎉🎉🤗🤗💕💕🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@dawnlauwrens3983]

@Sunnysa123 Greetings from a fellow South African 🇿🇦 love these van Life videos.

[@AnnaAdventuring]

Lots of helpful tips, especially re driving. The little bungee cords are a great idea 👍🏻 I’ve often thought about van life, and it’s still not off the cards. Who knows.

[@dross24MA]

I have them and love them -- we sell them at car shows based on people seeing how I use them =;^)

[@Reflektologist]

great vid...love the water filter am gona av a look at getting something similar...also love the real presentation..keep going🎉🤗

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thanks 👍

[@ferney2936]

I've found that having rear parking sensors & a rear camera both make a big difference to how confidently I can manoeuvre my big motorhome. Both items are cheap, easy DIY fit & available from Ebay & Amazon. I'm sure there are various KZbin videos showing ways to fit them

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

That’s definitely on the todo list. It would make life a lot easier.

[@markwhitehead64]

Hi just come across your channel and can I say how much I enjoyed watching your van looks lovely you can’t beat a bungee really look forward to seeing your next video keep safe 😊👍🏻

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thanks and welcome

[@ASBlondontravel]

I don't think I've got a favourite they were all my favourite parts😂👍 thank you for showing us your beautiful home 💓

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@teresam6843]

Lovely cosy home..great colours. Have a wonderful time. Hi from cork Ireland.

[@danielwhittington4559]

I. Love everything about your van life and your beautiful as well 💕

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thank you

[@Right-laneRubberDucky]

Thank you for the tour, not making your bed, and keeping it real! Lovely kit, love the doggy den!

[@ronschischka9125]

My favourite part is listening &looking at you very entheuastic

[@daram5257]

Thank you. Picked up lots of tips and you and Bailey are just a joy to watch :)

[@Lighttningbolt]

Real nice Van and you with your dog real cool, I like to have more space

[@raquelkhadiri162]

Like your counter space and bathroom. Great idea for the sink in the bathroom

[@andyrichey1192]

Awesome set up. I just subscribed Sunday, November 17 watching now 6:16 PM. Appreciate you sharing. I’ll watch for the next one until then peace and chicken grease😁👍👍👋👋😎

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thanks and welcome

[@BattlingBigfoot]

That's a really nice setup! Nice one 😁👍

[@user-to8rm1vs5n]

Enjoy you. You are real. Down to earth. ❤

[@iainmccree6270]

great looks cozy

[@dianecollins9966]

Good use of bungees x

[@michaelketteringham9417]

Hi Carly It's a bit of a minefield buying a second hand van as I know from experience having bought a Ford transit which I converted into a campervan.Its turned out to be very reliable.Just found you on here and it's good to see someone enjoying their campervan as much as I enjoy mine.Happy Travels.

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

It’s luck of the draw isn’t it. The risk you take.

[@michaelketteringham9417]

​@@TheCuriousCollective_OfficialYes it is, luckily mine was okay as was yours 😂

[@johncarter9054]

Rather a nice setup. Excellent video

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thanks 👍

[@oldguydave7355]

I think your van is really cute and for 9000 quid I think it's a steal.

[@mk1photography62]

Thanks for the video we have an Autosleeper Symbol 2003 and love it similar to yours New subscriber too. Love the van generally and down to earth is just lovely too

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thanks for subscribing and welcome.

[@Michelle514C]

Hello 👋 I'm a new subscriber from Atlanta Ga. I ❤ your Van Setup it's very nice, I once had a dog like yours. Her name was Snoots ❤ stay safe

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thanks for subbing and welcome

[@yiannis.300]

Nice video. You are my favourite part

[@leilal8053]

Love the practicality of the fold down sink in the bathroom. Never understood why more people don't install them when they call a "Shower with a removable toilet" a bathroom......it isn't.

[@juditholivares597]

I really like your van ♥️ it's nice i love the tiles on the table and in the kitchen..i love the yellow 💛

[@ianyoung7347]

perfect set up for you,,impressed ! and it looks very comfortable! Merry christmas,,,

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thank you and Merry Christmas to you too.

