This is a repeat of a post I did In January of 2014. Normally I wouldn’t re-post it so soon but it’s perfect for this series on living in tiny places. Not only that, Randy sold the entire conversion to someone else with a Connect and I met her at the RTR in 2016 and made a video of it. So I thought you might like to see the post again and then get a chance to see it in a video–I think you’ll like it! There is a link to it at the bottom of the post
Back in October 2013 I published a post from my friend Randy on his conversion of his Ford Transit Connect and it looked very good. This is an update on the finished conversion and I have to tell you it is gorgeous! Its tiny, but a true minimalist could live very well in it! Best of all it has perfect stealth and gets an honest 28 mpg! He stayed a few days at the RTR and I fell in love with his rig! I think you will all enjoy it! Thanks Randy for writing this for us all! But first, go back and read the original post here:http://www.cheaprvliving.com/blog/converting-a-ford-transit-connect/
This has been an enjoyable project! I started with a bare van (after removing the rear seats) and started from there. It’s been very important for me to do this without incurring any debt. I’m scheduled to retire in less than two years. I’m trying to pay off all my credit prior to retiring. So I’ve watched Craigslist very closely for good deals and bought when I had the cash available. I plan to use this van for summer trips and then return to Phoenix in the winter. Once I finish cabling the solar panel to the controller I’m going to call it finished. I have other projects I’d like to start. I’ll be at the winter RTR if anyone wants a closer look.
Looking in from the back door.
I’ve made the following upgrades since the first post.
Solar!
Built the cabinet to hold the Dometic fridge/propane stove/microwave.
Put vinyl on the floor with aluminum edging.
Bought an awning.
LED lighting.
Picked up a used 95AH AGM battery.
Bought a used 135 watt solar panel made by Mia Sole.
Built a roof rack to support the panel.
Added a 600 watt microwave (Half Pint) with a 1500 watt inverter.
Put a door on the upper cabinet to keep things contained.
The used solar panel he bought mounted on 2×2 tubing.
Solar: I have less than $200 in my solar set up, including the battery. Hard to believe isn’t it? I bought used equipment whenever possible. The solar panel came from a huge array that had been taken down. The seller had over 80 of them. He also sold me the controller as well. The controller is made in Germany and is rated for 10 amps. It is working fine. But eventually I’d like to upgrade it. The panel is made in California by Mia Sole. While showing me the panel, we measured its output. I saw 19.3 volts and over 7 amps. I did scratch the vinyl floor while putting in into the van (arg!). I built the roof rack from 2X2 aluminum that’s 1/8” thick. I overbuilt the rack. But I knew that I was also going to add lights and antennas on this rack also. I will run the 8 gauge wire through the third brake light housing (once I buy the cable). That way I don’t have to drill a couple of holes in the sheet metal.
This is the cabinet Randy built. You can see it meets all the basic needs for a home: cooking, cleaning, refrigeration, storage and a bathroom.
New cabinet: As I mention in the previous post, I wanted to add another cabinet. I included a link to a site in the Netherlands showing the cabinet I wanted to duplicate. I’ve succeeded on most points. The cooktop rotates outside so I can cook outdoors or indoors. It’s nice when you want to cook bacon and don’t want the grease or smell in the van. Of course it’s only a good idea when the weather cooperates. The fridge is mounted in a drawer that opens into the walkway. That’s been a nice touch. Pull it out when I want to get into it and then close the lid of the fridge and just push it back into the cabinet. The only drawback to this cabinet is that I only have one way to get into and out of the van now. I was able to find some ‘sink cutouts’ on Craigslist. Seems this guy builds countertops and was saving the area he would cut out for the sink. He had over a hundred and they were free! I went over and got three of them, all matching. I’ve now removed the old counters and replaced them with the Formica covered sink cutouts. It is much nicer to clean. I’ve also strapped a 1 gallon propane bottle to the front of the cabinet. The hose runs through the cabinet and doesn’t interfere with the fridge movement.
The stove can swing out so you can cook inside or outside the Transit.
The stove tucked in so the door can close.
The floor: I removed all the cabinets and the floor. I was able to find a remnant of vinyl. I then spread the glue on the plywood floor using a trowel and smoothed out the vinyl. It takes some patience to work with this stuff. It can be trying to get all the bubbles out. Once it had dried, I cut around the edges with a razor knife. I found some ½ by ¾ aluminum angle to protect the edges and hide the plywood. It’s nice to be able to just sweep out the dirt. And it looked perfect for a while (see above).
