Good mornin, another newbie here!

[WesternRailfan5181]

Good mornin all, I kinda stumbled onto this forum after i found a link to it in the description of a youtube video, can't remember which one it was. Anyway van life has piqued my interest and from what i have seen the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. I've been researching different vehicles and what van life is like, and I'd appreciate any advice you guys have. I drive trucks for a living, so I'm not short of places I'd want to travel to, but i can't get to a lot of them with a 53' trailer behind me!  Anyway its nice to meet you all, and hope everyone is having a good holiday!

John

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard John !

 

[jimindenver]

Welcome to the forum. I think you will find just about every type of vehicle dwelling here, what you need is up to where and how you want to do it. I love my big trailer for the space, storage and creature comforts but it limits where I can go and makes the truck get horrible MPG.

 

[eDJ_]

Welcome to the CRVL Forum    

I was just reading your intro and it reminded me of an Airline Pilot who was telling me the same a few years ago.
He was intrigued with my Van when I was talking with him and telling me that he's seen so many interesting places from the "air" but there was no way he could get that airliner with all the people in it on the ground so he could go look around.  LOL 

He did wind up buying a Class C  and touring when he had a few days off.  He couldn't go very far from home
but he said he was sure enjoying the ground in a way he never thought possible before.

Why don't you take at my first link below to see how I fixed up my basic Van.   The link below it may even be interesting to you now since you are traveling.

All the best !

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums John! We're ready to give advice so ask away about everything and anything. :-D

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.

 

[BobBski]

Great to see you here John, welcome.

 

[Gypsysoul]

Good mornin all, I kinda stumbled onto this forum after i found a link to it in the description of a youtube video, can't remember which one it was. Anyway van life has piqued my interest and from what i have seen the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. I've been researching different vehicles and what van life is like, and I'd appreciate any advice you guys have. I drive trucks for a living, so I'm not short of places I'd want to travel to, but i can't get to a lot of them with a 53' trailer behind me!  Anyway its nice to meet you all, and hope everyone is having a good holiday!

John

Welcome John!

Caryn

 

[WesternRailfan5181]

Well there is a couple things that do come to mind right away. XD One is an idea i came up with after thinking bout how lawn care companies often have those big plastic tanks on their trucks. Most semi trucks have dual fuel tanks with about 100 gallon capacity per side. Now with wanting to be in remote areas a lot, would a custom-built supply trailer be something to consider? What i'm currently thinking of is having the extra fuel tank and a storage space for tools like tire chains, chainsaw, splitting maul, etc.

Then there's also the matter of an inverter and power source, i was thinking solar panel but any suggestions on how to keep warm or cool in a van/suv would be quite welcome. Currently i am looking at something along the lines of a Jeep Wrangler that has good ground clearance, 4x4 capability, and the towing capacity needed to handle the extra weight behind it.

 

[WriterMs]

I don't know what an XD One is... could only see Star Wars references on a quick Google search. Sounds like you are talking about towing a trailer so I guess it is some sort of cargo??? trailer?

Interesting that there seem to be several current or former long haul drivers on this forum... guess road travel really gets in the blood, so you've found kindred souls here.

There are conversation thread sections specifically on heating and  on solar. They go into details based on things such as size of rig you need to heat or what type of items you need to power with solar.  Your size and usage will make a big difference on what folks would recommend.  Are you going to run a 12-volt frig or freezer or you'll just be recharging a laptop?

Oh, and I've seen photos of off-road specific small trailers specifically aimed at Jeep owners... have you looked into those? They look cool but pricey from what I've seen.

 

[WesternRailfan5181]

'XD' is a text phrase akin to someone laughing. Usually inserted after various jokes or other comedy phrases. And yes, after you've been out for a while like i have it does get into your blood as well. I also might add that after a little over a year of living out of a truck, I've simplified my life more than i thought i would initially. As for the trailer it was kind of a custom idea i came up with, and its primary use is indeed as a cargo/storage trailer. On the subject of a fridge, i would be looking at a 12 volt compressor fridge, not a thermoelectric cooler. I've found a couple 12 volt AC fridges that i need to look into later today.