Minivan Camper Tour - After 73,000 Miles and Final Upgrade
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- čas přidán 20. 10. 2023
- Join us for an in-depth tour of a 2019 Toyota Sienna minivan turned into the ultimate DIY camper. Discover exterior upgrades, a cozy interior with clever modifications, and essential travel tips.
Explore the window deflector, a 16-cubic-foot roof box, and high-performance tires for van life enthusiasts. Inside, see how a DIY roof fan, quick-access pockets, and innovative table setup enhance the van's functionality.
Get insights into sleeping arrangements, the revamped kitchen with a top-lid trash can, and water/showering options. Learn about power sources, gear storage, and sunshade solutions that make this camper a home on wheels.
Whether you're a van life pro or a newbie, this video provides inspiration and practical advice. Don't forget to like and subscribe for more travel and DIY van life content. Happy camping and safe travels!
Link to DIY Portable Roof Fan - Minivan Camper Essential
• DIY Portable Roof Fan ...
Music: Snowy Peaks pt 1 - Chris Haugen
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Portable Butane Gas Stove: amzn.to/4939Vws
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Dash Cam: amzn.to/3UlHH9s
Solar Panel: amzn.to/3UhCdfE
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Trash Can: amzn.to/45IscfR
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USB water dispenser: amzn.to/4050kzL
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Roof box: amzn.to/3ZLJ1Dr
I love your air fan set up in the roof vent - what a great idea. As well as many other great ideas. Glad you are enjoying your travels.
I thought That would be ideal on my van, then I reralized I dont have a sunroof! (Bummer!)
Wow your van is so cool. Your dog must have so much fun exploring with you ❤
Thank you for watching.
Great setup, not fancy, just practical & functional. Two thumbs up!
Glad you like it.🙂
Very well organized presentation! Thank you for sharing your creative ideas in upgrading the camper van. A lot of hard work!👍
Thank you.
Your van is planned out so well. Great job! I just bought a 2020 Toyota Sienna so thank you for all of the great ideas. Love your content and hope to see more videos from you.
Glad you like it. Thank you.
@@vinnyandrocky I don't know much about this, but on some videos they mention having a vehicle "lifted" so it can have extra clearance for rough roads. I wondered if you did that. One suggestion was to have a "Golf" umbrella, which can take the wind and rain and it is wide.
You make me feel like my Gmc savana 15 passenger van is OVERKILL ! 😊
The best van is the one you got when you need it.🙂Happy camping.
Thanks for showing and explaining about the many elegant upgrades you've made. You essentially have everything that goes with a high end RV or van conversion (except for the ability to stand 'indoors)'.
Thank you for watching.
I would love to see a video on how you made your exhaust fan for the moon roof.
OK, I will make one.
@@vinnyandrockyI would love to see also. Can’t wait for the video.
Me three
This is the best and most complete of the 100’s of conversions I’ve seen. Congratulations.
Thank you!🥰
I love your van set up. I'm definitely going to check out that little garbage can. That will go perfect in my little camper. Safe travels
Glad you like it. The garbage can is one item that I wish I had it earlier.
You are all set! You are living the life! Be happy. It's perfect.
Thank you. Yes, You can still be happy and enjoy your life with only a tiny camper with limited budget.🥰
Fantastic!
Amazing design and layout for your travels in your van! I have an 04 gmc yukon that i camp in. Your configurations give great ideas!
Many thanks for sharing. Nice setting. Watching from the tropical rainforest of Suriname 🇸🇷. Enjoy your trips.
Great build! Both practical and functional... Well Done!
Thank you.🥰
love your fan on the sunroof . smart.
It was good to see you posting again.
I was traveling for 6 weeks, unable to do any editing. I'll have more uploads coming soon, thanks for watching.
Thoughtful design. It looks to make your travels smooth and efficient. Thank you for sharing your minivan camper with us.
glad you like it.
nice build!
Wow, must say, very well organized 👍
Thank you so much.🙂
Awesome video! A minivan camper can take you anywhere!
Thank you! You know better than many. You have a very nice channel. Keep up the work.
Very impressive mini-van camper, you have really thought of everything!
Thank you so much.
Beautiful and practical ❤
Best!!!! Conversion I’ve yet to see. What a wonderful job you’ve done, really enjoyed your commentary during the video!
Thank you!🥰
Some great ideas Vinny! Thank you , happy trails from Victoria, British Columbia.
Thanks for watching!
This set up is unbelievable. What a great job.👏🏽
Thank you.
Most excellent ideas that I've seen! I have a 2012 Sienna XLE, and I am ready to build it out. Thank you very much!!😊
Glad you like it. Good luck on your build.
