Love your van. As a van dweller and solo female traveller, you should get a portable battery jump starter. I was a nurse and I inadvertently left my lights on in a hospital car park when I started a shift. When I returned 11 hours later it was raining. No one wanted to give me a boost in the rain. My phone was really low. I managed to call my husband who had to drive so far from his work site. We got home three hours later. I had ad bought a new car two weeks prior but because we were moving I didn’t collect it. You know, I nearly left my old car in the parking lot for whoever wanted it and take an Uber home. 😂
I love this layout, it makes so much more sense than trying to shove the kitchen in the front where you walk in, plus its more flexible! you have usable floor space.
I really enjoyed your honesty and humour. Love the van. I have a hiace diesel that's done 680000km on the original engine and is still going strong. It's a 1994 and I absolutely love it. Thank you for sharing your experience and the great tips.
Thanks for this, is great. About the bed, dont get slide out draws, get Hydraulic gas hinges, they cost anywhere from $12 - $25. The slideouts are more expensive and take away room. The hinges will help with opening the frame and close quietly. Ask your Dad.
Man, Wished he had them here. For the ceiling vent there's a lot of turbulence, I recommend a sharkfin shaped roof that doubles as a pop up, it's actually more aerodynamic even the frontal area is bigger. Thanks for sharing :)
Thanks for the tour Charlene!!! Your van looks awesome and seems to work well for you and I wouldn’t change much. Having under bed storage just means you have to think ahead and pull out stuff the night before. I opted to not have a sink in my van and use a 10 litre Dometic water jug with a USB pump plus 5 litres extra. I use a vinegar/water spray bottle to wash up and dry with a tea towel also paper towel for super dirty stuff. On occasion I use a silicon washing up bowl that squashes flat. My van is very similar to yours, Toyota with high kms - totally agree if well cared for they will go forever so don’t be scared about buying one if reading this. Sounds like you got a job - woo hoo!! 🥰
It’s the same year as my Toyota LWB I named ‘Van Halen’ Similar kms as mine when I bought mine. I too have internal access as a solo female vanlifer. Love your fitout. New sub. Gypsy’s on the road. 🚐 I am trying to grow my channel too. Step by step. 🙏😍
Watching you build your van with you dad was so inspiring! I just started my hiace conversion and took alot of tips from yours. I'm in NSW and hope to hit the road next summer, so build over this winter and I cannot fckn wait. Maybe we can meet on the road some time!
Hi Charlene, love your van, I have been driving a Hi Ace commuter van at my work in the Pilbara for the past 3 years and it had over 460k kms on the clock so your van will last you a long time yet.
Hi neat van. What do you use for heating in cooler weather ? I'm in New Zealand gets pretty cold in winter here. Tossing up over a caravan or doing the van thing like you've done. Toyota's rock Ive owned a few and everyone knows they are built to last.
Great video. I have a '92 Hiace. The other day I was just getting a towbar attached and 2 mechanics were banging on to each other about how amazing the motor was. Great feeling. Hey, why don't you buy yourself a portable jump starter???
Hey, I’m just wondering, do you prefer having the bed at the front of your van? And can you still easily access the engine? I’m planning on building my van properly over the next few months and considering doing it similar to yours. I’ve had the bed at the back for a while but it doesn’t seem like the best way to do it. Thanks for the inspiration too 😊
The only real downside I've found with the Hiace is the teeter tottering bouncy suspension. I'm going to try adapting Chevy Silverado pickup truck shocks. Fingers crossed.
Love your van. As a van dweller and solo female traveller, you should get a portable battery jump starter. I was a nurse and I inadvertently left my lights on in a hospital car park when I started a shift. When I returned 11 hours later it was raining. No one wanted to give me a boost in the rain. My phone was really low. I managed to call my husband who had to drive so far from his work site. We got home three hours later. I had ad bought a new car two weeks prior but because we were moving I didn’t collect it. You know, I nearly left my old car in the parking lot for whoever wanted it and take an Uber home. 😂
I love this layout, it makes so much more sense than trying to shove the kitchen in the front where you walk in, plus its more flexible! you have usable floor space.
I really enjoyed your honesty and humour. Love the van. I have a hiace diesel that's done 680000km on the original engine and is still going strong. It's a 1994 and I absolutely love it.
