Vlog 24: My compact, self-built campervan - the tour!

After several months of building (and quite a lot of procrastination), I have declared my DIY camper van complete and ready for use. True there are still some small things I will update, change or fix but basically it's done so here is the tour of the finished van.
If you liked the video and wish to leave me a tip, thank you!
www.ko-fi.com/davidjohns
Tools and parts used (Amazon affiliate links)
DeWalt jigsaw: geni.us/Van_DeWaltJigsaw
DeWalt drill: geni.us/Van_DeWaltDrill
DeWalt mitre saw: geni.us/Van_DeWaltMitreSaw
Portable toilet: geni.us/Van_Toilet
Sink unit: geni.us/Van_SinkHob
Fridge: geni.us/Van_CoolFreezeCDF26
Heater unit: geni.us/Van_PropexHS2000
Inverter: geni.us/Van_Inverter
Mains charger: geni.us/Van_MainsCharger
Solar charger: geni.us/Van_SolarMPPT
Web www.vandemonium.co.uk
Twitter / vandemoniumuk
Instagram: / vandemoniumuk

[@nomoremeetings1183]

Very impressive. I have been watching your narrow boat channel and ended up binge watching your van build-out. Now back to the boat vids!

[@familyw5661]

same for us.

[@craigcottam]

From the son of a professional campervan builder I am very impressed. What you have achieved with your limited resources, effectively in a field! is quite remarkable. Congratulations to you!

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you

[@izifaddag8221]

Very nice. The most enjoyable part of your video was the fact that you did not have any annoying music or ridiculous lead in / out logo. The info is what I am here for not some amateur film making. Much appreciated. Super build.

[@petermastenbroek5264]

Hi David, thanks for showing the finished result of all your hard-, very good- and well thought-out work. You can be proud of what you did, and now start using and enjoying your lovely small campervan that will allow you to visit places of interest you can't get to by narrowboat. Good luck, and have fun, Peter.

[@tinplategeek1058]

I didn't realise that I suffer from OCD until I saw that the paint on the wooden slats only covers the first inch or so under the mattress. :)

[@Vandemonium]

I was running out of paint. And patience ;-)

[@r.m.5730]

Great Job , and congratulations. I was just thinking earlier today, where is the vlog. from David. I especially like the flooring. I somehow had the impression that your van was a Volvo. Guess I was mistaken . Good thing you don't live in Arizona, Scottsdale is 102 F, today and the carpeting in you van would have really heated the vans interior. Amazing piece of workmanship. Cheri o for now. Richard

[@Vandemonium]

Very warm indeed! With the sliding door and the vent open, it stays reasonably cool in up to 32C

[@roseybut]

Just like "cruising the cut" I've watched all the vandemonium vlogs and enjoyed them immensely. Congratulations on a camper well built sir.

[@ncplantdoctor]

You should be proud of what you've accomplished. Smashing.

[@Kaixo-Zemouz]

Brilliant! the David Attenborough narration style made it that much more enjoyable

[@martyrule]

Nice work David. I'm looking forward to a few trip reports!

[@GavinY]

Best part of building your own, you never get tired of it

[@snappyfish]

Nice to see it finished, looks great and ready for odd trips away. Hope you enjoy... Just think how your life's changed from before the narrow boat journey. Now what's your next project?

[@adrianpipe3323]

Congratulations David on a great van conversion. The videos have all been entertaining and informative, thanks for sharing the process.

[@maobfh]

This popped back up in video's I might enjoy. I saw the date and I was surprised. It is hard to believe that it has been 2years!

[@Vandemonium]

I know!!

[@sharononeill8729]

well done !!! im just starting my dispatch camper after having an LDV LWB for 6 years.In that 6 years i changed the layout 4 times because over time you adapt your van to your needs .Your van is personal to you and you should be very proud ,have fun on all your future trips away.

[@ronjohnson9690]

All is high quality work. Nice job, David!

[@andylewis6427]

Really nice conversion. Well done on having the guts to start cutting holes in your van for the vents and windows .i think I would be procrastinating still. Just stood there drill in hand coming up with excuses not to start.

