Winter Problems in My DIY Campervan | The Real Van Life UK

Winter Problems in My DIY Campervan | The Real Van Life UK

Winter is upon us and I have run in to a few challenges in my campervan already. This is my first winter in this van build so there has been a few teething issues – note these clips were filmed over the past few weeks and have all since been sorted / in the process of being sorted. Although I have been slow at whipping these clips together, I still wanted to share them with you guys so you can see that van life isn’t all about beautiful views and awesome park ups. I’m not trying to shine a bad light on this lifestyle, I absolutely love it regardless of the challenges. I just made a promise to myself that I would document the absolute truth of van life, the good and the bad and this is what this vlog is!

Anyway, so in today’s vlog, we say RIP to my battery, come to terms with the fact there is always something to fix in a van build and have a little chat about corona virus.

I hope you have all been staying safe and enjoy the vlog! Don’t forget to like, subscribe and turn your notifications on and if you’re feeling super generous share it on your socials!

Thanks a million for watching and see you soon!

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If you enjoy what you see, send a ‘thank you’ cider to: https://paypal.me/nicolakb?locale.x=en_GB

Shop my van: https://www.nicroams.co.uk/my-van-vauxhall-vivaro-swb/

Shop Ebooks: https://www.nicroams.co.uk/ebooks/

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CAMERA EQUIPMENT
CAMERA: https://amzn.to/2N6vHbQ
DRONE: https://amzn.to/2ShdLtf
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MUSIC
All music is from Epidemic Sound, https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/6q91md/
Sign up for a free trial where you can download the music!
Song 1: Dylan Sitts – Detergent
Song 2: Duke Herrington – Play it Cool
Song 3: Duke Herrington – Tribute to Gold
Song 4: Dylan Sitts – Detergent
Song 5: Dylan Sitts – Don’t Understand
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HELLO!
I’m Nic, a full time UK based van dweller. I self-converted my Vauxhall Vivaro aka LL Cool Van in to a mini off grid beast so I can run off to the wilderness and never return. This is the second van I have lived in and have been on and off the road since 2018. I share my tiny living, eco living and travel stories here, with the hope to inspire and encourage you all to grab your dreams and live outside the box!
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FOLLOW MY JOURNEY
Website: https://www.nicroams.co.uk/
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Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/NicRoams/

#vanlife #vanlifeuk #therealvanlife

50 Comments

  1. Outdoors with Dale on December 27, 2020 at 12:38 am

    Maybe the heater is using more electricity than you thought. I’ve seen others upgrade their battery capacity to handle the heater. Hope you have a better week next time.

  2. lancashire traveller1 on December 27, 2020 at 12:39 am

    Haay, I’ve been looking up condesation problems an your vid came up, I’ve got into this vanlife full time to an summer was brill thought I ad it sussed but winter is a nightmare with condensation an mould, my plan is to start again an spray foam it, I luv this lifestyle, but hate the mould I’ve got a vw crafter lwb, have u managed to tame the condensation 🤔

  3. Joseph Jackson on December 27, 2020 at 12:40 am

    you remind me of me same van things braking all the time mold around the bed ends it comes under the cab floor insulation the front window gets wet .6 months in Buxton in a field full of sheep with 2 guinipigs in the van & washing everyday £60 a week in diesel for the heater a week on the lowest setting 16 constantly on. & the wether looks familiar.

  4. The big fella on December 27, 2020 at 12:40 am

    What a woman😉 wish there was more ladies the same loves outdoors can use tools like drill etc without breaking a nail lol. Loves traveling not too picky and will sleep in a van. And Best of all loves dogs😆 why hasn’t anyone snapped her up and put a ring on that finger and shared adventures with you.

  5. Acer Yeo on December 27, 2020 at 12:41 am

    I am converting T6. Diesel heaters use 12amps plus for five minutes when starting and stopping. They use 3amps when just ticking over. My 150watt solar panel generates a 1amp maximum for only a couple of hours this time of the year on a good day. My new 110ah Leoch leisure battery does not hold anywhere near 110ah. I love the honesty and practical view point of your YouTube.

  6. Roses First on December 27, 2020 at 12:43 am

    Vinegar will keep the mold from recurring. I had mold in my trailer n i wipe the areas w it n it really does work

  7. peter smith on December 27, 2020 at 12:43 am

    Huge problem in the U.K. with the dampness all the time. Only good air flow and ventilation stops it. Mold can cause serious health issues. Heating won’t stop the mould. Can actually make it worse if not enough ventilation.

