A Minimalist Design Thread

[lenny flank]

My van is intentionally minimalist. I can get away with a lot less than man y people because I urban-dwell and because i spend very little time actually in the van except to sleep (I live FROM the van, not IN it).

I have:

A folding cot and sleeping bags

A 100w solar panel system

some plastic tubs for storage

a hand-cranked laundry machine

a DIY alcohol camping stove

a molded-plastic fish-cleaning sink

a bucket toilet for emergencies

That's about it.

No fridge, no insulation, no heater, no shower--I don't need any of those.

 

[lenny flank]

Back in my younger days as a backpacker, I always slept in a hammock. That is mostly because I lived in Pennsylvania where it is VERY rocky and it's not easy finding a rock-free spot big enough for a tent, but not hard to find two trees close together.

I do not use a hammock in the van though for two reasons--it's hard to hang it properly since most vans simply aren't long enough, and hammocks lose a lot of heat in the winter because of the airflow underneath them (there are quilts and sleeves that you can get for this, but I never found any of them to work very well for me).

 

[Dingfelder]

I like that thought!  A big comfort zone vs. a smaller comfort zone....thing is tho someone coming from a 6,000 sq ft home into a big class A hauling a cargo van with stuff in it they desire to bring on the road with them...well that is their comfort zone and their minimalizing.  I don't think one can truly put a definition on what is minimalizing as fits into this exact box.  It can't be done.  Minimalizing to everyone is less is more type of lifestyle but no one can define what is an exact less.  

If we go into survival chat, then a few necessities are priority to survive.  Minimalizing a lifestyle is just too personal of an issue to contain actually.  Survival needs for all would be about the same for all humans.

Good point!  Minimalizing is not just an end-point, but a process.  I will be shedding many skins before discovering my true comfort zone when it comes to being a minimalist ... ... and even that may change, at times ... people change throughout their lives.  

My own basic nature as a minimalist lies in the continuing attempt to enjoy a cleaner, less cluttered, and more simple life, with both my possessions and desires kept reasonable. Which doesn't mean I don't want them; I'm just looking for moderation and to trim the fat significantly.  No desire to only own what I can put in a backpack, though, or to treat eating poorly as if it were a virtue.

Minimalizing is definitely not a one-size-fits-all thing.  We all come from somewhere different, and often have different goals or abilities/resources ...and then even those can change.

 

[crofter]

My own basic nature as a minimalist lies in the continuing attempt to enjoy a cleaner, less cluttered, and more simple life, w.... treat eating poorly as if it were a virtue.

I am into eating purely which some would consider eating poorly because their favorite thing is not included.  I do not define it in an exact was like excluding certain things, but I feel alot better physically when I achieve it for a while.  I have certain cleansing foods and cleansing body care routines to help me feel lighter.    ~crofter

 

[Dingfelder]

I need that too, or else I get lethargic, feel listless, and get "backed up." So I try to eat fewer processed foods and a lot of fruits and veggies. Works like a charm, but much harder to do if you only have a tiny fridge.

I haven't completely conquered that problem yet. I think I will probably buy a cooler at some point, the kind that will keep food cold for days on end, and use it to supplement my tiny fridge.

I do think it will be worth considerable sacrifice, whether of space or whatever, as I feel much much better in every respect, and maintain a healthy weight much more easily, when I eat lots of vegetables and fruits.

 

[crofter]

I feel much much better in every respect, and maintain a healthy weight much more easily, 

Someone taught me that water helps you lose weight.  I am doing that now, substituting water for other drinks (whenever I remember to do it). My kidneys say thank you.  And the water helps hydrate your skin and mucous membranes so they work better too.   ~crofter

 

[Dingfelder]

I drink a lot of water too. Can't say it has helped me lose weight, but then again, maybe I would be fatter if I didn't.

It's not a big problem at all at this point, but I do want to keep it that way. Especially now that we're coming into the holiday season, and everyone will be shoving pies and every kind of high-calorie comfort food at each other every time they meet.

Anyway it's a good idea to drink plenty of water. I've known a number of women -- and I don't know why it's always been women? -- who have told me that their doctor keeps warning them to drink more water because their kidneys need a lot more than they're getting. Are women more squeamish about peeing in public restrooms maybe? I dunno. But when I've asked them why they don't just drink more water, they tell me either that they don't want to or look at me like I just don't understand. And I guess I don't.

 

[RoamerRV428]

Dingfelder, I loved your post.  So straight to the point showing how we must bob and weave thru our process/journey to get to our end point.  I love it!


