Single Mom Roadschooling Van Life Adventures with Kate & Mel
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  • Home
    • About >
      • Our Van >
        • 2018 Ford Transit Cargo Van
      • The Backstory
      • We Found a Van!
      • Pre-Purchase Van Freak Out
      • Vanlife- Van Purchase Day
      • Registering an Out of State Vehicle
  • The Build
    • Planning is Different Then Doing - VanLife Van Build
    • How Much Does it Cost to Convert a Van?
    • How Much Time Does it Take to Convert a Van?
    • DIY Van Conversion Checklist >
      • Phase One DIY Van Conversion - Research >
        • Designing Your Perfect #VanBuild While Going on Practice Van Life Adventures
      • Making Decisions for Your DIY Van Conversion >
        • Rural Internet
      • Selecting and Buying the Van DIY Van Conversion >
        • Finding a Van
      • Prepping the Layout- DIY Van Conversion >
        • Detailing the Van Before Conversion
      • Installing Windows on Van Conversion for #vanlife
      • Selecting a Vent Fan for our Conversion Van >
        • Vent Placement in Conversion Van
        • Cutting a Hole for a Vent Fan for our Conversion Van
      • Solar Panels on Conversion Van >
        • Wind Solar Power on Conversion Van
        • Van Conversion Solar Set Up - Everything You Need
        • How Much Solar Power Do I Need?
  • Our Adventures
    • Friends on the Road
    • Sea World - Orlando
    • Aquatica- Orlando
    • Treasure Island Florida
  • Resources
    • Vanlife Websites and Blogs
    • Vanlife Hashtags for Families on the Road
    • Vanlife YouTube Channels
    • Financially Supporting Van Life
    • Random #VanLife Stuff
  • Roadschooling
  • YouTube
  • Contact
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YOUR CART

Cutting a Hole for a Vent Fan for our Conversion Van

#vanlife #vanbuild roof vent
The fact that Eliza did not come with a vent prohibited us from trying a roughing-it, stealth overnight as we made our journey from van purchase in Florida to California.  A couple of nights were cool enough, but we didn't feel safe (from scary people or gigantic bugs) to leave the windows open for a necessary breeze. 

So, getting a vent fan was priority just in case we wanted to do a bucket-and-a-blanket trip before the build was complete.

We were a bit nervous to cut a hole in the van so we decided to look for assistance from someone who is handy with a jig saw. After much searching, calling around and asking for recommendations on Facebook, we came up empty-handed.  Even the local community college's metal shop was closed due to covid. 

​So we decided to do it ourselves. We watched CheapRVLiving's video on Cutting a Hole in a Van for a vent, created a shopping list, ordered supplies and... chickend out. Or, played it safe... however you want to call it.

I eventually found a handyman who was spectacular at building a rock wall for my play therapy office, but was admittedly unsure about engaging in van building behaviors.  Without the knowledgeable assistant's helping hands and mind, it seemed too risky to do it alone.

We hired an auto body guy to cut and install the fan, along with windows.  The up-front cost for professional assistance will hopefully pay off in the long run by avoiding a vent fan dangling from the roof... or lying broken on the floor ... or leaking.

He made custom mounting rings (see the pictures, above) for the vent fan, which we're guessing was the piece that we knew was missing, but didn't know what it was or how to find it.  You know, that "thing" that kept us, ok me (Mel, yeah, I'm the anxious one) thinking the vent is going to bend the roof or crash to the floor?! That thing that made me think we had to do framing before the vent install? Yeah, that thing.  So, I feel better now.


That being said, we do highly recommend (again) CheapRVLiving's video on Cutting a Hole in a Van if you are one of those rugged, brave souls who will truly, truly be DIY.

However, if you are like us and value that extra security over completing the task yourself, you will probably have to shop around a bit before you find a shop that will take on your project.  We're not sure why, but this job wasn't for every auto body shop in town.  We eventually stumbled upon a referral while calling window installation companies after we thought we had exhausted the auto body list.

The dude who took our job is an auto racer and knows people who live out of vans and trailers. He has also spent a great deal of his time living out of them himself as he travels for races. He apparently gets his referrals via word-of-mouth and doesn't have to do a lot marketing. Or have a website. Hence, the links to his oft-forgotten Facebook page.

Anyway, the materials we purchased to install the vent fan are below (although we didn't use them because our guy provided them.)


Materials:
​Safety goggles 
Safety Gloves
Dust Mask 
Rafter Square 
25 ft. Measuring Tape 
Sharpie
Painter's Tape
Hand Held Shop Vac
- or standard Shop Vac with extension hose
​- or magnetic parts tray and shop rag for easy clean up of shavings 
Extra long heavy duty extension cord (if you don't have cordless tools)
Automatic Center Punch
Electric drill with drill bit
Jig saw
3-in-1 lube
Rust Protection
​
​
You can find our full list of van conversion purchases, along with the costs here.


Back to DIY Van Conversion Checklist
Go to Selecting a Vent
Go to Vent Placement Tips


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Kate & Mel

Meet Us
We are Kate & Mel, daughter and mother wannabe van life nomads who have set out on a (sort of) gypsy life adventure in our soon-to-be converted van.  Join us!

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Single mom and kiddo set out on a nomad, van life, roadschooling lifestyle. Watch the beginner diy van conversion, first time homeschooling on the road experiences, and newbie family van life adventures unfold.  
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Melinda is the Director of Family & Children's Counseling Services, a therapy practice in Northern California, and author of the first National Supervised Visitation online training program. Her therapy blog can be found at The Motley Ms and her business consulting page can be found at MelindaHaynes.com.