This is a great setup! I love that it's perfect for you and your pup. I've been looking into something similar so I'm happy to see that what I'm thinking of doing would work. Thank you!
Glad you like it. Thank you.
Nice plan for this camper...also, love ur dog!
I really like your set up. Simple, comfortable and efficient!
Glad you think so!
Great van! Awesome adventures too.
Really enjoyed your video . Great job !
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow! Very smart and practical upgrades. This just might work on my Grand Caravan. Good looking Shepard too!
Glad you like it.
I like your camper. It’s extremely well thought out and by golly. That’s the way I’m gonna go good video. Thank you.
Thank you.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful van.
You are welcome.
Great video. Thanks!
Thank you.
Nuce set up, love the doggo
Thank you.
So many great ides. thanks for sharing. Your very talented.
thank you.😊
I love your setup, and your Shepherd ♥️🐾 he reminds me of my girl, Xena, they could be twins 🌟 Thank you for sharing your designs and adventures.
Glad you like it, thank you.🥰
Very nice build.
Thank you.
Great video
Thanks for the visit
Wow excelente me enamoré de su camioneta y todo lo que ha hecho en ella ❤❤❤❤muchas felicidades y que Dios lo siga bendiciendo
🥰
Beautiful..I am ready to travel and see sights. I am currently working on building my minivan and documenting on my channel. Thanks for sharing.
Good for you. Enjoy while we can still safe to travel.
Great van!
Thank you.
Great setup. I love your van build. 1000 btu micro AC unit is all that you are missing. Vent the AC tube under your sheets at night to help with sleep in the Summer in the southern humid states. I live in Florida and humidity is bad at night. Thanks for sharing. John
I avoid Summer camping not just the heat but the crowds. Plan to reserve a camp site several months ahead wasn't work for me neither. Yes, AC is a must if you camp mostly in Southern States.
Good stuff. One thing I haven't seen anyone do yet is custom make a freshwater tank for the roof rack which would gravity feed water for showers. It doesn't have to be a huge tank but something adequate enough to give you about three to four showers per fill up. The only problem would be cold weather. I'm quite sure the outdoor shower option would be a scratch. Nice set up, thanks for sharing!
There are weight limit on the OEM roof rack. Since water is heavy and will raise the center of gravity of the car. Since I drive a lot of distance, I have to consider the impact of MPG of any outfit on the roof as well.
@@vinnyandrocky Yes sir I understand. Not everyone can pull it off. I'm sure there are some out there that have done it, but I haven't seen it just yet for this type of set up.
No prob. Just my Dad coming through there. He used to be an upholsterer and sew mattresses
Nice build
thank you so much.
Thank You , so many great ideas. And love your beautiful well behaved intelligent dog :)
Thank you.🙂
That piece of metal sheeting would worry me while driving, it could become a projectile in fast stops ? You probably secure it , but it occurred to me it could hurt your doggo :)
Not to worry, my friend. I am remodeling the kitchen space again to maximize my counter space. That piece of metal is gone now. @@BluDawg
Van-tastic!
Thanks.
Thanks!
Thank you.🥰
Awesome!👍🇨🇦😎
Amazing design very organized... you do not need to keep your eggs refrigerated !In the old days eggs were not refrigerated in the stores and they last weeks and weeks after the best if purchased by date printed on the carton
Thanks for the tip!
Great lay-out. Space for a (folding) bicycle would be great. Here I would reduce the width of the mattress.
Yes, If I am single. I need the space for my wife.🙂A bigger van would be perfect.
I Guess When You Get Use To Everything It Works Perfectly Good Wished I Just Had A Home On Wheels With Out Living With Family Members Be Safe Thanks For The Video Take Care Of The Puppy Dog, Eddie Franklin From Athens Alabama.
Thank you so much. Enjoy and be happy.🥰
Nice van.
Thanks.
Tube-styled water dispenser will eventually leak when the gasket goes bad. Dispenser without the tube are better.
Your van build is impressive with the exception of that salad bowl sink. May as well not even have one. Lol
A bigger sink will be nice but I can't think of where to make it work in such a tiny van. thanks for watching.
Gotta have something for the faucet to drip into, the sink in my Promaster 2500 will be a 4" dia stainless funnel. I'll set a dish pan on the counter if I need to wash dishes.
The sink is useful for me because I have to sleep in Walmart parking lot during my long drive from East coast to West. The sink allows me to do my daily cleansing routine at night and morning(stealth mode). At campsites, I can do it outside without a sink.@@johnbarron4713
@@johnbarron4713how do u rinse?