[@williamjordan811]

Vantastic! Cheers

[@stephenmundane]

You definitely should be pleased-- great DIY conversion. Just goes to show what a bit of determination, intelligence and planning can accomplish.

[@johncarr1793]

Well this has been an interesting diversion from "Cruising the cut" and the final installation looks neat and compact. You should be pleased with yourself, and look forward to many interesting weekends away which no doubt you will report upon. Well done David.

[@crstothard]

Well done, David! Perhaps you'll take us on some UK and European road adventures!

[@transferdatathreewally24]

Yes, more travels please.

[@petersmith5199]

Finished at last, and so worth your effort. Looks really cosy and self contained so you're ready for anything. Thanks once again for your time sharing the journey with us. Ta!

[@jayoneill1533]

Well done David! A brilliant job indeed, but now it’s time to grab those keys and hit the road.

[@wclark3196]

It would be sad if I commented before watching just trying to be first. Edit: Okay, I've finished watching now. Again, I'm disappointed not to see running water and burning gas. Surely you could have made a cuppa. However, I'm very impressed by the work. I've been watching from the beginning and the transformation is significant. I could not have done that. Good job, David.

[@MrFreddiew1]

Really quite an impressive job, considering you didnt have a workshop or garage, you did everything outside in not the best of weather, respect. Enjoy!

[@maryannvangrevenhof8769]

Wow, your van looks great! You do great work!

[@kbendle1556]

I think you did an amazing job with such a small van and the fact you've never done one before.

[@judytaylor5400]

Great job Dave. Now can we get some cruising the cut videos - please. I really miss them.

[@Vandemonium]

I'm going cruising again but have been on a summer break.

[@pedrosantos-simplyrelax4612]

What a Nice surprise! I follow you with the Narrow boats and now i discover that you're on vanlife.

[@guth21776]

I am a carpenter and I think you have done a fairly decent job, well done

[@Vandemonium]

Cheers!

[@clairepapadatos1116]

Hello David! Many congratulations to you on finishing your van😊😀👍👍👍 She looks absolutely gorgeous! 😊 Looking forward to maybe a few Vlogs of you toodling around in her! Enjoy your 'rest of the summer' break! (& thanks for interrupting it to post this!) All love, and best wishes, Claire, Sally, and Zora ( 2 older Goldies ), Berlin 😘 😘 😘 ✌ 👍 👍 👍

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you Claire et al!

[@stevegaston8411]

Great job, I hope you have many safe and enjoyable trips in it.

[@theindieprojects]

Lovely job! 👌🏻

[@jamiecurry7240]

really nice camper, you really would make a fantastic golf sports commentator

[@Vandemonium]

If only I knew anything about golf!! ;-)

[@jamiecurry7240]

@@Vandemonium XD same, even commentry on calm sports or even documentries you would highly effective. you have a very proffesional and calm voice over which works well to a lot of subjects...could be the new David Attenborough =)

[@chrishowell1948]

Method man finished congrats now new vids about your traveling

[@mwolfer1]

For a self declared mechanical (and by extension one assumes electrical) numpty: Very well done, all the things you need, in a compact and usable space. I'd buy it, the CFO permitting. Safe travels!

[@Vandemonium]

Haha, thank you. Actually I was always quite confident about the electricals in part due to my time on the boat. Cheers!

[@pgreen9705]

Wow, that is absolutely fantastic! And you did it yourself! How brilliant is that! Such a practical layout, no space wasted at all, and even an emergency loo! I love the table! You should be very proud of such an achievement - well done!

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you :-)

[@robertmiller2831]

This is amazing. I was just at an RV show recently and this is easily just as nice as most of them. Your cooktop and sink are by far a better setup than most I have seen..

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you!

[@andygibson9422]

That’s some job, David, what an achievement! Well done!

[@Frankster9111]

Loved watching the build series and I think it looks great! Nice and cozy inside and all insulated up for winter time. I look forward to seeing some weekend travel videos with you spending some time in the van!

[@jw4620]

Nicely done!

