Innovative Ford Transit Van Build: Recirculating Shower, Sliding Bed, and Smart Storage

Gary's Ford Transit Van Build

• 🚐 Gary shares his 2021 Ford Transit van build, completed in 4.5 months after a 6-month wait for the vehicle delivery.
• 🛠️ Despite not having a professional carpentry background, Gary utilized his experience in house renovation for electrical and plumbing work.
• 🛣️ He has been living full-time on the road for two and a half years, enjoying the lifestyle.

Innovative Recirculating Shower

• 🚿 A standout feature is the recirculating shower system, designed by Gary with improvements from an online idea.
• 💧 Water is pumped, filtered through a double whole house system, a UV filter, and a 2.5-gallon hot water tank before recirculation.
• 💰 The estimated cost for the shower system components (hot water tank, filtration, UV filter) was approximately $1,000.
• 🧱 The shower enclosure uses specialized pool tile with silicone grout and adhesive to prevent cracking from vehicle vibrations.
• 🚽 A composting toilet (Airhead) is also integrated into the wet area, with watertight storage for toilet paper.

Space-Saving Bed and Dining Area

• 🛏️ The van features a unique futon-style bed that slides on rails, extending about 15 inches and dropping down to create 75 inches of sleeping space.
• 💡 This design frees up significant space in the kitchen area.
• 🍽️ The bed unit also doubles as a dinner table when folded out, with a bench for seating.
• 💪 The bed slides on heavy-duty machine shop rail systems capable of handling up to 500 lbs.
• 🌌 The bed can slide out the back doors for stargazing and enjoying nature.

Functional Kitchen and Heating

• 🍳 The kitchen includes a deep sink with a touch faucet to conserve water and prevent splashing, also usable for washing hair.
• 💧 A Cua water filter with UV and charcoal filtration provides safe drinking water.
• 🔥 A Furion three-burner propane stove with an oven is installed, with pots and pans stored below.
• 🌡️ An SBAR heater, plumbed into the van's fuel tank, maintains a comfortable temperature of 68°F via a thermostat, with a low-fuel cutoff at a quarter tank.
• 🚚 A refrigerator designed for semi-trucks fits perfectly under the 36-inch countertop.

Electrical System and Garage Storage

• 🔋 The electrical system includes 300 amp-hours of lithium batteries managed by a Victron system with a distributor, fuses, and breakers.
• 🔌 A 3000-watt inverter powers 120V appliances, and a DC-to-DC converter is being upgraded.
• ☀️ 400 watts of solar panels on the roof contribute to power generation.
• ⚡ The van has a 30-amp shore power outlet for convenience when not boondocking.
• 🚲 The rear garage area houses a bike, skis on a drawer slide, a ladder for solar panel access, a 30-gallon water tank, an additional hot water heater, and the water pump.
• 🚿 An outdoor shower option is available for use when weather permits.
• 🧰 Additional storage in the garage holds tools, a kayak, and electrical components.