Canadian **** on the way out

[RevDrMartian]

Heyo there,

I'm a 33-year-old Canadian ****, did two years in Law and another two in engineering and yet still cannot make ends meet due to a complete inability to relate to people. My GPA is 3.87, and yet there are no jobs for me. Debt is mounting and I cannot meet its demands- the bloodsucking leech of mediocrity does not relent.

I own nothing despite having a low-paying permanently-part-time job (they will never employ full-time as that would cost their overlards too much money,) yet ever 90 cents of a dollar I make goes towards paying for the fat pig interest, and nothing is left to survive as I am.

I own nothing, yet owe everything.

I am done with life as dictated by the overlard.

I own one thing- a 1999 Ford Explorer. It has seen me through thick and thin, it carried me through a 5000-kilometre, four day round trip for an engineering job interview without so much as a fart (Tembec did not even call me back after this journey, despite me spending $1000 I did not have for the privilege of their company for 1 hour.) and is still going strong. It cost me $3000 three years ago and shows no sign of dying yet.

I have come to the decision that it will be my home until I can pay off what debts I owe and can buy a more comfortable van.

I want out of the rat race. I want out from debt. I want to owe nothing to anyone, and I want to pay the corrupt scum known as 'government' -NOTHING- unto the end of my days.

So.

What would one suggest to modify a '99 Explorer into something passably comfortable in the Canadian climate?

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, RDM!
Bob has an SUV conversionpost on his website
http://www.cheaprvliving.com/other-conversions/full-size-suv-conversion/

And our search tool brings up a couple of threads specifically geared towards the Explorer
https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-New-guy-Using-a-94-ford-explorer?highlight=Ford+Explorer
https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-American-vagabond?highlight=Ford+Explorer

There maybe more but these two jumped out at me

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

What would one suggest to modify a '99 Explorer into something passably comfortable in the Canadian climate?

If I were trying this, and I had to stay in Canada, I would try to relocate to the warmest part of Canada for the winter, which I guess would be either British Columbia or maybe one of the Maritimes - Nova Scotia or maybe Prince Edward Island.  I guess it would take some weather research to pick the best site.

The whole point of having a home on wheels, etc.

Regards
John

 

[RevDrMartian]

If I were trying this, and I had to stay in Canada, I would try to relocate to the warmest part of Canada for the winter, which I guess would be either British Columbia or maybe one of the Maritimes - Nova Scotia or maybe Prince Edward Island.  I guess it would take some weather research to pick the best site.

The whole point of having a home on wheels, etc.

But what if I like the cold? 

My original idea before I started looking into a more permanent vehicle living was a wall tent and finding a cozy spot on an uninhabited lake somewhere over in Ontario. I'm from there originally and quite used to deep snow and that kind of weather. The thought of spending a winter in a tent next to a crackling stove makes me feel comfy. Now though, I am thinking that will be a more permanent solution once my debts to the overlard are paid off.

Right now I am in south Alberta, and we get the chinooks regularly- snow rarely stays for long, though the occasional coldsnap that can drop the mercury to -40 or so for two or three weeks are not unheard of. With that in mind, yeah, warmer climates to start with could be a good idea.

This coming March is my move-in time, and I'll spend the summer here catching up on debt and saving every penny I can for a move before next winter.

At least this winter I can stay occupied with modding the Explorer.

Cheers,
Rev.

 

[ahh_me2]

Welcome aboard!

Central Alberta here.

 

[rvpopeye]

Rev Dr Martian ,,,,,,,,cool forum name !!!
Welcome aboard the CRVL forums and hope you find all the info you need to do your build right here!
To quote one of my favorite Canadians "Keep your stick on the ice!
Red Green

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

But what if I like the cold? 

They run 12 step programs to help people like you.  It's called Lunatics Anonymous. 

Regards
John

 

[akrvbob]

I understand exactly where you are coming from, the rat race is for rats! Even if you win, you're still a rat!

Do you have a place to park or will you be stealth parking? Your biggest problem will be frost, it's going to be obvious you are sleeping in there. You might consider running an ad in Craigslist looking for a drive way to let you park in for $100 a month or so. Maybe you could pay more and get an extension cord for an electric blanket, that would be a huge improvement.

I'd give serious thought to taking out the passenger seat and building in plywood platform to make a long bed and create storage underneath it. You want to be able to get a good nights sleep and that would really help.

Good luck!
Bob

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Come over to stay with us Vancouverites ! There are lots of vandwellers here and if you are the hardy type all you really need is a good sleeping bag. Totally doable. ☺

 

[RevDrMartian]

Come over to stay with us Vancouverites  ! There are lots of vandwellers here and if you are the hardy type all you really need is a good sleeping bag. Totally doable. ☺

Certainly is a thought- nicer weather over there and I do actually like the rain. Come fall next year we shall see what we shall see!

I understand exactly  where you are coming from, the rat race is for rats! Even if you win, you're still a rat!

Do you have a place to park or will you be stealth parking? Your biggest problem will be frost, it's going to be obvious you are sleeping in there. You  might consider running an ad in Craigslist looking for a drive way to let you park in for $100 a month or so. Maybe you could pay more and get an extension cord for an electric blanket, that would be a huge improvement.

I'd give serious thought to taking out the passenger seat and building in plywood platform to make a long bed and create storage underneath it. You want to be able to get a good nights sleep and that would really help. 

Good luck!
Bob

Cheers, Bob!

I am thinking Stealth is going to be my usual go-to, but I am happy to boondock as well- there are a fair number of nooks and crannies around the 'Hat here that I've found while scouting and can snuggle in for the night. I also currently live with a friend who has his own house, and he's alright with me huddling up nearby.

As to modding the Explorer, I am looking into that. On my 5k round trip for the interview with scumbag Tembec I roughed it in the back. I'm just 5'10", (nearly wide around, mind,) so I was actually fairly comfy in the back without needing to mod the passenger seat. I will be pulling out the two rear seats and boxing in half of that space to keep the sleeping platform full length and give me a bit of extra stowage, but I will be leaving the other half low, maybe just put some plywood with rubber to act as a 'foyer' for snowy boots, and to make for a more comfortable seat when I have nothing better to do but draw and write.

Going to take some photos and sketch up some design ideas to post here for advice on.

Welcome aboard!

Central Alberta here.

Ay, south Albertan here! If you happen to be passing through Medicine Hat, let me know- I'd be delighted to buy you a coffee.

 

[ahh_me2]

Ay, south Albertan here! If you happen to be passing through Medicine Hat, let me know- I'd be delighted to buy you a coffee.

I have a full time job up in Edmonton, I'm more of a van-dweller, than a van-traveller!
That said, one never knows what tomorrow holds!
And if you're up this way, I'll buy you a coffee!

 

[Theadyn]

Hi and Welcome!!

 

[USExplorer]

Hello from a small hobby farm in sunny, mosquito-ridden Florida.

My RV is an '04 Explorer. I just fold down the back two rows and put a mattress pad (cut in half and stacked, length-wise) on top. I've kept everything I own in the Explorer for the past year and a half, living in half a dozen states and traveling through a dozen more. I've been down to a couple hundred in cash reserve, I've worked under the table as a courier and landscaper, I've volunteered on organic farms, I've lived at Rainbow Family encampments. If you want to drop off the grid, it is not too difficult.

Come on down to the US, gas costs 40 cents a liter down here.