5 months until lease is up, and I have a ton of questions.

[solution]

Let me begin by describing myself and listing my goals, so that way maybe this newbie can get a little reality injected into his thinking.

I am 23 years old, and am working as an apprentice electrician with the union in Austin TX. All things considered it is reliable and pays well. I don't plan to retire an electrician but believe it's a useful job to have considered I don't yet know the direction I want to take in life. That being said, the method of vandwelling I think would be most fitting is to stealth it up either within the city limits, or closer to the job site if it happens to be in a town like San Marcos for example.

Now the goal is primarily to save money while forcing myself into a situation that will require me to integrate myself more into the city and to a greater extent life itself. Maybe with the money I save I will decide to travel more, pay off my student loans, maybe I will buy my first investment property, maybe I will fall in love with the lifestyle and reinvest my money into it. The point is, I already feel unhappy with the progress of my life and the feeling of simply treading water is no longer something I can accept. Living in Austin IS NOT CHEAP, at least the conventional way. I'm done being conventional.

So with that out of they way, maybe this wonderful forum can help me develop a plan and execute my first adventure into vandwelling.

I will have at most 3k to put towards a down payment for a used cargo van. My credit is average and don't mind having a payment between 200-300 a month.

If you were in my situation, what van would you start with? In my limited research, the Dodge Sprinter seems to have the most cargo space but is also one of the priciest options. Next up would probably be Ford's Econoline series. After that I really don't know what compares. I certainly want something with a ton of space that I can slowly convert to fit my needs. Ideally it would be large, without windows, extended head room, and as reliable/good on mileage as possible. It needs to be able to haul a kayak and mountain bike if at all possible. It would need to be able to handle long road trips to festivals like burning man.

Lets say I find a van that fits the above description. I simply won't have the option of converting it entirely before taking the plunge and moving in. How much do I need to budget for the bare necessities to get started? How do I keep it cool in the summer? I don't plan to spend much free time in the van if I don't have to, but still it needs to be comfortable when I do spend time in it.

Part if the appeal I have is knowing that I can take a shell of a vehicle and build into it like a blank canvas. I can take the money I save each month and run on down to my local home depot and get down and dirty with my conversion. The truth is I admire the ingenuity people on this forum demonstrate when they convert a vehicle and I want to acquire those skills.

I'm rambling on at this point so will end it hear and hope to continue with my questions if anyone is willing to start a discussion with me about this.

Thanks to anyone who provides input!

 

[One Awesome Inch]

One thing to consider is that if you must have the bike and kayak you are not going to be very stealth with them outside the vehicle and inside they will take up alot of precious room. You could rent a storage spot by the month...

 

[WheelEstate USA]

solution....like that handle

Man, I could tell ya some stories about Austin back in the day....the 60s

You're in the right place to find out about all ya wanna know about vandwelling and some things ya don't even wanna know

If I could afford a Sprinter I'd do one, especially a diesel. Cargo vans make a good home tho.
Storing things....me, a locker for bike, kayak, and a few non-stealth items, but never leaving anything behind when I move on.

Since I'm not committed to anything, anywhere and travel most of the year, I'm not worries about stealth, even if I were still in a van. Got full hook-ups right now...most of the year on the road its any free parking I can find along the way, visit lots of Wally's, casino dry lots, etc. Campgrounds last year, less than $100 total.

That's just what I do and everyone has their own needs/wants.

Welcome and hope to hear more as you get closer to your goals.

 

[Donedirtcheap]

DO NOT give up on the apprenticeship. Become an electrician and be a good one. It will provide a good income, a retirement and a skill that you can use anywhere. GET YOUR CARD. You can go do whatever you want after that and always fall back on your skills. Sorry for sounding like your father.

 

[akrvbob]

Welcome solution, we're glad you're here! I think you have a great plan but I see one problem and that is dealing with the heat. Here is one idea I think might work for you. Run an ad in Craigslist saying you want to rent a spot in a driveway just for evening and overnight and offer $100 a month. But tell them you need to be able to run an electric cord and power a portable air conditioner. I think you should be able to find someone willing to do that. You may have to be ready to pay extra for the electricity though.

