Honest Van Life Adventures and Reviews

Category: Uncategorized (page 1 of 2)

Mercedes Sprinter Van Build EP6 – Starting on the floor

If you’ve ever dreamed of converting a van into a camper, let me tell you—it’s not all sunshine, neatly organized toolboxes, and smooth progress. No, it’s a battlefield filled with stubborn screws, mystery leaks, and a whole lot of “why did I think this was a good idea?” moments.

Welcome to my latest adventure, where I attempt to transform a Mercedes Sprinter 313 into a cozy camper. The video takes you through the first major step: ripping up the floor to see what horrors lie beneath. Spoiler alert—there are plenty.

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Chinese Diesel Heater Troubleshooting: Fix Common Error Codes (E-01, E-02, E-09 & More)

Living the van life is all about freedom, adventure, and the occasional DIY fix. If you’re like me, your Chinese diesel heater is one of your most prized possessions—keeping you warm during those chilly nights in the mountains or frosty mornings by the lake. But let’s face it, even the most reliable gear can throw a curveball now and then. Chinese diesel heaters, while affordable and efficient, are notorious for a few common faults that can leave you scratching your head (or shivering in your van).

Fear not, fellow van lifer! I’ve put together this handy guide to help you troubleshoot the most common Chinese diesel heater errors. Whether you’re a seasoned mechanic or a total newbie, these tips will have you back to cozy vibes in no time.

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Must have parking apps for Van life 2025

Van life presents its fair share of challenges, and one of the most daunting is the ongoing quest for a suitable place to park for the night. Often, you may stumble upon the perfect spot, only to realize you lack the app needed to pay for it—and to make matters worse, your mobile signal is weak. To ease your journey, here’s a list of apps designed to help you find and pay for parking with ease.

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Storm Darragh Vs Allpowers 600

Fair to say it’s been a bit of a weekend in the UK with Storm Darragh making its presence known and it’s a time where I’m grateful to have a battery power bank in the form of the AllPowers R600, and yes one day I’ll have that video edited.

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Mercedes Sprinter Conversion: Step-by-Step Guide to Gutting an Ex-British Gas Van – Ep 1

Alright, let’s get into it. This is the beginning of my journey converting a Mercedes Transporter into a fully functional home on wheels. For those with an ex-British Gas van, you’ll appreciate the rugged base these vehicles provide for a conversion. Here’s a look at what the first day entails.


Getting Down to Business

I’ve got my trusty DeWalts on, the drill is charged, and it’s time to get serious. This isn’t just any project—this is my first full-on van build, and I’m tackling it solo. There’s a mixture of anticipation and a bit of apprehension, but mostly, I’m ready to transform this van into something incredible. No more faffing about; it’s time to put in the hard work.

Today’s Mission

The goal today is clear: gut the van. If you’ve ever dealt with an ex-British Gas van, you know they’re built to withstand just about anything. This toughness is great for durability, but it also means there’s a lot to strip out before the real work begins. From shelves to partitions and old wiring, everything that doesn’t fit into the new vision must go. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a vital step in the process.

The First Step

First things first, a quick prep session in the back of the van. Making sure everything is lubricated and ready to go is crucial. Then, it’s straight into dismantling. The old setup needs to come out piece by piece, and it’s not always easy. There’s plenty of unscrewing, prying, and sometimes a bit of frustration when things don’t budge. But this is all part of the journey.

The Big Tear Down

This is where the transformation begins: tearing down the interior. Every bolt, every panel, and every fixture that doesn’t serve the new plan is removed. It’s like peeling back layers to reveal the potential underneath. Care is taken with anything that might be useful later, but everything else is discarded. This stage is chaotic, but it’s a necessary chaos that paves the way for creativity and progress.

Aiming for Excellence

For those with an ex-British Gas van, you know how tough these vehicles are. They’re built to handle almost anything, making them perfect for a conversion project. The enthusiasm comes from knowing that every effort now will pay off massively in the long run. This isn’t just about creating a living space; it’s about building something unique and personal.

Looking Ahead

Once the van is stripped down, the next steps will be planning the layout, insulating the walls, and starting the build process. This is where the vision starts to take shape. But for now, it’s all about laying a solid foundation.