[@ianyoung7347]

@@TheCuriousCollective_Official HO HOHO !!! lol

[@dawnlauwrens3983]

17:06 Bailey sitting greeting the viewers😂too cute mama...very well behaved❤

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

😂

[@EYEMISSSEINFELD]

I think your home on wheels looks lovely. I did think the cat littler container was a popcorn dispenser when I first saw it though!😅😅😅

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Haha, that would interesting in the bathroom lol

[@dross24MA]

@@TheCuriousCollective_Official What type of litter is it anyway?

[@MrTyger11]

Great van review, I think for the money you have spent, you have a nice home. One tip, get rid of the blue heavy gas bottle and buy a safefill bottle £200 ish. You can fill it yourself at a gas supplier or filling station, much lighter and after a few fills it will pay for it's self. Howard.

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thanks for the tip, I’ll have a look into those.

[@terryhere3889]

Love the van, and you! Safe travels

[@benleonard5439]

You and Bailey on the open road, living the dreams of many 😊

[@naturegirl5681]

Very nice!

[@timeforchange3786]

I had a camera system installed on my vehicle it was $2000 but it has front back side cameras it also has a GPS navigation system that tracks where you go so you can backtrack if you need to I use it absolutely everyday I love it and I highly recommend getting something like that

[@tikitiki7610]

luv the little dog!!!

[@PaulClarke-gf5hw]

So much more room than I thought you would have

[@Scud_and_thesTig]

You’ve done a cracking job. Good luck; and maybe see you around on all of our travels 👌💙❤️

[@zazzoomedia]

Videos and editing have stepped up massively..You're my favourite van lifer to follow now..

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

thank you - I'm getting there with the editing. It's basic but I like basic 😂

[@elisabethforsberg9027]

In sweden every water is drinkeble,it is kontrolled by the state😊

[@scots.girl.adventures]

Oh wow absolutely love your quirky little van just came across your channel absolutely brilliant 🤩 ❤

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thanks and welcome

[@thomassvec3771]

Nicely done...❤

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thanks

[@kevinwilson296]

I have a dog and toilet that's a plus

[@leerod]

❤😊nice van.

[@kimwong7986]

Brilliant! You are very inspirational, keep going, all the best!

[@rodellwilliams871]

Awesome all the best 🙏🏽 🌞 👍🏾 👌🏾

[@roamer1588]

Hi New subscriber... I drove lorries for a couple of years and was told ,when reversing..if in doubt.. GOAL... Get Out And Look 👍👍

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thanks and welcome

[@jenniewilliams9556]

A very nice tour. Wish I was you.

[@SlimTortoise]

We have the T1N sprinter 2.7 five pot, the best engine ever. We have had her for 22 years and still going strong.

[@g-man8980]

Put a camera on the back of your van for backing up. I'm sure there are plenty of videos showing the best way to install it.

[@1049Phil]

Brilliant vid Carly....keep them coming... Bailey is so cute ,loving the camera 🤗❤.. keep them coming, stay safe and drive safe out there.... hopefully be on the road myself next year once life calms here.....such an inspiration🤗. You deserve a good life..Bailey too....👏💙

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thank you.

[@renbean7]

Loved your van tour.

[@frankie6849]

Very nice setup cozy looking too

[@Pau_Pau33]

hello i just found your channel, and I love it! I already subscribed😃😃😃

[@derrywalton3479]

good video - enjoyable and happy camping

[@dawnlauwrens3983]

I love you van ❤

[@nomadseason]

Love it!! 😀

[@michaelom8806]

Well done you. You've really made it homely, thanks for sharing all the tips , I live full time on a boat but it's a mess compared to your well organised van . I'll deffo get them bungey cords to stop things falling over. Thankyou. Bless you on your travels

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Bungees and velcro strips are my answer to everything haha

[@joline2730]

At last ‼️ The Van Tour is here ... 👌 and it's great to see everything, all very well explained too. Don't worry about the mess, everyone has "stuff" and honestly yours was quite tidy and well organized 👍👍💯 I have just bought some foam to go on my newly made cupboard from a company called GBFoamDirect. They were extremely competitively priced compared to a lot of others charging about £120 more ... got it for £62 which included £10 delivery. They are in High Wycombe (yes, I'm in the UK 🇬🇧). Proper mattresses will obviously cost much more, but do shop around ... as prices vary considerably. Hope you manage to get all the other little upgrades done once you return to the UK. Stay Safe ❤

[@kimski5391]

Lovely van happy travels!❤

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thank you! 😃

[@nadineterry946]

Very impressive.