If it were me I would buy a 2003 or earlier Chevy Express extended cargo van with a 5.3 liter V8. You should get 18 MPG or more on the road.
Bob

 

[solution]

I'm happy to see so much input already!

I forgot to directly mention that I would be using this vehicle for commuting to work as well. With that being the case, would multiple batteries be a feasible and or practical means of powering a small portable AC? What about if I installed solar panels in conjunction with the batteries?

Bob, I would have no problem paying someone to let me hitch off their electricity during the summer months, but if there is a practical alternative, I would sooner go with that.

Remember, I will be working full-time, and at the beginning may even consider a second job if it suits the situation. Disposable income wont be huge, but I will have enough to consider doing upgrades every month or so.

Keep the suggestions coming! thanks guys

 

[solution]

DO NOT give up on the apprenticeship. Become an electrician and be a good one. It will provide a good income, a retirement and a skill that you can use anywhere. GET YOUR CARD. You can go do whatever you want after that and always fall back on your skills. Sorry for sounding like your father.

I dont plan to quit, vandwelling is just an alternative living style while im working in and around austin.

 

[GotSmart]

Everyone keeps telling me that an AC and solar will not work for long. if you do put in an AC, use it on the grid only.

 

[Donedirtcheap]

No, you will never run ac off batteries and solar. In theory it can be done but the problem is size limitations and the price of the components and number of batteries needed. If you need ac, the only way is to plug in and at that point you can get away with a very small ac unit. No use in even talking generators either. You may even look at some rv/mobile home parks where you can stay for $200 to $300 or so a month. I would try to find someone who has a little property and could rent a spot next to their barn or out of the way area. It could be good for both parties if you can help out with yard work etc and also keep an eye on things. I would picture an older persons place.

 

[solution]

Sucks about the AC but thanks for the heads up about that issue. Texas summers can be hellish. Are there places that rent out cheap garage space that I could use as a workshop and plug in or is that wshful thinking? Paying an rv park would really cut into my savings.

 

[GotSmart]

Sucks about the AC but thanks for the heads up about that issue. Texas summers can be hellish. Are there places that rent out cheap garage space that I could use as a workshop and plug in or is that wshful thinking? Paying an rv park would really cut into my savings.

I have seen storage places that will rent out a unit as shop space. You just have to look around.

 

[decodancer]

Check around warehouse or construction areas and ask if you can plug in at night in exchange for a free night watchman.

 

[Simran]

IMHO
1) Cash is king. Buy what you can afford and pay CASH. it leaves you more money to upgrade at a faster rate or pay down existing debt faster. Remember you are trying to unburden yourself not get further in debt! That IS the SOLUTION!!!

2) insulate the ceiling first and put a fantastic fan in the roof or get one of those solar powered fans and put it in.

3) get a few boxes and put your stuff in them, get a sleeping bag, 4"x30"x 76" piece of foam and go camping for the weekend. figure out where you want stuff to go.

4) Get a gym membership to get cleaned up or figure some other way to keep clean. If you can't keep clean you won't last long.

5) Do like Bob said, find someone that will rent you some electric. Maybe you can watchdog a construction site and plug in as pay for it. You know . . .do a trade deal!! Think outside the box!!

You should be able to find a full sized van for around 3,000 with around 120,000-150,000 miles on it give or take. If it is paid for all you need is liability for insurance.

These things will get you started.

Good Luck to you!

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Yeah i bet you can buy a used van without payments. I payed 900 plus lawn mower for my older van with like 70k miles, runs good but tons of rust. For 3k you can probably get one rust free

Converting a van to essentials is insanely cheap. Assuming a bed, you probably need 120 bucks in wood and materials with some insulation. 200 For mattress. 100 Roof fan, 20 for direct fan, 20 for some totes. 15 for luggable loo with bucket.

