On this episode of the RVing with Joe & Kait podcast, we sit down with Jonny Feld of Subject Van customized van conversions to debate the professionals and cons of constructing a customized camper van together with choosing the proper chassis, frequent regrets and must-have options in a customized camper van. Jonny additionally shares some distinctive and attention-grabbing customized van builds together with inquiries to ask and issues to contemplate when selecting a customized van builder.

“One mistake that most individuals make is making an attempt to make this van good for each attainable situation.”

Jonny Feld, CEO of Subject Van

Episode Visitor

Jonny Feld has been within the journey van trade since he was 9 years outdated. His mother and father Alan and Liz began Sportsmobile West in 1989. As a toddler he was at all times across the manufacturing unit and began working in gross sales at commerce reveals at age 14. In 2003 he went to work full time at Sportsmobile West within the gross sales division. Jonny was later promoted to Gross sales supervisor after which grew to become President in 2014. In 2020 Jonny left Sportsmobile and began Subject Van. Subject Van has places in Fresno, CA and Reno, NV. He’s married with two daughters and enjoys touring, the outside, spending time with family and friends and lengthy walks on the seaside.

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Sources Talked about on this Episode

Key Highlights

• Customization Focus: Begin the van-building course of by figuring out the first aim for the van. This personalised method ensures the van suits the proprietor’s way of life and wishes.
• Design for Frequent Use: A typical mistake is making an attempt to design a van that’s good for each attainable situation. As a substitute, give attention to making the van good for its main use and be keen to adapt for much less frequent conditions.
• Selecting the Proper Chassis: The alternative of van chassis is influenced by the supposed inside design and private preferences, reminiscent of proximity to dealership service facilities. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer; it’s about discovering the appropriate van for every particular person.
• Frequent Regrets and Should-Haves: Customized camper van prospects usually have regrets about sure options they thought they wanted, like a big lavatory or indoor kitchen, and notice they worth area or different facilities extra.
• Resale Worth and Versatility: Customized van builds ought to think about future resale worth.
• Selecting an Skilled and Licensed Builder: Deciding on a good and authorized builder ensures security, high quality, and the chance of getting a supportive guarantee and insurance coverage choices.

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Transcript

Jonny Feld One mistake that most individuals make is making an attempt to make this van good for each attainable situation. And that’s simply not going to occur. And so it’s like dialing it in and say, Hey, let’s make this good for, you recognize, 90-95% of the time. After which if it’s not good for these one-off situations, you take care of it then.

Kait Russo Welcome again to a different episode of RVing with Joe & Kait. Are you contemplating a customized camper van? Nicely, at present’s episode is for you. We’re speaking to Jonny Feld from Subject Van who’s going to share his experiences of constructing customized vans for his prospects.

Joe Russo Johnny, thanks for being on the podcast. You wish to inform everybody just a little bit about your self and what it’s you do?

Jonny Feld Joe and Kait, thanks for having me. My identify is Jonny Feld. I’m the CEO of Subject Van. We’re a customized van builder. So we’ll take the Sprinter chassis, the Ford Transits, Econoline, Chevy vans, and switch them right into a cellular camper, motorhome, cellular workplace, command heart, something you would possibly wish to do out of that van.

Joe Russo Nicely, the rationale we wished you on a podcast at present is to type of speak by the professionals and cons of constructing a customized van, quite a lot of the issues which are concerned, as a result of what number of years have you ever and your loved ones been doing this now?

Jonny Feld Since 1989. Yeah, 35 years now.

Joe Russo So I’d like to grasp if somebody goes to construct a customized van, among the issues they need to think about, among the pitfalls, among the, you recognize, good and unhealthy that you just’ve seen through the years.

Let’s begin with somebody who’s excited about constructing a customized van, what are the primary issues they need to actually be contemplating?

Jonny Feld It’s particular to everyone. And what I inform folks, what’s your first aim? Like, what’s your essential aim once you’re getting this van? Is it going to be a snug mattress? Is it perhaps, I wish to have a toilet bathe on the street wherever I am going. Or perhaps it’s you do canine reveals and also you want room in your canine crates. And so we type of begin there. It’s like, what’s most essential?

After which we type of work our manner down the record and say, OK, let’s say it’s I need a comfy mattress. I wish to have good sleep after I’m out tenting. And we’re going to get the mattress the dimensions you need. After which we’re going to go from there. Would you like a toilet bathe? Possibly they only do weekend journeys and may use an out of doors bathe. And that may save quite a lot of room on the within. After which, yeah, simply working our manner by the priorities and ensuring we test all of the bins that you just want.

One mistake that most individuals make is making an attempt to make this van good for each attainable situation. And that’s simply not going to occur. And our gross sales man, Brian, he has a very good analogy with that. He’s like, you recognize, Swiss Military knife, actually cool. It does all these items, has all these devices. Not a fantastic knife. You already know, you could find a greater knife on the market, however it does all these different issues.

And so once you’re designing your van, once more, perhaps your essential factor is I’m going to do weekend journeys and it’s going to be two of us and that is usually what’s going to occur. Let’s design it to that.

However I’ll have folks go, properly, what if my cousins are on the town after which their children have to return with us after which we’re beginning and it begins raining? After which what are we going to do then? It’s like, properly, simply take care of that. However don’t change the entire plan of your van round this perhaps what if situation. And so that you see that so much. And so it’s like dialing in, hey, let’s make this good for 90-95% of the time. After which if it’s not good for these one-off situations, you take care of it then.

