So where did you buy the self adhesive insulation?

"The things that I've chosen because of other people they just haven't worked out well". That's a great lesson..

Boyfriends need to have their own van. Take it from an old crone. Men come and men go, but a good van is a lasting commitment.

I really appreciate your candid discussions about your van life experience. There are too many Instagram “influencers” taking up bandwidth with content that isn’t really relevant or real. So thank you! And by the way, it was such a treat to see my hometown on your fridge!

I like the feeling of honesty and casualness from this video with the info given.

Do you know what I enjoyed most about your video? You spent the entire time talking about your van issues and not making cutesy faces, striking poses, and giggling at silly jokes you made. What a refreshing change from a young woman who clearly is not searching for compliments, but actually wanted to talk about her van! You just picked up a new subscriber.

Make the van FOR YOU! Unless you are Married, I have learned bf/gf come and go and you purchased it and NOT THEM! NOW if you were going to marry that person, and they are goingto go half in all of it, then and ONLY then do you change things. You built it for YOU!

My daughter is going to do this. I found this refreshingly honest and very helpful. A MUST SEE BEFORE someone embarks on any van conversion. Superb. Thanks Mariah (and Finn)

I love how self reflective you are. You know exactly what matters to you with your van. That will help others.

_two_ maxxfans ftw!...that way you can get an actual breeze, because when there's only one fan it cannot actually push/pull air because of resistance. also, no need to purchase a $1000+ composting toilet, just make your own. i built mine out of a home depot 5 gallon bucket, a urine diverter i got off etsy, a computer fan for ventilation, and a simple plywood box. been working PERFECTLY for 7 months now and cost less than $60 total.

Thanks for being so honest, it's nice to find out the goods and bads before you purchase, thanks again for keeping it real

I've been obsessed with all these Van Life videos lately and you have been my favorite. You have such a genuine/realness to you. When I first started watching some of these Van Life videos, it seemed like such a perfect life, so it was quite refreshing to your more realistic perspective. I can't wait to see what adventures await you! ✌🏽

Thank you for a very honest, open video...it was refreshing to listen to someone who talked normal, did not create drama, or was hung up on themselves. Most of all, thank you for quick & concise information w/o dragging things out and wasting my time. Great job!

I think you've done well. I've done some RV travel, but not full time living. I'm doing up an E350 low top cargo van. Your perspective and advice are practical, and sound. Very honest too, about the natural cycles of waste or intimacy. Those are essential, even if difficult to discuss.

Nice and honest video. About the solar: add some tilt mounts, this really makes a difference in the winter when the sun is lower on the horizon, this can double the power you'll get. Also pulling a lithium or lead acid battery down to 9v really damages it. You should never go below 11v. Considering lithium is not cheap it would be a shame if the battery dies prematurely. Cheers and all the best for 2021!

As a suggestion, the bench area can be where the portable toilet can go. Put a section in the middle of the bench. Put it on a pull out and the pull out that look like a cabinet door. Place cushion on top and it’s back to a bench. (It’s hidden)

I love my cassette toilet. They’re not expensive and I made a pretty little cover for mine. I set a cushion on it and I can use it as an extra seat for a guest. Haha. I don’t tell them what they’re sitting on.

"The worst is when my butt-" *AD STARTS PLAYING*

honestly loved this video! Thanks so much for continued, genuine honesty!

You can fold a blanket to sit on or get a cheap on that just stays folded so you don't have to fold it every time you want to sit and unfold when you want to sleep

Live and learn but now your helping others to beware and personally as a person also doing research appreciate your avant-guard efforts

Excellent points!!!! Very helpful and it’s good to rethink a plan as you go along! Thank you, this was very helpful! Wishing you many happy fulfilled miles!

Temporary toilet suggestion squat over a bowl that has a lid. Dollar tree has perfect containers. Then dispose of waste in a safe hour in the later AM. Never leave your van unless you have to.