[@bonviv]

Well done Dave

[@cleaner10399]

Top Job, Dave. You deserve a pat on the back. I doubt many pros could have done better than this on the first go. I hope it is comfortable to stay in on your journeys away from the cut. I would not be surprised if the Narrowboat Experience doesn't ask to borrow it. lol

[@randallfield4036]

Congratulations on completing the van build David I would be stoked if I could do half of what you have done mate. Looking forward to watching some travel videos. They should have a BIG thumbs up button I reckon.

[@posys5140]

I'm a Nomad in the USA and live in a Honda Odysee minivan , I like this channel and your cruising the cut channel

[@falt007]

Love the setup, you planned that very well.

[@cjw2661]

Great job !!! Congratulations !!! Looks Great !!! May you have many wonderful and safe travels.

[@trent33511]

Well done David! I wish many enjoyable trips.

[@patriciaclikeman9839]

A very smart looking interior. You should be proud of yourself. You're very talented.

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you!

[@radio-su6lh]

Congrats! Loved all the build videos that got you this point - very impressed.

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you

[@kevgermany]

I've been waiting ages for this. Congratulations. Enjoy!

[@EnglishVeteran]

Anyone who has built their own camper van will know it’s bloody hard work, costs more than you budgeted for & takes way, way longer to complete; if it ever is! So well done, been a huge learning experience I imagine & you should feel justifiably proud of your achievement. FYI: “In certain areas of Western Sydney, 'bint' functions as a term of endearment (if a somewhat cheeky one) devoid of standard derogatory connotations.”

[@kyrosdad6305]

Watched so many campervan video's and eventually came across yours. First impression was another boring vid. After watching a few more they became enjoyable to watch no stupid annoying music no dancing or pulling stupid faces at the beginning of the video and they were quite amusing. I am just starting my own conversion and found your vids very helpfull. Very funny when you say you measured and cut everything but when you tried to fit it together it just didn't fit so you chucked it and made another one, made me laugh. Thanks hope my conversion works as good as yours.

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you. Converting a van is both frustrating and fun in equal measure!

[@stevem318]

For extra shelf storage for things like tea bags and coffee you could screw jam jar lids to the underside of your shelf then screw the jars to the lids. Ps. I stole this idea.

[@familyw5661]

I stream all over the world on TV and internet and I can tell you my video editing team always talk about the hours just rendering video. I have to say its impressive for you to do solo. there has to be a lot of time working on these and there great! keep going we love them.

[@paca_bill4863]

I love using the magnetic catches for all of the panels, instead of hinges, and finger holes instead of door hardware. Makes access very easy, and eliminates more moving parts. Nicely done!

[@littlemisssunshine2931]

Very well presented video and van. Really well laid out and looks quite spacious for such a small vehicle. Thanks for sharing.

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

I've fitted out several vans in the past - and I gotta say, you've done a cracking job, well done!

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you

[@daverichmond3228]

Congratulations on completing a fine land yacht. I hope it’s everything you need it to be. Are you aware that you didn’t blink once in this video?? Lol.

[@andydomanski2876]

Excellent job, well done! 👍

[@robduncan599]

Looks great , now enjoy your great van .

[@duff600]

Hi. Just going to start ripping on my Citroën Dispatch today. Your videos have been great for ideas and layouts. Many thanks

[@Vandemonium]

Glad to hear it! Have fun with yours 👍 Cheers

[@jimblack5596]

Nice job David. It looks like a very efficient layout.

[@loreneknight9755]

Wow, beautiful build. Alot of thought & expectations are rolled up into this space. Good job.

[@kenkeats]

You may have given someone the confidence to try this themselves. I think you did a fine job

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you.

[@patrickshaw9376]

Nice job, I'm at a similar stage with my vito conversion. Just need to use it now and see what bits I'll change. Next year I hope to get round to putting water tanks underneath and a few other bits.

[@craiggiles8156]

Nice work David. Safe travels

[@serenafanlife4226]

WoW! Very nice conversion! Time to binge watch your video's. Thank you for sharing.

[@lindadobson9854]

Good job!!

[@Vandemonium]

Thanks!

[@BeechSportBill]

...top notch job!