So I feel that’s essential when excited about designing a customized van.

Kait Russo Almost about the chassis of the van, since there are such a lot of decisions, do you suggest that folks choose the chassis first? Or how do you information them by that course of?

Jonny Feld Yeah, we type of undergo it all of sudden, actually. So generally the choices that you really want on the within or what you’re going to do on the within will decide what chassis goes to be finest for you. In order that they do type of work collectively. However yeah, now we have to determine what van we’re going to be constructing on earlier than we begin constructing. So that’s undoubtedly one of many first issues we have to get dialed in.

And also you’re proper, there are quite a lot of choices. And everybody stated, what’s the most effective van? And there’s no finest van for everybody. There’s a finest van for every particular person. So we do speak by that. And quite a lot of it may be your location. Do you’ve a Mercedes dealership close by? Are you someplace the place you’re 200 miles to the closest Mercedes seller and you’ve got a Ford dealership in your yard.

So generally, you recognize, issues like that may drive a choice. However more often than not it does should do with the place you’re going, who you’re taking with you, what gear you’re taking with you, and the way lengthy you’re going to be on the market. And that’s the place we begin and decide which chassis goes to be finest for you.

Joe Russo Now, are there sure issues that prospects will ask for after which later type of both remorse placing in or remorse not placing in?

Jonny Feld Little question about it. We joke round right here. We inform everybody, purchase your third van, you’ve acquired it down. Particularly once we’re speaking about constructing a customized van. Issues that you just suppose you may want or suppose you’re going to make use of, chances are you’ll not. Then conversely, I don’t actually need a furnace. You then do a pair nights within the chilly and it’s like, it might be actual good to have a heater on this factor. It might probably actually lengthen our journey.

We see folks come again and do upgrades. One of many huge ones is the lavatory bathe. I do know you and I’ve talked about this up to now along with your rigs. Would you like a full huge lavatory bathe? Do you not? So I feel that one is commonly instances the largest remorse could be the massive lavatory. So I’ve folks say, you recognize now we have this huge lavatory and we by no means use it. It’s prefer it’s our closet now. If we might have devoted that area otherwise I feel we might get pleasure from our camper extra.

After which air-con and stoves. Everlasting stoves on the within are additionally one thing I’ve folks type of remorse. They are saying, you recognize, I by no means prepare dinner inside. I’m tenting. I’m cooking exterior. So having this range on my counter doesn’t make sense.

After which I discussed the heater. That’s one which most individuals remorse not getting in the event that they didn’t. As a result of like I stated, it actually can lengthen your tenting seasons. You are able to do among the chilly climate stuff and go locations like Yosemite right here in our yard within the winter time is attractive and so much much less crowded. So having that furnace there to maintain you heat and hold your water system from freezing too is a fairly good choice.

Joe Russo So once you talked about the stoves earlier, you additionally talked about AC. So do lots of people remorse getting AC?

Jonny Feld I don’t, perhaps regrets the improper phrase, however notice they don’t use it half as a lot as they thought they might. As a result of, you recognize, once you’re tenting, that’s the fantastic thing about these vans. You’re not caught the place you reside. You’ll be able to go wherever you want.

So if it’s 100 levels in Fresno the place I dwell right here, I’m not tenting right here. I’m going to go up within the mountains or I’m going to take a drive to the coast the place it cools down. And particularly, you’re cooped up in your van actually solely at night time until you’re driving. And naturally, whilst you’re driving, you bought your air-con and heater within the entrance.

However once you park and also you’re cooped up in your van, and you may in all probability communicate to this too, at excessive midday, you’re not sitting inside your van with all of your doorways closed. You’re out fishing or mountain climbing or hanging out, doing all of your outside actions primarily. I’m referring to extra the campers right here relatively than the full-time RVers. Folks notice the one time I’m actually cooped up on this factor is at night time. Usually, you open some home windows, get a fan going, and the AC isn’t tremendous crucial.

Joe Russo Now, when somebody is contemplating getting a customized van, they undergo the method, what are among the pitfalls that you just usually see? Possibly not essentially along with your firm Subject Van however perhaps with one other firm or different issues that you just’ve seen within the trade.

Jonny Feld One factor you undoubtedly wish to go to a good builder somebody who’s been round you recognize that they’re gonna have a guaranty, you recognize that they’re gonna stand behind the work and if issues do come up that you’ve assist there I feel that’s essential.

Additionally, having somebody who’s RVIA licensed so it’s Leisure Car Trade Affiliation and so they ship inspectors out and can randomly simply come by our store and be sure that we’re constructing a code and every thing is secure. Since you reside in these items and also you’re driving your children or have your loved ones sleeping in them, you wish to be sure that every thing is finished safely and correctly.

After which it could possibly go all the way down to issues like insurance coverage. You could be sure that firm is acknowledged by JD Energy and you will get insurance coverage and financing if you wish to finance your RV. So these forms of issues are essential when researching a builder.

After which so far as customized builds. When you’re the primary one who’s ever accomplished it, it’s by no means been constructed earlier than, there is perhaps a cause. So usually, once we do do one thing customized, it’s based mostly alongside one thing we’ve accomplished earlier than or certainly one of our normal fashions. And it would simply be, I’ve a buyer who’s 6’7″, so our typical 75 inch mattress simply isn’t going to chop it. He actually likes this ground plan, however what do we have to do to make this mattress greater? So we’ll type of take certainly one of our base plans after which regulate the mattress in that state of affairs.

