Hello from a hopeful adventurer!

[savvy]

Hey everyone!
I'm so glad to have found this forum!

My best friend and I are gearing up for van life- within the next few months, we plan to buy a van, quit our science jobs, and spend a year rock climbing around the West. The ultimate gap year.
We are both 24 from the East Coast. We are frequent roadtrippers and can camp comfortably with little gear, even in very cold weather. We spent a week together this fall driving around Northern Cali where we met a bunch of van living climbers- we didn't even know that was a possibility! We fell in love with this passionate lifestyle, and can totally make it work. We'll tour Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Washington, etc. Ultimately, we'd like to end up on the west coast to live permanently.

I'm looking for some advice though-
We have a $2000ish budget for a van (to house gear, boy, girl, and kitty). Any recommendations?
We plan to convert a cargo van into a camper- thoughts on insurance and construction?
Camping in bear country- Bear boxes, waste, and van and kitty safety?
And what I'm most nervous about- explaining to my plan to my parents (I'm financially independant and responsible, and live in a different time zone, but still..)

Thank you!

See you on the road,
Sav

 

[Possum]

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Welcome to the "tribe" !&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" /></span>

 

[bk2valve]

Welcome sav...good idea....best of luck on the build and year off...<br />Bri

 

[Lifemagician]

... what I'm most nervous about- explaining my plan to my parents.

<br /><br />A very long time ago a friend gave me this advice - Parents must accept the decisions of their adult children.&nbsp; They do not have to condone them, but they must accept them.<br /><br />It has stood me in good stead as I watched my five children take their life in different directions.<br /><br />By all means explain your plan to your parents, but don't try to convince them, if they do not agree.&nbsp;&nbsp; Just show them as the months and years go by, what a sensible and mature adult they reared.&nbsp; Only that will convince them.<br /><br />Lifey

 

[HoboBerg]

Welcome aboard! My intentions were a year off as well. Now I'm on number 3 enjoy the freedom as ling as you can! Be safe and enjoy.

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>Greetings and a hearty welcome.&nbsp; One caution - this lifestyle is addicting.<br /><br />I've been staying for a couple of days along the Mississippi River in a town I'd never considered...&nbsp; I might just stay here a while!&nbsp; There is nothing... absolutely nothing that can compare with the liberation, joy, happiness that comes from van living.&nbsp; You are headed down the right path.<br /><br />V.T.</p>

 

[blkjak]

welcome .... blkjak

 

[Pikachu711]

Welcome to the group savvy! I'm still living in a "sticks &amp; bricks" building so far but I can't wait to be on the road some time next year.

 

[savvy]

Good to meet you all.<br />I thought of another question!<br />What do you do when your rig breaks down? Van in the shop means no access to your home and the goods inside.. thoughts?

 

[Stillwater]

If this is only a one year sojourn that involves many miles, you might want to sacrifice space for fuel economy and reliability. A mini-van might make more sense. I did really well in an all wheel drive toyota previa. If you had asked ten to fifteen years ago, I might have recommended a 4wd Toyota Van (yes, that was the model name.) <br /><br />Still, you will get LOTS more room in a cargo van and they can be purchased cheaply. You've also got an open slate to rebuild inside to your needs. Kinda like a luxury car, conversion vans massively loose their value when used so don't neglect looking at them. <br /><br />When I was doing a lot of traveling around my outdoors hobby (more than a decade ago,) it was whitewater kayaking. Regarding a place to stay when the vehicle is undergoing maintenance, if you can comfortably rock climb, then I think you'll be comfortable in a small tent with a couple of thermarest pads when vanless. <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="bbc_img" /> <br /><br />Organization and buildout for only one year? Thermarest pads, couple of pieces of connecting plywood for bed surface on top of plastic storage tubs for gear goes a l-o-n-g way. Enjoy yourself, stay safe and have a great time! Even though some of us never grow up, your body is still only young once!<br /><br /><br />(Throw a couple of bikes on top or the rear. Thank me later. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">)

 

[akrvbob]

I think you have a wonderful plan and the day will come when you look back on this as one of the very best times of your life!! Go for it, and don't let anything stand in your way!! Take lots of pictures and savor every moment.<br /><br />It's hard to beat an extended cargo van. They are reasonably priced to buy, easy to convert, stealthy when necessary and easy to resell. The only other consideration to me would be a high-top conversion van for the extra comfort.<br /><br />With two people in a van, I would strongly recommend an extended van for the extra room. They are sometimes called 15 passenger vans. Treat it like you are taking an extended backpacking trip and it will feel like a mansion!<br /><br />I admire your courage and envy you the good times you are going to have! Bob

 

[ontheroadagain]

Welcome and good for you! I'm 58 and have always wanted to do this but never found the time. college, jobs, marriage, kids ............ Definitely go for it.<br /><br />I would by a cargo van for like $1200 and bank the $800 for main/repairs.<br />If you don't add permanent plumbing I'm pretty sure you can insure it as a van.<br /><br />Bears - stay away and do not feed <br />Kitty - find someone to take care of it for the year. no serious.. most really hate vehicles.<br />Human Waste - do it in the woods and cover with dirt<br />other waste - carry it out to your next town visit.<br /><br />good luck and take lots of picture and please share with all of us!<br />Rick

 

[Bodhi]

Welcome Savvy!<br /><br />I think I have read that kitties can travel fine, as some on here do it.&nbsp; And,&nbsp;I think that as long as you are in cool climates everything kitty-related will be okay.&nbsp; It is HOT climates that <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>spoil</strong> </em></span>kitties.<br /><br />Your parents... well... everyone is different.&nbsp; There are a lot of people who have had to tell their parents much harder things.&nbsp; For examples, see, www.itgetsbetter.com ...&nbsp; I think that is the website.&nbsp; Different "tell", same difficulty.&nbsp; And, if you are grown and independent, there isn't much that they can do about it.&nbsp; They will probably be there when you get back at the end of your "gap year".&nbsp; Be strong.<br /><br />Bears...&nbsp; no first hand info there... I have only cabin camped in bear country.&nbsp; However, I have read of a guy who saves his liquid waste and then uses a pool toy siringe thingy to circle his camp about 6 ft up all around.&nbsp; He claims to have never had any problems.&nbsp; I just wonder where he stows that pool toy!<br /><br />Mostly, wow!&nbsp; You sound like you are going to have a total blast.&nbsp; Be careful with that rock climbing!&nbsp; I would think that would be the thing your parents would balk at the most... and you could leave that part out!<br /><br />Right on!<br />Bodhi<br /><br />

 

[ilovemyvan]

Hello Savvy,<br /><br />Good for you and your best friend to take on such a great adventure. You will never regret it. <br /><br />Regarding where to stay when your van is being&nbsp; worked on, a few years back we had to have the&nbsp;engine replace which took a few days. The owner of the garage made sure the van was on the parking lot every nights so we could sleep in it. No big deal at all.<br /><br />This adventure will change the rest of your life....you'll see.<br /><br />Blue Skies<br /><br />Nicole

 

[sandcastle]

Most service places will try to get you a place on their lot for overnight but I've slept in a service bay when they didn't finish the job by the end of the day. Once you pull the curtains it all looks the same.

 

[WanderingRain]

Good luck, Savvy! Sounds like you got an interesting plan and itinerary.<br>Have fun and stay safe!<br><br>I read that some folks go to a motel when their vehicle/home is in the shop.<br>I took that advice last night and stayed at a motel (gut problems and have a bad cold).<br><br>Welcome!<br><br><br><br>