Video

Your backpacking videos are top-notch.

Great video and great advice. Thanks

I can wait to start my van life

I have been using my Whisperlite since 1984.

so what material is that?

Replace the curtain with a sliding door to keep the construction van look

I thought of a idea for a van like yours, solar ladders. A ladder with hidden solar panels. And the ladders still extend out to create more solar and a handy awning.

If it was a slab avalanche, even a small one. They couldnt be able to walk down 1.5 kilometers into the blizzard, not with such injuries. Plus there was found 9 footprints not 6 as they would need to be carried. Imo, it was KGB and other military related stuff that led them to their death. Either they got killed by a bomb or missile down there, or by the soldiers tortured to death for discovering the missile tests and the fact they had a photo of that explosion.

I thought I learned the Secrets to The Universe as well all hopped up on LSD blotter decades ago. It scared Me so much I hid under My blanket for 8 hours. As if I was going thru the 9 gates of hell in Dante’s Inferno. The only One who saved Me was Jesus Christ. I don’t think anyone can handle that type of knowledge except God. Anyways, it does sound like a trip!

Yhe background music was too much and to loud. Had to bail.

As for an electric van. I test drove the Ford Transit electric. Drives great. Loved it. But there were a few negatives that made me decide against it. The range just isn't enough if you need to drive longer distances. It only goes 100 miles. I need to drive long distance all the time. The other thing is that most charging stations are not designed to accommodate large vans. I specifically went to a few charging stations with the van and it was a challenge. Some were really tight. I think the VW iDBuzz with a pop up roof is the ideal vehicle. I was ready to buy one but VW delayed it here in the US. Last but not least, you can charge your power bank off your alternator using a DCDC converter and battery isolator. It's fully automated. Whenever you have the engine running it charges your Bluetti or Ecoflow or whatever you have

I totally hear you about the lack of a routine. A daily routine is actually important for your mental health. If you you know what is coming and what to expect at least on a general level, it keeps you calm. If fundamental things need to figured out every day, it takes up mental capacity. I definitely notice that myself after 4 years. Me traveling so much doesn't help of course.

I'm not sure what you're using, but I work for an enclosed trailer company. You should scrap up the original sealant and use lap sealant by Dicor self leveling. This should fix your issue. Keep in mind that without proper ventilation, you may experience condensation, which has nothing to do with your waterproofing.

You're talking about 1 particular partition. The other partition already has a cutout for the door, u can replace 1 for the other.

You make very valuable points, after being being on the road for 8 years the common denominator I see with people living in their vehicles (who did it by choice and not necessity) is poor planning. What I mean is that they focused on getting a vehicle and hitting the road instead of sitting down and getting to know themselves. Ex; before I began my journey I sat down quietly and figured out my must haves'. In my case, there was no way on earth that I was going to hit the road without a/c, heating and my own bathroom and shower, I was not going to go looking for public bathrooms or digging holes in the middle of the night. My advise to those about to hit the road is to think and plan the things that you are willing to do and not do out on the road, do not take the basic human necessities for granted. Most people I meet who are unhappy and selling their rigs is because of not having a toilet or a way to heat or cool the rig.

switch over to Anytime Fitness, there bathrooms / showers are 100% private.

You can use portable folding solar panels in the meantime I use them in my van and they great

I have one of those Chevy vans with the peeling paint defect in my driveway as we speak...I can tell ya unequivocally that the peeling paint has noting to do with your leak. There may be a spot rusted trough but the peeling paint itself is not the issue. If you want a cheap and easy solution, scrape off all the loose paint on the roof, sand down all the rust spots, scape off all your existing vent goop and hit the entire roof and vent flange with a gallon of white paint on Flex Seal applied with a roller and brush in the seams. That will solve both your paint and leak issues. Before you go solar get a DC to DC charger so your van alternator is charging your house battery any time you are driving. That is free power.

I like the light you mounted on the hood.

if i was in your van, i would buy some rubber spray and schlack etra thick on the roof and then a little extra on the perimeter and call it job done. who cares what your roof looks like from a helicopter? also, you really could keep yourself charged pretty well using the big three. 1: use the cig lighter / power port already in the van to charge while you drive (OR even better install a DC to DC charger!!!!) 2: toss a portable 200w (or bigger if you can!!) suitcase style portable solar panel stack like from Bluetti (dont get a shit amazon cheapo) on the roof when you park for the day. use magnets to secure em'. 3: for bad weather days if you really wanna get spicy, buy one of those small harbor freight brand generators and run it only when you need to. i bet your need to manually walk it inside a coffee shop and charge it will be drastically reduced if not eliminated.

