Search results

Tell us about your van. Feel free to post some pics. What's your layout? What do you dream about doing in it once you're done?

I am not pro generator. Like all internal combustion engines, generators are loud, smelly, and require regular maintenance. I was only advocating use of it in lieu of idling the vehicle engine. Generators are the most economical way to generate a large amount of electricity. An admittedly...

If you have to physically go into a workplace 3 days per week, you have to stay within a X mile radius of where you work. You are not mobile. Why do you want to live in a vehicle? A van is not a magic carpet ride. Living out of a vehicle is not fun. Ordinary everyday tasks are harder, take...

Those are very different vehicles. A bit of hands on research may quickly whittle it down. It took less than 30 seconds after stepping inside a Savana, to eliminate it from my list. The difference in build quality of the Promaster and Transit is readily visible in the bare cargo van. Ditto with...

Thanks Bullfrog. I am not trying to replace the generator in the RV. It is the most practical and cheapest way to meet the massive power needs of a Class A. Given the use case scenarios of these vehicles, it will be a long and costly proposition making generators obsolete in them, no matter what...

Ford lists the height of the mid roof cargo at 72" and the passenger at 67.6". I am 5'9" and can stand straight up in a cargo van with the bare metal floor. My head touches the ceiling in the passenger van, which has a finished floor and ceiling. So if you're doing a build out using the cargo...

If you're idling your car for hours per day, wouldn't it be better to put all that wear and tear on a generator engine? They're designed for that, and gas generators are inexpensive. They're also to cheaper to operate, maintain (and when necessary repair) than your car engine.

I'm open to learning. Please explain how I could accomplish this cheaper as a DIY project. These power stations cost ~$3k, have 200-300Ah batteries with ~2500W inverter, that can be charged using alternator, shore power, or solar. When I add up the cost of DIY, the batteries and inverter charger...

No one has real world experience with it yet, but on paper, the Delta 2 will be the best midsize power station on the market*. Large invertor, super fast charging, X Boost (voltage modulation), internal power supply, expandable batteries, feature rich app control, and now LiFePO4. It trumps the...

We are at a very similar point. Have an 8kW Onan on a DP and though it may be necessary, I dislike it. Owning a large RV led to buying a van and doing a simple buildout. A Delta has been used on a daily basis, but with the appliances recently added, have grown beyond it's capabilities. Ecoflow...

No one can answer that question for you. It is something you must discover for yourself. But we can offer suggestions based on our personal experience. Here's mine. Sketch out a layout that you think will work for you. Spend a couple of hundred bucks in materials and no more than a couple of...

The AC and DC operate independently, they have separate power buttons (located on the front and back/side). If there is no power draw within a set timeframe it will auto turn off that side. On the new Deltas, this can also be controlled in the app. If the AC side is on but there are no devices...

I ask this in all earnest. If solar panels have such low efficiency under normal conditions, what makes them worth all the roof space they take up compared to other things (ie. MaxxAir fan, Thule boxes, Artic Tern access hatch, observation deck) that could otherwise occupy that space?

The biggest (pretty much only) disadvantage of the EcoFlow power stations was battery chemistry. They addressed this issue in their top of the line Delta Pro, but at $3400 it is beyond most folks budget. Today, EcoFlow announced the release of the Delta 2, bringing LiFePO4 to their $1000 power...

When I initially built out my van last summer, I left out solar for the sake of simplicity. Now, 40,000 miles later, I don’t see a reason for ever adding solar. I’d rather use my roof space for an AC unit and a couple of MaxxAir fans. My use case: I have somewhat high power needs (fridge...

Sounds like you had an excellent adventure! If you're looking for a place to just sleep for the night, there are lots of alternatives to campgrounds. Hospitals, municipal airports, apartment complexes, college campus parking lots, and the streets of densely populated neighborhoods (ie. Marina...

Put everything you are reluctant to part with in a storage unit and pay for 6 months upfront. Let them dispose of anything you haven't gone back to retrieve by then.

I suggest starting with only the amenities that you know you need/want. Then hit the road. As you gain experience you will learn what's important to you. My van does not have insulation, though as a passenger van the walls are covered. I've seen builds where the OEM panels are removed...

There are mobility companies that have experience outfitting seats in a cargo van. This would not be a cheap option, but from a safety perspective, they probably know what they're doing. Starting with a passenger van is definitely cheaper in comparison. I have a 170 (non extended) so I know it...

The Sprinter crew has only one bench seat. I was referring to building out a passenger van and retaining 2 bench seats. The only van currently in production with seating > 5 and towing > 5000 are the old school GM vans. Used Nissan NV 3500 would be the only other late model option. I think...