Saludos,,amigo,,cuídese mucho,, y pronto espero poder camperizar mi vans,,,,,hiciste un excelente trabajo en tu vans,, espero estar en comunicación contigo para que me des ideas y consegos, bendiciones y ,saludos desde Sonora México
Your opinion on the 2" foam being enough is very useful, thanks
I don't recommend everyone should use 2" foam because we all get use to sleep on thick mattress at home. My home bed is a 10" mattress. But given the tiny space in my van, I try to find out the minimum foam pad thickness without causing back pain. BTW, the foam pad I used is high density Polyurethane foam. To be honest, I sleep better in my van during trips than at home, LOL.
@@vinnyandrocky I like a firm mattress so likely the presence of a board not far away likely to be welcome.
Awesome setup. Nice video. U might want to mount a .50 cal machine gun for squirrel defense.
A squirrel actually got into my engine compartment and only found him dead and dried after I came home.😂
I'm following you're CHANNEL , closely, because I'm already HUNTING , for a TOYOTA SIENNA 😊 , and I will ASSURE YOU & THANKING You , that I will do my UP GRADE & MODIFICATION , inspired en you're WELL THOUGHT OUT 😢 videos !!! MASSIVE THANKS 😊 🙏.....
Thank you for joining me. I'm doing more upgrades to my van. Not changing the big three but making use of every inch in the van. Will do a more in depth video of why I make those changes, stay tune.
@@vinnyandrocky it's been a PLEASURE joining You 😊 , rest assured I will follow You , THANKS AGAIN 😀 !!!
Did I meet you while camping near the wind river range in Wyoming? I had a white truck camper and we talked for a bit? I seem to remember your dog and your van. regardless, that is a very well thought out van, congratulations to you!
Yes, thank you. You showed me your camper and I love it.
@@vinnyandrocky well, thanks. I didn't know you were a celebrity, I woulda got your autograph, ha. Seriously though, that is a really well thought out van build. I'm very impressed.
BTW, how's your dog doing?@@rutterj2
I very much liked, subscribed, and thumbed👍your channel today. But honestly, most of all I appreciated your just talking video. Any suggestions 🤔?...Just to please keep your videos with beautiful backgrounds without interspering layers of unnecessary background music. If I go along vicariously on a camping trip good company and some peace and quiet in between is all I ask 😊.
Well done! Let me know if you decide to sell your van one day :)
Sure, I am thinking of building a truck camper. But I don't have a truck yet, been doing some research. I just further improve my kitchen and put in drawer and other stuff. Will share it soon.
Nice job....love your German Shepherd I had one for years until she passed.....makes me want another one.....but oh the hair shedding in a van do you use rollers or what to keep at bay?
I just keep a dusk pan and brush. I vacuum the van when I got home.
Great job. We have a 2013 Sienna, white. We did about 9,000 miles in it last summer. Can you do a video detailing how and what you hook your tarp to? I have an awning thing from Ikea and I didn't like it at all! Thanks!
Yes I can. Thank you for watching.
Nice set up. Where can i get the tarp and poles for sun screen.? Thanks
I bought the tarp online long time ago so I forgot the brand. The poles are from my old Canopy that I bought from K-mart for $12 including the 12x12 canopy. The poles are 3-sections join together, not ideal but I just don't want to spend money on something I already have. There are many Alum. tent poles and some are telescoping.
Great build out! Where is your spare tire?
Yes, I do carry a full size spare tire, see link for my older video:
czcams.com/video/V0YCe6WSBlc/video.htmlsi=PXFXyvUVueeIbVNB
Practical and efficient build, I love it. Question: have you considered installing a lift kit for extra ground clearance? It seems like you take your van into some rugged places.
Yes, I really need a higher clearance van for my journey. I bought the van with 100K warranty, if I do any mod to my suspension, my warranty voided. May be after 100K miles will be better. I am also looking into my next build, I am still not decided between a 4x4 truck camper or 4x4 van.🤔
Thank you for sharing all of your creative and practical ideas with us. I really enjoyed watching your video and learned lots from you.
I would love to know where you bought the garbage can. I’ve always thought a spring loaded lid that sealed tight would be the best kind of garbage, and the one you found is perfect! 😊
I’ve subscribed and look forward to more contact from your channel. Wishing you safe and fun travels for you and Rocky. 😊
I have the links below the video for all the products I used in my van. Please check it out. thanks for watching.@@dianastoevelaar9548
I have a 2007 Odyssey I camp in but it's near the end of it's long distance traveling days. You seem to really enjoy your van. Would you purchase the Sienna AWD again?
Yes, l will always buy AWD for my camper. l own Odyssey before and it has lower ground clearance than Sienna but l got 260k from it. The new Sienna Hybrid even better because it has climate control all day and night. You can have AC at night and heat all night in Winter. The 2nd row seats take some effort to remove though.
