gslanm said:
What do you guys do when it snows and you wake up parked with 12 inches? Where do you get fresh water when there's generally no park faucets or RV camps anywhere near NY/NJ here? My best guess was bring 1 gallon containers and fill them up one by one at accessible stores or gyms or something like that, but I know of no outdoor accessible water source really in this area.
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This might be a stupid question but if you guys use solar panels, do they work/charge on the dashboard decently until/if I can mount them on a roof once I figure this all out?
I'm in Philly and I think if you can get out of NY/NJ you will find it easier in PA.
Here's a simple IKEA build, for less that $1000, just furnishings and no other costs like Electricity and that's expensive. Get a cot, a bucket potty, and a few totes that stack well. The
plastic drawers and
fabric dresser storage work.
I have a Jackery 500
which you can get solar panels for. I don't know how that compares with Yeti. Yes solar panels work through glass so I imagine you could put them in your windsheild like a shade but that's hardly stealth.
It sounds like you are working, can you just bring in your Yeti/Jackery and plug it in to recharge at work?
When there's snow a lot of city parking garages are free in Philly, vans are not accepted at most but it's probably best to scope a few and park there.
Water. Churches can often help also community rec centers where you can get a shower. But you need filter jugs or to buy spring water to drink, City water in Philly sucks.
Mental Health. What health insurance do you have if any? You really need to pay attention to that, can you have a mental health provider via a health app on your phone? Do you have a faith community who can help you out with a support group? You need to be very strategic about staging your transition so you don't get overwhelmed, isolated, and without support. Strategize and test the life out with whatever vehicle you now have, for longer stays. Good luck. Look through all the different types of forums here. There's an enormous amount of good info.