We talked about canine crates earlier, particular gear. A variety of instances that can make sense. It’s like, okay, I must customise this round my canine crates or my surfboards or windsurfing tools, digicam tools. And so in case you do have very particular storage wants, I feel that’s a cause to go customized. However exterior of that, yeah, I imply, there’s a cause that sure plans are extra standard and that you just’ve accomplished them quite a lot of time as a result of they work. So making an attempt to get too inventive generally generally is a pitfall.

And then you definately even have to consider resale worth. As a result of what’s good for Joe and Kait won’t be good for everyone. And in case you do wish to transfer your van after just a few years or 10 years even and wish to go a distinct route, it’s good to have one thing that may work for extra of the lots than only a very small crowd.

Joe Russo Might you speak extra intimately concerning the like registering the automobile, insuring it and financing it and like what meaning with an organization like Subject Van versus an organization that’s small and isn’t acknowledged by you stated JD Energy?

Jonny Feld Yeah, JD Energy and we’re like within the NADA information. It’s type of just like the Kelly Blue Ebook. And in order that’s acknowledged by the banks. So in case you do wish to get a lender and finance your van, it’s essential to have that as information for the banks there.

After which from an insurance coverage standpoint, you will need to be acknowledged there too. So you possibly can ensure you get full substitute worth or a minimum of the depreciated worth that your van is value. As a result of once you purchase a van based mostly on the VIN quantity, it’s simply an empty cargo van. So once you go to insure that, you should be sure that, one, you’ve reclassified it along with your native DMV to be a Class B motorhome or a VC van camper. After which that can have affect in your insurance coverage and your charges as properly as a result of usually RVs and motorhomes have much less cases so far as insurance coverage corporations are involved. They pay out much less on RVs than they do on typical passenger automobiles and that’s primarily as a result of RVs are parked more often than not. You already know most individuals don’t use their RVs as an on a regular basis automobile, however within the Class B within the van sport you possibly can. However that doesn’t imply that it’s a must to pay on a regular basis automobile insurance coverage premiums. You will get a reduction by classifying it as an RV.

Kait Russo We’ve had the chance to check out two of your pop-top camper van builds on a really, I feel, actually strong format. Would you say that Summit S1 might be certainly one of your authentic layouts that you just guys began constructing on?

Jonny Feld Yeah, the S1, it’s the unique Volkswagen plan. So, I imply, it’s actually the bestselling van plan of all time is that S1.

And what it’s, it’s described to the listeners actual fast. You could have a galley proper behind the motive force’s seat on the motive force’s facet there. So you’ve your fridge and sink and stovetop or microwave there, room for a porta potty, some storage, after which extra storage alongside the rear there on the motive force’s facet. After which you’ve a forward-facing couch that converts to a mattress and a really open ground plan within the center. And that’s one thing I feel is pretty distinctive to Subject Van and our customized or our normal layouts I ought to say is we actually give attention to open area and roominess and storage gear.

Joe Russo By way of customized versus going into an RV dealership and shopping for one of many huge identify manufacturers, what would you say the benefits of getting one thing customized are? And the opposite type of query to go together with that’s I do know lots of people after they hear customized they only see greenback indicators and is that actually true? Is it going to be at all times dearer than the massive identify model?

Jonny Feld A customized usually can be a bit dearer as a result of it simply does take longer. You already know, once you’re pumping out the identical factor time and again from each the labor, elements, standpoint, it’s going to be much more environment friendly. And so you might be paying for that customized, that additional time that it takes from the engineering, the design course of, all the way down to the folks on the ground which are placing them collectively.

So usually, sure, you will pay just a little extra for customized. And so far as the benefits, there won’t be a bonus so that you can go customized. I imply, there is perhaps a cookie, and there’s a cause, once more, like quite a lot of these ground plans are standard and cookie cutter plans, as a result of they do work for all kinds of individuals. But when it doesn’t have room in your espresso maker, Joe, you may need to design one thing.

Or once more, you recognize, I am going again to quite a lot of the gear, the canine, or, you recognize, we’re constructing one for a police division that’s going to be a drone, type of like cellular station. In order that they fly the drones in now to crime scenes as an alternative of sending canine or folks in hurt’s manner, they will fly the drones in. So yeah, that’s clearly, you’re not gonna go to an RV lot and discover a drone command heart van. And so, these forms of issues, clearly, you gotta go customized. However once you’re speaking about motor houses and Class B campers, yeah, you don’t essentially should until you’ve some very particular wants like that.

Kait Russo I really like following your Instagram account since you showcase so many cool, distinctive campers that you just all are constructing. And I feel I bear in mind seeing one that you just had constructed for a fisherman or somebody who’s actually into fishing, however may you speak by among the actually cool and distinctive builds that you just’ve accomplished just lately?

Jonny Feld Yeah, that fishing van was actually cool. So it, we principally did a rear lavatory that additionally may type of double as like a fish. I don’t know in case you’d actually wish to do the cleansing there, however so far as, I imply, you possibly can pack your fish in and. It was all in a bathtub there within the again, so every thing could possibly be contained and straightforward to maintain clear. We did customized rod holders down one facet so he may have all his rods organized. Hanging clips for waders, so the waders and every thing, any moist gear primarily was capable of cling there and drip dry into the bathe tub.

