A Boondocking Build

[StarryNights]

At the request of family in different parts of the country I have finally done a write up of the van I converted so I could escape the cold NH winters.  Spent this January through March full-time boondocking in Arizona.   All systems worked well, far exceeding expectations!

This has a unique open floor plan with over 12 feet of counter space - and much more.
 
I did this in a page-layout program and converted it to a PDF.  13 Pages, many photos. Had to compress it to fit forum's 2MB size limit.  Click the PDF link below to open
Link to PDF https://app.box.com/s/4to0hexkq43joaopt9t9uczzeb7sabrj
 
* IF ON PHONE, SUGGEST VIEW IN LANDSCAPE *
 
Some features:

• Solar system that works really well.  Includes DIY battery heater.  Van has no propane
• Sofa that changes to incredibly comfortable bed in seconds
• Inexpensive Berkey Filter mod that takes next to no space.
• Home-built composting toilet
• Diesel Heater
• Simple, inexpensive INSIDE HOT SHOWER solution that should work in most vans. Stores in less than 1 Cu Ft.
• HUGE amount of storage.
• Snap-in window insulation
• Inexpensive DIY front door window vents.

I'm an older solo-traveler and this certainly is not for everyone, but there are features you may find useful. 
 
Would welcome comments, suggestions and any questions.
 
Tom

 

[rvwandering]

Nice build StarryNights!
I inserted the link in your post and removed all of the posts asking about the link

 

[StarryNights]

Thanks!!

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

 

[jacqueg]

Warning - in order to view, you have to have an account with Box.

 

[StarryNights]

??
I have been able to open the file on computers where user does NOT have a Box account.

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

 

[ozzie roamer]

Enjoyed reading about your build, Now keep moving.
All the best for you treatment,stay positive and enjoy life.

Ozzie Roamer

 

[highdesertranger]

It opens for me. Highdesertranger

 

[jacqueg]

It opens for me.  Highdesertranger

Oh it opened - but only after I signed up for a Box account.

Using latest version of Safari on an M1 MacBookAir.

 

[66788]

no Box account and the .pdf opened right up on my Android tablet.

 

[AeroNautiCal]

A very nice, detailed pdf that is well worth reading and downloading.

Thank you for sharing this excellent document.

It opened easily on Android and I clicked on the download arrow which worked perfectly.

 

[kklowell]

Nice build...I like the open design.

 

[GypsyJan]

Turns to hieroglyphics when opened (no Box account).

 

[StarryNights]

Well, the PDF was a good thing to send family, but on this site it didn't go over so well!  So, this might be a little better present quick overview of the design.



This is what the interior normally looks like, but there is a lot hidden from view.  Here is a map of hidden things and I worked out where to store things: 



And this is what it looks like with Bed, Stove, Sink, Composting Toilet and TV exposed:

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][/font]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]If interested, I can post detail on the Solar System, Berkey Filter, Indoor hot shower solution that fits in a shopping bag, the too-big walk-in closet (about 90 Cubic Feet!) I have for a garage, and anything else.  everything tested pretty well so can relate pro and cons.[/font]

 

[StarryNights]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Well, the PDF was a good thing to send family, but on this site it didn't go over so well!  So, this might be a little better present quick overview of the design.[/font]



[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]This is what the interior normally looks like, but there is a lot hidden from view.  Here is a map of hidden things and I worked out where to store things: [/font]


[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]And this is what it looks like with Bed, Stove, Sink, Composting Toilet and TV exposed:[/font]


If interested, I can post detail on the Solar System, Berkey Filter, the indoor hot shower solution that fits in a shopping bag, the too-big walk-in closet (about 90 Cubic Feet!) I have for a garage, and anything else.  Everything is pretty well tested so can relate actual pro and cons.  

 

[VanFan]

I was able to open your initial link on my laptop, but appreciate the extra effort you made to include an overview here.  I really like your design!  (We probably could not use this layout, since we need a full-size bed, but it is so superior to anything I've seen in a "B.  We, too, love our windows!)

Questions:  Where does the sink faucet "go" when the cover is down?  How do you handle gray water from the sink?  What is the length of your base van?

 

[StarryNights]

VanFan - Glad you liked the design and great to get questions! 
 
I too looked at a larger bed, but noticed well over 50% of van dwellers were solo.  Wall to counter, I could squeeze a 50” wide bed in, but would loose a lot of functionality of the build. 

If you search Amazon for ‘Folding RV faucet’ you will find several and understand how mine works.  Brands have changed since I bought, but think mine is the Decdeal one; Blusea offers one that looks identical but for more money. 

Gray water is stored directly under the sink.  I’d originally planned to use a 5 gal container, but it took me a while to get the large fresh water tank installed, so used the 5 Gal tank for fresh water.  Found I could just fit the narrow 10L tank that came with the diesel heater beside it, and so that became the gray tank.  Just after I got the large fresh water tank installed, weather turned cold.  I blew out the lines but didn’t figure it would be cold enough to freeze the big tank so didn’t drain it.  Wrong!  Even after 2 days of temps in mid 40’s it was still frozen and it took many hours of space heater use to thaw and drain it.   More cautious, I continued to use the 5 gal tank for fresh until I got to Arizona.  Meanwhile, the 10L tank was much easier to handle and I’d gotten really good at conserving.  I’d catch water used to rinse stuff in a pan and dump out the door, which resulted in very little that got into the gray tank.

One note: Even though I blew the faucet out before things froze, it hasn’t been the same since despite taking it apart and re-seating things. 

The van is on a 157” wheelbase and is 22 feet long.


Tom