Watch How This 55-year-old Built Her Own Campervan! Solo Female Van Life

[@Bluebutterfly1122]

Hi Brenna, you did a really good job of the van. Like how it is practical yet homely.

[@Kirbygal55]

Congratulations on your four year anniversary. You explained the process well. Yes, measure twice cut once. It looks like a very cozy van. 🐈

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Thank you! 😊

[@Jodesontheroad]

Good on you Brenna, you're an inspiration for sure. Love your videos and thank you.

[@dustyroadtherapy]

Happy Van-niversary!!! Loved seeing how you built your home, given me lots of inspiration! 🤩

[@woodrisinglass]

I really like the keep it simple philosophy 😀

[@SoloSailer]

You really do seem joyful. Thank you for sharing. We all need to live simple and appreciate everything

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

It’s a good perspective to have.

[@GinnyPrice-g5b]

Excellent build

[@ksandry1]

Love how simple your did your van and it looks really cosy . I think the thing is to just get on the road and enjoy . Hubby and I are deciding wether to get a van already done or get an empty van and do it ourselves. I'm for getting an empty van and doing it ourselves . 😊

[@nancyadamson6755]

Happy Anniversary Brenna 🎉. Sorry I'm late but for some reason I lost your KZbin channel but now I got you back. I always enjoy your videos.

[@debralarcombe8662]

You are so beautiful, I decked out my van myself at 65 on a very tight budget and using Kmart furniture. Was the most joyful thing I have done and 3 years later it still is for my pup and I. I watched your videos when I first got the van and you inspired me. Thankyou 🥰

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Love it!!

[@carolcopley3639]

That was not only informative, but inspiring. I know I’ll watch that video a couple times. I would love to see a video of what you do about cooking, feed yourself. I know it has to be just as creative as putting the van together. Just an idea. Wonderful seeing you back online again and so happy. Please take care of yourself.❤

[@FayHone-c3v]

❤love how you did this ,you made it so easy to understand.😊

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Thanks so much 😊

[@annettepierson6130]

I love all you have done. Thank you for sharing. Wish the best for future endeavors.

[@elizabethlouisedurdin4666]

Hi Brenna ...I remember you sharing how you made your wall storage pockets , folded hem, no stitch but fabric glue. I did my blockout curtains with only scissors biro and ruler and fabric glue. No heading needed as I created holes to hang, by two fold peak , a small snip of each with scissors to create small diamond holes and sealed each with drop of fabric edge sealer. Then hooked each on original curtains' hooks between them and windows. Still holding together and great insulation on my vw transporter "house windows" Your experiments and tips are brilliant .....thank you 🤗 Looking forward to seeing more of your delightful art. Enjoy ( in joy ) ❤🐾🐾🐾🐾

[@SuzanneWho]

Which video were the pockets on?

[@elizabethlouisedurdin4666]

Oh dear a can't remember It wasn't demonstration but just a verbal view of pockets in use ....maybe you can request Brenna to share how she made them 🤗

[@Romeo-kp8tc]

Very impressed, congrats on 4yrs , of travelling, living on the road, I built my own van 18 yrs ago , so can appreciate what you did, happy safe many yrs, enjoying your freedom, Cheers Bevan 🤠❤🦘🦘🇦🇺

[@terripedder2753]

Another great vid Brenna. You should be very proud of yourself for even attempting it on your own. Well done you ! It looks so comfy. Take care... Terri from Tas.

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@heathers9599]

Thoroughly researched and executed. Well done!

[@estelleS2243]

Thank you Brenna, I love the simplicity of your van and how you’ve explained your setup. It gives me inspiration to just go and get one and get started on it. 😊💖

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

You can do it!

[@shamsshams20261]

I've never seen a half-hour camperization without showing the action 👌. I loved how "well-furnished your head" is (in Spain that's what we say when someone thinks intelligently and acts logically), brilliant 👏. Great to have tested one night before tying down any furniture. I also built my van on my own with help only on the ground and I understand your effort. You look so happy, that is the most important thing, supercongratulationssssss 🤗 .

[@marcellaorourke8997]

Congrats on 4 yrs! You give me hope that I'll be able to do this one day too. Your explanations are clear and logical to me!

[@veganvocalist4782]

Awwwwww I feel so proud of you , I know we do not know each other but I genuinly am chuffed to bits for you , I was smiling as your face lite up explaining how you did it . This is so inspiring and resourceful , if I were there I would wana give you a big fat hug 🤣love it

[@Harry11223]

Oh my gosh this is the video I was wanting!!!! Thanks so much Brenna. I can't wait to build my van one day. Have a good one and hope Abby is well (and keeps barking happily) Harry

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

You're welcome Harry😁

[@susanlewis1875]

It's lovely to see how proud you are of your creation. And rightly so! I look forward to seeing more of it. New subscriber!