Minivanmotoman, you hit the nail on the head.  What can go into a 'certain space' and be all you need?  Space being 7X12X7 for you.  Very good point.  Another may be in a cargo van that is 8X16, what goes in that for them.  Know your space of your rig, minimalize it out as required on your personal choice.  How do we incorporate some luxury items we need also, like carrying bikes or a scooter or a kayak or whatever one might want with them for personal use?  You made a great point here.....How to do it keeping lightness and overall roomy feel as the main objective? That's the objective for which minimalist comes in.....but again everyone is still going to put their personal spin on it.  The stuff's iimportance to the person but I sure get what you are saying here.  Then like lenny said, urban dwell vs. boondock boonies dwelling might sway your needed items.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Minimalist Design for space optimization.
How to approach this goal?
1. Minimize the size of your wants and needs.
2. Find the biggest small vehicle that meets your needs. Or is that the smallest big vehicle? 
 
At this point, it is all about playing Tetris.
This is the actual space design. As you get into a longer, rectangular space, a hall way becomes necessary. That is one aspect of the roominess factor. How big, wide or long to make it? How big, wide or long are you? :dodgy: That can make a huge difference depending how small you are. The width of your cabinets and shelving will determine your hallway width and open space.

So here's the question of the day; how wide are your counters and hallway? Is that just right or could it be wider or narrower?

Right now on my initial plans, am considering 24" wide counters on both sides with 36" aisle/ hallway down the middle. I'm not a big guy and figure that should be roomy enough, yet wide enough for Max storage under counter. Obviously, reducing counter/storage width to 18, 16 or even 12 inches will expand the open space even more. In very small converted Vans like Westies, that's what they do. 12-16" counter for sink, stove, because that's all the space that they have for it.
I have the luxury of more space, but how much to use and in what way? 
Max space, min stuff, gives more roomy comfort. 
Space Design optimization.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Here's a well done video on a self built slide in camper explaining how he designed and built his lightweight rig. As VFN stated, a lightweight slide in hits allot of the minimal requirements for many.

 

[bullfrog]

The camper in the video was really well done with lots of thought out systems. It would be easier to build now that someone has built it and shown how it is done. The same methods of construction can be used to build a topper to create spaces close to or greater than a van on a pickup or flatbed truck. Different materials such as insulation foam or glued together panels can be covered with Poor Man's Fiberglass to create a less strong but still strong enough but more inexpensive perminent topper which will have much more storage space. Great video of a guy with a lot of guts building something with expensive materials sucessfully. Thank you!

 

[Dingfelder]

I've got an aisle leading from my bed in front to the bathroom in back, kitchen counter on one side, small booth on the other. It's about 26 inches wide. I'm over six feet tall and it seems fine to me. My upper cabinets open into it easily without making me feel cramped. Down below, my fridge and other cabinets open fine, though I can't walk around them easily while their doors are open.

I think I could make do with less aisle space. As long as my fridge can open, I'm fine. I don't need to move around all that much inside, with everything just a few steps away at most.

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

I'm only 5'3" tall, so having enough space is relatively easy for me. I made a makeshift bed for my dog in me in this 5x8 shack that is about 5ft tall on one side,4feet tall on the other (slanted roof attached to side of a garage.) I look forward to possibly still having the homemade one I plan to build done asap, which I want to make 6feet high, which will give me more space. I discovered I can't stand too much stuff hanging too close to my head when sitting or lying on my bed.

As far as stuff…I'm trying to stick to what I can eat, what will keep me warm/cool, and things I need to make money with few exceptions. I want to digitalize some of my journal scraps and get rid of all my old paper notebooks.

Sent from my RS500 using Tapatalk

 

[Minivanmotoman]

As I assess my needs and situation, always keeping in mind minimal costs, weight, minimal needs, a design takes shape from ideas on the internet and looking for alternatives that fit those objectives.

I enjoy designing and modding to my personal needs. Trying to find a better suited, more or most economical way to proceed. There are always compromises to be made, give up on one specific to gain in another, depending upon your priorities.

One Golden rule of travel, the lower your expenses, the longer and farther one can travel with the same amount of money. This also gives a safety margin and built in contingency because your money goes farther and you have more in your pocket to deal with the unexpected.
Planning and design can help allot from the beginning.
How many buy the big old RV only to be stuck for 14 days because no funds to travel or explore? And then the old clunker breaks down eating up reserve funds, exacerbating the situation.
Classic case of your space comfort needs encumbering your freedom and mobility, and beyond your budget.
To each his own of course.

My current project I have been contemplating, planning, designing, assessing, comparing and optimizing. Lowest cost and weight materials with sufficient durability. Optimal rig for space, reliability, low maintenance and operating costs, can be modded to suit efficiently and low cost.
Assess best options and compare the benefits and trade offs.

This was the purpose of the thread. Think about the possibilities with those parameters in mind. And possibly assist with thinking outside the box.
And seek out some ideas for a build from like minded. Other build sights online have lots ideas and projects to learn from which can be adapted to ones specfics. There is rarely a one size fits all.
YMMV. Think about it.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

What do you really need to carry around?
Less is more.