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you

[@RonInAVan]

Wow!! What a great build, so well thought out👍🏻 I love it. Makes me miss my van so much. Thanks for the tour 😎

[@carringtonscapers4368]

Congratulations David. 👏 Well done. Been watching from the beginning and can't believe you managed to achieve all of that work at the side of the canal in all weather with no workshop. Very impressive. Looking forward to any van travel videos henceforth. 👍

[@gabriellebudd1166]

you are highly inventive engineering this remarkable van... Very impressive an extraordinary... Thank you for sharing you are brilliant man...

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you

[@henkdeblouw4169]

Top job David. Couldn't have done it better. Fabulous vlogs as usual as known from 'Cruising the Cut'.

[@Vandemonium]

Thanks 👍

[@mikegayda715]

Great job we love watching, your an inspiration for trying things you've never done before...

[@andrewreid380]

I could live in that no problem

[@zimmejoc]

I wish I could get a van with a millennial anti-theft device here in the US. Alas, all we get here are automatics.

[@Stealthhunter44]

Very well done! I’m very impressed by the efficiency of the layout.

[@melike1984]

well done have a great time in her your hard work will bring you great joy

[@nfc153]

Nice build, shows what's possible using basic materials and some common sense. One concern: stuff on shelves and no bulkhead. If it's not strapped down or shut in, it's a projectile come collision time. Maybe a fastenable flap over the front of the shelves? Other than that, very nice job.

[@A1DJPaul]

Bulkheads should be compulsory for safety ( except when swivel seats are used. ) Even maybe a collapsable folding mesh bulkhead ? Sliding Concertina style ? REMEMBER - The Items in the back of a van are Travelling at 70 mph ! when you hit the brakes they carry on moving at 70 mph. I had ring bound map books in the overcab storage spaces UNTIL one Fell down & hit a customer in the FACE ! whilst going up a steep cobbled bumpy hill. Now it holds paperwork, Kitchen roll & other safe items. rags & dusters etc. nothing hard or heavy.

[@Vandemonium]

There's a wooden end stop at the end of the shelf to stop stuff up there going forwards when I brake. I'll only be storing soft stuff like teabags up there when on the move as well. Fear not.

[@anthonypelosi3779]

Where will you be taking your first trip in the van ?

[@Vandemonium]

I've already been down to London and Surrey, albeit on day trips.

[@carlostucho]

Fantastic! Besides you have given me an idea about mine camper. I can't say how thankful I am. Big Big hug from Argentina! 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍

[@keithhicks1750]

A very neat and tidy job. Have watched the videos and enjoyed process very much. Can’t wait to watch your next project. Cheers Keith

[@simongamer987]

Mate you've got an excellent voice for documentaries/news or something

[@mikeysonlyvanspage]

simongamer987 I think he used to be a tv presenter.

[@ericsarchive7718]

@@mikeysonlyvanspage He was, and quite good. He has a couple of showreel vids from ITV

[@scottsturgeon618]

Bravo! Great build. I did a Transit Connect last spring so I feel your pain and triumph. Now when are you going to start your epic journey?

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you! Ah, I've gone off on my narrowboat for a bit ;-)

[@A1DJPaul]

A Great conversion in such a small van. it has everything.

[@annwagner5779]

Great work! I hope you continue to enjoy!

[@phildean4375]

Certainly couldn’t have done better myself. I subscribe to Cruising The Cut and by extension, though not actually, your van vlogs. I imagine you will spend many comfortable days out and about in you van. Well done! Now please can you cast off and go cruising again? We miss you here in inter web land. Thing is, your the one who started the whole idea of selling up and doing ones own thing for my wife and I. We are well on with our own plans. Much like Floating Our Boat- same age and stage in life. Seems you’re a little under par at the moment. Don’t mean to be personal but if so, Get well soon.

[@Vandemonium]

I think I'm OK... ;-)

[@philh3178]

Overall, it turned out very nice. Well done. I was a bit perplexed when I saw your 4 ceiling lights. Why would you have the two rear ones over the bed and none over your kitchen work area? Also, I’d be s bit concerned about your tea cups jumping out of the shelf on a bumpy road.

[@Vandemonium]

No, they stay there and they don't (so far) jump out of place

[@mr.h5436]

What fun! Wonderful job. I enjoyed this immensely.

