By Cheri Sicard
You are not going to believe the stealth RV that John, an Army veteran, built out of an old FedEx van.
John plans to live in the RV while using his GI Bill to become a helicopter pilot. He only has about 25K into the build, but this innovative stealth RV is built with both room and function in mind at every step.
John started with a 1998 FedEx step van with a 60-gallon diesel tank. He watched more than 400 YouTube videos researching this project, and the project took him nearly four years.
From the outside and from the front windows it just looks just like an ordinary old delivery truck. John did not alter anything in the driver’s cab from the original FedEx truck.
But the look of things changes drastically once you get inside.
However, if it’s not your RV, you are going to have a very hard time getting inside. This stealth RV is a FORTRESS!
You have to pass through two pretty serious doors to even get from the driving cabin to the living space.
Inside it is stylishly outfitted with wood and sheet metal. The small contemporary space almost has the feel of a big city loft.
There is not a single nail in the entire build. Everything is screwed. John says he probably has $1,000 worth of screws invested in the rig. As we talked about in a previous video, there are an extraordinary amount of different screws in most RVs.
Most of the building materials for this FedEx truck to RV conversion came from Home Depot. Except for the plywood. John says that Lowe’s has a much better plywood selection.
Inside features include:
- A LARGE 12-volt refrigerator/freezer
- Extra-deep storage drawers
- Extra water tank that doubles as a bench or counter space
- Huge kitchen sink with deluxe faucet
- Slide out pantries
- A large fiberglass shower
- Butcher block counters
- An amazing wallpaper bargain that really works
- A HUGE microwave oven
- Folding clothes-drying rack in the bathroom
- 90 gallons fresh water
- Interior tanks to facilitate all-weather RVing
- Heavy insulation in the floor and roof
- Roof solar panels
- 40-inch TV with surround sound and subwoofers using the gray tank for reverberations
Be sure to watch until the end of the video. You are not going to believe the massive under-the-bed step-down “garage” that holds bikes and other sporting equipment.
Incredible!
[From an editor: I recommend you watch this. It is more than incredible! I got hooked watching the video when I just clicked on it to check the link. And I never watch videos or anything! Oh, and Cheri and I aren’t the only ones impressed with this conversion. The video has had more than 5.26 million views since Dec. 17, 2021! Thank you for your service, John. —Diane]
##RVDT1931
IMPRESSIVE…WELL DONE!!!! You are focused, meticulous, creative, inspiring!!!! God bless you and thanking you for your service.
I would be worried that people could see the solar panels on top and then they would know somethings going on in there
Luckily the truck is over 10 ft tall and the solar panels are really hard to see from the ground, You can kind of see the edges of them but it just looks like a roof rack. All my helicopter friends see them all the time but they already know I live in here lol.
How did he hide the solar panels on top
The truck is over 10 ft tall and the solar panels are really hard to see from the ground, You can kind of see the edges of them but it just looks like a roof rack. All my helicopter friends see them all the time but they already know I live in here lol.
He has done an exceptional job . I have done something similar. Wish I could talk to him.
Hi, Doug. Google stepvan88m and you might find some way to contact John on one of his social media pages. He certainly has done an exceptional job on this van, and his enthusiasm is contagious! Good luck, and have a great day! 😀 –Diane
Easiest way to contact me is to Private message me on the Instagram mentioned at the end of the video.
Hi, John. I’m glad you found this video of your RV reposted on RVtravel.com. Now you can see all of the praise from our readers on your very impressive conversion. Wow! I even added my recommendation for readers to watch it because I was so impressed. (I don’t think I’ve personally recommended anyone watch a video we’ve posted before. Just sayin’. 😉 ) And thank you again for your service. Good luck with your new profession. Take care. 😀 –Diane
I like everything the only thing I don’t understand is why he used that hot water heater. I’d use a on-demand heater they are cheap and propane is the way to go especially for a stove. I don’t like those stupid induction cook tops.
But hey wait till he’s did a few years I bet it will look like a different vehicle. He’s still thinking like a apartment dweller..
I went with an electric water heater because I didn’t want to learn an entirely new trade on top of the several other entirely new trades that I learned simultaneously when building a house from scratch with no experience. Also I did not want to have to deal with the hazmat of having a propane tank when I drive places or the danger of it leaking.
I was wondering why he didn’t upgrade the cab but I think stealth is the answer. I would have to put in a cassette or other camping toilet. He is to be commended for his excellent layout and carpentry skills. All the insulation is brilliant too.
Great conversion but I have one question…..where is the toilet?
Exactly what I was thinking. Suppose there will be more videos to come as he does more work. Not even sure he’s had a chance to use it!
Snoopy
I think he is living in his van. And I found this comment from him on a Reddit page: “… I live in a van so I can be financially free and part of living in a van involves sitting on a bucket.” So he probably has a composting toilet or equivalent hiding in a cupboard in there somewhere. 😀 –Diane
Everything changes after a few months living in it.
3 tanks sounds like a pain for Everything. The more connections the more risk of failure.
It’s a nice build but I bet after a year it will be totally changed.
It’s one thing to use for weekends it’s totally different living 24/7. I don’t see this set up lasting.
People tend to over think their first build. But he has a great vehicle to try Everything till he gets it right
Going on nine months of daily living and I haven’t changed anything yet. It looks identical as it did in the video except much messier lol.
Hey John, wow that’s all I can say! You really have shown that you have extreme creativity! You’ve done an amazing job on your well thought out projects. Just thinking on how many different areas that you had to address, especially your carpentry skills. Your thought out planning really shines in all aspects! Congratulations on your project & all in a 25k budget, I have a hard time that Home Depot hasn’t come into play with a sponsorship of some type, I mean you’ve mentioned them a lot of times & used a ton of their products. Thanks for your service & good luck with getting your pilots license!
Snoopy
Thanks, I actually got my private pilot helicopter license a few weeks ago and I’m currently working on my instrument rating.
Holy cow!! By far one of THE best DIY van builds I’ve seen. An incredible amount of thought put into it and it definitely shows.
Nice job on the van<
WOWWWW. That’s all I can say. Very talented. Great build. Good luck sir and thank you for your service.
I agree. This is absolutely incredible! I clicked on it just to make sure it worked when I was proofing the post, and I was hooked! (I never watch videos or anything.) Thanks for posting this, Cheri. 😀 –Diane
I was sure impressed with it. I LOVE the stealth aspect too.
Yes! That makes it even more impressive and super-cool!