$100 Budget Campervan Conversion - Turn a mini van into a camper for cheap (Toyota Tarago)
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- čas přidán 18. 05. 2016
- Want a camper van to live the #vanlife, but don’t have the money for a fancy Sprinter setup or a Volkswagen Bus / Vanagon?
Here’s how I turned an old family mini van (a 1990 Toyota Tarago) into a budget camper for our Australian roadtrip. We did the conversion for less than $100. Taragos are a really good option for backpacker vans, but can do a similar build with just about any mini van… like an old Ford Windstar or a Chrysler Town and Country.
We named our van “Magnolia” aka “Maggie” and have driven all over Australia for the past few months, and have been having an awesome time! It’s not as big as the more expensive vans, but we’ve got enough space to do everything we need.
Full instructions are here on my blog:
www.bandergrove.com/2016/05/bu...
Some Notes:
-This conversion doesn't involve any permanent modifications to the van - all of the pieces are basically like furniture and not physically attached to the floor.
-This gives you the option of having 5 passengers ride in your van. We decided to keep the back bench seat so that we could have more than just 2 passengers ride.
-We use a big floppy foam mattress for the bed surface. It is very comfortable, but also allows us to fold it up when we have passengers. Another good option would be an air mattress. (If you use a normal “stiff” mattress you obviously won’t be able to fold it up completely!)
-Putting the kitchen in the back hatch is really clutch…you can basically cook off of your tailgate anywhere you go, even in a busy parking lot. It also keeps a really low profile, and you don’t need to set up any tables to cook with. I looove cooking in the back of the van. :)
-We used Reflectix (basically bubble wrap sheets with reflective aluminum on each side) to cover our windows, rather than the normal curtains that you often see in camper vans. We cut pieces that were slightly bigger than all of the windows, and used Velcro to stick them on to cover the windows at night. - Jak na to + styl
You'll never believe your CZcams got me started. And tonight I found your vid again. Thanks
I like it because it's cheap, simple and functional. Thumbs up!!
Reminds me of the white Tarago I had in Brisbane. Thanks Pete!
I like how it's removable too
I like how you turned your van 🚐 into a camper Pete simple convenient and cosy as long as it works that’s all that matters
Oh my gosh! I'm going to do this in the states!!! This is brilliant!
You have designed a nice use of your space. Enjoy the journey
Hi pete just gave subscription to ur channel. I am from India and I have been following van dwelling and travel channels for the past 3 years and your van conversion was excellent and simple and liked your video quality it is top class. Here in India also we basically drive our vehicles like yours on the left side of the road. Like your fellow Australian channel BecauseiVan, i am exited to be part of your journey and tour. Take care and drive safe!!!
Very cool! Soon I will be doing the Rickshaw Run and driving across India in a Tuk Tuk. Should be quite an adventure. :)
this is awesome Pete. what an amazing conversion.
Awesome ideas and build. Safe travels!
Really nice good simple living conversion
nice simple set up, cheap but effective. I have converted a couple of these old buses in the past, the last of which can be seen on my CZcams channel. Good job
Doing this with my previa when i move to california!
JaceD4V1S88 good luck Cali is against this
Great channel, really loved it!
Hi,
Just found your channel, really nice setup. Looking forward to your trip and how things go with this configuration. Like the stove setup in back.
Take care,
Tina
Yeah! Thats awesome!
Nice!! I love it!!
Very creative! 👍👍👍
dude thats a transformer van great job mate !
Well done mate
Like the way you have done this bro
That's awesome
I hope to do this with my Tarago
You should really do more can build stuff. I really liked this conversion....
I'm here for PreviaVanLife 💚🌴🍀
Wish we had these vans in the seventies in Australia instead of the old clapped out VW vans. The Tarago/Previas are loved
by many especially the 'Wombat' shaped ones,sadly these suffered from head gasket issues but usually long after doing at least
300,000 Klms, many have clocked up 450,000 or more.Enjoy your adventures.Remember to minimise the 'backpacker slam'
whilst in van parks (sliding door).
What is backpacker slam?
@@15aac slamming the side door.
