Always rethinking

[Scotty Moore]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and I am currently building out my 2005 Subaru outback. As I go along, and think I have the design down that I want, I tend to start rethinking it. I realize that no matter how I try it won't ever be completely perfect. My limitations are that first I am 6 foot tall. I also have to allocate a spot for my 60 lb dog. Of course I'm also taking in consideration my 12 volt cooler. I have remove the rear seats, and am going to make a plywood platform for the remainder of the bed. Of course these need to be designed so they can be removed either folding or completely removed to access underneath. I guess as the saying goes just do it and the rest will fall into place.

 

[sometimesido]

I'd take the front seat out too, with your 60lb dog. Someone mentioned staying in a hatchback wagon with a wet dog over several days and it wasn't pleasant. Hope everything works out.

 

[Kia girl]

I have to agree with sometimesido about the front seat removal. It will seem like a lot more space also if you do.


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[Scotty Moore]

Yes and I have also thought about removing the front seat. But then again I thought maybe I would have it just in case someone is riding with me, but who am I kidding. Then I thought about reserving it for Iris my dog, but maybe building a platform up there would be better after I remove the front seat. Either way it makes good for good YouTube fodder. Thanks sometimes and Kia girl for your suggestions

 

[cdog]

I did a thru hike last year with very little experience. I spent a year reading, planning and purchasing gear. Most of the gear I purchased I did not use. Once I actually got on the trail I replaced a bunch of stuff. I got it all 'right' after a few months of trying things out and tweaking. My advice, don't overthink it before trying it out. Make a few changes and try it out again. We really can't get it perfect out of the blocks and will have to compromise because of how much we are tying to fit in a small space.

 

[highdesertranger]

LOL allocating a place for your dog. my dog allows me to share the bed no allocating involved. highdesertranger

 

[Minivanmotoman]

I did a thru hike last year with very little experience. I spent a year reading, planning and purchasing gear. Most of the gear I purchased I did not use. Once I actually got on the trail I replaced a bunch of stuff. I got it all 'right' after a few months of trying things out and tweaking. My advice, don't overthink it before trying it out. Make a few changes and try it out again. We really can't get it perfect out of the blocks and will have to compromise because of how much we are tying to fit in a small space.

Point of that message, can only learn so much by reading and research. Really learn by doing. 
Go forth and spread your wings.

 

[Scotty Moore]

I did a thru hike last year with very little experience. I spent a year reading, planning and purchasing gear. Most of the gear I purchased I did not use. Once I actually got on the trail I replaced a bunch of stuff. I got it all 'right' after a few months of trying things out and tweaking. My advice, don't overthink it before trying it out. Make a few changes and try it out again. We really can't get it perfect out of the blocks and will have to compromise because of how much we are tying to fit in a small space.

Agreed. That's why I'm focusing on the essentials.

 

[Scotty Moore]

LOL allocating a place for your dog.  my dog allows me to share the bed no allocating involved.  highdesertranger

I get what you're saying. I've been down that road before and that's why I say allocate a spot. We've worked very hard on establishing where her spot is in general everyday living. on a side note I noticed that your avatar shows a pick-and-shovel do you do prospecting? I was thinking about bringing my sluices with me and pans Etc but just thought it would take up too much space.

 

[highdesertranger]

yes sir I prospect all over. I give the prospecting seminar at RTR. I would say if you a going to be in an area where there is gold then by all means bring your gear. what area are you planning on going to? are you planning on going to the RTR? highdesertranger

 

[Scotty Moore]

yes sir I prospect all over.  I give the prospecting seminar at RTR.  I would say if you a going to be in an area where there is gold then by all means bring your gear.  what area are you planning on going to?  are you planning on going to the RTR?  highdesertranger

I have not done it much, and just here in CO. on the arkansas river. Mostly fine/Flour gold. I dont have much equipment but it takes up a bit of room. A DFS ( Damn fine sluice) A smaller plastic sluice, some pans, Screens. Got rid of my wheel, and blue bowl. From what i've read, AZ. in many places does not even allow sluices. Maybe eventually I'd like to get a Gold bug2 or such.

Yes I am planning on being at the RTR.