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Thanks for subbing!

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

That so interesting what a difference the (lack of) insulation makes over the wheel arch!

[@Fiona_Chasing_Light]

Thanks Brenna - this was so helpful and inspiring to hear that you managed most of it on your own, and created a space that feels right for you.

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

You are so welcome!

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

I loved seeing your pictures that time we got to hang out, and I loved seeing it all for a second time. It’s so very cool that you built the entire thing from scratch!! I feel super proud of myself for the bits that I’ve put into my van starting from the existing bed platform and pull-out drawer. 😊

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

And with so much inspiration and ideas from you!!!

[@JaneAHayzeE]

Thank you for sharing. It’s so helpful and I love your videos 🌻

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

You are so welcome!

[@madelinebechtold3461]

Enjoyed your video,😊 God bless you, also you are so cheerful and that is contagious ❤

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Thank you so much!

[@Ngelym]

Soy hispana!! Casi no hablo inglés 😢😢 pero entiendo mucho😅. bendiciones brenna❤ amo tu canal

[@Linda-xb5ol]

I just love what you have done to your van❤❤❤❤ you done an awesome outstanding job explaining everything you have done ❤❤❤ I’m in AB Canada

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Thanks so much!

[@dross24MA]

Yes, thanks to your excellent descriptions, I could indeed imagine how it was done and how things looked. ❤Thnaks.😊

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

You are so welcome!

[@phyllisweaving13]

well done, It is lovely.

[@dianajohnson5838]

Sure did enjoy this video! Learned some things too. Thank you for sharing it.

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@petakenworthy2066]

Well done, Brenna and thank you for your videos.

[@deeoh3708]

Lovely video Brenna.. You made your van super comfy and practical too :) Great work!

[@amydayl3294]

Hello from north Carolina

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

👋

[@teresam6843]

Fab van Brenna..great videos. Hi again from ireland

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Hello there!

[@judyoliver533]

You are amazing!

[@veganvocalist4782]

watching from Cornwall, UK , where the housing has become impossible to buy OR rent , while our councils are selling up land to corporate developers , taken away public bins / trash cans , closed public toilets , made it almost impossible to get around as public transport is failing here especially for those that have limited abilities regards mobility . The whole infrastructure is really bad compared to ANYWHERE else in the UK . So I admire those that are living the way you do 🥰

[@veronicabalfourpaul2288]

Well done!

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Thank you

[@Joyce_BellyButtonPortalPodcast]

Congratulations on 4 years on the road!

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Thank you Joyce 😁

[@Joyce_BellyButtonPortalPodcast]

And that was an amazing video on your van build! ​@@BrennaLivingJoyfully

[@exploringnext1111]

I really enjoyed this video! Good to see you!

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mythicalnomadadventure969]

Welcome to your 5th year, I'm it the same boat here in the states 👌. Congrats and... 👍 Rock on 🙂.

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Thanks, you too

[@thinkingkingdomthoughts]

You’ve done a great job!!!!

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Thank you!

[@dross24MA]

Yikes!😮 It is mind-blowing to me that you did your build in 4 months while emptying the house! Kudos to you!!! 😊 I can't even just empty the house, and I have been working toward that for over a year!

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

I was exhausted at the end 😳

[@helenlizzystewart4908]

13 my very favourite number, I think you have done extremely well, always enjoy your videos

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Many thanks

[@WendyCampbell-n1g]

Congratulations on reaching 4 years of vanlife. I built my 2003 Mitsubishi Starwagon Camper myself 12 months ago with a tiny bit of help from a friend when it came to installing the bed. I would love to travel full time but can't bring myself to let go of home base, my one bedroom unit. The longest trip I've done in my van is 5 weeks. After every trip, I make changes. One thing that puzzles me, other van owners seem to have their rear or side doors open for long periods. My van has a warning light on the dashboard when a door is open which I'm told does drain battery power when on for long periods. I have tried to jam something against the sensor on the side door but it kept falling out. Do other van owners disconnect the wiring to allow them to have the doors open?

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

I can't speak for anyone else but my van does not have that. My van is very basic so maybe it never had it or somebody may have disconnected it.

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

23:36 Angle brackets! 😊

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Yes!

[@A222Z]

This is very helpful info = I plan on getting a DIY Ford transit trail & idk how much I will be doing myself.

[@conniesmith4703]

Congratulations

[@dianemurillo6017]

thanks brenna, that was so fun and informative. i have a toyota sienna mini van that is my camper (mini r.v.) and i love it so much. tell abby , Hi !

[@joanswafford8696]

Good job.

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Thanks!

[@susannewilliams7347]

Impressed x

[@angeladawn805]

Why the heck didn't it occur to me to run the floor joists East to West! I have a lower roof Hiace, which I've been procrastinating over since I bought it. This video is awesome, as it is relatable and tangible....although, living at the very bottom of New Zealand, I dont have ready access to equipment and gear that the US and UK videos show.