230 batteries, 100 charger...you probably have wire

 

[akrvbob]

I really think the craigslist idea for a space in someones driveway will work and get you electric for an AC.

I have a friend here in Phoenix who is a student at ASU and he ran an ad in craigslist and got several answers and he took the one that would let him have electricity. It's worked great for him. He's in a neighborhood so it is quieter and he feels safer. He will NEVER get the knock at night from a cop. And he has electricity with AC!!!!

Something to strongly consider.
bob

 

[solution]

As far as installing an AC unit into the van, what is the best option for keeping it stealth and dealing with the condensation.

If I can decide what van I'm likely going to purchase, I can begin to put together some preliminary blue prints. I know for a fact the first thing I would want to do is insulate the interior and probably put down some flooring, but beyond that I would be nervous fleshing out the interior without first pre-wiring the vehicle.

---

As far as installing an AC unit into the van, what is the best option for keeping it stealth and dealing with the condensation.

If I can decide what van I'm likely going to purchase, I can begin to put together some preliminary blue prints. I know for a fact the first thing I would want to do is insulate the interior and probably put down some flooring, but beyond that I would be nervous fleshing out the interior without first pre-wiring the vehicle.

 

[GotSmart]

I have thought about the mounting of an AC. If there is an outside spare tire holder on the back door, behind that in the door is the best place. Paint your grid black.

 

[solution]

I really like the Dodge Sprinters. Most all of them are diesels so I wouldn't mind getting one with around 150k miles in the range of 15k. I'm worried about the reliability and the cost of maintenance on something manufactured by MB though.

 

[SoulRaven]

Greetings!

First let's correctly define these types of coolers...

An "Evaporative Cooler" appears to be what most people are calling a "Swamp Cooler" when in fact they are two similar yet distinctly different appliances.

With an evaporative cooler, the air is either drawn in or blown out through a fibrous material soaked with water. This type of cooler will add moisture/humidity to the air which can be helpful in dry climates, but renders them nearly useless in high humidity climates. This device will consume water, up to several gallons daily and needs to be refilled when needed.

A true swamp cooler, circulates the water through a small radiator, very similar to the heater core used in cars. The air is then blown out through this radiator. This type of cooler can be used in both humid and dry climates quite effectively. Without the addition of ice, this device is pretty self sustaining, only rarely needing a top off of fresh water. With ice, this unit will need to be drained down to compensate for the addition of the ice.

Both types employ water, a pump, and a fan. The performance of both can be greatly enhanced by adding ice to the water.

For use in a vehicle, you don't want moisture, so you will want to use a swamp cooler.

I use a re-purposed marine swamp cooler that I salvaged from an abandoned boat in the middle of the desert. I then did some modifications to make it more suitable for dry land vehicle use.

Using this, I'm also the guy you might see parked in a camper van on a 120f degree day, wearing a sweater with a big grin on his face. It DOES work!

A while back when I posted a similar message on a Slab City forum, suddenly everyone knew exactly who I was. Maybe I have met a few people here over the years as well.

Now you can make your own for under $100, and it will work every bit as good as a commercial air conditioner, just not quite as convenient, because it does require water, and in extremely hot temperatures, ice. That being said, it requires very little power though, so it makes it as close to ideal as you can get for off-grid use. I can give you directions for how to build one.

Here is a link for a commercial model, now the desc. says it is also a dehumidifier... I don't honestly know if the one described above is a dehumidifier or not, I only know that it won't add any moisture to the air... I have no personal experience with the commercial model.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GoCool-12V-...oner-For-Camping-Tent-RV-Camper-/121253526191


Hope this helps...

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

 

[Simran]

Sprinters/MB's are not any more expensive to buy parts for than any other diesel. Just keep them out of the MB dealership shops with the waxed floors. I have an 1995 MB diesel car I drive and it is extremely easy to work on. I do most of the work myself. Parts are cheap.

I really like the Dodge Sprinters. Most all of them are diesels so I wouldn't mind getting one with around 150k miles in the range of 15k. I'm worried about the reliability and the cost of maintenance on something manufactured by MB though.