Vanaconda Customs

Vanaconda Customs Welcome to Vanaconda Customs, custom crafted camper vans in Anaconda, MT Custom camper vans crafted in Anaconda, Montana, USA

I love creative solutions, but when it comes to your personal safety and self protection on the road, not all viral "hac...
09/08/2026

I love creative solutions, but when it comes to your personal safety and self protection on the road, not all viral "hacks" make sense.

​❌ Myth #1: Wasp/Hornet Spray in place of long-range pepper spray.
Insecticide is formulated for bug nervous systems, not human physiology. It lacks immediate stopping power, and firing toxic pesticides inside a tiny living space exposes you to harmful chemicals.
​❌ Myth #2: Spraying paint in an attacker's face to blind and tag them.
Paint aerosol won't immediately incapacitate someone in a high-stress emergency. Plus, firing solvent-based spray paint in a small, enclosed van creates an immediate breathing hazard, ruins your interior, and poses a major fire risk near cookstoves or electronics.
​✅ What to carry instead: Dedicated Pepper Gel. It shoots a heavy, targeted stream up to 18 feet, won't blow back or atomize inside your rig, and delivers immediate stopping power. Pair it with 130dB personal alarm!
​Real security in a van comes from situational awareness, solid entry barriers, and purpose-built defensive tools. Stay safe out there!

Want your table saw to slide materials smoothly years down the road? I find the best way to protect my cast-iron table s...
09/07/2026

Want your table saw to slide materials smoothly years down the road? I find the best way to protect my cast-iron table saw top is to occasionally rub on a coat of paste wax. This gives me a nice, slick top for easier material feeding, and if I drip glue on the surface, it won’t stick. It also helps prevent surface rust when the air is humid.

There's a lot of discussion about subfloor; what materials, battens or no battens, glued, floating or bolted, insulated ...
09/04/2026

There's a lot of discussion about subfloor; what materials, battens or no battens, glued, floating or bolted, insulated or not etc. The answer depends a bit on your build and the entire assembly you're trying to accomplish. No matter what you decide, make sure you're prefinishing all sides of any wood materials used (I like marine grade low VOC sealants) and that everything lays completely flat with and without point weight before proceeding to your floor coverings of choice. .

In addition to your properly sized fire extinguisher, do you carry a fire blanket? In my opinion, it never hurts to be w...
09/03/2026

In addition to your properly sized fire extinguisher, do you carry a fire blanket? In my opinion, it never hurts to be well prepared, and these things take up very minimal space in the kitchen.

09/02/2026

Wishing many happy adventures to Rambunctious the Ram Promaster City campervan and its new owner!

09/01/2026

There are many advantages to a fully custom build, but one of the biggest has to be the simple fact the campervan is designed around your specific priorities.

Is it worth adding sound deadening mat to your campervan conversion? Yes, adding sound deadening is 100% worth it, provi...
08/31/2026

Is it worth adding sound deadening mat to your campervan conversion?
Yes, adding sound deadening is 100% worth it, provided it is installed correctly and efficiently. Uninsulated, bare cargo vans act like giant acoustic tin cans: large, flat sheet metal panels vibrate and flex as you drive, amplifying low-frequency road rumble, engine hum, and wind noise into fatigue-inducing drone.
​However, many first-time builders waste money and payload weight by misunderstanding how sound deadening works.
​1. You Only Need 25% to 30% Coverage
​The biggest misconception is that you must cover 100% of the metal in butyl rubber matting (e.g., Noico, Kilmat, Dynamat).
​How constrained layer dampeners work: They add mass and flexibility to large, unsupported sheet metal panels to change the metal's resonant frequency, stopping the "gong" or "oil-can" effect.
​The diminishing returns rule: Placing a rectangle of butyl matting in the center of a large, unsupported panel eliminates roughly 80–90% of structural vibration. Covering the entire wall adds massive weight and expense for a negligible extra decibel reduction.
​Where to focus: Prioritize large, flexible ceiling and side panels, wheel wells, and cab doors. Avoid rigid, stamped metal ribs or floor sections that already have structural bends.

Do you use anything where the metal van body has contact with your wood framing?I've found deck joist butyl tape to be q...
08/28/2026

Do you use anything where the metal van body has contact with your wood framing?

I've found deck joist butyl tape to be quite effective in reducing squeaks and creating a bit of cushion between materials where you won't have an insulation layer.

Throwback Thursday! Looking back at the first "moon light" prototype I built for Ramblin' Ram, the Ram Promaster 1500 hi...
08/27/2026

Throwback Thursday! Looking back at the first "moon light" prototype I built for Ramblin' Ram, the Ram Promaster 1500 high roof campervan! 12V and dimmable recessed ceiling light that was complimented by tiny embedded star lights in the ceiling for a full night sky theme. Should I do another night sky ceiling???

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Anaconda, MT
59711

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+14065896696

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