Life On the Road

Van Build 1.0

In May 2019, we bought a Mercedes Sprinter panel van. Over the next 6 months we converted her into our tiny home on wheels, complete with a full size bed, kitchen and seating area. We blogged and filmed our entire build series, both as a way to document our journey and to provide useful tips and inspiration for those looking to start their own van build. We hope you enjoy exploring the evolution of Sophia.

Van Build Series: Full Build Timelapse

Well, here we are, 6 months later. We are now pretty much moved into Sophia, our beautiful Sprinter Van. Our tickets for the Euro Tunnel are booked and we're saying goodbye to family and friends. Looking back over this video fills us with such a sense of pride - but also it's crazy to see just how much work goes into a van build. I don't think we really understood how much it would take physically and mentally. But she's truly a home on wheels for us now.

Building a van as a couple is a rollercoaster of emotions; there are some real highs and some real lows. We’ve woken up every day to work and build our dream, but we’ve also argued about battens and fallen out over how level something is. When we look back at the first blogs, we were so excited to make our dream a reality. Just getting the insulation covering the bare metal was an incredible feeling! And here we are after months of hard work, ready to move into our new tiny home on wheels.

Thank you again to everyone who's followed us along this journey and given us all the advice and encouragement we've needed. It's kept us going through the days when the build just seemed to have no end. We can't wait to show you the full van tour, so in the meantime, here is our journey over the summer of 2019! Love always, Chesca & Ben x

(see below video for a full list of products we’ve used in the build)

 

Products Used:
Reversing Camera - https://amzn.to/3dwrZ4D*
Red Oxide Rust Treatment - https://amzn.to/2Wl1f0Z*
Hammerite White Metal Paint - https://amzn.to/2WmbuT5*
Sound Deadening - https://amzn.to/3dB2PBW*
Celotex Foam Boards - https://bit.ly/2Lm35Za
Foil Wrap Vapour Barrier - https://amzn.to/2YStg1C*
Aluminium Foil Tape - https://amzn.to/2WogvdQ*
Sikaflex EBT - https://amzn.to/3cmguwz*
Soft Cell Foam (for carpeting) - https://amzn.to/2Acuzyc*
4 Way Stretch Carpet - https://amzn.to/3dxTKty*
Pine Wood Cladding - https://bit.ly/2LeNHhs
Rhino Roof Rack - https://bit.ly/2YTJE1R
Sikaflex 512 Sealant - https://amzn.to/2YREZxr*
Fiamma Turbo Vent 28 in Crystal - https://bit.ly/35R0Vu0
Osmo Wood Wax Finish Intensive in White Matt - https://amzn.to/2WOKvyg*
Osmo Wood Wax Finish Transparant in Walnut - https://amzn.to/2WYVndh*
Renogy Solar Panels - https://bit.ly/3fFjFRO
Victron MPPT - https://amzn.to/2WJ8VJv*
4G Mobile Wifi Unit - https://bit.ly/2YYtpkt
50L Water Tank - https://amzn.to/2SOOF8j*
Fiamma Accumulator - https://amzn.to/2YOX8Mx*
Shurflo Water Pump - https://amzn.to/3fG5coE*
Dometic CRX50 Fridge - https://amzn.to/3dy3jss*
Voyager 4500 Cooker - https://bit.ly/3fG6bFm
Brass Tap/Faucet - https://amzn.to/2xW4Rxk*
Copper Bulkhead Lights - https://amzn.to/2SU2bro*
ReLion Lithium Batteries - https://amzn.to/2WlwBoj*
Sterling B2B Charger - https://amzn.to/2YR6AyR*
Killswitch - https://amzn.to/3fBCyFj*
Mains Hook Up - https://bit.ly/2SW5MFb
Victron Battery Monitor - https://amzn.to/3fC58qb*
2000W Inverter - https://amzn.to/2OyJwQa*
Diesel Heater - https://amzn.to/2YU58Me*
Pocket Sprung Custom Mattress - https://bit.ly/2WlyUrD
* Links are Amazon affiliate links :)

Chesca Ford