[Seabornman]

I love the handles on the drawers. Did you make them. And wow that is a lot hidden in that space. Well designed. The pull out drawer for fridge sounds interesting.

The pulls are Amazon leather pulls. They're quite functional.

 

[nwguy]

I suppose if I had to pick one thing in my build it would be my retractable/deployable solar panels. There are 4, 100-watt panels stacked 2 deep. The lower ones deploy via stainless steel drawer slides. Built and installed in 2019. Still going strong with no hiccups. I suppose if I had to do it again I'd somehow make it so at least 2 of the panels could tilt. One nice thing about this is that when they're deployed, the panel overhanging the sliding side door acts as an awning. Nice when it's raining.

 

[Stormin Norman]

I suppose if I had to pick one thing in my build it would be my retractable/deployable solar panels. There are 4, 100-watt panels stacked 2 deep. The lower ones deploy via stainless steel drawer slides. Built and installed in 2019. Still going strong with no hiccups. I suppose if I had to do it again I'd somehow make it so at least 2 of the panels could tilt. One nice thing about this is that when they're deployed, the panel overhanging the sliding side door acts as an awning. Nice when it's raining.
View attachment 114502

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Wow now that is the coolest thing ever. The wind would not blow it away like an awning. And a roof over the open slider so freaking neat. How do they lock?

 

[proeddie]

My "best" is my basement. As I have posted before, when you're 5'5" (or less, getting old!) the thought of having about 10" or more of headroom made no sense to me. So, the idea of a basement hit me one day as I sat in my empty van contemplating the design and work ahead. I had no idea just how much the 4.5" basement that covers the whole floor of the van would let us store. Once it was done, sliding drawers (no hardware, they just slide on the lower floor) were made for some of the areas.

Back door view

Slider door view

Once the basement was built, everything else was built just like others have done. Another unplanned feature? The wheel well covers only had to be about 12" high because the rest was below the main floor. So, the couches completely cover the wheel wells and the seating height is exactly what you'd find in home furniture... 14" base with 4" foam cushions.

The basement has provided space for things like my folding chairs, spare clothes storage for long trips, a cooking area with pan storage, telescoping ladder, and of course, my portable model train layout! Not sure where I'd put this stuff if I didn't have the basement!

 

[nwguy]

Wow now that is the coolest thing ever. The wind would not blow it away like an awning. And a roof over the open slider so freaking neat. How do they lock?

I riveted small sliding deadbolts mounted vertically on the panels' outer edges. The deadbolt locks the panels in their retracted position and the sliding pin also locks them in the deployed position since the pin can fit down into a gap on the backside of the lower panel. A bit hard to describe, but it was a cheap and easy way to lock them in both positions.

I bought these cool, spring loaded pins for this, but they were bulky and would have been a pain to engineer and install.

 

[Stormin Norman]

My "best" is my basement. As I have posted before, when you're 5'5" (or less, getting old!) the thought of having about 10" or more of headroom made no sense to me. So, the idea of a basement hit me one day as I sat in my empty van contemplating the design and work ahead. I had no idea just how much the 4.5" basement that covers the whole floor of the van would let us store. Once it was done, sliding drawers (no hardware, they just slide on the lower floor) were made for some of the areas.

Back door view
View attachment 114519

Slider door view
View attachment 114520

Once the basement was built, everything else was built just like others have done. Another unplanned feature? The wheel well covers only had to be about 12" high because the rest was below the main floor. So, the couches completely cover the wheel wells and the seating height is exactly what you'd find in home furniture... 14" base with 4" foam cushions.

The basement has provided space for things like my folding chairs, spare clothes storage for long trips, a cooking area with pan storage, telescoping ladder, and of course, my portable model train layout! Not sure where I'd put this stuff if I didn't have the basement!

View attachment 114521

That basement idea you have is so neat. I love the pull out train set. I bet it has a lot of storage under there. And I have seen it before on a post of yours one of a kind and it’s looks very strong.

 

[Archimedes]

If you could name one thing, that is your best accomplishment you built for your van What would it be? Some photos and describe. Does not have to be a detailed description. A couple words or more is ok. Mine would be my cushions. Never made them before. After trying air mattress, to cold in winter, House mattress, to bulky. Gym mats, to firm and not the right size. Gel foam, to hot in summer.

My Cushions​

The outside cushions covers are stylish and functional. They are made from Artic thick vinyl leather that will withstand the test of time. The sides of the cushions give them a sexy appeal with silver grommets and black lace that harmonizes the rugged toughness of the dark vinyl leather. The vinyl leather is made from snowmobile seat material. Also used for jet skis and boats. It is a grade up from your typical Marine Vinyl leather as it could also be used in extreme frozen temperatures. The grommets are 1/2” silver to match the admired cozy style of the van. The lace is made from black military grade Paracord rope. This black survival rope is purposely laced as an X, between the silver round grommets, to send a subconscious message of XOXO. Hugs and kisses to family and friends who enter the loving welcoming environment of the van. The X laces are also used to secure the cushions ends to the benches with an additional added piece of Paracord. The extra pieces of ropes are long to make a simple, overly large, shoestring knot. This gives the opportunity to easily secure or unsecure the cushions. The cushions are sewn with a heavy-duty sewing machine and thick car upholstery thread. The grommets are fastened with an industrial style grommet press.



