Building my Van into a Tiny Beach Cottage in under 10 minutes | Full Timelapse

This is a van conversion of my DIY 2020 Ram Promaster 2500 159" wheel base and high roof.

Be sure to checkout the    • Van Build Series   so you can learn how to do this yourself

This timelapse shows every phase my van went through - from cleaning it when I first got it, to building the last bit of cabinetry. I hope you enjoy.

My van conversion started when I purchased my Ram Promaster used, with 13,000 miles. I feel like I got a good deal on it.

The first step in converting the van was to prep it. This included cleaning any dirt or grime that accumulated in the cargo compartment. Then I sanded down any rust I could find, and finished it with rust-oleum to prevent any future rust.

Now that the prep work was done, I began framing the van. I added 1/2 inch plywood furring strips to all the interior reinforcement structures of the van. These would essentially act as studs for my van build. I attached them with self drilling metal screws and liquid nails.

After framing my build, I laid the foundation. I used a prefabricated foam mat, and 3/4" plywood. I topped the plywood with vinyl, and this floor is what all my vans furniture drills into.

After the floor I insulated the van with sheeps wool. I felt this was a healthy alternative to other fiberglass based insulations. I really wanted to minimize any funky volatile chemicals in my van.

Next step on my van life journey was a roof fan. I installed this thing in the summer and it was over 100 degrees out, so my camera kept overheating and I subsequently didn't get too much footage. This fan is SO important for regulating moisture in the van and I can't recommend it enough for anyone trying to live in a van.

Then I built my DIY roof rack out of aluminum unistrut and mounted my solar panels to it. I grabbed a renogy starter solar kit, but in hindsight, I could probably get more power for the same price if I knew what I was doing, but I didn't, and that kit made the process pretty easy.

After solar, I built my vans 12 volt electrical system. This was so stressful. I spent multiple weeks studying, planning, and speaking with electricians. Looking back at it now, assuming I have all the necessary parts, I could probably do my vans whole electrical system in 6 or so hours.

Then came the ceiling and walls. I used cedar wood as it's both rot resistant and insect resistant. Two things you don't want if you're a van-dweller. They're 1/4 inch thick panels, so they don't add much weight, and I think they look really pretty.

After the walls, I built a gigantic bed! Its nearly a king size. With no real support in the middle of my van, it leaves the "garage" wide open for all kinds of storage.

Moving on to the kitchen. A nice kitchen is important to me as I put a lot of emphasis on preparing healthy meals. Feed the machine, right? My kitchen is pretty much built entirely out of 2x3's and plywood. I wanted to keep it simple, and so many kitchens online were insanely complicated. All DIY. It serves me well.

After installing my van kitchen, I built a bench seat for storage. Storage space in a tiny home is huge! I built the bench seat out of 2x2's and the same slats I used for my bed. It stores all kinds of things and is easily accessible from the hinging bench top.

After the kitchen, I installed some upper cabinets for more storage. This storage is for the commonly accessed items like clothes, toiletries, and food.

That pretty much sums of my van conversion. After that, all that was left was to decorate to bring that home feel to it! Some foliage, turf for the floor, and a couple splashes of color really bring it together. I'll likely paint some in the future, but we'll worry about that then.

Thanks for watching!

Channel Summary

Welcome to @daltons_advantures your ultimate source for all things van life and adventure! Join me on a journey of transformation as I convert my 2020 Ram Promaster 2500 van into a cozy homes on wheels, perfect for exploring the world. My channel is dedicated to inspiring and guiding fellow van enthusiasts, DIYers, nomads, and any curious observers!

Explore a variety of topics, including van conversion tips, travel adventures, and the nomadic lifestyle. Each video is packed (hopefully) with insights, creative ideas, practical advice, and maybe a dash of humor to help you embark on your own van life journey.

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