Don't make the same van subfloor mistakes that I did.
Welcome to my van build series! In each video, I'll walk you through the projects we started each month (and, hopefully finished). I'll share details about the challenges we faced, what we learned, and how much everything cost.
I purchased a 2021 Ford Transit 350 extended high roof cargo van in August 2023. We spent 8.5 months converting it into my dream tiny home on wheels.
In today's video, I share the three projects we accomplished during the first month of the van build process:
1) Sub-floor installation
We started almost immediately with the sub-floor installation. We used Far Out Ride’s Floor Installation as our guide for what materials to purchase.
After the sub-floor installation was complete, we experienced challenges with the seams not lining up. My dad used his ingenuity to solve for them and it worked!
2) Deluxe MaxxAir Exhaust fan with remote install
Next up, my dad cut a hole in the roof of the van for the Deluxe MaxxAir Exhaust fan with remote. We used a DIYvan Ford Transit roof vent adapter to make navigating around the ridges in the roof easier.
3) Luxury vinyl tile install
One of the last projects we completed in our first month of the van build was to install a luxury vinyl tile floor. I purchased three boxes of LVT in a beautiful blonde color from The Home Depot. We used a chop saw to cut the tiles to length and made sure to stagger the seams. It didn’t take long at all and was pretty easy.
4) Sliding Bed Platform Prototype
We built a sliding bed prototype out of 2x4s and 1x3s. It didn’t work quite as planned so we eventually rebuilt it with a fixed bed in mind but we’ll get to that later.
I was surprised that we completed so many projects in the first month. And it felt great!
What I learned from this process:
Grid Floor Frame
I would frame the floor with more than two 2x2" boards running the van's length. It would have alleviated some of the sponginess of the floor once the luxury vinyl tile was installed.
High-Grade Plywood
I would use a higher-grade plywood for the subfloor. We used sheathing and it ended up warping after it was glued down. We had to get creative and correct misaligned seams with Liquid Nails and some screws, washers, and flat brackets. Thankfully, it worked!
How much did it cost?
$15 – Rust prevention
$720 – Subfloor and Floor (Includes: plywood, XPS foam boards, luxury vinyl tile flooring, Minicell, spray adhesive, and silicone)
$524 – Maxxair Exhaust Fan (Includes: fan, roof fan vent adapter, Dicor lap sealant and butyl tape)
$1,259 TOTAL
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions.
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