And we even accomplished vans that have been releasing mosquitoes. I feel Google did that venture the place that they had sure mosquitoes that might impregnate the opposite mosquitoes and type of assist scale back the mosquito inhabitants. We’ve accomplished some the place folks touring with pets. So we did a customized chook cage and one we had our guys within the again. They known as it the escalante del gato and we needed to do a cat ladder for our pop prime. So the cat at night time may rise up and down. So it was simply, yeah, customized little ladder for the cat.

Joe Russo Once we came over you years in the past, you had a consumer that had purchased a number of vans from you and also you have been making one with an enormous, the entire again finish was a slide and he would drive to the seaside, he may slide it out and he had his train bike on there and exercise tools and he would simply jam on the seaside.

Jonny Feld Oh yeah, yeah, the train van. Yeah, it had tie down factors for the resistance exercises inside. Yeah, he even wished the bike to have the ability to rise up on the roof so he could possibly be on the roof rack with that. We didn’t fairly pull that one. However yeah, there are quite a lot of attention-grabbing requests that we’ve had through the years. There’s little doubt about it.

Kait Russo Once we meet lots of people at these van expos and Overland Expos, folks will ask, you recognize, we’re a household of 5 or 6. And a lot of the normal cookie cutter vans that you just discover on the dealerships carry two, three, 4.

Joe Russo Yep.

Kait Russo So we normally say, properly, you need to take a look at the customized van area, proper? Like Subject Van may customise the van in your greater household. So may you speak by just a little bit, perhaps of among the plans that you just all have accomplished for a much bigger household? And, trigger I bear in mind seeing one van you had that had three ranges of sleeping.

Joe Russo Yeah, the Transit.

Jonny Feld That’s proper. Yeah. In order that transit, yeah, that was in our Summit 2 plan and it does, it has that decrease couch that makes right into a mattress after which simply behind it and above it’s a, a Flarespace, a mattress that goes sideways. So type of an elevated platform mattress.

After which in fact with our well-known pop prime, you possibly can broaden the roof on that mid-roof transit or the decrease sprinter and get the additional sleeping bunk up there. So yeah, three, and what’s cool about that’s it’s nonetheless the quick van. So this factor can actually seat and sleep six. It has all of the facilities besides the bathe lavatory, so it does use the skin bathe, however it has a porta potty, it has a fridge, range, microwave, tons of storage, open ground area, and yeah, three separate beds and suits in a traditional parking spot. So that could be a fairly cool format.

After which we additionally do one on the prolonged Sprinter, so the 170 or 170 prolonged. We simply had one exit the place it had seating up within the entrance, just a little galley, after which the identical type of mattress state of affairs, a settee mattress, after which a platform mattress. After which we did the SCA high-roof pop prime on the 170. And in order that factor, I feel it may seat eight and sleep as much as seven in case you use the cool Luno cab mattress. So yeah, it was fairly cool. And it was open and tons of drugs. I actually favored that van. It was enjoyable.

We had it as a demo van for a bit and we’d even take it like we have been going to exit to dinner or one thing, get a driver. You can flip the entrance seats, flip it in like a limo within the again. It was very versatile. Cool, cool plan.

Joe Russo I really like that. Nicely, I do know you additionally, past simply customizing the inside, you’re additionally doing so much with the outside of the vans. And might you discuss that along with your suspension methods and different issues?

Jonny Feld So we work with quite a lot of the producers within the trade so far as suspension goes, you recognize, among the standard names in fact, Agile Off-Street and Van Compass. So it boils all the way down to our prospects and what they need. And so we’re capable of provide all kinds of the suspension methods. Invictus is one other system that we’re working with. After which Quigley 4×4, in fact, we work carefully with the folks at Quigley and so they do a carry package for the Transit all-wheel drive. After which they do 4×4 conversions on the Transits and the Chevy GMC vans.

After which you’ve equipment. You’ve acquired like Aluminess with their roof racks and Owl Vans with their good bins and CA Tuned with their entrance bumpers. And what’s been enjoyable seeing it type of tack onto that’s seeing this van area develop. All of the folks within the trade are getting higher. So the roof racks are getting cooler and the bumpers and winches and suspension methods. I imply, yeah, these guys are leaping these vans now.

The final van present we went to, Van Compass was getting air of their van and I imply, it’s unbelievable. They’re like rallying these totally, you recognize, 10,000 pound campers. Yeah, it’s been enjoyable to see the trade progress and to have the ability to provide, you recognize, any variety of these choices to our prospects, construct them, you recognize, the right van.

Joe Russo Yeah, my favourite continues to be the Inexperienced Machine we borrowed from you guys with the complete Atlas switch case and all that different great things.

Jonny Feld Yeah, that one, you wish to discuss exterior stuff. So on the Traditional that you just’re referring to, we take a cab chassis from Ford and Joe, once you see this factor are available in, you’re like, there’s no manner that’s going to develop into the Inexperienced Machine. It’s simply this little, yeah, like U-Haul field trying provider with out the field. So we’re capable of design a physique out of fiberglass that resembles the classical Econoline vans. And we put that on the again.

We do, such as you talked about, the Atlas switch case. We convert that factor from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive, add a six inch suspension carry utilizing Betts Springs and Fox shocks. Customized rig that you just actually can’t discover wherever besides right here at Subject Van.

Kait Russo I bear in mind once we all visited you on the manufacturing unit, at the moment you have been nonetheless accepting prospects who introduced in their very own vans for you all to outfit. Is that one thing you continue to provide?

