*Serious inquiries only please. If you are ready to buy a van now/in the immediate future let's talk! If you're still figuring it out, best of luck but please don't message me. Thanks!*
I’m happy to receive reasonable questions and requests. I am open to phone calls, FaceTimes and in-person visits with *serious* folks.
This lovingly cared for, low-mileage van was built out a few years ago by Brett Lewis and his team at Chewy Design Co. in Austin TX
The build-out of this van was documented for a Discovery+ TV series called “Van Go” about Brett and his creations. This build is Season 1, Ep 8 "Rock and Rolling”. Check it out!
This is a fully off-grid, 4 season build powered by solar and propane. I lived in this van full time for almost 3 years and it provided everything that I needed for a comfortable existence. Life changes and the time has come to pass it on to someone who can truly enjoy all that this incredible van has to offer. Everything has been cleaned thoroughly and the van has been given an overall renovation in preparation for its new chapter.
The van was originally built to house not only a kitchen, bedroom and shower stall/bathroom, but also a fully functioning analog recording studio! I have since removed the studio racks and recording equipment so that space is now open for any use that you might dream up. I have had a storage ottoman in that spot held in place with command strips and that worked great as a little seating area and shoe storage. I can recreate this setup if you like or you can go wild with your vision.
BASE VEHICLE:
Ford Transit 350; Gas; Dually; 2WD; Hi roof, Extended body. Dealer Serviced on time. I get 15-17MPG HWY 14ishMPG in town. 57,782 mi
I want to send the van off in tip top shape so I just replaced *All 6 stock continental tires* and *all brakes have been serviced* along with an alignment and an oil change. Ready to go ANYWHERE!
ELECTRIC:
4 Goal Zero 100W panels = 400W. These plug directly into Goal Zero Yeti 3000X Portable Power Station, a complete all in one system that contains a lithium battery (3,032 Watt Hours) with voltage regulators and inverter, all built into one box on wheels. The battery is expandable and the GZ can easily be unplugged and used anywhere that you may need electricity. Includes 600W AC Fast Charger, original charger and a cable to charge from the 12v outlets while driving
WATER:
40 gal fresh water tank. 20 gal gray water tank underneath van.
CLIMATE CONTROL:
Heating + hot water both provided by the Truma Combi propane furnace/water heater. I love this thing! It is designed and manufactured in Germany and usually only seen on high end RVs. Extremely efficient and effective, the Truma unit keeps the (rock-wool insulated) interior nice and warm with a full thermostat panel at the foot of the bed. It also provides hot water for showering or doing dishes. The genius venting design uses only one small hole on the outside of the van for both the air intake and heater exhaust (you can see it at the rear of the exterior van pic).
It wouldn’t be #vanlife without the classic gold-standard MaxxAir fan! Located between the shower and the kitchen area, this fan can be set to blow in or out at 10 different speeds. I almost always used it blowing out. When you open the sliding windows on either side of the bed this creates a nice breeze through the length of the van.
Directly over the bed is a Fresair Evaporative Cooling fan. It cycles water which evaporates within the unit, resulting in nice dry, cool air blowing right over the sleeping area, using only a fraction of the power that even the smallest conventional A/C unit would require. It works incredibly well in low humidity and the cooling effect decreases as outside humidity increases. That being said, I have been able to comfortably take a nap in South Florida on a hot and muggy Summer afternoon thanks to the Fresair.
I like the option of having the Fresair blowing in while the MaxxAir blows out, for airflow even with windows closed in rainy/noisy spots.
KITCHEN
The kitchen features a solid wood butcher-block counter, freshly sanded and sealed with food safe mineral oil. The sink is a stainless steel Ruvati with a really nice GIMILI Pull-Down Stream/Rinse Faucet that easily swivels around to shoot out the side door - great for rinsing feet, beach stuff, camping equipment etc. You can cook up deluxe van meals on the 2-burner propane cooktop with a heat resistant metal tile backsplash and magnetic knife rack on the wall.
Below the counter is a slide out containing a decent sized fridge - the Dometic CFX3 55 with Ice Maker. This fridge is super energy efficient and I think is the perfect fit for this build.
Spacious cabinet storage above the kitchen area and a large cabinet below the sink.
BEDROOM
A finished wood full sized fixed platform bed supports a Brooklyn Bedding DreamFoam Essential RV Mattress. I am including the mattress because I didn’t use it for long and it was always covered by a mattress protector. Of course if you’d rather use your own mattress then I will gladly hold onto it.
Bedroom has excellent storage. 3 flip-up cabinets next to the bed and 3 spacious storage cabinets above.
BATHROOM
One of the best features of this van is the full stand-up shower, freshly refinished with a brand new RecPro Retractable Rolling Shower Door. This cool, space-saving design features a built-in squeegee that removes water from the door as it rolls up.
Inside the shower stall is the Nature’s Head Composting Toilet (cleaned w/ new liquid container). The toilet can easily be disconnected from the power supply and fan outlet and removed from the stall temporarily to facilitate a proper stand-up shower when desired. I really valued having a full stand-up shower when I needed it and also loved having the toilet enclosed. I was skeptical of the compost toilet life at first but I ended up having a really good, odor-free experience. Happy to give some pointers.
MISC.
“The Bug Wall” Screens installed on rear opening and the side door with magnetic latching opening. It’s so nice to be able to have everything open and breezy. I also love that the “garage” is covered.
Scopema swivel installed on passenger seat - really opens up the cockpit space
Perfectly fit custom made blackout shades for the windshield and front windows - I had these made reflective on one side and black on the other for all seasons. Not only do they provide complete blackout privacy but also great insulation. When the curtains are closed in the back and these are up you can effectively block all light from coming in/out of the van