Thank you for sharing your experience and the great tips.
Thanks for this, is great. About the bed, dont get slide out draws, get Hydraulic gas hinges, they cost anywhere from $12 - $25. The slideouts are more expensive and take away room. The hinges will help with opening the frame and close quietly. Ask your Dad.
Thank you. Hopefully see you on the road. My rav4 just died on me so I’m saving for a Hiace.
I hope you find the perfect Hiace and yes see you out there 😊
Man, Wished he had them here.
For the ceiling vent there's a lot of turbulence, I recommend a sharkfin shaped roof that doubles as a pop up, it's actually more aerodynamic even the frontal area is bigger.
Thanks for sharing :)
Tho*
Thanks for the tour Charlene!!! Your van looks awesome and seems to work well for you and I wouldn’t change much. Having under bed storage just means you have to think ahead and pull out stuff the night before. I opted to not have a sink in my van and use a 10 litre Dometic water jug with a USB pump plus 5 litres extra. I use a vinegar/water spray bottle to wash up and dry with a tea towel also paper towel for super dirty stuff. On occasion I use a silicon washing up bowl that squashes flat.
My van is very similar to yours, Toyota with high kms - totally agree if well cared for they will go forever so don’t be scared about buying one if reading this. Sounds like you got a job - woo hoo!! 🥰
That sounds awesome. I have never heard of the usb sink pump before, i will have to check it out.
Toyotas are the best hey 😄💛
Far out this was the most helpful van tour I’ve seen because u kept it real THANK U
Thank you so much 😊 i’m glad it was helpful for you
Nico🥰😍😗😗
It’s the same year as my Toyota LWB I named ‘Van Halen’
Similar kms as mine when I bought mine.
I too have internal access as a solo female vanlifer.
Love your fitout. New sub. Gypsy’s on the road. 🚐
I am trying to grow my channel too. Step by step. 🙏😍
Watching you build your van with you dad was so inspiring! I just started my hiace conversion and took alot of tips from yours. I'm in NSW and hope to hit the road next summer, so build over this winter and I cannot fckn wait. Maybe we can meet on the road some time!
Awwwh thank you, i’m glad we could help, yes i would love to meet on the road one day 🥰
Your tour is the first actually real one I've seen. The rest are so annoying and full of self-important people. All the best and thanks.
That’s really lovely, thank you 😊
Hi Charlene, love your van, I have been driving a Hi Ace commuter van at my work in the Pilbara for the past 3 years and it had over 460k kms on the clock so your van will last you a long time yet.
🙌 that’s awesome
Awesome video !
Was just wondering how much it was to get the whole power setup done by a professional
Thanks !
you and Lewis did a great job ❤
Thanks as always Charlene!!
Hi neat van. What do you use for heating in cooler weather ? I'm in New Zealand gets pretty cold in winter here. Tossing up over a caravan or doing the van thing like you've done. Toyota's rock Ive owned a few and everyone knows they are built to last.
You might like to check out my 2009 Toyota LWB van fit out
600,000Km easily possible with a Toyota. Japan engineering and mindset is very different to American or European.
Great video.
I have a '92 Hiace. The other day I was just getting a towbar attached and 2 mechanics were banging on to each other about how amazing the motor was. Great feeling.
Hey, why don't you buy yourself a portable jump starter???
They are pretty amazing 🙌
Yes i really should, not sure why i haven’t yet 😆
Hey Charlene, not sure if you resolved the hatch issue but I would run velcro or a reusable zip tie. Can pick these up at Bunnings
Hey, I’m just wondering, do you prefer having the bed at the front of your van? And can you still easily access the engine? I’m planning on building my van properly over the next few months and considering doing it similar to yours. I’ve had the bed at the back for a while but it doesn’t seem like the best way to do it. Thanks for the inspiration too 😊
The only real downside I've found with the Hiace is the teeter tottering bouncy suspension. I'm going to try adapting Chevy Silverado pickup truck shocks. Fingers crossed.
Yes agree 😂
That will be great 🤞
Is it Bowen at 0:06 ? and the view on cape gloucester island ?
120Ah is Amp hours
Hi Charlene. I have sent you an email as per your address on you tube.
Thank you Colin 😄. I appreciate that