Build Resources — ubuthevan

Some of Our Favorite

Build and Vanlife

Sprinter Source Book

This is a right of passage. Everyone starts here and works their way through the hundreds of options and choices. This will give you a broad overview of options and possibilities. Best $37 you'll spend. Read through it many times over. Take notes like a mad person so that you can reference it when it's time to purchase components. ***It might also be helpful to note preferences and choices.

Sprinter Source Forum

In the same vein we would never have finished our build without this incredible resource. The folks on it are generous with their wisdom and time. They seem to have endless patience for newbie questions. Just be polite and patient. Massive shoutout to "Autostaretx" who spent hours with me working on our electric layout and build.

Cheap RV Living

Bob Wells is a literal fountain of information. 40+ years of experience with zero modesty regarding life on the road. Find awesome tips and tricks to save money living the nomadic life. Also — check out the RTR (Rubber Tramp Rendezvous) — this was a pivotal gathering for us. CheapRVliving.com

Our homies John and Jayme are beautiful souls on a mission to help people dive into the nomadic life. Super detailed build posts and bags of good karma. Hit them up; you won't be disappointed.

Build Reference

Green Building Supply

Meghan spent hours on this site researching green building materials for the van and getting inspiration for what to use in Ubu.

Building Supplies

These guys created super in-depth guides to building. We got a crap ton of inspiration from their build. Detailed posts with step-by-step instruction, parts lists, and necessary tools. They know their stuff.

Build Reference

Solid reference for your build. It's practical, hard-won info. Worth spending some time reading. Although Transit specific, you'll get some great ideas for your build here.

Build Reference

Traipsing About

Vanlife resources; also great thoughts about downsizing and intentional living. There are a couple of useful build posts as well. We loved the section about things they upgraded after living in the van for a year.

Sprinter Van USA

Best guide to installing your MaxxAir fan. We followed it step by step and are super happy with the results. "Dieselfumes" is also a bit of a legend on the Sprinter Forum. Take a look at his post on "Converting a Van" there.

Build Reference

We found that the folks who build boats know their stuff; they've mastered living in tiny spaces. Here is a massive resource for electricity-related build knowledge. There is a dedicated post about how to charge LiFePo4 batteries that blew my mind (light reading for a quiet Sunday afternoon).

Handy Bob's Solar

Foundational reading for your solar install. Learn everything you need to know about solar power here. We found that there is so much misinformation regarding solar; even people who claim to be professionals are sometimes poorly educated. There's a ton to learn, but trust me when I say it's worth your time to research this properly and do it right the first time. Bob is meticulous and has decades of experience.

RV Water Filter Store

Our #1 stop for RV water questions. Dave answered the phone personally or would get back to us when we left messages. Good people.

Grateful Pursuit

Tons of inspiration here. We referred to this IG account a lot! Josh is also doing custom-built overland vehicles here: https://www.masteroverland.com

Mobile Internet Resource Center

Everything — and I mean EVERYTHING — you need to know about working on the road and getting the bandwidth to do so.

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