[@nigelmulvee994]

You could always use some cloth or light weight wood to make a cover into cab area to hang down behind your night curtain so no light shines into cab from curtain hook holes, may be fix up with clips or velcro, But nicely fitted out camper,

[@steve_and_lolas_hikes]

Just found your channel....love the tour. When you decide to upgrade to lithium (which is a game changer I promise)....have a look at Fogstar ones. Great company and very competitive on prices. My 305Ah one was £499 which was a great price. You'll also need a smartshunt so you can monitor battery levels if you don't go for a Bluetooth battery 👍🏻

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thank you for the tip. I think the batteries are a priority now. it’s fine while in sunny Spain but they’re not going to hold up for more than a day without full sunshine charging via the solar.

[@steve_and_lolas_hikes]

@CuriousAboutAdventure I have a stupid 230v fridge in my new van (it was already in) and it ran the lead acid battery down in around 16 hours the first time I went away (they're designed for hook up or engine power). So this weekend I did a test with the new lithium one. I turned off the solar and put the fridge on high. In 48 hours it only used 20% of the battery......that's the difference with lithium 👍🏻👍🏻😎

[@DonnaStevens-uo9vp]

❤ your Chihuahua!

[@campingbikertravels1769]

👍🏻 another great video …. 😊

[@anitasimmons3599]

Beautiful rig. My late husband and I purchased an almost 30 year old class b, van conversion over 3 years ago and had almost a year traveling in it, and working through it before he passed away. It is really great we paid cas5and have plenty of cash for gas and travels. We were both really handy so we have done most of the repairs to the systems ourselves. I was on the fence about keeping it, but for part time travel it has been really nice. I also use it as a bedroom for my Mother's place when siblings come to visit. Being paid off and older I feel free to modify the van to suit me. Being older the van is less expensive to pay taxes, title and insurance too. I have also carted building materials in it. I don't have a TV, but I do have a DVD/CD player with USB port. It is fine for me because I just don't watch much Television. I do want to update my lead acid batteries and put solar on the roof, but that is a future project. I love the European Mercedes vans but here in the USA, they are expensive and maintenance is expensive too. My van is on the Dodge Ram 3500 platform so fuel economy is not great, but it can run 70 to 85 mph all day on our interstate system. I have thought about purchasing a minivan in Europe to do van life travels and then sale it when I return home, but my next trip will be a Camino and walking because it is less expensive and will allow me to learn how to travel across the pond. Thank you again for the tour of your home. ❤😊

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

Thank you for sharing. Where abouts in the states are you from? I fully intend to do van life over there at some point in the future. I’m so sorry about the loss of your husband. Wherever he is now, I can imagine he’s proud that you are continuing to make travel plans and have new experiences.

[@anitasimmons3599]

@CuriousAboutAdventure my homebase is in the north area of Kansas City, Missouri. I have camping lots in both Kansas and central Missouri as well. When you get over here, you will have to go to a van gathering. The USA is so big it would take years just to visit the lower 48 states.

[@bloodynorahvan2203]

It IS a Sprinter!!!!! 🥳🥳🥳

[@brenyule]

Great van!❤

[@ASBlondontravel]

amazing setup well done 👍

[@Yvonneb_]

Love your van/home. Xx

[@VannyingAround]

Lovely video.. Would have liked to have seen your solar panels as I'm looking to get some installed in my van.

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

I have got 2x 100w panels from Renolgy, I purcased them from their ebay store. There should be a link in the description if you want to have a look.

[@VannyingAround]

@CuriousAboutAdventure thanks mate

[@CrypticConversions]

Great set up. I'm sure the set up is never completed. When I saw your full length mirror, I thought it was a great idea to have it there bc mirrors make areas appear larger. It then occurred to me that the more mirrors a van like yours would have, the larger it might feel, so you might consider putting more mirrors in. Just a thought. (ps: I adore your long red hair! My sister had hair that color and she always wore it short, and I always tried to get her to grow it out. Since she just passed away this last September, seeing your incredible hair has a little extra meaning for me. Thanks for sharing your van AND your HAIR! )💜

[@TheCuriousCollective_Official]

I’m glad you liked it. Really sorry for the loss of your sister too.