I put a pair of air deflector/ rain guard on side windows so that I can leave my window open a little bit when it is hot and rainy outside. It helps the ventilation fan to circulate cool air from front to back. A cheap mod and I used it a lot especially in my Florida trip a few weeks ago. Fan works best when air can come in from front, and it really struggles when all windows/ doors are closed. Good videos. Good luck on your van life!
I'm looking forward to your future videos and excited to see the upgrades and modifications to your van. Best wishes that all works out as you've planned. Thanks for sharing . . . I've subscribed :)
Love the van and am planning to get one myself. I'm 6 ft tall and am concerned about hitting my head on the roof when sitting on the couch. Have you measured the seat to roof distance? Thanks for the videos!
Quite an interesting build. I am doing my own DYI 2016 PMC campervan and am constantly discovering interesting elements unique to this automotive platform. Prioritizing the various layers of functionality (ventilation, electrical, heat, insulation and general ergonomics to name a few) has been my preoccupation for the better part of a year now. One overriding determination is that ventilation needs to head the list and be dealt with before it is buried too deep. Eventually the bells and whistles will be added near the end. As much as I would like the contribute to the dissemination of knowledge on social media (it has given me so much), I am not yet comfortable putting myself "out there" at this point. Nor do I aspire to You Tube production. I am however open to intellectual collaboration peer to peer should fellow fellow builders care to kibitz. Good luck with your project. Cheers.
Hi Arnold, thanks for sharing, even if you don't do youtube, I hope you end up sharing your knowledge when you're ready through a blog or the promaster forums (though the PMC section is pretty sparse). My focus is going to be on "smart" electronic systems in the van, so mostly bells and whistles :)
Hope you don't mind me chiming in. Heat used to be an issue in my vehicle as well. I purchased 2 reflective tarps from Amazon, (Arcturus All Weather Outdoor Survival Blanket - All Purpose, Thermal, Reflective - 60" x 82") and used each one as a shade on both sides of my vehicle, supported by collapsible tarp poles and tent line/stakes. This lowered the temp by about 10 degrees. If you don't have solar on top, you can tie them together and drape them across the top, otherwise, just afix them to your rack with plastic clamps. Works really well at keeping the sun off the vehicle and makes a huge difference.
An additional tip - I bought an additional one, cut it to fit the size of my windshield, with an extra inch and a half all around, (same for driver and passenger windows). I then used duct tape to seal the edges, and use magnets to keep them on the outside. Putting reflectix on the inside still allows heat into the vehicle, but using these on the outside, with the reflecting side out, reflects the sun entirely. This of course, doesn't really work so well in the city, but if you are ever out boondocking, it will make a tremendous difference. I am a backpacker, and have found that a lot of the things that work well for backpacking/camping, also work really well for boondocking. The magnets need to be strong, but they are cheap on Amazon. Search for CMS Magnetics® Domino Size Magnet - 1 7/8 x 7/8 x 3/8" Ceramic Magnets Grade 8
Great video. Thanks for the update. Ever heard of icy breeze ice chest? It’s suppose to cool you down like an air conditioner using ice, so they say. I wonder if it would work for van life? They say it only works for an hour and then you gotta add ice but I don’t know for sure. As long as the water is cold it should still be cooling you down. I’m in 100 degree weather here. I think I would need an air conditioner but then I need a generator etc. also I noticed you have a small vent fan?? What was wrong with fantastic fan? You think having two fantastic fans would work better? One drawing air into the van the other taking out? How does the van do on those wash board roads. Looks like you had to do a little off roading on your trip? Ok I’m done for now lol. My choice would be a ram pro master city van as well. See ya later!
Thanks for sharing! I haven't had the need to add separate A/C yet, so far I have 2 options: 1. I leave the car idling (consumes maybe a quarter gal an hour, but I can get this down by cycling my car on & off as needed. I bet this can be automated with remote start + temperature sensing thermostat) 2. I open all the windows and doors and it's usually okay I've seen people install A/C units in their vans though, for instance: czcams.com/video/CUWg4AQuLC0/video.htmlm44s Fan helps a lot during the day, but it's a bit loud. 2 would probably work better, geokite runs 2 fans: czcams.com/video/YjBV-l6RWH4/video.htmlm28s Going off road is unfortunately tough for the PMC compared to AWD vehicles. It doesn't have the best clearance either, but it can be done with a spotter.
