I Built a Secret Tiny Home in my Van

What if I told you I built a tiny home on the inside of this work van? Well, you'd probably believe me because you clicked on this video, but in real life, you would have been more skeptical. And that's because it's stealthy. Now, I'm doing this because one day while scrolling YouTube, I clicked on this video that led me down a rabbit hole of watching other stealth camper van videos, and logically, the next step was to try it myself with no experience. The goal, build a stealthy tiny home in a normal work van. To test the goal, survive overnight in the Taco Bell parking lot. Guys, I think we're in the right spot to pick up the van. Oh, yeah, real quick, I had to actually buy a van first. I went through Facebook Marketplace, and as you can see, they're pretty expensive. But this beautiful 2011 Sprinter van was more budget-friendly at $7,900. So I got the keys from the seller to do a quick test drive. Yeah, unfortunately, it didn't start, which was kind of important, so we didn't get this one. I drove over a couple hours away for that one, so it was disappointing, but the next day, I found this beauty. A 2006 Mercedes Sprinter van listed for $7,400. Yeah, the transmission was slightly cooked, but at least it started. Now behold my negotiation skills. Now, although I've never done this before, I did at least do my homework and watch countless videos and how-tos. Not gonna lie, after a while, it started making me more confused, but at the very least, I have a plan. This is actually a very important step, because remember, we're trying to camp in the Taco Bell parking lot, and I want to eat and sleep in a clean van. And let me tell you, some of these random things with 20-year-old screws and nuts in them, were pretty hard to get off. Guys, I'm excited, because we're about to use power tools. Maybe one day, I can have my own workshop, but until then... Okay, first big test of the project, and I have to start out by cutting a wooden frame, and that'll serve as a good base to put our insulation down, and of course, our actual floor on top of. Then I used a caulking gun with premium adhesive. I was excited for this part, because I've never used one before, and let me tell you, it was fun. It didn't disappoint. And to make it stick, I laid heavy objects on it, and even screwed it down to the metal floor. We're all screwed in, time to do the insulation! The insulation helps regulate the temperature inside the van, so it's actually livable. And I like the thought of not freezing so much, that I also installed a layer of reflective bubble insulation. Guys, that took way longer than I thought I was gonna take, and it's pretty satisfying. I feel like I can lay down in the bed of this van without getting tetanus or something. Like, I could just roll around in there if I want. Someone just drove by and saw me doing that. I think the authorities might be called. Little did I know, that was subtle foreshadowing, because later on, I was asked to leave this spot by the president of the HOA. But anyway, now I'm installing the base for the vinyl floor panels, and for that, I'm using a thin sheet of wood that I will drill down into the frame. I had to custom cut the pieces, so it fit nicely on our expansive square footage of our mobile tiny home. Someone just saw me. Folks, I present to you a little something called underlayment. This is another moisture barrier, but more importantly, it needs to go on before I put on the fancy vinyl tiles. Right out the gate, I love this color. I was gonna choose this or purple. Please enjoy this satisfying time-lapse as I put the peel-and-stick vinyl tiles in, and as you can see, I was able to put a lot down as is, but I also had to cut some to fit the floor plan perfectly. That was a big step done. Now it's wall time! So first, I cut this box that fell out of the sky, and inside, I found what's called deadening insulation. This is a peel-and-stick material that's supposed to help reduce rattle sounds in the van, but you tell me. Yeah, I don't know if that test was legit, but either way, I'm putting a lot of these in the van. And then I'm gonna screw on wooden planks to serve as the base for the walls. Ah, would you look at that? It's a new day, and I'm putting insulation in the walls. It's so funny how this took forever when I was doing it in real life, but I can just sit here and edit it to make me finish in less than a minute. Uh, do you have a permit? Oh, and towards the end of the day, my friend Josh showed up to help me put the fluffy insulation in, and his wife Maggie also showed up with some boba, which I appreciated. Comment down below if you like boba. I personally love boba. And yeah, this