Bela's Mom
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That diamond in the ruff looks like fun, fun, fun awaiting!
Considering A Big (for us) Change
- Thread starter WheelEstate USA
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WheelEstate USA
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Jo...that's exactly how we see it.
I spoke to the guy this morning. He will provide parking for a few days so we can make the switch without hustling.
I like that plan. I was dreading a fast switcho-chango.
Plus, its about 10 degrees cooler there, not far to see Bisbee and Tombstone.
And...it just snowed in Flagstaff. Nights for the next few weeks are expected to be 20s-30s. I think we can sorta rough it for a little bit.
We'll have a bed and we can live out of totes just fine.
I spoke to the guy this morning. He will provide parking for a few days so we can make the switch without hustling.
I like that plan. I was dreading a fast switcho-chango.
Plus, its about 10 degrees cooler there, not far to see Bisbee and Tombstone.
And...it just snowed in Flagstaff. Nights for the next few weeks are expected to be 20s-30s. I think we can sorta rough it for a little bit.
We'll have a bed and we can live out of totes just fine.
Belinda2
Well-known member
Patrick,
Well, I too was away, and thinking of you Patrick along my road trip. I was parked near this construction site and the dump trucks were lined up getting their loads..........anyway, I thought of you.
Jo,
I also thought of you, as I was up in Lancaster, PA near one of the few Sprinter dealerships. I would think that having a diesel would be wonderful and it was my first choice when I decided to go full time as I had a great diesel Toyota overseas. What made you finally decide on your Sprinter?
Jay,
The totes are lightweight and handy for all storage, stacking and can be condensed when your volume increases or decreases. When you are not "living out of your totes", how do you plan on organizing your stuff? Building shelves? What will you then do with the totes?
Well, I too was away, and thinking of you Patrick along my road trip. I was parked near this construction site and the dump trucks were lined up getting their loads..........anyway, I thought of you.
Jo,
I also thought of you, as I was up in Lancaster, PA near one of the few Sprinter dealerships. I would think that having a diesel would be wonderful and it was my first choice when I decided to go full time as I had a great diesel Toyota overseas. What made you finally decide on your Sprinter?
Jay,
The totes are lightweight and handy for all storage, stacking and can be condensed when your volume increases or decreases. When you are not "living out of your totes", how do you plan on organizing your stuff? Building shelves? What will you then do with the totes?
WheelEstate USA
Well-known member
Belinda...good to see you back. Hope you had a good time.
I'd love a Sprinter...oh, the things I could do with all that room.
The totes will be temporary and we'll donate them when we get some cabinets and storage installed. They are easily shifted or stacked neatly outdoors while working inside.
Being kind of a handy guy, I'll be modifying re-purposed and self built items in our build.
The most unique thing will be doing the project while living aboard and on the road...on the cheap, but nice.
As I might have mentioned, my intention is to show folks how they can turn an empty van into comfortable wheel estate on a budget while on the fly, working with mostly hand tools and simple methods. Habitat For Humanity and other sources, and some freebies will provide most of our materials. Much of the work will be done while camping on BLM/Forestry, which, in itself, can present some challenges and even legal issues. For one, we'll document how we do a custom exterior transformation without a shop or expensive equipment and high dollar materials.
I've seen people forced by various truly unfortunate situations living in a car and hated it. I'll offer hints about trading (barter) that car with a private party for a van and how to go from the cramped homeless cardweller to the proud owner of their own comfy home. I've been there and learned the hard way. Now, at 67 I MUST live within my means, as so many others do.
We, are going to try to help others turn the lemons they've been handed into lemonade
Thanks for your questions and concerns. I hope you'll follow us as we progress with this project.
Take care.
I'd love a Sprinter...oh, the things I could do with all that room.
The totes will be temporary and we'll donate them when we get some cabinets and storage installed. They are easily shifted or stacked neatly outdoors while working inside.
Being kind of a handy guy, I'll be modifying re-purposed and self built items in our build.
The most unique thing will be doing the project while living aboard and on the road...on the cheap, but nice.