Once the ice melts, the only cooling would be from evaporation of the water. For this, you need low humidity, and you have to change the air, so exhaust and bring in fresh. Once the inside air gets humid, no cooling effect. Ideally, you bring air in through your evaporative cooling device, and exhaust the same volume of air out the opposite end of the space. Without this, you will need to replace the ice, and even then, exhaust the air as the humidity rises.
Very informative! I've subscribed and looking forward to future videos. Is it possible to throw in a porta potty with this van? There looks like there may not be enough room with the bed unfolded? Thanks!
It's a bit too small of a space for a toilet I think, even one of those composting no-smell toilets. I find it pretty easy to find toilets though, at any starbucks/mcdonalds in the day or a 24 hour fitness at night.
Yup, got Prime XR on the side windows @ 30% tint, considering doing the front too, but I'm concerned about how the tint shows up with polarized sunglasses
Love this. thank you for the vids smart van. looking forward to more. question: any problems thus far with the solar to dometic fridge system? Does the fridge run 24/7? and if so, is there a risk of the battery overheating? Just wondering how Zack's electronic components are holding up. I love that dometic fridge. Also, are the cabinets made of plywood/laminate or particle board/laminate? Thank you.
Nice build! how does the small fan work for you? I kinda want to do the same build but im worried that the small fan won't be enough to keep cool [I live in Hot South Florida]. Also how long is your bed? .... Keep uploading :D
Fan works well enough for 80 degree days, low humidity in the desert but it'll probably not Florida hot! Bed is 3'7" by 6'3" at its widest, the foot end of the bed has the van's wheel eating up some width, and the bed curves to remove another couple inches of length near the head. A twin size bed is 3'2" by 6'3"
Just did last week camping in the desert! It worked quite well. Next level up was tying reflective emergency blankets to the walls of the van too. All that lets me restful sleep till noon even with the heat.
![$6k RAM Promaster City Camper Van Conversion Tour by Zach from Cascade Campers [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1_Yq4XlZLCQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I put a pair of air deflector/ rain guard on side windows so that I can leave my window open a little bit when it is hot and rainy outside. It helps the ventilation fan to circulate cool air from front to back. A cheap mod and I used it a lot especially in my Florida trip a few weeks ago. Fan works best when air can come in from front, and it really struggles when all windows/ doors are closed. Good videos. Good luck on your van life!
I'm looking forward to your future videos and excited to see the upgrades and modifications to your van. Best wishes that all works out as you've planned. Thanks for sharing . . . I've subscribed :)
Nice looking van! Makes me think of a westfalia
Love the van and am planning to get one myself. I'm 6 ft tall and am concerned about hitting my head on the roof when sitting on the couch. Have you measured the seat to roof distance? Thanks for the videos!
Great! I'm following. Looking forward for more videos .Keep it up!
Quite an interesting build. I am doing my own DYI 2016 PMC campervan and am constantly discovering interesting elements unique to this automotive platform. Prioritizing the various layers of functionality (ventilation, electrical, heat, insulation and general ergonomics to name a few) has been my preoccupation for the better part of a year now. One overriding determination is that ventilation needs to head the list and be dealt with before it is buried too deep. Eventually the bells and whistles will be added near the end. As much as I would like the contribute to the dissemination of knowledge on social media (it has given me so much), I am not yet comfortable putting myself "out there" at this point. Nor do I aspire to You Tube production. I am however open to intellectual collaboration peer to peer should fellow fellow builders care to kibitz. Good luck with your project. Cheers.
Hi Arnold, thanks for sharing, even if you don't do youtube, I hope you end up sharing your knowledge when you're ready through a blog or the promaster forums (though the PMC section is pretty sparse). My focus is going to be on "smart" electronic systems in the van, so mostly bells and whistles :)
Ill be watching dude! I like the promaster city and that conversion!
Hope you don't mind me chiming in. Heat used to be an issue in my vehicle as well. I purchased 2 reflective tarps from Amazon, (Arcturus All Weather Outdoor Survival Blanket - All Purpose, Thermal, Reflective - 60" x 82") and used each one as a shade on both sides of my vehicle, supported by collapsible tarp poles and tent line/stakes. This lowered the temp by about 10 degrees. If you don't have solar on top, you can tie them together and drape them across the top, otherwise, just afix them to your rack with plastic clamps. Works really well at keeping the sun off the vehicle and makes a huge difference.
Looks like a great idea! I can use them to keep warm in the winter too. Just bought a couple.