fluffy insulation is really good at getting those nooks and crannies. I'm excited for Car Trap Supreme. Me too. And to be honest, no one blames him. Guys, we're at a new location. Yeah, that's actually a true story, by the way, but thankfully a church let me use their parking lot, and that's where we are now. Anyway, I'm going light speed as I show myself insulate the rest of the van, even the ceiling, because if I don't show it, I don't want anyone thinking a full-on crew came here and built the tiny house for me. And now that it's fully insulated, I can work on the exterior of the walls by screwing the wooden slabs into the side frames. For the walls, I chose blue wallpaper. This feels like I'm putting on a really big iPhone screen protector. It's ceiling time. This is a fun one. Trust me. As you can tell, something super technical and carpentry is about to happen. I am making the crown molding. Is this crown molding? I don't know. Probably not, but that's what I'm calling it. Yeah, I just looked up some pictures of crown molding while I'm editing, and it's definitely not, but I did paint it and try to make it look really nice. And as I was waiting for it to dry, some random dude came up to me and said something. You guys gotcha. Thanks, bro. Amen. I appreciate that. For sure. Okay, just kidding. I actually know that guy. That's my boy Grant, and he was going to prepare for a message. I'll link it in the description in case you want to check it out. But I checked on my crown molding, and it was done drying, so I put it up. That wasp is trying to break into my van. You guys see it? Guys, National Geographic reached out to me after this, be on the lookout for me on the next survival TV show. But anyway, time to actually put the roof on, and this was without a doubt the hardest part of the entire project, as you'll soon see why. Oh, dude, that wind's insane. Oh, my. Okay, I'm actually not joking, ow. And no, I wasn't talking about the wind almost making me go parasailing. This is definitely at least a two-person job, if not a four-person job, okay? I'm going to try to drill this into the van ceiling, but I don't know how I'm going to hold it up while I'm drilling. Okay, I forgot to paint it first, which killed about an hour. But yeah, little did I know this was about to be very difficult. Where's my drill? Oh, crap. No! Oh, I might have gotten a little whiplash, but I'm not giving up that easy. Not the drill, where's the... Okay, the drill seems to be the hard part. Ow, my head. This really hurts. Ow, ow, my head. I don't know whether to laugh or cry right now. Yeah, this definitely wasn't the best way to do this, but there was no one else around, so I didn't know what to do. Also, I had to make sure I drilled a big wooden slab balancing on my head into the metal part of the van and not the insulation, otherwise it wouldn't stay. Yeah, I was actually getting super frustrated and decided to give it one last try by myself. Fine, I'll admit it. I might need to phone a friend tomorrow. Did I buy donuts and kolaches for my friend who works at the church just to ask him to help me with the ceiling? Not entirely, but it did cross my mind. And then, let me get my... Okay, there we go. Well guys, I sure am happy my boy Matt agreed to help because now it wasn't impossible. But I needed him to hold it up strong while I drilled it in multiple times, so the wood didn't split. Keep holding. Keep pressing. I can't do this much longer. My arms hurt. Bro, grow taller! Tippy toes, dude! Come on, imagine being set back. Burn! I think I need to go back further. Yeah. Like right there? You need to do something. Come on! No! The shoulder-burning workout extended only a little longer, and I think I had enough screws in to let Matt go. I hope it doesn't fall. I still have to screw in some more, but I think you're free to go back to work. Everyone, please say good job Matt in the comments. He watches my videos and I couldn't have done it without him. Okay, this part was a bold choice on my end, and quite frankly, looking back at it, I don't know why I chose to do this. So I'll give you guys a pass to roast me on this if you want, but I was kind of going for the cottage look. I don't know, but evidently I liked the way it looked after I did it. Step four, secret opening time. How did that even happen? I should probably put on gloves for this part, so I don't have tetanus by the time this video is done. Taking that out was easy, but the rest, not so much. Because remember, these are like 20-year-old screws and nuts. Come on, brother! I hate this part because I can't reach these screws. Yeah, that wasn't the right tool to cut metal, so I went and bought this, hoping it