Let’s build version 2 … in 6 weeks!
3 weeks in our minimal viable van build, what did we learn
June 10, 2020
Van conversion, version 2 – the review
April 27, 2021Building a proper version one
We were supposed to restart our build in February because we wanted to do a surfing holiday in Portugal in May. But Covid got in the way. Covid also meant that the van became a transport van again to bring office gear to everybody working from home.
It's the 29 of May 2020 when start we building version 2 of our Van build. Everything but the chairs and the bed for the adults have been taken out. The checklist is clear and we have until the 16th of Juli to finish the build.
We start by cleaning the entire van and bring in the anti drumming material followed by the insulation.
Garage and bedframe
The garage frame goes in and the bed of the kids is rebuilt -more solid this time- and repainted.
Kitchen and electric system
The electric wiring can be found all over the van. The kitchen top is replaced and the second part of the kitchen is placed. 12v en 230v also goes into the kitchen. The help of and components from faradayenergy.nl are lifesavers when it comes to the electric system.
Every spare hour of every day
Every spare hour after work goes into the van. So does every weekend. Yv is mostly keeping the kids busy and running the house. The kids help where they can. We sleep in de van when de basic bed en electricity is done and we have a blast.
External help
Mark goes to Paul from No Rush Campers for a weekend who helps him put in the top windows. He also picks up a huge fridge, a rail for the awning and everything for the water system. We also get extra windows installed by Marcel from glaslookspecialist.nl.
The first top cabin is built and everything is painted. Finally, a temporal floor goes in and the new water pump is installed now that we have electricity.
Time for a break
We don't have an isolated floor, we don't have solar, we don't have a heater, and we don't have any nice cladding anywhere. The roof of the van is also bare of insulation. We also haven't got a cooking set so our > 40-year-old Campingaz set it is.
We do have nearly everything we wanted after our last lessons learned and we feel it's enough. We are also very close to a serious relationship crisis because feeling the deadline our pace was insane.
We need a break, no let's rephrase that. We need a vacation. So let's head out to find out what this version of the van will feel like!
The version one checklist, after 6 weeks
Buy a vanBuild a minimal viable van buildGet it certified (RDW)Enjoy your travelsTake a long breakGet the car trough MOTStrip the van and clean in outPut in anti-drumming + big panel isolationGet the rooftop windows inNew: Get side windows inGet everything in for the electricsGet everything in for the waterFinish the lighting and electric planPut in a top cabin- Get everything in for the heater
- Build in the floor frame for all the cabins and standard components
- Put in the kitchen including the diesel heater and cooker.
- Isolate the floor
- Put the PVC flooring in
- Put in all the top cabins
- Put in an aluminium rail for the bed/couch, replacing the wooden one
- Put in all the boarding
- Make it cozy
- Enjoy the van.