As I might have mentioned, my intention is to show folks how they can turn an empty van into comfortable wheel estate on a budget while on the fly, working with mostly hand tools and simple methods. Habitat For Humanity and other sources, and some freebies will provide most of our materials. Much of the work will be done while camping on BLM/Forestry, which, in itself, can present some challenges and even legal issues. For one, we'll document how we do a custom exterior transformation without a shop or expensive equipment and high dollar materials.
I've seen people forced by various truly unfortunate situations living in a car and hated it. I'll offer hints about trading (barter) that car with a private party for a van and how to go from the cramped homeless cardweller to the proud owner of their own comfy home. I've been there and learned the hard way. Now, at 67 I MUST live within my means, as so many others do.
We, are going to try to help others turn the lemons they've been handed into lemonade
Thanks for your questions and concerns. I hope you'll follow us as we progress with this project.
Take care.
Bela's Mom
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Jay- I'm looking forward to your posts about the van's transformation. Although I already have a van, there are many things that I can learn from someone with your skills. I live on a budget too and must do as much as I can by myself so that I can save money for things I must pay someone else to do. I've read with interest the posts about painting with a roller. My roof has scratches that are rusting and I'm thinking rolling paint on would be easier for me than trying to spray paint it.
Belinda- I settled on the Sprinter for several reasons. First, it gets 22 mpg, the same as the Hyundai Tucson I had (that they took as a trade-in). So I could use it as a daily driver, pay it off before I retired, and just have one vehicle to maintain and insure. I also wanted room for my elderly parents who have always loved to travel and camp out, and we all squeeze in with my dog just fine. It helps to have facilities on-board when we travel. Looked for about five years before I found a used one I could afford with low miles.
Bindi-I'm so excited for all of you! Take care of Jay and Margie!
Belinda- I settled on the Sprinter for several reasons. First, it gets 22 mpg, the same as the Hyundai Tucson I had (that they took as a trade-in). So I could use it as a daily driver, pay it off before I retired, and just have one vehicle to maintain and insure. I also wanted room for my elderly parents who have always loved to travel and camp out, and we all squeeze in with my dog just fine. It helps to have facilities on-board when we travel. Looked for about five years before I found a used one I could afford with low miles.
Bindi-I'm so excited for all of you! Take care of Jay and Margie!
Belinda2
Well-known member
Jo,
Do you live in it full time? I am looking to go full time and also have a small RV. I don't want to pay for storage of the thing and the Sprinter was always my first choice. Would you ever go with any other brands like the Fiat Promaster?
Jay,
If I end up living in a minivan and also using my small RV as storage, I was just thinking of using plastic storage totes full time. Do you think that would be too much of a hassle then more easily accessible shelving?
Do you live in it full time? I am looking to go full time and also have a small RV. I don't want to pay for storage of the thing and the Sprinter was always my first choice. Would you ever go with any other brands like the Fiat Promaster?
Jay,
If I end up living in a minivan and also using my small RV as storage, I was just thinking of using plastic storage totes full time. Do you think that would be too much of a hassle then more easily accessible shelving?
WheelEstate USA
Well-known member
Belinda...I think for our needs cabinets/cubbies are a better use of space and less hassle. I have plans for the lower storage spaces, so totes would be in the way.
Totes can become disorganized easily from repeated digging thru them, especially larger ones.
However, they are good for those without with limited skills. Using a little creativity you could add cardboard dividers, and shallow trays made from cut down boxes.
In your case, having storage means you don't have to carry as much with you.
I know you'll find a system that works for you.
Totes can become disorganized easily from repeated digging thru them, especially larger ones.
However, they are good for those without with limited skills. Using a little creativity you could add cardboard dividers, and shallow trays made from cut down boxes.
In your case, having storage means you don't have to carry as much with you.
I know you'll find a system that works for you.
Jay, I have a 1995 Dodge 15 passenger 1 ton van that I just bought. Could be the twin of yours except the drivers door has a large boo boo.
I don't plan to live in mine but use it for short camping trips. We usually go to campgrounds so no need for shower but do have a porta potty.