Love how honest and self reflective you are. Thank you for this vid 💜

I love your pull out table and 1 bench. I am collecting ideas for my van build later this year (2021 - Happy New Year) and I am taking this idea. Thank you too for Max Air vs Vantastic/Fantastic van opinion and solar needs. You rock at explaining what worked and what didn't I feel more prepared from this video alone than the hours of videos I have watched before.

The series of questions to ask yourself before building your own van are soooo helpful!

Thank you for your honesty and sincerity, Mariah! We learned a lot. God bless you! Rick&Terri

I really enjoyed this video, the open sharing was great and super beneficial, thank you very much and Happy New Year!

Always great to see these kinds of videos, they're SO helpful! Thank you! :) I think your build is beautiful, and look forward to seeing the changes you make.

I like that you're honest. I lived in my used 22' RV for 6 months for a job and learned what it and I could do. You're helping people who have a romantic idea of van life. Atta girl you!!! :-)

Keep the van - upgrade to a shorter boyfriend! 😂

Just starting my build and experiencing all the same mind boggling things you describe! This was refreshingly helpful 👍👍x

I love this, and I love your video style! Thanks for sharing and for getting to your points! All the good vibes to you, chica!

So much great information here from someone who’s actually using the space and products. The vent is not difficult to swap out, the things you talk about adding are doable and the height issue? Well you spend most of the time sitting inside or hopefully enjoying the outdoors. As far as resale goes-no sweat, the market is so hot right now you could sell and rebuild if you find the van to replace it. And IF you found it hard to sell as converted, you could strip it out, sell it to a tradesperson, and reuse much of the interior in your next van. Thanks so much for sharing your insight!

Remember sometimes we make mistakes in life like I did and you come across a friend who says “use your words” And so what I think you’re doing in this video is letting people know some of the missteps that you made which will be important in their decisions if they decide to choose a van life for however long a period it is. You are helping to make the mistakes for people so they don’t have to. I subscribed living in an apartment 60 years old love my job but every moment possible I am in the mountains by myself because I spend 60 to 80 hours a week with people and I need recharge.

Super-great video, filled with helpful info different from details other's cover. I put my Fantastic Fan on the back instead of the top, so it's cover forms a rain-shield when open and things never get wet. Also, your layout/build is the best!

Mariah is awesome. So smart. So cute. So aware. Great van build and experience. Such a great communicator. Such great advise. What is not to like.

I loved this video! You are hilarious, thank you for making me chuckle:), great personality. I appreciate your fresh view and experiences. I’m still in the planning stages, so this was perfect content!

Some suggestions from my experience. Your laptop needs a Pure Sine Wave Inverter to run off of a 12volt DC system. Look at the laptop and any other items that you use that are 120volts AC. If you MUST use 120volt lights, get the spiral things. They are about 6watts to 16watts for an equivalent 60-75watt light bulb. If possible, ADD a simple AV volt/amp meter (clamps around the + side of 120 volts) to see how much power everything uses, or to really know what each item uses. 200 watts should be enough for power. There are 2 types of charge controllers to consider: Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controllers and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controllers. The best ones are MPPT. MPPT charge controllers can pair non-matching voltages from panels and batteries, and adjust input to match battery voltages. MPPT cost more, but work better in the long run. Another in-line volt-amp meter to a power panel from 12volt batteries will tell the rest of power use. Use a red marine-type battery cut-off switch to isolate Van-Storage battery from Van engine battery. On toilet. A Thetford Porta-Potti is a good choice of toilet without making holes and complicated location/area. Be mindful of how to use and empty it. Reviews suggested to NOT put BIG LOGS of "dump" in it, make more of them like MEATBALLS to ease empty process. OK, I laughed at that, but it is important. Fridge: Get an Alpicool modern fridge. They are in the $200 range and extremely LOW power use. Many are about the size of a medium cooler, like to 22 liter size. They also have interal Power Saver Mode, adjustable temp, and on/off switch. A big plus is the Alpicool will work on DC or AC (12v or 120v) power, is smallish and can fit nearly anywhere. Just do not block side vents on Alpicool. n I think you have done a good job to make your van what you ant and like. Keep a smile and be happy. Happy New Year, thankful 2020 is gone!

