mikewelchdotcom said:
I'm in the process of learning everything I can. It will be at least a year before I can purchase my van. In the meantime, I'm watching a lot of Youtube videos about converting a van. What are some your favorite Youtube build videos?
One thing that continues to amaze me is the individuality that each van conversion represents. Like others, I have watched tons of videos, and I can almost always see the unique perspective that each build brings. I don't think there is a "bad" van build, because the decisions represent conscious choices, restrictions, and capabilities of the owner. I respect all of them and take the ideas that I think would be good for my build and try to implement them. It's fascinating to see the breadth and variety of van "statements". My "canvas" is a small Promaster City, so I'm watching, mostly, small van conversions.
For example, decisions like the following are readily apparent in the builds:
- availability of space - size of box, height of van
- stand or sit
- whether you will be inside a lot or outside a lot - want to stealth camp? Not that anyone would do it, but is it physically possible to spend all day in the van, from bathroom to cooking to working to playing to sleeping. If not, weather will determine, in large part where you go.
- how tolerant you are to heat and cold
- how much weight you're willing to add - my personal preference is for aluminum cabinets, etc, and no paneling anywhere
- how much money and expertise the owner has for the project
- how much time the owner has for the build - people who build while living in the van have different priorities
So the point is, finding a video series that represents your unique situation is probably not going to happen. You just watch a ton of them and take what you think works. One pet peeve of mine is that not too many of them show the work in progress, but I also know that it's really hard to stop and film in the middle of a project, so i understand. Also, no one shows you the mistakes. They just show the great end result. I call my last video a "comedy of errors" since I decided to show my first attempt at using silicone/corn starch to fabricate a custom screen/cap for ventilation holes I cut in the van floor.
You're not likely to find videos that show really nitty gritty details. That's why this and other forums are so great. There are lots of helpful folks willing to help you, but many do not have the bandwidth to relate to any videos you might mention.
Good luck,
Jim
