This is the 2021 Ford Transit Crew Van that needs a name! This van will bring new memories and a new lifestyle to fruition.
STOP! Wait right there! The salesman let this van slip through his fingers! That's right, they sold it out from under him because he did not listen to me when I said get the van - we want it. So by the time he moseyed on over to get the van it was gone.
Back to the drawing board and back to the internet search. More phone calls and more emails and more text messages to scour the Southeast for a van that will be a new little home on wheels.
After speaking to countless dealerships and engaging more family in the search we finally found the perfect van for our project. A special thanks goes out to Alexis, my nephew's wife and the mother of a very handsome toddler & a beautiful set of twin baby boys. I can only imagine how busy she is at any given moment and she scored us a van! OC Welch Ford in Hardeeville SC - Fabian hooked us up!
Take a GANDER at this van!! This is really the one that needs a name. This is so much prettier than the white one we first thought she was getting. Opal? Jet? Sable? Anyway, we need a name.
Follow along with us as we begin this conversion and start ordering products that we will install. We are planning a clean and simple yet effective build that will meet the needs and some wants of our special traveler. Here is the Maiden Voyage from Hardeeville, SC to Claxton, GA...
Here is the beginning of our shopping list and a draft drawing of the van interior design - draft meaning incomplete and will be refined as we go.
The large gray box represents the freezer/fridge combo...
The red cans will actually be blue for fresh water and gray for gray water...
First things first. Let's talk power. I fully believe in the ease of plug and play. The InergyTek company has a great product. So, first on the list is the Flex Solar generator and solar panels, the Silver Package.
Next up is sound deadening and temperature control, Fatmat rattletrap is a great product, we used it in our van and the noise was significantly reduced. By noise, I mean the tin-box noise that all vans come with. Keeping the van temp regulated is essential and a good R-value insulation is important. We used Denim insulation from Home Depot in our van with an R-13 rating. We've been very happy with it.
Now for the things you will actually see. After viewing a few designs and discussing options, an initial plan was devised. The walls and ceiling will be covered with sheets of 1/8 inch black PVC then birch slats spaced and placed horizontally. This will provide a decorative look and be functional for attaching future elements. The countertop will be made of cutting board material that is functional, antibacterial and lightweight.
Here are the things that will get used every day. The Nature's Head Composting Toilet has been a fantastic choice for us. No gross chemicals needed and no stinky 'black water' tank to deal with, as no plumbing is required. Iceco makes a great freezer/fridge dual zone unit that is durable and efficient. We've discussed placing it near the sliding door opening for ease of grocery unloading. The Kitchen sink which doubles as the bathroom sink will be a drop-in style stainless approximately 12"x12" that drains into a 5 gallon gray jug. Fresh water will be pumped from the 5 gallon fresh water jug by a 12v pump mounted under the sink.
Exterior needs will evolve as the travels do but one thing for sure that is making the list is the MaxxAir Fan for superior airflow along with some K.I.S.S. Airflow window screens. (Wink - wink). Since the VIP is my mom, I guess I won't be charging her for the screens.
Flex by InergyTek - $1690 - ORDERED
FatMat Rattletrap Sound Deadening 80mil x 25sqft - $65 AMAZON ORDERED
3 bundles of Denim Insulation (Lowes) - $50 per bundle
Baltic Birch from San Marcos Hardwood Lumber Company ~~~$300
Countertop from plasticcuttingboards.com - $75
Nature's Head Composting Toilet- $960 & Coconut Coir- $40 AMAZON-ORDERED
Iceco Dual Zone Freezer/Fridge - $749 AMAZON - ORDERED
2 Five Gallon water jugs from West Marine - $50
Stainless steal sink - $100
12v water pump - $100 - West Marine
MaxxAir Fan - $439 AMAZON - ORDERED
Screens for slider and back door from Amazon - $80 ORDERED
Goose neck Kettle for quick water boiling - $50 AMAZON ORDERED
Mattress... foam for bench seating - TBD
Since we've been waiting to get the van, time allowed for another draft version of the setup:
Here is the very satisfied customer with her new ride about to take the Maiden Voyage:
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