The Van That Shook the Internet 7 Years Ago... It's Back and Better! MEGA Airstream B190 VanLife

The Ultimate Airstream Van Tour - 7 Years Later, It's Still Going Strong

The "Mega Airstream" is back! Seven years ago, I gave you a tour of my 1997 Airstream B190 camper van, and that video went viral with over 5 million views. It also brought a lot of comments—some loving, and some filled with hate. They said it was a waste of money, that it would break down, and that I'd regret my choices.

Well, this van is still here, doing better than ever. In this full, updated tour, I'm addressing all the comments and showing you every upgrade and feature that makes this classic rig a modern, self-contained adventure vehicle. From the Ford V10 engine and a custom UJoint 4x4 conversion to the massive Lithionics lithium battery bank that replaced the old generator, this van is built for purpose-driven travel. I'll show you why I don't need a black tank, why I don't use a campsite, and how this van has truly changed my life. Join me, Patrick Botticelli, as I take you on a detailed journey through the evolution of the Mega Airstream.

Core Vehicle & Powertrain:
1997 Airstream B190 camper van (Ford E-Series 350 extended chassis)
Ford V10 gas engine
UJoint Off-Road 4x4 conversion
Dana 60 front axle and Fox shocks
24-gallon shortened fuel tank (due to conversion)
109,000 miles on the odometer

Exterior & Safety Features:
Original faded paint with no rust (lived in Arizona)
Vantage Optics headlights and side lights
Raptor-lined hood with added vents
Custom Raptor-looking front grill
Front camera for safety
Aluminess front and rear bumpers
Aluminess swing-arm spare tire carrier
Pelican case storage box mounted on the rear
Bright LED tail lights and backup lights
Hitch receiver for towing (up to 5,000 lbs)
OneUp bike rack
Air suspension in the rear with manual inflation valves

Interior & Living Features:
Custom oak and poplar interior
Removable and reconfigurable main bed that converts to a double bed
Secondary upper loft bed with privacy curtains and insect screens
Swivel front passenger seat
Renovated kitchen area with double sink, propane cooktop, and oven
NovaKool 12V compressor fridge (replaces old propane fridge)
Enclosed bathroom with a porcelain black tank toilet and bidet
Shower with new faucet and rain shower-style head
Full-height roof with ability to stand inside

Technical & Electrical Systems:
3 Lithionics lithium batteries (12,000 watt-hours of power)
Victron Multiplus 3000-watt inverter
Zamp Solar power (320 watts)
Victron smart dongle for monitoring
ARB dual compressor for airing up tires
Houghton 9800 BTU air conditioner
Propane furnace (18,000 BTU)
6-gallon DSI gas water heater
7-gallon black tank and 11-gallon gray tank
18-gallon heated freshwater tank
4G internet with a WeBoost antenna
Garmin RV GPS for custom routing
S-pod for managing exterior lights
Nest Cam for security

#vanlife #airstream #4x4van #rvlife

Chapter Selections
0:00 - Intro & The Viral Video Story
1:09 - Why This Van Changed My Life
1:51 - Airstream B190 History & Ford V10
2:35 - Addressing the Haters: Awnings, Black Tanks, & Longevity
3:36 - Exterior Tour: Upgrades & Wear and Tear
5:31 - The UJoint 4x4 Conversion
6:37 - Upgrades Under the Hood & Exterior Lights
7:54 - Safety & Tech: Column Lock, Internet, & RV GPS
9:12 - The Generator Delete & The New Lithium Battery System
10:29 - Gear Storage & ARB Air Compressor
11:32 - Kitchen & Roof System Upgrades
12:19 - The Rooftop Systems: A/C, Solar, & Vents
14:55 - The Rear Bumper & Pelican Case Storage
16:09 - The Rear Compartment: Storage & Outside Shower
18:19 - Bike Rack & Rear Safety Features
22:00 - Welcome Inside the Mega Airstream
23:05 - Swivel Chair & The Fuse Panel Controversy
24:00 - The Upper Loft Bed & Privacy
26:08 - The Main Bed Conversion
29:05 - The Kitchen: Counter Space & Appliances
32:00 - Inside Storage & Organization
34:52 - The Bathroom: Toilet, Shower, & Privacy
37:59 - Tank Monitoring & Final Thoughts

They Said My Van Was a Waste of Money... 7 Years Later, It's Still a Beast.
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