If you wanted to upgrade the foam...there are different qualities of the density and long lasting. This is a lot more expensive on an already expensive item.
After trying the 3" foam for 6 weeks trip, I just keep my 2" foam for now since I don't see much difference.
Thanks for upgrades review. I noticed that you did not use window deflectors on the sliding door. Is there a reason why you only use them for the front doors and not the sliding doors? Thanks.
I covered the sliding door and rear windows 100% with reflectix to seal off the light for stealth camping at Walmart. I have blackout curtain in the front seats. Only the front row is visible from outside. I can leave the front windows open just a bit for ventilation when I sleep at night. Before I go to bed or early in the morning, I can turn on the light without being notice from outside. Make sense?
@@vinnyandrockyThanks for the prompt reply. I was checking if the reason was because they made too much noise or they had fallen off or broken due to the length of the window deflector for the sliding doors. But I see it was more for night time stealth reasons. I cannot decide if I want to buy the deflectors for the sliding doors for my Sienna.
@@RA-rf4nzI think the front deflector will hold better because it is L-shape and locked tight with the frame (no double-sided tape is required). IMHO, the front deflectors are essential where as the sliding door deflectors are optional.
Do you ever run the heater in your van? And what kind
I seldom go camping in Winter below 25F. Even below 32F, the van is still 10 degrees warmer than outside. Yes, If I have some kind of heater, I can extend my trips to November. I am looking for practical solution since I am not full time living in a van.
@@vinnyandrocky oh okay. I have a parrot and I couldn’t camp in 45 degrees outside, my sienna was getting cold even with running small heater off my Jackery 3000, which is huge and 400w heater was draining it very quickly. Thank you anyway for your reply
How do you make make passenger's side table
You can watch this video, see link: czcams.com/video/xThtm3oep7M/video.html
Have you had problems with insufficient ground clearance during your travels off of paved roads?
Yes, I face this problem all the time since I camp at remote locations that are off grid and do not require prior registration. The 6 1/2" ground clearance of minivan is a big challenge to drive through unpaved and poor maintain roads. I went to many places that I shouldn't go, LOL. I did not encounter any damage yet because I drive very slow and extra caution (knock on wood). For my type of adventure, 8 to 9" clearance will be perfect.🙂
Thank you for the prompt response! Perhaps there is a lift kit out there that would add an inch or so to your vehicle. I think I have seen that done on the Sienna.@@vinnyandrocky
Yes, I have to wait till my warranty is over before I do any mod to the chassis.
@@texastwostep-js2gs
I’ve been wanting to do what you’re doing and was leaning towards the 4runner. But thanks to your excellent videos I think the Sienna might be the ticket. And the Sienna has 40% more internal volume than the 4runner. Your floor plan and details are perfect for me. Plus I also have a GSD! Here is a Sienna with lift : czcams.com/video/7hrDXwZwQfo/video.html
My son has a 4runner with long drawers under the bed. That leave very little room to sit and cook inside. I like the off-road capability of the 4runner but the interior volume just too tight for my dog. 4runner with 12" more head room will be perfect, LOL.@@texastwostep-js2gs
Link to the roof fan?
I will upload the how I make the roof fan video on coming Monday, stay tune.🙂
Did you build your bed?
Yes, you can watch how my bed works in my previous video: the Practical Minivan Camper for Long Trips.Link:
czcams.com/video/MCNEAUwuNHI/video.html
Oh man driving with that stainless steel plate behind you is like have a sword waiting to fly off in case of an accident.
What is your current mileage on your minivan camper ?
75K now, 5 cross country trips with around 7,000 miles each.
WHAT ABOUT THE 🐕 SPACE..
FOODS SPACE
DOG SLEEPING AREA?
I also have a mesh pouch hung behind the front passenger seat that keep most my dog's essentials such as toys, towel and first-aid-kit. Dog food was store under the bed. Yes, I should include some footage about what I bring for my dog such as first-aid, medicine, etc.
🌹 'Promosm'
Some clever ideas in your camper van. One thing to keep in mind in using cardboard is that it attracts cockroaches.
The cardboard l used was not the brown color shipping box. They were smooth glossy cardboard box from clean non-food products. I will keep an eye on it if it will attract cockroach. Thanks. When l am not traveling, l remove all food from the camper, this should reduce the chance of infection.
Who travels with a dog that stinks like a German Shepherd does?
Probably someone who appreciates a great companion.
just for your info GSD’s don’t stink unless they are totally neglected
All of it is crazy town. Buy a tent
Van better than a tent