In this shot you can see the linoleum he put down. Notice also his Dometic 12 volt fridge tucked into the cabinet.
In this shot you can see the fridge pulled out on it’s drawer slides.
It’s very easy to get into the fridge!
Painting: I happened to have some nice tan paint. I was going to finish all the woodwork out clear. I actually bought some polyurethane and after trying it, wasn’t satisfied. So I painted the cabinets and bunk.
The top cabinet opened. Great storage!
Battery: I knew I wanted a big AGM battery. I kept looking and found a guy in Tucson that had a bunch of used AGM batteries for sale. I paid $75 for the one I selected. He told me that a large computer company switches out the batteries when they get to half-life. He showed me on a voltmeter the battery was at 12.9 volts so I bought it. I really considered buying two of them, but realized I didn’t need it. I think my needs are modest. This battery weighs 80 pounds. I bought a tray with a Velcro strap to secure it. I didn’t want it moving around.
The microwave.
Microwave and inverter: I know a lot of people don’t think a microwave is necessary. Plus some are hard on a battery. I found the truckers use the Sanyo Half Pint microwaves and a 1500 watt inverter to run them. I already had the inverter in the garage and the Half Pint was on my desk at work. So I brought the microwave home and tried it out. Works great. I don’t plan to cook in the microwave, only heat up leftovers or reheat my coffee. I have been using it sparingly and it seems to work okay. If it doesn’t work out in the long run, I’ll use that space on the cabinet for a small sink.
The cabinet can also be his office!
In summary, I’ve really enjoyed this project. It has taught me a lot about solar and the best use of a small space. I’m happy with it now. Will I be in the future? I’ll have to wait and see. I do enjoy the questions and there have been a lot of them. People are naturally inquisitive and I enjoy answering their questions and showing off my handy work. I’ve used the van for camping with friends and short trips. I plan to make a trip to San Diego at Christmas time. I’ll park wherever since this van can hide ‘amongst the trees.’
Best, Randy (more photos below)
I’m making Videos on my good friends James and Kyndal’s YouTube Channel. See them here:
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A close up of the mounting bracket for the solar panel.
Thanks for posting this Bob, I really like the small van camping idea.
Roy, there is a lot to like about it. But it isn’t for everyone, you really have to be a minimalist and be able to live with very little stuff. If you can, it’s great!
Very nice rig and what a fun woman. But she didn’t understand your question about sitting on the loo with the door open, Bob. That was a very funny exchange, I’m still laughing. I can see her sitting there with the sliding door open, surveying the countryside from the loo. Of course, she doesn’t, but it seemed that way at first.
Yeah, we had a hard time with that didn’t we desert rat?! Oh well, I hope most people figure it out.
Bob
I’m really liking those Ford Transit’s
Tommy, they are great rigs!
Bob
Bob, I love both vans, both designs. The lady, what can I say…she’s surely a very, very happy camper, literally, I love her cheerfulness !!
Thank you Bob for posting it & for the video, thanks to Randy for the design,this tiny home is surely a winner. And to the lady, your cheerfulness is contagious!
To all of you amigos, HAPPY TRAILS !!
Thanks Lucy, very kind of you to say all that!
Bob
Great video! I have a 12 connect. I was wondering if there are any plans for the interior. I would really love them if they were available. I would even pay for them. I love the trailer. Didn’t know you could tow with the connect. Thanks love your site Bob. It gives me hope. Juanita
Juanita, I’m sorry but there aren’t plans for the interior. If you show these photos to a good handyman, he should be able to buid somethig just like it.
The Transit can’t tow most trailers, but remember this one only weighs 250 pounds-that’s the weight of a big man. A Transit can carry a big man.
Bob
Hi Bob.I have notice that many of the vans,cars, etc. Don’t have sinks. They have stove, fridge but no sinks. If its raining and they have to cook, how do they do it without a sink? My van have two 7 gallons. One for the clean water and one for my sink water. How do they do it?
Elba, I’ve never had a sink and don’t miss it. I just use a 1 quart spray bottle for almost all my cleaning.
Bob
Like Bob said we can use a spray bottle for cleaning, I myself prefer to use white vinegar as spray, let it set on the dishes, cooking pans for 2 – 3 minutes & wipe off the debris with a paper towel. This process works better if you clean the utensils right after you use them.
Lucy, thanks for the kind words. I built a mirror image of this build-out for the Transit Connect. I find the bed being on the right side seems to work better for me.
Bob, thanks for the repost. Gery is so much fun. She was a pleasure to work with.
Best,
Randy
It was very kind of you to do that for her Randy.