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I installed an after market sound system with apple CarPlay and a reverse camera lol. It’s a work van. That’s all I got.

 

[Stormin Norman]

I installed an after market sound system with apple CarPlay and a reverse camera lol. It’s a work van. That’s all I got.

That’s good it’s your best so far. I never did a sound system. I have no clue how to start. A JBL small speaker I use that my son bought. That took about a year to figure out how to use it. 😂. You ever going to use your van for camping? I put a tent in one before i decked it out. Worked great. Also because it was raining outside and I did not get wet in the van.

 

[RolloMartins]

Maybe the best thing I have done to my ProMaster setup is to change the water heater setup. I had a build that had an electric hot water tank, 4 gallons, that was set up in-line and thus could not be taken out when winterizing. There is no drain, and there was nothing to do except fill everything up with antifreeze. It took a lot. Well, one winter I guess I didn't use quite enough and the water heater cracked. So I decided to fix the whole thing. I liked the water heater itself but decided I really didn't need a 4 gallon and went with a 2 gallon. Maybe it's 2 and 1/2 gallon. Then I put in bypass lines. When I winterize it I can just set it to bypass the water heater and then disconnect both hot and cold water lines from the heater. Then I just unplug

the water heater and lift it out. And I store it in the basement over the winter. Very easy very quick. And when I put the antifreeze in I can do everything with a gallon. Very happy with it.

 

[NE_bikevan]

Love this question! After having a company do the big things (sleep platform, heat, windows, awning), I've only done paneling and ceiling (both incomplete) and some smaller projects such as installing some shelving and seat swivels (which included spoofing the airbag system as I went from a front passenger bench to a front passenger seat).

My favorite project was trivial but super-useful--a tarp-based system for keeping the roof clear of New England snow: Pro(Master) tip: Going undercover

Full list here: ProMaster

 

[Stormin Norman]

Love this question! After having a company do the big things (sleep platform, heat, windows, awning), I've only done paneling and ceiling (both incomplete) and some smaller projects such as installing some shelving and seat swivels (which included spoofing the airbag system as I went from a front passenger bench to a front passenger seat).

My favorite project was trivial but super-useful--a tarp-based system for keeping the roof clear of New England snow: Pro(Master) tip: Going undercover

Full list here: ProMaster

Now that is cool. Before I had my Promaster’s, I had a pickup and tent camped. My son and I would put a large oversized tarp over our tent. And sometimes over the pickup truck and tent. I also wondered how an oversized tarp placed over the van would help when stationary camping in winter. You got me thinking again.

 

[Cage]

I suppose if I had to pick one thing in my build it would be my retractable/deployable solar panels. There are 4, 100-watt panels stacked 2 deep. The lower ones deploy via stainless steel drawer slides. Built and installed in 2019. Still going strong with no hiccups. I suppose if I had to do it again I'd somehow make it so at least 2 of the panels could tilt. One nice thing about this is that when they're deployed, the panel overhanging the sliding side door acts as an awning. Nice when it's raining. View attachment 114502 View attachment 114504 View attachment 114503 View attachment 114505

Pretty cool! 👍

 

[nicknkelly]

Really like this thread. Toss between our DIY toilet and our DIY hangable suitcase couch cushions. Going with the storage cushions. I didn't want upper cabinets for open feeling and driving safety and Nick didn't like bending down to get stuff out of drawers under the beds ( not youngsters anymore). I'm short and need cushions behind my back to sit couch style. It did take me awhile to figure it all out, but they are working out way better than I imagined and at a very reasonable cost.

Made from cheap 1/2" blue camp mat foam for sturdy but soft outer front shaping, batting, white cotton sheet for liner, diamond print upholstery weight cotton rugs on clearance from IKEA at $3 each for outer cover, 1" webbing, zippers and some D rings, carabiner S hooks and flat S hooks. The bars they hang on at night (through eye bolts into the ceiling beams) are $5 IKEA curtain rods with some sturdy old steel c-shaped shelf standards slid inside for extra strength, the lower part clips up into the existing metal trough (covered with vinyl) above the windows. When up there is extension of strap so contents are accessible while hooked up also. All our clothes, jackets, towels , extra blankets etc fit inside with room to spare. If empty or need more filling and someone is going to lean against them, I just inflate and insert gallon ziploc bags. The straps hook together so we can just carry them inside for packing. Easy up, easy down, easy access up or down and very very lightweight. I'm a happy camper

 

[Stormin Norman]

Maybe the best thing I have done to my ProMaster setup is to change the water heater setup. I had a build that had an electric hot water tank, 4 gallons, that was set up in-line and thus could not be taken out when winterizing. There is no drain, and there was nothing to do except fill everything up with antifreeze. It took a lot. Well, one winter I guess I didn't use quite enough and the water heater cracked. So I decided to fix the whole thing. I liked the water heater itself but decided I really didn't need a 4 gallon and went with a 2 gallon. Maybe it's 2 and 1/2 gallon. Then I put in bypass lines. When I winterize it I can just set it to bypass the water heater and then disconnect both hot and cold water lines from the heater. Then I just unplug View attachment 114550
the water heater and lift it out. And I store it in the basement over the winter. Very easy very quick. And when I put the antifreeze in I can do everything with a gallon. Very happy with it.

