Express packing.
Been working on this technique for years. Saves a ton of time.
SkiDeal Week 2022
Alpe D'huez, France
🎵: skazi_asher
🏂: skideal
🤳: me & danielisrael
📹: insta360 insta360il
It’s not a trek.
It’s not really a hike either.
It’s just a walk. A really, really long walk. 832km long.
#caminodesantiago #trekspain #trekkinglife #pilgrimage
First day on the road from Florida to California 🚐
#newtovanlife #unconvertedvanlife
Here you have it folks… dia dos🚐
#newtovanlife #unconvertedvan
Can someone explain how day 3 feels more like day 13????
#newtovanlife #unconvertedvan #usaroadtrip
First night not sleeping in Walmart 🙃😅
#newtovanlife #unconvertedvanlife #usaroadtrip
The last clip has us 💀🤣👽
Took a few days break in Taos, New Mexico for some snowboarding. Getting back on the road tomorrow 🚐
#unconvertedvanlife #newtovanlife #newmexico #roswell
A special something in the middle of nowhere
#sunsetdrive #sunsetlovers #texassunset #texas
Days 6-9 ❄️🌯
#taos #taosskivalley #taosnewmexico #unconvertedvanlife #vanlife
65 hours, 8 states and 3372 miles later… we made it!
#unconvertedvanlifeisover #thankgod
And so it begins! Wheels and wrap are done…only about 10,000 more steps! 😆
#vanlife #vanconversions #remotejobs #carwraps
Why Taping Off a Layout is Essential for Converting a Van
When converting a van, one of the most important steps is to tape off the layout. This process involves using masking or painters tape to outline the areas that will become the different parts of the van, such as the bed, kitchen, storage, etc. We thought that this would be a simple task, but quickly discovered so many aspects we needed to consider that we simply missed when we were thinking about it on paper.
1. Planning and visualization: Taping off the layout allowed us to physically see and visualize the different parts of the van and how they will fit together. We had a chance to physically move around our layout and imagine ourselves and others in the finished space. We made sure we could enter and move throughout the van with ease. This helped us make any necessary changes to the layout before we start the actual conversion. For example we realized our water tank wouldn’t fit over the wheel well like we expected, and needed to reposition it.
2. Measuring accurately: By taping off the layout, we can measure the different parts of the van and make sure they are the correct size. This is essential for ensuring that everything fits together as it should, and that we have enough space for all of our needs. We can use this later as our blueprint to build the van, so we were trying to be as precise as possible. After tapping, we labeled each piece of tape for what it represents as well as which side of the tape the measurement extends to. We first snapped a centerline in the exact center of the van, and worked our way outwards from that line. Working from the walls inwards can result in crooked furniture or aisles as the walls of the van are not always perfectly straight. This method ensures that all abnormalities will be concealed in the back of our cabinets and furniture.
3. Organization: By taping off the layout, we can keep track of which parts of the van we have already worked on and which parts
The time has arrived to make some crucial cuts ✂️🚐
The feeling of finally starting the van conversion is surreal. We have been planning this for months and it is now becoming a reality.
However, there is a delicate balance between making sure everything is perfect and having the confidence to trust yourself. While it would have been possible to spend an additional two hours measuring for accuracy, or seeking more opinions, sometimes you simply have to take the leap of faith and proceed.
Who would have thought that cutting a hole in a van could provide such an adrenaline rush? No wonder I am drawn to converting vans. It truly feels like an extreme sport!
Next up, we will be installing our windows. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress 👷🏼♀️👷🏽♂️
#vanconversion #sprintervanlife #diyvanbuild
Just the two of us..... (us + our van) 👷🏼♀️👷🏽♥️🚐
What Valentines Day is like in the middle of a van build 😂
#vanlife #vanlifeusa #vday #vanbuilds #vanconversions #comedyskit #comedysketch #vanbuildseries #vanlifers #foryoupage #fyp #explorepage
We really love the AMA windows we bought from vanwindowsdirect, they made such a huge difference! We’re getting into the flow of things and it has been such a fun process so far. It’s amazing how quickly you can gain confidence when you’re learning new skills. Both Nicole and I can’t believe that the window sealant is the only thing that holds up these windows. It’s crazy! The hardest part of the window installation was holding up the silicone gun for so long lol. Overall, we’re thrilled with how the windows turned out.
#vanlife #vanconversion #vanbuilds #diyvan #diyvanconversion
Should we only be posting slow motion from now on? 💥📸
P.S. a Van Conversion ASMR video is in the making
The internal skeleton of our van is now complete! 💀Over the past week, we finished installing our insulation, running wires, and adding furring strips. These are all the essential components that sit underneath the walls and ceiling of our van.
Starting with insulation, we wish we had done this before our cross-country road trip because we definitely froze at times 🥶! Insulation is key for temperature control, as it keeps the interior of the van warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It also helps reduce outside noise and prevents moisture build-up, which can lead to mold and other issues.
The wire running step is crucial and requires very in depth planning to ensure that electricity reaches all the necessary spots in the van before the walls are put in. We ran two types of wires during this phase: AC for water heaters, outlets, and stovetops, and DC for everything else (to put it simply). It was a slow and challenging process, as we had to navigate through the internal metal walls of the van and ensure that everything was organized and reached its destination.
Finally, we added furring strips using thin wooden boards. These strips create a level surface for our interior paneling and provide anchor points for mounting our walls and other structures.
Our next project is a bit daunting, as we’ll be building a partition wall with an overhead cubby and arched doorway. We’re excited to share our progress with you all! 😁
#diyvan #diyvanconversion #vanlifebuilds #vanlifebuild #homeimprovementprojects #sprintervanlife
Our progress over the past 2 weeks!
- Got our van wrapped
- Gutted the inside
- Taped off our layout
- Applied Killmat for sound deadening
- Built floor extender into door step
- Made exterior cuts and installed AC, Vent fan, and Skylight
- Installed 3 windows
- Planned all our wiring
- Applied 2 layers of insulation to interior
- Completed our wire runs
- Cut and put in our furring strips
- Built our headliner shelf
Working on our partition door now, it’s coming along…very slowly coming along 😅
Where Edden Ram the photographer meets Edden Ram the van builder…
#vanbuild #projectvanlife #vanconversion #asmr
