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

Step-by-Step DIY Van Conversion

Our DIY build. 
Please read our 
disclaimer (you know, the one that says we are not experts!)
Phase Four - Prepping and Confirming the Layout
  1. If you do not have experience moving heavy objects or using tools, find a professional to assist you, or take steps to learn.
  2. Remove seats and other items, if necessary, so you have an empty cargo space.
  3. Clean the cargo space using a shop vac, then sponge, soap and water. Let dry.​
  4. Hang out in your clean, empty van for a while.  Imagine where everything will go.  Use sticky notes, cardboard or paper templates and/or painter's tape to mark windows, vent, sink, seating, etc.
  5. Create your final design. Use the design you created earlier and make adjustments, as necessary.  Most likely, adjustments will be necessary... because planning is different than doing. That's okay.  That's what this Phase is about!
  6. Plan for all plumbing and electrical wires, placements of fans, vents and access doors. Determine the placement of fresh, gray and black water tanks, propane, and/or the inverter and batteries if using solar. Also include the locations of all electric outlets and charging stations.
  7. Keep in mind that you will need to keep electrical components away from fuel tanks.  We don't have propane, but we do have a gas tank for the driving of the vehicle. 
  8. Your fridge will need a couple of inches on each side for ventilation.​
  9. Be creative with your space: A bed can double as a couch, a bench can hide a toilet, and you can take advantage of collapsible objects, such as a desk or table.​ Brainstorm creative, multi-purpose space. Don't worry about price or feasibility at first.  Just let your creative juices flow.  Write your creative inventions down on paper.  Draw pictures.  While you may not get exactly what you've imagined, your creativity will help you find some great things you never knew existed. Or, you just might decide to build your own one-of-a-kind, custom van creation!


Back to DIY Van Build
Go to Resources
Go to Phase Five 



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!

Find Us on Social Media
Instagram: Kate & Mel Adenture
YouTube: Kate & Mel 
Twitter:  Kate & Mel Travel 
Pinterest: Kate & Mel Adventure 

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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.