Final Thoughts

Starting from scratch is daunting, yet exhilarating. There’s a long road ahead, but every step forward brings this project closer to reality. Sharing this journey adds another layer of purpose and connection. I’ll be transparent about the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

In the next episode, we’ll get into the details of planning the layout and kicking off the build process. If you’ve got tips, insights, or just want to share your thoughts, leave a comment. This project is as much about community as it is about the build.

Until next time, keep dreaming, keep building, and savor every step of the journey.

Catch you later.

The Next UK van Life Road Trip PT1

It’s been a long while since I’ve done a winter stealth camp let along a winter road trip. The last time I did this was in winter during the time of covid when working in the welsh vallies and yet somehow I didn’t get the dreaded pox.

And now in the winter of 2023 I’m getting to realise a dream, the uk version of Benidorm because I’m off up north to hit Blackpool, but before I get there I’ve a few stops to make.

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First up it’s going to be Swansea for work purposes. The intent is to leave around 9am as there’s no blinking point in leaving earlier. This was demonstrated to me jsut the other day that leaving the house 45 minutes earlier resulted in getting onsite a whole 15 minutes earlier than leaving later.

Trip time to Swansea 1hr 40

After Swansea it’s then a trip up to Wrexham to meet a bloody good friend of mine who the universe has allowed me to connect with for a second time.

Trip time: 3hr 4
Miles: 143

It’s always amusing when friends say bring a sleeping bag and a pillow and you can crash here. Then when I go I’m all good sleeping in my van they find it weird. A few months ago I crashed on a friends driveway in Enfield (before that stupid charge), went out for the day, had good, a few good beers, found my way back and remember watching AEW collision, having a few beers, warm, comfortable and it felt like my happy place.

After Wrexham it’s a trip to Southport for work, standing a very good chance of being sober as the Wrexham trip will NOT involve any Ale.. ok thats a lie as no way am I not going into the boozer featured in Welcome To Wrexham.

Wrexham to SouthPort

Trip time: 1hr 11mins
Miles: 60

Liverpool.
Next up is Liverpoooooolll. A city that I have yet to go to. According to old internet whipsers and legends a city to rival Newcastle on a night out, with the 2nd sexiest accent in the uk following geordgie. There’s a slight problem with this as I’ve not been ot on a proper staff party in almost 10 years, least one with the average age being half my / zambuca drinking age. At least a hotel is being provided to offer a slight relief from washing with a wet wipe. Plus a lay in without fear of being moved on will be nice

Southport to Liverpool
Trip time: 50mins
Miles: 40

Illuminations

Don’t ask me why but there’s always been a curious fascination with the Blackpool illuminations. I was there in 2023 for the airshow where I’d never seen so many bodies crammed so close together for so many hours to watch all manner of aircraft flying over head. I’d also spent 5 days in the same parking spot, having an Alan Partridge style meltdown tho those £1 burgers were bloody tidy.

The Blackpool Stealth Park is inspired by a van that I walked past right on the sea front, outside of a disbanded hotel. Aparently that couple had been coming there for years, at least Covid had one upside for someone. I’ll be happy to pay for a nights parking there… but then as it’s the Christmas period, what is my rush to get home? Now if the dart’s is still on at the Blackpool gardens I can do that as well, failing that I’ll be in the best boozer in Blackpool.

Liverpool to Blackpool

Trip time: 1hr 10mins
Miles: 57

Where to next?

Do I go home? Do I go to a client site for work? Do I go to the office? What way should I go home? Should I try and do a night in Cardiff. For now let’s go with I take the hit on a Sunday and start to drive “home” with no reason to go home.

Blackpool to Aberwyswyth

Trip time: 3hr 30mins
Miles: 177

I REALLY dont like this route. if I go down the coastal route I’d get to see some really nice views, from behind someone who can’t drive more than 30 miles per hour

Of I can go the longer route down half of it but then there’s no rest stops or anywhere to stop and park for a brew let alone getting a bacon butte.

Or I can go even more miles but then it’s motorway miles which is dull as anything. If I really wanted to go “home”

Trip time: 5hr 30mins
Miles: 240