 

[user 15722]

I give the prospecting seminar at RTR.  highdesertranger

I haven't looked yet...  do you have a prospecting thread here in Bob's Land of the Van Dwellers ?
are you dry washing or nugget shooting ?
There's a lot I could learn !
wheels

 

[highdesertranger]

well I was going to comment that we are derailing this poor guys thread, but when I looked it's Scotty's thread and he started the derail, so.

Arizona is pretty prospector friendly, never heard that about sluice's. although being mostly desert not a lot of places to use a sluice.

I have the equipment to do any type of small scale mining. I have 2 dredges, a high banker/dredge, a dry washer, 2 metal detectors, a trommel, a sluice, a gas powered vacuum, a gold wheel, a blue bowl, several screens, several pans, testing equipment, computer programs, I even have a Geiger counter, and more stuff then I can remember at this moment. so you name it and I can do it. highdesertranger

 

[Scotty Moore]

I haven't looked yet...  do you have a prospecting thread here in Bob's Land of the Van Dwellers ?
are you dry washing or nugget shooting ?
There's a lot I could learn !
wheels

I myself looked briefly for a thread on prospecting and I only saw one about finding gold in California and that was under Hobbies. There may be some interest in a prospecting section

 

[Scotty Moore]

well I was going to comment that we are derailing this poor guys thread,  but when I looked it's Scotty's thread and he started the derail,  so.

Arizona is pretty prospector friendly,  never heard that about sluice's.  although being mostly desert not a lot of places to use a sluice.

I have the equipment to do any type of small scale mining.  I have 2 dredges,  a high banker/dredge,  a dry washer,  2 metal detectors,  a trommel,  a sluice,  a gas powered vacuum,  a gold wheel,  a blue bowl,  several screens,  several pans,  testing equipment,  computer programs,  I even have a Geiger counter,  and more stuff then I can remember at this moment.  so you name it and I can do it.   highdesertranger

All that equipment it seems that you would need a much larger vehicle which is fine if you have it. Yes I understand what you mean not too many areas to use sluices. I'm not sure if they'd be used form for a recirculating sluice or if a drywasher would be sufficient. Anyways I'm no expert. As far as derailing my thread, it's all good I don't get pissy about it because it's all good information regardless.

 

[highdesertranger]

I forgot the thread on prospecting so here it is,

https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=14369

I am going to bump it
highdesertranger

 

[Scotty Moore]

I  forgot the thread on prospecting so here it is,

https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=14369

I am going to bump it
highdesertranger

Great, now we have self bumping. Okay thanks I'll go look take a look at it.

 

[wasanah2]

Great, now we have self bumping. Okay thanks I'll go look take a look at it.

Getting back to the topic...How is the build going?

You're really tall.  Have you considered a different rig?  An Astro Van would be way bigger than a Subaru Outback.  You can get them up to 2005 and the back seats come completely out.  You can get them All Wheel Drive.  My late husband and I rented a Subaru Outback when we flew to Idaho to go backpacking, and it was so dang cramped that we drove it back to the airport and got a good sized Jeep before we went to the next location.

If you took the back seats out of a van, you'd have so much more room for you and your dog and preserve the front seat in case you find a friend to go with you.  You never know.  You might find someone along the way that would love your new lifestyle!

Maybe you can add more storage space by using a car top carrier for extra gear.

Taking a big dog is like taking a teenager with you; they need their space.

 

[Scotty Moore]

Well actually I'm only 6 foot but yes I bit tall. Honestly I am going with what I have because I cannot afford to do otherwise. I had two vehicles to choose from and I decided which ever did not sell which would be the one that I use. The choices were a Crown Victoria or the Subaru Outback. Some of us need to use what we have.

In the future when I can, a van is in order for sure. As many others have said, they don't necessarily live in their vehicle they live out of it. Anyways before I can get there, I still have to get my house rented out and moving all the stuff out to the dumpster by myself including a hide-a-bed sofa and a freezer. That's okay I'll persevere and get it one day.

 

[Taj]

Im in a Dodge 2014 Caravan, and say a youtuber in the same vehical use 250 lbd test shelving units as her platform bed and it works Great, though she used all 4 to make the back of her Caravan a 'split' level platform im only using two so I can sit and stretch out without laying down all the time. but give it a try, if you use only half your back length wise, your puppers can lay on some bedding on the floor while traveling and while sleeping.