I am 50 she is 47, we are getting a 2005 Chevy Venture Minivan for free shortly with low miles, 60k I think. I see lots of couples in full size vans and VW vans, but rarely a regular minivan. Its free, but I am on the tall side 6'4. we will also have 2 chihuahuas with us. Looking for various ways to set up the van for our little group. Goal was to head out on the road in October, we have a plan for online income but that might be altered with the virus going on.
Couples in Minivan?
- Thread starter bfennell
- Start date
Help Support Van Living Forum:
Welcome to the CRVL forums bfennel! You'll have enough time to try it out before leaving. If you can, go to a state park for the weekend, then try it out for a week. If everything is closed down camp in your driveway. You'll learn a lot about what you need and whether you can actually live in the minivan.
To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.
Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.
We look forward to hearing more from you.
To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.
Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.
We look forward to hearing more from you.
DannyB1954
Well-known member
Some people travel the world with just a back pack, so it is doable. I would suggest building a storage area under the bed area. Another advantage is it will give you a flat sleeping area. Most minivan floors are not very even. I don't know the model that you will have, but I built a bed in a Dodge Caravan. The storage under the bed was 12" so a milk crate could be used under the bed to help organize things. They could still sit up on the bed. Youtube is a great source for ideas. Search SUV camper, MiniVan camper, truck bed camper etc.
nature lover
Well-known member
hello and welcome bfennell - the others suggesting practice runs are your best advice. My opinion and advise is a couple can't live "in" a minivan. A couple can sleep in a minivan but you have to live outside. If you prepare for outdoor camping including a rain shelter/tarp it can be done. My new rig is a full size dodge van with high top and I only sleep in it - I live out of it. My van gives me something a minivan won't give you - the space to get out of the weather and live for a day or two inside but when the sun starts shining I'm out. When I camped with the Safari van I carried a 10 x 20 canopy so that I could live outside in bad weather. Make sure that you don't use one of those pop-up type of shelters they use at craft fairs etc. they are nothing more than rain collectors and will soon collapse under the weight. Mine had 2 in pipe frame (very heavy) but no pieces longer that 6 ft. You could use pvc if it weighs less??? One thing to be sure of is that your tarp is a good quality one - I like the grey on top black on bottom ones that provide better shade than the cheap ones. Also make sure to get a trap with a little "skirt" that hangs down over the frame about 6 to 10 inches - that makes a huge difference in the rain. You could carry the frame on a roof rack to save sleeping and cargo space inside; but be certain to secure the pipes as flying pipes on the highway are very dangerous. And throw away those little tent pegs they give you - get some long and heavy stakes or at least some weight on the poles because these tarps fly like a kite. I have seen it; not fun.