[@janetburgess5781]

interesting. i enjoyed it

[@karengayehammat4199]

🌞Nice to see you looking forward to another Aussie summer I've just got a new fone that took weeks to set up It's been hell not being able to interact with all the special vid creaters I'm feeling better now I can

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Welcome back!

[@martinfinn674]

I know that feeling where you remember your previous life.

[@martinfinn674]

I'm still in Esperance...and loving it!

[@colleencarr3470]

Hi Brenna. Congrats on doing the work in your van. I’d like to know how long it took you to finish the work from start to finish excluding the decorating? I am in a similar circumstance. Thx

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Four months

[@lindamasters7860]

Congratulations well done, you show how simplicity can make one very happy… we do not need The Stuff…..

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Very true!

[@RustyCandyAdventures]

Hi Brenna, go watch the wise words of bushmanmick. Simple living to a new life. His last video was great. He lives out of a van too.

[@ratavivienne1965]

I would like to join your van life ,but I can't find where to .I'm an 89 yr old woman, and love to travel with you.

[@taterthecorgi1190]

I have not watched you for a while. This is very interesting. Thank you for sharing. How is safety in Australia? I have not lived in my van that I bought with plan to live in it someday but now we have crime skyrocketing in the USA and I am not sure if this is a good idea to live in the van now days.

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

It is much safer in Australia, especially in the West

[@taterthecorgi1190]

@@BrennaLivingJoyfully thank you. That’s what I thought. US soon will become the most dangerous country in the world

[@lisabennett2554]

Hello Brenna Thanks for another great video. I’m in the process of doing my van build and wanted to have a cargo barrier but with the centre section cut out for safety reasons. And I see you have exactly what I want. How did you do this please? Thanks in advance ☺️💐

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

It came like that 😁

[@lisabennett2554]

@@BrennaLivingJoyfully oh wow how lucky for you. Someone else did the work for you haha. Love it 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😁

[@cr-dv3or]

Been enjoying your videos but am curious about why you have an Ontario license plate. I am from Ontario Canada and really like videos of Australia. Thank you.

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

I’m also from Ontario 😁

[@SharonBlair-p2d]

You are so clever…no really ..l think you did a great job..l love your van …a great size…some camper vans are too big

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Thank you! 😊

[@kyliehoneyman6304]

Very informative Brenna! Second-hand gold :-) Do you not get condensation under your mattress being on a flat (not slatted) platform?

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Only on extremely cold nights, so very rarely.

[@SuzanneWho]

@@BrennaLivingJoyfullyThere are pads that have “bumps” on them that lift your mattress up just a tiny bit to get airflow under the mattress. I don’t remember what they’re called but I’m sure you could find info on an online camping site. You will get mildew if you don’t have airflow, either the pad or cutting holes in the base. Loved your ideas.

[@kathysearl9470]

I remeber in one of your other videos Brenna you do air your mattress out at some stages ?

[@kathysearl9470]

Can you do one on your cooking/kitchen set up if that’s possible.

[@brandy_lish]

wow this video was soo good!(my 1st time here) im in the, watching a zillion videos on KZbin about van life ,stage! hoping to get a van or something within 2years,an since I dont have a lot of $$,I"ll have to do a lot of the build so..can I ask about what you spent?

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

I didn’t keep track of the expenses on this one but I’m about to build another one and have done a budget. Check out my latest videos

[@lcdesilva]

Is this September 13, 2024? Do you have much use for things like aluminium foil, glad wrap or baking paper?

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

I use glad wrap occasionally and baking paper for my wet paint palette

[@Kirbygal55]

What did you use to put up the walls?

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Wood screws

[@lcdesilva]

Do things slide around much?

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Not at all it is all screwed down

[@Ngelym]

❤❤❤❤

[@BonesAndButtons]

👍👍👍

[@melstephen5191]

💕💐💕

[@michelle7352]

Can you just show us the van inside? I just found your channel so haven't seen any other videos.

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Van tour coming soon 😁

[@karengayehammat4199]

The real mattress is devine

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Heavenly 😁

[@shirleyfrederickson4794]

Great walk through Brenna! I am new to this and still experimenting what will work. Back to the storage be room today to switch out some things and try that. I’m certain I will learn so much from your channel that will help me along the way! Thanks! Van Girl Shirl is a fan for sure! 😎🚐🇨🇦

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robyn-r3g]

Thanks, Brenna. Very enjoyable video. Can I ask, did you have any prior experience building or renovating, before attempting your van build? 👍🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘

[@BrennaLivingJoyfully]

Not at all

[@robyn-r3g]

@@BrennaLivingJoyfully Well then, good for you. Great job!