An additional tip - I bought an additional one, cut it to fit the size of my windshield, with an extra inch and a half all around, (same for driver and passenger windows). I then used duct tape to seal the edges, and use magnets to keep them on the outside. Putting reflectix on the inside still allows heat into the vehicle, but using these on the outside, with the reflecting side out, reflects the sun entirely. This of course, doesn't really work so well in the city, but if you are ever out boondocking, it will make a tremendous difference. I am a backpacker, and have found that a lot of the things that work well for backpacking/camping, also work really well for boondocking. The magnets need to be strong, but they are cheap on Amazon. Search for CMS Magnetics® Domino Size Magnet - 1 7/8 x 7/8 x 3/8" Ceramic Magnets Grade 8
Great video. Thanks for the update. Ever heard of icy breeze ice chest? It’s suppose to cool you down like an air conditioner using ice, so they say. I wonder if it would work for van life? They say it only works for an hour and then you gotta add ice but I don’t know for sure. As long as the water is cold it should still be cooling you down. I’m in 100 degree weather here. I think I would need an air conditioner but then I need a generator etc. also I noticed you have a small vent fan?? What was wrong with fantastic fan? You think having two fantastic fans would work better? One drawing air into the van the other taking out? How does the van do on those wash board roads. Looks like you had to do a little off roading on your trip? Ok I’m done for now lol. My choice would be a ram pro master city van as well. See ya later!
Thanks for sharing! I haven't had the need to add separate A/C yet, so far I have 2 options:
1. I leave the car idling (consumes maybe a quarter gal an hour, but I can get this down by cycling my car on & off as needed. I bet this can be automated with remote start + temperature sensing thermostat)
2. I open all the windows and doors and it's usually okay
I've seen people install A/C units in their vans though, for instance: czcams.com/video/CUWg4AQuLC0/video.htmlm44s
Fan helps a lot during the day, but it's a bit loud. 2 would probably work better, geokite runs 2 fans: czcams.com/video/YjBV-l6RWH4/video.htmlm28s
Going off road is unfortunately tough for the PMC compared to AWD vehicles. It doesn't have the best clearance either, but it can be done with a spotter.
Once the ice melts, the only cooling would be from evaporation of the water. For this, you need low humidity, and you have to change the air, so exhaust and bring in fresh. Once the inside air gets humid, no cooling effect. Ideally, you bring air in through your evaporative cooling device, and exhaust the same volume of air out the opposite end of the space. Without this, you will need to replace the ice, and even then, exhaust the air as the humidity rises.
Good info, did you replace the pillar speakers and if so, how did you wire the tweeters/crossovers? I loved the video great detail, thank you.
Yup, check out my other video on replacing the van speakers with aftermarket ones
Very informative! I've subscribed and looking forward to future videos. Is it possible to throw in a porta potty with this van? There looks like there may not be enough room with the bed unfolded? Thanks!
It's a bit too small of a space for a toilet I think, even one of those composting no-smell toilets. I find it pretty easy to find toilets though, at any starbucks/mcdonalds in the day or a 24 hour fitness at night.
Have you considered tinting your windows with ceramic tint? This will help with your car heating up.
Yup, got Prime XR on the side windows @ 30% tint, considering doing the front too, but I'm concerned about how the tint shows up with polarized sunglasses
Love this. thank you for the vids smart van. looking forward to more. question: any problems thus far with the solar to dometic fridge system? Does the fridge run 24/7? and if so, is there a risk of the battery overheating? Just wondering how Zack's electronic components are holding up. I love that dometic fridge. Also, are the cabinets made of plywood/laminate or particle board/laminate? Thank you.
Fridge can run 24/7 if the car is outside (Zach recommended it) but indoors I keep the fridge off. The furniture seems to be made of plywood.
Nice build! how does the small fan work for you? I kinda want to do the same build but im worried that the small fan won't be enough to keep cool [I live in Hot South Florida]. Also how long is your bed? .... Keep uploading :D
Fan works well enough for 80 degree days, low humidity in the desert but it'll probably not Florida hot!
Bed is 3'7" by 6'3" at its widest, the foot end of the bed has the van's wheel eating up some width, and the bed curves to remove another couple inches of length near the head. A twin size bed is 3'2" by 6'3"
Ditch that apartment!
4 people sitting .... nice .... What is the width of the bed? Can it sleep 😴 two? Thanks keep the updates coming! Joe
Bed is 43" by 75", which is between twin and full. Can intimately sleep 2
Thanks
Have you tried those reflective windshield screens for the morning sun and the cab heating up?
Just did last week camping in the desert! It worked quite well. Next level up was tying reflective emergency blankets to the walls of the van too. All that lets me restful sleep till noon even with the heat.