Simple, lighter things weigh less, often cost less, require less to maintain, less weight to haul around, better fuel economy, more space, less clutter, less to worry about. Easier to just get up and go. Freedom.

Self assess to determine where you can streamline, weight save, declutter, minimize your necessity with their corresponding cost, weight and upkeep. 

 Don't let your stuff own you.

Keep your stuff from over stuffing your space.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Other main criteria,
where will you be traveling, climate ?
How big of a rig do you need vs want?
Will you be living out of and active? Just need a place to sleep?
Or will you have variable weather so that shelter and living in required space be more important?
How long will you be away from supplies or reassure to be self contained?
How much can you afford? Money can buy lots of space and convenience.
Each and every situation is different.
But the less you have, the less it holds you back.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Life is full of dilemmas and choices.
As is your stuff, what to carry and what to leave behind. What rig?
Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?
Decide on your stuff and a rig to carry it or which rig stuffed with what?

I always pick the rig first with general guidelines of need considered. Have a few alternatives and see what is the best that you can find. Budget and cost are the main limit most of the time, what is realistically affordable for the budget? What's the most I can get for the least cost?
My minivan was fine and well suited for what I wanted to do, tour on my motorcycle, live out of the rig since intend to do fair weather touring, have a safe secure place to sleep, haul gear and get good mpg, be cheap and reliable, stealth.
This time, my objectives are more interior space to live in, haul my gear and motorcycle, still get the best mpg possible for size cost possible, affordable and reliable, get up out of the dirt.
To get max mpg, light weight overall is important but will take a hit with a bigger rig.
How to minimize? Reduce weight, on everything.
Van is about right but space can be limiting.
How to overcome this? Look at all possibilities.
Reduce the mpg hit by traveling less. 
High top Vans command a premium and are expensive. Is there a better cost effective choice? Box van or schoolie but don't want a dual  rear axle. Too big, heavy, extra tires to buy, mpg hit. Single tire rear axle if possible. 
Pickup truck with slide in? Possible but they are at a premium price in my area. As are big heavy slide ins.

What about...


Setup a tent on the back and voila!
Minimal lightweight van with max mpg!
Fresh blank slate to start with, for a Minimalist Design thread?

 

[PattySprinter]

This Ikea Vallentuna ottoman bed is what I chose for sleeping. It is metal and wood slat frame and VERY comfortable.
I have had one in my S&B for a few years and find no faults with it.
I would like to build a box to put it on for extra storage - and a ledge a few feet away for when it is extended - and when not in use that is a few feet I can utilize for something else.
Shower - I have a 13 gallon Big Kahuna shower - it can be used inside or outside. Also can be used to wash dishes. Also, in long boondocking or emergencies, it holds 13 gallons of water and I can run that water through my Travel Berkey and use it for drinking water if necessary.
I really like the idea of a shower (water ehater) pan drawer that pulls out.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Preferences
Judgement
Values
Choices
Compromises
All those things come into play when making each owns individual assessment for their rig.
What and how do you value needs and retirements?
No one answer.
What will you deem a luxury but necessary and put up with the extra costs of time, space and money?
You decide, but realize the full impact.
Assessing a van, max space, min cost to purchase as they are not in demand, reasonable mpg. Downsides are can't stand up without high top. And high tops are expensive for what they are. Can buy a van for the price of a high top.
Class B and C have room and space but hauling lots of weight and poor mpg. Popular, hold their value and thus expensive, relatively speaking. Hey an old one and lots of fun for breakdowns, cost to repair, maintenance costs etc...
How to get around the low mpg? Travel less. Carry less stuff which will burden you less as well.
Just realize that their are choices to be made, solutions and costs involved.
Be aware, assess, be prepared before you make your choice and start your journey of a lifetime.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Some thoughts on space utilization.
Stated earlier, how much time is spent doing any one thing and how much space should one allocate to it?
Kitchen, bath and bed were examples?
Things to assess
- smaller alternatives
4 burner stove and oven necessary? Get by with less and smaller to gain counter space and save weight?
- dedicate how much space to bath? Saw a fold out sink and slide out shower basin which made me think of ideal space efficiency for little use items.
- where and how to find extra storage space? Overhead bins or cabinets or wire racks, inside walls, under chassis or frame, cargo netting,
- convertible dual purpose space ideas?
- light weight substitutes over conventional?
Plastic over mdf, pine over plywood, metal studs vs wood, thinner and lighter alternatives.
- look at sailboats for reference and design inspiration. Light and strong, minimal as space is at a premium. How do they accomplish fitting necessities in a limited space? Ideas to be gained there.

Right now, fuel is cheap and so weight isn't an issue.
Once that changes...
Regardless, lighter should always be a consideration.
Lighter means more mobility and less cost, better mpg.
Less cost means longer and farther one can travel, a main goal of cheap RV living.