Jonny Feld Yeah, we do. So you possibly can both purchase your entire factor from us model new and go, yeah, A to Z, or in case you already personal a van, you possibly can carry it in and do a full conversion.

One other standard factor now we have is our prime solely, we name it. So in case you simply need the pop prime, you possibly can herald your empty van and we’ll put the highest on there to provide the additional sleeping and get up top.

And now we have a base camp line too, the place perhaps you simply need some partitions insulation in a mattress and in a furnace. So we are able to do some smaller builds and stuff like that as properly. So yeah, it’s all kinds of choices.

Joe Russo If somebody wished to try this. Would they or ought to they contact you first to type of speak by the van they’re excited about getting earlier than they get it?

Jonny Feld Sure. We’ve had that earlier than. I had a man present up, test this factor out. What I purchased, I used to be like, properly, what you wish to do just isn’t going to work with that van. I’m sorry. So yeah, it is extremely helpful to speak with us or your builder earlier than going and shopping for a van and to verify all of your goals can come actuality in that platform.

Kait Russo You stated, you recognize, by your third van, you’ve constructed your dream van. If somebody begins their first van with Subject Van, um, and so they wish to make modifications, how, how easy may or not it’s for you all to only make tweaks to their van that you just already constructed? Or is it higher to only begin over again?

Jonny Feld All of it relies upon. Many events. Yeah. It’s higher to start out over again as a result of, uh, you recognize, promote that van after which purchase an empty slate as a result of going to tearing out every thing you’ve accomplished, you’re going to have holes in locations that match and end. You must redo all of it. Now you’re scrapping all that great things. It is perhaps good for another person who would possibly like that format after which ranging from scratch.

However then that’s one thing we speak to the customer about throughout the construct out course of. And we are saying, OK, do you suppose perhaps you may want a heater sooner or later? Or do you suppose an AC is one thing that is perhaps? And what we are able to do is type of put together for that on sure objects. Now, you recognize, some issues like, particularly just like the water heaters and people who actually combine, it’s finest, it’s type of a now or by no means choice we name it.

However then you’ve these actual straightforward ones like the outside choices, like an awning. It’s like, I don’t know if I need an awning, I don’t know if I’ll, properly, go tenting in your van and see in case you’re on the market and determine, you recognize, it’d be actual good to have a crank out shade right here and in case you suppose that’s the case, carry it again and we’ll put an awning on there. So yeah, it is extremely choice particular relating to redoing or including choices to the vans.

Joe Russo One query I had by way of guarantee is lots of people talked about that one of many causes to go along with a model identify RV, so to talk, or huge identify RV is as a result of they’ve guarantee facilities throughout the nation and you may take it in any seller that sells their product and get your guarantee work accomplished. How do you all take care of your guarantee stuff when persons are not round certainly one of your two places?

Jonny Feld We’ve developed a very good relationship with numerous RV restore facilities, different van builders throughout the nation.

And so our guarantee, now we have finest guarantee within the enterprise with a 5 -year limitless mile. I acquired to throw that on the market, 5 yr limitless mile guarantee. And you’ll take it to your native RV restore heart. And we’d simply work with their technicians to find out the reason for the difficulty, get the restore accomplished, and get you in your manner.

Kait Russo I wish to discuss bogs for a second as a result of that’s at all times a very fashionable subject that folks wish to focus on. Like, the place’s your bathroom within the van? Do you’ve any recommendation or ideas for folks to contemplate when selecting what kind of bathroom, in the event that they even need one of their van from, you recognize, the composting or a normal black tank to a porta potty?

Jonny Feld A variety of it will depend on the period of time you’re going to be spending in your van. If you’re full time residing in it, you recognize, these composting choices will be attention-grabbing. However in case you’re solely utilizing it periodically, the composting factor actually doesn’t work, proper? As a result of it’s one thing that you just type of continually should take care of. And so in case you’re going to park your van for six months and go take it out for a weekend, you recognize, composting actually isn’t very best.

The porta potties are very cheap, straightforward to make use of. That’s what I sometimes use are the fundamental Thetford porta potties which have their very own contained tank. It’s type of just like the cartridge type cassette bogs, however you possibly can dump them down any bathroom. And so what’s good about that’s after I get residence from my journey, I can simply take that factor into my lavatory and pour it out and simply clear it. After which you’ve the marine bogs the place it’s a must to go to a dump station.

You guys, I’m positive, have skilled dump stations in all of your travels, however they’re not probably the most enjoyable factor to go to, particularly after a busy weekend, you’re an extended line of individuals in entrance of you doing the identical factor you’re about to do. So I do have some prospects that perhaps have easy accessibility to 1 domestically or they’ve that plumbed in at their residence to allow them to make that extra handy.

Yeah, it’s very person particular. You already know, what services you’ve entry to. Are you going to be in your van full time or is it extra of a weekend factor? And are there any timber close by that could possibly be a greater various?

Additionally they have the cool, just like the Laveo the place it’s type of just like the bag bogs. These are type of the, I name it the wealthy folks’s porta potty as a result of they just a bit dearer and you recognize, you bought to purchase the luggage and all that. However, uh, very handy and really straightforward to only get rid of the luggage. Plenty of choices to have your butt lined.

Kait Russo Now, can we discuss timing in the event that they order the entire thing from you, together with the chassis? What’s the construct time distinction between going with, let’s say, a Summit S1 format versus one thing that’s totally customized?