You are so down to earth and easy to understand, definitely one of my favorite van life KZfaqrs.

I really appreciate your honesty. Authenticity is a rare commodity. Well done.

Very cool. I seldom watch these to the end, but your personality got me. :) Great job. I think this is your style and it works. Take care.

Thank you this is hands down the best and informative video I’ve seen, we are in the process of building and I just have soooo many questions and doubts and this clarified some stuff! Love your style 😊

I loved this video! And your honesty! Thank you🙏❤️

Very helpful! I’m looking for my van and I really appreciate you sharing !!

So happy to hear this and your honesty, I think your van is awesome. It's your dream, the man of your dream's world not mind, if it work's out to be a forever thing, a new van together ❤

I love this so much! Thanks for sharing with us, maybe someday I'll be able to start a build, and when I do I'll come back to this vid.

Interesting video and a nice conversion. Just found the channel and subscribed. I'm building out a van now I love the regret videos because they are the most honest. 👍

I have to say for all the videos i have watched yours is the most informative in the sense you make people think. Think about needs and wants but most of all dont base your devisions on others but make your own decision base on your needs. Great job looking forward to the next. 🤙

Well, she's honest and I love it ! Well done!

Tip: You're using up a LOT of power for nothing if you don't turn off your inverter at night. You don't need it at night, so turn it off for Every night.

Hi Mariah, I just came across your profile and really loved your honesty and simplicity 🙂. So, I couldn’t stand not subscribing...👍🏻, looking forward to your updates 🚐😃. Happy new year to you 🎆🎄. Cheers from Barcelona 👋🏻

Helpful for someone like me just starting to plan this out. I've been digging into DIY composting toilets which could be a very budget friendly option for you depending how urgent the need is. Happy travels!

I loved listening to how you keep it real!

Thanks for the video. It seems no matter what RV, van or trailer of any kind there are always things you would do different. That's only learned by living in it. I think you've done very well with the van you have. Much respect. Stay well and happy. 🚐

Big Than You! I was supposed to buy low van after I was planning built for monhs and due to your recomendations- I will get taller one!

“Awkwardly comfortable.” My new favorite phrase and so applicable to many situations.

Nice job, keep at it! Catchy title as we all want to hear regrets as we embark, as if watching enough video's will eliminate mistakes, lol. I kept watching (the whole) because you made sense, no pretense, and could laugh at yourself. Lots of good pro/con info. I agree with ventilation over insulation, and hadn't heard anyone else say that! A lot of debate over the "Best" insulation, when they all have roughly the same r value. Windows and fans a much better time and money investment. ty!

Nice. Thank you. I'm over 6' 2. Was considering the lower van, until now!

LOL great video. Very concise, lots of well thought out info, and great presentation. Thanks.

One of the coolest set ups I’ve seen in awhile… sweet sweet ride… love all your videos!! 😉😍

Great Video! You're incredibly smart and articulate. So, this may have already been mentioned by someone else. I'm not going to read through 400+ comments to find out. You mentioned it briefly in your video, in the power portion. About getting an alternator charger. There are easily dozens upon dozens of options for those. I think for your setup specifically, I would recommend the DCC30S by Renogy. The DCC30S is a 12V 30A DUAL INPUT DC-DC ON-BOARD BATTERY CHARGER w/ MPPT. What that all means is, it hooks up to your engines alternator. Your two roof mounted solar panels will also hook up to it (which is where the "dual input" and "MPPT" characteristics come in to play). So it will smartly keep both your vehicle and garage battery charged. And when your van is running and the sun is out. It will use both sources to charge your batteries faster. Thank you for making this video and for sharing your pro tips!

