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  1. DougV

    What cooking appliance to get?

    I've used the stove Bob recommended daily for well over a year. I refilled the 1lb tanks for about 3 months and then bought an adapter hose to connect a 20lb tank. A lot less fuss and filling. Be aware if you plan on refilling the 1 lb canisters that each refill will have different amounts of...
  2. DougV

    Two people on $15 a day

    While my van has yet to hit the road I'm live off grid in a little house and carrying water and ice. It's good practice for my van trips. I also use a pressure cooker. I regularly find 10lb packages of chicken leg quarters priced at 35 cents a  pound. If frozen thaw them just enough to separate...
  3. DougV

    Hi all from pa

    Thanks ridgerunner - I was unaware of freecampsites.com. I was pleasantly surprised how many spots were available east of the Mississippi River.  Thanks - Doug
  4. DougV

    Thoughts on odometer mileage when purchasing a van?

    Yeah there have been a few, and some I could have afforded. But there was always another issue. A couple as low 60,000 but the seller always wanted way more than I was willing/able to pay.
  5. DougV

    Thoughts on odometer mileage when purchasing a van?

    Well, I took Bob's advice and see a 2004 Chevy Express 1500 AWD Base passenger van w/ tow package, w/ 180,000 miles in my price range..... can't hurt to go look. 180,000 is rather close to 200,000  :D
  6. DougV

    Thoughts on odometer mileage when purchasing a van?

    I've been shopping for a van for about 4 months. Been looking for an Astro or Safari AWD van 2001-2005 w/ close to 100,000 miles on it. I started just looking at cargo vans and have added to my search passenger vans to increase my choices. Because I live in such a secluded location (Michigan...
  7. DougV

    Propane Questions

    I've been off grid and using propane for heat, cooking and light for close to 2 years. After using propane for awhile you will be able to roughly tell how much propane you have left just by heft. I usually have a spare full tank  available. I'm going to use the tank til it's empty so I'll pass...
  8. DougV

    Car food (no cook, no fridge)

    I live on an island. Every two weeks I'd get off island and drive to the "big" town to buy groceries. I'd buy big salads at the build yr own salad bar. These days cooking and refrigeration have been sorted out. I still regularly eat and apple w/ peanut butter and my Spork. GL -Doug 
  9. DougV

    cig lighter inverter for laptop

    I'm off grid w/ 13w of solar. Which works to charge my phone, headlamp and small house light. It's not enough to charge or run my laptop. For close to 2 years I've been using a 12v adapter. I googled my laptop brand and model and found many sources. It looks like a normal power cord except it's...
  10. DougV

    FloorPlans-Layout drafts - requesting input

    Thank you for those lay outs. Big help to me. Bed in back designs won't for me. Being 6' 2" I've learned that cramped sleeping quarters = a bad nights sleep. I can take narrow but not short.
  11. DougV

    Ever Use Carsdirect.com When Buying a Van?

    If searching dealers I like cars.com better. The advanced search feature gives more choices. Plus you can vary how far out the search goes. Now how to figure out how to find a mechanic to inspect a van 400 miles away. I do have a local (and popular) used car dealer watching for a van for me. He...
  12. DougV

    Where are you now?

    I had an odd travel day today. I woke up to a toasty little house. Packed my stuff and made three trips w/ the sled down my 450' snow filled driveway. I drove 350 miles from my partial done little house in Michigan's eastern UP to a comfortable guest cottage on Lake Michigan in western LP...
  13. DougV

    Michigan UP Lurker surfaces and waves.

    Hi I'm Doug, I've been lurking for a few months and am finally getting around to introducing myself. 19 months ago at the age of 60 I woke up and realized I was marking time until I died. My wife and I separated (and later divorced) and I moved 350 miles north to an island in the eastern UP of...
  14. DougV

    Advice on electric.

    Edit my previous post "I'd suggest 2 things; Read Bob's 2 blog entries on basic wiring and get a pure sine wave inverter." /red faced
  15. DougV

    Advice on electric.

    Wild Trappist, 16 months ago I moved off grid. Got all sorts of advice on electricity at a different forum. It was pretty overwhelming. I'm still working off a 13 watt solar panel for small lights and phone. I charge my computer at the library or off my car (not an option for you). I'd suggest...
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