Hope you get your van soon and I will be watching what you do to it.
I painted a short school bus and it suits me, at least it isn't yellow anymore.
I don't plan to live in mine but use it for short camping trips. We usually go to campgrounds so no need for shower but do have a porta potty.
Hope you get your van soon and I will be watching what you do to it.
I painted a short school bus and it suits me, at least it isn't yellow anymore.
WheelEstate USA
Well-known member
MsBarth....congrats on the "new" van. Hope you have lots of fun with it.
We're going for a respectable look on the exterior, with a touch of RV/sport graphic. It'll look good, but sure won't win any shows
We'll be happy to have you following the transformation.
We're going for a respectable look on the exterior, with a touch of RV/sport graphic. It'll look good, but sure won't win any shows
We'll be happy to have you following the transformation.
WheelEstate USA
Well-known member
Yup, parts everywhere. And, easier to work on than the RV too.
wagoneer
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I wish I had the missis working with me you would like her. I do hope we meet up again. (chit/chat.right??)
WheelEstate USA
Well-known member
Adrian...We're looking forward to our next meeting also.
Yeah, its nice having a travel partner.
Maybe we'll get to meet your other half one day.
Yeah, its nice having a travel partner.
Maybe we'll get to meet your other half one day.
decodancer
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Just wondering what's going on with the van trade? Fingers still crossed that it goes as planned.
WheelEstate USA
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DD...I was just thinking of you. What's the word on the front end??
Van trade is still on. We decided to do the trade down at Sierra Vista where its located. Margie has a dr appointment tomorrow and Friday morning we'll drive on down (75 miles).
We're both anxious, but will remain cautious.
Van trade is still on. We decided to do the trade down at Sierra Vista where its located. Margie has a dr appointment tomorrow and Friday morning we'll drive on down (75 miles).
We're both anxious, but will remain cautious.
decodancer
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Won't have mechanic money until I make my trip to NY on the 11th. I'll groom 8 or 10 dogs and make around $300 after gas costs in two days. I am going to try and get my expired inspection done on Friday. I need to take the newly added passengers seat out though as I don't have a seat belt on that side. By the way, heard your voice on the window video and detect a major (southern?) accent. Where are you from originally if you don't mind my asking?
WheelEstate USA
Well-known member
Thanks for checking out the video. I hope you never need the hints.
Yupper, I'm originally from Texas, and have lived/traveled in the southwest most of my life. I'm an old desert rat
BTW...I've posted a couple more videos, one on an alternative use of roof coat for a down and dirty A/C cover and vent hood repair....
Another on using Craigslist to find parking....
And one I did in Camp Sherman, Or....
Not very good since I'm using still camera with video capability. I hope too afford a cam one day soon, so I can do better work.
Till then...I'll just keep Making Lemonade
`
Oh sorry, doing links distracted me...the rusty steel trap fails again
Glad you're got the extra income coming. Never goes as far as we like, but good to know you're gonna be on track for the plan with some creative penny pinching.
Just me, but I don't wanna register where inspections are required. We have an address south of Tucson since the city requires smog, as does Phoenix. We don't need to be here to get our tags.
Other states would work well, but insurance and tags are sooo cheap I'll stick with AZ.
`
Yupper, I'm originally from Texas, and have lived/traveled in the southwest most of my life. I'm an old desert rat
BTW...I've posted a couple more videos, one on an alternative use of roof coat for a down and dirty A/C cover and vent hood repair....
Another on using Craigslist to find parking....
And one I did in Camp Sherman, Or....
Not very good since I'm using still camera with video capability. I hope too afford a cam one day soon, so I can do better work.
Till then...I'll just keep Making Lemonade
`
Oh sorry, doing links distracted me...the rusty steel trap fails again
Glad you're got the extra income coming. Never goes as far as we like, but good to know you're gonna be on track for the plan with some creative penny pinching.
Just me, but I don't wanna register where inspections are required. We have an address south of Tucson since the city requires smog, as does Phoenix. We don't need to be here to get our tags.
Other states would work well, but insurance and tags are sooo cheap I'll stick with AZ.
`