Jonny Feld All of it will depend on the automobile and timing. So generally we will get you proper in, relying on the manufacturing circulate. Possibly now we have a van coming in or in inventory otherwise you present your personal van and we are able to get that going. However in some circumstances, in case you’re trying to order a selected Transit or Sprinter lately, it may be six months earlier than you even see the van. And in order that’ll slot proper into our manufacturing, you recognize, so far as when that van arrives.

However yeah, you talked about normal ground plan versus customized. It’s usually a pair months distinction, perhaps six to 10 weeks. Extra to do one thing customized than in case you’re getting certainly one of our normal plans by way of the inside builds.

Kait Russo By way of the inside construct, are there particular options that you just at all times suggest folks think about?

Jonny Feld the furnace we type of touched on I feel that one is one thing as a result of not everybody would suppose they would want that. You already know most issues folks just like the fridge and having a sink and so they all include an out of doors bathe. These are issues that nobody’s actually going to not wish to have of their van.

So a part of our normal plans, even our customized plans, we type of begin with like our base bundle and that features a fridge, contains your water system, your exterior bathe, it contains all of the insulation. After which you’ve your decisions.

What’s cool about our normal plans even is you possibly can select your choices there. You would possibly choose certainly one of our normal plans, however you need a greater fridge or a distinct measurement water tank or this furnace choice or this air-con or this battery system.

So despite the fact that you might be selecting certainly one of our normal plans, there’s nonetheless quite a lot of customization to be accomplished so far as the choices go, you recognize, the colours of the supplies, you get to select your cabinetry and your counter tops and flooring and fabric. So even our normal stuff has a stage of customization to it.

Joe Russo And talking of which, what occurs once you get somebody in, they’ve picked all their materials and every thing else, and some months later they’re like, hey, by the best way, I wish to make this transformation or I wish to do that or I wish to do this all through the constructing course of.

Jonny Feld Oh that’s by no means occurred earlier than, Joe. Yeah, now we have an entire sign-off sheet program for that. And once more, we focus on this, attempt to be very clear up entrance with the shoppers, saying, hey, look, as soon as we get this going, it’s in. Now, these things, we perhaps have just a little time to waffle on. Possibly your wheel and tire alternative, you’re not completely bought on but. We will type of go away that.

However yeah, the center of the van, as soon as we’re rolling. Your ground for instance within the van, as soon as that flooring is down every thing goes on prime of it. So it’s not like at your own home it’s like oh let’s simply exchange the carpet we’ll simply transfer the sofa and the top desk. It’s like no you’re gonna unbolt your whole furnishings from this van if you wish to exchange that ground. So we do a really sturdy ground that by no means must be changed and yeah so issues like that you just wish to have your thoughts fairly properly made up as soon as manufacturing is rolling.

Kait Russo Now, have you ever ever had a state of affairs the place somebody introduced an enormous producer Class B hamper to you and stated, hey, may you customise this for me by eradicating this or redoing the format?

Jonny Feld And sure, now we have. And we sometimes steer clear of that. You already know, each builder has their manner of doing issues and it’s actually laborious to mesh the 2 simply from a supplies and match and end standpoint. We take quite a lot of satisfaction in our match and end and the look of our van. Yeah, to have some type of a Frankensteiny kind of construct would possibly get bizarre. However yeah, we sometimes steer clear of that.

Now, so far as suspension goes or including an awning, stuff on the outside, we’re all about that. So you possibly can carry your Winnebago in and we’ll work on that type of stuff. However from an inside standpoint, we don’t do an entire lot.

Kait Russo Is there one thing very distinctive that’s particular to Fieldvan?

Jonny Feld I feel probably the most distinctive factor we do is our Ford Traditional. It’s one of the succesful off-roading motor houses that an individual should buy due to its 4×4 system and due to its measurement. There’s another actually superior EarthRoamers on the market and International Expedition Automobiles, however as a result of sheer measurement of these issues, they will’t essentially deal with the Jeep trails and among the extra superior off-roading trails that our Classics are capable of deal with.

After which what actually units us aside from most builders is our years of expertise. We now have constructed 1000’s of customized vans. That actually can’t be replicated, that have from not solely our design and gross sales employees, however the guys on the ground constructing them and placing them collectively. That have goes a good distance. And it additionally can assist us information you in your choice making. So perhaps we get it proper by your second van.

However yeah, the aim is at all times, you recognize, as a result of our prospects are additionally, I imply, they develop into our pals. You come to a few of our occasions, you recognize, like Overland Expo and the Journey Van Expos the place we’re tenting with our prospects and we’re sharing beers and having meals. So we’re very motivated for everybody to have a optimistic expertise. And that additionally in flip, our prospects develop into our greatest gross sales reps as a result of they’re on the market within the campgrounds, they’re utilizing their van. I’ve some people who find themselves like, I by no means knew I used to be going to be such a celeb. I can’t even get out of a fuel station with out folks developing and asking me about my van. It’s so cool. I’m positive you bought a few of that once you acquired to take the Inexperienced Machine.

We use our van’s too. So we’re on the market tenting and that’s what’s gotten, now we have now 12 normal ground plans. I do know it feels like so much. Simply so properly thought out and refined and it’s been, they’ve been developed by taking notes over all of the years of all of the builds that we’ve accomplished. As a result of yeah, somebody such as you would possibly are available in with unbelievable concept and we’ve by no means constructed one like that earlier than and we do it and we prefer it and now we are able to incorporate that into future builds.