👍Hello hello, just found your channel. Genius! I love how you set it up LOVE that you kept the 3rd row of seats and incorporated it into the middle bed. I'll check out your other videos. Thanks for sharing. 🤗💞🤗
What tools do you need to remove the seats?
Where can I get that front metal bar
I love your kitchen area, I will use your ideal for my van, thanks.
Where did you find the mattress? That's perfect size for a van! I also recommend to cover the "outer" side of the reflectix with something black and not so obvious that everyone can tell you are camping out.
The mattress was some kind of bed topper that we got from the previous owner of the van, but I'm not exactly sure where it was gotten from originally. It was about 10cm tall and very floppy / foldable!
How did your road trip go?
I didn't see this conversion when I researched online...we bought a Hyundai iMax and have a very similar setup...how about that?
Super,Sweet dreamzzz😴😴
why not hiace / townace or even caddy ?
am 6 ft 4 took both back seat out of 2000caravan ..I can lay corner to corner & fit .. If I make a plat form -boo- then I can not sit completely up or fit on my 5 gal toilet bucket..lol
Trouble with the gas stove on the outside is wind
Is the front guard custom? If so, could you help me find info on how to do it?
That's a bull bar that was on the bar when I purchased it. They're added to a lot of vehicles in Australia to prevent death from crashing into animals like kangaroos and, well, bulls.
I don't need seats, ideas on making that work? hmm
What happened to your Magnolia now?
I was interested to see your video. I've spent literally years living in my van. I've currently got a van like yours. The van I lived in before was a 1987 Tarago - which was longer, higher and wider than this current Estima. When I put a bed into the Estima first thing I didn't like was that I couldn't sit up in bed - or open the windows. So - I've got a few comments; do you have an annexe? I had improvised annexes in the previous van I called Bullet - cos the were 'lips' either side that u could dummy up annexes and shelters with using tarps, blankets, ropes and bulldog clips. Can't do it with this Estima. Also - must be cramped both of u sleeping on that bed!!...and it doesn't look flat!!? ......can u c out of the back windows when driving? And I imagine the gas would blow out often when cooking (no shelter)........and (LOL) do you have a table/chairs - where? ....and what arrangements do u have for toileting? I early on took out those high headrests that obscure the view out the back window. Also - ground clearance in the Estima is very low - which means can't easily do much gravel - which I find very frustrating and limiting.... I'll go check ur channel!!
Hi Jaahda, a few answers to your questions:
The kitchen area worked great, and we didn't have any problems with the stove gas blowing out. On camping trips when I was growing up, I used to make a little aluminum foil wraparound to block the wind, so that would be a cheap and easy solution.
Yes, we can see out the back windows while driving, but only the top part. They were partially obstructed by the kitchen.
Yes, it's definitely cramped! It's a mini van with only minimal conversion! But it was pretty comfortable overall, given the price. The bed wasn't exactly flat near the head, but we had 2 pillows each and we made it work.
Yes, we did have two folding camping chairs. We kept them tucked into the side of the van next to the kitchen. We also had a small folding table we kept in the same place...and would use the cooler as a surface too. Ideally we'd find a place with a picnic table or something, but if not we could make it work.
We didn't have an "annex" because we wanted to keep our set up minimal. If we needed more space, usually whatever campground or place we'd stay at would have some kind of pavilion. That said, it wouldn't be too hard to get a tarp and a couple poles and set up a space off the side door.
Thanks for watching!
Do you have your minivan yet??
Forget it the stove won't work even in the slightest wind
🤙🏻👍🏼
Not bad for a 'Micky Mouse' style conversion but only adequate for weekenders or maybe one or two vacation weeks. Plus side is that you can remove it and have a normal van. You need to dark tint the windows, it must be like an oven in there!
Not sure what experience you have in the outback, but it can kill you quick lots of different ways. It would be a very good idea to read up on it a bit before you get out there. Since you will be in a lot of dead areas cell phone wise it's not a bad idea to have one of these... Spot™ Gen3 Satellite GPS Messenger Personal Tracker... along just in case you need it. Lots of experienced hunters carry them "just in case". Have fun, be safe and make sure you stay on the proper side of the road.
y can't i post my comments?
Turn music off and speak louder can't hear you
Wat the hell......
That awful music OMG