Link to posting: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10IgAIaWm8nWpl1_2PqW5tsigOxd9OKyX/view?usp=sharing
Link to van tour: https://youtu.be/WzrgmvfrV_E
**the more organized posting is linked above in the PDF**
The TLDR: This is a turnkey van ready for any adventure, perfect for a nomad who works full time remotely.
2019 Ford Transit 130” wheelbase 150
Purchase date: May 3rd, 2019 (single owner)
130” is the shortest wheelbase these vans come in, which makes this van one of the easiest out there to drive and navigate (it drives safer and easier than a Prius), and also one of the hardest to build out (we worked with the van’s curves and angles to maximize the storage to fit 2 people and 2 dogs – no easy feat though).
Odometer reading: 63,700 miles
GVWR 8600 (3400 per tire)
Our weight fully loaded: 6660
The engine: 3.7L
The transmission: 6 speed automatic
Drive: rear wheel drive
Front end service 2019-2022
– Standard oil changes every 7.5k miles, using full-synthetic (recommended is every 10k for full-synthetic)
– Brake pads were changed December 2021
– This week I did the 60k recommended service for all fluids and spark plugs, etc.,
– I had the sliding door realigned August 2022
What’s it like to drive?
– Before the van, I (Mariah – 23) drove a 2008 Prius, and a 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan. This van is by far the safest drive, with the fewest blind spots- I can park anywhere, go anywhere, off road and in cities (including drive-thrus – this surprised me).
-Off road the clearance is great, I’ve never gotten stuck on any dirt road so far, and I’ve stayed on these roads about 95% of nights in the last two years. I’ve never had any aggressive tires, just normal continental tires, or Nokkian Hakkelapina CR3’s, and I get stuck less than my friends who have Promasters with aggressive tires. As a first time solo female van lifer I couldn’t have asked for a better van.
What it’s been like to maintain?
– After owning a few used older cars, this van has been a breath of fresh air. I take it to the dealership, or to a JiffyLube every 3 months to have the oil changed and tires rotated….and that’s it. I’ve never had a breakdown (knock on wood) never had a dead battery (even when I leave the lights on accidentally), and overall I’ve felt super confident that this little dude won’t strand me in the middle of nowhere with questionable service on iffy roads.
– I did choose to do the 60k mile preventative service this week, it was $1600, and I also had to get my brake pads changed last December ($250).
Conversion: (registered, titled & legally insured as an RV)
– $10,000-13,000 in added appliances (I did the build pre-covid)
– The builder: Coleman, (my partner at the time), experience in woodworking & construction
– Interior cargo dimensions (excluding swivel seat): 9’6’L 5’6’W 5’7.5” tall
– Built to accommodate two people and two dogs
– Layout chosen to maximize the ability to work full time in the van: kitchen, bench seat with slide out table, full size bed, 12v appliances and AC power, enough to work on a computer 40-50 hours a week.
– The kitchen: Large! 50L Isotherm fridge, large! sink, running water thanks to 12v water pump, two burner coleman camping stove (space in counter to add induction cooktop if desired)
– Running water: 12v water pump. I use 5 gallon jugs from REI, I currently have 2, but you could fit up to two or three more in the garage.
– The bed: A little smaller and larger than a full (confusing, but hear me out) it’s technically wider than a full but because of the “nooks” in the bed area, if two tall people were sleeping with their heads and feet in the nooks it would be smaller than a full. 6’1.5” long. Currently I have a brand new 3’ memory foam mattress topper in the space, you could fit another 3’ without sacrificing too much headroom.
– The “living room”: two person bench seat w/ slide out table the exact length of the bench seat.
+Scopema swivel seat.
– Garage: The entire space under the bed is storage, something like 4’WX3’HX6’L. Split into three sections to maximize storage capacity & also bed stability.
– Electrical: Housed in garage. 100amp hour lithium Battleborn battery charged by both sun and driving power (200W renogy solar panels, & 12v to 12v Orion battery isolator). 1500W pure sine wave inverter. Two different outlets, accessible from pretty much anywhere in the van.
– Temperature control: 12v Sirocco fan in bed area, 12v Fantastic Fan with wireless remote, Espar D2 Heater (professionally installed by Chrome Yellow Bus Shop in May 2022)
– Safety: 2 in 1 carbon monoxide / smoke detector & fire extinguisher
– Exterior additions (all the holes in the van): Added motion windows window into the sliding door, the fantastic fan is in the roof, the solar panels are fastened using the pre-drilled holes meant for roof racks, the diesel heater goes through the floor and routes all the way to the tank in the garage.
– Bathroom: Currently, no toilet or shower is added BUT: there is space for both to upgrade if desired. There’s a spot for an accordion toilet in the middle of the build, and there’s enough space to add an outdoor shower in the garage.
What’s it like to live in here?
– I’ve lived in this build for two years full time, working as a van life Youtuber. I spend most of my time on dirt roads, working and with friends. I spend around 40-60 hours a week in this van working on my computer (editing & planning). Although I’ve had some rough patches (it’s hard to explain how crazy it is to try to film and edit out of a space like this every week), I’ve been really well taken care of. The more time & energy I’ve put into maintaining systems for organization, and the more additions I’ve made, the more I’ve grown to fully enjoy living in this van (installing a super nice heater changed my life). Info on why I’m selling below :-)
What’s it been like to maintain this build?
– I was super nervous about what maintenance would look like on a van conversion like this- thankfully I’ve come to learn that it’s actually quite simple. I think it helps that this van has really good bones, and so everything that I’ve taken care of has been a healthy mix of upgrades and preventative maintenance. Here’s a list of all the things I’ve done (and continue to do) to keep everything up to date:
Upgraded chinese diesel heater to a far nicer Espar D2 heater in May 2022
Upgraded out 12v Bayite water pump for a much quieter & nicer 12v Pentair water pump
Swapped out faucets because I let water freeze in me pipes while on vacation this winter
Every three months I defrost my fridge
Every winter I recaulk my roof (far simpler than I thought it was)
Every year I sand and re-Polyurethane my counter
Why am I selling?
– When I bought this van, I really wanted to learn how to do a van build on my own. Unfortunately (fortunately? idk) that wasn’t our path with this van. Instead, we took on the build with our partner at the time. Recently I’ve decided that I’m ready to *actually* do it — build a rig on my own, I mean. And so here I am, selling this van so that I can take on a box truck build. I fell in love with the van life in this van, I scoped out home bases all across the western US in this van, I learned how to live oddly comfortably in a small space with this van, and now I’m ready to move forward with a dream I’ve had for seven years.
Who I’m hoping to sell to / who I see this van being perfect for
Full time solo travelers
Shorter humans
OR
Taller people taking weekend / month long trips
Where am I selling?
– I’m currently in Seattle. Ideally, I’d meet a buyer at SeaTac / in the nearby area. But, I am open to discussing the potential of delivery, but only to places with international airports.
[email protected]