  8. Kate Morro on December 27, 2020 at 12:52 am

    They’re called slats. Most likely the mold is caused by lack of ventilation and moisture buildup in that area and you need to take out the wet coats, get rid of that ivy and like others suggest get moisture wickers. Hopefully it’s not inside the frame and spreading outward. Make sure you don’t have condensation or a leak trickling in from the door seal or hinges into the frame inside in that corner. Plus show some scenery instead of 18 minutes of you complaining into the camera. Think of what will keep your audience interested..

  9. Thomas Henderson on December 27, 2020 at 12:52 am

    Subscribed, just finishing off building my van

  10. Roses First on December 27, 2020 at 12:55 am

    Vinegar is awesome for mold. It hates it. Wipe the area w it and it works!

  11. Rat GenerationX on December 27, 2020 at 12:55 am

    Doesn’t matter the space… van, big house or a tent. If you are a victim to complaining then that’s never gonna change.

  12. jen linds on December 27, 2020 at 12:56 am

    ‘my alcohol is fine’ 😂 Thx for showing the entire van life experience…the ups & the downs!

  13. Joseph Jackson on December 27, 2020 at 12:56 am

    im growing cress in my window to soke up the water

  14. Anna Matthews on December 27, 2020 at 12:57 am

    love her voice , her hair and her eyes …AMAZING

  15. Mikey Gleason on December 27, 2020 at 12:57 am

    Bleach works really good on mold

  16. John Doe on December 27, 2020 at 1:00 am

    Keep fighting girl , literally been there before . it’ll all pass , better times ahead.

  17. LetMeOff ThisPlanet on December 27, 2020 at 1:01 am

    Doesn’t matter what you do you’ll still get moisture build up resulting in mould so get some diatomaceous earth and leave cloth filled bags in different places in the van and change every other week or so.

  18. Ben Heggie on December 27, 2020 at 1:02 am

    Anything pressing on a external wall will create mould the gas pipe will need lagging if you don’t want moisture around it

  19. Joseph Jackson on December 27, 2020 at 1:04 am

    same rear door probem with the handle

  20. peter hynes on December 27, 2020 at 1:05 am

    That monkeys gadget John to help you the monkeys in Spain or Portugal I do not know you don’t get to know me please no not

  21. Graham L on December 27, 2020 at 1:06 am

    Mould can spread really quickly. You should keep everything in plastic air tight boxes. You also need to create ventilation to remove condensation. Also buy some pingi dehumidifier bags from amazon.

  22. DamLit Productions on December 27, 2020 at 1:07 am

    "I Would Love To Camper Life With You"

  23. Jimmy Brennan on December 27, 2020 at 1:08 am

    It should be called nice moans

  24. Vish solo on December 27, 2020 at 1:08 am

    Hey there, glad that o come across your channel whilst searching vivaro camper…I had boatlife in my mind lately changed that to vanlife im still thinking what works best for me….good luck for all your adventures… FYI if you haven’t planned your new year I strongly recommend you to check out Glastonbury there’s an amazing group of campers …..☯️☮️🌈

  25. Jay Sims on December 27, 2020 at 1:08 am

    Hi. Thanks for the upload. I’m nearly ready to set sail with my stealth van. Is there any websites that I can use to meet up with vaners in the Berkshire area? Thanks. Stay safe, ❤️

  26. fish n chips on December 27, 2020 at 1:09 am

    PUT A DEHUMIDIFIER TUB thing from the pound shop or somewhere it’ll absorb and trap the moisture its like full of the little bags in new shoes
    The battery needs at least 45 mins to recharge a diesel cold weather eats them up need a Jump starter as a back up nesscliffe has a few stop up spots

  27. Codename Lovewon on December 27, 2020 at 1:12 am

    lmao newbie

  28. Dr Gunsmith on December 27, 2020 at 1:12 am

    Great to see a young woman with the balls to do this…respect and happy Christmas 🎄 new subscriber.

  29. Ronin Dan on December 27, 2020 at 1:13 am

    Turn off the fridge, it’s cold enough to preserve your food for at list 2…3 days. Buy less perishable food, try dry smoked meat instead of the fresh one 👍

  30. Ian Fairclough on December 27, 2020 at 1:13 am

    So what was the drilling noise?

