New NYC transplant w a dream

rruff · Sep 20, 2024

Bluedogz said:
A minivan conversion seems like an ideal solution. So, I'm here to learn.

This is interesting info when combined with your other threads!

You said you saw yourself "camping" at Walmarts and truckstops... and that you'd be on a motorcycle if you could. I may be wrong, but I have a feeling you'd like to camp in the boonies... which is very easy to do in the west, comfortably all year.

If that's potentially true, I wouldn't have a minivan. The ground clearance is universally atrocious, which is a big limiter on where you can go.

Better would be a SUV if you like cozy spaces. A decent one will be able to go anywhere. I have buddy who does extended camping in a 1st gen Rav4.

I only built my current monstrosity because it was going to be for two people, but there is only me left, and it's way more than I need. I previously lived in a little Toyota truck, and that was about right. Before getting the Tundra in '16 I debated getting a Frontier 2wd 4cyl 5 speed stick, which was the closest new vehicle to what I used to have. Honestly I wish I had! Boost the suspension, bigger tires, regear and add a locker... that would go anywhere also.

Bluedogz · Sep 20, 2024

rruff said:
You said you saw yourself "camping" at Walmarts and truckstops... and that you'd be on a motorcycle if you could. I may be wrong, but I have a feeling you'd like to camp in the boonies... which is very easy to do in the west, comfortably all year.

If that's potentially true, I wouldn't have a minivan. The ground clearance is universally atrocious, which is a big limiter on where you can go.

Better would be a SUV if you like cozy spaces. A decent one will be able to go anywhere. I have buddy who does extended camping in a 1st gen Rav4.

These are great thoughts to chew on. I have never been inclined to camp in the boonies BUT I'm giving it a go over the next couple years here in TX. I have the rest of grad school to test out some ideas to see what sticks. I'm not dead-set against the SUV idea but that'd take some digesting and research.

rruff · Sep 20, 2024

Bluedogz said:
I have never been inclined to camp in the boonies BUT I'm giving it a go over the next couple years here in TX.

TX doesn't have BLM and very little NF land. It's not a good place to boondock. I did camp on private land (owned by a huge outfit) SW of Terlingua last winter and no one bothered me, but you never know.

Go a little further west, and it's a whole nother world. Free camping everywhere...

Bluedogz · Sep 20, 2024

rruff said:
TX doesn't have BLM and very little NF land. It's not a good place to boondock. I did camp on private land (owned by a huge outfit) SW of Terlingua last winter and no one bothered me, but you never know.

Go a little further west, and it's a whole nother world. Free camping everywhere...

Around me in N TX, there's a few NWA spots where one can go for nothing or darn close. I'm not 100% sure I want to be any boonier than that, yet.

bullfrog ! · Sep 20, 2024

It’s gonna get cold in North Texas in winter I would seriously look at hybrid vehicles for the ability to keep temps comfortable. A simple inverter hooked to the hybrid vehicle would solve all your power problems as well.

LargeMarge · Sep 20, 2024

bullfrog ! said:
I saw an old friend...in his late 50’s and told me last year[,] he was considering getting an apartment...

.
A couple-three weeks ago, we went to the big Health And Wellness Expo at the fairgrounds.
Strategically placed between the funeral parlors and hearing-aids, several vendors represented old-timers homes, those all-inclusive warehouses for geezers to gradually wilt into the carpeting.
.
Free! Lunch! with a tour, so we checked into a few.
By 'checked into', I mean 'investigate'... not retire my muddy goated Carhartt over-hauls for a pastel cardigan and Velcro® loafers.
.
The grub is pretty standard institutional, I suspect the same as you might get at the loonie asylum or an upscale jail.
.
We came to the conclusion they just aren't ready for us yet.
And, besides, they told us we need to store our ExpeditionVehicle off-campus.
Don't want any of the resident geezers getting ideas...

Bluedogz · Sep 20, 2024

bullfrog ! said:
It’s gonna get cold in North Texas in winter I would seriously look at hybrid vehicles for the ability to keep temps comfortable. A simple inverter hooked to the hybrid vehicle would solve all your power problems as well.

Are you... sure about that? My Googler suggests it doesn't work that way.

wayne49 · Sep 20, 2024

rruff said:
This is interesting info when combined with your other threads!

You said you saw yourself "camping" at Walmarts and truckstops... and that you'd be on a motorcycle if you could. I may be wrong, but I have a feeling you'd like to camp in the boonies... which is very easy to do in the west, comfortably all year.

Many Walmarts in AZ are now denying overnight stays. Fort Mohave, Phoenix, Kingman, Parker, Yuma, and Flagstaff are now "no overnight parking".

Though the Page, AZ Walmart allows overnight parking. Way off the beaten path.

Utah Walmarts look to be available, until one gets to the Salt Lake City, Provo area.

In lower slower California, the Walmarts in Brawley and El Centro are still allowing Overnight parking.

RV Parky can be your "friend".

bullfrog ! · Sep 20, 2024

Bluedogz said:
Are you... sure about that? My Googler suggests it doesn't work that way.

A 1500 watt inverter 120 volt AC can be attached and powered by the 12 volt DC accessory battery which is charged directly off the large vehicle battery which is automatically charged by the ICE engine when it goes below a set voltage. Many Prius owners use a cheap 120 volt AC ceramic heater on the 700 watt setting to economically stay warm with fewer start ups than there would be using the factory system. There are a lot of older threads on this. The Prius is actually as efficient a generator as most purpose build Honda portable generators and many have had larger inverters attached to the large vehicle battery (3,000 watts) to use as emergency generators to power their sticks and bricks during grid power outages. There are newer hybrids that need modifications in some cases and some it may not be possible but it definitely works with some manufacturers.

New NYC transplant w a dream

Help Support Van Living Forum:

rruff

Well-known member

Bluedogz

Active member

rruff

Well-known member

Bluedogz

Active member

bullfrog !

Well-known member

LargeMarge

Well-known member

Bluedogz

Active member

wayne49

Well-known member

bullfrog !

Well-known member

Latest posts

New NYC transplant w a dream

Help Support Van Living Forum:

Well-known member

Active member

Well-known member

Active member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Active member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!