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Who do you follow on YouTube?

17K views 57 replies 26 participants last post by  Baxsie 
#1 · (Edited)
I started out following general RV and van stuff like Gone with the Wynns, Long Long Honeymoon, We're the Russos and CheapRVLiving. But the nature of YouTube is you find hidden gems and wacky stuff. That's stuff I like to follow now.

Here are a few I found that I enjoy.

Sofabike This is a really wacky guy who I found by searching for a video of the underside of a Promaster. He's a diver and bike racer and welder and all around wild and crazy guy. I believe he's Russian. He's hard to understand sometimes because of his accent.

He's done some modifications to his PM. Some sort of underbody insulation/undercoat that he periodically posts videos of the underside to show its progress.

https://youtu.be/SjBK7qW3VfQ

He's also reinforced his roof somehow and he posts videos of himself and others walking on it.

https://youtu.be/_cHI4zusj0M

Then there's Brad Herder

He's a mountain biker who has a Promaster, who posts van videos between biking videos and other stuff. What I like about him is he's sort of an Everyman who isn't afraid to show his mistakes and struggles with his build. Might even follow this forum for all I know.

Here's a couple videos:

https://youtu.be/0rMu-Kfgup4

https://youtu.be/5gwGHlivqnc

Then there's Solid Wood Worx. This is a professional conversion guy who posts his work on various vans and general tips.

https://youtu.be/VOjiWScTHv4

https://youtu.be/jGEyJo8krfg

And finally there's Van Tourist. He's a Russian guy with a Sprinter who has some nice ideas and videos. He's not afraid to make a few mistakes and is light hearted and easy to watch.

https://youtu.be/ZTI26kq1U4U

https://youtu.be/_Nf0VVbDIwE

Here's one even RD would watch ;)

https://youtu.be/p-30-CLal98

I'm curious to see who other people follow, or if you've found some of the same posts.
 
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#3 · (Edited)
#6 ·
The Restoration Couple (but all we ever really see is the dude) He is the best I've found so far...very detailed.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH911xvwsOXY9t5wqegdyPLynKARqFrdC

Wranglerstar (he is doing a ford transit, but good ideas)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtxTcG3rv2U
I follow the Restoration Couple, really good videos as you mention Jared, the problem I have had is finding vids on conversions that are centered around carry a dirt bike and using the van as accommodation at the races... any links gratefully received :)
 
#5 ·
#7 ·
Cargo Van Conversion is also converting a Transit, but I have to say I'd be hard pressed to name a more capable craftsman than him. His progress is slow, and there's lots of shop time with router and table table saw etc, but the care and thought he puts into each step is fantastic.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSAwAcTpneafRiMl00C1xQA

I too enjoy Brad Herder, "everyman" describes him perfectly. His is more of a utility build for his kayaking, hiking and biking hobbies, but he's got such a great attitude I find it inspiring. His Appalachian Trail series, having almost nothing to do with his Promaster, has been entertaining to follow and seems a great way to do some of the AT.

Thumbs up for the Restoration Couple too!
 
#9 ·
Hey me too. Bart is smart, down to earth, and not all about production values and "Likes". I am a solar neophyte but he seemed to have a fairly good explainer, and every little bit helps, or at least most little bits help:

 
#10 ·
Vanlife Roasts

If you're sick of those pretentious and overtly sexploitive vanlife videos, Dave2D Vlogs has started doing roasts of the sillier ones. Laughed so hard at a few of them, I accidentally clicked the subscribe button.

Here's a playlist:



He also does more conventional stuff like RTR vlogs, van tours and other stuff.
 
#14 ·
This guy is converting a Ducato in England and is very funny in an English way. I watch it more for comic relief and he really enjoys his build for the most part. He is up to 40 plus episodes but they are all short and consist of brilliantly connected 3-5 second shots. It gets me fired up to jump back on the build. Episode 41 is a recap and super funny.

https://www.youtube.com/user/Mevi

He is also on instagram at : https://www.instagram.com/mevi_vanlife/ ....but YouTube is his real strength
 
#17 ·
Ignore the van type, how he's equipping it and the amount of disposable income he has, it's more about the process.

I just want to see how it plays out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONh2T7NeopQ
This guy sure loves himself!;) at least there’s no radio, dog, kid crying or phone ringing in the background, not to mention cheesy background music ;)
 
#16 ·
Outdoor Wanderlust - building out a Ford Transit

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnl8CiN-Ec4zFdOlC8mVIWA/videos

Create Wonder

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkSnMB1ZmXAMq7EBa5z4K-w/featured

Sprinter build, but lots of useful information about lighting, electrical, designing a kitchen, closets, cooking, etc.

RV With Tito

https://www.youtube.com/user/rvwithtito

RV related, but does not preclude good information for van builds, including product reviews, electrical, solar. Hands on demos and build ideas. Good advice with humor
 
#24 ·
This guy sure loves himself! Unfortunately, he leaves out a lot in his slick sales video. Way too much set up and break down to use most things, where does he store all these curtains much less everything else a serious camper needs or wants? Well executed but, obviously cost was no consideration. A lot of "flash", fancy shower that will probably never be used, needless counter space, and worst of all a total lack of what one really needs in a van for camping. I did like his stainless steel spring idea but even that isn’t particularly something I would use in my build.

All in all - very flashy, well done build that looks great but certainly way overdone to the extent that form overtakes function in the end. Many of the conversions done here by members are done just as well, in far less time for probably a third of the cost or less and in the end are more user friendly.

Not worth the 30 minutes I wasted watching it, unfortunately ☹
 
#27 ·
Many of the conversions done here by members are done just as well, in far less time for probably a third of the cost or less and in the end are more user friendly.
Probably much, much less. His electrical setup and Air Conditioner probably cost about what the average conversion would cost to build. Plus all his framing is 80/20 which is nice to work with, but isn't cheap.

I think if someone was going to buy an off the shelf class B, they should look at having one custom built.
For what Bs are selling for, for sure it should be an option. Get it how you want.
 
#25 ·
I think if someone was going to buy an off the shelf class B, they should look at having one custom built.
 
#26 ·
I was going to say something similar.
Nice build. A lot of clever features. But a little pricey and over engineered for the average Joe.
I skipped through to the bathroom stuff because that's where I need ideas. Plus I couldn't watch the whole thing because he spent more time telling us how great his ideas were than showing how they worked.
 
#28 ·
I mostly like it. Lots of attention to details. Not perfect, but what is? Definitely too much counter space for us, but I made the same mistake. Shower needs just a little more work.

BTW, if you play the video back at 2x speed, it only takes 15 minutes.
 
#30 ·
My conversion was $4600 including a $900 Espar heater. It can be done for much less. I think I could spec a $3000 conversion with some nice features, a china heater, solar, electrical, insulation and much more.
 
#31 · (Edited)
This video is why I like being cheap and could care less about the van, "it's only a van".
I fuss over getting that last drop of oil out and I could care less if the van itself gets damaged. Not sure what's up with that :)
I thought he was going to have a mental breakdown when he was told his van was damaged.
I'm not trying to be mean or heartless, but IMO I don't think this is a good place to be.
It's only my opinion :)
 
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