So yeah, there’s there’s so much that type of makes us distinctive as a result of we’re, we’re pretty giant, you recognize, now we have that guarantee, now we have that RVIA, however we nonetheless type of have that small household enterprise really feel. We all know your identify and you may come tour the manufacturing unit and stage of customer support is elevated usually. In order that’s what we try for anyway.

Joe Russo For anybody listening on the market who’s searching for a customized van, what are some questions they need to be asking a possible builder that they’re ?

Jonny Feld Guarantee is essential expertise certification security all that type of stuff after which you recognize It’s asking your self quite a lot of questions is what it’s. It’s you recognize, once more, what’s most essential to me? What what am I gonna remorse not having? What am I gonna want I did totally different actually give attention to the primary use of that van?

So once more if it’s like I wish to take this factor snowboarding that’s what the imaginative and prescient you’ve in your head Nicely, let’s let’s make sure that it’s very properly insulated. Let’s make sure that now we have a furnace. Let’s make sure that it has room in your ski gear and you recognize all that type of stuff so you recognize your essential perform and function of that van is goes to go as flawless as it could possibly.

Earlier than you get into this and it’s an enormous funding, speak to folks, go to the reveals, lease one. So we work with an organization, I imply there’s Outdoorsy, so there’s rental platforms the place you possibly can lease an entire slew of various RVs and motorhomes. You’ll be able to attempt various things on the market.

However if you wish to lease a Subject Van, you possibly can go to an organization known as Moterra. And so they have a few of our S1s. They’ve just a few of our totally different fashions. And so they have places all around the nation. And so you possibly can go attempt it out for just a few nights or do every week journey and see if that is the appropriate factor for you. Or perhaps attempt the pop prime out and see the way you prefer it. And that may additionally assist once you’re constructing your van. So in case you’ve had that likelihood to camp, perhaps it gained’t be your third van. Possibly you’ll get it proper in your first or second since you’ve had some expertise there, you recognize what you want and also you didn’t like when you had the chance to make use of them.

So, yeah, our pals over at Moterra, and so they do, they inventory the vans with all of the gear that you just want. You actually simply should go to the shop and get your espresso or no matter and your meals and also you’re able to rock. And the opposite cool factor about having them at a number of places is perhaps you too wish to discover the south or the pacific northwest, however it’s a 3 day drive so that you can get to you recognize, Seattle space or one thing. Nicely, you possibly can fly in there after which simply lease the van from there and do this localized journey after which fly residence and it may prevent, you recognize, nearly every week.

So plenty of enjoyable avenues to get into this, even in case you can’t take that, you recognize, $150,000, $200,000 plunge straight away. There are different methods to go expertise it.

Kait Russo If somebody on the east coast was considering working with you all in a customized van, ought to they fly out towards the manufacturing unit, meet you all? Like, what’s the nice, what do you suggest?

Jonny Feld Yeah, I extremely suggest flying out to the manufacturing unit. We take excellent care of you. We choose you up on the airport. We carry you in, offer you a full tour of the manufacturing unit, present you a bunch of vans in progress so you possibly can see the standard of the work. After which in our showroom, now we have a number of accomplished fashions.

And there’s nothing like getting contained in the van and getting a really feel for the area and the choices. You already know, one factor, it on paper and photos and in movies, you will get a good suggestion. However till you’ve laid down on the mattress, and stroll by the aisles and open the drawers and slam some doorways. You already know, you don’t actually precisely know what you’re stepping into.

So, yeah, I inform folks come to the manufacturing unit and I inform folks go go to different builders as properly. Go have a look at the competitors after which come out to our manufacturing unit and I feel you’ll be impressed.

Joe Russo And I feel going again to what you stated earlier is that if they’re within the space, come to one of many expos. Personally, I feel that’s the most effective methods just isn’t solely do you get to see completed vans, speak to you guys, however then they will sit down and speak to homeowners. And undergo vans and see what they really appear like lived in.

As a result of to me, the largest distinction between these vans is strolling in and seeing how somebody has truly used it, the place they’re placing their stuff, what it seems like truly used. And that’s at all times been the most effective indicator to me of how good of a van is it.

Jonny Feld That is a wonderful level. Yeah, as a result of every thing seems good within the showroom and in photos, you may make all of it look good. However yeah, once you’re on the market, and speaking to homeowners too, and asking them, hey, what did you do? And perhaps discover somebody like-minded, and it’s like, what would you’ve accomplished totally different? Or what choices do you would like you had? And yeah, discussing that with homeowners and seeing how the van’s holding up.

I’ve had a number of prospects come again to me, say, I noticed this stunning van on Instagram, and the tile backsplash. After which subsequent factor you recognize, 10,000 miles down the street, the tiles are all cracked and that is failing and that’s failing. So there’s a stability there too between aesthetics and the perform and sturdiness.

One of many sayings I like to make use of is we’re constructing houses which are in very critical earthquakes every single day. Since you are banging round on these filth roads. I imply, even happening the freeways right here in California, you’re getting beat up. And so your inside is in an earthquake every single day, each time you employ that van. And so it’s acquired to be put collectively in a manner that it’s not going to rattle free. I hate squeaks. I hate rattles. They drive me nuts. And so with the ability to ask folks about that too, and see how their cabinetry is held up and the way the upholstery takes care of 100 nights sleeping in it, these are all essential issues. In order that’s a fantastic level, Joe.