  31. Pete Coventry on December 27, 2020 at 1:14 am

    I know of a site which is £8 a night in a CL but it does not have a hookup.

  32. Capslock on December 27, 2020 at 1:15 am

    you look like my ex girlfriend so I follow you that reason. in addition to this secret information, cause of the mold is humidity as people says. you should take a look at that video which is making van ventilation. ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09Gpu96ffKo&ab_channel=FlettnerVentilator

  33. Lt&Me on December 27, 2020 at 1:16 am

    If this is your first winter, your doing great. Problems come you sort them learn and move forward, forever improving. All the best for Christmas and next year

  34. Jimmy Brennan on December 27, 2020 at 1:17 am

    Why are you moaning you have sorted it

  35. Sam G on December 27, 2020 at 1:17 am

    I guess it’s a thermal transfer from metal gas fitting causing condensation.try insulating the metal parts inside

  36. lutonboxlife on December 27, 2020 at 1:18 am

    the gas pipe will always be very cold and will get condisation on it when it warms up in there. try some insulation around the pipe.

  37. TatManToo57 on December 27, 2020 at 1:18 am

    Pretty smart and talented lady!

  38. Staaay Organic on December 27, 2020 at 1:19 am

    I see "problems in vanlife paradise" is trending now and most vanlifers are on it, lol

  39. Don Champz on December 27, 2020 at 1:19 am

    Ur gas pipe should be installed it’s because the pipe gets cold causing condensation creating damp plus mould with no ventilation

  40. Staaay Organic on December 27, 2020 at 1:20 am

    You should really invest into a box of disposable gloves

  41. Joshua Mark Dixon on December 27, 2020 at 1:24 am

    Love your van. Similar to mine although not a self build.

  42. Skoolie Mom on December 27, 2020 at 1:25 am

    Condensation on your pipes also put your coats in your pillows

  43. Joseph Jackson on December 27, 2020 at 1:27 am

    shut ir door with strips of paper and close work your way around the seals if it slips through pull the rubber seal of and put slivers of paper behind to bulk it out a lot of condensation forms in the frame of the van & the windows & back doors get alot of water .get 15 meters of alamium heater pipe and run it around the edges of the van then keep the cab and rear heated the pipe radiate wery well to keep it away.my battery went twice like yours twice its the fact its not getting charged fully like haveing a smart charger on it .iv changed mine twice under garantee.

  44. Mehmet SAKA on December 27, 2020 at 1:29 am

    Wonderful

  45. Graham L on December 27, 2020 at 1:31 am

    That shoe is the source of the coronavirus. Nasty.

  46. Marty Kong on December 27, 2020 at 1:32 am

    Wow! Thanks so much for sharing from across the pond! Stumbled across you and your video as we are all stuck with limited activities and lockdowns:( I did have an RV last year, but still long for a Van as a more manageable means to get away. A suggestion maybe for mold is desicant? sp? They sell it at hardware stores, and even our storage places in a plastic bucket with a perferated top, crystals absorb moisture…. I also had an electric rechargeable one off Amazon, that just hung with a hook, and it changed color as it needed recharging to dry it out. Packets of silica beads / gel may also help to dry area out. Cheers and and thanks again! Stay safe, LOVE your proper English, haven;t heard in many years … Canadian raised 🙂

  47. Chris Pearson on December 27, 2020 at 1:32 am

    Hi Nic, I have sent you an email regarding a Lithium battery if all fails, I have a 120ah Lithium I am happy to let you have free of charge and can install for you if required. Cheers Chris.

  48. Joseph Jackson on December 27, 2020 at 1:32 am

    you remind me of me same van things braking all the time mold around the bed ends it comes under the cab floor insulation the front window gets wet .6 months in Buxton in a field full of sheep with 2 guinipigs in the van & washing everyday £60 a week in diesel for the heater a week on the lowest setting 16 constantly on. & the wether looks familiar.

  49. Sandra Montes on December 27, 2020 at 1:33 am

    Young lady the good and the bad are both important this is my first time watching you and I’m glad I did, Thanks for showing us all the details of what goes on in van life, it is interesting viewing 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😀

  50. David Austin on December 27, 2020 at 1:33 am

    Air flow is the answer, that and warmth

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