Bigger is not always better. Like the idea you could bring it in over the winter. Everything is removable in my van. I use my van mostly for long extended camping adventures. I downsized from a five gallon blue reliance water jug to the 2.5 gallon. So much easier to carry.

 

[Stormin Norman]

Really like this thread. Toss between our DIY toilet and our DIY hangable suitcase couch cushions. Going with the storage cushions. I didn't want upper cabinets for open feeling and driving safety and Nick didn't like bending down to get stuff out of drawers under the beds ( not youngsters anymore). I'm short and need cushions behind my back to sit couch style. It did take me awhile to figure it all out, but they are working out way better than I imagined and at a very reasonable cost.

Made from cheap 1/2" blue camp mat foam for sturdy but soft outer front shaping, batting, white cotton sheet for liner, diamond print upholstery weight cotton rugs on clearance from IKEA at $3 each for outer cover, 1" webbing, zippers and some D rings, carabiner S hooks and flat S hooks. The bars they hang on at night (through eye bolts into the ceiling beams) are $5 IKEA curtain rods with some sturdy old steel c-shaped shelf standards slid inside for extra strength, the lower part clips up into the existing metal trough (covered with vinyl) above the windows. When up there is extension of strap so contents are accessible while hooked up also. All our clothes, jackets, towels , extra blankets etc fit inside with room to spare. If empty or need more filling and someone is going to lean against them, I just inflate and insert gallon ziploc bags. The straps hook together so we can just carry them inside for packing. Easy up, easy down, easy access up or down and very very lightweight. I'm a happy camper
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What a fabulous show case. O wow, o wow, o wow, as I look as the patterns in your design. The use of space in your cushions Is so wonderful. Never seen that done before. . There is a tactical difference between concealment and cover. But I must say you have done both. Actually way more the way you also hang and remove them.

 

[nicknkelly]

Thank you, you are too kind. Have to say, both of us have had way too much fun building out this campervan and have been so inspired by this site. Shout out to the ProMaster Connecticut Meetup in May. Fun fun fun , great people, great ideas and well worthwhile to see other van builds in person.

But hey, proeddie, I love your your basement, truly do, but MY favorite thing of yours is your ahem ability to get campsite power from a campsite with no power. To everyone else, you probably have to attend to learn how he does it .

 

[MsNomer]

Anyone who hasn’t already needs to grab a site at the Connecticut gathering. Kelly's cushions are much more awesome In person.

 

[elajenki]

I suppose if I had to pick one thing in my build it would be my retractable/deployable solar panels. There are 4, 100-watt panels stacked 2 deep. The lower ones deploy via stainless steel drawer slides. Built and installed in 2019. Still going strong with no hiccups. I suppose if I had to do it again I'd somehow make it so at least 2 of the panels could tilt. One nice thing about this is that when they're deployed, the panel overhanging the sliding side door acts as an awning. Nice when it's raining.

View attachment 114502

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I love this idea. Was this a diy or can you provide a link 🔗 ?

 

[Kayte]

My "best" is my basement. As I have posted before, when you're 5'5" (or less, getting old!) the thought of having about 10" or more of headroom made no sense to me. So, the idea of a basement hit me one day as I sat in my empty van contemplating the design and work ahead. I had no idea just how much the 4.5" basement that covers the whole floor of the van would let us store. Once it was done, sliding drawers (no hardware, they just slide on the lower floor) were made for some of the areas.

Back door view
View attachment 114519

Slider door view
View attachment 114520

Once the basement was built, everything else was built just like others have done. Another unplanned feature? The wheel well covers only had to be about 12" high because the rest was below the main floor. So, the couches completely cover the wheel wells and the seating height is exactly what you'd find in home furniture... 14" base with 4" foam cushions.

The basement has provided space for things like my folding chairs, spare clothes storage for long trips, a cooking area with pan storage, telescoping ladder, and of course, my portable model train layout! Not sure where I'd put this stuff if I didn't have the basement!

View attachment 114521

I love this idea. We're short too 5'6 so don't need the head space which is why we went with a medium roof. (Transit) But miss the extra storage capabilities of a high roof. The Transit high roof has about 4 more inches than promaster so potentially could have quite a basement. Crawl space? 🤣

 

[Kayte]

I installed an after market sound system with apple CarPlay and a reverse camera lol. It’s a work van. That’s all I got.

A good sound system is a great plus. Transit OEM speakers are horrible.