[@christianearly9531]

Great job, I'd be very pleased with myself! Looking forward to seeing some travel vlogs. Thanks for sharing.

[@rolfcasparius6972]

Now you need to build a butty to put the camper van on so you can haul it around with you in the narrow boat!!! Huh? What do ya think??

[@JCisJD]

Nice work , and allot of kit .... just wondering after doing it all and driving it, would you do all the same but in a slightly bigger van? It just seems allot of effort for a small space but this is obviously me overlaying what i would do ... I am 6,3 as well ;) and i can see advantages of having a smaller van, was it a case of wanting a more "car like" driving experience?... Nice van all the same and the Toyota is a good choice i feel, excellent reliability ;)

[@Vandemonium]

I’d certainly have a go at another one, given the funds and ideally a workshop to do it in (building the van on the side of the canal wasn’t ideal)

[@dellpufpaff7627]

very excellent job for being your first one I am impressed and I see you have more than the two channels I will have to explore more.

[@SilverVoxMusic]

Congratulations David. You have done an amazing job and thank you for taking the time to share the conversion with us, it has been fun, educational and entertaining.

[@danieltaylor5231]

It just doesn't look to have quite enough cheese storage space to keep pace with the 10 gallons of tea.

[@Vandemonium]

I’ll fit a tow bar and tow a trailer of cheese

[@jayspell179]

Bravo! Your build reminds me of my first van build, when I was a teen, albeit yours is much more nicely finished. My only advice to anyone new to vanlife, even weekenders, is learn to love baskets and bags, so everything has a home. Clutter is the bane of any nomad, which can suck the positivity of the nomad experience out of anybody. Keep a proper tea box for your teas, with desiccate, especially. Vans and most campers have humidity buildup, especially when running a catalytic heater, which I presume your propane heater to be. Catalytic heaters are very efficient, much more so than combustion heaters, but they do create more dampness. Don't ruin your teas. I highly recommend using packing bags to sort your clean clothes, and manageable-sized tins and/or plastic totes for storing essentially everything else. I personally prefer tins, whenever possible, because I prefer my belongings be out of view. As I approach 40, I am diligently saving for retirement and a new van build, but I'm uncertain how set those plans are, given legal residency changes in my country aimed towards stopping people from living in vans. Van life ebbs and flows in popularity, and it is met with everever-increasing regulations and restrictions, which can be tedious, even to a part-time nomad.

[@Vandemonium]

Cheers! Good points. The heater is a sealed system so it only warms the internal van air, doesn't combust using it (drawn from outside and sent back out as exhaust) so it doesn't produce moisture.

[@jayspell179]

It sounds like you've a good heater, yet I would still be concerned about humidity. In such a small space, respiration and perspiration can produce a surprising amount of moisture, even with good ventilation. My motto of living tiny is "Live like a sailor." Sailors have lived in small, mobile spaces for centuries. If you live like they do, you really adapt better to the common complaints of tiny homes, including campers and camper vans. Even without living that way, I always recommend people invest in a proper tea box. I used to run a tea shop, though, so I'm a bit more particular than most in the care and storage of tea. You'll thank me, later, when you've avoided stale or moldy tea.

[@jayspell179]

If you'd like a great concept for building your own tea box, check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaKtmHaMqLuVa80. I'm planning to make one similar to this for my next tiny house.

[@Vandemonium]

Fear not, the teabags are in a sealed container!

[@flybyairplane3528]

Vandemonium tea bags, never forgot the VERY FIRST I RAN INTO T BAGS darn,,,,, tea in bandages , this was the USA , in 1959,,,but WE still use loose tea at home, but mostly coffee.now. Great luck, be safe, cheers From NJ USA🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@commonsense592]

That looks really awesome. Very impressive, well done sir.

[@robkhughes]

Cracking Campervan! Happy travels.

[@jdjeep98]

Did spending so much time on your narrowboat help with the layout and assembly of the camper van? It strikes me that boat design and camper design have many of the same challenges, although often at different scales.

[@Vandemonium]

I can’t make up my mind whether boat stuff helped or hindered!