can do better. Unfortunately, that didn't work very well for me either, so I was just going to have to get out these stubborn screws one way or the other. Screw is stripped. The problem now is, whatever genius installed this, made it so that the screwdriver doesn't fit because this part is jutting out, this metal part, so I can't even get a proper angle to unscrew it, so I might just have to barbarically rip it down. You thought you could beat me? After vacuuming and sealing the crack with aluminum tape, I found something pretty cool. Guys, look what I found while I was vacuuming. I mean, this is good to have in a tiny home, but I feel like we should make sure it works, you know? I don't know. That was exactly as fun as I thought it would be. Anyway, now I'm putting up some curtains as a simple solution to privacy, and for the back ones, I made sure to add a rod for a more homey touch. Step 5, camping world. Guys, this is the first time I've been to this store, and let me tell you, it's incredible. I found a portable power station with solar panels for our electrical solution. I found a myriad of portable Wi-Fi options for our connectivity solution, and even a toilet for our Taco Bell solution. Guys, it's a little small for me, but overall, I loved it. So I dropped a bag at Camping World, and even got some free pizza they had on the way out. No, seriously, I actually got a membership at Camping World at the checkout. I think this is the day I officially became a dad. But in other news, when I got back to the van, I discovered I had a big problem. The problem is, the bed couch I got isn't tall enough to fit over the wheel well. But don't fret, I put those dad handyman skills to use and figured out a solution. The solution is to make four thick wooden blocks that will elevate the legs of the couch. They'll also serve the purpose of holding the couch in place so it doesn't move around when I drive. To secure them in the floor, I used 5-inch nails and even liquid nails underneath the blocks. Step 6, decoration time. This step was amazing. Before we start decorating like our lives depend on it, I thought it'd be smart to charge the power station. Bro, there's no way my neighbors don't think I'm insane. But yeah, hopefully this is actually catching energy even though it's cloudy outside today. I don't really know how the science works. This bench I'm putting in now, I definitely didn't get from my house. Okay, don't tell my wife. She's probably watching this video after I upload it. Honey, I'm sorry. That actually fits perfectly over the wheel well and maximizes the space and functionality in here. So I figured I'd grab another piece of furniture from my house and I drilled this small table to the wall. Now this toilet, I just had to make sure I knew how to use and then I put it in the front between the seats. But we might use it later. Hey, check it out, some slide-out drawers. I'm gonna put clothes and bedding in there, but right now I wanted to install just a few of the lights. We need good entertainment in here. I can finally go camping. What's that? Did someone order a stocked mini fridge? Now the rest of the things I'll show you during the all-nighter, but I did want to show you that I actually folded all these clothes without my wife's help. And it fit nicely right under the couch bed alongside our bedding. My first actually questionable purchase. Wait, are you repeating me? Never mind, this is sick. I don't know. Before rolling out, I had to make sure we had ample lighting, which is why I bought like 12 of the Energizer rectangular lights. Oh. I'm sorry if I just jump scared you, but guys, it's camouflage time. We have a crucial step in making sure that this stealth camper van is undetectable. And it's ironic because I'm back in the spot where I got kicked out by the president of the HOA. In my right hand are two construction vests, which I'm going to set on the dash. Nothing screams like a work van more than construction vests. But to truly make it a stealth camper, I ordered something. That looks so good. I love it. And I have one last surprise before we go to the Taco Bell and try to spend an all-nighter. By the way, I'm freezing right now. So I guess I'll test the quality of the insulation tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the one and only Cedric! Cedric, how you doing? I'd be better if you'd shut up and take us to Taco Bell already. I'm starving over here. Final step, stealth camp at Taco Bell. The goal? Survive overnight and be the first ones for breakfast. We are currently stealth camping. Well, actually Cedric is because he's the only one in there. Although I gotta be honest, part of me is wondering if the hang time