Kait Russo I do know you’ve constructed some vans for some fairly cool celebrities. Are you allowed to love share who these celebrities are or is that type of hush hush?

Jonny Feld No, it’s okay, yeah. It’s humorous, the those that we promote our vans to, everyone seems to be so all the way down to earth, even the celebrities. We promote to CEOs of main firms, they arrive in and also you wouldn’t know that the particular person’s a billionaire standing throughout from you, you recognize? And in order that’s at all times been attention-grabbing.

However yeah, certainly one of our favorites, and relaxation in peace, Jimmy Buffett. We constructed two vans for Jimmy and that’s one of many nicest guys you’ll ever meet. We additionally constructed a van for Zac Efron and his brother Dylan. They’re very adventurous, outdoorsy folks and actually, actually cool guys and so they do quite a lot of superior stuff with their van.

We’re additionally constructing the third van for Ty Burrell. He’s a star on the Fashionable Household sequence and good household man, simply nice, nice man. Humorous and good and really humble and all the way down to earth. We get to satisfy quite a lot of cool folks, even well-known folks just like the Russos. I really like seeing on the expos the place persons are like, I watch you on YouTube, can we take an image? It occurs each time.

It’s enjoyable. Our prospects make the job satisfying. The one laborious factor is you’ve these folks coming again or sending us photos and so they’re in all these superior locations. I’ve a buyer down in Baja proper now who’s sending me updates and I’m simply jealous.

Kait Russo The one query we ask everyone seems to be what’s one thing you would like you knew about RVing earlier than you began?

Jonny Feld For me, I don’t know. I began after I was 9. And so I really feel like I’ve seen so much and I didn’t even know what I used to be stepping into after I acquired into it. You already know, by the point I used to be like 14 years outdated, I used to be a gross sales rep for, on the time we have been Sportsmobile West, and I’d work just like the LA Auto Present and among the greater RV Reveals.

And after I was 14, I regarded like I used to be about 10. And so I’d have folks coming as much as me and I’d be answering their query. They’d be like, how are you aware a lot about this?

And so I began at such a younger age, however so far as for the lots, one factor that’s attention-grabbing to know is the kind of tenting that’s accessible on the market that’s totally different for everyone. It’s not simply nationwide parks and campgrounds. It’s BLM land and also you too know all about that’s among the extra distant tenting that may be actually superior.

However then it additionally shifts all the best way again the opposite technique to like driveway tenting and parking zone tenting and city tenting and all these cool issues that you are able to do along with your van or motorhome.

Yeah, we have been on a street journey and you recognize, we wished to go to Denver and go to a baseball sport there and so we’re in a position to try this in camp in our pal’s driveway. And perhaps we wish to go all the way down to the coast. I’ve some pals that dwell over close to Santa Barbara. There’s no campgrounds or something over there. However guys acquired a pleasant place close to the seaside and a driveway like we are able to go camp there after which you recognize go expertise the town and eat on the eating places.

And so yeah tenting isn’t at all times similar to hey, we’re hanging out at a campground Yosemite. It’s additionally not hey we’re out in the course of nowhere with no one else it may be city and so there’s simply so many cool methods to get pleasure from your RV.

Soccer tournaments. I’ve lots of people say that, boy, I take this and my children at a event or wrestling event all day and we’re within the gymnasium after which they’ve a two hour break. We will’t actually go residence. So we return to the van and we take a nap or we acquired our kitchen there with us and watch some TV. And so there’s simply so many cool makes use of for van campers and motorhomes typically that I feel yeah, folks ought to broaden their minds after they begin excited about the kind of journey and experiences they may have.

Joe Russo I at all times inform folks after I meet them, particularly ones who’ve households, that in case you’re spending this sort of cash on a automobile, use it extra. And simply use it as you’re like once you exit for the day. Like Kate and I’ll take the van once we go to Costco or issues as a result of we are able to throw all these items that must be in a fridge or freezer within the van and we don’t should rush again residence.

If we wish to make lunch, a cup of espresso, one thing like that, we are able to do it. And in case you have children and so they’re beginning to put up a fuss or certainly one of them will get soaked in water or one thing like that, take them within the van and hose them off or no matter you should do.

Jonny Feld Yeah. My dad nonetheless drives his, it’s his solely automobile. It’s his 2010 Econoline 4×4. And he calls it his man purse. He’s like, it’s acquired every thing I would like in it. So he likes having it with him on a regular basis. It’s such as you stated, yeah, you simply by no means know. You would possibly want one thing. He’s acquired it in his huge man purse.

Joe Russo Jonny, thanks a lot for being on the podcast. We actually admire your time.

Jonny Feld I actually loved hanging with you and may’t wait to see you at Expo.

Joe Russo I hope you loved this episode of RVing with Joe & Kait. When you’re on the lookout for a hyperlink to Subject Van or any of the opposite assets we talked about in at present’s video, take a look at the present notes. You’ll additionally discover a hyperlink there from my two books, Take Dangers and Tales from the Open Street.

And for these of you who’re presently within the shopping for technique of your first RV, in case you’re on the lookout for assist or simply want somebody to speak by all of the totally different choices on the market, I do provide a training service on how you can discover or purchase your good RV. That hyperlink may also be within the present notes.

Kait Russo And be sure you give us a score and a comply with on whichever podcasting platform you’re listening on. Thanks for tuning in. We’ll see you on the street.

Joe Russo Bye, guys.