My small 1999 van has 5 solar panels on the roof totaling 600W and 4 deep cycle batteries totaling 480amp (220- 300 amp useable) storage and 70L fridge and separate freezer combined and camping stove and 9Kg gas bottle and pull out awning however with that and all the sundry items also needed to carry the van now weighs 2 ton which increases fuel consumption and slows it down somewhat on hills. Can last 5 days in remote area without any or very very minimal sun but that has only happened once in 3 years, even in prolonged stormy weather I don't run out of power I use 240v 2000w inverter for lap top and other appliances. Living is surprisingly easy and totally stress free. Petrol prices are outrageous so I restrict my relocation to every 10 to 14 days sometimes longer. I could have used a diesel van but I find them too smelly and the difference in economy is negligible

Hi. I just found your channel. I've been living in my partially converted shuttle bus since mid-December 2023. I totally agree that a routine is key. I still work my full-time 40 hour per week job but I work it remotely from my bus. Each evening, I figure out where I want to go the next day. I'm still in my Hometown and usually park at Cracker Barrel or Walmart or somewhere like that at night. During the day I'll go to one of the 2 city parks. Or maybe spend like 4 hours in the Lowe's parking lot and 4 hours in the Walmart parking lot. It changes from day to day. And that is one of the things that I like, but that I dislike because I have to figure it out everyday.

There are electric vans. Ford has a very solid one, but solar won't get you enough charge. But that would be a super interesting challenge to do. Can you EV van life with solar and make it work...

kill the background music.

it can if working full time in cold @$$ weather and without a rooftop AC or webasto heater and 4 house batteries and 400watts of solar but if you got those things it can be excellent..just pick a winter hobby and summer hobby like skiing and dirtbike riding

You can buy rubber roof paint for 100 bucks

Great video! Van Life is challenging but the freedom and other rewards of travel make it all worthwhile.

Adam, is there a 110/120 v outlet on your dashboard. I have one in my GMC Savana which I use to charge my two Jackery's as I drive. I run an extension cord from the outlet to the back of my van with a tri-outlet attached. The fridge and both Jackery's are plugged in. I have no solar panels. I've had this setup for over two and a half years and no issues. One trip around San Diego keeps my batteries charged. I use a magnetic board with post-it notes to remind me of bills, shopping list and things to do. I have my hygiene schedule down using a 5gl Home Depot bucket with plastic liners and waste is immediately discarded at the nearest dumpster or public trash receptacle. My pee jug w/lid gets emptied immediately into a plastic reservoir with a tight screw on lid; emptied at the next rest stop. Between showers and workouts at PF, I use Crocodile 10"X15" wipes to bathe with; $17 for a package of 100 wipes found at Home Depot.

Good stuff

Arizona gets snow???!😮

Wow somehow stumbled upon this video. Thank you for making this. It’s a most special place and wow you got the rare experience to see sunset from up there. I have too. It’s so breathtaking. The connection with the Chumash makes all the more special.

i thought you will show the actual use just now received mine :) very important tool

Just bought my 2005 Chevy Express Cargo van like 2 days ago! Gonna be starting off super small as I will be leaving my apartment complex due to issues.

Hope your channel takes off bro.

U deserve more subs and likes

Ah yes, the classic “using a hammock on redwood trees” move

Hot yoga is great!!

Doing the sykes springs end of march with my daughter for her first backpacking trip. Trying to guess the weather…any tips?

What time of year did you do this?

Hey Adam ! Solid build, especially fo rthe budget ! I'm looking at doing a similar con version to my 07' express i just picked up. Curious if you've had any issues with condensation ? That's my biggest concern as i did a quick conversion (just bed platform ) to get moved into it asap, but notice that in the cold pnw weather the cieling is usually very wet (drops visible) after a nights sleep. I don't have a vent fan yet

Oh my I love the scenery and the music makes me want to nap lol relaxing thank you for sharing!

🔒S🤫cret Pr🤐ject 🔒

Oh my gosh I’m on central Oregon I’ve never seen some of the places you were at wish o knew where they are I have a Chevy express too :)

Thanks for a great video. My 21L GR1 Coyote Brown is of the same age as yours. Ditto. It was “overdesigned”. I did not see significant wear and tear in any parts other than the 1000D cordura become “nicer to the touch”. Greetings from Malaysia

I’m on the fence. I’m looking for a edc/travel bag and can’t decide between the GR2 34 and the 40. Is the 40 that much larger that the 34 would be a better EDC option?

Woohoo im the first to view!. Great video my friend!.

Van Life is a Dream of mine. Unfortunately I cannot drive due to my eyesight. So it’s unlikley to ever happen.

Had to do this once upon a time in life.. 💯✌️🙏

1¹

The shots are quite aesthetic though, ngl