Hello everyone....new veteran (to van living) here.

[az1895]

Hello !<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; My name is Ron. Im 48 years old and Ive been living in my van for about 3 or 4 years. I am on SSI disability since being hit by a drunk driver in 2000 and nearly killed. I look like a normal guy , and nobody knows how I live except for a few close family.<br />I don't do this by choice , it was a necessity. <br />I owned a extended 2003 Ford Cargo van that used to be my bosses work truck. Over time I converted it inside to be utilitarian. I have bed , micro , cookstove , TV , Radio , and a battery with charger and removeable 50 watt solar panel. I use a digital TV antenna on the back , and also have inverter and computer. <br />I take showers wherever daily from Gym's , to vacant houses that have a hose outside , or out of gallon jugs refilled at a water machine.&nbsp; Cook daily in cool weather and keep a large Ice chest for food. I don't like it really , but my alternative to being stuck in some crappy apt with no money is even worse.<br />Im a really decent guy and have no problems making new friends. I thought I would come here and post what I do to survive , and maybe meet others that are doing the same ? <br />Ive been there and done it all as far as living out of a van. I prefer stealth when in town , and pass myself off as a camper when staying out in the weeds somewhere.<br />My hobbies are Photography , Fishing , Firearms , and travel. I also am a very good , but rather slow handyman that's always looking for work.....yet find very very little because of my situation.<br />I don't know where all this is going , but wanted to say hello.................Ron

 

[Patrick46]

Hey Ron<BR><BR>there are a number of other members on this board who are in similiar situations, so you should feel right at home.<BR><BR>What part of the country are you from?? Do you do more stealth living or do you spend more time boondocking??<BR><BR>I feel bad that you seem to feel that you can't share the way you live with your family members, as there's no shame in living in a van...it's simply a choice that you made for an apparently valid reason...and I applaud that! (my mother used to call me a vagabond when I was living in my stepvan...little did she know that I actually liked her little title!!) <IMG class="emoticon bbc_img" title="Cool - " src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif"><BR><BR>Do you have a website or blog that shows somma your pictures?? I love photography, and really enjoy checking out what&nbsp;other folks see through their lens.<BR><BR>Welcome to a great forum!!<BR><BR>p.s. we love to see pics of others' vans on here&nbsp;too!!

 

[Guest]

Welcome Rom. Have you looked at Craigslist Gigs for odd jobs.

 

[Unchained]

Hi Ron, welcome to the forums! <br>We have a little bit of everything here, situation wise. Folks who had a sudden downturn and had to go mobile nearly overnight, folks who saw/ see it coming and have some time to prep (this is me), folks who simply opted out of the rat race or want to, college students needing cheaper housing, folks who travel for work and want to save money, folks on fixed incomes looking to stretch their dollars, folks who are enjoying their retirement (or a time out) as RV snowbirds... on and on. <br><br>It's a great place to help others by sharing your experience, and maybe pick up a new idea or two as well. It's also great for meeting new people, as there are folks from all over and planned gatherings where we can hang out in real life.&nbsp; <br><br>Most of all, it's a place where everyone knows how you live and couldn't care less, because we're doing it, too <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img" title="Big Grin - ">

 

[wagoneer]

A big howdy from the west coast, you are doing what a lot of people on this forum would like to experience (including myself) the transition was forced upon you (so it seems) do you find any upside to your lifestyle? are you in a good place?

 

[investigator77]

Welcome Ron. Sorry to hear about your terrible accident.&nbsp; I can relate to living on a fixed disability income, and feeling the need to free up some of my money by not paying a mortgage.&nbsp; I'm in the process of downsizing right now, and it's a big job.&nbsp; I hope you can find a better living situation eventually, someplace with hot running water would be nice for you!

 

[az1895]

<a rel="lightbox" target="_blank" href="/file?id=1631677"><img alt="DSCF0008.JPG" src="http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1631677" class="bbc_img" /></a>&nbsp;<a rel="lightbox" target="_blank" href="/file?id=1631680"><img alt="DSCF0002.JPG" src="http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1631680" class="bbc_img" /></a>&nbsp;<a rel="lightbox" target="_blank" href="/file?id=1631681"><img alt="DSCF0004.JPG" src="http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1631681" class="bbc_img" /></a>&nbsp;<a rel="lightbox" target="_blank" href="/file?id=1631682"><img alt="DSCF0005.JPG" src="http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1631682" class="bbc_img" /></a>&nbsp;<a rel="lightbox" target="_blank" href="/file?id=1631682"><img alt="DSCF0005.JPG" src="http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1631682" class="bbc_img" /></a>&nbsp;<a rel="lightbox" target="_blank" href="/file?id=1631683"><img alt="DSCF0003.JPG" src="http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1631683" class="bbc_img" /></a>&nbsp;<a rel="lightbox" target="_blank" href="/file?id=1631684"><img alt="DSCF0007.JPG" src="http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1631684" class="bbc_img" /></a>&nbsp;<a rel="lightbox" target="_blank" href="/file?id=1631685"><img alt="DSCF0001.JPG" src="http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1631685" class="bbc_img" /></a>&nbsp;Thanks Everyone.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Let me answer a few things here. First off Ive got used to taking cold showers in winter ! It was hard at first , but its just mind over matter. Ive had showers out of hoses in Tucson that the water was 50 degrees !<br />I prefer stealth over boondocking. Favorite places are truckstops open 24hrs , walmart in some places , and especially McDonalds with Wi-Fi. Carpool parking areas are good too , and any large indoor garage style parking on weekends when they don't charge. <br />I also know a few people that will let me pull up at their place , but I don't like to impose.<br />I never ever answer a knock on a window at night (cops or others) and always try and park where if someone tried towing I could just drive off. My van has NO windows except the front 3 so there is no way to see in. I have insulated to a minimal degree for mild cold weather and have been cold but comfy down to 0 degrees.<br />Im staying right now with a elderly lady in New Mexico doing ALOT of home repairs and helping her get situated after her husband died. That is going to end as my job is done here in about 3 weeks , then headed back to AZ (Native). Funny thing.....I cant get used to staying inside anymore and even though I have my own room If I want, &nbsp;still sleep in the van , and shower outside in the hose ! In fact a lot of times I just drive out to the weeds close by and kick the doors open and snooze.<br />I was robbed two times in the beginning and now firmly assert my 2nd amendment right to "Keep and Bear Arms"! Im not afraid because I have harbor freight motion alarms , 4 firearms , and pepperspray.......I trust nobody that approaches me at night !<br />Here are a couple pics.....give me a few minutes to post them please , and thanks everyone !<br /><img rel="lightbox" alt="DSCF0008.JPG" src="http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1631677" class="bbc_img" /><br />One thing I need to change is repainting the rear doors , removing the fake bullet holes , and making the antenna removable. Its not stealthy with that on there. Also I have a top rack that isn't pictured with home made awning that pulls out for shade. All the camping , fishing , outdoor people kind like my van and its is right at home out in the boondocks.<br />I like photography with a passion and plan on spending a lot of time in Utah and northern AZ area in the spring.

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome Ron. It looks like you've fixed your van up to be very comfortable and stealthy at the same time. Many new members wonder how to live in the city as opposed to boondocking which is a lot easier to do so your input will be very valuable.

 

[Pikachu711]

Welcome to the group Ron!

I'm certain that if you have any questions about van dwelling you'll find the answer to most if not all of your questions. There's a wealth of information available here to help you resolve any question that may come to mind.