Hey Mariah and Finn🐕 I love your videos! Safe travels and be well. 🌟🌟🌟❤

YOU ROCK!!! all the 100s of other van life vids just drag on with peps doing INDEPTH descriptions of EVEyrthiNG! Sothank you!

You keep a good pace with your speaking. You take all of this seriously and it shows on your face. Very interesting video. May you post many in the future! Good job.

Thanks MUCH for great share and insights! Ven is on my list as must have again :) Always looking for lessons in planning and Vanlifers! All the BEST to you and adventures! Cheers :)

Wow, outstanding! Lots of valuable info here! ...and I thot I had heard it all here on KZfaq! Thanks a bunch!

Good vid. Like the stockings hanging up. ☺️

I’m about to become a Nomad. This video really helped me out a lot. Thank you!

You are so fun lol the little personality bursts you have are everything

Many good points. Thanks for sharing all the valuable input 👍

I hardly ever write comments but I just wanted to say thank you, that was great! I love you're personality. You're so genuine and grounded mixed with a little nerves. It's cool. Plus the info on the solar and battery sizes was super useful as I'm currently doing my first van conversion and the electrics are a bit of a minefield for me right now so that info was a great indication of what I might need as a minimum! Thanks again, look forward to seeing the van tour!

I just subbed about 3 mins in bc I love how real you are! Awesome girl BEST BEST BEST VIDEO!!!! Keep,keeping it 100%!!!!! I am in the process of looking to buy my first van so you popped up in my feed at the PERFECT time! Love & Loyality❤🐾🐾➰

Love your videos. You are very Genuine and Real ❤️

I have the long wheel base Transit. And I put 2 maxair fans in it. Very quiet and no wind noise while driving., but so far that's all i've gotten done. Love your van it's very nice.

Super helpful video! Thanks! Keep up the great vids.

Thanks for all the heads up!! I just got a shuttle I'll be converting. Great pros and cons

Very informative. You answered several of my questions. Thanks.

Mariah, run your fan supply feed through a fuse then a switch and you'll have the solution. Also, your fridge should be fused and the fuse box accessible. Happy driving and find a shorter bloke.

I own a tractor trailer and I use a Telford. Because in the middle the night when it’s cold raining or if I’m in a sketchy place I don’t have to leave the safety of my truck. And it is not messy. And it does not smell I use about a half a quart of thelford deodorizer it also breaks down any solids such toilet paper and what not

I might have a solution to your problems. 1) don't run your inverter while you're sleeping. 2) install a smart isolator (this way it charges while you drive) 3) charge your notebook while you're driving. Maybe get two or three replacement batteries for your notebook. 4) update your battery bank if financial possible. 100ah agm is only 50ah usable. Thats like not sufficient for your needs. 5) keep up the nice videos. Happy new year

I really enjoyed your vid I also understand wanting it to be perfect to your liking before doing a tour but there are those of us who will enjoy it either way

I installed a on/off switch for my ceiling fan. Makes it really easy to kill the power to it. I ran the fan wiring along the driver's side wall to the battery. Spliced an extra wire in and connected the switch. I can reach it from the bed, or the driver's seat by reaching behind.

Thanks for breakn it all down... lots of things to consider for getting my van comfortable and efficient.

I just stumbled on your video, love it! One thought in case you somebody else hasn't mentioned it. Yes, a charge line from the Alternator would be great!!! Make sure the wire is large enough (probably at least #10) and take a good look at the Alternator. Most autos, especially Vans like that come with different sizes (amperage) of Alternators. Buying new with nothing inside it may have come with the lowest size alternator (because extra power wasn't needed). It's normal for alternators to be from about 90 amps to over 200 amps. Somewhere in the mid 100s should be good... but whatever a real expert says is what I'd go with. You would want to swap out for a larger one to make sure you'll have enough power for driving at night with the head lights on and still charge the vehicle battery and have extra for the cabin battery. There should be tons of info on Battery Isolators and all that stuff. That should put you in a whole new world of power!!!