plumbing with a dog's face is making this stick out even more than just a regular white cargo van. But too late now, we're rolling with it. But we're not rolling through the drive-thru to get food because we're too tall, so we're going in. And while I go in, should I set up a hidden camera to watch Cedric? Alright, you stay here little buddy. Okay, Cedric is stealth camping. I just set up that running camera. I can't believe we're gonna be here until morning. My go-to order is a cheesy gorita crunch. I was a bit ambitious there. Also a bean burrito, a steak quesadilla, and enough hot sauce to hurt you. Cedric? CEDRIC! Like my dad always said, a life without goals is futile, and a video without goals is futile too. Goal number one, eat this entire bag of Taco Bell. It's actually a pretty good goal, honestly. I got a lot. If I accomplish that goal, I think we're gonna have the goal of using the toilet too. Goal number two, ah, my younger audience will like this one. Get a Vic Royale in Fortnite in the camper van. And goal number three is so serious, I had to stand up for it. Don't die or get arrested. You're gonna give away our stealth camping position. Maybe he'll like Ryan. Okay, that one was actually on me. I should have known not to play one of my videos with him in it. Bro wants smoke with himself any day of the week. But watching Ryan's video, he was super chill, and even doing some tricks for me in exchange for steak quesadilla bits. Guys, I gotta say... I hear people outside. All of a sudden, it's just people going through the door. That makes sense. Real quick, let me show you something that may or may not lead to a dance party. This light shape that I have here actually changes colors when you play music. Watch this. It's dancing to the music. Let's dance, Cedi. Let's dance. Okay, dance party is temporarily done because I almost broke my camera. Guys, while I was eating Joyride and contemplating life, I couldn't believe what happened next. What the frick was that? Guys, I'm not joking. I'm glad I'm recording. Cedric, who was that? Nah. Nah, bruh. Nah, bruh. There's actually someone banging on the... Hey, hold up, bruh! Now, did I just grab a banana and the flower toy as a weapon against someone who's banging on the van? Yes. But important context, I genuinely thought it was my friend Josh, who you guys saw earlier, because he got the invite, but I was wrong. Hey, stay out, bruh! Guys, it's not Josh, but it is the only other person I invited. My brother, Ben. I'm honestly surprised he showed up, but I did know it had to be one of them, and if it wasn't, I definitely would have been screwed. But on to goal number two, get a Victory Royale in Fortnite. I'm kind of cooking right now. What does that do again? It's kind of sus you picked this game, bro. Guys, before you get angry at me, obviously that was an accident. I don't know how that happened, and thankfully when we watch it back in slo-mo, Cedric was merely grazed. Get out, get- The storm, the storm, the storm! Go, go, go! Don't kill him yet, just get out. This is a YouTube video because the Fortnite needed to update for like five hours. Guys, I'm sorry about that. That just shows I don't play Fortnite. What could I say? Let's go! Victory Royale. But in other news, Ben left, and now Cedric and I are going into our burrito blankets. We are burrito buddies. Awww. Crossbone 30! I said to let him come back. I'm so grateful to be here watching Facing the Giants as I'm stealth camping. Oh, and did I mention I have the cutest burrito dog in between my legs? Let's go! They won! I forgot how good of a movie Facing the Giants is. If you've never seen it before, I highly recommend. Anyways, you might have noticed I changed into my PJs and am making the bed. That's because it's time to go to sleep. And real quick, can we just take a moment to collectively appreciate how cute Cedric is getting ready for bed? He loves to go in between the nook of my legs for some reason. Even at home whenever I sit on the couch to watch something. Hopefully we can make it through the night and wake up to some Taco Bell breakfast. I'm actually quite cozy and warm. Good night, guys. I hope I see you in the morning. Oh, good morning. I already stood up to turn on my camera, but guys, check out what it looks like outside. Please no one be standing there. No one is here. What time does this Taco Bell open? Evidently not at 6.15am, but I did see another drive-thru that was open. Maybe I should go stealth camping again. If you're staying on YouTube, check out the video that's being shown to you on the screen right now. I bet you'll love it. I appreciate you watching. Till next time, Lord willing, grace, love, peace, and mercy.