Bob
Randy, do you these conversions for a living, or do you them as a hobby ?
My regards, Lucy.
I wish I had the skills to do something like this. I’m looking into buying a Transit Connect, but my finished camper is going to have to be a *lot* simpler than this.
Meg, his is a very elaborate build, you can make a very nice him a lot cheaper and easier than that.
Bob
I have a bed/bench and tall cabinet for the early Transit Connects available. I’ve recently traded the red TC for a Nissan NV1500. The two cabinets are sitting in my garage. They cannot be shipped. If your interested, please let me know.
Thanks,
Randy
Where are you located?
The conversion is beautiful; puts my 2010 transit to shame! Jeff the nomad
Jeff, he did a really nice job!
Bob
Hi Bob, when living on the road how do you deal with drivers license and registration .What would you use for required address.
Mike, I’m about to do a series of posts and videos on that, but until then here is an older post covering it
http://www.cheaprvliving.com/stay-touch/
Bob
Here is the series of posts that describe building a van into an RV using all store bought components. For the folks who don’t feel they have the skills to build something, maybe you have the skills to shop around for it! (That is a joke, please don’t take it the wrong way.)
What he has done here is very useful. It could be done quite inexpensively and could be transfered to a different vehicle down the road because nothing is custom to the vehicle.
http://www.vanlifecrisis.com/2014/12/dazars-no-skill-van-conversion.html
How long a bed can be installed in this transit connect?
Helpful hint: much of the shopping can be done via thrift shops. Bob did a post on that a few months back. Measure before shopping.
Per a link posted on the van forum, the 2010-2013 Ford Transit Connect’s overall length is 74 inches. That’s if I read it right. Here’s the link to that diagram: http://www.americanvan.com/interior-fit-2010-2013-transit-connect
Thanks Calvin.
Bob
Thanks John!
Bob
Thanks so much Bob! I am Cindy and I want to do van living. You inspire me to make it all happen some day. Your info blog is so helpful.
Thanks Cindy, that’s my goal, to inspire folks to follow their dreams!!
Bob
Thanks For sharing bob, Its takes lot of effort & handwork to make this..
Gary, you are so right, that was a lot of work right there!
Bob
Nice van and nice set up. And what a brave women! I have a small Nissan Kubistar, witch I converting in to camper. It’s not yet finished, but it will be ready for the summer. Though Ireland is not very friendly country for van dwellers, but I hope I will be able to travel a bit this summer. Thanks Bob for the post. I love your website!
Thanks Gintaras, I hope you have a great time in your Nissan!
Bob
great video! The toilet bit was hilarious and the lady was so friendly and cheerful.
I saw one of these parked behind my truck yesterday, it’s not very big! The builder did a really nice job, such thoughtful and useful bits that make maximum use of the space.
Ming, it really is very impressive what he crammed in there!
Bob
Hi, Am new here and am trying to decide what type of Transit/Connect to buy. I want year 2010-2014 (its the height/style want for stealth camping)
Do I want Passenger or Cargo type? What are +/- of having the 2 xtra back tinted passenger windows when camping?
Comments on what type of 2010-2013 Connect to buy much appreciated,
John
John, neither is better, they just have different pros and cons. Some people prefer the privacy of no windows and some people feel claustropobic without being able to see out. If you can get windows that open, you will appreciate the ventilation. The bare metal walls are ugly to some people, but to others they make it easy to insulate or build things in.
You have to decide which will be better for you.
I’m in a cargo van and prefer it, but I do have the two back windows and prefer that as well.
Bob
I have designed and just finished building my TC camper van. I´ve used it a few times on weekend trips, and will be heading out for long term trips this summer. There is a slideshow on youtube of how I put it all together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAMSJgqqjOo&index=15&list=PLHECnHP31Tu6iloDRrzevTxXueaVz-e3Z
What is the awning that you have on your TC camper?
Looks good Tom! I’m sorry, I don’t know the awning. Maybe Randy will answer and tell us.
Bob
Hi, love this site. Just bought a 1999 Chevy high top conversion. Have started to turn it into my home. Plan on coming to Flagstaff for the get together. Looking forward to meeting my fellow travelers and getting ideas and hopefully some help on finishing my van.
Elaine, I think you are going to have a great time here! You’ll make many new friends and hopefully learn lots to get off on a good start.
Bob
Very interesting setup. I have a Chevy Equinox and am considering equipping it and traveling to RTR in January.
Judy, it’s worth a try! It’s hard to live in that small a space, but some people do it with no problem.
Bob