Thank you for being candid! I definitely learned some things/had ideas affirmed from this vid. I love your humor and personality, btw! Subscribed. =)

Absolutely love your van!!!

i bought the fantastic plan initially and then immediately purchased the max air once it arrived. i hear ya on that one. great honest video.

Most big truck stops like Love"s are so lit up and busy at 2:00am that you won't even be noticed.

Some solid life lessons and conversion advice in one video. Well done!

Great video! Super informative and also down to earth. 👍👍

Don’t regret getting a smaller van because you were single! That just keeps the guys that aren’t right for you away 😝

I totally get what you’re saying about the toilet and getting up in the middle of the night or anytime just to go out to find a place to go to the bathroom.

Brave young lady with great insight. Thanks for all the advise.

Mariah! I love you girl! Girls rule! My husband Dan and I will be transitioning to the van life very soon and I chomping at the bit. We'll see you down the road! -Annie

Yes a great idea to have the dog crate front part turn into a toilet area. You could do a removable (but still on a sliding tray) toilet box which has a removable upholstered cover so it can be three things: An ottoman, a side table and obviously the toilet. If you make the whole box removable from the slide-out tray you can use those three (minus one maybe) functions outside too... The toilet box on its sliding tray (if you were to fit something which locks the toilet box in the slid out position) can also be a step into/out of the bed. I build my composting toilet like I described above and I use the three main functions every day multiple times... People visiting are not even aware it is a toilet (box) but view it as I am using it: as a table or a seat and are very surprised if they ask where the facilities are located and I show them... The main thing I want to let you know is that you do not need to buy a ready made composting toilet (which sets you back upto 1600 dollars) but you can make a nice sturdy box, with a lid and an upholstered insert on top, get one of those urine diverting toilet insert a regular toilet seat of your liking and have a toilet for between 100 and 175 dollars depending on the urine diverter you choose and materials you want to put into it (the urine diverting insert (Kildwick, Trobolo, DryLoo and others) will most likely be between 50 and 125 dollars)

Rip that Fantastic fan out and put a MaxAir in its place, thank me later. Also, look into the Renogy DCC50S. It's what we have in our van. MPPT charge controller and will charge batteries off the alternator too. All in one unit.

I have a short wheelbase and normal roof sprintervan and I had to deal with A LOT of exposed metal. You know these weird shapes, curves and angles... very difficult to get it covered so it does not suck all the heat out of the van and cause a condensation issue. I disided to template all the weird shapes and angles till the store i got the cardboard pieces ran out of it. Then I made reflectix pieces, sandwiched it onto a thin fibrefill type stuf which I had sawn an upholstry fabric onto and folded the quilted fabric under the reflectix pieces.Then I stitched along the folded edge to finish it. I glued the reflectix/fibrefill/fabric pieces to the metal parts with contact cement and in areas I expected I needed access later I used a thin fibreglass/polyester like material (sheets of it I had laying around) as a backing and fixed the pieces with snaps to the metal... Most people forget one thing though when back doors are concerned and that is the metal between the doors. A large area of exposed (cold) metal which often is forgotten or overlooked. I used a heavy duty weather stripping to seal those areas of and was much more comfortable in the back (where like in your van) the bed is...

I have the cheapest fantastic fan. No remote. I have none of the issues you have. When the power goes, it shuts down. I can use it in the rain if I only open the lid a couple of inches. And it was under $200.

I bought a Porta Potti with a 5 gallons tank for around $150 for my Dodge Grand Caravan 2010 and it works great ! I don't have to use public restrooms that often its so convenient and takes away the stress of having to relief myself at odd hours like early mornings at rest stops or camping.